Mates Conquer Everything, Right?

Not knowing how much time has passed since the second I closed my eyes, I feel the pain come back with great force. The pain comes first to me, before the heat registers in my mind. I scream at the top of my lungs. Werewolf or not, everyone in a three mile radius must have heard me. My eyes are still closed, keeping my inward focus on the pain from the heat that is too hot to handle.

Theresa was right, the second wave is even worse. Hands are on my burning shin trying to keep me still in the cold water, which is already turning lukewarm.

“We need more ice!” I hear Maya’s voice yell at one of the people in the room. I open my eyes, shocked to see pack women have made their way to the hospital, to me. I look at the familiar faces; I can see the mothers of Becky and Dillan, the cooking ladies and some I can’t place yet in my scattered brain.

The tub gets new ice cold water and I sigh at the little relief I feel.

“I will get more ice from the stores in the area,” I hear a small voice of a young woman I don’t know.

“You can,” Maya says a little harder to let everyone know, “just know you need to ride at least ten miles, Zack and Chris cleared out the shelves in the first stores.”

“I’ll come with you”, Becky’s mom offers and Maya suggests bringing two unmated werewolves with them.

“Why?” I ask, my voice hoarse, so Maya offers me a well-needed drink.

“Why is everyone here?” I nod at her question and greedily drink the cool liquid.

“It is customary for the whole pack to come together in times of need. They care about you and want to help.”

My eyes travel over the females and I see pity and compassion written on their faces. I get a little emotional. I am not accepted as a pack member yet, but a part of the community already accepted me. Not every woman in the pack has though. I don’t see the mated warriors’ she-wolfs, at least not any that I can remember.

“Thanks,” my voice is hoarse but they hear me clearly.

Maya cools my skin with a cloth, her eyes become misty. She stares into the room and when she finishes inspecting it, they meet mine.

“I am sorry honey. It seems that Igétas is going mad and can’t hold you through the second phase.”

I frown, not understanding anything about that sentence.

“Usually, the human side can convince the wolf to hide away so they can take care of their mate. The touch of your mate can make your temperature go down, make it more bearable. It seems that his wolf isn’t letting go and only wants to mate you.”

I don’t see the problem that she sees and ask her to let Igétas by my side. Just him being next to me would be fine, if he can help stop the pain it can only be good, right?

“Violet,” Maya starts speaking seriously, “If he can’t control his wolf, he can kill you. He can take you with force and hurt you so bad that you might die, especially since you aren’t a wolf with fast healing powers. Oliver can’t even connect with Igétas, because Vasil has grown so much since he met you and is stronger. It is best for them to stay locked away and it is best for you.”

I break down crying, needing my mate by my side. His hands on me and his kisses and…

I stop myself before I heat myself up more.

“I know, I know.” Maya holds me tight against her, but it doesn’t help my heat.

She notices and lets go. She unplugs the tub so that half the water goes out and two women fill it back up with ice. Dillan’s mom brings me something to eat and I take it, needing every bit of energy I can muster to get through this hell.

“Violet!” I hear a voice that stops me from dozing off. Maya growls, annoyed, wanting me to get my rest when I can.

Ela and Amanda are coming into the room and are shocked to see me like this. It isn’t a pretty sight, I know that for sure. They quickly enter to sit by my side, closely.

“Oh, you look terrible,” Ela says, and rapidly shuts her mouth, clasping her hands over it.

It makes me laugh while Maya is ordering me to drink some more.

“That is how I feel,” I say, my voice giving away how bad it is, still hoarse and sounding like a crow.

“What can we do?” Amanda asks, and I look helplessly at Maya. She takes the conversation over.

“You two can add your name to the organization sheet and cross the boxes with the hours you are available. Also cross the boxes with tasks you want to help with. We don’t know how long this phase will be. Violet’s situation is not something we have seen before, so add the days you’re free too.”

“Of course we will!” Ela exclaims. Amanda nods.

We talk a little about their morning, but I am feeling the pain steadily getting stronger and can’t help it when I start to hiss. Maya and her team try to help me cool down, but it has quickly become too intense to handle. I mindlessly start screaming and tossing my body inside the tub, trying to get rid of the heat, but it isn’t helping.

Maya isn’t trying to cool me anymore, and no one else is bringing ice for the bathtub. I look at her with pleading eyes.

“I am so sorry, but we have chosen a different method.” I see a tear in her left eye rolling down.

Theresa speaks, “We want you to pass out. To sleep through the worst pain.”

“It hurts so bad!” I’m screaming at this point, and Maya has a bucket of ice in her hands in seconds. Theresa tells her no, and she angrily walks out of the room. Theresa takes her place by my side, combing my hair with her fingers, trying to do something. Nothing is helping to ease the pain. It takes me under step by step.

I feel the heat consuming me, drowning me until I don’t see or hear anything.