Sisters By Chance - The Dawn (Book Two)

My Favorit People

Tim's POV

The remainder of the night at my parents was uneventful. Raven stayed in my lap, her perfect body curled up in a ball, fitting immaculately against mine. It's as if she was made for this place, made for me. To have and hold her. To feel her skin against mine. Her hair tickled my cheek. And her fingers playing with my t-shirt is a dream come true. I feel her every night, but this public display of affection - it's different. My mother gave us understanding looks, saddened at Raven's heartache. Dad's eyes carried a hidden smile despite her confession. I didn't know she had the opportunity to intervene sooner. And even so, how can I blame her for not taking action? She didn't know me. She didn't know what was happening to us at that place. She still doesn't. Even if she can imagine some after what she saw. The thought of the dark pit sends chills down my spine. That place took so much from me. But since I stopped fighting the mate bond, I've felt more like myself each day. I can sleep through the dark hours of the day without nightmares. Her scent surrounded me like a blanket, covering me in tranquillity, as it does now.

Nobody said anything about it. It might have looked weird - a grown woman on a man's lap at a family dinner, I don't know, and I don't care. I need her close - both for my sake and for hers.

I knew the night was about to end when Raven yawned the third time. She needs rest. We only have tomorrow, then she'll be off to fight a war I'm not allowed to participate in; I'll stay behind, but not by choice.

Mum, dad, granny, and aunty Anna hugged us both in the hallway after I had pulled on Raven her jacket. She shoved her tiny feet into her shoes without bothering to tie them. She swayed before mum pulled her in for another goodbye hug.

'Take care now, darling. Promise you'll come back soon!'

Raven Smiles faintly at my mum before answering her with a stiffened yawn.

'If I survive the weekend, I'll be back for more of that dessert first thing Monday!'

Mum's face fell, then she looked at me, making me cringe. Mum knows we're starting a war to retrieve our Luna. I've told her I'm not involved in the mission - that I'm staying home, and she knows why. Alpha has taken me out of commission because of my blackout, and I get it. You can't risk having a soldier who could suddenly snap and be unable to separate friend from foe during a battle. My entire family has been commanded back to our land tomorrow night, just like every other member working on the campsite or elsewhere. We'll be able to protect them there.

I've neglected to tell her about Raven's part in it all. I knew she'd worry and overreact. Maybe I should have let Raven in on keeping it from her?

'She's going on the mission?' Squeaked mum loudly as she turned to dad.

Dad frowned at me. He probably knew and has kept it from her too. Now he's in trouble.

'It's alright, Linda! I'm pretty savvy and know a bit of magic. My new mission in life is that chocolate mousse of yours. I'll use all my tricks to get back!' Raven tries to be reassuring while stiffening another yawn, but mum remains unconvinced. I swiftly interrupt her as she tries to argue. Raven doesn't need to be pulled into another of mum's dramatic and overwhelming declarations of love.

'I'm not pleased with the thought either, mum. But Raven is competent and versed. And the Beta will be with her. She'll be back!' I pull Raven into my arms and kiss the top of her head.

She has to come back to me! She has to!

Dad nodded at us to go. I'll leave it to him to calm mum down. He's the best at it, after all. I lift Raven into my arms and turn my back to my family. Raven waves over my shoulder as I walk out the door. Someone else will have to close it cause my hands are full.

The wind isn't whipping our faces as I walk down the gravel path toward the car. The air is nonetheless freezing and pinch my skin mercilessly as I focus on shielding the most precious in my life, Raven.

'I'm not an invalid. I know how to walk!' Raven huff as I place her in her seat and put her seatbelt on. Her lips hid a smile when I leaned back to reassure her that I was only trying to care for her. But before I can speak, I'm quickly silenced by her lips covering mine. The sweet taste washes all tiredness away in a whiff. I have to stiffen a groan as her tongue pushes past my lips, wrestling me for dominance. She doesn't do me the favor of holding her sounds back. Every breath is a mini moan escaping her into my mouth. It makes my blood race through my veins, gathering in one place. My pants strain as my d**k grows immensely hard in the blink of an eye.

'Little bird,' I finally growl. 'You are making it really hard for us to get home!'

Raven moans loudly. 'But you taste so good!'

She then sucks my lower lip into her mouth, making it hard to answer.

'It's the chocolate mousse lingering. I'll make sure you get it whenever you want!'

Raven suddenly lets my lip go and looks up at me with big eyes.

'Whenever?' She asks happily.

'Whenever!' I confirm, 'as long as you come back to me.'

Raven's happy eyes go sad, pleading even. That wasn't fair, I know.

'You know I can't promise that, handsome. Please don't make me!'

Desperation floods my heart and mind as my hands begin to shake. My breathing hitches as I draw for air, trying to compose myself. I don't want to fall apart, but the thought of Raven never returning is crippling. Raven cups my face and kisses me softly as she whispers against my lip.

'I can promise; I'll do everything possible to make it back to you! With or without the possibility of chocolate...'

'I'll take that!' I tell her with my voice hoarse and my heart fluttering. I smile, desperately attempting to hold back the tears from my burning eyes as I peck her nose and groan. 'Can we please go home now? I want to relish your lips, both of them, in the privacy of our room.'

'I'd like that!' Raven whispers against my chin as she diverts her gaze, and a shiver travels through her body. She knows all too well what she's doing to me right now.

*

Raven fell asleep on the way home. But I didn't mind. It gave me the excuse to carry her. I held her tight against my chest as I walked carefully, not to wake her up. Coming up the last set of stairs: I saw Harry. He's talking to Alpa about something amusing because they burst out laughing. Raven jerks in my arms, looking up at me with confusion before turning her attention to them with a scowl as she yawns.

'Hey! Who said you could have fun without me?'

'Well, I'm so sorry, little witch! I never meant for you to find out about it!' Harry winks.

'You clearly underestimated me, Mister!' She yawns again as she stretches like a cat in my embrace. She then looks up at me contently. 'Hi, handsome!'

'You had a nice nap?' I asked carefully. She nodded before pulling me down for a kiss. I can feel Alpha and Betas gaze on me, and the hairs on my neck stand from discomfort. My family was one thing - they enjoyed my happiness and our closeness. The Beta, however, ain't a fan of mine. I feel it.

'Let's get you to bed, little bird!' I hummed, breaking the kiss.

'Yes!' She gushed. 'You promised to eat me for dessert!'

'When did I do that?' I laugh, making her giggle and shrug her shoulders. Alpha held the door open for us to walk inside Harry's apartment while Harry gave me a deadly glare. I'm sure I should be glad he hasn't dislocated my jaw or something. He sure looks like he wants to.

I resume walking to pass them, thanking Alpha as I go. Raven, however, is solely focusing on the Beta. She pulls my arm, telling me to let her down as we reach them. She stepped up to Harry and wrapped her arms around his belly, squeezing him tightly.

'Hey, bestie! Don't do this. You hate him. Fine! But you love me, don't you? Could your love for me be just an itsy bitsy stronger than your disdain for my mate's actions, please?'

Harry groans and hugs her back. Thor and I don't like it. He looks at Alpha rolling his eyes as if having a silent conversation, Or as if they have discussed this subject earlier.

'I don't hate him. I'm just mad at him! But if he makes you happy, I'll get over it. Eventually!' He tells her while looking gravely at me.

'He's been through some s**t, you i***t! She scolded as she smacked his chest. 'You can't blame him for being irrational. It's not like I've been composed and normal during our first interactions?'

That makes Alpha laugh hysterically.

'She's got a good point, man!'

Harry smirks, making me wonder what happened in the beginning. Was that before or after she met me at the hospital?

'Fine! Tim, I won't bury my fist in your pretty face!' He said, looking at me. 'Happy now? I'll keep him pretty for you!' He teases Raven while kissing her hair, making me growl low.

'Thank you, Doggie. I appreciate it!' Raven squealed as she buried her face in his chest, ignoring my discomfort.

'She doesn't need him pretty. We could punch his face!' Thor snort.

'Don't!' I tell him as I keep my eyes on Raven. 'They're friends.'

'Group-hug! Come on, Handsome and Bossman!' Raven laughs while waving at me to join them.

'OH NO! I'd do a lot for you! But I refuse to hug another man just like that...' Harry yells as he tries to peel her off his midriff. Raven clings to him as her face erupts in a huge smile. I glanced at Alpha standing to my right, unsure how to handle her request, as she squealed.

'Don't be shy, Doggie! I want all my favorite men to hug me, that's all!'

'I'm one of your favorite men?' Alpha chuckles. That's the second time I hear him laugh. Is he drunk or something?

'Of course! You're giving me a home. How could you not be?' Raven stated mater-of-factly, turning her head to Alpha while holding on hard to Harry's clothes. Alpha stares at her, speechless. 'And you're my best friend if you didn't know. So stop ignoring me as you've done for the past weeks!' Raven tells Harry, making him stop his attempt to peel her arms off him. She fakes plead to him with a mischievous glow in her eyes.

'Come on, just a little hug!'

'Tim!' Harry states. 'Take her and make her forget about us hugging, and I'll let bygones be bygones!' But before I can, Alpha swoops past me, wrapping Harry in a hug and squeezing Raven between them.

'WHAT THE f**k, MAN!' Harry laughs. But he doesn't pull back. Raven giggles happily and squeals for me to join them. Alpha extends an arm and grabs me, pulling me in. My body tenses and I don't know how to act. What the f**k, indeed! Alpha pats my back, and Raven hums delighted in between us. At least she's happy.

'This. Is. SO WIRED!' I state as Thor squirms uneasily in my mind at the fact that I'm inches from other men's faces. Especially my Alpha and Betas.

'Thank you, guys!' Raven hum. She's delighted as she wiggles between us, rubbing against my groin. If she's in direct contact with me, she is with them. The thought makes the hairs on my body stand. She's mine - the only man she should be rubbing against is me.

I have to pull her out of this absurd triangle she has nestled herself into.

'Little bird,' I croak. 'We should go to bed!'

'YES!' Harry states while pulling back. 'You two should do that!'

'We're about to!' Raven smiles while batting her lashes at him, trying to look innocent. 'But I need something from you first!'

'Whatever you want, unless it's a new group hug!'

'Condoms!' Raven tells him firmly.

I feel my face turn white as a sheet. Raven didn't just do that, did she?

Alpha doubles over - laughing so hard he can't breathe. Harry shakes his head as he covers it with his hand sighing hard. He doesn't seem to be the least surprised as if this kind of statement is to be expected from her. I know she speaks her mind. I didn't expect her to be so, yeah...

Thor is howling in my head. The fact that she's asking for condoms means one thing to him; She wants us to bury ourselves deep inside her juicy peach. His happiness is my dread. I'm not sure this is a good idea.

Raven stands calmly in the midst of it all, looking at Harry as if waiting for him to live up to her request. She even puts her hand out as if he's carrying them around.

'I'll leave you to handle this!' Alpha laughed as he patted my back and walked off. I can't even bring myself to smile. Instead, I feel my mind getting pulled back as Thor takes over.

*

*

*

Raven's POV

Tim's eyes changed along with his whole demeanor. He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me away from Doggie. He growled deeply against my ear sending shivers down my spine - an absolute pantie-dropping sound that made me wanna jump up and wrap my legs around him. He nipped my earlobe before trailing my neck with kisses and lovebites. The air hitch in my throat as I part my lips and moan shamelessly. He did promise he'd relish my lips. Thor's takeover is playing perfectly into my small payback on Doggie for ignoring me. He tries to hide it, but I know I've made him cringe. And I love it! I just hope Tim can forgive me. Thor doesn't seem to mind my small but sufficient prank.

'OKAy!' Doggie yells. 'I'll go grab what you need! Then you two can continue that in private. Like in you're room and not in the hallway!'

Thor is in command and doesn't waste time. He swiftly swung me over his shoulder and carried me inside the apartment without a word. I yelped as I dangled over his shoulder, looking back at Harry, who was rolling his eyes at me.

Thor kicked open our door before hurrying to our bed, where he tossed me. I bounce and laugh at his eagerness. He's always been more straightforward than Tim. He pulls my shoes and socks off and lets them fall to the floor before opening my coatee and caressing me down my belly and hips to sneak under my blouse and open my jeans.

'Keep the f*****g door closed!' Doggie yells as he throws a folder with condoms on the bed. I hear him mumble under his breath as he shuts the door harshly. The bang brings me back to reality. Thor and I want this. But Tim doesn't. If he did, he'd be in control right now. And he's not.

'We really should move out!' Thor growls before reaching down and kissing my belly hungrily. Tingles spread over my skin from his soft lips.

'Wait, handsome!' I pant and push his head off my belly. 'Wait!'

'Something wrong, little bird?' Thor purrs without letting up on his actions.

'Where is Tim?' I asked. 'Why isn't he here?'

Thor sighed. I feel him rest his head on my belly, avoiding eye contact. So I cup his face forcing him to look at me as I ask again. 'Thor, where is Tim?'

'He's here, little bird! He's just unsure!'

'Then we'll wait for him!' I decide firmly, not breaking eye contact. Thor groans from defeat as he collapses on top of me. A loud *umph* leaves my lungs as the man, built like a boulder, crushes me against the soft mattress.

'But I want you!' My big bad wolf whined, making me laugh.

'And I want you, both of you! When we're all ready.'

'FINE!' He growls before peppering my neck with kisses and finally sucking my mark, darkening it further. He let me go and lifted his body up to let me breathe. I can't see his eyes in the darkness. But I feel him tremble slightly, and I know. I Bring his face to me and kiss him.

'How about we get ready for bed?'

'Thank you,' Tim breathed against my lips, the relief obvious.

He lifted me up and helpt me undress the rest of my clothes, slowly revealing my body to him item by item until leaving me in my underwear. I mirrored his actions, helping him before grabbing his hand and pulling him with me to our bathroom. I washed my face and pulled my hair up in a messy bun before brushing my teeth. Tim stood behind me with an arm around me as he closed his eyes and mindlessly did the same. Heat radiates against my back as I lean into him and feel his skin against mine. I can't stop gazing at him through the mirror. He looks content with his eyes closed. His strong jaw is strained as he works the brush back and forward. He has a straight nose that makes me wanna trail it with kisses from the tip to the point between his thick brows framing what I know is stunning eyes. The baby blue is covered by his eyelids, but I know how they look. I could close my eyes and see them as if staring straight into them. But I can't tear my eyes from him while I monotonously clean my teeth. Tim's hair is a lovely mess from the wind pulling it and me running my hands through it. Still, he's not just a pretty tree to climb.

I know him as a person now, not just a handsome face and body.

Listening to the other's stories at the table - I have learned he used to be a joker, a funny guy, and it makes me sad to know that a carefree person seems to have died in that pit. The Tim I know is carefully carrying anxiety

under the surface. His heart is prepped with a vise, the same as mine, always threatening to squeeze tight as memories come crashing down on us. I've been hunted and hiding to survive. He's been cornered and fighting for the same thing. Despite it all, he's thoughtful, honest, and my protector. And he's trying to be everything I could ever need and want. He has become the most essential individual in my life, and I trust him with my mind, body, and soul. No hesitation.

He's a breathtaking man, and he's mine.

'Do you think you're family is right?' I questioned, muffled by the toothbrush as I broke the tranquil spell we'd been under.

'About what?' Tim asked as he opened his eyes and met my gaze through the spotless surface.

'Do you think our babies will be gorgeous?'

Tim starts coughing behind me, splurting white foam on my shoulder and the mirror. I look at him and can't contain from smirking as I tilt my head to the side.

'What, you don't want children?' I ask all innocent. Tim swallows hard - toothpaste and all, making me cringe. 'Yuk, gross!'

'You didn't know if you wanted to move in with me a couple of hours ago. Now you want children?'

'You don't?'

'Of course, I do...' Tim tells me, but I interrupt him.

'Well, do you think they'll be gorgeous?'

Tim looks at me, making me giggle. His mouth is framed with white foam, and his eyes scrutinize me in disbelief with an unreadable expression. I smiled at him through the mirror before leaning over to rinse my mouth and toothbrush. I feel his glory press up against my butt as I push back. The sound of him gasping gives me goosebumps before I stand back up. I turned to face him, wrapped my arms around him, and rested my head against his chest, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath. The warmth of his skin is soothing as I prepare myself to be honest.

I want this.

I want him.

'I want you. I want us. I want to be together. I want to move in with you when this is all over. I want a house, and I want your mother to help decorate it into a home. I want to live my life bathing in beautiful colors and your presence, and I want children. Our children!'

Tim wrapped me in a quiet hug. I let him hold me without a word as I listen to his heart. It speeds up in his chest as if his blood is boiling. The rhythmical pounding grows into a powerful sound filling my head and heart. I don't know if it's panic or excitement. And not knowing makes me anxious.

'Tim, you're making me nervous!' I whisper as I feel close to tears. I've poured my heart out: telling him I want him. I want a life with him, and he doesn't answer. I try to pull back, but he holds me firmly. His hand sneaks up my back to my chin, tilting my head to meet him. I keep my eyes shut, unable to open them. I need them closed to hold back the brimming tears from disappointment. Wet foamy lips smash against mine in an eagerness I know all too well. My eyes snapped open when his rough hands grabbed me by my ass, lifting me up to sit on the sink and taking his place between my legs. I feel his stiff member pushed against my belly as he presses himself against me holding me by my chin between his thumb and index finger.

'We said we'd wait, Thor!' I sigh through the kisses. I don't want to deny myself. I want him. But we can't do this to Tim. It's his body. Thor shouldn't take over like this. It isn't right.

Despite that, I let my eyes flutter close as I tilt my head back to let him trail my chin and neck with needy kisses. My blood is boiling from desire as I roll my hips to meet him in a lust-filled dance I can't control. Tim's soft raspy voice is husky as he groans against my lips, speaking words that make my heart leap.

'You said you'd wait for me. I am here now, love!'