HOSPITAL VISIT.

Chapter: 3.

******

Six sleek black cars pulled into the hospital's underground parking area precisely at 11 a.m. The bodyguards exited the vehicles in perfect formation, except for the middle car where the passenger waited for Bogo to open the door. All of them wore well-fitted black suits, their faces impassive. After Bogo opened the door, Dirk stepped out, standing by the car door and surveying the empty parking lot that housed only his cars. He nodded to Bogo and began walking towards the hospital's private entrance.

St. Mont Hospital, located in Qiemont, is renowned as one of the city's best healthcare facilities. Known for its top-quality services, the hospital is synonymous with excellence in general practice. Dirk, being the highest beneficial member, enjoyed the privilege of owning his private parking area and exclusive access to the hospital. Within the hospital, he possessed his wing and a team of staff members who attended to his needs, including Dr. Naam, his most trusted vampire in all of Qiemont. The private elevator ride to the sixth floor went smoothly, as only Dirk and his bodyguards occupied it. He proceeded down the hallway, turned towards the east wing, and eventually entered his private room, where Dr. Naam awaited his arrival.

Dr. Naam always patiently awaited Dirk's arrival in his private room. Among the staff, she was the only one besides Dirk who knew the password granting access to his personal space. Since Dirk became the late Domezio's adoptive son, Naam has been his caretaker. Given his frequent need for medical attention, Naam had proven herself time and again since Dirk's first visit, when he arrived sweating and experiencing a burning sensation in his lower abdomen.

************

Merely a month after assuming the role of Don, Dirk fell ill, not due to his leg injury, but from an internal cause. His body felt as if it were burning alive, accompanied by excruciating pain. Trusting Domezio's assurance in Naam's abilities, Dirk visited her for the first time.

Entering his private wing, where only assigned staff worked, Dirk walked unabashedly into the room, nearly naked, and collapsed onto the bed, groaning in agony as he removed the remainder of his clothing. Dr. Naam drew his blood for tests, and while awaiting the results, she administered an injection to alleviate his fever. The wait felt interminable, but upon her return, Dirk felt significantly calmer and managed to dress himself.

"I have never seen symptoms like this in an Alpha before," Naam began as she sat beside him, flipping through the report on her clipboard. "The symptoms appear somewhat similar, but they are typically observed in Omegas during their early years of puberty, prior to their regular monthly heat cycles. You're experiencing these symptoms at a much later age than usual," Naam informed him.

Frowning, Dirk sat up and met Naam's gaze. "What does this mean?" he asked anxiously.

"These symptoms are rather uncommon. It could be due to hormonal imbalance or something else entirely. Perhaps your hormone levels will normalize over time, and you won't experience them again," she explained. "However, this is not normal. We may need to further adjust and test your hormone levels." She advised, "I suggest avoiding any exposure to pheromones until I find a solution to this issue. In case your immune system is compromised, it wouldn't be healthy. Fortunately, you possess strength in all areas, so we may have a few months before any complications arise."

"Hold on," he interrupted, "You do understand who I am and the nature of my work, correct?"

"I am aware, yes,"

"So, you see, it is not possible to stay away from inhaling other Alphas' pheromones, considering that I'm surrounded by Alphas every day. Normally, as an Alpha myself, I should not be affected by these things. So, this will be a very big problem for me, Naam."

"I understand, which is why I have come up with a solution. Now, you cannot take suppressants in the presence of your bodyguards; they would begin to suspect. Neither can you be popping such pills in the presence of the many Alphas you command; they would start to wonder, and gossip would fly. So, I will have them crushed into powder and delivered to your private factory, where a special cigarette pen will be made just for you. This way, you can have them anytime, anywhere without raising any suspicions, and I assure you, even the smell would not give it away." She smiled reassuringly and looked at him with concern.

"It's a brilliant idea, but why do I fear that this won't be the last time I experience this?"

Dr. Naam did not provide any further answers, and for many years, he lived a normal life. He went about his business and took his cigarettes regularly, and somehow the fever never returned until last night when he felt a burning sensation in his lower abdomen. Waking up this morning, he had to pretend it was gone, using the bad news from Dorain that morning to cover up the fever. It worked just fine.

Well, until now, that is.

*************

"It's nice to see you again, La Sala," Dr. Naam greeted as soon as he entered the room. "Bogo sounded urgent on the phone this morning. I hope all is well?" She asked.

Dirk sat on the sofa facing the woman. "I felt that fever last night, and this morning, my lower abdomen is in shambles... I think my cigarettes aren't working effectively anymore, or my body system has just grown used to the suppressants," he told her, trying to control his voice.

"Oh dear," she muttered, placing her clipboard on the desk. "Well, I'm glad I've had enough time to do all the research I need. While it may not be impossible, you are what we call a Recessive Alpha, which means you are not fully dominant and are very likely to go into heat, which shouldn't happen, but you are clearly showing," she explained, looking down at her clipboard and then back at him. "Right now, it is safe to say that your body is still in its early stages of going into a full-on regular monthly heat cycle. For now, I can have Beta Suppressant added to the current suppressive you're taking to help keep the heat under control and prevent it from going into full bloom. But this, too, is not a guarantee and may not be very reliable. To keep your secret safe, you might have to start looking for a Dominant Alpha."

"What does this mean, Naam? I'm a fucking Pride, and Pride does not go into heat... I am not an Omega!"

"I understand your panic, Don, but you must pay close attention to what I'm about to say... If you do not treat this with the utmost care and caution, a heat could break out all of a sudden, and you will be in danger from other Alphas," Naam informed him as best she could. "You are not like other Alphas or any other Pride I know..."

"So, you're saying that I may become pregnant someday?" Dirk asked, not wanting to hear this.

"Yes, that's precisely what I'm saying. And not only that, you will become prey to other Dominant Alphas. This is why you need an Alpha of your own. You will need a regular pheromone shower to keep you safe and sane while dealing with Alphas in your line of work. Otherwise, this will become very difficult over time," she told him and sighed. "I'll prepare a sedative to calm your fever down. Then you'll sleep for a few hours, and when you wake up, you'll feel good and rested. But remember what I've said. I want you to give it serious thought. You are The Kingmaker, and I'm sure many Alpha males and females would die to be your secret lover. And the good part is, you don't have to tell them any of this. All you need is their Dominant pheromones. Everyone else who smells their scents on you would think you're Mated, as all Alphas would smell when they find a mate, and no one will pay attention to you after that," she assured him.

Dirk let out a heavy sigh. "Thank you, Naam, but this will be difficult..." He hesitated.

"Why is that?"

"You see, I found my mates when I was sixteen-"

"Mates?!" Naam exclaimed, shocked.

"Yeah, the Lycgers, but I rejected them."

"You did what?!" She interrupted him once again, and he growled a warning at her. "I'm sorry."

"I think I killed them, but I haven't seen them since that night."

"If they were dead, the world would have known about it... so I'm certain they're still alive."

"What does it matter if they are?"

"Well, you're going to have to find out what happened to them. You need them now more than ever!" Naam stated firmly.

"I can't do that. Besides, I rejected them. I have nothing to do with them anymore," Dirk countered.

"Was your rejection accepted by them?"

"What?"

"Did they accept your rejection and reject you as well to seal the link?"

"No, they were in so much pain when I ran. I think they stopped releasing their pheromones. They were bleeding, but no pheromones could be detected in the air, just the smell of blood."

"Find them and fix this..." she muttered, pointing to his left leg, and got up to administer his medication to put him to sleep. "This will help calm you down, and when you wake up, do think about what I've said." She watched his eyes fall shut, then walked out of the room.

Could his life get any worse?

Just when he thought he had escaped the horrors of the past, fate came knocking with new twists.

With a dejected sigh, he let himself be carried off into dreamland.