EDITED FOR RADISH JUNE 22nd, 2020

Ellison's Pov.

"Can you at least pretend to be in a good mood?"

My beta Cole is driving me insane. I mean, I love him like a brother but I'm gonna kill him if he doesn't stop talking. I'm trying to finish paperwork for tonight but all he does is fucking talk.

"No," I tell him, getting more and more frustrated by the minute.

Cole rolls his eyes, "If you had your mate then you'd be a much more enjoyable person. Maybe today you'll find her."

I look up from my papers and glare, "You know damn well that won't happen."

Cole sighs, shaking his head. He's the only one beside myself who knows who my mate is. He knows what I did to her. Everyday I feel the pain of leaving her but I had no choice. She was too young to go through the mating process. I tried to fight it, I did but something just took over my body and the next thing I know is that she's screaming and my mouth tastes like blood.

I remember when I first saw her. She had blond hair but it was dark outside so I can't be sure. And her scent was sweet but I can't remember what it was. Other than that, I know nothing. Not her name or her face. The only thing I do know is that she's from Graceful. I'm not sure if she had to move but usually werewolves don't switch packs.

"Alpha, we should go soon." Cole says, breaking me of my thoughts. I look at my watch and it's nearly ten minutes until four.

I stand up from my chair, "Take the group. I'll meet you there." As much as I love my pack, I didn't feel like being around a bunch of horny teenagers.

Cole nods and leaves my room. I walk over to the mirror and check to make sure I look okay. My suit is black with a white dress shirt. My tie matches my suit which I tighten before I decide this is as good as it's gonna get. I grab my rental car keys and walk out.

The drive isn't too far but it isn't close either. When I get there, it's 4:20. I'm late. I park inside Aaron's garage. I fast walk inside to through the back where the other Alpha's are waiting. I notice that I'm not the last one here and I thank the goddess.

"Sorry I'm late." I announce.

"You're fine." Aaron tells me. "We're just waiting for Roman." He says referring to the Alpha of Adoration.

"Surprising since he's as desperate to find a mate as most of us." Says the Alpha of Impulse, Zach.

We all chuckle at this because it's true. Out of the eleven packs here, only four Alpha's have mates. Roman arrives a few minutes late, complaining about traffic. We all nod in understanding since his pack had to stay at a hotel almost an hour away.

When we walk out and onto the stage, I feel as if I'm not moving my own feet. Something is pulling me. It's all too familiar but I know there is no way on earth that she'd actually be here. I just ignore it as we all line up.

One by one each Alpha introduces themselves and their pack. I stand still waiting yet, I have a hard time. I want to run towards the exit. My body feels tense and I'm starting to feel dizzy. I try to act professional as possible but I keep turning my head to see if I can find her. I hear my name being called and I walk onto the front of the stage.

"Good evening everyone." I announce and suddenly, I can smell something sweet. Honey. And in an instant, I feel better. My headache is gone. "I am Alpha Ellison of Valor. It's a pleasure to meet you."

I hear a cry of pain and my head shoots to the front. When my eyes met hers, I know who she is. She knows who I am too. She is Graceful yet, barely standing. Her hair is still blond contrasting with her pitch black dress. She's beautiful.

"Please." She cries out. Everyone is staring at us, wondering what's going on.

Soon, I see the sweat on her face and the way she can barely keep her eyes open. She wants to run to me but doesn't have the strength. Even from where I stand, I can smell that not only does she smell like honey but something else.

Heat.

As soon as I realized what was happening, I rushed off the stage. Everyone around us watched and moved out of my way so I could make it to her. I picked her tired body up and into my arms before carrying her off. As my skin met hers, sparks radiated from her.

I expected her to fight me off but she instead curled into my body. The mate bond wouldn't let her respond differently. I kept walking, not caring about any eyes around me. I hear someone yelling and chasing after me but I don't have the time to care.

"Hey!" A girl screams and hits my back. I turn around to face her piercing eyes. If looks could kill... "What the hell are you doing?!"

"Helping her, I'm her mate." I spit back. "Why is it your business?"

Her eyes go wide, looking from me to my mate. I watch as she puts two and two together, seeing how the girl in my arms clings to me.

"Because she's my best friend." She yells. "You've been gone for years- without a single word to say to her. You can't just come and rescue her."

I growl, "I can and I will."

I turn back around and she follows me. I walk until I find one of the many empty bedrooms. I place my mate down softly on the bed. Her hands grip my shirt, begging me to stay with her.

I have no clue what to do. Heat isn't supposed to be like this. You're supposed to be hot and horny not in physical pain.

"What's happening to her!?" Elijah runs into the room, checking on her. Not too far behind is Aaron.

"I don't know." I say. "I think it's heat."

"Heat?" The other girl asks. "I don't think so."

I roll my eyes, "How would you know?"

"Because her heat isn't usually like this." She remarks.

I felt my heart stop, "She's already been through heat?"

"Are you serious?" She asks me with wild eyes. I don't understand her. "You're such an idiot. You marked her. When you mark your mate, they begin their heat. but you wouldn't know that would you?" The girl questions me. I swallow before looking at my mate. For four years, she's gone through her heat alone. What have I done?

"Aaron, go find your pack doctor and Alpha James." I tell him. Usually, Alpha's don't take orders but he does as I say.

I sit down on the bed and stroke her hair. Her eyes are fluttering back as she moans in pain. The other girl hands me a cold washcloth and I put it on her head. My mate hums in appreciation and I smile a bit, knowing that I am helping. Footsteps come closer and I turn to see both James and the doctor.

They immediately walk over to her. The doctor takes her pulse while James takes her temperature.

"She's burning up." He says and turns to me. "You're her mate?" He points to the mark on her neck.

I sigh, "Yeah."

He shakes his head. "It's definitely heat. You've been separated obviously so it's now painful."

"So what do I do?" I question, worried. I obviously couldn't mate her, it would make things even worse than it already was.

"Besides mating, she should be in contact with you at all times. Because she's already so hot, I don't want to put her on ice in case she goes into shock. I can give her a shot to calm her body." The doctor tells me.

I look to my mate, laying nearly unconscious. I have no clue what to do. I know I have to help her but I don't know if she'll hate me for it. Most wolves don't use meds to help with heat because it's not the way the goddess would want it.

I look to her friend, "What do I do?"

She turns to the doctor, "Give her the shot."

He nods and takes out a needle from his coat pocket. He gives her the shot which makes my mate whimper. I hold her hand and shush her.

"Help." She whispers to me, reaching out.

I brush her hair back out of her face, "I know darling, I'm trying."

She groans and continues to reach for me. I hold her hands but she isn't satisfied. She continues to pull on my suit.

"She wants you to lay with her." Says the friend. I turn to face her and see she only stares at her weak friend.

I gulp, nodding. I slowly lay down, facing towards my mate. Her hands try to pull me even closer but she's too weak. Instead, I pull her as close as possibly can to my body. I engulf her into my chest and she lets out a sigh of relief.

"I'm so sorry" I whisper into her ear. "but I'm here now. I've got you. I'm so sorry."

I keep repeating this to her over and over again. I slowly feel her breathing even out until she's fast asleep. I stay with her, holding her close. Her friend stays close by along with the other Alphas' and doctor.

"Can someone find my beta and tell him what's going on? I'm sure he's busy trying to find his mate." I say and Aaron nods, leaving the room.

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