Chapter 7 Sick

*** Nate's POV ***

My alarm went off, and I groaned. I felt like shit. There wasn't even a reason for it. Usually, I would have enjoyed an alcohol feuded night to feel like this, but no. I'd gone to bed early, feeling exhausted and I felt like shit this morning. Getting up, I swung my legs over the bed and headed into the bathroom. My reflection showed me more than enough. Dark circles and bloodshot eyes. Maybe I should just skip training today.

I felt like I was losing my mind lately. Everything felt off. My whole body hurt. I'd somehow gained more weight in the past two weeks than I had in five years, even with an added session in the gym every day. The amount of times I'd snapped at Sam or Charles was way more than usual too. Dealing with Silas was another level of shit show and his bipolar personality.

Getting in the shower, I leaned against the tile, the hot water running down my back. It somehow eased the pain I was feeling in my back. I'd chalked it up to the pain of feeling Aelia die. Of her breaking our bond, but now it felt more than that.

Turning off the water, I rubbed myself down and got dressed. Training needed to happen or I would probably feel worse later. Sighing, I headed downstairs. Surprisingly, Mer, Charles, and Sam were already awake. Charles had moved all of his stuff in over the past few weeks and honestly, it was nice. Silas had someone else to take his attention, which meant he didn't come after me so often. Though, as of late, we'd do nothing but fight.

"You look like shit. You okay?" Charles sat up from his lean.

"Thanks. I'm glad I have confirmation that I look as good as I feel." Going to the fridge, I pulled out some orange juice and poured myself a glass.

Sam shared a look with Charles before he looked back at me. "Are you still running training today? Maybe you should...not. Maybe get some more rest."

"I'd only feel worse. I'll just suck it up."

Sam grimaced. "At least eat something before you go. Mer is making bacon and eggs."

The thought of food made my stomach churn, and I shook my head. "No thanks. If I'm hungry, I'll grab something later."

Sam fiddled with his fingers. "I...um...I need to pick up something from Noah. Do you mind going with me? Silas has been...well..." He gave me a sad smile. "...and Charles has to go into work today."

"Can't you go on your own? You like them. I don't think you need a chaperone." I grimaced at the thought of having to do anything today off the territory.

"I..."

Charles cleared his throat. "I'd rather Sam not go alone. His heat is right around the corner and I'd rather he have someone there from the pack we can trust. Just in case."

Finishing my juice, I nodded absently. "Alright. I don't want to be there long, though. I just want to go back to bed."

Sam nodded. "Of course. It will be quick."

Kissing Mer on the cheek, I headed out the back door and made the walk to the training grounds. The guys were already pairing off into sparing partners by the time I got there. I shoved my hands in my pocket and headed to the group.

"Shit Beta, rough night?"

I sighed. "No. Just not feeling well. I even went to bed early."

"If you need to take the day..."

"It's fine. Let's just get to it." I didn't need Silas nitpicking another thing I did or didn't do daily.

The rest of the training went as it usually did. Our warriors dropping like flies with Silas' new training program. Eventually, the pain in my lower back got worse, and I had to throw in the towel. Sitting on the bench, hunched over, I helped facilitate the rest of the training. Once we finished, I sent them on their run around the perimeter. I tried to stretch out the pain, but it did nothing to help. Walking back to the pack house, I got about halfway until I had to stop for a second. Leaning against a tree, I doubled over.

'Fucking hell. Wren, what the fuck?'

He didn't answer, and that worried me. He hadn't been present as much lately. Not since Aelia's death. Now, though, I needed him and he was M.I.A. Breathing through my nose, the pain subsided enough that I could stand and finish the walk back to the pack house. I stumbled through the door and Sam managed to catch me.

"Sorry...it...got worse..."

"Don't worry about it. Come, sit. I'll make something my mom used to make."

He led me to the kitchen stool, and I leaned over, burying my face in my arms. Sam was shuffling around the kitchen until, after a few minutes, he placed a cup in front of me.

"Drink this. It should help."

I raised my head and looked at the mug. It was steaming, and it smelled like pork. Pulling it close, I sniffed it and my stomach rumbled. Taking a sip, I moaned.

"This is amazing."

Sam smiled. "Good. Drink all of it. It's a bit of a cure-all. So it should help."

I nodded and sipped the rest of the hot drink. It tasted like pork broth and some ginger with other herbs mixed with it. It warmed my body, and I felt the pain in my back even ease up a bit.

"Thanks, Sam. Seriously. I don't know what's in this, but it's already helping."

He nodded, a bit of pride showing. "Happy to help."

"Why are you headed down to the Wayward Tap?"

Shuffling a little, Sam looked down at his feet. "Solaris told me some stuff and had things for me to do. Noah is helping me with that."

"Ah." I stared down at my mug. "Did Aelia...did she say anything...about...?" My words stopped as I heard Silas' office door open.

He walked out, running his hands through his hair. My heart hammered, and I hated it. I hated that every single thing he did, I noticed. The slump in his shoulders told me he stayed up in his office way too late. The slight downturn of his mouth meant that something was bothering him. Usually, it was me or Eros lately, but I hadn't done anything yet today.

"Where is Charles?"

"He went to work. He won't be back till late. I think he's doing a double to cover some of the time he missed. Why?"

Silas shook his head and riffled in the upper cabinets. He pulled out a bag of chips and a bottle of water from the fridge before turning to Sam. Poignantly ignoring me as he did rather than throw some kind of dig at me like normal. Lately, it was a coin toss on which Silas you were going to get; Angry Alpha or Quiet Brooding Alpha or even sometimes Normal Silas.

"Can you tell Mer I'm going to be gone for dinner?"

Sam nodded. "I'll leave a note. Just in case Beta and I don't get back in time."

His eyebrow quirked up, and he looked at me for the first time since he walked in. "Where are you going?"

I opened my mouth to spit fire that he shouldn't assume it was me, but Sam spoke first.

"Actually, I needed to run some errands in town. Charles doesn't want me to go alone. So we asked Beta to go with me."

Silas snorted. "Charles is way to over protective."

"Maybe." A wave of happiness washed over Sam's expression. "But I don't mind."

"Don't take Nate away for too long. His paperwork has been stacking up lately." Silas looked at me, a smirk on his face. "Maybe take a page out of Sam's notebook and quit slacking off."

There was the dig. It didn't matter now, everything we did ended up with us fighting unless I kept my mouth shut. So, trying to let go of the hurt that hammered in my heart, I clamped my mouth shut. Sure, I hadn't been feeling well as of late, but everything that needed to get done was getting done. Sometimes I wondered if he really knew how much I handled on a daily basis.

"What do you mean? I've received everything from Beta on time." Sam looked at Silas with a confused look on his face.

Silas furrowed his brow and just shook his head. "Don't be gone too long." He turned and headed back into the office, slamming the door.

I sighed. "Don't do that, Sam."

"Don't do what? It's true. I know you haven't been feeling well, but I've literally received everything on or before its due date. I don't know what's crawled up his ass lately, but he can't just take everything out on you. It's been a war zone in here."

My smile widened as I shook my head. "I don't want him to turn on you is all."

"I appreciate the concern, but I can handle myself."

Smirking, I rolled my eyes. "Sure. Come on. Let's get this little field trip over with. There is a bed calling my name when we get back."

"Alright. I'll drive!" Sam headed towards the front door.

"I'm not riding in that shitty sedan you have. You drive, but you drive my Jeep."

His eyes went wide as I threw him my keys, shoving my hands in my pocket as I followed him out. "You sure it's okay I drive your baby? I mean, you love that thing..."

"Sam, shut up. Don't make me change my mind."

"Yes, Beta."

Climbing into the passenger seat, I sighed and leaned my head back. Closing my eyes, Sam pulled out of the pack house. I must have fallen asleep because I woke up to Sam shaking my arm.

"Sorry, we are here. I didn't want to just leave you in the car."

"I'm not a baby, Sam. I can take care of myself."

He smirked. "Right now, I'm not so sure. Come on, maybe Finn can get you something to help."

I grumbled at him as I unbuckled my seatbelt. "An entire bottle of whiskey may do it."

Sam must have heard me because he chuckled, but didn't reply. I followed him into the bar. Surprisingly, the entire place was empty. Finn was behind the bar, washing glasses and moving bottles around. Sitting at the bar, I put my arms down on the wood and laid my head down on them.

Patting my back, Sam asked Finn, "Is Noah in the office?"

"Yeah, you can head on up. He's expecting you."

"Thanks. If you can, Beta could use some seltzer water or something."

He disappeared up the stairs, and I groaned. Flopping my head over as I leaned over the bar, the miracle drink was already wearing off. The pain was coming back, and all I wanted to do was curl up in a ball under the covers.

"You okay? You aren't looking so hot."

"I feel like absolute shit."

Finn put his hand on my forehead and I looked up at him. "You are running a bit of a fever. What helps more, hot or cold?"

"Sam made me this mug of...something. It was hot, and that helped. So maybe hot?"

Shuffling around, Finn pulled out a mug and gathered a couple of things from under the bar. After a few minutes, Finn set a hot, steaming mug in front of me. Sniffing, it smelled strongly of lemon and honey, but also had a bite of alcohol.

"What is it?"

"It's called a Hot Toddy. It's supposed to be good for colds and coughs. I think it's just nice to warm up and has a little of whiskey in it."

Finn leaned forward, taking my chin and holding my head up to look at him. "We don't get colds, so what is going on with you? You're better than this when it comes to drinking all night."

"I dunno. I have pain that radiates from my back around to my front. I nearly collapsed today during training it was so painful. It's like nothing like I've ever felt."

His brow furrowed, and he cocked his head to the side. "Anything else?"

I hummed. "I've had more headaches lately than normal."

"How about feeling like you're fraying at the edges?"

Taking a sip of the drink, I sighed. "How so?"

Finn narrowed his eyes. "How do I explain it...like you're snapping at everyone for stupid reasons? Or you get offended really easily?"

"Oh...yeah."

"How about exhausted all the damn time?"

After taking another sip, I nodded. "I can barely get out of bed in the morning. Let alone when I nap, it's like it can't be less than four hours. I was planning ongoing to bed after Sam got done with whatever he is doing."

Finn leaned in, his arms resting on the bar. "Nate...when is the last time you went to the doctor?"

I shrugged. "It's been a while. I haven't needed to. This just has been getting worse over the past couple of days. Hell, even the headaches have been getting worse. I can barely focus and if I do, I have to have the lights off."

"I have a personal question for you, if you don't mind."

My eyebrow rose. "The ones before weren't personal?" I sipped some of the Hot Toddy, still moaning as it warmed my stomach.

"Solaris was your fated mate."

"Yes...but...that wasn't a question..."

Finn looked into my eyes, completely serious. "Did she ever talk about you having a secondary connection?"