Page 184 of Awakened

“By the way,” Calder drawls, and Caelan’s smirk immediately disappears. “I’d like to point out that I didn’t get to finish my damn job. And in case you’ve forgotten, you’re the one who called, begging me to come all the way up here to check on your Omega.”

A muscle in Caelan’s jaw jumps, but he stays silent, waiting for Calder to get to the point.

“This is normally the part where you apologize.”

Silence.

Calder shoves his hands in the pockets of his jeans.

Caelan narrows his eyes.

“Cool, cool,” Calder nods, rocking back on his heels. “We’ll just pretend you apologized.”

“No, we will not.”

“Oooookay,” he agrees, raising his hands in surrender. “Let the record show one Caelan O’Ruaric offered no apologies.”

“Do you have a fucking point you’re coming to, or are we just wasting each other’s time?”

“I’m going to wean Idril off her suppressants,” Calder says. Before Caelan can react, he asks, “You’re administering her shot every night, correct?”

Caelan’s shoulders tense. “I am.”

Calder rummages through his bag before pulling out a bag of syringes and another bottle of suppressant.

“You know, I kind of love this for you two,” Calder remarks, passing the bag to Caelan. “It’s kind of romantic. Except you’re stabbing her with a needle instead of your co⁠—”

“Have some respect,” Vae snaps, cutting Calder off before he crosses a line that ends with Caelan’s fist carving a path through his face.

Caelan’s lip curls in disgust. “I’ve got this, thanks.”

He turns his glare on Calder. “If you ever fucking mention Idril and the word cock in the same sentence again, you’ll find yourself without one.”

The Doctor swallows thickly. “Got it. Not sure if anyone told you this or not, but there’s no scientific evidence that finding your Fated Mate turns you into a raging psychopath.”

“It’s been a rough few weeks,” Caelan responds in a clipped tone, and Calder’s eyes soften in understanding.

“What do you want me to do with these?”

“I want her on a slow taper. No shortcuts, or you’ll fry her system, understand? I’ve emailed you the dosage instructions and tapering schedule. A variety of medical-grade descenters are on their way, too. Should arrive either today or tomorrow.”

He hesitates before adding, “I give it a week—tops—before her Scent starts breaking through. It’s up to you, of course, but it wouldn’t be a bad idea to start using them now. Just to establish a routine and protect her preemptively.”

“So she still has to hide her scent.” Caelan’s face twists with disgust, and I can’t help empathizing. Everything inside of him shifted when he discovered her. She’s the center of his world now.

Gods, this is on me, too. The whole reason she’s been on suppressants is because I forced the issue. Because I couldn’t handle the thought of catching her scent. I made her suppress her Omega, terrified she’d weaponize her Designation if she had the chance.

So many fucking years I’ve spent terrified of being manipulated again. And this is what it’s led to.

For the first time in my long life, I have no idea where to even begin making amends. How do you start to repair something you’re responsible for breaking?

Calder adjusts his bag on his shoulder and sighs. “No one is saying Idril needs to hide her scent. She’s your Mate, Caelan. If you want my opinion, I think letting her scent break through naturally is the better⁠—”

“Fuck no,” Caelan slices his hand through the air. “No one else is going to scent her.”

There’s nothing left of the male I’ve lived with for the last five centuries. The male who’s fought by my side through countless battles. Who’s been the steady foundation of our Pack from the start.

An overwhelming feeling of desolation washes over me. I force myself to meet his eyes, searching for any sign that it won’t be like this forever.