Pack’s Omega Doctor Luna

Chapter 4: Professional Facade

Chapter 4: Professional Facade

(Lucian's POV)

I lounged in the leather chair across from Mr. Harrison's desk, enjoying the nervous energy radiating from the hospital supervisor. His eyes darted around the room, avoiding direct contact with mine—typical beta behavior when confronted with an Alpha's presence.

"As I was saying," I drawled, tapping my finger against the armrest, "these research projects fascinate me. Especially when they're led by such... interesting individuals."

Harrison's pulse quickened. I could hear it from across the desk.

"The Northern Ridge project is making excellent progress," he stammered, shuffling papers that didn't need shuffling.

I leaned forward slightly. "Yes, the project. And its lead researcher—Dr. Elara, is it? I understand she's become quite the topic of conversation today."

The photos had reached me this morning. Someone had taken great care to ensure they circulated widely—grainy images of Elara in my car, our bodies intertwined. Her face clearly visible while mine remained in shadow.

A deliberate choice by the photographer.

"Ah, that." Harrison cleared his throat. "Just rumors, Alpha Blackwood. Nothing of substance."

"Is that so?" I examined my nails casually. "These photos circulating throughout your hospital seem rather substantial."

Harrison's face flushed. "A private matter between Dr. Elara and whoever she chooses to... associate with outside of work hours. I assure you it won't affect her performance."

I raised an eyebrow. How quickly they distanced themselves from her, this omega researcher they claimed to respect.

"You seem very certain of that," I said, my voice deceptively mild. "And who exactly do you believe she was 'associating' with?"

The scent of anxiety intensified around Harrison.

"I wouldn't presume to know," he said quickly. "Dr. Elara's personal life is her own business, so long as her work remains exemplary."

"And has it? Remained exemplary?" I pressed.

"Absolutely." Harrison nodded too eagerly. "She's our most dedicated researcher. Just this morning she conducted the territorial analysis meeting as if nothing had happened. Complete professionalism."

That didn't surprise me. There had been something remarkably controlled about Elara even in our most uncontrolled moment. I recalled her composed "Thank you, Alpha" after what we'd done in my car.

The contradiction intrigued me.

"I'd like to know more about her research," I said, changing tactics. "This territorial analysis sounds important."

Harrison relaxed slightly, grateful for the shift in topic. "It's groundbreaking work. Dr. Elara has identified unique biological markers in wolf populations across different territories. The practical applications could revolutionize pack medicine."

I nodded slowly. An omega leading revolutionary research. No wonder some in the pack wanted to discredit her.

A subtle fragrance caught my attention—wild jasmine mixed with clinical antiseptic. My wolf stirred instantly.

She was outside the door.

(Elara's POV)

My heart hammered against my ribs as I stood frozen outside Harrison's door. Lucian's voice carried through the wood, deep and amused, discussing photos of me that were apparently circulating throughout the hospital.

I forced myself to breathe evenly. Panic wouldn't serve me now.

I knocked firmly on the door, then entered without waiting for a response.

Mr. Harrison half-rose from his seat, his expression a mix of relief and alarm. "Dr. Elara, perfect timing. Alpha Blackwood was just asking about your research."

Lucian remained seated, watching me with hooded eyes. His scent—pine and smoke—filled the small office, making my wolf stir beneath my skin. The bite mark I'd left on his shoulder was hidden beneath his crisp black shirt, but I knew exactly where it was.

"Alpha Blackwood," I greeted him with a slight nod, keeping my voice steady. "Mr. Harrison."

Harrison gestured frantically for me to sit, sensing an opportunity to resolve the situation. "Alpha Blackwood has some questions that perhaps you could answer directly."

I took the seat beside Lucian, careful to maintain a professional distance. "What would you like to know?"

Lucian's gaze traveled over me slowly, lingering on my tightly clasped hands. The corner of his mouth quirked up.

"Nothing," he said finally.

Harrison blinked in confusion. "But you just—"

"I'm more interested in this research project now," Lucian interrupted smoothly. "Tell me about the territorial markers you've discovered."

His sudden shift threw me off balance, but I recovered quickly. "We've identified unique biological adaptations in wolf populations across different terrains. Northern wolves show increased cold tolerance through specific protein expressions that southern wolves lack."

Lucian nodded, his expression unreadable. "And how does this translate to pack medicine?"

"Targeted treatments," I explained, relieved to be on familiar ground. "Medications formulated specifically for wolves from different regions, accounting for their biological variations."

"Fascinating." Lucian turned to Harrison. "What's the timeline for practical implementation?"

Harrison opened his mouth, then closed it. He clearly hadn't been following our research closely enough to answer.

"We're entering the clinical trial phase next month," I said, saving Harrison from embarrassment. "Initial results should be available by the winter solstice."

Lucian's eyes narrowed slightly. "That seems ambitious."

"We've been laying groundwork for over a year," I countered. "The team is well-prepared."

His lips curved into a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Show me."

"Excuse me?" I blinked.

"Show me the research facilities. I want to see this groundbreaking work firsthand."

Harrison practically leapt from his chair. "Excellent idea! Dr. Elara can give you the full tour. Right now, in fact."

I recognized the dismissal for what it was—Harrison wanted us out of his office, wanted this awkward situation resolved as quickly as possible.

"Of course," I said, rising from my chair. "This way, Alpha Blackwood."

As we left Harrison's office, I felt eyes following us down the corridor. Staff members quickly looked away when Lucian glanced in their direction, but their whispers continued behind our backs.

"The research wing is on the fifth floor," I said, leading him toward the elevators.

We stood side by side in silence as the elevator doors closed. The small space immediately filled with his scent, bringing unwanted memories of last night flooding back. My body remembered his touch, his taste.

I swallowed hard, keeping my eyes fixed on the floor numbers lighting up one by one.

"You smell nervous, little omega," Lucian said softly.

I didn't look at him. "I'm not nervous. I'm professional."

The elevator doors opened on the fifth floor, and I stepped out quickly, grateful for the escape. The research wing required keycard access. I swiped mine and held the door for him.

"This is our primary laboratory," I explained as we entered. Thankfully, most of the staff were at lunch, leaving the space relatively empty. "We analyze tissue samples here and process the data in the adjoining rooms."

Lucian followed me through the laboratory, asking surprisingly intelligent questions about our methodology and equipment. For someone who appeared more fighter than scientist, he grasped the concepts quickly.

I retrieved a tablet from my desk and pulled up our most recent findings. "These graphs show the protein expression differences between northern and southern wolves," I explained, handing him the tablet.

As he took it, his fingers brushed mine. A spark of electricity shot up my arm, and I pulled back too quickly, the tablet nearly falling before he caught it.

"Sorry," I muttered.

Lucian's eyes met mine with amusement. As he tilted his head to examine the data, I noticed a faint mark on his neck—my mark, from where I'd bitten him during our encounter. A small frown crossed my face before I could stop it.

Lucian caught my expression immediately. "Afraid of me, little omega?"

His voice was low, almost intimate in the empty laboratory. The teasing lilt made my wolf bristle with indignation.

I straightened my spine. "No, Alpha Lucian is an honorable leader, not a common wolf."

His eyebrows rose at the subtle barb hidden within my polite response. Most wolves would have missed it, but Lucian wasn't most wolves. He recognized the veiled insult immediately.

A slow smile spread across his face. "Don't worry, Dr. Elara. We're both adults. I won't hold you accountable just because you happened to sleep with me once."