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"That's a good idea. Get breakfast served while I wake her up." Eline got up and headed for Ismena's bedroom.

In the bedroom, Eline walked casually towards her and placed her hand on her lower back

"What the...!" She gasped, snatching her hand back. She felt like she just touched a burning fire. Too hot.

"Ismena...?" She called, placing her hand back again, Eline shook her slightly. No response.

She shook her repeatedly while calling out her name but just as she expected—dreaded—Ismena wasn't waking up.

After everything Ismena has been through in the last week and the way she's been taking it all, she shouldn't be surprised that her body broke down. Eline swallowed down the panic that rose to her throat as she hurried out of the bedroom.

"Where is Mena? Is she still sleep—" Sandra began when she saw Eline walk out of the bedroom without Ismena.

But, Eline cut her off, "We need to get Harhan, the medicine man. She has a fever so high, she is burning like a furnace. I'll tell Damien to rush to Harhan's house."

"What!?" Sandra exclaimed, but Eline was already out of the door. She turned and ran to the bedroom. Ismena was still sleeping the same way she'd left her, she still looked so peaceful in sleep.

Looks can be so deceiving, Sandra.

That voice in her head made her panic skyrocket. She was by Ismena's side the next second, shaking her to wake her up. She did it repeatedly, even added force to it.

But, her best friend didn't open her eyes. Ohgodohgodohgod...!

"Calm down, Sandra, it's just fever, it's just fever, she'll be fine, she'll be fine," The recitation wasn't helping her as she paced around the bedroom, waiting for Eline to come back.

It didn't take long at all, and it surprised Sandra.

"Damien has already hurried out to call Harhan, he's going on his shifted form because he realized how important this is. Harhan should be here in the next thirty minutes."

So, they began the wait and it was killing them. They took turns pressing cold water all over Ismena's face while waiting for the medicine man.

When Harhan finally came, they were at their wit's end. They waited patiently while he treated her, with both familiar herbs and unfamiliar ones. Following his instructions, they boiled a liquid herb which he gave her too.

Sandra had no idea how long passed before the old man finally packed his bags and started out of the bedroom. They walked behind him, nobody saying anything until they were out of the room and the door closed behind them.

Then, the old man turned towards Eline, "It's not enough, Eline. The Reinbane herb will help her fever and the Solebane will fight the headache, I gave her Nillih-rose to help her sleep better and Alamanda leaves for energy. All these should be able to help her sickness but..."

"But, it's not what she needs." Eline finished up for him, not looking too surprised but instead, she looks so sad.

"It's not." Harhan agreed, "She needs her mate. She needs the Alpha King. This is not just a simple fever, but a desperate craving of her body for its soulmate. His touch will do so much more than any of these herbs will ever do for her and when combined, she'll be up on her feet within twenty-four hours."

"Thank you, Harhan." Eline breathed out.

"It's no problem at all. I was at the Tower yesterday because the Alpha King needed something for headache too."

"Really?"

The old man nodded, looking sad, "Wasn't just a headache, I could tell. But, you know how stubborn the Alpha King can be, he wouldn't let medo more. I worry for him because it's only a matter of time before his health caves and he breaks down completely.

He looked behind him, at the closed door, "I don't know what's going on between them, but the distance is getting to them. I hope whatever it is, that it gets resolved quickly. This only happens to mated couples but I've come to realize that with the Alpha King and his mate, the compatibility is too high that might be why."

Also, his blood is running through her veins. But, Eline didn't say anything. Instead, she thanked him again.

Harhan started walking to the door, "Keep an eye on her, especially in the middle of the night. Make sure she eats well. If her fever resurfaces again, use the herbs I left accordingly."

"I will do that."

He stopped, "What I'm most afraid of is that she might go into a Crave Shock. What if she goes into one?"