Chapter  19 Apartment 425

"Essentially, yes." Luna smiled. She glanced at the Alpha. The look was so deep that Sara felt like a voyeur.

"A mate is someone meant for you. The old gods created a match for you. They're called Fate Mates." She grinned at the  rhyme. "I'm sure you know that humans have soul mates, but Lycan mates are a bit different. Once fully mated they seldom separate. The connection between the two will always remain. Few thing can separate shifter mates. Humans divorce in about 50% of all marriages. We don't. Our, for lack of a better word, divorce rate is less then 4%. Accepting or rejecting a mate is not a light matter.

"Once a mate is rejected it can't be be undone easily. It could take years to mend the bond.

"Our wolves will usually recognize a mate. The human part of us as well, although sometimes it may not.

"Evodin has instincts that recognize your mate, her mate. — Sebastian."

She paused and watched Sara closely. She noticed the confusion first. Then there was shock. Wonder followed shock. Last was fear. The fear concerned Luna Barbara. Fear caused careless actions.

She didn't want Sara to reject Sebastian with out giving the relationship a chance. His wolf was back and there would be changes in the bond between them. They would be drawn to each other. With his status in the pack the pull of the mate bond would be strong and aggressive if ignored.

From the instinctive actions of  Evodine she clearly recognized Sebastian. She had been attemping to shift and mark him at the infirmary. Of course they couldn't allow it to happen until both Evodine and Sara understand what it meant. She was to new in this world to be aware of the consequences of her actions. In fact she had no social conditioning in either the paranormal or human world.  She had hidden from people for to long as her body matured her mind had not had the same opportunity. Her mind most likely still functioned on a 14 or 15 year old level while her body had the instincts and desires of an adult.

Taron had already told Alpha that Sara was his mate before the Alpha had left Sebastian's room to join them in the hall. Sebastian accepted it as he felt the connection as his wolf did. The only unknown in the equation was Sara.

She had saved Sebastian's life by her actions but that didn't make her ready to accept him as her mate.

"I think for now, that we should show you your apartment." Luna said standing. She smiled.

Sara nodded. Her mind spinning. She stood on automation as the Alpha and Luna stood.

"Your apartment is on the floor below this one. It's not furnished but I'll have someone take you tomorrow to get the things you need. For now we can make list and you can stay in our guestroom tonight." Luna said.

Everything was an so fast she was having trouble assimilating.

Gloria was dead. Some lawyer was looking for her. She had pulled a silver bullet from someone's shoulder. She saw, with her own eyes, a man turn into a wolf. It hadn't looked anything like it did in horror movies. Evodin was real, not just a crazy voice in her head. She was a Lycan. She left her home, her belongings, her life. She joined a Lycan pack. She had no money, no job, but she an unfurnished apartment. She was expected to shift into wolf, but didn't know how. Evodin tried to highjack her body. There was a tiny string tied in her stomach that seemed to tug at her. She had a mate. She wasn't sure she wanted a mate. At the thought of her mate Evodin purred in her head.
Wolves purr? She never saw that when she spied on the wild wolves. She had never gotten that close. But they could have purred. Maybe but Evodin definitely purred.

Mate? Evodin asked. Sara was unsure what to say. Go be with mate?  Evodine asked more demanding.

No. I'm not ready. Sara told her.

No? But want mate?  Evodine replied. It wasn't really a question. Evodin did want her mate. Sara wasn't sure what she wanted.

Want mate? I don't know. Sara thought. She couldn't deny that she found Sebastian appealing on a lot of levels. But the Luna said it was a big deal.

"Do you have clothes, belongings, or anything else you would like retrieved from your cabin?" The Alpha asked pulling her from her thoughts.

"Yes." Sara rushed to say. Most of the stuff in the cabin could be left there. However her personal items she would be grateful for.  "My bedroom has all my personal items. I - I would love to have them."  The elevator dinged and the door slid open.

"You're sure that's all?" Luna asked remembering the well stocked living area. Sara nodded.

They stopped at a door labeled with black metal numbers, 425.

The Luna nodded to the envelope. Sara opened it and found the brass key.

They soon entered the one bedroom apartment. Each wall was painted a creamy white. The main area was a combination living/dinning room with hardwood floors in a light pine shade.

The white and blue bathroom shower tiles spilled from the shower to the floor in a pattern of ocean like waves that met and blended with sand color tiles half way through the room. The walls were painted a pale blue and granite countertops held bowl like sinks. A tan claw foot tub sat to the left part of the room, a two foot empty space around it, on sand colored tiles. 

The bedroom had thick tan carpet, two closets, large windows. Cream colored walls extended to a white ceiling that matched the rest of the apartment.

The small office was hardwood floors, cream painted walls, one wall was dominated by shelving. There was no closet but Sara didn't care.

"You are free to paint any color you choose with the exception of the ceiling. There are plenty of Lycan owned business in the area that that have our symbol in their windows. But you are free to choose any business you want. You can also order online if you wish.

"Benjamin Sheetz can help you if you have any questions."

They entered the kitchen and Sara couldn't keep her fingers from gliding over the cool white marble countertops. She eyed the large three door refrigerator/freezer. Her own distorted reflection watched her from its stainless steel surface. White cabinets, an open air spice rack, chrome  dishwasher, double sink, and bright windows drew her in to the room.

For a moment she marveled at the prospect of tap water. No rain collection, no hauling, filtering, no need to boil the water before storing it in a bucket. It was almost a dream.

The chrome range gave her pause. She had no idea how to operate the thing. She would be fine. She knew how to use a microwave.

For some reason her mind conjured up the mountain pond. She collected water there, swam, bathed, washed clothes there. Odd how she suddenly felt homesick for it. She would even miss the work.

Two and a half hours later she sat in Benjamin Sheetz office on his computer. He sat beside her, the Luna sat at her other side, they were showing her the websites of Lycan owned business in the area.

She decided to leave the paint colors as they were. It was one less task that she needed to do and left the 6 thousand dollars to decorate the space.

The Luna had offered a far larger amount but Sara refused. She only agreed to the 6 thousand after being shown what the prices were.

She wasn't pleased that she was starting a debt so high and so soon. A debt she had no way to pay.