Omega Lab

Bad Moon Rising

Chapter 4 Bad Moon Rising

Cash flinched as Dr. Jamison entered the lab slamming the door behind her. He tried to keep his eyes focused on his work but couldn't help glancing up. She went from one end of the lab to the other making a lot of noise as she went.

Why is she so irritable?  He watched her for a moment longer.  "Dr. Jamison, would you like a coffee or vodka to settle those nerves?"

Her brown eyes blazed into him. "Shut up."

Stepped in it again. He shook his head. "Sorry."

"Why are you here?" She snapped.

He sighed. Moody as always. "I have some work to finish for Dr. Watanabe."

"No, idiot! Look outside!"

His eyes followed where she was pointing and he gasped. Bright white light shone through the window into the lab as the moon crept up into the sky.

Dr. Jamison's figure was silhouetted in its light. "The moon is full and it's night time. You only have a few minutes of safety left."

He rubbed his neck. He had not intended to work so late. Not on a night like tonight. "I got so wrapped up in work-"he stood and hurried to his locker. Shit. I gotta get home.

"If you leave now, stupid, you won't make it home intact."

"But-" he ducked and covered his head as a book came sailing towards him.

"Just stay in the lab, idiot!" she roared.

He flinched. She's so vicious! "I-I'm sorry."

"Stupid ass omegas," she muttered grabbing some files. "I'll stay in the other lab."

"But-"

"Don't worry." She smiled with confidence. "I'm an alpha but I do have some control over myself and I'm currently testing a new drug."

His eyes lit up and he dropped his bag. "A new drug?"

She stuffed her laptop into her bag. "Yep."

His curiosity for new drugs far outweighed his own sense of personal safety.  "What does it do?"

"It suppresses an alpha's reactions and the influences of the moon."

He raised an eyebrow. "Like...how?"

She looked up at him. It's dangerous for him right now and he is so intrigued by my experiment he's not trying to protect himself. But what am I doing? It's bad for me too.

He waved a hand in front of her face. "Dr. Jamison? Hello?"

She shook her head to clear out the fog. "When an omega is putting out the signal they want to have sex, alphas respond by producing more testosterone for the chase and part of our logic and reasoning controlled by the frontal lobe is shut down. We become primal-animal like."

He rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. "Yes, I know this. Everyone knows this."

She slammed her fist on the desk. "Shut up, test tube baby!"

He poked his lips out.  Yes, it was true omegas were clones birthed in tubes but she didn't need to say it so...harshly.

"Well, this patch-" she lifted the sleeve of her coat to expose a white circular band aid like patch on her upper arm. "-This patch injects levels of oxytocin when it detects a rise in testosterone levels keeping the frontal lobe's ability for logic and reason to stay awake and in control."

"Wow!" He grabbed her arm and examined the patch. "So it' administered transdermally, through the skin?"

His hands are so warm, she thought as the smell of roses wafted through her nostrils. She felt her heart rate speed up. "Yes."

He rubbed his chin and looked into her eyes. "How do you know the baseline levels from the elevated levels?"

His amber eyes almost look like they're on fire when the light hits them a certain way. I think this is my first time being this close to him since I first met him.

Her eyes took him in from head to toe. For an omega he's built more like an alpha: tall, very well defined muscles, intelligent, submissive but not a pushover, soothing voice. Heat rushed through her body. What the hell?  She cleared her throat. Hurry and explain.

She felt like her voice was coming from someplace far away. "We take a baseline before programming the patch and adjust the dosage accordingly."

Cash sniffed the air and frowned. "Where did that orangey smell come from?"

Man, this is bad. A horrifying realization washed over her. The patch isn't working. She pulled away from him. "I'm going now." She gasped as he grabbed her arm. "Cash, let go."

He put his hand on her forehead. "You seem...warmer."

"Stop!"

He leaned closer and sniffed her. "It's you. You smell like oranges."

She shoved him and snatched her bag off the desk. Gotta hurry. She stomped across the lab to the door with him close at her heels. "I'll be in the lab next door. Lock this door!"

He flinched as she suddenly turned and their eyes met.

"Don't open it or come out until the sun rises. You hear me?"

He looked to the side. "But-"

She grabbed him by his shirt and slammed him against the wall. The shelf rattled and a glass fell to the floor.

Wow she's strong. Is this her testosterone spiking?

"Do...you...under...stand?" she growled.

He nodded frantically. "Y-yes, Doctor."

She took a deep breath and released him. "Good."

She's breathing hard. He flinched again as the door slammed behind her. He felt tingling all over his body and put his hands up to his face. Her scent was all over his palms. He felt a tightening in his chest as he sprang to life below. He knew what this meant and sank to his knees. Why now of all times?