Chapter 12

The Calm before the Storm

"Hi, Mom, I'm home!" River called, striding into the house and up the stairs like it was an everyday occurrence.

No words could describe the expression on Abby's face when she saw him. River picked his speechless Mom up and squeezed her tight while rivulets of joy sprung from her eyes.

Immediately wanting to mark the occasion as special, she decided on cooking a big welcome home dinner for him. "We're celebrating this evening. You two should stay," Abby said to Leah and Jacob when Raven called them inside.

"We have to be somewhere, but we'll come back. " Jacob explained. He tilted his head toward the door, gesturing for Raven to follow him outside. "Embry and Quil will be across the street watching, but I need to take Leah with me. We'll be back as soon as we can."

He kissed her, grazing her jawline with his fingertips as he walked away. Raven's heart thumped, and Jacob peered over his shoulder and smiled at the same time. Smiling back, she waved.

When he crossed the driveway, it occurred to her that her troubles scarcely invaded her mind while with him. It pleased her how easily she got through the day without letting him know what bothered her. After he drove out of sight though, her reservations returned. She felt torn with part of her wanting to forget what she knew and try to be happy for the time being, and the other part of her wanting to confront Jacob to find out where or how she fit in his life. She concluded the latter thought was a terrible idea, because she was afraid of what his answer might be.

Kristy came over a while later to meet River. She sat at the kitchen table while Raven diced tomatoes, onions, and jalapenos for the salsa. Kristy rested on her elbow with her chin in her palm, gazing across the room to where River and Abby sat talking. "Raven, he's amazing," she whispered. She couldn't take her eyes from him. "It's hard to believe he's your brother."

"What?" Raven huffed with a laugh, lightly pushing Kristy's shoulder. "What's that supposed to mean? I can't believe you just said that."

Kristy grinned. "I just meant, because he's so tall. How come you never mentioned him before?"

"He just never came up. Besides, he's way older than me... and you. He's almost twenty-six."

"He doesn't look it. He's... I'd say hot, but gorgeous fits better. And what a bod." Kristy gawked.

"Okay, that's enough." Raven giggled, placing her freshly washed hand on Kristy's cheek and directing her eyes away from him. "Remember, he's too old for you."

Kristy rolled her eyes. When Abby came back into the kitchen to check on her cooking, Kristy hopped up, swayed over to River, and began asking him questions. River politely conversed with her, but Raven could see the signals she was putting out there didn't interest or register to him.

Leah's not going and that's all there is to it, Sam decreed. I know you can see how dangerous this will be for her, Jacob, especially if she's focused on some guy.

Sam doesn't want you to go, Leah. He thinks you won't be able to concentrate because of the imprinting. He might have a point.

That's a load of bull crap, Jacob, and you know it! Leah growled. Tell Sam to bite me.

Jacob let out a few low woofs at Leah's snide response. I'm not telling him that. He's worried about you, that's all.

If this were one of the other wolves, nobody would have a problem. You know how many times I've put up with everyone else's freaking imprinting. I know I can control my thoughts a hell of a lot better than anyone else around here. What does he care? He can't even hear me.

Sam thinks your head won't be where it needs to be to keep yourself from getting hurt. Admit it, at this very moment all you can think about is how to tell River about us and how he might react.

That's not fair, Jacob. And don't I have the right? Besides, if Seth goes, I go.

I'll tell you what, Leah. I'll give you until we leave tomorrow. If you haven't gotten control of your imprint concerns, you will stay behind. Remember what happened the last time?

Throw that in my face, why don't you!

I'm not... I'm just saying. Do we have a deal?

I guess so, but if Sam asks anything else about me, tell him to mind his own bastard business. I'm not his problem anymore.

The smell of charcoal-grilled steak permeated the air around Raven's house, causing Jacob's mouth to water and his stomach to growl as soon as he hopped off Leah's jeep. It was the next best aroma, compared to Raven's. He caught her scent coming from the backyard and followed it to the rear of the house. Standing on the deck, Raven tended to the meat. Her eyes sparkled at the sight of him.

He smiled inside, eased that whatever had been bothering her the previous night seemed to have vanished. "We would have gotten back sooner, but someone needed to freshen up and unsuccessfully attempt to beautify herself," he gibed, flicking a disgruntled glance at Leah.

"Asshole!" Leah snapped. "Raven is there anything to help with?"

"No, everything's ready inside. Go ahead, you guys. I'll be right behind you." Leah and Seth went inside while Jacob grabbed the plate of meat from Raven's hand. She piled the last couple slabs onto it. "What's wrong with Leah? She looks upset," Raven asked.

"The Romanians agreed to let Seth see Rachel, Kim, and Brady as a show of faith. She's worried, but I know being here with..." Jacob caught himself. "Just being here will make her feel better. She'll tell you later."

Leah and Seth were helping Abby set the table in the dining room. He spotted Kristy sitting beside River in the living room, making googly eyes at him. Jacob tilted his head in their direction. "What's going on over there?"

"Oh, I think she's trying to hit on him or something." They both looked over again and quietly laughed. "I told her he was too old for her. He wouldn't be interested but..." Raven shrugged.

"Let's see if Leah has anything to say about it." Jacob made a devilish smirk as Leah entered the living room, followed by Seth, and River turned his attention to them.

"Why? What's that look about?" Raven asked. "You look like the cat hiding Stuart Little in his mouth."

Jacob grinned. "Never mind. Like I said, Leah will tell you about it later."

"She better!"

By the time dinner was over, Kristy gave up and sat down beside Raven, Jacob, and Seth. "Oh, well, you're right. I'm too young for him, but it was worth a try."

"Don't worry about it, Kristy. I can have Embry here in no time," Jacob taunted.

"Oooo, goody, goody," she mocked, clapping her hands and getting to her feet. She narrowed her eyes in scorn at him and stormed into the other room.

Jacob and Seth cracked up. "Behave you guys," Raven scolded. "You should have reminded me they were out there. I bet they're starving. Go tell them to come eat."

"Sure, but they won't be wearing any shirts," I hope they have moccasins with them. The guys found that it was easy to strap on thin leather footwear with their trunks, during the few times they could prepare themselves ahead of a patrol.

Kristy's attitude lifted as Embry walked in the door. It was probably the no shirt thing, Jacob thought. Everyone chatted and told jokes, and all seemed fine for a spell. Kristy must have liked Embry more than she let on, because they scooted off to a corner by themselves and not much time passed before they said goodbye to everyone and left together.

"See that? I know about these things," Jacob gloated.

"Oh, shut up!" Raven giggled, shaking her head at him.

Eventually, everyone else left, except for him and Leah. "Leah and River are hitting it off," Raven brought up.

Jacob nodded. "It's a good thing, too."

Raven narrowed her eyes in question. The next thing they knew, River announced he felt wired and needed to get out and unwind.

Way to go Leah!

"Leah said she'll take me to the bar & grill here in town, but I'll be back soon."

We'll see, Jacob thought as he watched River holding the door open for Leah.

It was a beautiful evening, one of the rare times when it would be clear enough to see the stars after sunset. The breeze held a crisp coldness, but it was hardly noticeable to Raven when Jacob held her in his arms. Raven thought about how they never had company over before because of Mike's unfriendliness. As it was, she could barely believe she and Jacob were together at her home with nobody to fear. They sat outside on the floor of the backyard deck, feet on the steps, looking up at the sky and talking. "I love it when the sky looks like that, a red moon." Raven observed. "It looks so pretty that color. Too bad it doesn't stay that way long."

"I think it happens, because the moon is so close to the earth that the particles from all the filthy pollution turn it red," Jacob explained.

"Way to ruin it, dufus."

Jacob laughed. "That's what I heard."

"It's beautiful, anyway." Raven sighed.

"Seriously, though, my mom used to say a red moon was a cosmic sign of divine awareness." Jacob gazed at the moon, his expression softening as he reminisced. "I can't remember how exactly she put it. But she said if you concentrate or meditate on something of extreme importance to you under the energy of a red moon, you will have an awakening. Receive clarity on your life's path, divine inspiration or intervention. It's like a promise you'll receive the answer to whatever your struggling with... something like that."

"That's interesting. Does it actually work?"

"I don't know. I never tried it. We'll just have to take my mom's word for it. She took her spirituality seriously."

"I hope it works, because I've really got to do some meditating and find some answers."

"Oh, yeah, on what?"

Raven tugged at her ear, realizing if she wanted to say something about Jacob's imprint this would be a moment to do it. She hesitated, changing her mind. "Can't talk about it right now. Maybe someday soon, though." She frowned.

Jacob brought her hand away from her ear, and his expression sobered. "Can you talk to me about what happened to you the other night?" he asked, his eyes drifting to the day-old darkening of her bruised nose and blue shadowed under eye tissue.

She elusively replayed the incident to him, feeling it unnecessary to add the name Mike called her. Jacob's remorse over the episode showed every time his eyes swept over her face. "I don't know how in the hell I let you go in there." He grimaced as he kissed her on the nose. "I should have walked you to the door and scared the piss out of him."

"In hindsight, I think it's the best thing that could have happened for all of us, because it made her stand up to him," Raven reassured, noting that had it not happened the way it did, she wouldn't be with Jacob at the moment, and River wouldn't be home.

Jacob shared the conversation between himself and the Romanians. "They said that Seth had to show up alone. They'll know if anyone attempts to follow. They'll allow him one phone call to let us know everyone is fine. The downside is Seth will have to stay there until we return from Italy. Stefan told me someone would meet Seth in the same clearing they took Brady from tomorrow, late afternoon, and Seth will contact us about twenty-four hours later. Sam feels Brady is closer than the Romanians want us to believe. We'll know where Brady and the girls are by the time Seth makes the phone call. The beauty of being linked the way we are."

"It's feels unreal," Raven muttered, experiencing a chill through her body.

Jacob folded his arms around her. "Let's change the subject. I can tell it scares you."

She nodded and said, "I'm sure River likes Leah. He called her a beauty after you left today."

"Leah's... cool...," he said as if he'd just realized it. "She'll have roughly twenty-four hours to get her head together."

"What are you talking about already?" Raven demanded. "First, you were making me impatient and curious. Now, you're just making me mad."

"Sorry." Jacob chuckled. "I shouldn't tell you, because it's Leah's story to tell. But since it involves your brother, I will. Remember the imprinting I told you about?"

Raven flinched certain Jacob saw it. She recovered herself and comprehended what he was getting at. "Leah and River?" she whispered in disbelief. "Does he know?"

"He won't know until she tells him, and I bet she'll try to do that tonight somehow. Sam doesn't think I should let her come with us tomorrow. He thinks her head is full of your brother right now. Leah's really worried about Seth, though, and insists she be there to keep him safe. I won't make her stay behind unless it's necessary for her own safety. Besides, Seth can take care of himself... Can't say that to her, though. Anyway, she doesn't have much time."

"Your right. It scares me, and if I was Leah, I'd stay home if I had the chance," Raven admitted.

The moon lifted from its color as the darkness fell around them. Jacob squeezed Raven tighter, pressing his cheek against her face. Turning, she met his gaze, and could feel warmth radiating from his lips as he placed them against hers. Unable to help herself, she maneuvered toward him, pressuring him flat to his back with her body, and returned his anxious kiss while he slid them backward further onto the deck. Her body reacted to him with a mind of its own, and he responded equally excited. But amid it, a tiny thought invaded her mind, making her feel ashamed of her weakness for him, knowing all she knew. She wondered why he would even allow himself to continue making out with her, knowing what heknew. If she didn't believe he loved her, she'd be consenting to being used, and that couldn't be all right. Could it?

With no warning, Jacob jerked himself upright into a sitting position, knocking Raven off him. She bumped her head on the wooden floor and sat up quickly, rubbing her head in confusion.

"Raven, make sure you lock everything up before you go to bed tonight. I don't think I can stay awake much longer," Abby said.

Glancing over her shoulder, she saw the door swinging open and her mom poking her head out. "I will, Mom." Raven tugged her earing, her face beet red, grinning in relief at Jacob.

"I knew I heard something. Sorry about that," Jacob whispered, matching her grin.

Raven put her arms back around him, catching her breath. She placed a soft kiss on his neck and felt him shiver. She wondered how she'd get along without him when the time came. "Jacob, what's...?" She stopped short, halting the question on the tip of her tongue. Going on with us?

"What's what?"

"Never mind... I forgot what I was about to say," she mumbled.

"Are you sure?"

"Um hum."

"All right. I better go now. I don't want to wear out my welcome with your mom after only one evening."