I heard frantic barking above me and looked up, my Stick was calling for someone and my guess it was South returning. I laid down, not even in good condition to even be standing let alone trying to help. The world was spinning again anyways and it just felt uncomfortable in my fur.

"Lower the rope!" I heard Alpha barking orders. I must have really scared them, I didn't mean to.

I'm sorry.

I won't do it again.

"It's ok, I got you," lifting my head to a new voice I was ready to growl until I see their uniform. They were a Delta Medic, and he looked familiar or smelled familiar.

"Delta Medic! How is he?" Alpha called down, while the Delta Medic started looking at the spots where I could be hurt. I wanted to growl at them or something, they were not helping.

"I'm fine," I tried to push them away but my efforts were weak. How did I get so weak? Why was I weak to begin with? What is wrong with me, can I no longer be a Delta?

"They told me you were bit, by two sets of fangs." The Delta Medic growled as he checked my wounds for infections. "A Mountain Lion and a Badger. Those are something that I have to check over no matter what."

"I wasn't," I stated remembering the strength of the bites, but I also couldn't finish my sentence. It felt like I was getting weaker by the second. I also felt a bit more relaxed, maybe it was because the dangers were long past and the journey was catching up to me.

"How do you know?" Medic inspected the other areas where I was bit, not paying any mind to my feeble protests to kick him off.

"She had no teeth," I pointed my nose to the Badger Mother. "The Lion didn't bite hard, if anything they were trying not to hurt me."

It was true it only felt like they were grabbing me to throw me aside, maybe they were after Badger Mother and I was just in the way. Well that aside, the Mountain Lion got away and Badger Mother was dead. If I could change this I might, but I know it won't do any good.

"Let me check anyway. Are you feeling fatigued? They told me you were starting to get tired quickly and out of breath." he checked his eyes and mouth and tested his limbs for any breaks.

"Tired, out of breath, hot, starting to get weaker," I let the Delta Medic do his job, not having much energy left to even fight him off now. It felt nice to feel his cold hands on my fur, softly brushing and feeling a little pressure to my sides.

"Have you experienced these symptoms before?" Shaking myself out of the nice feelings and almost growled the relaxed state away.

"No," I wasn't sure if I should update the Delta Medic of what those feelings were just then, didn't think it would be important to report it. I decided not to and shifted as if uncomfortable but really trying to get him to touch my fur again.

"It sounds to me like your in Heat. All the stated symptoms points to that, it doesn't seem like you have any physical symptoms. Which is odd, I also can't smell it either if it really is your Heat. Have you spoken with your doctor about this possibility? Or of when you'll possibly have your first Heat?" It seems like my case was complicated and rare. But me in heat? Without warning of when I would get it, I also had no pre-heat symptoms like the Doctor said I would have.

"If I knew, I wouldn't be out here," I growled then regretted it. He was only doing his job there was no need to be so mad at him. Sighing then lowered my voice, "In heat. Shit."

"We'll get you home and have it sorted out. Do you have a mate?" My ears flicked to him, it seems he was used to dealing with someone like me. I tried to calm myself down wondering why I was so bristled.

"Scent claimed by Omega Jay Love." it felt like I said it so hollow and with a growl. Shouldn't I be happy that I was scent claimed by my mate? Well after these past few interactions with him it seemed like we were drifting apart.

"Only Scent claimed? It seems that he's not a very attentive mate if the claim is this faded." Was he really stating that we might not really be together? Well it does feel like he's not there when we talk. Can we even call ourselves mates? If we're no longer mates after this long should we just break it off? My Stick might be right, I should let him go. After this is over I'll talk to him and break it off. There's no point in staying with him if we have no love for each other.

I was picked up gently and cradled as the Delta Medic started pulling us out, I laid on his chest and partly on his shoulder. He wasn't breathing hard trying to pull us out, I figured I was heavy but it seems I wasn't. With what I can pull I thought I might be heavier. His breathing was soft, and rhythmic I can feel his heart beating steadily.

I also felt safe like this.

It was odd, hanging by a rope about 70 feet above ground.

He felt sure of his steps and the weight he pulled as he climbed. It was so nice not having to worry about anything for a change.

We got out and I was allowed to rest for a bit while the Delta Medic did a quick check of my condition. My Stick gathered, sniffed me and move back to allow me to rest. Or for fear of being growled at by either me or the Delta Medic.

"Alright, I wrote it all down. Shift so I can carry you back home," I did as I was told and stayed sitting. It's no fun carrying a dog around, I tried it once and just couldn't stand the licking. The Delta Medic handed the notebook and a pen to correct anything or add a few things. He picked me up with the same ease as carrying me up the cliff and we started our trek back home and I read the notes that the Delta Medic took.

'Patient Delta Angel Unique Crowther. He / Him, They / Them. Delta Omega. Age 14.

- He displays aggression at first sense, then calms down when no threat is detected. Keep distance, Talk calmly, Keep hands displayed, Keep eye contact.

- His first symptom was Fatigue, Delta's in this state are more alert to their surroundings. Keep weapons away, Carry no medicine until the Delta trusts that you are of no threat.

- His first physical symptom is Shortness of Breath. Keep talk to a minimum until needed, let the Delta rest as much as possible.

- His second physical symptom is No Odd Scent, Delta doesn't carry any scent of Pre-Heat, Heat or Sickness. Treat as if Delta is in heat or if they are sick. Keep movement slow, Voice gentle, Touch soft.

- New symptom, Hot. Delta seems to be experiencing Hot Flashes? No scent of Sweat, Skin and Fur are Dry. Pads Dry, slightly hot. Keep Delta in a comfortable position, Allow Delta to adjust their position and wait patiently until they are comfortable again. If Delta continues to feel uncomfortable repeat check up.

- Update to symptom: Hot. Delta appears to be displaying Heat symptoms. He calmed down after being touched again.

When it was written down it really did seem like I was in heat, but some of the symptoms were not there. Could it be due to stress? Would he want to know of my stress?

- Added, Stressed. Love and I seem to have grown apart over the last few months, he has a friend that he visits often and now that friend is in his home. I want to ask about living with him after the Delta Ceremony but now I'm not so sure. I have an appointment with Dr. Sparrow after my return. I want to talk to him about my relationship with Love, to get my own place if Love and I don't come to an agreement. I've been refusing to nest in the past few years, I've been refusing physical touch recently.

- Added, Dizzy. The world feels like it's been spinning for a few days now, it started about two days after we left the Den and gradually got worse.

- Added, Weak. I don't feel as strong as I did before, normally a quick jog like this wouldn't make me break a sweat. I never relied on my Stick to fight for me as I've always handled my battles quickly.

- Added, Pain. I've been feeling pain more frequently before I left the Den.

"Did you see how big those snowflakes were? Why don't we have some like that?" I heard my Stick idly chatter about the journey and then flipped the page and seen a note.

'Would you like for me to Scent Mark you Temporarily? It will help you feel better and give you rest. Please tell me that I spelled Irregular wrong if it is what you want.'

It was surprising to see a Delta Medic ask for his permission about something that should happen.

Would I feel better if I was properly Scent Claimed?

I thought for a bit and wondered if I was properly Scent Claimed then would I even be stressed this much? If I wasn't Scent Claimed then would the Pack smell me? Would Love smell me...

I took a few breaths and decided that I didn't need anymore added to my over worked body. I didn't even want to think anymore. Would this stop me from thinking?

'Don't do it,' Justice growled. 'Elite Omega's are stronger alone. We don't need to rely on anyone else but ourselves!'

Just this once.

Can't I just feel?

"You spelled Irregular wrong," as soon as I said it I felt a cool warm blanket drape over me protectively. It was the most calming thing I've ever felt, I didn't even know I could even feel this safe outside of the Den let alone my room. Actually not even my own room. What was this overwhelming feeling?

I don't know what came over me but it felt like I was crying or trying to. The pressure behind my eyes was painful, I almost feel as though I don't have enough air to breathe. The Delta Medic soothed me with his gentle scent of Pine and Lemons. It eased my breathing and I started to feel more relaxed in his arms. The heat was now in soothing waves instead of crushing pressure.

Before I knew it I was almost drowning in Delta Medic's scent, it almost smelled stronger but still so soothing. What would Love's scent be like and I wondered if it really felt like this if I really were properly Scent Claimed. Love only just rubbed his scent all over me, it never felt like this.

Was this really what I've been missing?

Actually, Delta Medic's scent was familiar. Where have I smelled it before? Did he cover it up?

*“When they told me that you took on the Rouge Leader alone I didn’t believe them but looking at these wounds...” he started to work on my legs first. “Thank you for protecting our pack, I hope you continue to get stronger to protect us again.”*

That was it!

He was the one that worked on my injuries after the Rouge's came.

Familiarity washed over me and I felt more accepting of his scent, like it was an old friend. I curled to him trying my best not to drink him in, trying to remember that I had someone else.

But.

Maybe for a moment.

Just a moment this can be a reality.

"...eak, ha haa."

I felt dizzy when I was set down my Delta instinct kicked in and I focused my senses around me, keeping my presence small. I still felt weak and useless if a fighter were to happen. Opening my eyes I seen that the Delta Medic was crouched over me protectively, his arm still around me.

"...ne," I could only hear a little bit focusing was a little difficult now, with his scent surrounding me again. "...k, ...e... st..ng."

"...ting ..o ..ow."

"...r.."

"L... b..f.. o.. s.." I was starting to fade, my Survival Instincts were not enough for this. I don't even think I've trained myself for situations like this. Well, now's a good time to start. Reel in my physical presence, focus on one thing that won't be to distracting. I figured that matching my breathing with his was a good start.

I matched his and slowed it down, after a few minutes he was no longer struggling and everything was going smoothly again. I kept pace with his breathing which helped me calm down and clear my head for at least a few moments.

We were coming up to the Den now and I heard orders being barked out, what was being said I wasn't sure. Opening my eyes I seen that people were gathered as we passed.

They looked like Delta's or Alpha's.

We stopped and Delta Medic was saying something to some Alpha's, I can clearly smell them. These new scents were starting to get overwhelming so I focused on Delta Medic's breathing again. It was the only thing that could ground me at the moment. Everything else was too distracting.

The low husky voice, his strong scent.

How it soothed my now aching body...

No.

Stop.

Focus.

The place felt dark now and it was comforting, almost like when I nested. I felt the tension in my body relax and wondered if it was a good idea to do even that. There were a lot of Alpha's around still.

I was then set down on something soft and couldn't properly focus on keeping myself in check now. Delta Medic's scent was growing colder now, opening my eyes to see where he could have gone.

I was now alone, in a soft and soothing room. It felt safe here so I decided to do what I've been neglecting of doing. Made a nest in the middle of the room and curled up in it. I wasn't focusing on scent, just touch.

I wanted soft touch, warm.

It felt so nice to feel something like this, it felt like I could finally relax completely without having to worry about anything or anyone.

Was this how it feels to properly nest?

Why was I not looking after myself like this before?

Why did I let Love decide what I can and can't do?

No more.

This is my time now, I don't have to worry about useless things like that. I don't have to worry about looking after the entire pack.

This time was just for me.

Only for me.