•Alan's POV•

It was Friday and Austin still wasn't at school. At least when he was here I could smell his scent. I hadn't gotten much worse than before but I was still in bad shape. Teachers had started to notice also.

Once a person found their mate the school was supposed to be notified. Schedules were modified if possible so they could be close and they were put into the same lunch hour. The teachers were also notified in case the said mates needed to meet immediately. For example if I had a panic attack in class they would notify Austin and he would come be my knight in shining armor.

However instead of him being here I had a whole class crowded around me while I struggled to breathe. I was gasping and trying to tell them to get away but it wasn't working. I was shaking and my head was spinning. I needed someone familiar or I was going to pass out. I clutched my arms around myself as I continued to struggle for any oxygen.

People were shouting at me.
"Just breathe!"
"In and out!"
"This is ridiculous!"
"Drama queen quit the act!"
"Just calm down!"
It was making it worse and tears started to fall down my face. Just as I thought I was going to slip into darkness I heard the voice again.

Calm down. Don't cry.

Even though it was demanding it still had a calming affect and I felt myself stop shaking. I started to take in small puffs of air but not enough to satisfy my lungs still.
"Get away! You're suffocating him!"
I heard a familiar voice yell and pretty soon Vic was sweeping me in his arms and carrying me out of the classroom.

He sat me on the cold hallway floor and breathed slowly with me until I was okay.
"Hey Al you okay now?" He asked and I nodded.
"I'm sorry I don't know what caused it. It would have been worse but the voice, Austin, calmed me down."
"What?" He said confused.
"He connected with me through the mind link. I've tried to connect back but his walls are up to high." That was the truth. I had tried and tried. I was always sure to keep my link open so he could access it if he needed. His however was locked away tight.

"Is that good?" He asked and helped me stand.
"In a way I guess." I nodded. "He's only done it twice though so I'm not getting my hopes up."
After checking over me again Vic walked me back in the room and I took my seat. Everyone's eyes were on me and I sank into my seat. Today just needed to end.

Finally the last bell rang and I was free. I walked home excited that I would be alone for a little while. Mom and dad were going on a date and Vic and Kellin were going to get some much needed alone time. I lied to each pair promising I would have someone with me. Truth be told I just needed a break. Yes my mind was still a mess and I loved a distraction but I didn't want watchful eyes over me for at least a couple hours. I promised myself I wouldn't do anything considered dangerous. I just wanted to laze around and be depressed without pitiful gazes.

I got home and bolted up the stairs to put on some comfy pants and a huge sweater. Once that was done I settled on a small glass of Dr. Pepper and I headed to my room. I thought about eating something small but after a few minutes the thought made me sick, physically.

I snuggled into my blankets and tried to knock off the now ever present chill. I flipped on the tv and got comfortable. I didn't know if sleep would come but one can hope.

Two hours later and I was still in the same position as before rubbing my eyes tiredly. I tried to close them and drift off but that didn't work. My mind started to wonder and lately that wasn't a good thing. The only thoughts that filled my brain weren't necessarily good. I thought about how I would die alone. I thought about the reasons Austin didn't want me. I thought about the ways I could just give up. I thought up different situations and ways for it to be done. Of course I didn't act on them though.

I wanted someone to believe me. Leaving early was much better than dying slowly. I could get it over with quick and easy. I could go in my moms medicine cabinet right now and probably find a bottle of pills to swallow, but I made a promise to Kellin, Vic, and my parents. If it helped ease their minds I guess I would just fade away slowly.

I shook my head and I got up to go use the bathroom when I heard my window rattle. My whole body tensed and defensively I felt the tingling sensation associated with shifting. Next thing I knew I was on all four of my ginger paws crawling under the bed.

The window finally opened and I saw two feet land on the floor. I backed into a shadowed corner under the bed and peaked my head out. Once I saw who it was I bolted from under the bed and shifted. Well not completely, my tail and ears refused to go away. That was the least of my worries right now.

Austin was standing in my room. Neither one of us said anything and it took all the will power I had not to run and wrap my arms around him. Vic was right he did look bad. Half of his face was bruised a dark purple and he was wincing with every breath. Beside that his eyes were bloodshot and he looked exhausted. It hurt to see my mate like this.

With a step of courage I went over to him and grabbed his hand pulling him to my bathroom. Once our hand touched warmth flooded my body and I instantly felt better than I did before. I pushed him down to sit on the toilet lid and he growled at me. Which in turn caused my ears to hide in my hair and my tail to wrap around my waist.

I grabbed a first aid kid and started dabbing at his busted lip and the cut over his eye. I was confused as to why lesser wounds like these hadn't healed yet. Wolf shifters had impeccable healing powers.
"Umm A-Austin," I said timidly. "Why aren't th-hese healed?" He grunted then stood up.
"Because I'm weak from not being around my mate." He said and walked out the bathroom door.

I quickly put the stuff away and followed him out. He was sitting on my bed with his head in his hands.
"I came here so we could be around each other. The only reason is so I won't be weak. Not because I actually want to be around you." He spat. My tail curled tighter around me and the coldness came back. "This will probably be a regular thing now. Seeing that I need your pitiful self to survive. No one and I repeat no one will hear about this." He stood and came over to me grabbing my shoulder.

Even though the touch warmed me I flinched back. He was scaring me. "That means your little posse who can't seem to keep their hands to themselves. Now come on." He grabbed my hand and pulled me to the bed. He laid down and then wrapped me in his arms. This was when I noticed he was in pajamas like me.

When his arms wrapped around me I was flooded with warmth and the cold was gone. I instantly felt better and the signs of a severe cold was gone. I looked at Austin's and his eyes weren't bloodshot and his bruises and lip was healing quickly.