Chapter Twenty

Author’s Note: This story is set in an alternate universe, in an imaginary town and country, and during an ambiguous time period.

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Kazir sat nervously in Dr. Lim’s office. He drummed his fingers on the arm of his chair, anxiously waiting for the doctor to start talking.  

“Alright,” she finally said, looking away from her monitor. She fixed her eyes on him. “Good news and bad news, Kazir,” she said, offering a reassuring smile as she studied his file again. “Let’s start with the results of your blood work.”  

Kazir held his breath as she glanced at her monitor again. “We detected pheromones.”  

His heart raced. “What does that mean?”  

Dr. Lim looked up, her expression serious but kind. “It means your body is producing and releasing pheromones, and the medication is not working as expected. However, it’s not enough to be detected by those around you—say, an alpha.” She paused and made eye contact with him.  

“I… what if someone, like, I don’t know, any alpha, were to detect it?”  

She shook her head. “An alpha shouldn’t be able to detect your pheromones. The levels are too low.”  

“I… right,” he muttered, his ribs hurting. “What can I do?”  

“Kazir, do you know what imprinting is?”  

Kazir blinked, caught off guard by the question. “Imprinting?” He tried to steady his breathing. “I’ve heard of it, but...”  

Dr. Lim nodded, her expression serious but patient. “Imprinting is a biological bond that can form between an alpha and an omega.”  

“I know.”  

“Imprinting can happen without bonding.”  

Kazir nodded as if he understood what she was saying, but he was honestly confused.  

Dr. Lim continued. “Imprinting happens when an alpha and/or an omega is exposed to an omega’s and/or an alpha’s pheromones, usually during a vulnerable moment, like during a heat or estrus.”

“Well, I’m safe.”  

“Yes, but exposure and compatibility can lead to imprinting.”  

“Huh?”  

“It’s an instinctual, often overwhelming connection. Once an alpha and/or omega imprint on each other, they feel an unbreakable pull toward that person. The bond is permanent, and the alpha often feels the need to protect, care for, or be close to the omega. It’s rare.”  

“I… okay,” Kazir said, scowling. “I do not believe that’s what is happening to me.”  

“Just crossing off all the boxes,” she said.  

“Right.”  

“Right now, but your symptoms are a sign the medication might need to be changed.”  

Kazir frowned. “I was just here a few months ago and got my chip replaced.”  

She nodded sympathetically. “I’m glad we’re catching this early on.”  

Kazir stopped himself from rolling his eyes in frustration. “I just changed my suppressant.”  

She nodded.  

“I understand, however, while the pheromone levels detected are not abnormal, if your experience is as you’ve described, we need to make changes now before it gets dangerous.”  

“I… but I’ve been fine for nineteen years.”  

She nodded again. “I understand. Okay, I need to ask you a few questions.”  

“Okay.”  

“Are you dating anyone? Any sexual activity with an alpha?”  

“I’m not… No.”  

“I see,” she remarked noncommittally, clicking something on her computer.  

“I’m around a lot of alphas at work. Does that matter?”

She nodded, her brow furrowing slightly. “It could. It’s possible that the alphas you’re around aren’t taking their suppressants regularly, which can increase your exposure to their pheromones and cause your body to react. It’s common for patients to experience changes in their reactions over time, especially if they’ve been on medication for a while.”  

Kazir felt a mixture of relief and concern. “So… what does that mean for me?”  

“We'll need to adjust your dosage,” Dr. Lim said, scribbling notes. “I’m going to prescribe a higher dosage of your pheromone suppressants. This should help stabilize your levels and prevent any unexpected reactions.”  

“If that doesn’t work?”  

The older woman looked away from her monitor and glanced curiously at Kazir.  

“I—” he fidgeted. “The thought of my medication not working and going into heat…I don’t want that to happen.”  

She nodded before asking, “Have you ever experienced a heat as an adult?”  

He shook his head. She hummed thoughtfully. “It’s not something you need to experience. However, if we do end up having to put you off this type of suppressant because, say, it’s not working as it should—”  

“No. That cannot happen,” he declared with definitive horror.  

Dr. Lim looked at him for too long, making Kazir uncomfortable, before saying, “Omegas experience heat every day. You will be fine.”  

“No. I… I don’t want that.”  

“I understand, however, Kazir, we might have to. If the drug stops working until we can get you stabilized. Not that this is a concern right now.”  

Kazir nodded. “Please give me a higher dosage.”  

She smiled gently. “Just remember, this happens often. Your body can adapt, and we’ll get it sorted out. Let’s schedule a follow-up appointment in a month to see how you’re responding to the new dosage.”  

“I… Okay.”  

As he left the office, Kazir felt nothing but dread. He hoped everything had been sorted, but Dr. Lim’s voice rang in his ears.