The Path to Love

Chapter 18: Mates

For two days, I hardly spoke to Caelan. He was constantly occupied with training and securing his territory.
The weather had progressively worsened, the wind was ferocious and large clumps of snow fell to the ground. The mood in the pack house was tense with preoccupied minds.

The body pains began again but they were much more unbearable this time . So much so, that I struggled to get out of bed. Meadow noticed my lack of energy and looked at me inquisitively as I entered the lounge.

"What the hell is wrong with you ?" She asked with a mix of irritation and curiosity .

"I don't know." I breathed out . I tried to walk towards the couch but my knees buckled under me and I fell . To my surprise, Meadow came to my side and helped me to the couch .

She sighed and said, " I can't believe I'm doing this."

"Whether or not I like this ,I know the pain you go through." She said , placing her hand on my neck to check my temperature.

"What's happening to me ?" I asked. My body was so hot and I began to sweat profusely.

I heard Meadow cuss under her breath and walk towards the window .

Her tattoos looked more vivid than they had ever seemed before and the room seemed as if it was swaying.

"Claire, can you hear me ? Caelan is on his way, okay?"

Her voice sounded farther away and I felt a warm cloth massage my head. It was like she was speaking from another realm.

Slowly, I felt myself being carried from the couch and out of the lounge .

I heard Caelan call my name but didn't have enough strength to respond. Chatter surrounded me but it was only Caelan's voice that registered in my mind .

I was placed on a soft bed by a window. A warm liquid was placed in my mouth and it took all the strength in me to swallow .

Slowly but surely, I began to feel energy return to my body and a hand in mine.

I opened my eyes and was met with a very worried looking Caelan and Meadow who appeared to be slightly concerned.

I weakly smiled at him and Meadow shook her head in disbelief.

"Claire, I'm sorry. I should have been here." He looked defeated, disappointed in himself .

My voice sounded hoarse as I replied .
"It's not your fault ." As I spoke those four words ,it was as if I had been punched in the gut.

Meadow rolled her eyes before speaking . "It IS your fault Caelan." She started, walking towards the door of the slightly dim room .

" Yet ,your stupidity weakens both of you. If Ashton were here, I would never neglect him the way you neglect her." Her voice began to waver .

She walked out ,slamming the door . "Claire, she's right ."He sighed. The longer it takes for us to deepen our bond, the more our bodies weaken. It is worse when a wolf is mated to a human because humans were not built to withstand the pain that comes with mating creatures like us ."

"Don't blame yourself . You were trying to protect the pack ."

"No, I was trying to protect our pack. You are part of us now Claire ." He said ,placing his hands on my cheek.

I smiled, leaning into his touch ,too tired to respond. He lay with me till I fell asleep .

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When I woke up , I was surprised to find Caelan still with me. He was watching me from his side of the bed and smiled at me.

" How do you feel ?"