10. ‘Raven’

TEN

The meeting ran on and on, seemed like forever. Freak and I ran the computer part of it. We hacked just about every government agency in Montana, trying to find out who’s backing the brotherhood. We have some ideas but not enough proof. Tink finally called it at around six thirty in the evening.

Everyone starts to get up and leave. I grab my stuff, put it in my messenger bag, and quietly walk out of the barn, heading directly to my cabin. I need some solace to try and concentrate on all that happened today. Too much information, my brain actually hurts. I send a quick text to both Onyx and Ollie, letting them know I have a headache coming on. Tink already told me in the morning we would meet at the clubhouse and start the digging and pulling apart whatever documents we found. And I’m taking a deep look at Cliff Sterling and who he is. Something doesn’t sit right, not sure why.

Just as I walk past the empty cabin next to me, I hear footsteps. I ignore them and move a bit quicker to my own cabin.

“Brenna, wait a second, need to talk to you.”

Shit, it’s Ash. I don’t have the energy or desire to have this conversation now, though don’t think I’m going to have a choice.

“Come on in, Ash, I’ll grab us some waters. Just letting you know, not sure how long I’ll last, getting a migraine. So if at all possible, make it quick.”

Not looking his way, I open the cabin up and walk right to the refrigerator, opening it and grabbing two bottles of water. When I go to turn, he is right there. So close I drop the waters on the floor. He leans in and only his mouth touches mine in a soft gentle kiss. That’s it, then he’s turning, walks to the sectional, and sits.

I pick up the waters and go to the chair, plopping down. I throw his water at him. We both drink down at least a quarter of the bottle.

“I know you’re private, but I had to say what I did. And I mean it, Brenna. Regardless if you believe it or not, we belong together. I’m not going to lose this opportunity to be with you again. So warning, I’ll be around, gonna have to get used to it. I’ll let you get some rest tonight. See ya tomorrow.”

With that he gets up, leans in front of me, gives me another kiss but this one is a bit more. His lips are firm and when he swipes the seam of my lips, I gasp, which gives him an in. When he starts to taste me, I can’t stop the moan from escaping. His hands are in my hair and his fingers are applying pressure. As he moves his hands this way then that, I can feel the tension in my head becoming less. His mouth searches mine and his scent fills my nose. My arms are around his neck, holding him to me. Just as it starts to move in the right direction, I hear that familiar growl. Oh, come on, are you kidding me?

“Kids, time to break. Ash, if you’re gonna court our girl, probably going to need a chaperone. Don’t want no hanky-panky right off the bat. So say a quick goodnight now.”

She turns around, facing the wall, but I can tell she’s holding in her laughter as her shoulders are shaking. Right before Ash lets loose, Panther is at the door.

“Come on, Zoey, enough for tonight. They are adults, let them be. No, let’s go home. Ma?iitsoh and Zh???ii need to be taken care of and need some attention. Ash, those are our wolves back at our ranch. Enjoy your evening. Raven, I’ll see you tomorrow. George is also looking into some of the stuff we went over, so he’ll come along tomorrow to share what he’s found. Come on, Nizhoni, let’s go home.”

Watching them leave, I feel lonely and alone. Even Shadow found someone, actually her soulmate.

“What does nizhoni mean, Brenna? Never heard that word before.”

“It’s Navajo for beautiful, I believe. Now are you going, Ash?”

“Are you asking me to leave, or maybe you want me to stay?”

Looking at him, I cross my arms over my chest. His eyes go to my arms then to my body.

“You’ve changed, Brenna. When did you get so well ripped?”

“Part of the job, Ash. I’m tired and need to get some rest. I’m sorry you and your family have gone through what you have. I can’t imagine that. My club sisters and I will help as much as possible.”

He stares for a bit then nods, turning and walking out the door. I follow, close the heavy wooden door, and lock the deadbolt and handle lock. By the time I make it to my bedroom, my head is throbbing. Ripping my clothes off, I move to the shower, letting the cool water run through my thick hair. Quickly and efficiently, I wash my hair then condition. Next, I wash my body. Once done, I step out, dry off, and walk into my bedroom. Finding some sleep shorts and a long sleeve T-shirt, I put them on then walk directly to my bed, pulling the covers down and getting in. Already feeling better from the shower, I hit the button for my fan. Grabbing my lavender eye mask Taz gave me, which seems to help when a headache is coming on, I put it on and close my eyes. I start to take the deep breaths she’s always talked to me about. Probably by breath ten I fall into a deep sleep.

Not sure what wakes me, but immediately I’m wide awake. Lying in my bed, I take a minute or two to try and fully wake up and figure out what the hell woke me from such a deep sleep. Then I hear it again, my phone is vibrating on my dresser. Jumping up, I grab it and see a bunch of missed calls. Going to my phone section there are calls from Onyx, Alder, and just now Orin. What the fuck?

I hit the last call, which is Orin, and wait impatiently. When he picks up, I immediately know something is wrong by the tone in his voice.

“Brenna, please tell me Bray is at your place? My God, we can’t find her and Onyx and Alder are going to kill each other with blame. I don’t know what to do. How could she just disappear into thin air? Brenna, what do I do?”

His panic actually puts me at ease. I always work best under pressure.

“Orin, chill. Did you reach out to anyone else? Like Ollie or Mom and Dad? Okay, let’s split it up. I’ll call Ollie and Bennett; you call Oliver and Brooks. You call the Sterling ranch and I’ll reach out to the parents. I’ll also reach out to Tink to see what she thinks. Make the calls, Orin, now, and then get back to me. Talk to you in a bit.”

Without thought, I make my calls, taking notes, and telling everyone to keep their eyes open. Tink tells me she’ll be right down and hangs up. Great, better put on some clothes. I grab some leggings and a heavy sweatshirt, pulling my hair into a ponytail. Finally, heavy wool socks since right now Montana weather is all over the place.

I just walk into the kitchen to start some tea when I hear a knock. Walking to the door, I look out the peephole and see not only Tink but also Noodles, Squirt, Peanut, and Wildcat. I open the door and wave them in. Tink jumps right in.

“Anything, Raven? I put a shout-out to Zoey. She, Panther, and Avalanche are going to head over to Alder’s as they are closer. Didn’t want to but called my dad and he’s putting out a call out to all Intruders to get their asses up and start looking for Bray. Zoey said she’d call Sheriff George to go over to the Sterling ranch and make sure those assholes didn’t grab Bray again. I need you to stay chill, sister, we’ll find her, promise.”

I nod then ask if anyone wants some tea or coffee. As everyone sits around, I go back to the kitchen and start the kettle and get my Keurig ready to make a pot of coffee. I’m so in my head that when I look up at the window by the kitchen sink and see a face, I scream like crazy. The face ducks down and everyone runs to see what’s wrong. I point to the window, unable to get a word out, and Noodles is the first out the door, followed by Wildcat.

By the time I get out the front door, I hear some scuffling and muffles in the back of the cabin.

“Calm down, woman. Come on, we need to get you inside, you’re freezing. No, I’m not gonna let you go. Either walk or I’ll pick you up, choice is yours.”

Watching Wildcat come around the corner first, I can see Noodles dragging someone carefully. Don’t recognize her at first but when she lifts her head, I see it’s Bray.

“Bray, holy shit, you scared the ever-lovin’ fuck outta me, sister. What the hell, why are you sneaking around at night by yourself? Come on, let’s get inside. Noodles is right, you’re freezing, let’s get some dry clothes on you and some hot tea. No, don’t argue, I’ve got tons of folks looking for you, Bray. Move your bony ass inside, now.”

Slowly she walks in front of me toward the cabin. When inside, I can see her trembling badly. Very gently I put my hands on her upper arms and give her a push toward my bedroom. I can hear my club sisters following as Noodles is on his phone letting people know she’s here.

“Bray, get out of those wet clothes. I’ll get you something dry and warm. Come on, don’t be shy now.”

I don’t see her face but when she takes off the flannel-lined shirt and pulls her T-shirt up and off, I hear a gasp. Turning from my dresser, I see Bray standing in the middle of my bedroom, hands covering her bra-clad body. Tink and Wildcat are in the hallway and both have horrified looks on their faces. I squint to see her body better and notice the lines across her stomach. Also see round red circles. Just as I’m about to ask her how she got them, Squirt and Peanut push past Tink and Wildcat and pull Bray into the bathroom, closing the door. What the hell is going on, I think to myself?

“I’m lost, why did Squirt and Peanut grab Bray and shove her into the bathroom? I’m confused as hell?”

Tink and Wildcat look at each other, then both walk toward me. Wildcat pushes me down onto the edge of the bed as they both kneel in front of me.

“Raven, not sure, but Tink and I’ve seen that kind of abuse before. It’s done over a long period of time and is the work of sadistic pricks. I think our younger sisters saw how upset and embarrassed Bray was. Especially with you seeing the damage done to her. We’ll go sit with Noodles, try to get Bray alone. Then let her know how much you love her and are proud of her strength. Tell the young ones to come out so you two can have some private time.”

Nodding, I wait ’til they leave then go and knock on the door softly.

“Bray, hey, it’s just me. Come on, it’s okay. There’s nothing you can tell or show me that’s going to make me not be proud of my big sister. You survived, don’t forget that, so they didn’t win. Please come out and talk to me. You came to me for a reason, don’t let the fear push you back down. Bray, we’re sisters, no matter what. Remember what you, Onyx, and I used to say? ‘Sisters forever and always, no matter what comes our way. We’ll always be honest and tell each other the worst first.’ Please trust me.”

I wait and finally I see the doorknob turning. Squirt comes out first, grabs me, and pulls me close.

“Raven, she’s fucked up. Something wigged her out but she won’t say what. Take it slow. I’ll be out there if you need me.”

Next is Peanut, who just gives me a tiny smile then walks out following Squirt. I wait, and after maybe five minutes Bray comes out in my robe. It hangs on her and it isn’t until this minute I realize how skinny she is. I mean skeletal. I wait and don’t rush her, just stand here. She eventually walks toward me but stops within a foot or so from me. We look at each other and finally she drops her head.

“I can’t stay with Alder anymore. He doesn’t deserve to have to deal with my neuroses. He should be with someone who has their shit together. And if he knew what happened, he’d never even talk to me again. I know everyone wants to know every detail but, Brenna, all I want to do is forget. Why do I have to relive it? My mind is almost broken, don’t want to take the chance and lose the little bit of myself left. Do you understand?”

I nod but still keep my tongue. I’m outta my element. I’m best behind a computer being the nerd I am. Or being the clown of the club. I don’t know what to say or do and am afraid of doing more damage to my already severely damaged sister. Since I’ve not said a word, Bray turns around and drops my robe off her shoulders so it gathers at her waist. My mouth drops open and I can feel the tears rolling down my face. Her back is beyond a mess. I have no idea what they did or used, but her entire back is covered in scars on top of scars. Some look like old wounds while others look pretty recent. One even looks infected. My poor sister, I think as she pulls the robe back up.

“I can’t show this to Mom and Dad. Definitely not our alpha brothers, they’ll go to the Thunder Cloud Knuckle Brotherhood and get themselves killed. I don’t belong here and I can’t go back. Tonight, I was in the bathroom holding a razor blade, trying to get up the courage to just cut my wrists and end all this pain.”

That right there brings me out of my lack of reaction. I grab Bray and pull her close. As soon as she hits my chest, she starts to wail loudly. When I see Squirt and Tink in the doorway, I tell them to call Dr. Cora and the therapist from Blue Sky Sanctuary. My sister is in a downward spiral and needs intervention right now. I can only pray it’s not too late because my family will never be the same if she does something to hurt herself.

When Tink comes back, I quietly tell her to call my parents and tell them they are needed at my place. She nods and goes to do my bidding.