Spirit of the Wolf

I don't own anything, this was just a dream I had and thought I'd write it down... Enjoy

Chapter Ten

'Cai POV

Hmm, warm… I thought, coming out of the deepest sleep I have had in a long time. Trying to climb out of bed, I found myself restrained by a heavy arm wrapped around me and stopping my progress. Following its warmth, I lost myself in the beautiful and slumbering face of Paul. His face was serene, but I could still detect a frown on his forehead. Taking my hand, I smoothed it across his face, tracing his lips. He smiled, kissing my fingers and nuzzling my hand. Trying to move again, he wrapped his arm around me even tighter. Even in sleep, he was unwilling to let me go.

I only smiled when his large left hand found my right leg and draped it over his waist. I was startled at the feel of his hand on my bare skin. Moving the blanket, I saw I was dressed in one of the silk gowns Rosalie made me buy at Victoria's Secret. It was a brown-gold color a few shades darker than Paul's skin. My restless sleep caused the skirt to ride up, baring my thigh.

I mentally shrugged and curled up against Paul's chest. I didn't have the heart to wake him, knowing the reason for his frown was most likely me. I wrapped my arm around him and laid my head on his chest. I was lulled back to sleep by the steady beat of his heart.

_+_+_+_

Rosalie POV

I quietly entered Edward's old room. Closing the door, I approached the bed where 'Cai and Paul were still asleep. I was so busy watching her sleep that I didn't notice the dark eyes staring at me.

My eyes connected with his and I said, "How did she sleep?"

He kissed her on the head and replied, "Very well. She didn't seem to have any nightmares. How is your family?"

I was stunned by his concern. He saw my reaction and said, "I'm not heartless despite what you may think. I can see that she genuinely cares for you and your family. You and Esme did the right thing in trying to bring her temperature down. Carlisle, too. The sedative he gave her saved her from doing more damage to herself. So, repeating my question, how is your family?"

I sat in the chair next to the bed and replied, "We are still shaken up. Alice and Jasper have not left each others side. Jasper is beating himself up because he couldn't calm her. Carlisle is beating himself up, too because he couldn't help her either. Esme is doing her best to keep everyone together. Bella and Edward don't know all of what happened. They heard her screams, but they can't come over until Nessie wakes."

We halted our conversation when 'Cai began to stir. Paul murmured in her ear, hoping to settle her down. I adverted my gaze, but not before I saw the grin gracing her face. Paul's next question caused me to look back, "How's Emmett?"

I sighed and replied, "Somber. He can't wait until she wakes up so that he can give her a big hug." I smiled softly as I said this.

Paul's next words made me smile even more, "He's going to have to wait in line. I won't be letting her go for a long time. You haven't told me how you are doing."

I walked over to the plate glass window. Studying the trees, I replied, "Scared. Not sure how to handle what's going on. You know, she's the only human I actually like."

"She seems to have that effect on people. Or, in our case, Vampires and Werewolves," he mused with a laugh. He moved a strand of hair off of her forehead and kissed her lips.

I shocked myself when I asked, "Are you hungry? Esme stocked the fridge the other day."

Paul smiled and responded, "Thank you, but I think I'll wait until 'Cai wakes up. I'm hoping she'll be hungry."

I nodded and asked, "Are you thirsty?"

"No, but thank you. I think I'll go back to sleep. You are welcome to stay if you wish."

"Thanks, but I think I'll go down and see how the others are doing. Get some sleep. We have a lot to talk about." With that I walked out of the door and went back downstairs. I looked around the room at my family. Carlisle had brought his laptop to the dining room table to research any way of helping someone with such vivid and heart-wrenching dreams.

"Have you found anything?"

"Not anything that can help. In most cases, the mild sedative I gave her should have worked." Carlisle shook his head and ran his hand through his hair. "I don't know what to do. I've never encountered a case like this. How is she?"

"Still sleeping, but you already know that." I smiled at him, "They are actually really cute together. Almost like you and Esme." Shocking him and myself, I went behind him and gave him a hug. "We will find a way to help her. In the meantime, Paul will be here for a while." I sighed dramatically and added, "I guess we're going to need to stock up on air freshener."

Carlisle gave me a short laugh and squeezed my arm, "You sound like a mother reassuring your child. I think, and everyone will agree, that having 'Cai with us has done wonders for you."

I just smiled. I walked over to where Alice was sitting rubbing Jasper's back. "Hey, how are you guys?"

"I still can't get over how little I could help her. I was utterly useless." Jasper's voice was thick with disappointment.

"Look at me." When he wouldn't, I placed my hand beneath his chin, "Jasper, look at me. There was nothing any of us could do. Come on. Let's go hunt. Edward, Bella and Nessie won't be here for a few more hours and Paul is going to keep 'Cai in bed for as long as possible. Asleep, anyway."

When Alice and Jasper looked at me in abject shock I asked, "What?"

Alice smiled, "When did you become so wise and reassuring?"

"I don't know, but you better enjoy it while it lasts. Come on, the three of us will go, then we'll send Emmett, Carlisle and Esme."

I walked over to my husband and slid into his lap. "Hey, I'm taking Jazz and Alice hunting. Will you take Esme and Carlisle?"

He nodded absently. I took his face and held it to my chest. "Are you gonna tell me she'll be okay, that we'll find out a way to help her?"

"Yep, because she will and we will. I love you." We kissed, he returned the sentiments and I went to talk to Esme.

Walking up behind her, I laid my head on her back and wrapped my arms around her. "How are you?"

She turned and returned my hug. "Helpless. How did she look?"

I grinned, "Happy and very content. I guess we aren't getting rid of Wolf Boy any time soon."

"Rose-,"

I cut her off, "I actually don't mind. I don't know what it is but ever since 'Cai came here I don't mind the wolves."

At this, she caressed my cheek and smiled, "My dear daughter. How long do you think you'll be hunting?"

"Not very long, couple hours maybe. I think it would be good for Jasper. Emmett will go with you and Carlisle when we get back." When she tried to protest, I explained, "We have a big day ahead of us. Don't worry, Paul will keep 'Cai in bed for as long as possible." I grimaced at the way that came out. "You know what I mean."

She laughed, gave me another hug and shooed the three of us out the door. Turning to my brother and sister, I challenged, "Race ya."

_+_+_+_+_+_+

Emmett POV

My wife had taken our siblings hunting. I stayed, waiting for the little one to wake. She was doing so well until she fell asleep. Then the nightmares began. I grabbed my hair in my hands and sighed. I looked up when Esme sat next to me.

"Hey," I said, giving her a small smile.

"For the first time in a very long time, I'm tired. Carlisle is busy looking for a way to help, but he can't find anything useful. I thank God for Paul."

"Yeah, I actually like him. Think it has anything to do with 'Cai?"

Esme smiled and said, "I do. She has done wonderful things for this family. Rosalie has changed, Nessie less self conscious of her gift and Alice has found a new shopping partner."

"It's kind of like having Bella here when she was human, except for the falling, tripping and breaking things. And Rosie likes her." I mused.

Esme laughed and put her head on my shoulder. We sat there for a time thinking in silence. The sound of a child's laughter came through the door. Turning our heads, we saw Bella, Ed and little Nessie walk in. Disentangling herself from her mother's arms, she ran over and climbed into Esme's lap.

"How are you sweetheart? Did you sleep well?"

"Uh huh. Is 'Cai still sleeping?"

"Yes she is, baby. She had a bad dream." Esme cuddled her only grandchild close.

"Hey Emmett," Bella sat in the chair near mine. I smiled at her in return and watched Edward walk over to Carlisle. "How bad was it?"

"Bad. She started burning up and writhing in pain. Esme and Rosalie tried to calm her but not even Jasper could help. The sedative Carlisle gave her was no match for her nightmare."

"How were you able to calm her enough to sleep?"

"Billy and Jacob Black came. They were able to quiet her a little until Paul arrived. The moment he walked in, she calmed down even more. She was submerged in a bath of cool water and Sue brought herbs to make a tea and poultice. It wasn't long after that Paul put her in bed. They've been asleep ever since. I have never been more grateful for a wolf."

My newest sister rubbed my back while she watched her husband walk over to Carlisle. Sitting next to him, they began to talk about different ways they could help. "Can you read anything, Edward?"

Taking a moment, Eddie closed his eyes and listened. "She's content. Thinking about Paul and how nice it is to sleep next to someone so warm. She's starting to wake up but she doesn't want to disturb Paul."

Nodding, Carlisle pushed his chair back and ran his hand through his hair. "I don't want to push her, but I think she needs to talk about what has happened in her past. It may help but I am hesitant to ask anything. The Elders want to meet with her today. I'm sure if we ask, they will permit us to sit in on the conversation. When they wake, I will call Billy Black and Sam Uley. When Rose, Alice and Jasper return the rest of us should go hunt."

Hearing shifting upstairs, I stood from my spot on the couch and walked towards the stairs. Entering Ed's old bedroom, I smiled down at the picture Paul and 'Cai made. She was laying on her right side, facing the door, half curled into a ball. Paul was tight next to her back with his right arm underneath wrapping around. His right hand held the paw-print mark on her waist. With his face buried in his hair, as it were, I wondered how he was able to breath. As though he heard my thoughts, Paul smiled and wrapped himself around 'Cai even tighter: protecting her from anything that would cause her harm.

Sitting in the chair next to her bed, I was in the midst of a daydream when I felt a small hand grasp my own. Looking down, I connected with the eyes that held a myriad of colors. Smiling, I leaned forward and whispered, "How are you feeling?"

"Warm, happy… Surprised Esme and Carlisle let Paul sleep in the same bed as me. Very thoroughly protected."

I laughed softly. Becoming somber again, "How much do you remember from last night?"

Sighing, she looked embarrassed and answered, "Everything. Who was the man chanting?"

"That was Jacob's father, Billy. He came and started chanting while we tried to find Paul. The Elders really want to see you today. Do you think you are up for it?"

She nodded and sighed. I took my hand and ran it across her face. I sighed. "You gave us all quite a scare. Do you think you could eat?"

"I think so but I'll wait until Paul wakes up."

"I'm already awake." Rolling 'Cai onto her back, Paul blessed her face with kisses. Feeling slightly uncomfortable, I cleared my throat. "Sorry. May I have a few minutes alone with the beauty in my arms? I promise we'll be down soon for breakfast."

I nodded and left, closing the door behind me. Walking down stairs, I gave my recently arrived wife a kiss on her cheek. Giving her a hug I relayed the message. "They shouldn't be long. Have Bella and Edward left yet? They should probably come back before Carlisle, Esme and I."

She nodded and led me into the kitchen. Esme was busy looking through the fridge trying to find a reason to need a trip to the store. "Eggs, milk, butter, meat. I suppose we can pick up more pasta and sauce. I could make that for supper."

"Are you both ready? We should leave now so our absence won't be noticed for very long." When I heard a simultaneous 'yes', I gave my wife another kiss and left. Esme was taking the car to the outskirts so we could say Esme and I went shopping while Carlisle went to the hospital.

Crouching down to hunt, I focused all thoughts on the mountain lion standing before me. I wasn't worried about today's meeting… Well, not really.

I don't think I've put this in anywhere, but this takes place during BD. I finally got my hands on a copy of the book and I want to keep things as accurate as possible, so I'll be taking my time with the next chapter. I'm hoping to have the next chapter up as soon as I can.

Enjoy and give me feedback with how you are feeling!!