Deanna Kinney - Raven's Rose

Raven was tucked deep into the gazebo, out of the reach of the sun’s rays, and Rose couldn’t enjoy the view until she was all the way inside. Once inside, she marveled at how handsome he was, with his dark tux, so striking against his pale skin and dark eyes. He smiled then, setting her nerve-endings on fire. She couldn’t believe it. Was this man really hers?

He took her hand and gathered her to his side. She glanced up into his deep, passionate eyes, and she knew things would be forever different from that very moment on. And she was right.

“Okay, let’s get this meeting started,” Levi said, “Raven, you coming?”

Raven barely looked up from his phone as he held up his finger to indicate he needed one more minute. He wanted to touch base with Sophia before the meeting began, but she wasn’t answering her phone. She knew how important it was to be accessible after the incident with Kyle. Her safety was more important to him than anything, and if he couldn’t reach her, he wouldn’t be able to function properly.

Jordan rushed in, throwing his backpack on the table. He was always late to these things. As soon as Raven spotted him, he rushed over to inquire. “Jordan, did you see Sophia this afternoon?” He didn’t want to alarm anyone, but keeping the anxiousness from his voice wasn’t easy for him.

Jordan shrugged. “Oh, yeah. I saw her after school. She seemed fine to me.”

Raven suspected that Jordan might still be slightly sore over not winning Sophia for himself. “Oh. Well, thank you.”

Raven continued to pace even as Levi began the meeting.

“Does anyone know where Eli is? He’s missed three of these meetings already,” Levi remarked. “Raven, do you know where he is?”

Raven was pulled back into reality then. “No. I am sorry, but I do not know where Eli is today. He has been gone all day long. I am sorry, Levi, but I must go. I fear something has delayed Sophia, and I am concerned. I will try to hurry back.”

Levi appeared worried as well. “Yes, of course. Please call me as soon as you find her. God’s speed.”

“Thank you, Levi,” he said, exiting the room with velocity and grace. He entered the car garage seconds later, jumping into his car and accelerating up the ramp and into the forest.

He reached the school in record time and ran from the car and into the building. The sun barely had time to touch him, but he was already beginning to feel the effects from it.

After searching most of the building, he finally located her in the library. She was exiting the room with books in her arms. She jumped when she spotted him. “Oh, Raven! You scared me. What are you doing here? I thought you had a meeting.”

“I was worried about you. I tried reaching you on your phone, but you did not answer. Is everything all right?”

“I’m such an idiot. I’m so sorry, Raven. My cell battery died. I must’ve forgotten to charge it last night. I thought you’d be preoccupied in the meeting. I really wanted to get these books for a report due soon. Please forgive me.”

He took all of her books into one hand and pulled her against him with the other. “I am just so relieved that you are fine.”

He snuggled her neck, and she giggled. “Well, I don’t know about fine. If you keep doing that I’m going to be very worked up.”

He pulled back and gave her a wicked grin. “Well then. Let us get you home as fast as possible.”

Before she could respond he scooped her up into his one arm and carried her from the building. As he was placing her in the car, however, he stumbled. She stiffened, and he knew she had noticed.

“Raven, maybe I should drive. We need to get you out of the sun right away. I can tell it’s affecting you.”

He grinned. “It is not the sun that is affecting me, my love. It is you.” But he knew she wasn’t buying it at all.

They were halfway home, taking curve after curve on the winding mountain road, when suddenly a dark Humvee with darker windows came flying up fast behind them. Raven didn’t want to alarm Sophia, but he instantly had a bad feeling about this vehicle.

“Hold on,” Raven told Sophia as he rolled down his window and tried waving them past, but they wouldn’t have it. They sped up, tapping Raven’s back bumper.

“What do they want?” Sophia yelled, clearly shaken.

“Here, call Levi immediately!” Raven said, pressing his phone into her hand. He then took the wheel firmly with both hands. “Hold on!” He sped up, taking the curves way too fast.

Sophia pushed the buttons with urgency before glancing back at the big vehicle. “Raven! Look out!” she screamed as the Humvee slammed into the rear of their car, pushing them over the edge of the road and flying into the air.

Raven blurred as he unbuckled his seatbelt and dove in front of Sophia, shielding her body from the impact.

The car slammed into a tree, catapulting Raven’s body through the windshield, over the hood of the car, and into the forest.

The meeting was finally over and Levi felt it went pretty good, despite two of his key players being absent. Then he remembered Rose and started to retrieve his cell phone when Charity entered the room.

“Hey, puppy. How did the meeting go?” she said playfully, wrapping her arms around his neck as she leaned in for a quick, but sweet, kiss.

He pulled her into his arms as close as he could possibly get considering the huge protruding belly between them. “It went well. Raven had to leave, and Eli was another no show though.”

She pulled away in a huff. “That stinking Eli! What’s his problem anyway?”

He let out a deep sigh. “Who knows.”

“You know, maybe we should have him neutered. That will keep him at home.”

“Hmm,” Levi said, rubbing his chin, seriously considering it.

She laughed, taking his hand in hers. “You know this rubbing-the-chin thing is becoming a familiar trait of yours, but it’s cute.” She winked at him. “Did, you say Raven had to leave?”

Levi nodded, rubbing his chin again, still pretending to think.

She pushed him playfully. “Stop that. Why did Raven leave?”

Levi pulled her into his arms and proceeded in telling her what happened.

“Well, did he call you to say he found her?”

He released her and pulled out his phone. “I was about to check when you came in.” He pulled up his messages. “Here’s one from him.”

“Well, aren’t you gonna listen to it?”

“Yes ma’am,” he responded in mock irritation. As he pressed the button and began to listen to it, all he heard was Rose scream the words, “Raven! Look out!”

“Raven and Rose are in trouble!” he shouted, dialing his phone again.

Charity was quick. She grabbed his phone but instead, inserted her fingers into her mouth and created the most ear piercing whistle heard to date.

Within seconds most of the pack were rushing inside the Meeting Room.

“Okay,” Levi started, “Raven and Rose are in trouble. It sounded like a car wreck. Let’s split up and search. Be on your guard. Raven had to have had a reason to wreck. Maybe it’s the sun, or he may have had outside help.”

Charity started to follow when Levi grabbed her arm. “Oh no you don’t. You stay here and take care of yourself.”

“I don’t think so. Those are my friends out there.”

“And I—will—find—them. Please stay here and keep you and our babies safe.” He smiled a gentle smile and ran his hand down her cheek. “Please, kitten. For me?”

She sighed. “Fine. But please call me as soon as you know something.”

That was easier than he thought it would be. He was sure she’d give him a hard time about going, but he couldn’t bear the thought of her and the babies in danger. No one knew yet what they were facing. “I promise. Thank you, baby.”