Another chapter, kind of random, but it sort of influences the next chapter. (well, obviously) Just have to say this: I LOVE RILEY. Now if this story had a soundtrack, at the end of this chapter it would be She's Always A Woman by Fyfe Dangerfield. Check it out! I love the lyrics.
Chapter seven: "I'd like to try something."
From that day onwards, Riley and I became inseparable. We weren't ones to show off our love to the whole world, and definitely did not go for public displays of affection as Jacob and Nessie did. We were both more sensitive, and tried to stick to simple hand-holding when others were around. Always, whenever he was thirsty, he would become more irritable and distant towards me, but as soon as his thirst was quenched, he would become the Riley I loved once more. He hated it when he was thirsty, and so hunted more often than strictly necessary. I wanted to try hunting with him, but he wouldn't allow it; it was the time when any remaining humanity would leave him, and he didn't want me to be around when he was using his instincts over his mind. As far as I could tell, he was a natural at this new, animal-hunting style. He'd taken to his new diet with great finesse, though sometimes I saw a wistful look in his eye, and I knew he was thinking about how human blood tasted. He still hadn't been around any humans – he wasn't quite so experienced that it would not affect him.
One especially bad day, Riley was more thirsty than usual, and left to go hunting without so much as a second glance. I was upset with myself for not making sure he had been hunting sooner. After all, he had delayed his hunting trip for a few days because I was sick with the flu, and he didn't want to leave me. Only when I was back on my feet did he leave to go hunting at last. I was glad, but as always, saddened to see him leave. I was sitting by the river when I heard a familiar whisper in my ear,
"Leah." I turned around and saw the smiling, glorious face I was so hoping to see. He took my face in his hands and kissed me gently. He pulled away and took my hand, then led me into the bubbling river. The water was about waist deep, and to a normal human would have felt cold in the late October weather. Riley's smile mimicked my own, and once more he took my face in his hands and kissed me. I moved my hands into his hair as he deepened the kiss. I sighed happily; glad that he wasn't being quite as careful as he usually was around me. He moved his own hands to my waist, and slowly pulled me towards deeper water, until just my head and shoulders were above the surface. I took a deep breath, and then I found myself underwater. I continued to kiss him incessantly, seeing nothing but his pale face through the water. I could have died right then, and been happy, because I was in his arms. Too soon, he broke off, dragging me back to the surface. I gasped when I broke through, slightly dizzy. He chuckled, still holding my waist with one hand. Ugh. I wished I could have stayed underwater with him for hours. I had to breathe though. Stupid human needs. I scowled, and Riley chuckled again, pulling me towards him and, holding my chin with one hand, asked,
"You okay now? Sometimes I forget you need to breathe. You make me feel so...inhuman...when you kiss me; I forget that you actually are human." Not wanting to get distracted again, I leaned back in towards Riley for a kiss. Some part of my mind decided to take a risk, and I wasn't thinking straight, so in one swift movement I removed Riley's shirt. He pulled back, blinked at me, and started to frown. I took advantage of his hesitation and began to memorise every part of his torso. Not surprisingly, he had perfectly-formed abs, his alabaster chest was broad, and his shoulders were wide. I was tracing the panes of his chest with my fingers when the sun burst out from where it was hiding behind the clouds. For a second I was shocked. His smooth skin sparkled like a million diamonds, giving off small rainbows every time he moved. When he smiled at my reaction, his teeth gleamed, and I couldn't help but smile back. Then, the sun moved back behind the clouds, and his skin only glimmered slightly in the remaining light. My mouth was hanging open in shock, and he chuckled at me once more. He took hold of my hand, quickly grabbed his shirt from where it was floating next to us nearby, and we walked back to the bank. We wandered to the forest, which seemed to be where we spent most of our time, and after hanging his shirt on a tree branch, Riley turned to face me. He frowned slightly, then asked,
"Aren't you cold?"
"Nope. It's a werewolf thing. I'm hotter than a regular human," I replied. Riley muttered something which sounded like 'You got that right.'
"I still don't like the idea of you with your wet clothes. You might get a cold or something. You're only just recovering from another sickness," he said to me.
"I'll take my clothes off then. You can help me," I hinted, raising my eyebrows and pressing myself against him.
"Leah! Don't do this to me. Now is not the time," Riley complained, turning away.
"Now is as good a time as any!" I cried, moving close to him again, not at all deterred by his previous comment.
"No. Really. It's not. It's...not going to happen. I don't have enough control over myself," he replied.
"But-" I started to say.
"Shh," he said, putting his finger against my lips, "I think I hear someone coming." He paused, and we both listened. The sound of footsteps was getting louder and louder.
"We'll talk about this later!" I said quickly, to which Riley replied,
"Yeah. Maybe." It wasn't long until Seth appeared in between two trees. Seeing Riley's arm around my waist and my body pressed very close to his, plus the absence of his shirt, made Seth take a step backwards and mumble,
"Oh. Sorry if I interrupted anything. I'll speak to you later..." I jumped back from Riley, and assured Seth,
"No. Nothing was happening. We were just...What do you want?" Seth avoided my eye, and I looked at Riley, who was now wearing his slightly damp shirt. I tried to concentrate, but I was somewhat distracted by the fact that his shirt clearly outlined his perfect musculature.
"Um, Carlisle wanted to speak to you. Alice had a vision I think, and...I don't know. Go and see Carlisle. That's all. Then you can go back to your PDA," Seth said to us, turning back towards the direction in which he came.
"Seth! I think the phrase 'Public Displays of Affection' refers to the act of being in a public place, with company, while performing these displays of affection. And we weren't in a public place or with company. So...Yeah...Just...Okay, we'll go see him. Bye," I said. And so Seth ran away from where we were standing, presumably to escape our 'PDA'. Riley looked questionably at me, and I shrugged whilst saying, "Let's go." He took my hand, and we too ran from the forest.
I'd never been in Carlisle's study before. It was all mahogany wood, and there were books everywhere I looked; on the tall bookshelves, piled high on the heavy desk, stacked precariously on a filing cabinet. He was waiting for us with a grave look in his eyes when we entered, but smiled when he saw us. He gestured to the chairs in front of his desk. I felt like I was at a doctor's appointment, then realised that that was kind of true. The house was empty apart from us. I knew that Bella and Edward were at the cottage, and most of the other vampires were hunting that day, and I could hear Alice humming to herself in the garden.
"I expect you want to know why I called you here. Well, today I am acting as your doctor. I just need to ask you a few questions," Carlisle told us.
"Okay then," I replied, confused.
"I was merely wondering if...And I know that this is a sensitive subject, but remember, I am a professional...I was wondering if you have given any thought to having, shall we say, a more intimate relationship?" He asked. I gulped, and tried not to catch Riley's eye, who answered,
"I...We...It's not really an option for us. My venom is fatal to her, is it not? It's very difficult to control myself, even when we're only kissing. I have to stop myself before it gets out of hand." He ran his hand through his glorious hair. I looked down at my feet, trying not to let the tears well up.
"Perhaps that is a wise decision. It would be difficult to control yourself in that situation, I am guessing," Carlisle nodded.
"So, it just...wouldn't be possible?" I asked quietly.
"It could be possible. But you would be putting yourself at great risk. Is it worth it to sacrifice yourself for those needs you have?" Carlisle said.
"Maybe you're right...But I'm a werewolf who's in love with a vampire! I'm already at risk!" I cried.
"Leah, my love, please. I'm sorry. I wish I could give you what you want. But I can't. I'm new to this life. I don't have much control even now."
"Of course, Bella and Edward went through a similar situation a while ago. I'm sure they'd be happy to speak to you if you want," Carlisle told us, smiling. He looked at his watch then and said, "Oh! I'm sorry. I didn't realise the time. I'm working today at the hospital, and I really should get going. If there's anything you need, do not hesitate to ask."
"Carlisle?" I asked, "It's just a quick question. Seth said something about Alice having a vision? What did that have to do with us?" Carlisle looked uncomfortable, then replied,
"Remember that her visions are not set in stone. They don't always happen. It's just...She had a vision of Riley in...deep sorrow, sat down next to...Something... And the only thing that we believe could have caused that sorrow is the death of-" He trailed off, then shook his head, picked up a few books, and left the room. It was completely silent in the study for a few minutes.
"Well that settles it. Never am I going to put you at risk ever again," Riley said triumphantly, shaking his head slowly. I felt the tears return to my eyes. I'd never really imagined myself as a mother, but having it just taken away from me, so resolutely, made me upset. Wasn't the point of imprinting to create stronger offspring? Weren't Riley and me meant to have children?
"Riley I-" I started.
"No, Leah. This discussion is over. It's not going to happen," he replied. A sob burst from my lips and I cried,
"It's my choice! I don't care! Please, Riley." For a moment he looked undecided, and then he shook his head and whispered,
"I'm sorry." I stared at his beautiful face for a moment, and then ran away from him. I had to escape; he couldn't see me like that. I ran as fast as I could, and it was only when I reached the state boundary that I let the tears overcome me.
