NB: Usual disclaimer. I hope you enjoy this chapter. Next up will be in Leah's POV. Reviews encouraged.

HPOV

"I'm going to go check on Leah." Seth said giving me squeeze on the shoulder. I sat there numbly for a moment trying to process what just happened. I ignored everybody staring at me and walked into the kitchen.

"What are you doing baby?" I jumped not having heard Paul come up behind me.

"I'm getting a dustpan and brush, I need to clean up the mug I broke."

"Are we going to talk about what just happened?"

"What's there to talk about Paul? The fact that two days ago I was leaving notes to mom reminding her to eat the food I prepared for her and now she's gone and all of a sudden I'm getting hit with people's emotions. Anna didn't tell me how I'm suppose to heal people, 'draw your strength from the land and our ancestors Hailey', what the fuck does that mean?" I screamed out in frustration. I could feel my throat closing, my lungs burning from the lack of oxygen but I couldn't control my breathing.

"Hailey, calm down, take a deep breath." I would if I could, that isn't helping. I looked up to see more wolves had entered the room looking at me with concern. Billy was telling Paul to do something but I couldn't make out what he was saying. All of a sudden I felt myself being drawn into Paul's chest.

"Breath with me Hailey, copy the rising and falling of my chest." My senses were overloaded with Paul but apparently that was what I needed as I felt the oxygen reaching my lungs. If I wasn't so relieved to have my breath back I would have made fun of him for sounding like a yoga video.

"That's it, just relax. I've got you, we'll figure this shit out together."

"Just tell us what happened Hailey, we can't help you if we don't know what's happening." Billy told me calmly, motioning for me to sit back on the sofa.

"I looked into Leah's eyes and there was some sort of connection and all her emotions became mine. Even now I can still feel what she was feeling but I don't know what I'm suppose to do with them."

"What was she feeling?" Embry asked.

"That's between Leah and I. All you need to know is your sister is in pain, you should lay off her a bit." It hit me then, maybe this was my chance to help others before they get to the point my mom was at. I need to talk to Anna again, she can tell me how to help Leah.

"I need to sleep."

"Okay, come on then, I'll take you and Sue back." Shit, how insensitive am I. I completely forgot Sue was here and I'm talking about Leah being in pain. I walked over to Sue and grasped her hand in mine tightly.

"I'm going to help her Sue. I promise you Leah's going to be okay." She pulled me into her arms and whispered her thanks.

We pulled up at the Clearwater's house and I raced back upstairs to the room I was sleeping in and dove into bed. I heard a deep chuckle in the doorway.

"What's so funny?"

"You've got yourself more keyed up than a kid on Halloween. You're not going to get to sleep now."

"Oh yeah, well what do you suggest I do?"

"Well I can offer a few activities that will tire you out but it requires a partner." He waggled his eyebrows at me suggestively.

"Okay, do you think you could call Quil for me?" Paul let out an indignant growl that had me giggling. He pounced on me, nipping my neck, mentioning something about neutering Quil. He was hovering over me and I realised he'd managed to distract me from the emotional turmoil I was in. It seemed every time I was spinning out of control he was there to centre me. I raised my hand and rested it on his cheek and felt him lean into the touch. I tried to convey how much I appreciated him being here for me as I stared into his eyes but decided in this case actions would speak louder than words. I pulled his face down to me and brushed his lips with mine, swiping his bottom lip with my tongue. That's all the invitation he needed as he took full control of the kiss, I let out a contented hum which urged him on. He placed butterfly kisses down my neck giving me a chance to catch my breath. My fingers laced in his hair and pulled his mouth back up to mine to meet in a frenzy of need. The feel of his solid weight against my chest was comforting. Paul felt like the only constant in my life now and I clung to him with as much strength as I could. He broke the kiss reluctantly when things started to get too heated and nuzzled my neck.

"I'm not going anywhere Hailey."

"Ooops, sorry." I released my choke hold on him and smiled. He rolled into the space on the bed next to me and pulled me against him.

"I'm not feeling any less keyed up, in fact you just added sexual frustration to the mess that is my psyche at the moment."

"You're not the one with a serious case of blue balls. I ache for you." I laughed til my sides hurt at his puppy dog face.

"Awww, poor Paulie. It's been so hard for you." I place a kiss on his nose and snuggled further into his chest still letting out the occasional giggle. Paul started running his fingers through my hair and rubbing circles on my hip. At some point I must have drifted off because I was back on First Beach, Anna waiting for me with a smile. I wanted to be annoyed at her but for some reason it's hard to feel anything but calm in her presence.

"Welcome back Hailey."

"Anna, I'm so happy to see you. I've got so many questions. Something happened with Leah, I was hit with all her emotions but I didn't know how to help her. Is that why I'm here to help Leah? Is a healer like an empath?"

"Slow down child, one question at a time." She gave me a patient smile and motioned for me to sit down on the driftwood again.

"Today, we will start training. Hopefully, now your imprint knows you're in this realm with me he won't interrupt." She said with an eye roll and muttered something about the impatience of men.

"He was only worried about me." I stated in Paul's defense.

"Good, you're protective of them and the ties you have will strengthen the more time you spend with them. This will make your job easier as you will be more in tune with them. It happened with Leah earlier because you reached out to her at a time of strong emotions. Tell me what you felt."

"It was awful, one minute I was looking into Leah's eyes and the next I felt a dark haze of sadness, abandonment and self-hatred overpower my senses." I saw Anna shake her head in regret.

"Leah is one of many fractures amongst this pack but the most important to heal. Our sister is a warrior chosen for this pack of protectors, she must be reminded of her strength." I nodded in agreement.

"So you will teach me then what I must do?" She smiled at me, encouraged by my enthusiasm.

"Yes. Firstly, I will warn you in many ways healing the spirits of the pack will be harder than any physical injuries, as before you can help them they must deal with what is plaguing them first. Once they have confronted their demons, only then you can give them what they need. In many ways we are therapists, they are all reluctant to deal with their issues, it is our job to yank their tails to kick start the process of recovery." I was amused by the thought of getting one of the boys to lay down on a couch, feet hanging over the edge and tell me there problems, setting them 'spiritual homework'.

"How am I supposed to get them to talk to me? The pack don't exactly come across as the touchy, feely types." She let out a short bark of laughter, before sobering her expressions.

"You're right about that child. It will be difficult for you but showing them your vulnerabilities will make them comfortable to show you theirs."

"What vulnerabilities?" She gave me a sharp glance, I shifted uncomfortably under her scrutiny.

"There are no pretences here Hailey Purser. You can't hide behind your walls in this place. If you are going to take your role seriously you must be willing to face your emotions, just as we did before you." I lowered my gaze away from her, embarrassed. I felt a warm comforting hand rest on my shoulder.

"I'm sorry Hailey, this is a lot to take in. I know you will succeed, the spirits are never wrong and we are proud to call you one of our own."

"So once I've got them to confront their emotions, then what happens?"

"Well, it's hard to describe but you will call upon our lands and ancestors for energy, a warmth will spread through your body and your touch will allow it to flow into them."

"How do I call upon the land and ancestors?"

"That child is instinctual and will happen naturally when you need it."

"I'm ready."

"You're ready." She gave me a dazzling smile and I felt myself hurtle back to consciousness. Fuck, you think they could make it a smoother transition, it's like the fucking tea cups ride. Paul was sleeping beside me with a serene smile on his face and I leant into him. Anna had given me all she could, now it was time for me to show Leah the damn fine warrior she was.