ache

As I put on my coat, I called out, "I'll see you tonight." 

After stepping outside the house, I opened the door and closed it behind me. I like the hustle and bustle of the group first thing in the morning, so I always leave for work a little early. Everybody beginning their morning, whether it's going for a morning run or taking their puppies to school. Someone is always present. 

As I walked down the sidewalk, I sang to myself. From across the street, an elderly wolf named Mavis waved, "Good morning, Clara." 

I waved back with a grin and chuckle, "You caught me this morning." Every morning, she waits to wave to me in her garden. She has done it ever since my mother used to walk me to school when I was a puppy. 

"Have a wonderful day at work, Clara," she grinned before she returned inside. 

I pulled out my phone when it rang in my pocket and smiled at the caller ID. Would you mind linking me? For what reason do you demand ringing me just to ask where I'm?" As I answered the phone, I laughed. 

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

"I'll be there in a moment; I'm just around the corner." I replied, "I'm hanging up," pressing the end button to return my phone to my pocket. 

"Indeed, that was absolutely discourteous," Mila sulked as I walked towards her. 

My best friend continued to smirk as she puffed. She had distinctive silver eyes, whereas mine are just an ordinary emerald green, and her ebony hair was pulled into an elegant bun on her head. She looks flawless no matter what she does, and I envy her hair and eyes. 

"So, are you prepared for yet another workday?" She sighed. 

I nodded my head and giggled. I enjoy working here because the dogs are so adorable. I sang. 

She exclaimed, "They are because you can give them back." With a serious grin on her face, she deadpanned. 

I laughed as we advanced toward the entryways of the pack medical clinic. As the doors opened, we waited. 

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

Tim, good morning. Is it packed? As I tossed my coat, I pondered. 

He replied, "No more than usual, anyway, have a good day, girls." He added as he put down behind his work area. 

We cleared our path through the emergency clinic, towards the nursery. " Have you recently heard from Ethan?" She looked at me and asked. 

"No, but he'll be busy," I said, shaking my head. I responded, "He's coming home soon." She nodded and hummed. 

Ethan is Beta's future. He's at an instructional hub for Alphas and Betas, alongside his sibling, Mateo... Our future Alpha. 

When we got to the nursery, I looked out the window and saw all of the running puppies. As I watched them, I smiled more. 

We walked in after Mila pushed the door open, and the dogs turned to look at us. Enormous blissful smiles spread all through them and my heart did somersaults. 

Eli, the Beta's son, ran toward me and yelled, "Miss Clara, Miss Clara," dragging a puppy behind him. 

He yelled, "Miss Clara, this is Nolan," and pushed the stray dog in front of him.

I smiled as I knelt in front of him. I introduced myself as Clara and extended my hand to shake his hand. He shook me gently while giggling and placing his tiny hand in mine. 

"Ay... What do you mean?" He spoke softly. 

I smiled at him as I pronounced my name, "Eye... La." 

He grinned, "I'm not... Lan," and said, "That's a pretty name." He replied once more. With a grin on my face, I nodded. It's a pleasure to meet you. I grinned. 

They fled and joined the other puppies. Before leaving to mix with the dogs, I hung my coat on the hook. 

"Mila, Clara, you can now go to lunch," he said. Tilly, our administrator, called out from the front of the room. As we made our way to the canteen, we gave a nod. 

When the phone started ringing, I stopped and took it out. When I read the name, Ethan, my heart skipped a beat. Before I responded, I took a deep breath. 

I replied, "Hey." 

"How are things?" I could tell that he was uneasy as I listened to his quiet question. 

"I'm fine; all I need is lunch. What's up?" I responded that he was causing me anxiety. It's as if I was unable to communicate with him. 

"All right, Clara. He took a deep breath and said, "I... I miss you." "Have you found your mate?" He inquired. 

I took a deep breath and said, "I miss you, Ethan." I cannot wait for your return." He misses me just as much as I miss him, I exhaled relief. I haven't found my partner, no... Have you? I pressed. 

I caught his shaky breath and heard him say, "no, I..." He hesitated and I held my breath. I have not, no." He exhaled. 

Why does that make him sound so upset? 

"Ethan, what's the matter? Your anxiety is audible in your voice. I asked, twitching my eyebrows. As she watched me, Mila raised her eyebrows at me. 

"Nothing, I'll be home soon... I love you, keep that in mind." He floundered prior to hanging up on me. I looked at my phone dumbfounded. 

"What's going on? Is he fine?" Mila inquired. I put my phone back in my pocket after shaking my head. 

I sighed and said, "He was acting strange." "I don't know..." "I moaned. He seemed concerned that I hadn't found my partner when he asked me if I had. I shrugged. " I added, "He told me to keep in mind that he loves me." 

I'll call him later to see if he will talk to me. "Boys are confusing," she rolled her eyes. She laughed. 

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

As we entered the canteen, my mood couldn't be shaken. I was becoming increasingly numb as a result of something that he was concealing from me. I was experiencing a stomach ache that was only getting worse. 

"Clara, you don't look excessively well," Mila shouted as she squeezed her hand against my head. " You're catching fire. I think your heat is beginning, so you should go home." She quickly added. 

Her eyes became cloudy. My abdomen felt like it was on fire, I was gasping for air, and I had no idea what was wrong; these were not the usual symptoms of my heat. 

"Clara, your father is on his way to get you. She panicked and grabbed her belongings before dragging me out of the canteen. "I need to get you into an empty room until he gets here," she said. 

I was doubled over in pain by the time we got to a room that was empty. I choked, "Mila, this... this isn't heat." 

I had never experienced anything like this before. I get the impression that my abdomen has been repeatedly stabbed. My heart feels like it's physically breaking, and my lungs feel like they're being squeezed. 

"Clara, it is... Your body is just reacting in a different way to it," I replied. While stroking my hair, she whispered. 

"Clara, baby, open the door; I'm here," he said. From the corridor, my father shouted. Mila raced to the entryway and opened it. I was picked up by my father as he rushed right for me. 

I wept, "Dad, it hurts." 

As he parted my hair from my face, he whispered, "I'm taking you home." 

I was carried by him across the packlands. I could see him dashing his eyes around, ensuring my aroma wasn't drawing in any undesirable organization. 

As he tightened his grip on me, he whispered, "We're almost home, sweetheart."