Pheromonal: One Night With the Alpha-Chapter 23: Logan’s Absence

My heart skips. "What?"

"Isn’t that curious? A doctor. And where do doctors work?"

My jaw drops.

Of all the reasons he ghosted me, this was not what I expected.

"That’s insane."

"Nik, I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s true. My date saw it with his own eyes."

Who requests to be put in jail over hitting a doctor? I shake my head. "It must be some crazy rumor. Maybe your date misunderstood or—"

"He didn’t misunderstand anything," Penelope interrupts, her voice firm. "He was right there when Logan stormed into the hospital, demanding to see you. Said he was on guard."

My heart races, a warm and tingling feeling buzzing through my veins. "But why would he do that? He rejected me as his mate. We’re over." Except he was full of remorse once he realized he’d misunderstood the situation. He’d wanted us to talk. He hadn’t just walked away, not until I’d activated the ward.

And when I saw him again, there was still something between us, like it hadn’t fully gone away.

Maybe it’s the same for him.

"That’s the thing, Nikki. He wasn’t acting like himself at all. My date said Logan was in some kind of frenzy, practically foaming at the mouth."

"What do you mean?"

"He was yelling about his mate. Screaming that they needed to fix you or he’d kill them himself."

The word ’mate’ echoes in my head. Like it belongs there. But I have no interest in an idiot who doesn’t communicate before going off and assuming I’m a cheater. "Wow."

"Wow is right. And are you not curious why he punched a doctor, Nik?"

"Nope." I’m lying. If she doesn’t tell me why, I might actually explode.

"They said they wouldn’t treat you. Said it would be too expensive. I guess they had to source some pretty rare stuff to treat you or something. You were in a coma."

A suspicion glimmers. "Who paid for it, then?"

"Guess."

* * *

Getting any sleep is impossible with all these questions and a certain McSexy invading my mind.

Taking the bus to work isn’t my idea of fun, either, forcing me to wake an hour earlier than I would have.

Scott tries to make eye contact with me the moment I walk through the doors, but I manage to duck by when someone else grabs his attention.

I’m not sure what to think about him. With his name over all those accounts, I can’t help the uneasy feeling that surfaces every time. Is Scott somehow involved? Can he possibly be the department mole?

If he is, he’s really shitty at hiding his tracks. Maybe someone’s framing him. But even if they are—why? Who would do that? And does the SED know about any of this? Now deep has their investigation gone?

Anxiety is a wet blanket I can’t shake off, following my every step as I reschedule missed appointments. Someone cleared my schedule for today, which is a small blessing. I can’t keep my mind on my work. At one point I offered someone a sixty-percent discount on brand new Aegis wards instead of the older models.

They weren’t happy when I called to explain my mistake. An entire sale down the drain because I can’t focus.

The moment the clock hits noon, I lock my desktop and rush out the door, taking the elevator before Scott can stop by my desk. I have other plans.

After a five-minute walk down the street, the SED building looms before me. It’s one of the tallest structures in the area, with at least fifty floors—all of the dedicated to the SED. No offices are rented out.

I’ve been here countless times for work, but this visit feels different. Personal.

The lobby bustles with activity. Supernatural beings of all kinds mingle with humans in suits, juxtaposing the mundane and extraordinary. I approach the front desk, my heels clicking against the polished floor.

"Excuse me," I say, trying to keep my voice steady. "I’m looking for the jail?"

The receptionist, a petite woman with vibrant purple hair, looks up from her computer. "The main correctional facility is about fifteen miles south of town, ma’am, down highway S-15."

My cheeks flush. "Oh. I thought it was in this building."

She smiles politely. "It’s a common misconception. We do have holding cells here for temporary detainment before transfer, though. Are you looking for someone?"

My throat tightens. I hadn’t planned this far ahead. Logan’s name sits heavy on my tongue, and I hesitate. What am I even doing here? To yell at him? Thank him? I’m not sure I know myself.

"I’m... looking for Logan Everett," I finally manage, the words tumbling out before I can stop them.

The receptionist’s eyes widen, and she leans forward, a gleam of interest sparking in her gaze. "Sergeant Logan Everett?" She pauses, giving me a once-over that makes me want to squirm. "Wait, are you the mate we’ve all heard about?"

My cheeks burn, and I’m sure I look like an overripe tomato. The rumor mill is alive and thriving in the SED.

"I’m not his mate." Not anymore, anyway. "Just a friend."

The receptionist’s smile widens, and it’s clear she doesn’t believe me. "Right. Of course. I understand. I’ll keep it quiet."

I want to sink into the floor. "Look, I think there’s been a misunderstanding. I’m just here to—"

"To see your mate, of course!" She cuts me off, practically bouncing in her seat. "Let me just check. I’m sure he’d want to know you’re here."

Panic rises in my chest. "No, wait—"

But she’s already picked up the phone, her fingers flying over the keypad. I consider bolting for the door, but my feet remain rooted to the spot.

"Hi, this is Meredith from the front desk," she chirps into the phone. "Logan’s mate is here to visit. I know it wasn’t scheduled, but I figured since he isn’t really... Yes. Okay, thanks! I’ll send her down."

I cringe at the word ’mate’ again, but bubbly Meredith beams at me. "Floor 15. Show your ID at the front desk. They know you’re coming."

"Thanks."