Lone Wolf Rising (Paranormal Romantic Thriller) (The Winters Series) (28 page)

Savvy sipped her Chai tea as she sat on the front
 patio contemplating how she was going to be able to help her.  Rebecca was a strong person.  She tried to take everything on by herself, despite the fact that she had a built in support system with her family.  It was idealistic at best.  She internalized everything, made it her own personal war.  She worked to protect Savvy and Hunter from everything that threatened to take away the perfect childhood she thought they deserved.  Unfortunately, she forgot she was only a teenager herself.  Granted, they were both only thirty seven days away from turning eighteen, legal adults.  But it was still young.

Usually, Savvy
recognized the signs before her dearest sister spun out of control, but this time there were no signs.  This time she couldn’t stop the train crash from happening and now she needed to help pick up the pieces of Rebecca’s life and help her get back on the right track. 

Her attention was drawn to the magnificent sunrise.  It had been a long time since she watched the sun battle against the moon for
 daybreak.  It was perhaps the most spellbinding moment of the day.  She watched the moon lose ungracefully to the victorious sun in vibrant colors across the sky as she contemplated how she was going to help Rebecca.  

The mess was already in place, now she needed to find a way to keep Rebecca from spiraling into the darkness; she’d done it before and that Rebecca was not a pretty picture.  Something about this time was different.
  Rebecca was different; maybe a little stronger but still weak against guilt.  When Savvy looked into her eyes, it was like she was seeing a different person.  It also didn't help that Rebecca was hiding things from her. No matter how honest she tried to be last night she hid behind half truths.  It wasn't just what happened with Gabriel, although that was the incident that made it clear Rebecca was falling apart. 

For days, Savvy had been spying on her sister, trying to figure out what Rebecca was hiding.
  At first, she thought it was Lucky, and then maybe Gabriel. Now she knew it was more.  It was everything.  And it all started Friday night when their psychic connection was broken.

The disconnection from Rebecca was unsettling.  Even at her darkest hour Rebecca never shut her out.
   It was in those moments that she sought her siblings out.  It worried Savvy more than anything else ever had.  The lies, half truths, and the way Rebecca had been dancing around them weren’t like her.  Rebecca learned long ago that Savvy wouldn’t let her run away.  Sometimes she felt like she was smothering her sister, but it was necessary to keep her safe. 

“Well, it looks like you’re up early.”
  Lucky smiled warmly as he approached her on the step.  Startled, Savvy glanced up and could have sworn his golden curls and dimpled cheek made him look like an angel.  It had to be the light of dawn that gave him a halo.  

Instead of going inside to find Rebecca,
 he sat down beside her and Savvy found her heart fluttered like butterfly wings in flight.  Memories of the night she rode on his Harley to pick up Rebecca’s car flushed her neck and cheeks with a twinge of red.  She was thankful he didn’t notice.  She guessed that it was fair.  Rebecca had a crush on the guy she was interested in and Savvy had one on hers.  It was odd; they had never fought over boys.  None of them were worth losing their special bond against the painful world. 

Savvy closed her eyes and breathed in deeply; fighting off the desire to tell him what happened last night.
  He deserved to know, but Rebecca deserved to be the one to tell him.  And from what she gathered last night that was one of the first things on Rebecca’s agenda. 

Savvy compared the two guys.  They were both built like someone who spent hours a day in the gym.  Long, lean muscles rippled under their skin when they moved their bodies.  Their faces were different.  Gabe’s was hardened, rugged, which was strange for someone so young.  It was obvious he had a difficult life.  Savvy could relate.  Lucky’s face, however, was softer, but still strong.  He was cute and Gabe was handsome.  He was light and Gabe was darker.  In that moment, Savvy did not envy Rebecca’s choice.  They were both amazing specimens, both offered great potential.

"Yea, it’s beautiful here in the mornings and evenings, but the afternoons, well you know."  Savvy decided she better answer him before he realized she was focused on introspection.  While Savvy was good at acting like she was an extrovert, she was more comfortable being introverted and reflective.  In that way, she was more like Rebecca than either of them recognized.

Lucky nodded.  "It feels like we’re walking in an oven."
  He chuckled lightly.

"That’s a perfect description!"
  Savvy laughed with him.  She couldn't help but laugh.  It was easy to see why her sister found him so appealing.  Everything about him was perfect.  She diverted her attention back to the rim of her cup, feeling guilty for admiring Rebecca’s boyfriend.  “Did you see the local news fry an egg on the dash of a car the other day?  It was a story about how hot it gets in a car during the heat of the day.  They were trying to point out that leaving an animal or baby in the car in this heat is deadly.”  It was an interesting take on shock value and Savvy felt it was also a great change of subject topic.  Who didn’t find science experiments in the real world interesting?

He chuckled, “no, I didn’t, but now I think I will have to try it as an experiment.”

“Just don’t eat the egg.”  Savvy offered a weak grin over the rim of her cup.  The silence stretched out between them as they continued to watch the battle in the sky. 

Finally, Lucky asked, "What’s wrong?"
  His eyes searched the side of Savvy’s face.  She was ashamed to admit she felt the heat from his intense gaze.  She never liked it when people stared too long at her, and his searching made it more unbearable.

"I’m worried about my sister."
  She blurted it out.  She really hated that about him.  It was impossible to lie to Lucky when he asked a direct question.  She noticed that special skill of his this weekend.  So instead of letting him probe for answers with those deadly golden amber eyes she decided to lead the conversation.  "Becca hasn’t been acting herself lately."  Savvy sipped the tea and enjoyed the taste of milk, cinnamon and cloves on her tongue before going on.  "She seems more self-destructive than normal.  If I know my sister - that is dangerous."

"Why do you say that?"
  Lucky trained those eyes on hers. 

And with one question he was back in control.
  "Surely you see it; skipping school, yes I knew about that!  The lack of involvement or interest in school work. She was up late last night working on an extra-credit paper for history which happens to be her favorite subject.  Not to mention the way she’s been skipping family commitments.  However, the biggest concern is that she hasn’t picked up her guitar or song book since the incident."  That last one really scared Savvy.

"What incident?"

Savvy swallowed hard against the lump in her throat.  Somehow she feared she was telling him something she shouldn't be talking about.  "The night you two spent in the Superstition Mountains.  The night we lost our twin connection.  And then there’s you.  You came out of nowhere.  I don't know if you know this but my sister isn’t the type for relationships and she really likes you.  In fact, aside from me, Hunter, and grandmother, you’re the longest relationship she’s ever had."

He nodded, "So basically, the only one she’s ever had; I mean we’ve only been seeing each other for a couple of weeks."

"And you two are always together, unless she’s with Gabriel."  Savvy’s hand flew to her mouth.  She decided to take her foot out of her mouth and continue.  "But the thing that really scares me is she’s no longer needing her coping mechanism; the only thing that has worked for her grief.  Her music has always been her way of working through the emotional pain and now… I can't remember the last time she used it.”  It was all true.  And while Savvy felt guilty about spilling the beans, she had the overwhelming hope that he’d be able to help her.  He was, after all, her boyfriend.  It made sense to engage him in helping her.

“Well, maybe she doesn't need the coping mechanism anymore.  Or maybe she found another way to cope.”
  He smiled, it was a grin meant to make Savvy feel better but it didn't.  It made her more worrisome.

"Really?
 Because in the last ten years the only time I’ve seen her take a walk on the dark side is when she doesn’t use her music as an outlet."  Savvy wished he’d understand the severity of the situation.   

"Okay, so we need to find a way to spark that inspiration in her again.
 I’m sure there’s an open mic night somewhere in this town.  Shall we find one and get her to sign up?"  Lucky offered a solution.

Savvy felt excitement bubble up inside her, "That’s a great idea.
 Only it would have to be tonight or next week since the dance is only a few days away."  She began planning.

"Let’s play it safe and look for something next week."  Lucky spoke the voice of reason, putting a kibosh on her planning.
 

Savvy rolled her eyes, "you’re right, I’m such an overachiever."
  She took another sip of her tea.  "Oh, my!  Look at me. I’m a terrible host.  Would you like some tea?"

Savvy jumped when the door opened behind her, expecting to see Rebecca and Hunter, only it was their grandmother.
 Her grandmother was dressed in jeans and a loose cotton t-shirt.  Whenever it was possible her feet were bare and apparently this was one of those times.

"Hello grandmother.
You know Lucky, Rebecca's boyfriend?"  Savvy introduced him to her grandmother as soon as her heart slowed down.

Grandma seemed preoccupied.
 "Yes, hello, Lucian.  Savannah, I made you something and I want you to wear it at all times."  She handed Savvy a golden heart shaped locket with three colorful tiny jewels in the casing.  When Savvy opened it she found a picture of Rebecca and Hunter.

"Oh
, grandma, it’s beautiful!"  Savvy gushed as she stood up on the steps and hugged her tightly.  Her grandma seemed more frail than usual.  It sparked a hint of concern. 

"I’m glad you like it.  I need you to promise never to take it off."  Grandma offered a worried smile.

There was a tension in her voice Savvy hadn’t been familiar with.  Grandma sounded so intense she couldn't help but make the promise.  "I promise."

Savvy’s fingers shook as she unclasped the necklace and began to put it on.
  Lucky was behind her instantly, "Here, let me help you."  His fingers brushed hers and electricity shot down her arm.  She quickly dropped her hands, but her senses were on high alert. She felt his warm breath on her neck as he focused on the task at hand and found herself wondering how someone with such big strong hands would be able to maneuver the clasp; but he did it with ease.  When he was done his hands stayed on her shoulders longer than necessary.  It had to be a friendly gesture.  Savvy fought the urge to lean back into him.  

Hunter and Rebecca were the next ones to join them on the steps.  When they came barreling out of the door,
 Lucky removed his hands like he was touching fire.  They all headed to the Escalade and she began to wonder if the intense feelings she was starting to develop for Lucky were reciprocated?  Surely not!  Rebecca and he were practically inseparable. 

"Have a great day at school."
 Their grandmother waved as they pulled out of the drive. Savvy noticed the smile on her face didn't reach her eyes.  What she saw there was worry and sadness.  What was happening to her family?

Chapter Nineteen

~"I am not afraid of werewolves or vampires or haunted hotels, I am afraid of what real human beings do to other human beings."

~Walter
 Jon Williams  

 
Rebecca

“Where are you going?”  Lucky's voice pulled Becca away from her thoughts as he slipped his arm in hers and turned her away from the direction of the class that she was heading to.  It was Tuesday morning and she had a math test second period.  Not that it would matter if she showed up or not. There was no way she was going to pass it.  She was terrible at math even after studying.  But last night she didn’t study math at all. She proceeded to blow up the relationships in her life.   

“Uh, class.”
  She told him simply as she pulled her arm from his and turned on her heel towards class again.

This time he spun her around and gently pressed her against the wall beside the lockers.
  He moved in close and for a moment she thought he was going to kiss her.  ‘
Please don’t kiss me’
she thought as she tried to push him back out of her personal space.  She needed time to figure out what was happening between them.  She needed time to make sure that her feelings were real.  She didn’t want to be a home wrecker.  Even though she knew it wasn’t a typical engagement, he was still engaged.  Then there was Gabriel.  Just the thought of him made her heart skip a beat.  She needed time and space from both of them to figure out what to do.