Page 9 of Examining the Bond

What a good first impression I’m making…

“Nice to meet you,” I rush out, desperate to end the tense silence hanging between us. “I’m Riann. Broken omega trying to figure out what went wrong, but you already knew that.”

The corner of Dr. Morales’ mouth lifts into a smirk, and it takes everything in me not to melt into a puddle on the floor.

Yeah, I definitely need to get this shit sorted; my hormones are clearly getting more out of whack.

Dr. Morales paces to the little swivel chair by the desk in the corner and takes a seat, flopping my chart down on the table. I try to look at anything besides her, but my eyes keep getting dragged back to her gaze.

It dawns on me that this is the first time I’ve ever been alone with an alpha. At the academy, we have mixers where omegas are presented with bachelor alphas looking for a bond, but interactions happen under the watchful eyes of the professors… most of the time. Or we’re mingling in a crowd, but we’re always surrounded by other people.

Now, I’m trapped in a very small room with an alpha, away from prying eyes. That must be why I’m on the brink of losing my mind.

Yes, definitely that, and not because she’s the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen in my life…

I’ve talked to alphas before, even had dinner with a few at the academy, but being in such a tight space with an alpha’s scent drowning me is new. I wonder if she’d crack the door open or something just so I can breathe a little easier… not that I’d mind dying by suffocation at this rate.

That would probably be less embarrassing than admitting the effect she has on me.

“Why don’t you tell me a little bit about yourself?” she says, probably pretending not to notice. She crosses her ankles and folds her hands between her knees, and my eyes linger on the way her slacks hug the muscular shape of her thighs. I swallow down the little noise bubbling up the back of my throat.

I have her full, undivided attention, which is a relief. I’d be kind of pissed if I made it all the way here just to be hurried through an exam and rushed out the door.

But at the same time, the way her gaze is boring into me makes me feel like I’ll combust at any second.

A little bit about myself?I didn’t realize I was here for an interview, but I’ll do whatever this alpha wants. All she has to do is ask.

“I’m enrolled in an omega academy. I’m nineteen. I like the winter but hate the cold…” I spit out the first things that come to mind.

She laughs, and I swear it’s music to my ears.

“I mean about what’s going on,” she clarifies mid-chuckle. “What brings you to see us?”

I fight the urge to slap myself. Of course that’s what she meant. Why would she care about my personal life?

You’re fucking this up big time, Riann.

“Well, maybe be more specific next time,” I say, heat prickling over my cheeks. The only way this could get worse is if I suddenly fell off the exam table and broke my arm.

Gods, help me.

“I’m an enigma,” I say, throwing my hands up as I repeat the last doctor’s assessment. “No one knows what’s wrong with me. I have some omega traits and some alpha traits, but apparently I’m neither.”

She nods slowly as she listens, and I clock every one of her movements: the way she runs her fingers through her hair, the way she plays with the sleeve of her lab coat. When she blinks, when she breathes.

I’m starting to feel a little crazy with how intently I’m watching her, drinking in every detail like the entire purpose of my visit is to commit her to memory.

“What omega characteristics would you say you possess?” she asks, reaching for her pen.

Shit.

Here we go.

I’m going to have to add to an already awkward situation by getting vulnerable and personal with this alpha.

I shuffle on the exam table as I avoid her gaze.

“Well, uh…” I fan my scorching face with my hand, trying my damndest to form a coherent sentence. “Sorry, it's kind of hot in here… I’m sweating.”