Chapter 14 – Aftermath

The family still reeling with rage and instinct running through their system they were silent. They were gauging if the area was far, and monitoring each other's minds carefully. They were checking to see if anyone was hurt. They had already made a head count. When they returned to their normal non-angry senses they realized that two of the wolf forms had changed into their human status and were starting a massive bonfire. The family quickly gathers up the vampire pieces that had been torn up, they were only talking through the minds, as speaking out loud seemed impossible.

The other wolves started to gather with only a few missing. They would do their final count when the powers had stopped being exchanged, the whole point of the fight would be in dismay if Erin ended up ill or dead from energy consumption. The fire was roaring when Sam's wolf form appeared into the clearing. Carlisle met him half way, they were exchanging observations.

Carlisle and his family were confused at what the animals had done. It was not as if they were wolf-like animals that the tribe could call upon through mind speech. Sam dismissed his question to his own, injured. The vampires were scratched up but some of the wolves had gotten hurt in the fight and were herded to the center of the clearing, near the raging flames. Carlisle recognized the necessity to treat their injured, so he called out to his family to help move them about so he could examine them.

The others crowded about the flames, as if guarding any escaping pieces from flaring out. Carlisle knelt by each wolf examining their wounds and gingerly moving the joints back into place. After a few moments, realizing that some of the wounds would take longer to heal he looked up and called to Esme.

Esme loyally jogged to him smiling tenderly. "What is it dear?" Esme whispered stroking his hair back with her hands.

"Erin can help speed the healing up. I know these guys will heal in just a few minutes but some of these guys have hurt themselves pretty sorely. She can provide some relief until then. I know she would like that, I can feel her tension to join us." Carlisle explained as he gingerly looked over one of the paws he was holding. "We need to stop channeling so she can get out of the water."

Esme smiled and nodded. "I'll take care of it." She patted the back of her husband's back shifting back her weight and looking back at the crowd. "Everyone stop channeling, we need Erin."

Erin heard the command and smiled, she was skipping in the water in anticipation. She had watched the fight through the eyes of her family members and it drove her insane to just stand in a running river. The demand on her started to decrease, lingering at the end, enough for her to shut them off willingly. The second she felt her control in her own hands she looked up at Alice and Jasper. The both of them were watching her intently, ready to take her swiftly to the clearing. The three wolves guarding them had already fled to meet up with the rest of the pack.

Erin took her first step on to the river bank smiling. She ran to them, her arms wrapped around Alice's neck since she was at her own neck. "That was so brilliant!" She exclaimed clapping her hands.

Alice wrapped her arm around her waist shaking her head. "It was, it was." Alice patted her on her back as she lifted her up and swiftly ran to the clearing. Jasper had made the head start smiling back to Erin, he was amused at her impression of the vampires fighting, but realized that she had not seen them move into their fighting instincts.

Alice gently placed her on the ground close to the fire. Erin immediately moved to Carlisle who was tending the wounded. She would thank the others after she helped Carlisle, that's why they called her out of the water anyway.

Erin knelt close to Carlisle smiling, but she worked silently. She placed her hands tenderly on the blood matted fur lifting the pain away from the wolf. She slowly sealed the broken bone inside. She loved using this part of her power. It was always rewarding. She lifted her hand allowing Carlisle to check her work. He looked at her and grinned at her, "Very nice. I might use you more often." He laughed as he pointed towards a dark grey wolf with spots. "I set his shoulder but the bite wounds are deep."

Erin nodded refreshed by his compliment she gracefully moved from one wolf to another, and even tended to the scratches that were rapidly healing on their own; she just made it more immediate. The murmur of her family talking drew her to them as she finished, curiosity filled their voices. They were trying to determine how the animals had in unison flocked their foes. She looked at them but that sudden whirring sound she had heard earlier and continued to hear drew her away for some reason.

She bit her lip looking at the large bonfire. She moved to Sam who had shifted into his human form and was sitting with several of his fellow pack members. He nodded to her when she approached. She smiled leaning down and wrapped her arms around his neck, a stranger in human form but she owed her life and probably her family to his participation with his pack. "Thank you." She spoke softly.

Sam was caught off guard and just patted her shoulder, "Our pleasure." He spoke softly as well, his voice rough.

"I had a question, if you don't mind me talking to you for a few minutes?" Sam nodded moving them farther away from the crowd; he looked at her, his brows knit with curiosity. "So, I know this is going to sound crazy, but I have this sound in my head for several days now and it only started when you guys appeared." She said quietly. Sam's eyes were holding steady with hers. "I was wondering if you had any idea what it might be." He cocked his head, his eyes again still steady, no expression.

"Maybe it is an interference with our own communication." Sam suggested, his voice was sure, he offered no other solution. "I don't know anything else, I apologize if it is bothersome." He patted her shoulder.

"No it doesn't bother me, I was just, unsure that's all. You're probably right," she nodded. It was a very logical argument and she accepted it, there was no possible way. "Sam?"

"Hm?" He arched a brow as they walked towards the Cullen family and his own Pack who all had now changed into their human form. Not a scratch of evidence on either family except for torn clothing and a large fire flickering in the background.

"The birds?" She didn't have to explain her question. It was clear she wanted to know how it all happened because she knew it had nothing to do with her family. In fact, the vampires repelled animals.

Sam cleared his throat. The rest of Erin's family had turned to hear if there was a plausible explanation. He shrugged his shoulder, "I really don't know."

Edward's face was focused looking on Sam, "I don't know about that." His voice was calm not hostile. "Your pack had a hand in it, we're not upset, obviously, but were wondering how it happened that's all."

The Pack shuffled uncomfortable mumbling quietly. Edward's eyes snapped across their minds, his eyes flickering as he caught an image in one of their minds. His head turned to Erin. He opened his mouth to say something when everyone, turned to hear a shuffling of the bushes. Erin turned when everyone else had, she didn't see anything except for the movement of some leaves.

Emmett growled, but Carlisle caught him in the chest when he saw the Quilite's reaction to the sound. "Restrain yourself."

They had moved to the edge of the woods but not blocking it, just standing aside. They were silent. Erin felt her family tapping on her to capture Edward's power and she allowed it. She was flustered enough that she didn't utilize Edward's ability herself. Her family, behind her, rustled when she moved out in front. Their massive figures had blocked the entry way of the sound. She strained to see what was around there, complete confusion. She took a step closer, but a heavy hand was placed on her shoulder. Carlisle. He was cautioning her.

After a few moments, Sam led his family aside. He looked at the Cullen's and then back to the dark woods. There he stood. A dark haired man, his slender figure framed with muscles shown in his arms and legs. His hair swept across his face. His jaw was clenched when he stepped into the clearing. He was wearing a tundra green t-shirt paired with khaki utility shorts that were stained green from his ventures in the woods and nature. His riveting green eyes scanned the crowd and stalled right on Erin. Their eyes met and held.

The striking image threw Erin off guard. This was the man in Alice's vision, and, no wonder Alice couldn't see him, he was with the tribe. There was something odd about him, something drawing her to him. For every step she took closer he made an equal step. Each movement controlled. Their families were on guard but did not step in between the two individuals. The energy in the air became thick as the two figures got closer. Their eyes were locked.

Finally, they were only a foot apart. The energy was flickering off of them in waves. The man raised his hand, palm up offering it to Erin. It didn't occur to Erin to not take the hand, she still hadn't figured out what was going on, she gingerly placed her hand in his and a sudden shock whirled through her. The energy shields swirling around them disappeared and the dual realization between them occurred. He was an Aura. The two of them exchanged their Aura energies which explained their powers and capacities without a spoken word. He was an animal caller and his purpose was protecting the Quileute tribe. Without a word it was explained to her that he was the one that set the birds and animals on their foes. The connection spanned only just a mere few minutes. Edward was translating her thoughts and scenes to the family. Since the Cullen's did not stir, the tribe remained quiet also watching the duo between them.

There was something different about him. Erin had met other Auras, but she had heard them from very far, and knew right away, but he was hidden. The whirring sound in her mind was his presence but it was not discrete until she clasped hands with him. The electric potential running through their hands had signaled to the both of them that there was something different in their meeting than the other meeting of Auras. There was a pre-made bond.

Their hands dropped and she looked up at him, taken by his beauty. "My name is Erin." She smiled, her face flushing with color.

He smiled, his hand reaching up and tucking a tendril of hair behind her ear. "I'm Noah."