The Eternal Avenger: Book Two

Chapter Fourteen: Family

(Claray's POV):

With Wanda's blood, my healing was much faster. Clint, Natasha and I made it to the center of town just as the action seemed to be wrapping up. Wanda walked over to us, a smile on her face, dressed in a way that I had never seen. I gaped at her slightly, earning myself a hard elbow in the ribs. I glanced at my fiancé, who was scowling at me playfully. I smirked in response. "Looking good, witchy," I smirked. This time, I received a palm to the back of my head, earning a giggle from me and Wanda both.

"Are you okay?" Wanda's voice was soft and tender. It really looked like she was starting to embrace who she really was. I nodded at her and smiled.

"A pleasure to meet you, Scarlet Witch," I said with a mock bow. Wanda's laughter was a sound I had desperately missed.

"Whatever you say, princess." She smirked. Natasha focused her glare on Wanda now, away from me.

"She's my princess," she grumbled, grabbing my hand and showing Wanda the ring. Her mouth dropped open.

"Oh my god, you guys!" She shrieked, grabbing my hand and jumping up and down. "When did this happen?" I smirked and pushed her lightly in the shoulder.

"Right around the time Westview happened," I teased. Wanda's eyes darkened for a moment so I pulled her into a side hug. Now Natasha was glaring at both of us. We glanced at each other before moving a few paces away. Natasha cleared her throat.

"What now?" She asked.

"I think I can help with that," I spun to find Monica Rambeau approaching. I offered the agent my hand and a smile.

"Nice to see you again, Monica," she returned the smile easily.

"Wanda, you and your friends should get out of here before Woo is able to get the cavalry in here." Wanda nodded.

"Do you want some company?" I spun towards Natasha, surprised by her tenderness. She smiled at me, wrapping an arm around my waist.

"I'd love some," Wanda smiled. "You guys want to follow me?" Nat and I smiled, nodding. As we all turned to head away, I felt a hand on my wrist. I turned slowly to see Monica.

"Do you have a sec?" She asked. Far from the strong, confident agent I met, she almost seemed nervous.

"What's up?" I smiled at her gently. She shuffled her feet, refusing to look at me.

"Is it true that you turned down Carol Danvers?" I laughed without intending to and she looked up at me curiously.

"It's most definitely true," I leaned back into Natasha as I felt her hands wrap around my waist, having noticed my absence. Monica smirked.

"Do you know her?" I asked. Her face fell again.

"She was friends with my mother. And me. Kind of." I frowned. "I haven't seen her in a while."

"Really? Have you reached out to her?" She shook her head. "Last I heard she was still at the compound. " I touched her shoulder lightly. "You should call her." She looked at me and smiled slightly.

"Maybe I'll do that."

"Anything that will keep those fire-fists away from my girl," Natasha smiled, resting her chin on my shoulder. Both Monica and I rolled our eyes and giggled. She waved goodbye as I grabbed Natasha's hand, squeezed her fingers and taught her how to run like she couldn't have imagined before.

...

We had been at the cabin for a week now. An early-November snow made the woods look magical, and I spent as much time as possible outdoors. It was during one of my solitary walks when a figure crashed into my side, knocking me onto the ground. Before I could react, I felt a fist impact the side of my face, and I felt a spurt of blood from my cheek. Another fist slammed into my chin from the other side. I squinted through the blinding pain long enough to see a glimpse of blond hair. She got a few more hits in before I was able to grab her wrists, holding them away from my face. "Yelena?" The woman screamed in my face.

"You were supposed to protect her!" She shrieked; her face screwed up in anger as she fought against my hold on her wrists. "я тебе доверял (I trusted you.)" I had to duck to the side to avoid another hit to the face with her fist still captured in my grasp. Damn, she was strong. I finally was able to push her off of me enough that I could get my knee between us, and I shoved her off of me roughly, instantly jumping to my feet. She did the same, crouching in front of me, looking for her next opportunity to strike. It came a moment later as she pulled a knife from her boot and dashed towards me. I spun, grabbing her wrist in the process, pinning her arm behind her back and tugging, forcing the knife to drop.

"Yelena," I warned, my voice low. I turned just in time to see a gigantic black wolf, already mid-air, knocking me one more time onto my ass. I was able to raise my hands, holding the wolf shoulder length away and just out of range of my face as I watched it snarl and snap at me angrily. Yelena, the wolf and I all simultaneously froze at the sound of a whistle behind us.

Yelena, eyes wide, didn't hesitate before whistling back.  She turned her attention to the wolf.

"сидеть (sit)," Yelena whispered. The wolf retreated from me immediately, sitting down on its haunches, panting and staring up at Yelena. I climbed to my feet slowly, brushing the dirt from my clothes. Yelena spun slowly, turning her head before her body, taking in the sight of Natasha standing in front of her. Я думал, ты мертва (I thought you were dead,)" she whispered. I saw the tears in Natasha's eyes as she took in her sister. Yelena walked towards Natasha, her hand reaching out and gently touching her face. "это правда ты? (Is it really you?)" Natasha smiled, the tears now streaming down her face.

"это я, (it's me)." Yelena threw herself into Natasha's arms, but withdrew almost immediately, scanning her up and down.

"You're cold." Natasha glanced over at me, and I nodded.

"We've got a lot to catch up on." Yelena nodded, her eyes never leaving Natasha's face, as they walked towards the cabin. Yelena glanced behind me. "приехать," she ordered. The wolf stood, shook itself and began following. I glanced between the wolf and Yelena.

"A lot to catch up on," I murmured.