Torn Between Tides

Chapter Ten

Colt could not sleep a wink.

He kept twisting and turning, writhing in his sheets all night long. There was only one word that he could use to describe what he was feeling, and that was discomfort.

His skin felt prickly. Like there were needles constantly poking him. Not with a force strong enough to pierce his skin and draw blood, but to irritate him beyond relief. His usual big appetite had shrunken to the point that he simply ate half a French toast for breakfast. For the first time in his life, Colt was experiencing something he never had. Something that was incredibly rare for werewolves, and supernatural beings of most kinds.

Colt was sick.

Every single time he closed his eyes, he saw flashes of the same face that had been haunting him for the past week. Those bright eyes, smooth and sandy skin which was only a few shades lighter than Colt's own dark complexion, his hair was long, and only at the party did Colt realize that he had curls.

His demeanor was bold. Colt didn't miss the way Roman was challenging him with his stare. A dominant gaze that didn't Colt normally would not have tolerated from anyone else. But with Roman, it neither bothered him nor repulsed him. If anything, it made the pull he felt even stronger.

The pull he was going to have to learn how to ignore.

Colt ran his fingers through his hair, before pressing the back of his palm against his forehead. His skin felt hot. And sweaty. He was tapping his foot as he stared into space, no doubt catching the attention of the other pack members in the community kitchen. He visited the common house at least thrice a week, and unfortunately, today was one of those days.

He couldn't behave this way. As the Alpha, Colt had to stay focused and composed. If his people saw him restless, they would in turn grow worried. He didn't want to cause panic in the pack, that was the last thing he needed.

Colt stood up in an instant, startling a couple of people sitting next to him. He made his way out of the pack house, deciding that there was one person he could confide in, that would ideally be able to instruct him well.

Colt walked over to Diana's house. The common house wasn't too far away from the gated community where everyone else, including Colt, lived. Colt was sure there must have been rumors about their neighborhood being some sort of an exclusive cult. That actually worked in the pack's favor, as it kept humans out.

Diana was Colt's secretary. Well, in the office he worked his human job at, that is. She was one of the few people he knew that had a true mate, and probably the only one he trusted enough to ask for advice. She was on maternity leave, which was why he hadn't seen her at work.

Colt knocked on her door, waiting impatiently until she opened. She was surprised to see the Alpha at first and then grew worried as she noticed his state.

He was really not looking well.

"Alpha...Colt, come on in," she muttered, moving aside to give the man space to enter.

Colt did so without a word, rushing inside Diana's house and going into the living room. He got seated on the couch as Diana followed behind him, looking an equal mix of concerned and confused. She had never seen her Alpha look this way.

Colt was fidgeting, his leg was shaking and his forehead was covered in sweat. He couldn't focus, his eyes moved from one spot to another as he bit down on his lip. He looked exhausted, and overall just terrible. He was a mess as compared to how calm and collected he usually was.

"Colt," Diana said softly as she sat down next to the man. "What's wrong? You look..."

"I know," Colt mumbled. Where was he even supposed to start? "But I...I don't know. Something is happening to me."