Sisters By Chance - The Dawn (Book Two)

The Calm Before The Storm

Raven's POV

Tim ambushed me with the "we need to talk" as I tried to get into his pants. I thought boys did their thinking solely with the head between their legs. Who knew they had self-control?

Well, Tim has shown a lot of self-restraint in the last weeks and days. Until last night. My jaw is still sore from having him in my mouth. He's got a seriously thick d**k. I barely spoke to him this morning because of it.

But. I have to admit talking has been eye-opening. I'm not completely surprised Tim's a Taurus - I've stumbled onto one stubborn man. It could be what helped him survive his time at that awful place - a blessing in disguise.

His lips are soft on mine, but his hands hold onto me firmly as if I'd suddenly disappear from his grasp. My eyelids fall as I get lost in the tender kiss. He lingers on my lips, savoring the moment. I knew he thought I smelled good. I never imagined it to be so specific.

The treetops rustle from the wind while the trunks creak around us. It's as if the forest is cheering me on, applauding our union. Tim is steady as a rock. I let myself melt into his embrace, body, and mind. He tastes good, warm, and sweet. My senses aren't as good as his. I can't pinpoint a specific taste or smell. But I know I love the taste of him. It's like nothing I have ever had between my lips. He's like nothing I have ever had in my life.

His hands slide down my body, squeezing and massaging me firmly as they find their way down my back to my butt. I moan as he grabs me by my round globs, hoisting me up to wrap my legs and arms around him as he turns us around, pinning me between him and the boulder. The thud makes me gasp, and his tongue slide between my parted lips into my mouth. Tim gently holds the back of my head, letting his fingers get tangled in my hair as he leans me against the firm surface. Our tender kiss turned heated, and my core clenched against his stomach.

I feel light-headed from the lack of oxygen, yet I never want this kiss to end. Ever. Tim moves his hips, pushing against me, sending tingles through my weeping core. He finally pulls back, kissing the corner of my mouth before trailing my chin with his lips back to my ear.

'Baby blue!' I moan, touching his earlobe with my lips.

'What?' He asks against my skin as he keeps peppering it with feathery kisses.

'My favorite color, it's baby blue...'

Tim looks up from my neck, meeting my eyes. His look is soft and loving as he smiles down at me.

'How come?'

My cheeks heat up as I blush at his stunning smile. I hold eye contact, looking straight at the most beautiful color in the world as I answer his question.

'It's the color of your eyes.'

I see the words register, and his smile widens into a massive grin before he smashes his lips against mine. Immense passion fills me as my emotions go off like fireworks, exploding inside me - sending sparks and warmth through my veins. Man, I love this!

*

We stayed in the woods until darkness sneaked up on us. I was freezing from the cold, shivering so hard my teeth rattled. Tim strips out of his clothes, unfaced by the cold. I took the opportunity to have him twirl slowly in the dusk light, trampling the damp moss with his bare feet - showing me his ripped body until I was satisfied. He then shifted into Thor's massive blond fluffy body, and I wrapped up all his clothes before climbing up his back, letting him bring me home.

We sat together at dinner. I'm not sure what person responsible for these dishes gets paid, but they should get a raise. Everything tastes heavenly. And for once - I just enjoyed the food and company without taking to much space. It's nice to see him interact with his friends - he's so relaxed and looks happy. So I keep in the background, only talking when invited into the conversation. Kayden keeps giving me raised eyebrows - as if wondering how I am. And I kept rolling my eyes and nodding at him with a smile to let him know everything was just fine. To be able to mink-link would have been a nifty trait - my eyes hurt from all the rolling I've been doing. Micahel tells a story about him, Kayden, Tim, and Jacob challenging each other to ride the brook horse down the lake before they had their wolfs. Jacob, being from Alpha-blood, had been cocky but nearly drowned in the process. Mermaids had apparently pulled him out of the water, saving his life. Alpha James had been furious at the boys.

'I thought Alpha was going to kill us all for our recklessness. His youngest son nearly drowned, or well, was drenched. However, he ordered the whole pack; to never ever be stupid again! I'm not even sure that's a real command. I haven't seen that horse sense, have you?' Michael asked Kayden while stuffing his face.

'Alpha might have killed it for all I know!' Kayden laughs. Tobias hangs onto every word they say while Tim looks uncomfortable at the memory of him being reckless. I'm not the one to judge. If he only knew.

'We shouldn't have let him do that!' He grunted with a hidden smile. 'It was dumb!'

'Oh, come on, it was fun!' Kayden laughs, shoving his shoulder.

The roasted potatoes melt in my mouth as I look out over the sea of people. I have never been so "surrounded" as in the last couple of weeks. I like it! It's how I imagined it to be, having a family.

Smooth fingers tuck some stray hairs behind my ear. I smile up at Tim, thanking him silently. His gaze is so soft. I blush and divert my eyes back to my plate. The intimate moments in the woods are fresh in my mind, lingering like a good dream.

A presence behind sweeps the dreamy feeling out of my mind and makes my skin crawl uncomfortable. Tim's hand finds my thigh sensing my duress. His touch is sweet and reassuring. It makes me feel safe.

'So... you're the tiny witch everyone is talking about?' A gravelly voice asks behind my back, making me turn on my chair.

'The one and only!'

'You don't look that scary.' A tall man in his late thirties with gray eyes and too blond hair states. He squints his eyes before his lips pull into a slimy smile. I think he's trying to be funny. Instead, I deem him strange and unpleasant. 'You're pretty, though!'

'Tell me something I didn't know!' I reply sassily, hoping he'll leave us as fast as he came.

Kayden snorts, making the man snap his eyes his way.

'Something on your mind, pup?'

Before Kayden can answer, I intervene; ' Nope! We're all good. You can leave now. Thanks!' Tim's hand rubs my thigh up and down, calming us both. The man's phony smile has fallen, and his eyes are flaring from aggravation as he turns on his heels with a huff. 'Bye, nice meeting you!' I sing at his back while watching him leave.

'Who was that?' I ask, looking around the table.

'He's one of the Summer Moon warriors.' Kayden murmured with his eyes glued to the man's back. He's brows are tightly pulled together in a puzzled and annoyed look.

'I don't know his name.' Tobias whispers with his eyes sparkling in the light. It's as if they flicker but without changing their coloring. Could he and his wolf have the same eye color?

'Well, he's right!' Michael grumbles with a half smile before winking at me. 'You're pretty!'

We all burst out laughing, except for Tim. He growls at Michael's statement, making me swat his chest. 'What, you disagree?' I giggle, softening Tim and making the rest laugh even harder. I sneak a look over my shoulder, throwing a glance at the creep - he's talking to some men a couple of tables away, laughing. He looks up from his conversation, meeting my eyes and sending me the same smile as before, sending chills down my spine.

*

*

*

The days have rushed past us in a blur of activities, and now we're as ready as can be. Mr. Bossman is seated at the head of the table as before. He looks tired yet focused. Today is the 27th, and we're two days from the day. It's the calm before the storm, and we're going through it all one last time to make sure everyone knows their roles.

The room is cramped with people. We even had to bring in extra chairs to commend everyone's tight asses as they needed to sit. The Summer Moon Alpha is by his side, listening attentively, commenting on things, and asking questions to be sure at times. Tim is just outside the door, waiting - he wouldn't have fit in here.

'So, we all know what to do!' Concludes our Alpha, putting his hands flat on the table as if ending the meeting when there is no more to say. He lets his eyes wander across the room, looking at all of us.

A broad man beside the Summer Moon Alpha speaks up, talking to his leader, not the rest of the room. However, every man present from Summer Moon nods in agreement at his words.

'Alpha, we beg you to reconsider staying behind at New Moon.'

'We came to help,' Their Alpha answers gravely. 'We're not backing out of our promises now, Eric.'

'We are men of our word!' The man called Eric agrees, 'but let us uphold the promises you've made! You're our leader, our future. We need you to stay out of the fighting.' He bows his head deeply, emphasizing his plead as he extends his arm - pointing at the other pack members who keep nodding.

'You're Beta is right.' Bossman sighs. 'This isn't your fight, and no one would think less of you're pack for staying out of it. Besides, you have a new baby on the way. I'd understand if you'd put your family and pack first!'

The Summer Moon Alpha looks as if contemplating every word spoken.

'We've come to help, so we'll help!' He states firmly.

'I'd be honored if you'd stayed here, with my pack, protecting my Luna as she arrives to the care of my brother and his family.' Mr. Bossman tells the other Alpha.

Sofia, Big Bear, and Wolfie-boy all looked baffled at him.

'What are you talking about?' Jacob frowns. 'I'm coming with you!'

'No, you're staying. Who else could protect my mate better?' Bossman asks his brother, looking at him with determination. 'Adding another Alphs would assure her safety even more!' He continues turning his attention back to The Summer Moon warriors.

'She'd be safe with Sofia and Lucas. I'm coming with you!' Jacob tells his brother flatly. Bossman gives him a look - telling him this isn't the time or place.

'Let's adjourn this until tomorrow,' Alpha decides with a tight voice. I shoot up from my place, fed up with meetings, and halfway out the door as I hear Alpha call for me.

'Jacob, Sofia, Lucas, and Raven. Please stay!'

I stomp my feet to the floor and lament loudly, protesting like a child while backing up. People pass me, giving me funny looks as I pout and huff like a steam train, making Alpha laugh. 'There is no need to blow a gasket, Raven! Bring him in if you need to!'

My pout turns into a smile in a split second, making the rest laugh too.

'Hey! Big boy, get you're sexy ass in here ASAP!' I bellow as I peek out the door, screaming directly in Tim's face. He surprised me by kissing my nose, and I jumped back into the room. He follows me in, closing the door behind him. He lowers his head, greeting the others in the room before Bossman speaks up.

'Jacob, you're staying here!'

'Why?' Jacob asks - way too impugning for someone receiving good news. Alpha sighed hard as if they were having trouble agreeing on what to eat for dinner - not discussing war strategies.

'Because I'll probably die, and New Moon needs an Alpha if I do.'

'You're not going to die!' Jacob huff. I'm getting the strongest feeling of stumbling into something very private. Tim stands behind me, holding me by my hips and rubbing his nose in my hair, smelling me. Seemingly uninterested in the conversation unfolding before us.

'I haven't met Mia yet. And I might never meet her. You have your mate, Jacob. You have Sofia. She's here with you - and she might be carrying your child as we speak.' Mr. Bossman grips his brother's hand - placing it on Sofia's slightly round belly with his hand on top. 'Our family and legacy are safe as long as you stay here!' He said, emphasizing his words by squeezing his hand lightly.

'We'll protect Mia!' Sofia tells the Alpha gravely. 'If you make sure to come home to meet her and your nephew or niece!'

Bossman's eyes turn dark as night as he growls a warning. Sofia doesn't even flinch at the sound. She grabs his hand - slides it off Jacob's - making it rest directly on her stomach beside his brother's.

'Promise!'

'I promise,' Bossman tells her as his eyes turn back to green, and he pulls back his hand. 'I'll do my best!'

Sofia gave him a grave nod as Jacob pulled her into his arms. He solemnly accepts the order to stay and pulls his mate into his arms to hold her. He then turns his attention to us, Tim and me.

'Raven,' Bossman smiles. 'I want to thank you!'

I smile back at him, unsure of what to say.

'And I wanted to let you know; when this is all over, no matter what the outcome is. You're welcome to stay with us if you want to!'

'Thank you, Alpha!' Tim tells him, the relief evident in his voice.

'Thank you, Bossman! I'd love that.' I agree. 'My odds are as good as yours. I might see you on the other side before the weekend is over. I mean, if it all goes to hell...' Tim squeezed me tightly as I reminded him of my inevitable risk of dying. We all fall silent, contemplating the upcoming battle. War is so far from everything I know. Growing up, I knew there was one coming. I knew we were taking over the world, bringing it to its knees. But hearing about war as a distant phenomenon and preparing for it as a near future is very different. For the wolves, it's a given, like water or air. They fight to protect, overcome and survive. At least this pack does.

'Well. Standing here doesn't improve my odds in the slightest! I'll go and make the most of my remaining time breathing!' I say, winking at the Boss. 'I suggest you do the same!'

He nods firmly, dismissing Tim and me in the process. We leave and hear them mumble behind us.

*

The sun is beaming down at the world, making it bathe in warm light - this is autumn at its best.

'So, I was thinking.' Tim starts as we sit on the front porch admiring the world. 'My family wants to meet you.'

My heart pinched at the thought of his family. Somehow I haven't thought about him having siblings, parents, or grandparents. And now he wants me to meet with them.

'Do they know what I am?' I ask cautiously.

'I'm not sure, why?'

'Don't you think they should know?' I scowl.

'It doesn't matter. They'll love you because of who you are, not what you are!'

'You sure?' I ask with a voice small from hesitation. I know he didn't mean it when he spat venom over my kind - telling Kayden he shouldn't touch me because of what I am. But those words, especially from him, have made me insecure in a way I have never experienced. I pull my arms into my hoodie, hiding them and hugging myself.

Tim seems to recognize my line of thinking. He pulls me in under his arm, shielding me from the autumn air while comforting me.

'You don't have to meet them if you don't want to.' He said, trying to sound stoic, but I heard the sadness and disappointment in his voice. 'They've been waiting for you longer than they've had me!' He chuckles against my hair. I leaned into him as I kept my eyes on the colorful treeline in the distance, surrounding the quaint and inviting village as it rests quietly by the foot of the hill. I have no family of my own. I have no one and nothing.

'You're really good with this, with me?' I asked, fidgeting with the inside of my hoodie as his broad and heavy arms rested around me.

'I'm good as long as I have you!' He whispers against my head. He's so corny sometimes. However, it totally works.