Eden's Home
Talkeetna, Alaska
March, 1992
As Eden and her family smiled and laughed, opening the letter that would change her life forever, Raven watched with a heavy heart.
She knew this day would come.
Eden was the best player on the basketball team. Scouts attended every game and always ended up talking to her afterwards. It was a no brainer that she would be accepted to ASU.
Eden was not much different from her. Her path had been chosen a long time ago.
While she was meant to be in the WNBA, Raven was destined to live for eternity. Living a life with her family that consisted of drinking blood to survive and watching humanity change while she remained frozen in time.
It occurred to her that Eden, no matter how youthful and beautiful she was now, would one day succumb to her own mortality. The thought caused her stomach to flip uncomfortably.
She wondered if it could be possible that Eden was the person she was made for. Her soul mate. If so, how cruel of the universe to toy with them. She could never tell her what her family was. They were doomed from the start.
Raven watched with a watery smile as Eden excitedly jumped up and down with her mother. The smile on her face was painful to see because she knew that soon, she would never see it again.
Later that night, music filled Eden's messy room as they relaxed on her bed. Her parents were out at the bar celebrating, and they had the house to themselves. Raven eyed the trophy rack in the corner of the room, deep in thought.
"Where have you been lately? You've been acting strange," Eden asked, brows pinched together.
"I'm fine. It's just gonna be hard to let you leave," Raven said, giving a half hearted smile.
"You don't have to worry about me. You're the only one I want."
"Is that so?"
"Mhmm."
Eden placed a soft kiss to her lips which she returned. The kiss deepened, slowly igniting a flame in them both. The strong emotions coursing through them both added more fuel to the fire.
As their tongues battled for dominance, Eden slid her body atop Raven's. The warmth of their skin felt like heaven against one another. Raven's hands caressed the exposed skin of her lower back, causing the other girl to shiver.
When Eden's teeth nipped at her neck, she bit her lip. The feeling of embers burning in her lower abdomen causing her to move her hips aimlessly. A thigh came to rest between her legs and she shut her eyes tightly, giving in to the desire to rub herself against it.
Suddenly, hands slipped beneath Raven's shirt, moving toward her bra. Her body tensed. Something was off. Her hands caught Eden's and she kissed her deeply to distract her. Raven wondered what was going on with her body. She wanted this, right?
When Eden pulled away to trail kisses down her toned stomach, she opened her eyes to watch. Raven gasped, heart stuttering in her chest at what she saw.
Eden's short, auburn hair was replaced by a long, blood stained mane of curls. Hands the color of the moon gripped her waist tightly, and red eyes stared back into her very soul.
The embers that glowed within her sparked, turning to uncontrollable flames that made her ache terribly.
"Stop!"
Eden watched Raven retreat up the bed looking like she had just seen a ghost. Her chest heaved as she took deep breaths to calm herself. She felt more than a little hurt by Raven running away from her touch.
"Are you okay? Did I do something wrong," Eden asked, looking ashamed of herself.
"No. No. I just...it's not you," Raven stuttered, unable to come up with something convincing.
How could she tell her that she just imagined Victoria in her place? She wouldn't. It was wrong. It was even worse that she...liked it. A shiver traveled up her spine as she thought about it.
Eden regarded her with narrowed eyes and she could not meet her gaze. It was as if she knew. She felt like the girl could read her mind or see the feelings that swirled inside her like a hurricane. The guilt being the most prominent.
"Is there something you need to tell me, Raven?
Eden's voice was like a blow to the chest, knocking out all the air in her lungs. The look in her eyes was dangerously suspicious. She wanted to say something. She wanted to tell the truth and allow Eden to hate her and leave without ever thinking about her again.
It would be better to tell her now, instead of dragging it out for her own selfish reasons.
However she was, in fact, selfish.
"No. I promise."
Denali Home, Alaska
When Raven walked through the door, Victoria could smell that scent on her again. The odor of arousal and pheromones permeated her clothing. Her nose crinkled and she fixed her mouth to say something out of sheer annoyance, but she stopped.
The look on her face was sullen and not at all pleasant. Victoria wondered what had transpired and if she would need to maim Eden in the near future. Before she could say anything, Raven was bolting up the stairs and locking her door behind her. She didn't even glance in her direction.
"I wonder what's up with her," Irina muttered, visibly concerned.
"I think she's having some internal struggles. Maybe she's realizing that human isn't exactly who she's meant to be with," Kate said, smirking at Victoria.
"Maybe, you're right."
Victoria tensed, remembering what the girl had mumbled in her sleep weeks ago. She'd written it off as some sort of fluke. She didn't allow herself to think the young girl was beginning to feel the bond. In her mind, Raven was too young.
"No. I think she's just worried about Eden leaving for college. It's got to be hard on her," Victoria chimed in, trying to sway their train of thought.
Kate chuckled. "Yeah, but did you see the way she looked at you that night we went to the club? I think it's safe to say she was eating you alive with her eyes. You can't say you didn't see that."
Carmen grimaced. "Stop it, Kate."
Victoria shook her head, feeling uncomfortable with this conversation. Raven was just days away from turning seventeen. She was far from an adult in her mind.
"I agree, Victoria. Raven might be beginning to feel the bond. You should start thinking about telling her what's going on. I can only imagine how confusing it must be," Tanya warned, squeezing her shoulder gently.
"I don't believe she feels anything yet. Even if she did, I don't know if it's best to tell her. I don't want to take away her free will. She loves Eden," Victoria said, pursing her lips in deep thought.
Tanya gave her a sad smile. "Her path was chosen the day you saved her."
Victoria knocked on Raven's door gently. The music in the room quieted and bare feet padded to the door. There was a hesitation and a deep breath before the door opened, revealing the solemn looking teen. She waved her into the room without speaking, shutting the door behind them quietly.
Raven had been reorganizing. Some items were lying on her desk, and others were thrown in a basket on the floor. Victoria eyed the basket curiously, noticing the items weren't her's.
"All that is Eden's. She got her acceptance letter to ASU. She'll be leaving in July. I thought it was best to give her back her things," Raven said somberly, not making eye contact. She looked like she had been crying.
"Did something happen, Ray?" Victoria asked gently as if she would break.
Raven sat down on her bed and covered her face with her hands. She was quiet for a long time. So long that Victoria became concerned. She could smell the tears as they fell from the ledges of her eyes. She wanted to help, but she didn't know how. She looked as if one wrong move might knock her down.
"It's all my fault. I'm kind of a terrible person," Raven said shakily, wiping tears from her eyes harshly.
Victoria sat down beside her, feeling rage well up within. Eden had done something, she thought. She'd done something and made Raven believe it was because of her.
"No. You are a kind and loving person that wouldn't hurt a fly. What would make you say something like that?"
Raven sniffled, moving a mass of ebony curls away from her eyes. "It's nothing. I think I'm just really upset that Eden is leaving and it's messing with my emotions."
Victoria looked at her intently, sensing there was something she wasn't saying. More than anything, she could tell the girl was lying.
Raven finally looked at her, and her face softened. The deep crease in her forehead smoothed out and she breathed in deeply. The vampire placed a hand on her shoulder and felt the tension in her body melt away entirely. This reaction did not escape her.
"We're here for you no matter what. Remember that we love you, kiddo," Victoria said adamantly, lips curling into a reassuring smile.
Raven's eyes hungrily traced her face of their own accord. Her pulse quickened, hands becoming moist with perspiration.
Something about Victoria had changed, but she couldn't put her finger on it. There was a magnetic pull tugging her senses toward her when she was near. She felt a dangerously strong desire inside her when she was this close.
For what? She didn't have the answer.
It terrified her and made her feel butterflies in her stomach all at once. She prayed the feelings would go away as quickly as they came
However, they only seemed to gain strength with time.
"I love you, too."
March, 1992
The Denali home was filled with laughter and banter as they raucously celebrated the seventeenth birthday of their youngest coven mate.
After blowing out her candles and thanking everyone for her gifts, Raven made herself comfortable on the couch as her family and the Cullens talked about things she had no interest in at all.
Emmett bragged about the grizzly he took down in preparation for this visit. Alice complained about the Maserati she'd been talked out of gifting her. Rosalie incessantly insisted that she consider going to college with them.
Her mind was utterly preoccupied as she distractedly wondered how Victoria had managed to fit into her jeans. It was unholy how amazing her ass looked in them. She wondered if it was as soft as it looked. She shook her lewd thoughts away, but they always seemed to return.
Edward's looks of disapproval made her flush with embarrassment and guilt. She was in a relationship and yet, here she was daydreaming about someone she could never have.
Jasper watched her from the corner. He didn't need his ability to know what she was feeling.
Raven's eyes were glued to Victoria as if she were the only person in the room. Every now and again she would speak if spoken to, but it was clear her mind was somewhere else.
He felt her longing and the growing attraction she felt towards the vampire. It was stronger than he would have expected, being that she was human.
There were also large waves of guilt, anxiety, and confusion mixed in that made him pity the girl. She had no idea what was happening and why. However, judging by how poorly she hid her feelings, her mate would have no choice but to address it.
Victoria sat down beside Raven with a smirk on her face. The teen couldn't stop herself from inhaling deeply. Her scent had always been there, but it was more potent than ever. It made her head spin.
"You're almost a grown woman now. That means it's time to get a job and start paying taxes. Maybe even get your own car," Victoria teased, chuckling at the excited look on her face.
"I already know where I want to work. That little corner store in Talkeetna. My friend's grandma needs a cashier," Raven said enthusiastically. She was ready to gain more independence and show her family she was maturing.
"I knew I should've bought that darn Maserati," Alice grumbled, making everyone chuckle.
Victoria stood up, offering her hand to Raven who took it with no hesitation. "I hope you didn't think I forgot to get you something, little bird."
Raven hid a blush. "Of course not. You never miss an opportunity to upstage everyone."
"You know me so well. Now, close your eyes and don't open them until I say otherwise," Victoria commanded, placing a firm, guiding hand on her back.
Raven couldn't help herself. "Ooh, kinky."
Victoria arched a brow as raucous laughter erupted behind them. The loudest were obviously Emmett and Kate, who were nearly on the floor rolling around. Rosalie chuckled, saying something about Kate being a horrible influence.
Once outside, Raven gripped Victoria's arm hard to keep herself from slipping on ice. In the back of her head she knew the vampire would never let her come to harm, but her instincts won out. She was preoccupied, trying to figure out if she was more excited to have Victoria's arm around her than she was about her gift.
When they finally came to a halt, anticipation gripped Raven's heart making it beat faster.
"Open your eyes."
Raven's jaw dropped to the dirt.
She wasn't naive. She had expected a car. Maybe an Oldsmobile or a Cadillac. What she hadn't expected was the truck of her dreams. The one and only 1992 Ford F250 XLT. She could not believe her eyes.
Victoria watched her carefully walk around the massive truck, fingers caressing the onyx paint reverently. A soft smile pulled at her lips as she demanded to know if it was really her's.
"I saw that Rosalie gave you one of her car magazines a few months ago. You tore out the page with this truck in it. I thought it was about time you learn how to drive and what better vehicle than your favorite one?" Victoria said, smirking proudly.
Raven looked at her with pure adoration in her eyes, before throwing her arms around the vampire. Victoria returned the embrace, squeezing the taller girl gently. She chuckled quietly as the teen thanked her over and over again in her ear.
"I know you were planning on getting dropped off at Eden's today, but how about you drive yourself instead," Victoria suggested, brow raised expectantly.
Raven grinned. "Hell yes!"
Victoria sat in the passenger seat intently watching Raven shift the gears of the truck as if she had done it many times before. Her eyes narrowed, but she didn't say a word. She was just happy that she knew what she was doing.
"Not to state the obvious, but Eden taught me," Raven said, hesitantly glancing her way.
Victoria hummed, feeling that familiar irritation she felt anytime Eden was brought up. She breathed out slowly. She couldn't be angry at her for teaching Raven how to drive. That would be the definition of selfish.
"Eden's taught me a lot, actually," she chuckled.
Victoria stared her down, thinking the worst. "Oh really? Like what?"
Raven blanched, wishing she hadn't spoken. The gaze on her burned through to her core. making her shift in her seat. She kept her eyes on the road. If she looked into those fiery orbs, she knew she wouldn't be able to look away.
"Not like that, Vic. Anyway, she's taught me that it's okay to let go of the people you love the most, even if you don't want to. Sometimes it's better that way...for both of you," she said solemnly, hands gripping the wheel tight.
"Damn, Ray. That's deep."
With furrowed brows, Victoria placed her hand on Raven's shoulder in a comforting manner. She didn't know what the girl was going through, but it sounded like there was something big happening in her relationship. She would be there to catch her when she fell.
Once they arrived at Eden's home, Raven parked and sat there for a moment. She was nervous and it made her uncomfortable. Being around Victoria had never made her feel butterflies in her stomach before. Now, she couldn't figure out what to do with her hands.
"We made it here, unscathed. I'm proud of you, kid. How do you feel about getting your permit next week," Victoria asked, watching her eyes light up.
"Thank you, Victoria. You're literally my favorite person."
Eden watched from her window as Raven hugged Victoria. They melted together as if they'd done it a million times. Her eyes narrowed, seeing the way Raven buried her face in the women's neck. The way her eyes fluttered closed and she inhaled deeply made her seethe with jealousy. Victoria caressed her back soothingly and pressed a chaste kiss to Raven's temple.
Eden tore her eyes away as if she were intruding somehow. It wasn't right, what she'd seen, but then again it looked so natural to them. While Raven flinched away from her touch, she leaned into Victoria's reverently.
As she thought over their interactions, she began to seriously consider that there was something going on between them.
She wasn't certain she wanted to find out the truth.
