Sisters By Chance - The Dawn (Book Two)

Meeting The Family

Harry's POV

John's decision to keep his brother on New Moon territory was Isaac's Idea. We need and want our Luna. However, we can't risk our children's lives in the process. Some must stay. We need at least one ranked member on site. So Isaac will be in command, and Jacob is an Alpha by blood, so he'll take over if John dies. They'll keep our home safe while I go behind the enemy line, with Raven and John leading the warriors on the battlefield.

'I offered Raven to live here with us. You know, when it's all over...' John sighs as he rubs his temples. The lack of sleep is adamant. He has felt Mia's scent but can only reach it through a plastic bag. I can't imagine what he's going through. Knowing her name and location and not being able to get to her.

Raven's love potion gave me a hint of my mate's scent. But it was manufactured. It wasn't real. He has a piece of clothing. It was on her body. It touched her skin. She's actually worn it.

It makes her real, a living, breathing person.

'What did she say?' I wondered as I leaned back in the chair. I brought the glass to my mouth and sipped the amber liquid.

'That she'd love to stay, and if the odds are against us, she hops we'll see each other on the other side...'

'Geez, she knows how to dampen the mood!' I frown.

'I think she tried to lighten it!' He hums while twirling his glass before emptying it. We sit quietly in his office. The final meeting was over hours ago. We have tomorrow as well - then it's game time.

Isaac and Jacob are with their mates, and we sit here; like old, grumpy men.

'Drinking buddies for life!' I grinned before downing my drink as well. John chuckled lightly, 'Did you see it come? Raven and Tim?'

'I was as blind-sighted as you!' I admit. 'It's a complete mess. He almost screwed it all up. How would we have done the infiltration if she'd disappeared?'

'I know you care about her, Harry. Don't try to disguise your feeling for her by making it about me.' My friend scoffed.

He's right, of course. Tim's behavior is the most aggravating I have experienced in a long time. Hugo was a disgusting creature - doing what he did. But at least we didn't expect better from him. I'd never in a million years thought Tim would push his mate away and then pull her back in only to confuse her. She was brokenhearted and piteous when she came home that night. I haven't asked what happened again since she refused to answer the first hundred times, but it couldn't have been good as she was crying. The last time I saw Raven crying, she thought I wanted to kill her.

'Fine,' I huff. 'I just. I don't get why Tim did what he did! He saw her at the hospital. Why not claim her then and there? Why be a jerk?'

John chuckles tiredly. 'Don't ask me. Ask him!'

I wave off his suggestion. I'm not interested in talking. I still want to bury my fist in his face. That's why I've kept my distance.

I've seen them together in the dining hall, and she seems to have forgiven him. But the bond is known to trick us into doing weird things. Dad tried to explain it to me once. He told me that he loves peanuts. But I had never seen him eat one and got confused. Thinking about it, I had never seen one in our home. So I asked him about it. And he told me; it was his favorite snack, the best of the best, no discussion. But mum couldn't stand the smell of them. So he "simply" stopped eating them when they found each other. And he hasn't eaten them since.

'It's my fault he isn't himself. You know that, so don't blame him. He is working on it.' John sighs.

'Yeah, yeah!' I tell him as I stand to leave. 'I'll kick Tobias's ass in a game of his choosing. You're welcome to join us!'

John laughs dryly. 'Play nice, will ya?'

'Never!' I state with a wave over my shoulder as I walk off.

*

*

*

Raven's POV

I had accepted to meet his family, not because I wanted to. But it's important to him. And I want to make him happy. His eyes glowed with satisfaction as I told him I'd come with him. Then panic gripped me. What should I wear?

What is acceptable when meeting someone's parents and grandmother?

Some of my things were easy to rule out - like my black lace corset. Tim's eyes lingered on it as I threw it on our bed to continue my search. I don't think he noticed that I saw him looking. However, I knew he smelled me as my juices flowed between my legs from all the dirty thoughts popping into my head, distracting me and making it impossible to think about anything else than him as I threw my whole wardrobe onto the floor.

As evening came, we drove off in a car Tim had borrowed. I keep my hands bawled into first in my lap to keep them from rattling like aspen leaves in the wind. But my legs bounced up and down, almost hitting the dashboard. I'm not used to riding in cars. The last time was when Bossman drove toward the dome of horror - searching for River. I didn't know I'd find Tim there. I didn't know who he was or who he'd become. It feels like a lifetime ago.

Tim's hand moved off the lever and landed firmly on my knee before caressing his way up my thigh. He draws small circles on my thigh, making the soft skin tingle. I have slept on his arm for days with him pressed up behind me, feeling him poke my behind with his rod. However, he hasn't tried anything, and neither have I. Something happened to him. And until I know what, I'll let him "hold the steering wheel" and set the pace. Even though my peach is desperate for him, stretching my velvet walls with his magnificent thickness. It had put tender strain on my jaw, and I imagen it to feel glorious between my legs. I feel my mind wander and force myself to focus on the car ride - to be in the present. I can't bring myself to look at him. So I keep staring out the windscreen at the trees sweeping past us, illuminated by the car's headlights. Tim's grandmother lives on the campsite with his parents and aunt.

'You lived here too?'

'Yeah, I didn't need my own place when I was alone.'

'And now? Do you wanna move back?' I ask while chewing my lip.

I am nervous about what his family will think of me. But there is also a tiny fraction of my soul troubled that he'll move back there and leave me.

I keep my eyes on the road ahead while waiting for his answer.

'If I want to or not hold little to no importance. If my mum loves you half as much as I expect her to, she might not let you leave, and then I'll have to stay!'

I glance at him from the corner of my eye to look at him. He's holding on to the steering wheel firmly with one hand while looking straight forward onto the road. There is no mockery on his face. Not even a hint of a smile. Tim is dead-serious.

'Hmm...' That is all I say, unable to articulate words. He squeezes my thigh lightly.

'Where do you wanna live?' He asks casually.

'I'd like to stay here, with the New Moon. I don't know where exactly; I'd settle for Doggie's guestroom for as long as he wants me. I'm not picky!'

Tim nods slowly in my peripheral vision as if listening carefully.

'Would you, maybe consider, living with me?'

My heart skips a beat as his words hit me. He wants us to live together?

'Ain't we doing that already?' I ask carefully.

'Well, we share a room.' He tells me softly. 'In someone else's apartment. It's not the same as living together...'

His words get lost in the car, and I don't know what to say. We sit quietly and let other sound's fill our consciousness; the engine, rocks hitting the wheel arches, and undercarriage, combined with thuds from when we drive onto bumps on the road. Regardless of the sudden silence, it doesn't feel unpleasant or awkward. It's pretty cozy.

His massive hand lay heavy on my thigh, making me feel comforted and safe. I could live with this, with him. My eyes are still focusing on the dark forest outside. I place my hand on top of his, interlacing our fingers. A soft purr soared with the other sounds, sending shivers down my spine.

*

*

*

The car comes to a soft stop, and Tim turns the key to kill the engine. The headlights shine brightly on the charming cottage in front of us. The white-painted stone walls shine through the massive rose bushes clinging to them. They look like they could be magnificent in the summer. The whole garden looks like it is usually a color explosion during summer. Now it's filled with pumpkins - carved into lanterns. My eyes trail over the house until I see the front door. It has a soft pink color that makes me smile. This place is the exact opposite of me.

A stone wall frames it all in perfectly, cutting it off from the forest surrounding them. I feel myself gawk as I marvel over the perfection before me with a gasp.

'It's gorgeous!'

Tim squeezes my hand softly before letting me go. He pulls out the key, and the headlights go out as the lights inside turn on. I turn to look at Tim, who's looking at me with a timid smile. He seems nervous.

'You don't have to make a decision. I only want you to consider it!' He murmurs. I nod and smile back at him.

'Thank you!' Tim tells me as he leans in and pecks my lips softly. 'Let's go inside. Dad will murder me if I let mum wait for you!'

A strong wind pulls my hair as I jump out of the vehicle and hurry towards the door led by Tim. He doesn't knock. Tim pulled the handle down and swung the door open before pulling me inside, away from the freezing air whipping my skin.

'Mum! We're here!' He yells into the home, announcing our arrival as he closes the door behind us. If the outside felt colorful despite the autumn darkness, it was nothing compared to the inside. The wood panel is emerald green, and above is a wallpaper covering the place in sunflowers. I barely notice Tim helping me out of my coat as I whip my head from side to side in an attempt to take it all in. I am, however, forced to take my own shoes off. Tim would probably do it if I asked. But I'm not going to do that. I'm pretty sure I'll be having a tour of the house, and during it, I'll be able to gawk as much as I need. A blond woman in an apron hurries down the hall with a hearty smile and arms extended toward me, squealing.

'You're finally here!'

'Hi, mum!' Laughs Tim as he puts my shoes up on the rack. The woman waves him off and pulls me in for a tight hug. 'I'm so happy you're here! I nearly fell off my chair when my boy told me he'd found you. Goddess, You're beautiful! Let me look at you. Oh my!' She gushed as she held me at arm's length. 'TOMMY!' She screamed over her shoulder, 'our grandbabies will be stunning; she's gorgeous!'

'Mum!' Tim groans in the background. 'You were supposed to keep it low-key!'

The man, I assume is Tommy and Tim's father, came from a side room, shaking his head. His face is in a massive grin when he grabs his wife's arms, forcing her to let me go.

'Don't lecture your mother! She's been waiting years for this!' Tommy scolded his son before pulling me in for a hug.

'Welcome to our home, Raven!'

'Hi! Thanks for having me. I absolutely love your home; it's the color explosion I didn't know I needed!' I say as I look around and see the ceiling lamp shaped like a flower with golden trims around the petals. Tim's parents laugh at my statement, and his mum grabs me by my arm and pulls me with her inside.

'You've only seen the hallway, darling! Come, let me show you the rest!'

I look over my shoulder at Tim. He beams at me while his father pulls him in for a hug. I manage to smile back before Tim's mum drags me around a corner, and Tim disappears from my view.

The Kitchen is in the back of the house. A brown-haired woman is chopping onions by the counter. She's in a navy-blue dress and a pink apron, sniveling over the strong smell. My eyes sting slightly, but I don't have time for tears. This room is magically beautiful: Wooden floors, pistachio green cabinets, white tiles, and a light gray stone countertop.

'This is Tommy's sister, Anna-Marie!' Tim's mum said. Anna-Marie turned her tear-streaked face to us and smiled. She lifted her hand with the knife and waved a 'hello' before continuing the chopping. Tim's mum pulled me through the house as she presented each room merrily. They're all colorful, flowery, homely, and absolutely beautiful. I meant what I said; I love this home!

'Tommy thinks it a bit too much, but I'm a firm believer in feeling good in your own home...' Tim's mum tells me as she walks me into the sitting room where Tim sits with his father and a woman, whom I presume is his grandmother.

'This is my lovely mother-in-law, Rose. She's an absolute gem!' Tim's mum says, finalizing the tour.

'That was it! Now, stay here and make yourself comfortable, love. We'll have dinner ready in no time!' The blond bundle of a woman tells me as she walks off, leaving me in the middle of the room baffled. I look around the room, noticing the stone blue wallpaper has green vines and sapphire blue roses. There are hardwood floors, as in the rest of the house, but the baseboard is wide and painted white. However, the furniture is dark.

'Wow!' I breathe. My head is literally spinning from all I've heard and seen in the short time I've been here.

'I know, she's a bit much in the beginning!' The grandmother tells me as she grabs my hand. 'She's just very excited to meet you, as am I!'

'We all are!' Tim's father tells me with a smile. Tim, however, seems worried.

'She didn't tell me her name!' I breathed, looking between them all. Rose pulls me down to sit with her on the couch. She keeps my hand in hers as she looks at me.

'Her name is Linda. My grandson got her looks, but the mind of his father. I'd say they did pretty well! Don't you think?' I nod as I gaze over at Tommy. He and Tim look alike, but Tim has his mother's hair and eye color.

'I'd say they did a splendid job! He's handsome!' I tell Rose, making her smile.

'Well, Linda is right! You two will have gorgeous babies!'

My cheeks heat up, and Tim groans excessively behind me, making his dad chuckle lightly.

*

Tim's family is lovely. I watch them interact, answer questions and ask some of my own while we eat in the dining room. Tim's emotions sway from happiness to worry and then back again. It's as if I can feel it. He's seated across the table from me, so I can't grab his hand. Therefore I've been stroking his foot with mine attempting to calm him down. I'm not sure it's working, though. Anna-Marie serves dessert, and Linda brings up Tim's rescue. He stiffens slightly, straightening his back. I, however, slump deep down in my seat as the memories flood me:

"I've got good and bad news!" I told Lucas with a massive grin as I stared at the map showing me Rivers's location.

He looked down at me, waiting for me to elaborate. So I do.

"We have his location! But he is guarded by magic! Whoever took him is a witch or has a witch as an accomplice helping to shield the place!"

"Why can't things just be easy for once?" Lucas sighs heavily, closing his eyes hard. His dismay makes me feel excited. I'll show him how much he needs me. Then he's deemed to love me for finding his lost brother. I sip my coffee, pretending to study the map before us on the table.

"I think we need your wolfy friends for this..." I cackle. I'm struggling to contain my content over the situation I've stumbled on - Big Bear's little w***e can't help him! Only I can! I swiftly snapped my fingers to fold the map. I put it in a purse on the counter and turn my attention back to Big Bear's stunning face and mesmerizing eyes as I ask him - "How's the coffee?"

After some chitchat, I finally dropped Lucas off with his totally worthless partner and left with the promise to be back soon.

Then I went to work. I bounced between markets to buy supplies. A love potion will do the trick. Their bond isn't that strong yet. It can't be. And they haven't marked each other yet.

Yeah, a love potion should do the trick.

He'll instantly fall in love with me, and when he comes down from his high of love - I'll explain how I helped, and he'll accept and love me for real! He'll stay with me. He'll love and cherish me forever.

Linda's praises make me uncomfortable. Sure, I brought Tim to the hospital. But he could have died because of me. I spent days on that potion when we could have brought the shield down the day I detected it. I feel the smile I worked so hard to attain fade. But I don't want to be rude and interrupt her.

'Mum!' Tim whispered admonitory.

'I'm just so glad you found him!' Linda weeped, ignoring her son. 'He's my baby boy, and he could have died!'

Linda grabbed me and pulled me in for a tight hug as her whimpers turned into sobs. Her voice is hoarse as she keeps thanking me against my shoulder. Linda's heartfelt attempt to shower me with gratitude suffocates me like a wet blanket. I don't deserve her gratitude or her happiness. I let him suffer that hell for seven more days than he needed to. He almost died because of my selfishness. I wanted Big Bear, and nothing was getting in my way. I don't deserve Tim.

'Mum!' Tim said, a bit panicky.

'Linda, Sweetheart! Let her go. She gets it.' Someone said in the background. The vise is back, gripping my heart firmly. I can't breathe and feel it blacken before my eyes as I go blind from tears.

'I'm. I. Please...' I whimper - paralyzed in her embrace.

I'm pulled out of Linda's grip and lifted into the air. I'm cradled against a firm chest before I feel a thud as whoever carries me sits back down. Tim whispers sweet nothings in my ear, but it doesn't help. Nothing will help. I almost killed him. My breathing hitches as I gasp for air and cry.

There are scrapes from chairs moving. My crying must make them uncomfortable, and now they're leaving. That's not right - this is their home.

'I'm, I'm, I'm sorry.' I plead, trying to focus on Tim.

'Hush now, you don't have to be sorry. Mum over did it!'

'No, no. I'm sorry!' I plead through my hitching breaths. 'Please, I'm sorry!'

He's going to leave me. He'll reject me and leave me for this. I know he will. But he has to know that I'm sorry. I desperately grab his collar and pull him close. I cling to him like a child as he cradles me.

'Tim, please don't hate me! Promise you won't hate me!'

'I don't hate you, little bird! Your mine!' He whispers as he rubs his lips against my forehead.

'Promise you won't hate me!' I pleaded insistently against his neck. I know this isn't fair on him: Forcing him to make promises to me when he doesn't know why he is making them. Yet he breathes the words with certainly against my forehead before kissing my skin softly.

'Raven, I promise I won't hate you!'

I take several deep breaths to steady my voice. I keep my eyes down, focusing on Tim's collar. The dark navy blue color is too dark for him. He's light. He should have a baby blue t-shirt, baby blue as his eyes. I take one last deep breath before parting my lips, intending to speak.

Tim puts his index finger under my chin, forcing my face to meet his.

I'm pulled into his mesmerizing gaze like metal to a magnet. He looks worried. And I want to comfort him, not tell him about my betrayal.

'Raven, I won't hate you. I promise.' He tells me again, making me nod despite shaking.

'It's my fault you almost died...' I breathe.

Tim shakes his head slowly.

'No, little bird. You saved me!'

'No, Tim, you don't understand. You were dying because of me.' I whimper. 'I could have taken them all to find you the same day I found the place on the map. I could have spared you several days of suffering. But I didn't. I waited. And it nearly killed you!'

'Raven...' Tim murmurs. His soft lips kiss my nose before trailing over my cheeks and kissing my tears away while whispering my name. I slowly calm down in his arms as I let him comfort me.

'I am truly sorry for hurting you!' I breathe against his chin.

'Raven, you never hurt me. You are not responsible for what happened to me. Do you hear me?' Tim states firmly. 'You didn't know me, and you didn't know what happened to me, right?'

I nod slowly. I didn't know. I didn't even think about it. All I thought of was Lucas and how to get him.

'I don't remember that day,' Tim admits. 'The only things I know is what the Beta told me. So you tell me one thing; did you have the opportunity to leave but chose to stay?'

His question confuses me. I never thought of how he remembers it, and now I learned that he doesn't remember it at all. More of my memories flood me as I think back on that night:

Harry's big wolf trotted back to the others and stopped so I could jump down.

"So, Mr. Bossman, Big Bear, and Doggies! It's not that big. Maybe half a mile across, 800 meters if you prefer. There is no witch here! The shield is maintained by seven crystals placed in a circle. Cheap s**t, not very well done. That's why I found it!" I sang with confidence.

"On, handsome over here, and my way around it, I located one of the crystals. I'll handle the shield when your reinforcements are here. Then it's up to you. How about that?"

The Alpha looks down at me as he nods. They are all eyeing me: some with suspicion, others in disbelief.

"You're not staying?" Lucas asks me, and my heart jumps.

"Do you want me to stay?" I ask while batting my eyelashes at him, emphasizing the word you.

"Na, I thought it would be a good idea if someone is badly injured, you, being able to 'poof' them to safety and all!" When I open my mouth, Mr. Bossman interrupts me.

"Miss Raven, thank you for your help! You are not obligated to stay. And neither are you, Lucas!" He continued with a stern look in Lucas's direction. "But if you do, it would be appreciated!"

I look between them, contemplating my options. If I stay, Lucas might like me again. And if there truly is someone injured, they might need help. I don't think I'm getting played here. They all seem genuinely concerned.

I slump down on the ground before conjuring a sandwich and taking a bite. All this heroine work has made me hungry.

"Fine, I'll stay. But just because I don't want to miss out on all the fun!"

I see the scene play put in my head. I'd intended to leave after I had fulfilled my mission of taking them to River. Something made me stay, concern perhaps. But I don't know. I'm not - I was not the concerned type.

'Alpha told me I could leave!' I Admit. 'But Lucas thought it good if I stayed in case someone was badly injured and needed help...'

'See, you decided to stay, to help save us, save me. You did good, little bird. Don't sell yourself short!'

There's a soft knock on the door frame calling for our attention. We both snap our heads toward the sound. Tim's family stands in the doorway. His mother still has tears in her eyes, but she keeps quiet. Tommy holds her shoulders as he looks at us.

'I'm sorry.' I tell them earnestly. 'I'm sorry I didn't save him sooner and for ruining dessert!'

Tommy smiles at me as he shakes his head. 'You don't owe us an apology, Raven. Everything happens for a reason. However, it all started it ended as it was supposed to. You brought him to the hospital and saved his life, and we're thankful that you a part of this family now!'

Granny-Rose steps past them and walk up to us; she cups my face with her right hand and Tim's with her left. She smiles at us before kissing the top of Tim's head, then mine. Warmth spread throughout my body as I look into her eyes. Relief washes over me like summer rain. Her smile is genuine as she speaks directly to me.

'Welcome to the family, love! We're happy you're here!'