Switched

Chapter Three

"Mate."

That one word changed my world. She was so beautiful, even though she was terrified. She smelled like the sweetest rose on a dewy morning after a storm. It was the best smell in the world. I loved the sparks from our contact. I gently pulled her up and I hugged her close to me, trying to comfort her.

"Alpha said to meet him in his office with everyone else," Jackson said to me before looking at the warriors. " You are dismissed. Go back to parol."

The warriors left. The two shifted back into their wolves. I walked Sarah into the pack house and up to Alpha Clark's office. I rubbed her arm gently to try to soothe her. She was still shaking.

"It is OK Sarah. No one will hurt you. If they try, I will protect you with my life. My name is Lily. That bonehead over there is my brother Jackson."

Sarah gave a small laugh and relaxed a little. It made me wonder how long she had her wolf. She seemed to be confused and scared. A wolf born into a pack or even a rouge would know who they are so they wouldn't be scared like she is. We reached the Alpha office and Jackson knocked.

"Come in." Alpha Clark said.

We walked in and I could feel Sarah tense up as she saw all the people in the office and felt their strong auras. I walked her over to the couch and sat her down next to me. I could see on everyone's faces they had a lot of questions and so did I. Well, it seems like this is going to be a long night.

"What is your name? What pack are you from? Why did you cross the borders into my land?" Alpha Clark asked her in an angry voice.

"My name is Sarah. I have no idea what a pack is, much less if I am from one. I did not know I crossed into your land. I was walking through the forest when suddenly I was surrounded by wolves." Sarah said quietly, as she started shaking again.

"Alpha, she is scared. Do not yell at her. She does not smell like a rouge. I do not believe she came here on purpose. She seems confused by all of this," I said with a warning in my tone.

Alpha Clark as well as everyone in the room looked shocked by how I just spoke to him. But I was not affected by his Alpha aura. Another reason I have always felt like an outsider. I looked at Sarah and gently turned her face to look at me.

"Sarah, how long have you had your wolf?" I asked her.

"I don't know. I have been having dreams about a wolf for weeks now. But last night the wolf talked to me. She said she was my wolf. I thought it was just a dream. When I woke up this morning, she spoke to me again. I thought I had lost my mind and gone crazy. That is when I decided to go for a walk and get some fresh air. I was lost in my thoughts. I have no idea how long I was walking for. You know the rest." She said while looking at me and calming down.

"Is today your 16th birthday?" I asked her.

"Yes it is. How did you know?" She asked, surprised.

"It is my birthday too. All werewolves get their wolves on their 16th birthday. But since you think you are crazy, I assume you didn't know you were a werewolf, right?"

"No, I didn't. I thought I was human. My mother never said anything to me."

"Where do you and your mom live, Sarah?" Luna Rose asked her.

"Mom and I live in town. My father left when I was born, claiming I was not his daughter." Sarah responded.

"Raised in the human town. It is possible her mother is human. Wolves are protective of their children, so it is strange her father would leave. But I am more curious about you Lily, you don't seem to have gotten your wolf today. Plus, the tone you had when you spoke to me makes me think you two are mates correct?" Alpha Clark asked.

"No, I do not have a wolf. Yes she is my mate." I replied, glancing at everyone in the room.

Everyone looked at me sadly. James, however, looked pissed, like someone stole his favorite car. Whatever, I was still mad at him for hooking up with Laura. Wait. Why did I still care that he made out with Laura if I had found my mate? It just did not make sense.

"OK everyone, I think that is all for tonight. I am sure everyone is hungry. Let's go to dinner. Sarah, since you are mated to Lily, you are welcome here anytime. Join us for dinner. I am sure you have a lot of questions but those can be answered later. Just take some time to process. " Luna Rose said.

Everyone stood up and walked to the dining hall. I held Sarah's hand and walked her to dinner. She seemed nervous still and leaned into me. During dinner we talked about the birthday party Luna was throwing for James and I. She now wanted to include Sarah in it as well. By the end of dinner, I was exhausted from the day. I could tell Sarah was too, she kept yawning. I stood up and grabbed Sarah's hand and led her upstairs to my room.

Walking in, she seemed to be nervous. I gave her a small tour, showing her the bathroom and towels. I grabbed some clothes and set them out for her. She gave a small smile and walked in for a shower. While she was in there, I sat on my bed and tried to process today. I did not notice when she walked back in until she stood in front of me and gently grabbed my face.

"I don't know what a mate is. I do not understand why I am so attracted to you when I do not know you. Or how you make me feel calm and safe. But I do know I have been wanting to kiss you since I saw you," Sarah said before leaning down and kissing me softly.

Stunned, I sat there for a second before I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. When we both pulled back for air, I knew I was hooked. She was mine. I will protect her for the rest of my life. I gently rubbed her cheek before I gave her one small peck before I went to have a shower. When I walked back out I saw Sarah fast asleep in my bed. I walked over and crawled in, cuddling her close and falling asleep.