Talkeetna, Alaska
November, 1991
They drove fast, windows open, as they traveled down the winding highway. One hand playing with her hair, the other floating in the wind. Raven lost herself in the music and her own thoughts.
This was one of their favorite hobbies. Eden would drive and Raven would ride beside her, both of them completely lost in their minds, but together. Always, together.
It was bad luck to talk on these rides, but there was so much being left unsaid between them. The lingering looks, the soft touches, and stolen kisses all transpired without mention.
She glanced over at her beautiful companion, wondering how they had gone from friends to...something more. She didn't know what to call it. Friends that enjoyed kissing each other on occasion? She needed to know.
"You're staring," Eden said smiling, eyes focused on the road ahead.
"You're beautiful," Raven breathed before she could stop herself.
A light blush covered her cheeks, but she did not allow herself to be embarrassed. Even when Eden laughed, looking at her curiously. She shrugged, lips pulling into a pleased grin. It wasn't a lie.
"Are you feeling okay today? Did you bump your head," she chuckled, reaching over to check her for a fever.
Raven grabbed her hand and held it in her own. Her smile faded as they looked into each other's eyes for a moment. There was something hidden behind Eden's eyes that resembled hesitation. She pondered over what might have caused that.
"What did Victoria say to you when you came over for dinner," she asked curiously. The way the two had been acting made her think something was wrong.
Eden pursed her lips, apprehensive about sharing that with her. "She...confronted me about my intentions with you? Told me not to hurt you. That woman is scary."
"Oh, God. I'm sorry."
Raven blushed heavily and hid her face in her hands. She silently cursed Victoria. She could have at least waited until she spoke to Eden about their situation. Now, everything was just awkward.
They pulled into their favorite spot. A cliff overlooking a vast valley. The view of the mountains was breathtaking each time they visited. Now, the sun was slowly descending, making the sky turn brilliant shades of red, orange, and purple.
Eden spread out a blanket, and they sat together staring out at the ethereal scene. Raven gathered all of her confidence and made the decision to have the difficult talk. She couldn't beat around the bush anymore. It would only push them apart.
"I think I have feelings for you, Eden. I fall for you a little more every day and it scares me because I've never felt this way before," Raven said in a serious tone.
"I need to know if you have feelings for me, too."
Eden looked at her with a soft smile pulling at her lips. She took Raven's hand in her own, caressing it as if it were fragile. Slowly, she leaned down and placed a kiss on each knuckle. Raven closed her eyes at the tender touch.
"After we kissed that first time, I couldn't sleep at all. I stayed up the whole night replaying it in my mind," Eden said quietly, eyes never leaving her.
"If I think about it, our friendship was over that night. I've been falling for you ever since."
Raven gently placed her hands on Eden's cheeks and smiled so wide it hurt. She kissed her hard, feeling pent up passion and excitement explode outward from her core. Eden responded in kind, hands entwined in her hair.
When they pulled away, a sad expression adorned Raven's face. Eden peppered kisses over her tan cheeks.
"I don't want to keep this private, but I think it's best," Raven said solemnly. Eden placed a soft kiss on her forehead and hugged the girl to her.
"I agree. I would rather that than to not have you at all," Eden said with conviction.
As the sun hid behind the mountains Raven and Eden embraced, pondering what the future had in store for them.
Denali Home, Alaska
January, 1992
The sound of fists connecting with a punching bag resounded through the trees.
It had been so long since Raven even used the back door, let alone sparred. Kate thought she would have a stroke when the girl asked her to mentor. She happily obliged.
"More rotation on that left hook. Yes! Now, left, right, kick! You still got it, kiddo," Kate coached, smiling like a proud mother.
Victoria stood in the doorframe, watching them. The corner of her lips twitched upward watching Raven obliterate the punching bag. She was certain it had been a year since she last picked up her gloves. To see her indulging in one of her favorite hobbies again gave her hope.
Kate quietly disappeared when she approached, giving her the privacy she rarely got with Raven.
"I won't stand a chance when you're turned," Victoria said, smirking at her panting human.
"I'm been working on controlling my gift, too. Soon, no one will," Raven said with a smug smile.
She threw a flurry of hard punches that rocked the bag. Her technique was spot on, with only minor flaws in her stance. Her toned arms strained as she let loose on her target.
Physically, Raven was in great shape, but Victoria worried about her mental health.
Victoria pursed her lips. "It's been a long time since you and I just...talked. You know that I'm always here for you if you need me."
Raven stopped, turning around to look at her. She looked the same as she did nearly a decade ago, but somehow more beautiful. Her face still held that same worried expression as it did the day they met.
She reached out, squeezing her shoulder in a comforting manner. Seeing Victoria this way made her heart ache painfully in her chest. The feeling was intense and made her eyes well up.
She felt the distance between them was her fault, and she needed to correct it.
"I'm sorry for what I've put you guys through. I was so inconsiderate," Raven said, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"I've been in this chasm of emotions I don't understand. I've been self destructing, not realizing I was hurting everyone around me. I feel like shit for pushing you away because you're one of the most important people in my life. I don't want you constantly worrying about me, and I definitely don't want to lose you."
Victoria watched Raven passionately spill forth everything that was on her mind with rapt attention. She loved the way she spoke with her hands, and, the little, crescent shaped crease between her brows when she frowned. The way she unconsciously ran a hand through her hair when she was thinking deeply.
The vampire had missed this version of Raven.
Long arms wrapped around Victoria's neck and she immediately enveloped the girl in a tight embrace. It surprised her. It was many months ago that Raven last hugged her. She reveled in the relief that flowed through the bond, and was loathe to let it end.
"You couldn't get rid of me if you tried, little bird," Victoria's shaky voice was muffled in a mane of long, black curls.
"That's enough mushy talk. You're gonna make me cry," Raven laughed, fanning her eyes.
"I actually planned on talking to you about something important. I need some advice."
Victoria's ears perked up, wondering what was was on her mind. She watched the girl sit down and chew her lip in deep thought.
"Eden and I, we're sort of in a relationship now. We're taking it slow. Seeing where things go," Raven started, letting out a deep breath. Victoria nodded, no expression on her face.
"She hasn't gotten her acceptance letter from ASU yet, but I know she will. I don't know if a long distance relationship will work or if I should just...Even if I did do long distance what will happen when it's time for me to turn? I can't tell her what am I. I should've thought long term..."
Victoria rubbed her back soothingly, seeing how difficult it was for her to talk about this. She felt for Raven. She knew what it was like to make that big of a decision. Despite her resentment toward Eden, the girl wasn't that bad. She wouldn't let her biases get in the way of helping Raven.
"The question you both should be asking is whether or not you believe this relationship is worth fighting for through any trials or tribulations that are thrown your way," Victoria said in a kind tone. Raven listened closely, eyes never leaving her.
"When you truly love someone, no obstacle is too difficult. No distance can make your heart stop aching for them. Because true love is two people choosing each other. Over and over again. No matter what life throws at them. So, if you both feel that way about each other, there is nothing you can't overcome."
Victoria watched the thoughts fly around in her head. Whatever Raven chose, she would respect it. Because all that mattered to her for the past nine years was that Raven was safe, happy, and loved.
"Thank you for talking to me. How do you always know what to say though," Raven asked with a wide smile.
Victoria threw an around around her shoulder and looked lovingly at her young mate.
"Because I know you."
Later that week, the family gathered in the living room for some quality time.
Now that Raven was beginning to come out of her shell, spirits in the house were high. Victoria watched Kate and Raven play video games while chatting with her coven mates. She couldn't help thinking her life was going very well.
Raven smiled to herself, watching her family laugh and enjoy each other's presence. She noticed the way Tanya, Kate, and Irina interacted. The way they shared soft looks. The way their touches lingered. Their desire to always remain close to one another when sitting together.
It was much the same with Eleazor and Carmen, Carlisle and Esme, and all the other couples in her large family.
She remembered something Emmett said to Rosalie when she visited a while back.
"I'm the luckiest man alive to have you as a mate," he'd said lovingly, the biggest smile on his face.
Raven's smile faded as she became curious.
"Something wrong, Ray," Victoria asked, concerned. The teen shook her head.
"No, I'm just thinking. What's a mate?"
Every vampire froze, looking at Victoria, who was shocked into silence as well. The silence lasted so long that Raven became visibly worried. The red haired vampire gave Tanya a pleading look.
"Well, Raven. A mate is essentially a vampire's soulmate. The vampire would do anything, be anything, for that person. A friend, family member, or a lover for as long as they live," Tanya said, carefully watching the curious teen as she processed the information.
Raven nodded slowly. "But, how do you guys know someone is your mate? Can you have as many as you want?"
"When I saw Kate and Irina, I knew. For me, it was like something clicked in my soul and I couldn't fathom being away from them. I like to say that it was like I found my home. For others the feeling may vary. And, no. We can't have as many as we want. Whatever powers that be choose for us," Tanya explained further.
Raven found this very interesting. It sounded beautiful, and terrifying at the same time. Seeing someone and knowing that they are meant to be your person. What if they rejected you? She didn't know if she wanted to ask about that.
"What made you ask that," Victoria queried, worried that someone might have spilled the beans.
Raven pursed her lips. "I heard the term a while back. I figured I would ask."
Looking at Victoria, Raven remembered James. The man who she never wanted to see again. He was the definition of an asshole in her eyes. Her lip curled in disgust, wondering why and how he managed to get an amazing woman like Victoria.
"Please tell me James isn't your mate," Raven groaned, brows furrowed deeply.
Victoria would have been sweating if she were human. She was taken off guard completely. Part of her wanted to lie to quell the teen's bout of curiosity, but she couldn't. Lying to Raven was harder than abstaining from human blood.
"No. Thankfully, he was not," she replied, not looking her in the eye lest she tell her everything.
Raven breathed a sigh of relief. "Good. You deserve better. He's a jackass."
The Denali Coven shared meaningful glances as they watched a warm smile spread across both their faces. It was obvious that Victoria didn't see what was transpiring in front of her. Raven definitely couldn't.
However, to them, it was plain as day.
It was only a matter of time before she would find out the truth.
Whether Victoria told her, or she figured it out on her own.