Chapter 2 No.2

"I'll see you tonight," I called out as I pulled my coat on.

I opened the door, stepping out of the house and pulled the door closed behind me.

I always leave a little early for work, I like the bustle of the pack?first thing in the morning. Everyone starting their morning, whether it's going for a morning run or taking their pups to school. There's always someone around.

I hummed to myself as I strolled along the sidewalk.

"Good morning, Ayla," Mavis, an elderly wolf, waved from across the street.

"You caught me this morning," I chuckled as I waved back.

She stands in her garden every morning, waiting to wave to me. She's done it ever since I was a pup when my mom used to walk me to school.

"Have a lovely day at work, Ayla," she smiled before she went back inside.

My phone rang in my pocket, I pulled it out and grinned at the caller id. "Why don't you mind link me? Why do you insist on ringing me just to ask where I am?" I chuckled as I answered the phone.

"Because I like using my phone," Mila sassed.

"I'm around the corner, I'll be there in a second. I'm hanging up," I replied then hit the end button, pushing my phone back in my pocket.

"Well, that was totally rude," Mila pouted as I sauntered towards her.

I smirked at my best friend as she continued her pouting. Her ebony hair was pulled into an elegant bun on the top of her head, she had unique silver coloured eyes... Whereas mine is just an ordinary emerald green. I'm envious of her hair and eyes, she looks flawless no matter what she does.8

"So, are you ready for another day of work?" She groaned.

I giggled and nodded my head. "I love working here, the pups are just so cute." I cooed.

"They are..." She gushed, "because you can give them back." She deadpanned with a serious expression on her face.11

I chortled as we made our way to the doors of the pack hospital. We waited as the doors slid open.

"Good morning, Ayla, Mila," Tim, the security guard, dipped his head as he greeted us.

"Good morning, Tim. Is it busy?" I questioned as I shrugged my coat off.

"No more than usual," he replied, "anyway, have a good day, girls." He added as he sat back down behind his desk.

We made our way through the hospital, towards the nursery. "Have you heard from Ethan lately?" She asked, glancing at me.

I shook my head, "no, but he'll be busy. He's due home soon," I answered. She hummed and nodded.

Ethan is the future Beta. He's at a training centre for Alphas and Betas, along with his brother, Mateo... Our future Alpha.

We reached the nursery, I glanced through the window and saw all the pups running around. My smile brightened as I watched them.

Mila pushed open the door, we stepped in and the pups turned to look at us. Big happy grins spread throughout them and my heart did somersaults.

"Miss Ayla, Miss Ayla," Eli, the Beta's son, came running towards me, dragging a pup behind him.

"Miss Ayla, this is Nolan," he burst, pushing the poor pup in front of him.

I kneeled in front of him and smiled. "Hi, I'm Ayla," I greeted, holding my hand out for him to shake. He giggled, placing his tiny hand in mine and gently shook.

"Ay... How do you say it?" He whispered.

"Eye... La," I pronounced my name, smiling at him.2

"That's a pretty name," he smiled, "I'm no... Lan." He answered again. I chuckled and nodded my head. "It's nice to meet you." I smiled.

They ran off and joined the other pups. I placed my coat on the hook before going and mingling in with the pups.

"Mila, Ayla... You can go for your lunch now." Tilly, our manager, called out from the front of the room. We nodded and made our way to the canteen.

My phone started ringing, I stopped and pulled my phone out. My heart leapt as I read the name... Ethan. I took a deep breath before answering.

"Hey," I answered.

"How are you?" He asked, his voice was quiet and I could sense an uneasiness coming from him.

"I'm ok, just on my lunch. How are you?" I replied, he was making me feel uneasy. It's like I didn't know how to talk to him.

"I'm good, Ayla. I... I miss you," he took a deep breath, "have you found your mate?" He questioned.

I sucked in a breath, "I miss you, Ethan. I can't wait for you to come home." I breathed out in relief, he misses me as much as I miss him.

"No, I haven't found my mate... Have you?" I asked.

I heard him drag in a shaky breath, "no, I..." he hesitated and I held my breath. "No, I haven't." He sighed.4

Why does he sound so upset about that?

"Ethan, what's wrong? I can hear the worry in your voice." I asked, furrowing my brows together.

Mila lifted her brow at me, watching me.

"Nothing, I'll be home soon... I- I love you, remember that." He faltered before hanging up on me.5

I stared dumbfounded at my phone.

"What's wrong? Is he ok?" Mila questioned. I shook my head and put my phone back in my pocket.

"I don't know..." I sighed, "He was acting strange." I groaned. "He asked me if I had found my mate, he sounded worried that I hadn't." I shrugged. "He told me to remember he loves me," I added.

"I'll ring him later and see if he'll speak to me." She rolled her eyes, "boys are confusing." She chuckled.

"You're telling me," I chuckled awkwardly.

We headed into the canteen and I couldn't shake my mood away. Something was going on, something he wasn't telling me and it was eating away at me. I had an ache in the pit of my stomach and it was just getting worse.

"Ayla, you don't look too well," Mila blurted as she pressed her hand against my head. "You're burning up. You best go home, I think your heat is starting." She added quickly.

Her eyes glazed over. I was panting for breath, my abdomen felt like it was on fire and I had no idea what was wrong, this wasn't the normal symptoms of my heat.

"Ayla, your dad is coming to get you. I need to get you into an empty room until he gets here," she panicked, picking up her belongings before dragging me out of the canteen.

By the time we reached an empty room, I was doubled over in pain. "Mila... this... this isn't heat," I choked.

This wasn't like anything I've ever experienced. It feels like I'm been stabbed repeatedly in my abdomen. My lungs feel like they're getting squeezed and my heart... my heart feels like it's physically breaking.

"Ayla, it is... Your body is just reacting differently to it." She whispered, stroking my hair.

"Ayla, baby, open the door, it's me." My dad shouted from the corridor. Mila ran to the door and unlocked it. My dad rushed straight for me and scooped me up in his arms.

"Dad, it hurts," I cried.

"I'm taking you home," he whispered as he moved my hair from my face.

He carried me through the pack lands. I could see him darting his eyes around, making sure my scent wasn't attracting any unwanted company.

"We're nearly home, sweetheart," he whispered, tightening his hold on me.