THE FATED OMEGA MATE

Chapter 8:Elias

The next morning, George woke me earlier than usual. His voice was polite but firm, reminding me it was Doctor Max’s scheduled visit.

For a moment, I blinked at the ceiling, disoriented. I had completely forgotten about the appointment, which was unlike me. I never forgot things, especially not work-related. Damian’s endless meetings and demands were etched into my mind like second nature. But my own appointments? My health? Somehow, that kept slipping further down the list.

By the time I went downstairs, my hair brushed neatly back and my shirt buttoned to the collar, I could already see him, Doctor Max. And beside him, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, stood Damian Blackwell.

“Good morning, Doctor Max. Mr. Blackwell,” I said with a small smile, trying to hide the unease that fluttered in my stomach.

Doctor Max returned it warmly. “Good morning, Elias. Please, take a seat so I can begin the check-up. How have you been feeling lately?”

He gestured toward one of the armchairs in the sitting room. It was my favorite, the one that faced the garden. A secret indulgence, because when I sat there, I could pretend I wasn’t in Damian’s house at all. I sank into it gratefully, though my palms felt damp.

“I have been… doing okay, I guess,” I murmured. My voice faltered, because how could I possibly admit the truth? That the sound of women’s laughter echoing down the halls made me sick. That Damian’s pheromones, so intoxicating, so necessary to my survival, were also the chains binding me here.

I risked a glance toward him. Damian was already watching me. His expression was unreadable, as always, but when I offered a small, nervous smile, he didn’t return it. He only looked away, jaw tight. My heart twisted, though I quickly forced my eyes back to the doctor.

Doctor Max began his examination, speaking gently as always. He reminded me of the small precautions I should take, the triggers I needed to avoid. He spoke about managing stress, about stabilizing my condition. And then, with a half smile, he added, “If I weren’t already mate, I wouldn’t mind courting you myself. You would make someone very lucky, Elias.”

Heat rushed to my face, my lips tugging into a shy smile despite myself. But even as his words lingered, the same unshakable thought echoed in my mind, How could I ever find another man with pheromones like Damian’s? How could anyone else’s scent ever feel the same?

No. That was impossible. Damian would never be mine. That much was painfully clear.

So I cleared my throat and asked what I had been holding onto for weeks. “Doctor Max, if I decide to try therapy with potential alphas… could I come to you? I think… maybe it’s time I tried finding another option. Something to manage these heats.”

For a moment, the room went silent. I looked between them. Doctor Max, thoughtful but hesitant, Damian, whose eyes sharpened at my words, though he said nothing. My chest tightened at their twin gazes.

Doctor Max sighed heavily. “Elias, you don’t have to. Therapy of that kind is dangerous for your condition. Exposure to multiple alpha pheromones. Your body won’t be able to handle it. It could worsen your instability. It could even kill you.”

The weight of his words dropped into the room like stone, and suddenly I felt Damian stare at me again, colder, sharper, like he dared me to challenge the warning.

“Let him, Max. Let him do what he wants,” Damian’s deep voice cut across the room, sharp and dismissive. His eyes locked on me like a blade. “Don’t waste your time on him.”

The words stung, though I tried not to show them.

“Shut up, Damian.” Doctor Max’s usually calm tone snapped into anger. He rose halfway from his chair, his eyes narrowing. “If you don’t want to help him anymore, then leave. Don’t stand here tearing him down.”

Damian’s jaw tightened. His presence was suffocating, his pheromones sharp in the air. “Remember, Max. This is my house.”

“Well, I don’t care.” Max’s voice didn’t waver. “And remember, you’re the one who specifically asked me to come here in the first place.”

A dangerous silence filled the room. For a moment, I thought Damian might lash out or do something worse, walk away and never come back. Instead, he stormed off, his footsteps echoing harshly against the marble floor, leaving Max and me behind.

I exhaled slowly, realizing I had been holding my breath.

“I’m sorry about that, Elias.” Max’s voice softened. “I don’t know how you deal with him on a daily basis, but I have got to say… you handle more than anyone should have to.”

I shrugged lightly, my eyes dropping to my hands. “It’s nothing.” But the heaviness in my chest betrayed me. If only Damian could hide his disdain for just once. If only he didn’t look at me as if I were a burden he couldn’t shake.

Max cleared his throat, drawing me back to the present. “Elias, are you still with me?”

I forced a smile. “Yes, Doctor Max. I’m okay. Could you… repeat what you said earlier? I must have drifted off.”

He sighed, but repeated patiently. “I was saying we are not reducing your visits. In fact, we might increase them. I am also working on a new suppressant, something stronger, so you can endure longer around other alphas. But you must take your medication on time. Do you understand? And I will add a secondary medication. Take it whenever you feel like you are about to lose control.”

“Yes, doctor. I will follow your orders.” My voice was steady, though inside I felt fragile. “The medication you gave me last week, what was it for?”

“It wasn’t strong enough,” he admitted. “It can’t handle your episodes effectively, so I am switching you to something else.”

I nodded, swallowing hard. Something stronger… because even now, I was too weak.

“I’ll book your next appointment,” he said, rising and collecting his bag. “Weekly visits again, at least until we stabilize things.”

I stood and walked him to the door. “Thank you, Doctor Max.”

When the door shut behind him, the silence in the house felt heavy. I turned toward my room, exhaustion dragging at my body.

But before I could even sit, Damian’s booming voice thundered from the other side of my door. My heart lurched. Why couldn’t he just call me, like always? Why did he have to stand here?

I considered ignoring him, pretending I hadn’t heard. But the thought didn’t even finish before the door burst open. Damian strode inside, his expression stormy.

“Elias...” he began, but his words cut off. His body swayed, and for the first time I noticed the unsteadiness in his steps, the slight droop of his head.

“Damian?” I stood, startled.

He stumbled, unable to hold himself upright. I didn’t even hear the rest of what he tried to say before the medication I had take before the doctor left pulled him under.

And just like that, I don't hear what he says after.