Chapter 86 Chapter Eighty Six: The Mandatory Drug
Chapter 86 Chapter Eighty Six: The Mandatory Drug
Adrian sat alone in the pavilion, a tablet resting loosely in his hand. On the screen was the live feed from the security cameras around Lior's house.
He watched the empty hallway for a moment before switching to the camera overlooking the living room. Lior wasn't there either.
Adrian changed the feed again, switching to the bedroom he didn't tell Lior he'd put a camera in.
There, in the bedroom, he saw Lior sitting on the bed. The Omega seem to be on call, he reached and picked up a notebook from the nightstand and Adrian immediately knew he's talking to his father's caregiver.
“Big brother.”
Adrian immediately turned the tablet face down on the table.
Anne walked into the pavilion and took the seat opposite him. She dropped a stack of newspapers onto the table between them.
“Why did you have me spend my entire day researching about Suppressa?” she asked. “What's with your sudden interest?”
Adrian glanced at the newspapers. “What did you find?”
Anne pushed them toward him. “Nothing new. Those newspapers are from seventeen years ago, when the drug was approved.”
Adrian picked up the first newspaper.
The headlines were exactly what he expected:
Miracle Drug Gives Omegas a Safer Future.
Our King Has Done It Again. Arthur Valehart Approves Revolutionary Omega Medication.
There were photographs of his father everywhere. Arthur Valehart smiling beside scientists, Arthur shaking hands with medical researchers, Arthur standing before crowds.
The articles praised him endlessly.
Our King.
The protector of Omegas.
The benevolent ruler who continues to put the welfare of his people first.
Adrian's expression remained blank as he flipped through them.
Anne reached into her bag and pulled out two plastic containers.
She placed them on the table. “These are the drugs.”
Adrian looked at them.
“It's available in two forms. Capsule and tablet.”
He picked up one of the containers and read the label.
“Father funded the research and production,” Anne continued. “After it was approved, he made it mandatory and free.”
Adrian's eyes lifted. “Hmm.” He looked back at the newspapers. “Seventeen years ago was only a year after Omegas were allowed to go to school.”
“Yes.” Anne leaned back. “You should remember these things more clearly. I was way younger when all that happened. But you were eighteen-nineteen, and you were always with father in all that meetings with the Prime Minister.”
“I wasn't very interested in what Father was doing in his quest to maintain his power and control over the nation.” Adrian said, putting the newspaper down. “I didn't want the role he was trying to force on me.”
Anne gave him an amused look. “Well, you managed to defy him time and time again.”
Then her expression shifted into curiosity.
“But why the sudden interest in Suppressa? Your wife isn't among the Omegas it's mandatory for. It's for young and unmarried Omegas, like Lior.”
Adrian's fingers tapped once against the table.
“I read about it once and wondered why it was mandatory.” He picked up the container again. “What was the problem the drug was supposed to solve?”
Anne shrugged. “The main reason was insecurity.”
Adrian frowned. “Insecurity?”
“Apparently.” She leaned forward. “But it also helped reduce the cost of the free healthcare granted to Omegas. So it was created to solve the insecurity affecting Omegas and was made mandatory because Omegas taking the drug didn't get sick as much as those who weren't taking it.” She pointed at the container. “Having all of them take it meant they required healthcare less often.”
Adrian's gaze moved from the label to Anne. “What kind of insecurity is a drug the solution to?”
Anne took a breath. “Apparently, Omegas didn't move around much before they were allowed to go to school. They usually stayed indoors, especially unmarried Omegas, and were kept away from Alphas.”
Adrian listened.
“But once they were allowed to go to school, they started going outside more. They had to journey to school and back every day.” She tapped the newspaper. “That exposed them to predators in the form of Alphas.”
Adrian's jaw tightened slightly.
“The drug suppressed their pheromones and kept their hormones under control, especially during heat.”
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
“Almost like Alphas were the problem,” Adrian said quietly, “and needed a drug to help control their pheromones and lust more than Omegas did. Why make omegas take drugs because Alphas couldn't control themselves?”
Anne shrugged. “Well, not every Alpha is like you, spending time mastering control and all that pure energy thingy. Also, the drug worked, and everyone is happy.”
Adrian looked down at the container again. “What about side effects? Had there been any complaints?”
Anne shrugged. “I wouldn't know. But the drug is wildly praised.”
“Could a drug that controls hormone make an Omega lactate?”
“That's very specific, big brother, is your wife lactating?”
“Answer my question.”
Anne gave him a look. “I studied medicine, Adrian, but I'm not working for the company that made the drug. I'm not even a practicing pharmacist.”
Adrian ignored that. “Look into the possible side effects and let me know.”
Anne sighed. “Yes, sir.” She stood up. “Now, if you'd excuse me, I'm going on an alcohol date with Aiden. We're both heartbroken.”
Adrian raised an eyebrow. “Because?”
“Your pretty assistant rejected us.”
“I told you he's not single, but your ears are for decorations.”
Anne placed a hand over her chest. “You lack empathy.”
She turned to leave, then stopped.
After a moment, she leaned against the table again. “And may I add that if your wife is lactating, then she must be pregnant, whether or not she's taking Suppressa.”
Adrian's glared at her.
Anne continued casually, not minding Adrian’s glare. “And she shouldn't be taking it either. She's married.”
“My wife is not pregnant.” Adrian's voice was flat. “Don't go running your mouth. If Father hears you, you'd be the one to provide the baby.”
Anne snorted. “I wouldn't tell Father.” She straightened. “I'm just telling you because you're clueless. You weren't very present when she was pregnant with Lizzy, so you might not recognize the early signs.”
Adrian's brows drew together. “Really?”
Anne immediately noticed the shift in his expression.
“Adrian—”
His pheromones filled the pavilion, freezing Anne's muscles. The pressure settled over her before she could finish her sentence.
“Apologize.” Adrian said, voice calm like he's not actively choking his sister.
“O-kay.” She swallowed. “I’m sorry.”
The pressure increased slightly.
“I’m very sorry.” Anne choked out.
Adrian held her there for another second before finally releasing her.
Anne sucked in a breath and straightened immediately.
“You’re insane.”
Adrian calmly picked up his tablet again.
Anne backed away. “Enjoy your evening, psychopath.”
She turned and practically ran out of the pavilion.
Adrian watched her disappear.
Then his eyes dropped to the tablet. The security feed was still open, he stared at the screen for several seconds, watching Lior get ready to sleep.