Chapter 16 Sanctuary

(Read the A/N at the end of chapter.)

"We would like to offer you sanctuary with the Lake Thorn Pack." Alpha Alexander said with a smile.

"We understand you've had a difficult life. We can show you what pack life is about. You can talk to the pack therapist." The Luna was saying.

Sara whimpered and took a few steps back. The back of her legs hit the bed, her arm hit the IV stand. It rocked back and forth then stood still.

Sebastian didn't need his Lycan scenes to know Sara was terrified. Instinct caused him to reach out and pull her on the bed.

Surprisingly she collapsed on the bed after a second of stiffness. He pulled her closer and tucked against his chest. She whimpered and shivered.

"It's not the same, little bird. Pack therapist won't think your crazy and they'll never touch you. There's no need to take flight or flee." He assured her. She want it to be true, real.

Her face was burried in the curve of his neck. He felt the moist wetness of her tears. He stroked her back reassuringly. He felt her heart thundering.

"You're safe, thumper. We won't hurt you." He assured her. Taron remained silent almost like he didn't mind the fact that he had no say in Sebastian's actions. At the moment, Sebastian didn't care. Taron may not have let him confront Sara. He wasn't a cold wolf or heartless but he had been anxious this past week. He wanted his mate. Having a woman in his arms that wasn't his mate may have upset him. So his inability to object at that moment was a gift as far as Sebastian was concerned.

He was aware of the others in the room. They looked on with rapt interest. If he were in contact with his wolf they most likely would have come to the conclusion that they watched a wolf comfort his mate. With the abcents of his wolf there were undoubtedly other scenarios spinning in their heads.

Sara took a shuddering breath. She pulled back, looked up in his eyes and slid off the bed. Her face was red as wine but he suspected that she was embarrassed about cuddling to him like she did.

Her embarrassment caused him to assess his own feelings. He liked her being in his arms much more then he should. She fit perfectly.

Taron scratched and Sebastian was sure he heard him howl.

She was warm. He loved her scent of strawberries and mint. He liked how she borrowed her face in his neck. Her lips were pressed almost against the spot a mate mark would be set. She felt right.

"I'm sorry." Her voice pulled him from his inappropriate thoughts. She pressed a hand to each cheek. Her eyes settled on a grey scuff marks on the white floor.

"Sara?" The Luna said from behind her. Sara reluctantly turned around. She couldn't bring her eyes up to meet the other woman's.

"I'm sorry, Sara. That was thoughtless of me." The Luna said. "It should have occurred to me that it would make you uncomfortable."

"You are welcome here, Sara. We won't force you to do anything you don't wish to do." Alpha Alexander said.

Sara was speechless. She couldn't help her glance over her shoulder. Sebastian lay on his side propped up on an elbow. He nodded encouragingly. She looked away.

In all honesty Sara wanted to do it. Evodin didn't express much enthusiasm. But she was interested. Evodine wanted back in Sebastian's arms. She liked the feel of them around her. Even Sara admitted that it wonderful, warm and safe.

After a few minutes in the presence of the Alpha and Luna Sara wasn't scared, they hadn't been aggressive or critical. Still she didn't want to anger them by refusing their offer. Also she wanted to learn more about Lycans. She wanted, she thought, to be with others like her.

Tell them we'll stay. Evodin said.

Out of habit Sara ignored her. She went back to studying the floor. She knew she should tell them something. But she found it hard to agree. It would be a whole new life, different from what she knew.

She would have people in her head because of the pack link. The thought made her shiver in revulsion. It was hard enough having Evodin there.

"I don't know if I can stay." She said. The words barely a whisper. "I don't - I don't want people in my head." She looked up. Her eyes settled on the Alpha's chest. "I've spent years trying to get her, Evodine, out of my head. I can't do this link thing." As the last word left her lips she looked down at the floor.

She didn't see the Alpha smile reassuringly, or see Steven look at her with sorrow, or a flash of pain flicker over Sebastian's eyes.

"The link doesn't work like that. As Luna and Alpha we feel and hear the whole pack. Any pack member can communicate with with another member. But you control what you send over the link.

"Yes, there are exceptions. Marked mates can feel each other if they're close or farther from each other, or hurt. Parents feel their young children but even parents don't know their child's every thought. Twins have a stronger links to each other then other pack members."

Taron rammed into the block. Sebastian felt him trying to get out. He felt agitated and angry. He had no way to calm his wolf. The block remained in the way. If he could still feel his wolfs distress then it must have been ten time as forceful for Taron.

Evodin's interest perked up at the word mates. Her voice somehow managed to drowned out the Luna's words.

What is mate? This word makes me tingle. Ask about mates. I feel this word. Feel it, Sara? Mates. Feel it? You must ask about this word. Tell them it tingles. Ask them, Sara. It pulls, this word pulls me. Ask them. Evodin practically screamed in her head by the end of her monologue.

Sara had to stiffen her muscles. She felt the tingles that Evodin described. It felt like static from clothes fresh from the dryer. She felt it move from her head and travel out to the rest of her body. The pull was like a string pulling her backwards from the center of her belly.

Someone groaned. Three hands studied her. One pressed against her back. One wrapped around each of her arms. It took a moment to gain her feet.

She opened her eyes and found the Luna to her left and Steven to her right.

Slowly they both released her. "I'm sorry. Evodin." She didn't know how to explain what had happened. She wasn't sure she knew. "She wants to know what 'mates' mean. She's insist I ask." With the question ask Evodine went silent.

"Shit." Sebastian rumbled as Taron pushed passed the poison. But it was too late. Taron had control and he he wasn't backing down. One word ran repeatedly across his conscience.

Mine!

                     ***
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