Imogen is her pack's runt. She was a surprise to her family, and a disgrace. Her father is the gamma of her pack so her existence as the runt is a disappointment and disgusting.
Her family wait for the moment when she can find her mate, leave the pa...
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~Tobias~
I spend a few hours listening outside Imogen's door to check that she's ok. I can hear her heavy, sleepy breaths and so I finally relent and let myself sleep as well. There's a chance Imogen will sleep the whole day and the whole night but she may wake up hungry so I don't want to be lazing in bed while she's awake and hungry.
Admittedly, my body and my wolf are exhausted after running for eight hours in a day. Whilst it's not too demanding, it's still a drain of strength and I haven't been at my strongest at the moment, I've been worried for a long time about Imogen.
A couple of night ago, I had the strangest sensation as I was sitting under her window. I could hear her crying and then I felt the ache in my chest as if it was here's. All these strange sensations have been confusing my wolf and myself. I just wish I could have some answers.
"Tobias!" Imogen's voice calls through the house and I'm on my feet before my name ends. As I rush out of my room I pull on my T-shirt and then push Imogen's door open wider.
"Immy?" I call out softly as I find her writhing in the bed, tears streaming down her face.
"It hurts! It hurts! Make it stop!"
Sighing heavily, I drop to my knees as I reach out for her. I had hoped Immy would have a few more days before the mate bond began to sever but as always the world isn't kind to Imogen.
"It's ok Immy, it will get better."
I press my hand to her forehead and find it drenched in sweat, she's running a fever and it's only going to get worse. Standing up as Immy sobs, I pull the covers from her body and bend down to scoop her into my arms.
Her sobs soak my neck as she hides her face where she always does. I'm taking her to the bathroom, an ice cold bath is one of the best balms for a mate bond fever as I discovered for myself.
"Shhh baby, I'll make it better."
I freeze as the name slips out, it doesn't feel wrong but equally it doesn't feel right to say that to Imogen, especially when she's distracted. At least she definitely hasn't properly registered what I just called her.
"What's happening?" She chokes out, frightened and shaking as I turn on the cold tap to flood the bath.
"It's the mate bond beginning to tell you that you're apart."
"Bu-but I've only been gone a few hours."
"I know." I murmur as I gently strip her down until she's only in her thermal vest and a pair of my boxers. Then I gently lift her up and lay her in the cool water. She cries out in relief as the water helps bring down her raging, burning fever.
