Disclaimer: Twilight is the property of Stephenie Meyers, my OCs belong to me
This chapter is dedicated to Alphabloodwolf, WriterNMomma Anonymous Guest and Noble
Leda
I sat on the end of the tree house platform, my feet dangling over thirty feet of open air as I listened to the wolves howl in the distance. Somewhere out there in the night my Loki was joining in that chorus with his pack siblings. I heard that mournful sound that raised the hairs on my arms and the back of my neck. I had never heard such a tone before, it was mournful.
Finally the sound died and I realised it meant the meeting was over and Loki would soon return to me. I couldn't wait, we'd be finally alone and no prying ears for miles. No parents around to overhear and no grandparents' roofs to feel uncomfortable beneath. It would be but Loki and I, our tree house love shack and a magical night of endless pleasure.
It wasn't long before Loki appeared beneath the tree and glanced up at me. He leapt up onto the platform and pulled my up into his arms.
"What are you doing out here?" He asked.
"Waiting for you." I said and kissed him. "We're finally alone."
"Yeah." Loki said as he lifted me into his arms and carried me into the tree house and placed me on the floor. "Let's make the most of it."
Loki gave me a quick peck before he closed the door and applied the lock. I turned to smile at him and held out my hand. Loki took it and I pulled him to me, moving close to him as if we were slow dancing. I placed my hands behind his neck and kissed at his lips. Loki swayed with me, and then I felt him smile against my lips.
"Maybe we should have some music." He said, and kissed me again before he went to set up his laptop, and soon music filled the little space with its hypnotic beat and sensuous melody.
I felt my body move to the music as Loki came up to me and I placed my hands behind his neck again, moving against him to the music, our lips meeting in a kiss. Loki's hands trailed over my back before he found the bottom of my t-shirt and trailing up beneath until he could brush over my breasts lightly with his hands, causing tingles through my body.
I reached down and lifted my t-shirt off fully, moving in closer to him, feeling the heat of his skin through his t-shirt. However, I wished to feel his skin against mine, and I pulled up his t-shirt until Loki pulled it over his head. I looked up into his pretty hazel eyes and smiled at him as I ran my hands over his chest, tracing his muscles as we continued to move.
I turned and backed into him, dancing against him, using my hand stroking into his hair to keep him close to me. Loki continued to dance with me, his lips kissing hungrily at my neck as his hands trailed over my body, setting fiery trails over my breasts and stomach, his right hand finally dipping down below the waistband of my leggings and knickers. He teased at my nether regions and I let out a moan before I dropped my arm from him to push off the rest of my clothing.
Now naked I turned back to him and pulled down his shorts, still moving with the music almost as if I were an exotic dancer. Loki laughed as he took my hand and pulled me back to my feet before he spun me into his arms and supported me as he dipped me, kissing at my exposed throat before pulling me back up and stroked my cheek gently.
"I love you." He whispered as he looked into my eyes.
"I love you too." I whispered in return and I looked into his eyes, feeling the weight of his love amplified and mixed with my own and directed back at me through the gift of his telepathy.
For a long while I was caught, looking into his eyes, feeling filled with something that was both heavy and light at the same time. We were no longer truly moving with the music, merely swaying as we held each other. I wished to become one with him, to feel him inside me and ride the rhythm to orgasm.
Loki lifted me from the floor and I hooked my legs over his hips as he slipped inside. It was divine as he moved within me, pushing me to that pinnacle where for a moment my heart skipped a beat and the only thought I had in my mind was of Loki and this sea of pleasure in which he had plunged me.
Loki lowered me gently to the ground and I panted as I looked up into his eyes.
"Can we be this happy always?" I asked.
"I'd get rid of the wolf this second if I could." Loki said, turning his head from me sadly.
"But then you wouldn't be you." I said, putting my hand to his cheek and turning him back to look at me. "I only hope that your vampire half can override your wolf."
"In what way?" Loki asked.
I didn't answer immediately; instead I indicated the blankets waiting for us on the floor. Loki sat down, propped up on a pile of pillows. I sat down, close to him, but sat up so I could look into his face.
"The wolf has screwed me over by not imprinting you to me, so I hope that the vampire wins out and what we feel is more than love. That it's the vampire mate bond and that allows me to have you forever." I explained.
"That would be the best." Loki said with a grin, but then his face fell. "But what if it's not?"
"If we hope enough then it will be." I said firmly.
"I hope for our sake you're right. If I don't love you then I won't be me. That's how long I've loved you."
"Have you really loved me that long?" I asked doubtfully.
"Yeah." He said sincerely.
"I remember you once told me you were in love with Lindiwe." I said, teasing a little for it had been years ago this fact was confided to me.
"First up, I didn't say love, I said crush, and secondly, we'd only just met. Be weird if I was in love with you then. Didn't take long for you to replace Lindiwe in my crush folder. I tried to keep it on the down low, I mean my actual affection, not my trying my luck now and then in case you changed your mind."
"You have a crush folder?" I asked, teasing him some more.
"Not an actual physical folder, but you know, here in my head." He said, pointing at his temple.
"I featured in your crush folder?" I asked as I lay down next to him, tracing my fingers along his biceps.
"Yeah." Loki said as he placed his hand on my hip.
"Did you ever peruse said folder in your adolescent explorations?" I asked lightly, not looking into his eyes.
"You mean, did I jack off to you?" He clarified.
I looked up into his eyes to watch his reaction.
"Did you?" I asked.
"How would it make you feel if I said the answer was yes?" He asked.
"I would think it was cute, although I'm glad I didn't know at the time." I replied, grinning at him.
"Why?"
"I would have died of embarrassment." I said with a laugh. "Everything made me blush back then."
"Yeah." Loki said, grinning at me as he kissed me lightly on the lips. "So did you ever do any adolescent exploration of your own?"
"Perhaps." I said, not expanding.
"Who was in your crush folder?" He asked, wiggling his eyebrows at me.
"Well I could hardly use Addie, he looked too young." I said primly.
"So. Anyone I know?" Loki coaxed as he kissed at my throat, but I was certain he already knew the answer.
"You are the most attractive man I know. Although I would not admit it to myself, you were the one I pictured in my mind when I didn't revert to celebrities."
"Why wouldn't you admit it?" He asked, and he was being serious, he wished to know.
"Because you were already sexually active and it frightened me. If I allowed myself to become enamoured by you I would be entering into adulthood in a way I was not yet prepared for." I whispered.
"I wouldn't have forced you into anything."
"No. But I may have been persuaded before I was truly ready. Better it be now when I can handle such a relationship. When I'm truly ready for you my lover." I breathed the last as I pressed closer to him and tangled my fingers into his hair as I kissed him.
"I guess it's not so bad you made me wait." Loki said as he took me in his arms and cradled me gently next to him as he stroked back my hair from my face and smiled down tenderly at me.
"No." I sighed.
"Now I got you all to myself, for me, and not just to experience." He said softly as he traced his lips over my face.
"Always and forever." I sighed as I closed my eyes, falling into the feeling of his lips against my skin.
"Always and forever." Loki said in a solemn vow, and in that moment I could believe it, the wolf spirit could go hang.
"My Loki." I whispered as I stroked his face.
"My Elfleda." He said as he lay on his back, cradling me to his chest so I'd remain safe in his strong arms all night.
"You've never used my full name before." I observed as I snuggled against him.
"I know, but I felt like I should tonight. It was important when I make my vow to you. Elfleda, Daughter of Alec, I will not imprint on anyone. I'd rather die than hurt you in that way. So if you're listening Wolf Spirit, the only girl for me is my Leda, and if you turn my head another way I'll kill myself so I won't have kids with that person."
"Loki. You cannot promise that!" I said in fear.
"But I mean it. I choose you, and if the Wolf Spirit pushes me another way…" He trailed off and shook his head. "You're the only girl for me."
I wanted to believe that, but I knew what imprinting did, I couldn't hold back the tears.
"I'm sorry." Loki said as he hugged me closer to him until I was crying onto his shoulder.
I tried to pull myself together, but I couldn't, not when I thought of my future without him.
Suddenly I was sat up opposite Loki.
"So the Wolf Spirit gets it, let's make a pact right now." He said.
"What type of pact?" I asked, managing to hold back my sobs.
"A blood pact." Loki said and I saw the colour leech from his skin until he was alabaster pale before he bit into his own hand.
"What are the terms?" I asked, trying to resist the pull the scent of his blood had on my taste buds.
"That if I imprint we die together." Loki said solemnly.
I looked up into his gold eyes to find that he was serious.
"A suicide pact?" I asked in disbelief.
"Yeah." Loki said seriously. "I don't wanna live if I have to be wolf roofied into loving someone else."
"Rohypnol? I never thought of it in those terms."
"Well it is taking away my free will. I choose you, and I don't wanna live in a world where that's taken from me. So we can make this pact…" He paused and looked deep into my eyes. "Or I'll just take myself away when it happens."
"I couldn't live if you were dead." I realised.
I loved him and I wanted him. I couldn't live without him and I would be devastated if he were to move onto someone else. If this blood pact was enough to stay the Wolf Spirit, then I would make it.
I bit into my own palm, drawing blood and holding it out to Loki. Loki bit his hand once more to re-open the wound and he placed his palm to mine. I could almost feel it as our bloods mixed in this promise.
"Forever and always, or not at all." Loki said solemnly.
"Forever and always, or not at all." I repeated in a whisper.
We looked into each other's eyes for a long while before I leant forward and kissed him. It was strange kissing his cold skin, but didn't feel wrong; it was just another facet of my lover.
Our wounds were healed and I let go his hand to wrap my arms around him and pull myself closer. We kissed for a long while, and I felt the heat return to Loki's body, he didn't like to remain in his vampire skin for long.
I broke from the kiss and laid my head on his shoulder.
"Thank you." I whispered into his ear.
"No need. It's for the both of us." Loki whispered back as he traced his fingers gently up and down my spine. "I'm yours through choice, nothing is gonna change that. Not even the Wolf Spirit."
"I understand that, but thank you for stating it never the less."
We were silent for a long while, merely sitting in each other's arms.
"Are you ready for sleep now?" Loki asked me gently.
I nodded.
I want to sleep and wake up in my lover's arms. I thought toward him.
I'm getting used to this. Loki said as I moved back enough for him to lie down. Don't know what I'll do when I have to run next.
I lay down next to him and snuggled into his side as he pulled a blanket over us.
I think tomorrow I will begin our search properly for somewhere to live. The sooner we do that the better. At least that way, even when you do run, there'll be a bit of the night we can sleep together.
That would be nice.
And we can sleep in a bed together once more.
That was one of the best things down in Wyoming. Getting to wake up with you in a nice comfy bed instead of a pile of blankets.
Yes. I agreed before stifling a yawn. Goodnight Loki.
Goodnight Elfleda.
I smiled as I snuggled closer to him.
I prefer when you call me Lee. I admitted.
I thought you didn't.
Not at first, but it has grown on me. After all, you are the only one to call me this.
In that case, night Lee.
That sounds more like my Loki. I mused and kissed his chest before drifting into sleep, held by my man.
Keelie
I woke to the sound of my alarm. It was six in the morning and I had to go with Mom and Dad down to Olympia to collect Alfie from his bus. He was back from summer camp and it was about to get noisy here again. The only consolation was that maybe he'd distract me from missing Olly.
I stretched and yawned as I stood up out of bed and felt myself flag immediately. Why did I have to think about Olly? If I hadn't done that I wouldn't feel that sudden chasm in my chest when he wasn't here beside me.
I forced myself to enter my bathroom and I turned on the shower. I washed, wondering if I could get myself to the Res anytime soon. Would Dad let me borrow his truck? Maybe I could ask Gran or Gramps. As a last resort I could always go over to Tregarran and ask Aunt Essie and Uncle Tobias. The only thing I had to do then was figure out somewhere to stay Res side. Maybe Rose Cottage, or Mom's round house if I fancied staying up at the lake on my own. I'm sure Mom wouldn't care, she'd probably see it as some sort of coming of age thing. If I really thought about it, I didn't see a reason I couldn't relocate there until the end of the summer, it wasn't like I had a job or anything here in the Pines, and it would be like Alfie going away to camp.
As I was thinking I'd finished my shower and now found myself dressed and looking in my mirror as I brushed out my hair. I couldn't be bothered to dry it, I'd just braid it. It wasn't like we were going anywhere important today. Just picking up my annoying baby brother.
I made my way down to the kitchen for breakfast, more of Mom's berry oatmeal. It was the right food to fill the stomach when you were travelling. Hopefully Mom would make me some if I did decide to go to the Res, because I wouldn't do it behind my parents' back.
"You're away with the fair folk this morning." Mom said as she sat down opposite me.
"I'm just thinking." I replied.
"About Olly." Mom said with a grin.
"Yeah."
Mom looked at me thoughtfully for a moment. "You want to visit him."
"How did you know?"
"Because I know the call of imprinting." Mom stated with a smile, which suddenly fell. "I also know the pain to be kept away from your imprint. It's like daggers in the heart."
"Mama, are you ok?" I asked softly as I reached out to put my hand on top of hers.
Mom looked up and smiled at me, but there were tears in her eyes.
"Just remembering the time the little spirit of winter kept me away from my Brave Hunter."
"Yeah. That time was difficult." Dad said as he entered the kitchen and sat down next to Mom and put his arm around her. "I searched your Mom out once, back when she was this mysterious woman who helped me take out two vamps then turned up at the lake when I was fishing. Me and your Auntie Tina tried to follow the mental steam and the little spirit of winter whipped us back to our bodies and left us lying in several feet of snow."
"It was that powerful?" I asked in disbelief.
Mom shook her head.
"It used my own power as it had for all the time I was the lonely warrior." Mom said sadly and Dad dabbed at her eyes with a tissue.
"Thinking this over, we'd prefer we know you're safe." Dad said.
"Thinking what over?" I asked.
"All the little plans you've been making this morning." Dad said, fluttering his fingers toward his temple.
"You were listening in on me?" I asked, feeling violated.
"Not on purpose. You were shouting it at me." Dad said.
"I was?" I asked, feeling embarrassed.
"Yeah. Kinda clear that if we don't condone it you'll reason your way to doing it anyway."
"Sorry." I said.
"So all we ask is that you give us a week so we can arrange for you to stay with Liza or Tony, or if not Rose Cottage. I would say the Cullen House, but I don't like Adrian." Dad said firmly.
"I'll take my sword." I promised.
"Yeah. But It'll be better you don't have to get into that. Whatever, we'll try and arrange somewhere."
"Rose cottage would probably be better, cause otherwise I'll have to share a room with Zoë or the GT. I can look after myself. I can prove it and it'll be a good practice for when I go to college."
"You still plan on that?"
"Of course. I'm not gonna change my career path, and Olly thinks it's noble anyway." I retorted.
"Ok." Dad said, frowning a little. "Well give us a week and we'll sort something out for you."
"Thanks." I said, feeling the love of my parents wash over me.
"It's better we know what you do." Mom said and winked at me.
"And even though you're only seventeen…"
"Olly's seventeen too, he's actually younger than me." I cut in.
"I know." Dad said. "We were Res side when you were born and he was born."
"Yeah." I said, feeling my cheeks burn.
"What I was gonna say is that you're both past puberty and I know how your hormones can run wild. If they do, just make sure you're careful. Use protection."
"Yes. Those modern penis gloves are a gift from the gods." Mom said with a nod, and I wonder why she just didn't say condom, she knew the word.
"We'll be safe." I promised.
"That's all I need to know." Dad said. "I'm not gonna be one of those unreasonable dinosaurs that declare full abstinence. You're both human. Mostly. You got urges. As long as you don't get a bun in the oven and have to drop out of school we'll be happy."
"I'll be careful. And as soon as I can I'll arrange an appointment with Carlisle for even more insurance."
"That is for the best." Mom said. "For as much as I like the utility of the penis glove, the little thing inside me that stops me getting pregnant but gets rid of the need of the penis glove is better still."
"Yeah." I agreed, realising Mom was pulling my leg a little using 'penis glove' so much, but I was determined not to be embarrassed.
"Then we'll arrange it." Dad said. "You wanna tell Olly now?"
"He was having a sleep over with Silver last night and I'd prefer to know what's happening before I let him know."
"Don't wanna give him false hope?" Dad asked.
"Nope." I confirmed.
"In that case, we'll let you know as soon as. So Rose Cottage?"
"Yep."
"I'll get in touch with Bella." Dad promised.
"Thanks." I said, before finishing my oatmeal.
Loki
I heard the sound of my alarm. That's what woke me. I would have hit snooze and dropped back off, but I had to find the damn thing to do that. Leda was sleeping against me, kinda pinning me to the floor of the tree house and I really had no idea where my phone actually was because Leda had brought it here when I went out to run and we'd been too busy undressing each other for me to think about asking where it was.
Suddenly Leda sat up with a start. Then glanced around before locating my phone and hitting the dismiss button. She frowned at the screen before looking up at me and her eyes caught me again. Taking my breath away, and I remembered looking into her eyes as we'd made the pact the night before, sealing the promise with our own blood. I was hers and she was mine, forever and always, by our own choice. Nothing else.
"Loki?" Leda called, and I realised I'd hazed out while I'd been reliving the night before.
"Sorry." I said, breaking eye contact, maybe I could concentrate better.
"I asked why your alarm was sounding. Is it for anything important?"
"Kinda. I gotta get my ass back to work today."
"So soon?" She asked, and pouted at me in a way that made the weaker part of me wanna stay with her in the tree house all day and for the rest of our lives, but the stronger part of me got practical.
"I've been away for a week. If I'm away any longer I might just lose my job. Now they know I'm back I should go in."
"That's very noble of you." She said as she put her hands to my cheeks and leant forward to kiss me. "Besides I have to look for houses. I shall do so, pick out the best and show them to you later."
"Sounds good to me."
"Then we should get dressed." Leda said firmly as she got to her feet.
"Yep." I agreed and pulled on the shorts and t-shirt I wore out running last night.
"I will be back down for four o'clock and meet you in the practice hut." Leda stated.
"See you then." I said, and kissed her before I unlocked the door.
We separated at the tree house since it was easier for her to run home from there and I went home myself. I had to grab a quick shower before work.
"So you're back." Astrid said as soon as I got in.
"Dirty stop out." Lydia added.
"No need to guess what you've been up to." Astrid said.
"Out at your tree house with Leda." Lydia said and made kissy faces at me.
"Don't be jealous kids." Mags said as she stepped out of her room. "Just because you both got blue balls, don't take it out on Loki."
"You think you're all that just because you've imprinted now." Astrid said with attitude.
"But you scratched his face up." Lydia bitched.
I growled and was about to launch myself at them, but Mags caught my eye, shook her head and smiled.
"Still don't make you any less jealous." Mags said. "Now get the hell out of Loki's way. Unlike you, he's actually doing something with his life."
The GT stood back, though I had to walk between them since they flanked either side of the corridor. I walked between them and went to grab some work clothes from my room before going into the bathroom. As I did that I could hear Mags chewing the GT out about mentioning Zeke. It had nothing to do with them.
I showered quickly and dressed. I needed to have something to eat so I went to grab a bowl of cereal from the kitchen. Dad was still here and he pushed a pile of toast toward me. He was in charge of breakfast this morning because Mom had decided to visit Auntie Prue for a few days. I sat down to eat.
You been here long? I asked.
No. Got in about two minuets ago. What happened between the girls?
Tell you later. I promised.
Ok.
We finished up breakfast then walked to the Atearas' furniture factory.
"It's gonna be weird going back to work." I said.
"Not really. It's kinda like going back to school after summer break. You have all those nerves over whether you'll remember everything, then as soon you get there it all comes back to you." Dad assured me.
"I hope you're right."
"You'll do good." Dad said and tapped me on the shoulder.
"I can only hope. Don't wanna lose my job now I'm likely to get a place of my own."
"Jane's paying it for a year anyway."
"I know. But I like working at the factory. It's good work."
"Then we don't wanna be late." Dad said, nudging me on the shoulder before he started running and picked up my pace too, racing him the rest of the way to work.
Robyn
I woke up and it took a moment for me to realise I was back in my own bed. Back home safe and sound with Addie safe in the room next to me. I put my hand to the wall we shared, almost like I could feel him through the plasterboard.
Morning Robyn. Addie thought toward me, and I felt the rush of love through me with
the sound of his mind voice.
Morning. I thought back. It's good to be home.
Yeah. Addie agreed.
So what are the plans for today?
Laze around and do nothing while I got the chance. He said. You wanna join me?
Where could we do that?
Fancy a run up to the lake?
As long as Seren doesn't put in an unexpected appearance again. I joked.
Nah. She's busy with her house. And we could always take a tent and set it up somewhere a little more private where we're less likely to get visitors?
Sounds good to me. I just got one change to those plans.
What's that?
I'll drive my car. I'm not really up for that long run this morning, and you've been through so much I don't want you exhausting yourself hauling my ass up there too.
Like you'd let me carry you anyway. Addie said with a snort.
Yeah. I don't wanna be carried. I'd like to move that fast on my own. I stated and I tried to picture in my mind what I'd look like as a vampire, or better still like Grace and Prue a half vamp.
I love you no matter what. Addie thought and he imagined us through the whole of time together, never changing, and always together wherever life took us.
Wonderful. I said. I'm gonna shower first.
Ok. Addie replied.
I got up out of bed, got my clothes together and went to use the bathroom. Addie stepped out of his room as I got back to my door.
Morning sexy. He thought, and winked at me.
I poked my tongue out at him, I didn't look sexy until I'd done my hair and makeup.
Addie frowned a little, but didn't say anything else. He just stroked his hand through my hair, kissed my cheek and headed for the bathroom.
I stepped into my room, wondering what had caused Addie to frown. I had a few guesses, like it didn't matter how I looked I'd always be sexy or that I didn't need the makeup to be sexy to him. Possibly that I was putting myself down and I shouldn't, because to him I was the most beautiful woman in the world.
Maybe that was true, to him, but imprinting, well imprinting turned any duckling into a swan in the eyes of the wolf. It wasn't Addie I was worried about, it was the rest of the world.
Of course up at the lake it would be just the two of us, and having Addie fawn over me all day would do me the world of good. Perhaps I should help him along a little, but just to be certain… I looked out my bedroom window that gave a good view of the trees, but if I turned just enough to the right I could see the ocean. It was actually sparkling today and the sky was as blue as Addie's eyes, only with wisps of cloud here and there. It was bound to be warm today considering it was high summer. Not Calli warm, but Washington warm. At least it wouldn't be like the last time we were up at the lake when it was overcast. And if I got cold I could wrap myself around Addie again.
With my mind made up I stripped off my clothes, including my underwear, and pulled on my itsy-bitsy bikini that I only ever wore when hitting the beaches in California where the weather was definitely hot enough. With Addie to warm me the weather would be warm enough here. I then dressed in my jean shorts and a vest top. They looked descent enough in front of Liza, and given that it looked like it was gonna be a hot day I didn't want to dress too warm.
I put my other clothes away before I ran a brush through my hair. It was short so it wouldn't take too long to dry. Then I packed my backpack with things I might need for the day and left my room to go down for breakfast.
"Good morning Robyn." Liza said as I entered the kitchen. "I thought I heard you and Addie moving about. Pancakes and bacon for breakfast?"
"Great." I said as I sat at the table.
"What do you plan today?" Liza asked as she served up some pancakes and bacon for me.
"We're going up to the lake to relax means the weather's so nice." I replied.
"That sounds wonderful." Liza said.
"It'll be nice to just relax after the week I've had." Addie said as he sat down beside me.
"You do deserve some time to relax." Liza said as she put a plate in front of Addie. "It's not just been this last week, but possibly the last month as a whole."
"Oh yeah. There was that whole mission from Jane thing." Addie said despondently.
"Yes. You must ensure you relax today."
"That's probably for the best. I might be running tonight if Loki squares it with Uncle Tony."
"You want to run tonight?" Liza asked with a frown.
"I have to start somewhere, and Loki said he'd show me the ropes before I have to run for real. If Uncle Tony will let us."
"I see." Liza said, looking thoughtful.
"That doesn't mean I want you to tell Uncle Tony to let us!" Addie said quickly. "I mean, it won't be right. It'll look bad to the other wolves if my mam has to step in and berate the Alpha. And it'll look bad for Uncle Tony that you commanded him."
"I would not tell him, merely suggest." Liza said a little flatly, but then she shrugged. "Very well, I will not speak to Tony of this. It is wolf business of course, I should not interfere. I should hate for Mother or Father to come to the school to speak with my superiors about matters regarding my employment. I must remember that whilst Tony is my brother and by extension your uncle, when it comes to pack matters he is your boss and I have no right to interfere."
"Thanks Mam." Addie said with a smile.
"Although I ask that you'll let me know as soon as you know."
"I will." Addie promised. "Although I doubt it'll be until this afternoon because Loki's got work."
"He's going back already?"
"He's already there. After all he's back on the Res and the emergency is over. He's missed a week of work. There's only so much time the Atearas can write off before it effects their business."
"Then I will see you this afternoon." Liza said.
"Ok." Addie said and we got up to leave.
Olly
I'd been awake for hours, but Silver was still fast asleep, snoring his head off in the family room. I'd stayed there a while lying on my airbed trying to get back to sleep, but I just couldn't. I got up, grabbed my pillows and went to my bedroom.
It was then I remembered that Keelie said she was gonna be up early. Did I wake up when she did? If that was true then it was weird. Would it always happen if it was true? What if we were in different time zones?
Whatever, Keelie had to be awake by now, and if not she'd just text me back when she was awake. So I text her.
Morning beautiful,
u up yet? xxx
Didn't have to wait long for the reply.
Who's this?
I frowned, wondering if she was being serious. She had to be kidding me around.
How many guys call
you beautiful?
I sent back.
You don't think
I'm beautiful?
She replied. I was just about to respond when her next text came through.
Ok. JK. I'm pulling your leg.
I'm awake and on the road.
We just left the Pines and
heading down to Olympia. xxx
You get to see your bro today? xxx
Yeah. He's been away for almost a month.
It's been quiet without him xxx
Even last week? xxx
Well no. That was interesting xxx
Glad to hear :) xxx
Listen. I'll text you later.
I'm starting to feel travelsick
looking down at my phone.
I'll text you when I'm in Olympia.
We'll be early anyway xxx
Ok. Look forward to your text xxx
xxx
I sighed and put my phone to the side before I lay back on my bed and thought about Keelie as I stared at the ceiling. I was missing her already. I missed seeing her and the scent of her and just being near her. Life was gonna be torture until we graduated. Why couldn't Hunter move back to the Res and be Alpha again? Keelie would be Res-side and I could see her every day.
Just my luck there was hundreds of miles of mountains between us.
Leda
I managed to get to my room without encountering Papa. As I showered I thought how much easier life would be once Loki and I had our own place. No messing, today I would scour the local estate agents and narrow down the places Loki and I might rent.
I made sure I was quick in drying my hair, and dressing into jeans and a shirt. Something that was both practical but looked like the attire one might wear when house hunting in this area. I went down to have breakfast to find that Kitty-Kat had already made some for me.
"You want me to drive you into town?" She asked.
"Yes?" I said unsurely, I could drive myself, but usually when Kitty-Kat offered to drive me into town it was to have a girly heart-to-heart outside of Papa's hearing.
"Good. Eat your breakfast and we'll spend the day together."
"You haven't got work?"
"No. I handed in my notice before all of this drama. They're starting to notice my youthful visage. They're joking at the moment to know my secret, but I recognise the tone. Soon they'll be questioning how I can look so young. Especially when I have a daughter your age."
"I suppose they would wonder." I conceded, for according to the people of Forks, Kitty Summers was my birth mother.
"Eat up." Kitty-Kat instructed.
I nodded and ate the porridge and fruit Kitty-Kat had prepared for me.
We were about to do the dishes when Papa appeared.
"I will see to the dishes." He said. "Why don't you ladies go about your day?"
"Thanks Alec darling." Kitty-Kat said with a little of her actor's flair showing through before she placed a big kiss on his lips.
"Thank you Papa." I said and kissed his cheek before I followed Kitty-Kat out to the garage.
I climbed into the passenger side of Kitty-Kat's car as I wondered what this was in aid of. We had the birds and the bees talk years ago, long before Papa thought I was ready, but when Kitty-Kat, being dhampir herself, knew I was ready. Even if I planned not to act for several years after, it was better to prepare me when my body was maturing than I make a mistake I would regret.
"Don't look so serious darling." Kitty-Kat said as she drove away from the house. "I'm not here to get on your case about Loki. Quite frankly you can do with him as you wish and that's not my business. It's not really Alec's business either. No. The reason I'm taking you into town today is to help in your search for a house. I know you will decide on the final property with Loki, but when Jane said she was paying you through a housing benefit, I thought I'd help you get the best deal. I've been in the business long enough to know how young couples can get swindled."
"How so?" I asked.
"You'd be surprised how easy it is to add on admin fees and the like. Yet if they know a competent elder is present they're less likely to apply the small print. You are my daughter Leda, I want to make sure you start out your life on the right footing. Just as I did for Simon. Just as I will for Robyn when the time comes."
"Thank you Kitty-Kat." I whispered.
"Now I won't push you into any particular property, but I will advise you. I can tell by the write-ups whether it'll be worth your time or not. I'd also advise not to rule out sale properties." Kitty-Kat explained.
"But I can't afford a mortgage!" I exclaimed.
"I know you can't, but Jane can."
"What has she said to you?" I asked suspiciously.
"She asked me if there was any property in the area that was worth the interest of the Coalition. I think she plans to buy the house then rent it to you. Once you are done, well there's a house in this area owned by VCAC."
"Why does VCAC need a house in this area?" I asked.
"One day we'll have to move on and we can't expect Carlisle to give his house to strangers."
"I suppose. Although it would have to be put past the Quileute Elders. Not to mention I would have to discuss this with Loki. It is one thing for Auntie Jane to cover our rent for the first year, quite another for her to buy it outright."
"It won't hurt to look, and it will broaden your options. Especially since you'll have certain requirements. You'll need a property that backs onto the woods and also offers some privacy from the neighbours."
"Yes." I agreed for it was something I had discussed with Loki.
"You may not find that while renting. And other's might be opposed to renting what they consider a family home to a young, childless couple with no plans to change that situation in the near future."
"That's something to consider." I murmured, it was something I hadn't thought about when we changed our preference to a two-bedroom house, and perhaps if Auntie Jane owned the house it would be less hassle when we wished to add Addie and Robyn to the lease.
"Besides you don't have to make a decision today. This is merely our first bit of recon to see if there are any houses in the area."
"Yes." I agreed.
"Don't worry darling, between us all, you and Loki will have the perfect little love nest." Kitty-Kat said with a grin and mischievous twinkle in her eye.
"Yes we will." I said firmly, unabashed by the thought that my stepmother was hinting at my sex life.
There was no need to feel embarrassed. Kitty-Kat had always been the one I talked to about such things unless I was near Lilly or Clara.
Addie
I got out of the car to pull the branches aside so Robyn could drive through the hidden entrance. She waited for me while I put the branches back into place and I climbed back into the passenger seat.
We smiled at each other before Robyn drove up over the hill to the lake.
"Where shall I park up?" She asked.
"Anywhere around here is good." I said. "I've had a better idea than trekking out with a tent."
"You have?" Robyn asked as she parked up on the little patch of ground we all used as a car park.
"Yeah." I said as I jumped out and went around to the boot.
"What is it?" Robyn asked as she joined me as I opened the boot.
"This." I said as I pulled out the box and the foot pump.
"A box."
"It's what's in the box." I said. "Come on, let's go closer to the lake edge."
Robyn frowned at me but followed me to the place where the fallen logs lay that had been used for years as a place for people to sit when they came up to use the lake. I sat down as I pulled the boat from the box and started pumping it up using the foot pump.
"What about oars?" Robyn asked.
"Oh yeah. I left them in the boot. You wanna grab them or inflate the boat?" I asked.
"I'll get the oars and bring our backpacks down too." Robyn replied.
"You sure?" I asked.
"I may be human but I'm not that weak." Robyn said with a snort before she stalked back to her car.
I didn't mean she was a weak human, but my bag was quite heavy since I'd packed all my camping gear. With her bag too and the oars on top it was gonna be a heavy load. I just didn't want her to strain herself. She didn't have to prove herself to me.
I carried on pumping the boat while I watched carefully as she put her backpack on her back then just about managed to lift my bag out of the boot before it fell heavily to the floor. Robyn grunted a little before she pulled the oars from the boot and slammed it shut. Then holding the oar in two hands she grabbed hold of the top strap of my backpack and heaved it up before she walked a few steps forward and dropped my bag again.
I went to get up to help her.
"Don't you dare!" She said firmly, shooting me a look and I dropped back down onto the log.
Robyn took a deep breath then hauled up my bag again. She got a bit further this time before she dropped my bag to the floor. She grunted, took another breath and heaved my bag up again. She dropped my bag ten times before she reached me, by which time the boat was inflated.
"What the hell have you got in here?" She demanded as she dropped my bag beside me, dropped the oars, then dropped down onto the log fanning herself with her hand.
"Camping gear." I said.
"We don't need a kitchen sink when we're camping." She said as she tried to rub life back into her hands.
"I did offer." I said.
"I know. And I got agro. Sorry about that. It's just…" She trailed off looking embarrassed.
"I don't care that you're human and not as strong as me. You don't have to prove anything to me, I love you as you are." I said firmly.
"I bet Leda could carry it." Robyn grumbled.
"Yeah. Cause she's dhampir, but one day, if it is a route you choose, you'll be just as strong." I assured her as I stroked her arm.
"Yeah…one day." Robyn said looking thoughtful before she glanced up at me. "Can't it be today?"
"Not a chance." I said, and shook my head.
"Why not?" She demanded.
"Because a lot of planning goes into making a new born, and you'd like to be warm at the end of it, right?" I asked.
"Like Grace and Prue?" She replied.
"Yeah." I confirmed.
Robyn nodded her head.
"Well that takes even more prep with harvesting the venom and the blood."
"So how about next week?" Robyn said with a grin.
"How about we leave it until you're at least twenty one?" I asked.
"Why?" Robyn demanded.
"So you'll look closer to how old I look. And we'll be the same age for all eternity."
"I suppose it won't hurt to age a few years more." She conceded as she rubbed the side of her face thoughtfully. Then she gave me a firm look. "But no older than twenty five."
"Anytime after you turn twenty one, let me know and we'll contact Carlisle." I promised her.
"Ok." She said and smiled at me.
"Of course, even if you aged until you were forty I'd still love you just the same." I said and brushed her hair back behind her ear.
"But not any older than that?" Robyn demanded.
"Even if you aged to one hundred." I said wistfully as I leant forward to kiss her.
"Well I don't wanna be a crone." Robyn said.
"You won't look that way to me."
"But I will to me and for me I wanna be forever young." She said firmly.
"It's your choice." I said and closed the kiss.
She pulled back on the kiss again and gave me a speculative look.
"Of course when I do change over we won't have to wait for days like this for me to be able to wear this." She said and stripped off her shots and top, which were already skimpy, but nothing compared to bikini she wore beneath.
I felt my mouth fall open and I glazed a little. We'd had sex, but that didn't stop her body stunning me. God she was sexy.
"So wolf boy, you gonna catch flies all day or you gonna show me how this boat of yours works?" Robyn asked in a low seductive voice as she tugged playfully at my hair.
"Sure." I said, leaping to my feet, and stripped down to my trunks before I lifted the boat up over my head.
I carried it to the water's edge and placed it down on the water. Robyn came behind me with the oars.
"You want to jump in and I'll pull us out a bit from shore?" I offered.
"Ok." She said and stepped into the boat and sat down at one end.
I picked up a rock from the shore and weighted it, it should be heavy enough, and launched it to the deeper part of the lake.
"What's that for?" Robyn asked as she watched it splash in.
"That's where I'll row out to." I said as I went to grab the two pairs of goggles from my bag. "If I get this right then I can use the stone as an anchor."
"Why didn't you just carry it in the boat?" Robyn asked as I placed the goggles into the boat and stepped into the water.
"Don't want to risk puncturing her." I said as I started to pull the boat out onto the water.
"Ok. But how will you use it? It's at the bottom of the lake." Robyn pointed out.
"I'll swim down." I said with a shrug. "That's why I got the goggles. And I won't suffer shock, I'll be in my vamp skin."
"Are sure you'll be ok?"
I nodded and stopped once I was waist high in the water. I heaved myself up into the boat and sat opposite Robyn.
"Shouldn't we face the same way to paddle?" She asked.
"Pass me the oars and I'll row us out." I said. "And before you say anything, this isn't me lording my supernatural prowess over you, but me, as your boyfriend, wanting to give you a nice relaxing trip on the lake. Be pretty bad of me to bring you out on the lake then expect you to get all sweaty."
"Well I'll let you do the hard part rowing." Robyn said as she passed the oars to me and I threaded them into the holes for the oars. "But you sure you don't wanna get me sweaty?" She added with a leer as I started rowing us to where I'd thrown the stone.
"Well I guess that's up to you." I said leering back at her and hoping I was doing it right.
Robyn giggled as she scooted down in the boat and reclined against her end.
"You know, I should have brought a parasol." She said, looking up at the blue sky.
"Is the sun too much? Do you want me to get your shades?" I offered.
Robyn laughed and shook her head.
"Not at all. I was just thinking, I'd be like one of them English ladies in them old-fashioned films. You know, reclining under my parasol as my handsome curly haired hunk rows me to a secluded piece of paradise."
"Maybe next time." I said and winked at her.
Robyn laughed as she stretched out her toe and ran it down my chest and straight into my lap. I felt the stirring and I looked at Robyn in question, but she bit her lip and gave me a coy look. I laughed a little nervously, because I really did want to anchor the boat before we did anything. The lake had a tide and I didn't want to end up wrecking the boat in one of the streamlets.
Thankfully I reached where I thought the rock was without any accidents. It was kinda close and I could only hope the cold water would help since I needed to swim right now.
"This is where the rock is." I said as I pulled up the oars parallel with the side of the boat and tied them in place so they wouldn't float away, but they wouldn't be in the boat either.
"You're really gonna swim down there?" Robyn asked looking over the side as I pulled my goggled on.
"Yeah." I said.
"But it's so far down."
"But not too murky." I said with a shrug as I dropped into the water.
It was cold, but it didn't really bother me, and it was even less of a bother when I pulled down the heat to my vamp skin.
"I won't be long." I promised, took a deep breath, and swam down into the water.
It got colder and I could feel the pressure build. If I'd been fully human this would be the point where my body would go into shock, I'd panic and drown as I tried to catch a breath that wasn't there. But my vamp skin could handle it and I found the rock I'd thrown in. I grabbed it then swam back to the surface.
Robyn gasped with relief as I took a deep lungful of air before swimming the little distance to the boat.
"Can you hold this a mo?" I asked as I handed the rock over the side of the boat.
Robyn nodded and accepted it in both hands. I hauled myself back into the boat and pulled off the goggles slicking my wet hair back over my head to get it out of my eyes. I grabbed the guide rope from the front of the boat and unravelled it to its full length, dropping the slack into the water until I reached the end.
Robyn without prompting held the rock out to me and tied it around a few times to make sure it was secure before I dropped it into the water, knowing it would reach the bottom.
"We ok now?" Robyn asked.
I nodded.
"Good." Robyn purred and she moved from her side to my side, wrapping her arms around my neck as she kissed me and fell on top of me.
I supported her as I kissed her back.
Robyn pulled back a little and stroked back my hair over and over as she looked over my face. It was then that I noticed the little specks of light dancing across her face.
"Wow, you feel so different." She said as she ran her fingers over my face then down over my chest.
"Sorry." I said, and let the heat rise back up.
"I wasn't complaining." She said, looking up into my eyes as her hand continued down. "Just making an observation. It's the first time I've really seen you in your vamp skin. I wanted to see how it felt up close."
"You still want to?" I asked hesitantly.
"Would you feel comfortable?" Robyn asked, and she was being serious with that question.
I shrugged.
"I guess we'll only know by experimenting." I said.
"We can try it once and if either of us don't like it we can strike it off the list." Robyn whispered.
I nodded and pulled down the heat.
"I think that's the weirdest part." She said looking into my eyes. "Not you losing the tan, but those sky blues turning gold."
"It's something I can't help." I said.
"I know, just observing again." Robyn said and brushed her lips against mine. "I think I could get used to it though, if this experiment goes well."
"Yeah." I said, then stroked her cheek and looked into her eyes. "So how do you want to do this?"
"Let's find the best way." She said and kissed me.
Keelie
We reached Olympia at half past nine, so it was half hour before the bus would get back. It meant we could stroll from the parking lot to the university bus port where the kids would be dropped off from camp.
There were already a few parents hanging around when we got there, some of them I recognised because their kids went to school with Alfie. Tory was there too, but her parents were nowhere to be seen.
She came over to me when she spotted me.
"Picking Gina up?" I asked as I quickly sent Olly a test to say I'd arrived in Olympia and I text him when I got home.
"Yep." Tory said, looking a little annoyed. "Mom decided to hit the town last night and has one of those twenty-four hour bugs again." She griped, air-quoting the ailment because we both knew she was hungover.
"And your Dad?"
"Working out of town. All Mom had to do was hold out until today." Tory sighed heavily.
"If you'd told us we could have picked Gina up."
"It's ok. She knows you and all, but at least one member of the family should be here to greet her." Tory said warily.
"I'm sorry." I said and hugged her.
Tory hugged me back and sighed sadly.
"I wish my family was like yours."
"You do?"
"Well look, both your parents down here and perfectly healthy to pick Alfie up from camp, and his sister here too."
"Gina's lucky to have you." I said.
"She won't see that. She'll grouch at me cause Mom's not here. She's only thirteen. She's too young yet for her to learn about Mom's illness."
"Well you know what we were like at that age. She might grouch and hate on you right now, but when she's older she'll realise all you did for her."
"Thanks Keel." She said and hugged me tighter.
I tapped her back and wished I could do something about her situation, but there wasn't much. I was still a kid and I couldn't scare Tory's mother straight. Whatever I tried would probably make her drink more.
Just then the big yellow bus pulled into the bus port and docked at one of the stands. The driver got off first and started unloading bags from the bus's hold. Then a camp counsellor got off the bus and started directing the kids to collect their belongings while another counsellor motioned the kids to line up ready to be given over to their guardians. They made sure all their kids had their belongings before they started going through the list to make sure the kids went with their guardians. I could see Alfie, weighed down by his bag but bouncing on the balls of his feet ready to come to us.
Lucky for him, having the surname Black and a first name beginning with A, he was the second on the list. He came running over to us and hugged Mom and Dad in one go. He was enthusiastic to see them, but then he was only nine and it was his first time away at camp.
Tory's surname was Collyer, so Gina wasn't that far behind Alfie. She trudged over to Tory already looking pissed.
"Where's Mom?" She asked.
"Mom's ill." Tory said.
"You mean she's drunk again." Gina grouched, glaring down at the floor. So much for her being too young to know about her mother's ailment.
"Keelie, I said I got you something." Alfie said and I turned my attention to him.
"You did squirt?" I asked.
Alfie stuck his tongue out at me but held up a dream catcher.
"We learned to make these. I mean I know how to make them but it was fun pretending I didn't."
"You did?" I asked as I accepted the dream catcher.
"Well no one likes a show off." Alfie said with a shrug.
"Shall we go now?" Mom asked.
"Yeah. I'm just gonna say bye to Tory. I'll catch you guys up."
"You heading back now?" I asked.
"We don't want Mom to choke on her own vomit." Gina grouched.
"We'll be ok." Tory said. "I'll see you around."
"Ok." I said. "Where are you parked?"
"At the 5th street lot."
"That's where we are. I'll walk with you. Gina, I bet you're tired after that journey, you want me to get your bag?"
Gina gave me a stroppy look, but shrugged off her bag and dumped it at my feet. I gave her a look, I'll give you a pass this time, but there's no need to be rude. I picked up her bag.
"Gina you're supposed to say thank you." Tory hissed.
"She offered!" Gina snapped back.
I didn't wanna get in the middle of that so I started walking toward the parking lot.
"Hey that's my bag!" Gina said and started running after me as Tory caught up too.
"I know. I'm just getting you to the parking lot. I don't wanna miss my ride."
"You walk fast." Gina said, struggling to keep up.
"Now you know why Keelie's on all the track teams." Tory said.
"Well that's running. This is walking."
"Power walking." I said and we caught up with Mom and Dad.
"You girls ok?" Mom asked.
"Yeah. We're power walking. That keeps you fit, right Mrs Black?" Gina said brightly.
"Yes." Mom said with a nod.
"We did walking at camp, didn't we Alfie?"
"Oh yeah." Alfie said from his perch up on Dad's shoulders. "And we might have seen a bear."
"It was just a squirrel. Burgess was just exaggerating." Gina said blandly.
"I guess it looked kinda small." Alfie conceded. "Stupid Burgess." He growled and I noticed Dad frown a little, guess that was a task for big sis, getting Alfie to talk about this Burgess guy. I could get Alfie to talk about anything.
"How long is it until we get to the parking lot? My feet are tired." Gina said before yawning.
"Not long now." Tory said, and she glanced at Dad and I knew she was trying to imagine her own father carrying Gina like that and failing.
"Come on. We are keeping fit." Mom said, trying to encourage Gina.
"Hopefully." Gina said warily.
"There it is." I said as we rounded the street corner and the parking lot came into view.
"Finally." Gina said as if we'd just done a ten-mile hike.
"Let's get home." Tory said as she put her arm around Gina.
"Wherever that is." Gina said sadly.
"Our house." Tory said firmly.
"Just our house? Without Mom and Dad?" Gina whispered.
"Ask me in a year or two." Tory said and kissed Gina's head. "We'll talk in the car."
Gina nodded her head.
"I can take Gina's bag from here." Tory said and I didn't hesitate to hand it over.
"Ok. See you around."
Tory gave me a weak smile before walking off with Gina.
Tory will make sure Gina's ok. Dad thought to me as we headed toward our car.
I know. I replied before I got Alfie in a headlock and ruffled his hair when Dad put him down.
"You ready to go home kid?" I asked.
"Yeah." Alfie agreed. "I can't wait to see my room again."
We all laughed as we climbed in the car and Dad drove us home.
Thank you for reading
Reviews are welcome
Gemma x
P.S. This would have been up hours ago, but FFn had an error when I tried to upload the chapter to Doc manager.