There was a huge difference between the idea of something and it actually taking place. I thought I prepared myself enough for this, that it wouldn't be that bad. I ensured myself that everything would be fine, Orion saying the exact same thing. It was worse than I thought it would be, much worse.

Yesterday, it wasn't that difficult. He left at midnight, starting the three days of separation. I felt a loneliness, a sinking feeling in my heart, but it wasn't hard to ignore. Today, I couldn't say the same thing.

It was worse than just painful. I could feel the distance between us, the empty space tugging at my soul. It felt as if a rift was tearing between us, yet the two halves were forcefully clashing together, ensuring that we would not be separated. I craved for him, much more than I ever had before. I truly never realized how attached I was to him, his much I actually needed and wanted him around me.

I couldn't eat, barely being able to hold down any sorts of liquid. Constant cramping in my muscles and stomach prevented me from even moving, let alone shifting. I could focus on him and only him. What he could be doing, if he was okay, where he was.

"I don't know how people do this." I groaned, clutching my stomach, as I sat on top of the toilet lid. I felt sick but I knew I wasn't. The herbal tea that his mother did nothing to dull the symptoms.

"That's why the women relax and take scented baths. The separation symptoms tend to affect them harder than it does to the males." Kai said as she started the bath. When the steam started to fog the mirror, she decided it was time to pour in the scents.

"Why though?" I muttered, pressing my heated forehead to the cool porcelain sink, but it only provided me solace for a few seconds.

"It's might not sound as nice as you would like it to.' Kai said, dumping out another vial into the tub.

"In our world, in our kind, the women tend to depend on the male. When he is away during the ceremony,the bond stretches and weakens making the women more vulnerable. Since it is weakened, it's makes the women more susceptible to illness."

"But I'm not ill."I groaned, sitting up. "We don't get ill."

"Then the bond is portraying that you are." She dismissed, waving hand in the air.

"Besides, one you see the dress, you won't be moaning and groaning anymore."

"I don't care what the dress looks like." I said, standing from my makeshift seat on the toilet lid. She turned to give me privacy as I stripped.

"I more worried if he'll come back alive. Goddess knows he's going to get himself into some sort of trouble."

"Probably." She agreed as she turned around, regretting her answer as she saw the worried look on my face.

"Kidding, kidding. He will be fine. Besides, even if he does get injured, you'll be the first to know." She clasped my hand in hers in an attempt to sloth my already on edge nerves.

"I can't help but worry." I sighed sinking further down into the tub.

"I know. I will probably be like that with Cole when the time comes." I watched at she glanced at the small watch on her wrist, her eyes widening.

"It's late, isn't it?"

"Yeah." She nodded. "I haven't been paying attention as much as I should have."

"If you have somewhere to be, you can go. I don't want to be holding you here."

"No, no it's fine. I said that I could stop by and look at the dress but I think you need me more."

"Nonsense, you've been with me for two days. I know you're probably tired of hearing me complain. Go and take a break. Plus, I know Cole has been missing you." I joked with her, sending a wink her way.

"Are you sure?" She asked reluctantly but I could see that she really wanted to go.

"Of course I'm sure, go relax. I'll be fine." Walking over, she gave me a loose hug, careful not to get too wet.

"Thank you and if you need anything, please tell me and I'll be right over." She said, turning towards the door.

"No promises." I called after her.

Sinking back down, I tried to focus solely on the comforting water. The warming and pleasant scent of vanilla soothed my mind, helping me to relax even further. At first, it worked to get rid of the aching pains but after a while, they slowly came back. My skin began to wrinkle from how long I had been sitting in there and I decided it was time to get out.

I skipped brushing my hair before exited the bathroom, my muscles too tired to even be bothered with the pointless act. I would be bathed and pampered the next day for the ceremony so there was so real point in wasting my dwindling energy. I could barely be bothered with getting dressed but I need up throwing on a pair of underwear and one or Orion's shirts.

Shuffling from the closet to the bed, I flopped onto the foot of the bed. Exhaustion creeped forward but I already knew that sleep was no an option. My nerves wouldn't allow me to sleep, let alone the nervousness and excited for the next day. Reaching my arm our for a pillow, my fingers grasped something cool and hard. Shakily sitting up, I managed to pull myself up to the headboard, placing the object on my lap.

Hey, Sweetheart. I don't want you to miss me too much. I hope you enjoy!

Love, Orion

The message was written on a bright yellow sticky note. I had been finding these all of the house and I'm guessing Orion had set this up with Kai before he had left. The object, clad in a light brown leather, was a large book sat on my lap. Flipping the page, I was met with a picture of a younger looking Janina holding up a baby, which assumed was Orion.

With each turn of the page, he grew older and my smile grew wider. The picture of him with a wide smile, showing off his missing teeth, managed to earn a giggle from me. As he turned from a child to late teens, the pictures grew more sparse as he took upon the Alpha training and other responsibilities. The very last page stunned me into oblivion.

It was a picture of us, smiling at each other. It looked as if I was caught mid- laugh and Orion was grinning down at me. We were both gazing at each other, our eyes both portraying the same enamored emotion. I wasn't sure when this was taken or who had taken it but I knew that I loved it.

Curling up beside it, I kept looking at it, taking in every small detail as possible. I felt my eyes droop lower and my focus on the picture grew blurry and unfocused. My limbs grew heavier and I sunk further into the mattress as I welcomed sleep.

A sudden pressure formed in my abdomen, successfully knocking the wind out of me. It felt as if I had been punched in the gut but nothing had actually hit me. I thought that I had fabricated it until a second one came, making me bend over and cradle my waist. At first, I thought it was just the cramping getting worse but when a searing pain radiated down my back, I knew something was wrong.

Jumping up from the bed, I didn't even hesitated the direction I was going after I made it outside the door. Quickly stalking through the forrest, barefoot, I approached my destination.

Panicking and banding on the door quickly, I was surprised to see them answer the door so quickly.

"Dear? What is it? What's wrong?" Janina asked as she pulled me into her house.

"I-I'm sorry if I woke you. I-I didn't mean to."

"Oh no, Sweetie." She said, throwing a blanket over my shoulders.

"You can come here at anytime. Besides, I was already awake, putting the finishing touches on the dress. Now, what's wrong?"

"O-Orion." I croaked out, reaching out to hug her.

"H-He's hurt. I felt it. H-He needs help but I d-don't know where he is." I sobbed, clutching onto her.

"Sweetie," She started slowly, hugging me tighter and rubbing my back. "He's fine. He jus found what he was looking for."

"But what if he's not fine. What if he really is in trouble?" I asked as she pulled away, brushing away my tears.

"Then we'll stay up a bit longer and pray for the best. If he does need help then we'll reach out to him and go from there."

"T-Thank you, Mom." I whispered, pulling her into another quick hug.

"It's not problem. Now, help you're self to some cookies and I'll go heat up the milk."