Chapter 46 Planning

"Of course, I still think of you as my mate, Sara. You are my mate."

"Why haven't you said anything about completing the mating bond?" She picked up her fork and moved the kernels of corn around the plate.

"You got upset every time I mentioned it. Taron and I thought we'd give you time."

"But we're going to another pack. What if someone-"

Sebastian stood and walked around the table. "I wont allow any one to take my mate, Sara. As long as you want to be with me then no other wolf has a chance. Do you want to stay with me?" he held his hand out, palm up and she placed hers in the palm of his.

"Yes," she whispered suddenly feeling shy. "But will you bond me now?"

He used his other hand to tilt her face up so she could look at him. "No. I want you to mate with me because you love me, Sara, not because you fear someone will force you."

Sara stood, "But I do want-"

"No, I don't think you do. I think you have been told stories that have you thinking the worst possible scenario. Bonded or not, mated or not, marked or not, no male in his right mind will touch you. When we return from Bolden Pack or I can at least be sure you mean what you're saying I will instantly agree." he dropped his fingers from her chin. "Agreed?"

She sighed dissatisfied. "Agreed." Her tone left a lot to be desired but Sebastian took it as true agreement. He leaned down and brushed his lips over hers. He meant for the contact to be brief but some how the heat from her touch fried his resolve. When her lips parted the kiss deepened.

Sara felt the flood of heat and longing pool in her stomach at the simple touch of lips. She tilted her head back slightly parted her lips and explored the seam of his lips. She slide her hand up his arm. She felt his hand on her side but it slowly slide around to her back. She stepped forward.

Sebastian buried his fingers in the short hair at the nape of her neck. His tongue found hers. His heart pounded in his chest. The hand on her back glided down to caress her butt. She fit perfectly against him.

Sara liked the heat that spread through her. She didn't even mind that her lungs refused to work. She loved the taste and feel of him. Instinctively she pulled at the soft cloth covering his chest.

Sebastian almost whimpered when her hands stroked the skin over the side of his ribs.

Sara wondered if other people felt like this when they kissed. She had no idea she was projecting the feeling to almost everyone in the complex. The other mated Lycans made use of the projected emotion.

One female called her mate at work and demanded that he come home "right this minute" she then unceremoniously hung up on him blocking his mental probing. In a panic for his mate he made the twenty minutes drive home in ten minutes flat. She met him at the door and preceded to show him what the emergency was all about.

One unmated male, Lark Keller, tried to shower in cold water, when that didn't work he decided to drive around town. The feeling lessened the farther he got from the apartments so he continued to drive. He parked in a lot in the next town only to find that a smell of ginger and plum scented the air. He found the waitress that smelled like plum and ginger. He walked up to her, pulled her in his arms and kissed her till they were both breathless.Their audience applauded when the kiss ended. The woman blushed but didn't have any desire to escape the strangers arms. The male had no idea what had led him to his mate but didn't care.

Victoria and Gabriel made love again not caring that they had just showered and cleaned up from their last round of lovemaking. Gabriel assumed that his mate was going into heat even though her scent hadn't changed. He was more then willing to satisfy her needs. Victoria simply assumed that she wanted more because her mate was incredibly sexy and a generous lover.

The Luna and Alpha were also effected but soon realized it was a consequence of Sara's gift. They didn't resist the effect it had on them. Over two hours later they they knocked on Sara's door.

Sara opened the door, she stiffened as soon as she saw who stood on the other side of the threshold.

"What's happened? Did the former alpha cancel the trip?" She found her heart rating climbing in dread.

"No. I just wanted you to be aware that you're gifts are growing." the Luna told her. Her nervousness took Sara by surprise.

"My gifts?"

"May we come in and speak privately?" the alpha scented the air. "I assume that Sebastian isn't here?"

Sara blushed remembering the moments leading up to Sebastian leaving her apartment. "No. He left an hour ago." She stepped back inviting the pack leaders inside.

Moments later Sara had a new reason to blush. They had all made their way over to the dinning room table. The alpha and Luna held hands on the tables top. Sara had long ago gotten used to the sight of Lycan physical connectedness. She knew that her and Sebastian were also guilty of it and they weren't even mated.

"You projected again. Some of the pack were struck with a bout of -- desire that seemed overwhelming. We're not sure how many of the pack were affected. We know that Victoria and Gabriel were effected as well Megan and her mate Emmaual. Makenzie an unmated female as well as Ward and his mate Payton. I think you should also know that we were affected as well. It seems that it only effected people in the complex."

"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to do that. Did you tell - do they know it was me?" Sara couldn't look at them. "I understand if you did. I'm sure they have - had - questions."

"No. You know that Alexander and I very seldom pry into the minds of our pack, but we thought it best not to embarrass anyone with questions of inexplicable lust or longing." the Luna 's qualifier was ripe with self directed ruefulness. Sara got the feeling that neither leader enjoyed spying.

"It also would have taken longer to speak to every member of the pack. This was a much quicker alternative and saved countless amounts of embarrassment." The alpha added glancing at his mate.

"We're sorry that we had to speak to you about it, Sara. We would have remained silent and saved you embarrassment as well if we could have." The Luna assured her. Sara believed her.

"How long did you experience the projected emotion?" The Alpha didn't seem as chagrined about the subject as the Luna.

"A - um - few minutes maybe." Sara turned her head and concentrated on the door. "We were just kissing." heat flushed her face. "It felt - " she shook her head, she didn't have the words to describe how she felt.

"Astonishing? Amazing and overwhelming all at once?" the Luna supplied.

Sara met the other woman's eyes. Her eyes sparkled in knowing humor. "That's how it's supposed to feel. The connection and need is all part of it. Even humans feel it. It isn't easy to ignore. But what I don't understand is how you felt it for just minutes but the pack members except one, affected were completely overcome."

"Maybe they wanted to be?" Sara shrugged. "I didn't want to stop, Luna, I wanted to explore it more. Sebastian broke the kiss. If he had wanted I would have let him mark me." Sara blushed as the alpha shifted and she remembered she wasn't alone with the Luna.

"I'm sorry," she mumbled. "I - um - Can someone be forced to bond?" After a moment Sara looked up to see the Alpha and Luna looking at each other. It was obvious that they were having a mental conversation.

Whatever the conversation entailed it didn't last long. They turned back to her, the Luna nodded, but the Alpha spoke. "In rare cases a bond can be made that shouldn't. It's not as simple as it sounds. There are three ways it can be done. One, someone who hasn't found their mate can be bitten during coitus or attack by someone intent on making the bond. Two, if someone has found their mate but is unbonded and dislikes or distrust their intended mate a mate bond can be initiated by someone else during coitus or an attack. Three, a person may agree to take the mate bond even knowing the other person isn't their mate."

"Why would someone do that? I mean, agree to that."

"In some packs unmated females are considered unfit to rule. So she may take a mate with in a month of being passed the pack. It's barbaric in today's standards and the practice has faded but there are a few places that it is still practiced. Another reason could be the Lycan, male or female, no longer wishes to wait for a mate."

"Wouldn't that be considered a - um - a - choice mate?" Sara snapped her fingers when she remembered the term.

"Choice mates are chosen for love. With forced mates - love, fate and souls have nothing to do with it."

"Would it be dangerous for me to go to the Bolden Pack unmated?"

The Luna shook her head, "I don't see how. Forced mates are rare. We know of only one I the last 40 years. But there were other circumstances at play there too." She smiled at Sara. "But if you want my opinion, not as your Luna but as a friend, you should tell Sebastian that you you want to be mated. You should also let him know that it has nothing to do with forced mates."

The Luna and Alpha stayed only a few more minutes. Sara promised to talk to Sebastian about the mate mark again. Sebastian didn't show up at her door til the next morning.

He was not in the mood to talk about mates of any kind. They planned their trip to the Bolden Pack and packed the last of their bags for the one month stay. Sebastian left to stay in his apartment that night.

The next morning at breakfast she broached another subject that had been on her mind the past few weeks.

"Before we leave I want to go see Karen."

Sebastian looked up at her and placed his fork on the table. "Why?"

"I think I have a right to know why she tried to kill me. The Alpha and Luna said that I would have final say as to her punishment. I want to talk to her. I want to hear her side."

"There's no need. I have already talked to her. I advise you to suggest the standard for attempted murder."

"And what is that?"

"Life in prison. But since you died she could be sentenced to death."

Sara sat up strait. Shock played over her features. "What?"

"She's a Lycan, Sara. Human law doesn't apply here. She had ever intent to kill you. The fact you're still alive isn't because she wanted you to be. I grew up with her. She has always been a little harsh but the fact is she tried to kill you in front of the Alpha and the Luna. No sane Lycan would have done that. Think of the things she could do in a rage if she's ever released."

"Just because she could doesn't mean she will."

~~~~~~~~~~~~AN~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Real life isn't going well at the moment and I tried to post what I could. Sorry If you find it lacking as it was all i could produce at the moment.  I have lost track and find I can't kill a character that needs to die.  Soo this novel is dragging on when it needs to end. The next one cant start till they leave Lake Thorn Pack and I can't seem to get them on the road. I understand if you want to give up on me but I will continue to do what i can.

Love all of you that have read this far. Thank you for the votes, comments, shares, shout-outs and personal messages (Sorry it took so long to answer them all.) Truth is that with out the influx of these shows of attention for this novel it would have been scrapped this week.

I will try to have another update next Monday.

Read well, People, read well.

Asha