4. Drew

As I looked around the room that I’d called mine for the past several months, I kept telling myself that I could do this. Sebastian was a good guy. He wouldn’t ever hurt me. In fact, he was my mate, and he wouldn’t want to hurt me, ever.

After spending a good hour with Oscar and Chase, I thought I might possibly have a better understanding about mates and what being one entailed. Obviously, there would be sex. I closed my eyes, trying to calm my racing heart. I’d had sex before. I was twenty-six. I’d run away from my horrible foster home at thirteen when I’d suddenly woken up as a cheetah. I had always felt like there was something else in my mind, but it wasn’t until that fateful morning that I understood what it was.

But when I hurriedly packed a bag and ran, I hadn’t thought about the consequences. I’d not had a good time at trying to find somewhere to stay. And Kansas winters could be brutal. They could also be mild. Unfortunately for me, the first winter had been harsh. When you didn’t have any sort of permanent housing, that left you to the streets. They weren’t nice. Especially not for a young boy.

I shivered, remembering about my time on the streets. I was lucky, or unlucky, depending on how you looked at it. When I was fourteen, I was caught and returned to the system. The group home I’d been sent to was only slightly better than the foster home I’d been in. Slightly. At least then I felt as if I had a better handle on my feline side and wouldn’t suddenly wake up as a large cat.

When I was sixteen, there was another who suddenly scented different, and I discovered that there were others like me. Christian was a wolf shifter though, but he knew all about shifters, and we became fast friends in the short time he was there. His parents had both been killed in a car accident, and he was only there for a few weeks while family was located for him. My cheetah and I felt his departure immensely when his uncle came to take him away.

Thinking about Christian soured my stomach at this point though. Actually, it was his uncle more than Christian himself. It was their invitation to their pack in Mississippi that got me into the mess I found myself in. Specifically, his uncle Charles. I was more than willing to disclose his name to the council once I’d been rescued.

I shook my head, pulling myself from that train of thought. That wasn’t going to get me anywhere now. They had been dealt with. They couldn’t directly hurt anyone else any longer. There were, of course, still others that were still missing, but as far as I knew, the majority of us had been rescued.

I looked around, realizing that I was now sitting on my bed. It was by far the most comfortable bed I’d ever slept on. I knew there were larger ones, but it was a full-sized one, and for me, it was plenty big enough. It had been a place of safety for me since I’d been here, and I was thankful for every night I’d spent inside this room. There was just something about having an alpha tiger sleeping down the hall that would protect you if needed that helped you fall asleep.

I glanced down at the object in my hands. I was holding a pair of sleep pants. I’d been packing a bag in preparation for leaving here and going off with Sebastian. I was his mate. One, I’d been told. Warlocks had fated ones. As a shifter, I had a fated mate. Same thing, different name. That was something Oscar had explained to me. There were so many differences between all of the various species, but it had been exciting to start learning about all of them when I moved to Montana because of the council.

I was here because I honestly had nowhere else to go. I’d been saving my funds from my job at the council store in order to be able to move to my own place in Timber Valley. I’d thought about reaching out to the pride in Lucky Lake, but I’d not been able to bring myself to do so. I’d found a family of sorts here, and although Abel could be a bit much at times, he and Tyler were definitely like brothers to me. In fact, I couldn’t wait to share my news with them.

I stood up and placed the sleep pants in my bag and then went back for more of the items in that drawer of my dresser. I wasn’t going to pack everything because I didn’t know if Sebastian would even want me to spend the night with him.

I felt my heart start to race again when I thought about being with my mate. He was incredibly attractive, and the thought of being with him like that both excited and terrified me. I wanted to be a good mate; I just hoped that Sebastian was understanding when it came to taking things at a slightly slower pace.

“Despite everything I’d been through, I knew Monroe was my mate, and there was no getting around things. He was mine, I was his, and we were going to be together right away or a week from then. He was so incredibly gentle with me, and believe me when I say that he made it very special for our first time. It’s scary to think about, but he’s fated for you. He’s your perfect match. It will be different with him. Special. Don’t let what happened to you while you were held captive keep you from your mate. You will end up there eventually, and this might be a good time to just rip the bandage off and go for it.”

I chuckled at the memory of Oscar telling me to just go for it. I would have rolled my eyes if not for Chase. He said basically the same thing. Reinhold was an alpha, unlike Monroe, and Reinhold had made things amazing for Chase. He’d been understanding, he’d taken things slow, and although Chase said he appreciated all of that, he would have been willing to go at a quicker pace, simply because his mate made him feel safe.

I knew next to nothing about Sebastian, but I couldn’t wait to learn about him. What I did know was that he was from a powerful family and had ties to some fairly important people. I would have to ask once I saw him.

Wondering how long I’d been dillydallying in here, I went to my nightstand, where my phone was charging. I saw that it was almost three already somehow. Roman would be home within an hour, and Tyler and Abel would be back shortly after. I should probably hurry up and get my bag packed and make my way back to the store. There seemed to be a small rush of enforcers stopping by the store shortly after four thirty, and I had to wonder if Sebastian would be with them today. I hated the thought of him returning to talk to me and finding out I wasn’t even there. He’d told me he was looking forward to talking to me soon, but he couldn’t do that if I wasn’t at the store.

I shoved another sleep shirt into the bag and then stuffed a week’s worth of underwear in beside them. Socks went next, and then I tossed my bathroom bag in on top. I took a step back to examine my bag and decided it most definitely looked quite full for an overnight bag, but what did one expect? I was not only nervous, but I also knew that one night would most likely turn into several, if not at least a week. Monroe and Chase both warned me that because I wasn’t on heat suppressors, I would most likely go into heat shortly after spending a good amount of time around Sebastian. Definitely shortly after he claimed me.

I smiled. I wanted children. I wanted a family. Now that I knew all about paranormals, alphas, omegas, sires, carriers, magic, and things of that nature, the thought of being able to have my own family was always in my thoughts. I knew I would have to have sex with my mate in order to have that family, and thinking about Sebastian in that way… I took a deep breath. This time, it didn’t make me feel anxious. I felt…excited?

I shrugged before I picked my bag up off the bed and dropped it in front of my closet door. I grabbed my phone before I left my room. I needed to head back to the store so I could be ready to meet Sebastian again.

I was halfway down the stairs when I heard knocking on the door. My heart started racing, this time for a completely different reason. Before I could even get to the ground floor, I knew it was Sebastian. Monroe had said he was certain that Sebastian would know where I lived before he left the council building. Besides, nobody else knocked on our door. Everyone that lived here or visited just walked in.

I took a deep breath before I opened the door, and sure enough, there was that gorgeous blond warlock standing on the other side of the door. He smiled at me, completely surprising me when he held up his hand. In it was a cluster of flowers. I had never been given flowers, and I wasn’t sure I knew what to do with them. I knew they would need to be put into water, but beyond that, how did one take care of flowers?

“Oh.”

“Hello again.” Sebastian held out the flowers. “These are for you. I didn’t know if I should bring another mango or if flowers were more fitting. I obviously went with the flowers.”

I smiled up at Sebastian. “They’re lovely.” I took a step back. “Would you like to come inside?” I asked as I took the flowers from Sebastian.

He followed me into the house, and I found myself standing there awkwardly at first. Sebastian moved to the far wall, leaving space between us. I took note of it and questioned if it was because he was unsure if I needed space or if he wanted distance between us.

“I’ll go find something to put these in. I’m not sure we have a vase,” I told him.

“I can help with that.” Sebastian held out his hand, and there was suddenly a gorgeous teal vase in it. Monroe had magic, but he didn’t use it often. Having a mate that was magical in that way was going to take some time to get used to.

“Thank you. It’s gorgeous. I’m going to run these up to my room really quick, and I’ll be right back.”

“All right. I’ll be right here,” Sebastian said, a smile on his face.

I took off for the stairs as quickly as I could, and when I made it to the door to the bathroom, I entered and took several deep breaths. I closed my eyes, trying to get myself under control. This was my mate. Sebastian had brought me flowers. I looked down at the bunch, completely clueless about anything other than the white roses. There looked to be chrysanthemums in there as well, but I knew almost nothing about flowers. They were all white, which made the bunch quite pretty. Especially when placed in the teal vase.

Remembering my mate waiting for me downstairs, I quickly filled the vase half-full before I placed the flowers in it and took them to my room. I placed them on my nightstand, and after a quick look at my waiting bag, I left it and the flowers in my room and hurried back down the stairs. Sebastian was exactly where he’d said he would be. He was still standing against the wall in the entryway.

“Did you want to come in? I should offer you something to drink, shouldn’t I?” I could do this. Oscar and Chase had given me pointers. Not that I needed them when it came to the sexual part of our claiming. I knew how to have sex. But yeah, it was the part where we would need to be romantic with one another. I knew nothing of romance.

“I can, if that’s what you wish. I came to ask you if you have ever been to Spain? Barcelona specifically.”

My eyes widened. “I’ve barely been out of Kansas. And to be honest, Mississippi and now Montana are the only other states I’ve ever been to.” I shook my head. “Spain wasn’t ever on my radar.”

“Would you like to go?” Sebastian looked…hopeful.

I shrugged. “Sure. Someday when I can afford it. I’ve never flown anywhere.”

“Would you trust me enough to take you?” Sebastian moved away from the wall.

“Sure. I know you won’t hurt me. When would you want to go? I’ll ask Monroe for time off of work.”

Sebastian came to where he was standing about a foot away from me. I tilted my head up to look at my mate and waited.

“You have time off now, do you not?”

That surprised me, and I knew it showed in my expression.

“Now?” I looked around the house. “Right now?”

“Are you doing something else?”

I shook my head. “No, but isn’t it like the middle of the night there or something?”

“It is. But that doesn’t mean we can’t still visit. Barcelona has a tremendous nightlife.”

I didn’t know what to say, so I simply nodded. Sebastian’s smile grew, and when he reached out and gently touched my hand, I felt tingles in my hand where his was touching mine while my stomach tickled a little. We were suddenly elsewhere, and when I looked away from Sebastian, we were outside. It was nighttime, but it wasn’t dark out.

My mouth dropped open as I took in the scenery. “Whoa.” Sebastian chuckled. I looked over at my mate. “Is that Barcelona?”

“It is. Would you like to go exploring? There will be many open clubs and bars. We can visit any and all of them if you wish. Or we can simply go to the beach and have a nice walk along the shore.”

I had never been one for the club scene, and I quickly became worried that Sebastian liked to party. I wouldn’t be nearly a good fit for him if that was what he wanted to do.

Sebastian suddenly leaned in close. “Me personally, I’d prefer a romantic stroll along the beach.”

I sighed. “Yeah?”

“I would. My brother Lorenzo has always been the party animal. I’m more of the stay-in-and-read kind of guy.”

Sebastian held out his hand. I glanced down at it and slowly placed mine in his. There were those tingles once again, but this time, they weren’t fleeting. I couldn’t help but think about his comment though. He liked to read. Did that mean he would find me lacking? I’d finished school, but barely. I’d not gone on to college and had basically gone to work right after graduating and being kicked out of the group home.

“The beach sounds good. It might be better for talking as well.”

“It will. The clubs are loud and full of people bumping into everyone else. But if it’s what you wanted to experience, I’d gladly take you there.”

I shook my head. “No,” I said when I realized he probably couldn’t see me all that well. “I’ve never seen the beach. I’d like to if that’s all right with you.”

“It is.” Sebastian tugged on my hand, pulling me to our right. “It’s actually just over this way.”

I followed, trusting Sebastian to get us to not only the beach, but to keep us both safe and get us home to Montana later. I heard the waves before I could see them, and the only way I was able to see them at all was because there was a fairly full moon out. I stopped just barely on the sand and took the view in. “It’s gorgeous.”

“It’s prettier in the daylight. If I’d really thought things through, I would have brought you then. But that would have been in the middle of our night back in Montana.”

I glanced up at Sebastian. “I’ll just have to find pictures, then.” I shrugged. “I’m here now though, and I thank you for bringing me. It really is beautiful.”

Sebastian grinned. “You’re welcome. But we can come back whenever you’d like.” Sebastian reached out and placed his other hand on my shoulder. “This doesn’t have to be a onetime thing.”

“No?”

“Why would it? There are beaches all over the world to explore. We can visit them whenever you’d like.”

The thought of that sounded amazing. “I think I’d like that,” I told him.

“Good. I’ve always loved the beach.” Sebastian dropped his other hand and started walking toward the water. “It was a significant adjustment when I joined the council and moved to Montana. I don’t regret it though.” Sebastian looked directly at me. “Not a moment of it.”

I felt my cheeks heat and smiled as I looked away. “Did you grow up here?” I asked, hoping to change the subject.

“No. We were in Madrid, which is inland. Our father brought us to the ocean for family getaways though.”

“Are you close to them?” I asked, then became worried. “I’m sorry if that’s intrusive.”

Sebastian stopped us just out of the water. “It’s not intrusive at all. How else will you learn about me?” I shrugged. “To answer your question, yes, I’m close to my family. They consist of my sire, Benedict, and my omega father, Arturo.”

“You have two dads?” I asked, somewhat surprised. I wasn’t sure why, but I’d somehow seen Sebastian with a mother. Maybe because he seemed so very romantic.

“I do. And two brothers, both older. Caspian is the oldest. He’s a warlock like our sire. Lorenzo is an Iberian lynx like Papa.”

My mouth opened slightly. “Really? You have an omega dad who is a feline shifter?”

“Is that an issue?” Sebastian asked, a chuckle in his voice.

“No,” I said hurriedly.

“I’d think you would like that. Papa would love to come to Montana and run with you in your feline forms. Do you not run in your cheetah form?”

I did, often. It had been something that Roman did with me. He still did, but now that he was teaching at the college down off the mountain, he had less time for such things, but he still made time for us on the weekends. “Yes. Not as much as I probably should, but it wasn’t until fairly recently I really completely understood most things about myself and my cat.”

“Well, you’ll have to tell me all about it. I’d love to hear everything you’re willing to share.”

I looked up at Sebastian. Thankfully, I had excellent eyesight in the dark, and what I could make out from Sebastian was that he was completely sincere. He truly wanted to know about me and my cheetah.

“Well, I’m not sure where to start, so I guess the beginning is probably best,” I told him.

“The beginning is good, as long as you’re comfortable with that.”

I shrugged. It wasn’t like he wouldn’t know everything once we claimed one another anyway. That was something Oscar and Chase made sure to explain to me in detail. My memories would be shared with Sebastian and his with me. And if he was willing to listen, I guess I could try to tell him about myself. Not that there was a whole lot to share. I’d had a very bleak life until I suddenly woke up as a cheetah one morning. But we’d get there soon enough.