Where was I?
Memories flooded me, and I gasped, trying to sit up. I remembered the glowing eyes, the hospital, the exam, and Captain Cade. The thought of his name stirred a new feeling between my legs, causing me to squeeze them shut.
Oh my God,I think I had gone into heat.
My face reddened, and my heart dropped into my stomach as I remembered all the mortifying things I had begged Cade to do to me. I probably repulsed him, but it wasn’t like I had control over my body and words. The pain was so intense, and the need to fill my empty core, like nothing I had ever experienced.
Why did I care what Cade thought about me anyway?
I didn’t know what happened after that. I vaguely remembered the doctor suggesting sedation, so I assumed he had knocked me out again, but I didn’t know for how long. Based on my matted mess of hair and cracked dry lips, I assumed it had been a long time. I needed water; I needed a shower, and I needed to pee. But first, I needed to figure out where I was.
I wasn’t on a hospital bed anymore. In fact, I didn't think I was in the Medical Wing at all. The room wasn’t sterile and cold, but warm and comfortable. I was lying in a massive wooden bed that had a simple sheer canopy attached to its posts overhead. There was a soft burgundy rug on the floor, and a few nondescript pictures hung on the walls. Several blankets made from different soft fabrics wrapped around me. I rubbed my body against them, loving the feeling on my skin. Mouthwatering smells suddenly enveloped me. Raising the blankets to my face, I realized each one had a different powerful scent. Whiskey, pine, oakmoss, and cinnamon invaded my nose.
Overstimulation caused my core to throb.
During my sedation, what transformations had taken place within my body?
I knew the suppressants had long left my system.
Was this what it truly felt like to be an omega?
My heightened senses, sensitive and intense, caused me to whimper and moan. My skin craved the sensation of the cozy fabrics, and my nose ached for the scents marked on them. I rubbed against the bedding, trying to bury myself in the warm blankets and coat myself with the delicious fragrances.
Movement in the room drew my attention to a brown leather armchair where Cade sat, leaning forward. He was watching me hungrily, rubbing his thumb against his lip. I turned red thinking about how I had just been whimpering and rubbing myself against my bedding. Why was he watching me so intently it made my skin crawl?
“Welcome back, Rowan. How did you sleep?” his deep baritone voice questioned from across the room.
“Like the dead Cade, but that's what sedatives are for. To keep helpless women passed out so you can kidnap and have your way with them, am I right?” I bit back.
I didn’t care about hiding my lack of submission anymore, and I would no longer be saying "sir" and "please."
“I see you have your spark back. Ryker said he suspected your submissive nature was a ruse. How are you feeling?”
I briefly wondered who Ryker was.
I could smell Cade so strongly now, and it clouded my mind. He wasn’t purring, but his scent alone calmed me. It was like whiskey. Smooth, malty, and woody, with a subtle sweetness. My mouth watered, and as angry as I was, I wanted to be closer to him. I wanted to inhale his scent and bury my nose in the crook of his neck.
What the hell was happening to me?
It wasn’t normal to have urges to smell people’s necks.
My head was swimming. My rational brain battled against my body’s new omega instincts. An intense fullness in my bladder complemented the ache between my legs, reminding me of my urgent need to pee. I debated arguing with Cade more, but first, I had needs to attend to.
“I’m really thirsty, Cade, and I, uh… need to pee.Badly.”
He considered my request before standing abruptly and walking out of the room, returning a moment later with a large glass of ice water. Condensation coated the frosted glass, and a juicy drop of water trickled down the side, tempting me to drink it. I licked my chapped lips. Cade held the cup out for me, but just as I went to take it, he pulled the glass out of my reach.
“What do you say, Rowan?” his calm, deep voice chided me as he took a long sip of the chilled water and wiped his bottom lip with his thumb.
I stared for a moment, my eyes burning holes through him. I wanted to scream and throw something at his head, but I was so thirsty.
“Pleaseeee, Cade,” I said in a saccharine voice.
“Lose the attitude and refer to me as Captain Cade or sir. You can try again now.”
He took another long sip of the ice water. There was hardly any left, and my thirst screamed at me to give him what he wanted. I did my best to summon my submissive persona.
“Please, sir,” I said, asking again with my head bowed in submission, not making eye contact with him.