Shudder

21

"Darn boys, always going about things the wrong way, though Roman has been the best of the boys here. Cody and Trevor could sure learn a thing or two," Sarah muttered quietly as I came to sit beside her. I realized I liked Sarah immediately, she was similar to a grandmotherly figure.

My expression must've been one that showed my confusion as Sarah spoke again.

"You haven't met all of the pack, have you, dear?" she said, eyes twinkling with knowledge. Knowledge that I wanted to know.

I shook my head. "Roman was suppose to introduce me, but uhm..some things happened and I'm not ready to-"

Sarah held up her wrinkled hand. "Say no more, child. I understand. You'll see what I mean though, I'm sure. Anyways, did Roman tell you about Holden and I?"

"Yes, he did. You both are the...Elders in Yorik's pack, right?" I asked shyly, unsure if it was rude to call Sarah and her husband Elders.

Sarah just smiled though in return and nodded. "That's right. Me and my mate, my husband, are. And because we are so...old for Lupus, we know many things. Things that you, Rori, may want to know."

I cracked a smile and said out-right, "Are you hinting that I can ask you anything I like because this Lupus thing is new to me?"

Sarah laughed, the sound musical and delightful to my keen sense of hearing. "I am, dear."

"Weell..." I hummed, thinking over things to discuss with Sarah when my mind touched on the subject Roman and I had discussed before coming downstairs: mates. "Roman had mentioned that we don't have...soul mates, but us Lupus, used to. I tried to question what he meant, but he said you and Holden would know more."

"Ahhh...yes," she said, sitting back and swaying us slightly on the bench swing. "Soul mates, a thing that has died out since the turn of the century, since humans became more prevalent, since technology and cars and modern ways."

Sarah sighed, looking wistfully at the plants and flowers around us while I wondered just how old Sarah really was. She turned back to me, though her eyes seemed distant, far away as she recalled the past.

"Soul mates were something every wolf, every Lupus had. Two halves of the same soul in different bodies. These Lupus were often born from other Lupus, never had soul mates been turned until later, until horses were put to work and carriages made to carry humans. Nonetheless the fact remained, human or Lupus had each other's soul half. Meeting your soul mate was something that wasn't quick, but you just seemed to know. The longer you were around each other the more it became obvious just what the other person was. The first meeting the connection was made and you just couldn't stop thinking about the other person you'd just seen and talked to for the first time; everything about them attracted you and when you finally completed the connection, you both would bond; mated to each other for life," Sarah paused, a smile gracing her face as tears seem to glisten in her eyes.

"Sarah?" I asked, concern in my voice. I had been enthralled with her tale and the history it held, but the tears she had worried me.

She turned her glistening eyes on me fully and smiled sadly. "It's nothing, dear. I just know the new wolves of this age, these Lupus will never have their soul mate like I do."

Her admission was something I had already thought; she and Holden were soul mates, but I was still a bit shocked and in awe. My curiosity persisted though; why were there no soul mates now?

"Why won't they?" I asked softly.

Sarah took a few minutes and composed herself. "Because the world is just too full. It's too full of humans and wolves and other supernatural, you'd spend your long life trying to find the other half of your soul, never wanting to love in hopes of finding that half of you and the God of the Wolves, Fenrir, saw that and he made our souls our own; all except for those who were old enough to share one soul with another and had found them."

I finally understood then what Roman meant about the world being cluttered and it made sense, though I couldn't help my wave of disappointment again. Sarah, with her wise eyes, missed nothing and easily detected my mood change.

Her warm, wrinkled hand met my own and she squeezed softly. "Do not fret over the loss of something you do not have. If we weren't allowed a choice, like the old ways, we wouldn't be. All is meant to be, Fenrir made sure and I believe that Roman is more than enough for you, you just have to give him the chance, Rori."

My heart swelled and lifted while it fluttered at the thought of being Roman's life partner, his mate. "Thank you," I whispered and lurched forward, capturing Sarah in my arms. I realized I loved her as I would have my own grandmother.

She hugged me back after her initial shock and squeezed me warmly. "You're more than welcome. Please come see me and Holden next time. Chances are you'll find us here, though Holden is currently still resting. He should be up soon, come back later and I'll introduce you both."

I stood back and nodded, a bright smile over my face. I was no longer upset at Roman and I felt much more relaxed after hearing Sarah's tale.

I turned and found Roman leaning against the doorframe, his eyes watching me softly. I walked to him slowly and stopped just before him, glancing into those blue orbs of his.

"Better?" He asked cautiously.

I smiled and nodded, looking back at Sarah who winked and waved at me.

"Yeah, I'm better now. I think before I tell you anything about me, you should tell me about you after I meet your whole pack with introductions."

Roman snorted, but grinned at me, holding out his hand. "Will do."

My hand slid into his and I felt my stomach flutter again. I never realized I'd like someone so much -- let alone a Lupus or become one.