Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Cullen Home

August, 1991

The sound of a comb being pulled through hair was the only sound in the room. Raven closed her eyes as icy, cold hands caressed her scalp in a comforting manner.

"What you're going through is normal, Raven. I experienced my own sort of rebellious phase when I was a human," Rosalie said kindly, gently braiding her niece's thick hair.

Hazel eyes watched a single drop of condensation roll down a spotless window. Snow fell slowly, steadily. Outside, it looked like a massive, white blanket lying over the ground. Not one footprint could be seen.

Raven gently traced her fingers over her lips. She could not stop thinking about the way Eden had kissed her. She daydreamed about the feeling of her body on top of her, and the sound of her voice. Most of all, she missed Eden.

"Are you even listening to me," Rosalie asked sternly, startling the human.

"Yes, you were saying that you would refuse to go to public events when you're parents ticked you off. You make me look like an amateur," Raven said sarcastically.

Rosalie smirked. It was like talking to a younger version of herself. A younger, more free spirited version of her. That is why the Denali Coven sent the girl to her. They were very close, and perhaps that would allow her to open up about her mental state as of late.

"I've been around humans for a long time. That being said, I understand teenagers much more than my dear cousins. You can talk to me about anything, Raven. Whatever you tell me will stay between us," Rosalie promised sincerely.

Raven sighed and looked at her hair in the vanity. The intricate braid fell over her right shoulder and she played with it in deep thought. Where was she supposed to start?

"Why don't you tell me about Eden," Rosalie prompted gently. She noticed the heavy blush that spread across the girl's cheeks.

"We met at the supermarket two years ago and we kept in touch until I started school. My family hates her because she smokes and drinks, but that doesn't make her a bad person. She's funny and kind and compassionate," Raven trailed off, noticing the somber look on her aunt's face.

Rosalie could see clear as day that Raven was falling for this human. She was happy for her, but aware of how complicated that would be for Victoria as her mate. God forbid Eden break her heart, or worse, cause her to reject immortality.

It could get ugly.

"We kissed and now all these feelings I've buried are coming back harder and stronger," she continued, voice quiet and meek.

"Do you want to pursue a relationship with Eden?"

Raven bit her lip hard. "That isn't possible, is it? People wouldn't understand us. If anything it would have to be private. I just don't know if she feels the same and I'm afraid to tell her."

Rosalie grabbed Raven's hand and held it firmly. Part of her wished to tell her to leave the girl alone and forget about furthering their relationship.

However, burying those emotions would hurt her far worse. Every teen has their first love. She had lessons that needed to be learned the hard way. No matter how badly her family wanted to shelter her, she was still a young girl with very little experience in life.

"Raven, you are a stunning young lady. You are intelligent, talented, and loving. Eden would be lucky to have you," Rosalie said with conviction, gaining an embarrassed smile from Raven.

"Always follow your heart, love."

Denali Home, Alaska

While the coven chatted and talked about the long awaited visit they were about to receive, Victoria sat silent in the corner of the room.

They all knew this would come some day, they simply didn't know when.

When they all finally relented to Raven's incessant pleas to formally introduce them to Eden Harlowe, the bane of Victoria's existence, the red haired vampire felt sick to her stomach.

"Look on the bright side. At least it's not some heavyweight, beer chugging, jockstrap," Kate laughed, slapping her on the shoulder.

"Oh, hush," Carmen said, looking at her sympathetically.

Victoria glared at the wall. She didn't care who it was. No human was worthy. There was not one person she could trust with her mate's well-being. Especially, with her heart.

Tires could be heard turning over gravel and the entire coven went to their places. Laughter could be heard outside as the girls made their way to the front door. Carmen and Eleazor stood ready to greet their guest as Raven's " adoptive parents".

The door opened and Victoria could not help but glare unabashedly at the young human that managed to ensnare her mate in some sort of trap of hormonal teenage emotion.

The girl was Raven's height, if not an inch taller, with curly, auburn hair cut short. Green eyes complemented by extremely pale, freckled skin, and long eye lashes. Her full lips were a vibrant pink from the cold and when she smiled pearly white teeth twinkled. The small gap between her front two teeth only served to add character.

Her voice was feminine, yet full and raspy.

"You must be Mr. and Mrs. Salvatore. It's a pleasure to meet you both," Eden said, shaking their hands with a winning smile.

"And you must be Eden. Allow me to introduce you to our family while Carmen prepares the table," Eleazor said like a true gentleman.

Victoria watched the strangely charismatic teen go around proudly introducing herself while Raven watched on with a smitten expression. She'd been trying since the girl walked in to find something to hate, but she was unlucky so far.

That angered her further.

"This is Victoria. She's a family friend. We go way back," Raven chimed in, taking over her introduction.

The look on her face warned Victoria to be nice.

Eden looked at her with wide eyes, as she had everyone else. Their vampiric beauty was obviously taking a toll on her fragile human brain. When they narrowed slightly, Victoria rose a brow.

"Raven talks about you all the time. I think I might have competition for the BFF title. She's got a thing for redheads," Eden laughed, extending a pale, freckled hand.

"Pleasure," Victoria replied curtly, refusing to shake it.

Raven glared at her unabashedly, but Eden simply smiled and took it in stride. This irked Victoria even more. This girl was strangely confident for a teenage human in the presence of vampires. She could smell the fear, but saw none of it displayed outwardly.

By the time they sat down for dinner, Victoria was already wishing it was over.

"So Eden, tell us a little about yourself," Tanya said kindly. She resolved to set her own misgivings aside and give the girl a chance.

"Well, I grew up in Talkeetna my entire life. My parents moved here from Scotland before I was born. They own a local brewery. I'm on the varsity basketball team and on course to earn a full ride scholarship to ASU," Eden stated confidently.

They were surprised. All they knew about the girl was that she brought Raven home extremely late, smelling of marijuana and alcohol. The thought of her having goals hadn't entered their minds.

"Eden is one of our star players. She's a beast on the court," Raven said, smirking. The girl waved her off.

"You're too kind."

Victoria was silent, listening to her coven engage in conversation with their guest. Eden was very well spoken and thought her words through before speaking. She was obviously mature.

The vampire couldn't find anything off about her and that was what continued to irritate her. Still, she did not trust her to do right by her mate and she could not be convinced otherwise. No matter how well hidden it was, she just knew there was something nefarious going on underneath that well mannered facade.

There had to be.

When the meal was over, Victoria decided to pull her aside for a little chat. The others watched discreetly as they stepped into the hallway.

Eden's confidence wavered under her predatory gaze.

"What are your intentions with Raven," Victoria asked in a hard tone.

"What do you mean? Raven is just a friend," Eden said, acting oblivious. The vampire rose one perfectly arched brow at her incredulously.

"So, that's where she gets that from."

Victoria's lips pressed into a thin line and the girl's heart beat faster in her chest.

There were so many things she wanted to say. She wanted to threaten her to leave Raven alone and forget she ever existed. The feral part of her wanted to unleash protective rage. Raven was her mate. Not Eden's. It was Victoria's job alone to protect her and keep her happy. She didn't want to allow someone else to do that for her.

Yet, Raven was naturally seeking that from this young, naive human with no life experience. The person Victoria was now wouldn't allow her to be selfish and take away the only light in Raven's pitch black tunnel of teenage angst. She would hate her for it and push her farther away.

She had to set her pride aside, or lose the one person the gods had chosen for her.

"You're seventeen. Raven recently turned sixteen. When you go off to college, she will still be in high school. If you don't have long term plans for this relationship, if you don't see yourself being devoted solely to her, I suggest you steer clear. Trust me when I say you do not want to hurt her. Do we have an understanding," Victoria said in a quiet, calm tone, extending her hand.

Eden looked at her with respect and nodded slowly, shocked by her intensity. She could tell this woman was dead serious.

"Yes, I understand," she said shakily, taking the offered hand. The coldness of it made her wince.

"You're smarter than I thought."

Victoria swiftly walked out the door, ignoring Raven's worried gaze and the greatful expressions of her coven.