Rayna was woken abruptly the next morning by Billy flicking the lights on. Her head hurt, albeit not as much as the morning prior. She rubbed her eyes, groaning as she turned to face her father, who was giving an amused grin at her discontent.

"Good morning sleeping beauty," Billy's voice was loud. "We get to meditate, bright and early."

"Meditate?" Rayna's voice was scratchy, and she recalled the mornings she would spend on the beach with Rebecca, meditating to the sounds of the crashing waves. "Rebecca and I did that."

"She and I would meditate when she was younger," Billy's face grew reminiscent, lost in memories. "Before boys became cooler than spending time with her dad."

Rayna pushed her covers off her body, slinging her legs over the bed. She stretched her arms, shoulders popping and elbows cracking. She was pleased to note that her body seemed to be adjusting to the alcohol, not making her feel like she was run over like yesterday.

"Ten minutes, and I want you to be ready to go." Billy left her room, she could hear his wheels squeaking across the linoleum in the kitchen.

The carpet felt exceptionally scratchy against her feet this morning. It was old and worn, but strangely hard. It was the original carpet, had never been replaced, and she assumed her father and brother had never thought to use a carpet cleaner. As she scanned through her closet, she made a note to rent one herself.

She chose a grey tank top and white cotton shorts, taking them in the bathroom where she took a quick shower. Afterwards, she dressed and sprayed her hair with leave-in conditioner, leaving her hair down but slipping a hair tie onto her wrist.

To her surprise, Jacob was waiting in the kitchen with Billy. He looked just as tired as she was, giving her a small nod as she walked in.

"Don't worry, I'm not crashing your session," Jacob leaned against the counter, his face troubled. "I'm just helping dad get down there. I have shit to take care of today."

"Nice potty mouth." Rayna commented, slipping on her sandals.

Billy laughed, and Jacob just grumbled something under his breath as they made their way out the door.

Rayna was glad Jacob was helping, because although she wasn't terribly out of shape, she wouldn't be able to push her father through the sand without huffing and puffing. It would have caused her much embarrassment. She thanked Jacob before he left, who shrugged it off. He seemed bothered by something, and he left into the woods rather than heading back towards the house.

"So, how good are you at meditating?" Billy asked, patting the large rock next to him for Rayna to sit.

"I think I'm pretty good at it," Rayna bit her lip, sitting on the cool rock. The sun was just starting to come up, and the ocean was slowly rolling towards the shore in small waves. "Rebecca and I started meditating in the morning a year ago. It helped me work through a lot of stuff."

"Meditation is good for that," Billy's tone took on what she referred to as his 'storytelling voice'. "It will also help with finding your way back to your body when the universe brings you out. Soon, you will also be able to control it yourself, and travel wherever and whenever you want through astral projection."

"I've heard of that," Rayna looked at her father. "I thought it was just something the internet made up and wanted people to believe."

Billy chuckled at that, shaking his head. "Oh no bug, it's very much real. But, you have to have the talent."

"I don't know if you remember," He continued, staring out at the ocean. "But when you were younger, you would astral project without even realizing it. We would share dreams, having fun doing the most extraordinary things, because we both possessed the power."

"I don't remember that at all." Rayna furrowed her brows, thinking hard, but nothing came to mind.

"I wouldn't expect you to," Billy rested a hand on her knee. "Because I was scared that you were showing that power when you were so young. I forced it out of your memory, and now, it's time I unlock it."

"How did you do that?" Rayna questioned, once again facing him. He didn't look at her. "And why? I would have eventually had to deal with it anyways."

"Because bug, part of me hoped it would stay dormant and I would never have to deal with it," He stared out at the ocean once more. "Most of this, you will have to figure out on your own. I can answer questions, but I never fully grasped my shaman abilities."

"Shaman?" Rayna questioned.

"I'm Chief Black, and Shaman Black," Billy explained. "I never wanted to be a shaman when I was younger. I was bitter I missed out on being a wolf, and only assumed responsibilities as Chief. Because of that, the ability passed onto you. I didn't know that my selfishness would cause a burden onto my own children."

"It doesn't seem like anything could have helped it, dad," Rayna chose her words carefully, mulling it over in her thoughts. "Even if you had become a shaman, you would have passed at some point. If it was destined to be for me, then there wasn't anything that could be done."

"I suppose you're right," Billy gave her a small smile. "I just worry. After all, the universe will reveal secrets to you.. And I haven't always made the best choices."

"You'll always be my dad." Rayna said firmly, placing a hand on his shoulder for a moment.

"Very true," Billy nodded. "Now, it's time we begin. Center yourself, and place your hands in mine."

Rayna held her father's hands, and shut her eyes. She relaxed every muscle in her body, breathing in and out. The warmth in their joined hands grew, and she imagined it as a ball of light that grew brighter and brighter, until it enveloped her in its shine.

Everything faded away, and she was outside of her body looking at her and Billy. She turned her head, and to her surprise she saw Billy standing tall next to her.

He gave her a wide smile, and stood next to their bodies still sitting on the beach. He placed his hand on the back of her head, a large blue light emanating from his palm. As Rayna watched as the light slowly seeped into her that was still on the beach, she felt something warm slowly snaking its way through her skull, like she had warm water cascading across her head.

Rayna gazed around the beach, noting that the ground was doing the same moving and gliding it had done back when she had found Jacob. It made her dizzy, so she looked back on her body sitting on the rock. That was when she noticed the golden cord that came from the center of her chest, leading into the woods behind them. It shimmered in the light, and she couldn't stop herself from following it. Once again, she didn't walk, rather, she floated.

Not very deep in the woods, she came across a large dark silver wolf, who seemed to be watching over her and Billy back on the beach. The golden cord led straight in the middle of its chest, same as hers. They were connected, this wolf and her, and she wondered who it was.

Its eyes flickered up to her, almost like it could see her. Paul's eyes. They looked through her, although they narrowed slightly.

The warmth in her head stopped, and she felt a tugging on her chest. She left the wolf, feeling herself be led away by the feeling, and ended up back at the beach where her father was waiting for her.

"Focus your energy on finding your center." Billy said, shutting his eyes. He disappeared in a flash of white.

Rayna shut her eyes, searching for a sign. She felt something like a rope, and she imagined herself pulling on it.

Everything went white, and when she opened her eyes again, she was back sitting on the rock. Billy let go of her hands, giving her a smile.

"You did really well," He complimented her. "Did it take much for you to figure it out?"

"No," Rayna cleared her throat, flexing her hands. "It was like I had done it before."

"It worked then," Billy nodded. "You'll need to meditate, at least once a day, I prefer morning. Whenever the universe pulls you out, and things begin to take a turn that makes you scared, just find your center, and you'll be back to the present."

"So that's it?" Rayna asked, standing up from the rock. "You have nothing more to train me on?"

"You'll find that you already know what to do," Billy replied, his tone mysterious. "When you were younger, you were very talented at your gift. Now that I have unlocked it once again, it'll be like riding a bike. You don't forget."

Rayna nodded, looking down at her chest. The golden cord was no longer there, and she wondered why exactly it had been there in the first place. She wondered why it attached her to Paul.

"Need some help getting home?"

Rayna turned to the woods to see Paul walking out. He wore nothing but cut off jeans, and her eyes immediately stared at his chest, all the way to the V that led into his waistband. Her eyes met his, and he gave her a smirk.

"Could use some help if you're offering, I s'pose." Billy nodded to Paul, thanking him.

Paul came up to the two of them, and grabbed hold of Billy's wheelchair. Rayna followed the two of them as they all made their way to the little red house, Paul making easy conversation with Billy. Rayna forced herself to not stare at Paul's well muscled back, but failed miserably.

She hated how attractive he was. It made things all the more difficult.

Rayna opened the door for the two of them, and Paul took Billy into the living room. Rayna's stomach chose that moment to growl, so she decided she may as well make them some breakfast.

"Paul, will you be staying for breakfast?" Rayna asked, keeping her tone even. She was equally torn on whether she wanted him to stay or leave.

"I would love to." Paul grinned at her, plopping down on their couch and taking the remote. He made himself at home, as though he frequently came over.

"Of course you would." Rayna muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes. Paul chuckled, and she wondered if he had heard her. Probably a wolf thing.

She busied herself with making food; pancakes, bacon, eggs, and hashbrowns. She had noticed how much food Jacob ate, and figured Paul would be the same. So, she was extra careful on making enough for all of them to be full.

While she was cooking, and plating the food, she could feel Paul's eyes on her. A few times she had glanced at him, and he was staring at her almost in adoration. Of course, once he caught eyes with her, he would only smirk. She wondered what that was about.

She set the food at the table, and the men came over and ate with gusto. Paul complimented her cooking immensely, something she was a bit shocked about. Billy agreed, and told Paul she hadn't always been that great of a cook.

He launched into a story from when she was younger and attempted to make a cake for Jacob's birthday, ending with the entire kitchen being covered in failed batter, and the cake itself being only partially cooked. Rayna blushed the entire story, letting her hair fall over her face.

Once they were done, Rayna rose to start cleaning. Paul stood with her, waving her down.

"You cooked, I'll clean." Paul said firmly, gathering their dishes. Billy thanked him, and Rayna started to protest but stopped at the look Paul gave her.

Billy went back into the living room, turning on a sitcom. Rayna sat at the table, resting her chin in her palm as she watched Paul clean up. It gave her butterflies, the way he was acting. He wasn't like this before she left. In fact, he was the opposite. She wondered what had changed.

When Paul was done with the dishes, he turned to face Rayna, his arms crossed. "Let's take a walk."

Rayna bit her lip, looking over at Billy, and then back at Paul. She gave a small nod, and told Billy she would be back later. Billy just waved her off, focused on the TV.

As they left the house, Paul took her hand in his warm one. The butterflies came back in full force, and she had the strongest urge to kiss him. Again, she bit her lip, and kept her hand in his.

They ended up back at the beach, walking hand in hand along the shoreline. Again, this was different. Paul two years ago would never be caught doing something like this with a girl. He used to do everything in secret, that way, no one could ever call him out on cheating. That way, he was available to any girl he wanted.

"I was really pissed when you left," Paul began, looking down at her. "I found out through Seth, when he told me he blamed me for you leaving."

"I didn't just leave because of you," Rayna explained, avoiding his eyes and looking towards the ocean. "It was everything. Seth and I, we never should have dated, we were better off as friends. I should have ended it when I realized that, instead of getting drunk and making out with you."

"You were drunk?" Paul asked, stopping at the driftwood. He sat down, and Rayna sat next to him.

Rayna nodded. "Paul, everyone at that party was drunk."

He shrugged. "I guess. But I thought at Bella's wedding.. You told me that was your first time being drunk."

"First time being that drunk." Rayna lied, crossing her legs.

"Oh," Paul nodded, although he didn't look terribly convinced. "What other reasons did you have for leaving?"

"Well, my dad and I didn't have the best relationship," Rayna laughed humorlessly. "I always knew he favored Jake over me. I messed up with Seth, I messed up with you, I put the entirety of that night's blame onto you. I just felt like I needed a change. I needed something new."

Paul paused, and then he gently picked up her hand. Without turning her arm over, he gently ran his fingers along the inside of her arm. "Do you still?.." He trailed off.

Rayna shook her head. "Not for about a year. Rebecca helped me with a lot of things."

"That's good," Paul nodded, weaving his fingers with hers. "I feel like I owe her a thank you."

"Why?" She asked, looking out at the ocean.

"She kept you safe." Paul replied seriously. Rayna laughed.

"Why do you care so much?" She blurted out, looking at him. "I mean, being nice to my dad, helping clean up breakfast, getting the door for me, being nice, holding my hand- just, why? You never did any of this before."

Paul was quiet for a moment, his eyes searching hers. "When you came back, and I saw you again in your kitchen… It was like I was seeing you for the first time. Ever since then, you are all I see."

He said the words carefully, and they rang true. There was no hesitation or manipulation, they were raw and truthful.

"I'm really nothing special." Rayna shook her head, tears forming in the corners of her eyes. She didn't understand how anyone could feel that way about her.

Paul gently took hold of her chin, forcing her to look at him. "You are everything to me."

He leaned over to her then, and pressed his lips against hers. They were warm and soft, and Rayna eagerly kissed him back. He pulled her into his lap, resting his hands on her lower back. She wrapped her hands around his neck, pulling at his hair. His mouth parted hers, and his tongue explored her own. It took her breath away, and she lost the ability to think. His hands made their way down to her ass, pulling her tighter against his lap. It was when she felt his arousal that she pulled away.

"Paul," She gasped, as he started kissing her neck, bringing one hand up to cup her breast. "Paul!"

He stopped then, his eyes clouded with lust. "Sorry, I just lost myself there."

"Yeah, you kinda did." Rayna blushed furiously, untangling herself from him and sitting next to him once again.

"I hope I didn't make you uncomfortable." Paul said awkwardly, rubbing a hand across his neck.

"No, I really liked it," Rayna quickly responded, her cheeks still on fire. "I just uh, don't really want to do any of that on a public beach. You know, where anyone could see."

"We could always go over to my place." Paul grinned, only half joking.

Rayna shoved him playfully, still feeling his lips on his own. "We aren't even dating."

"Well, can I take you out for lunch tomorrow?" Paul took her hand again, standing up and pulling her with him.

"I would love that." Rayna copied his words from earlier, a genuine smile crossing her face.

"Good," Paul nodded. "I'll pick you up at eleven tomorrow."

"It sounds like you're saying goodbye." Rayna raised a brow, glancing at Paul as they started walking along the beach again.

"Well, I have some wolf things to take care of," Paul said regretfully. "I really would rather continue what we started on the driftwood."

Rayna shoved him again, pouting when he didn't move an inch. "You're bad, Paul Lahote."

"Only for you babe." Paul flashed her a grin, and Rayna's stomach filled with butterflies again.

He walked her back to her house, tugging her into a hug before she could open the door. She hugged him back tightly, his warmth seeming to heal the ache in her soul. She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, to which he smirked and kissed her lips roughly.

"Be safe, okay?" Rayna said when they parted, resting a hand on his chest.

"I always am." Paul grinned, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "You'll see me tomorrow."

"I look forward to it." Rayna promised, opening the door. She watched as he slipped into the woods, then locked the door behind her.

Billy was still in the living room, and she decided to go sit with him, although she didn't pay much attention to the show.

All she could think about was Paul.

hope yall liked this chapter! Lemme know what yall think.

until next time,

-TheFlyingGraysons