Spirit of the Wolf

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

Thanks for all the feedback from the last chapter! You guys are awesome. I'm sorry this took so long.

Chapter Fourteen

Esme POV

My family and I spent the night watching the young ones sleep. Every so often, Jacob would stir, pushing 'Cai closer to Paul's side. The last time he did this, 'Cai punched him in the gut. It didn't faze him but he soon calmed. The boys enjoyed this little show. I had to threaten them to be quiet and not wake the three exhausted children. After about two hours, our children took their leave, providing solitude for Carlisle and myself.

"How are you doing?" Carlisle asked me, coming to stand behind my chair.

"Fine," I replied, pulling him down for a kiss. "They look adorable together."

"That they do." He sat down next to me, pulling me to his chest.

I sighed and shifted closer, craving as much contact as possible. "With everything they have been through, I guess it isn't fair to call them 'children'."

My husband shrugged. "For all intensive purposes, Esme, they are children… Our children. It isn't hard to see how much they love you, and you them."

"Thank you," I breathed, kissing his lips.

"You're welcome," he smiled back.

We were sitting in silence when the rest of our children returned. "How are they?" Alice asked.

"The boys are restless, but 'Cai is sleeping soundly. She doesn't exhibit any pain in her leg or anywhere else in her body." Carlisle answered.

"Must be the heating pad wrapped around her knee," Jasper joked.

Looking down, all eyes were trained on the dark hand wrapped around the gauze-encased knee. Every so often, Paul's thumb would traced the knee, causing 'Cai to move closer. My musing was interrupted by a throat clearing.

"What is it, Alice?" Carlisle asked.

Timidly, in a manner unusual for her, Alice's eyes pleaded for Jasper's help. Pulling his wife close, he was set to answer when the front door opened.

"It's alright, Alice. I'll tell them." Edward placed a hand on his sister's head. Turning to Carlisle, he explained, "We aren't the only ones who know 'Cai is here… And that she doesn't belong here."

"What do you mean?" Emmett asked.

"Exactly that. Someone found out that she isn't from this plane. We-"

Carlisle stood, placing his hand on Edward's shoulder. "Who knows?"

"The Volturi."

Panicked, I looked at Carlisle. "What are we going to do?"

"Everything will be fine. I'll explain to Aro the bond between Paul and 'Cai."

"That won't be enough." Edward cut in. "They are coming to take her." Edward let out a deep sigh. "They are coming to destroy us."

-=-=-=-=-=-=

Paul's POV

I woke the next morning in a tangle of limbs, blankets and cushions. Stretching, I felt a small body impede my movement. Looking down, I couldn't help but smile at 'Cai and the picture she made this early in the morning. Her dark hair cascaded down her back with strands trailing across her face. Passing my fingers down her cheek, I kissed her forehead and watched a sweet smile grace her face.

Kissing her hand, I untangled her fingers from my hair and tucked her into Jacob's side. Standing, I stretched again and walked into the kitchen. Immediately, I could feel their somber emotions pressing on me.

By passing pleasantries, I asked, "What happened?"

Carlisle sighed as Esme placed a plate of food in front of me. "The Volturi. It seems they have heard about 'Cai. We have decided to call upon any and all friends for help."

"What about the pack? They have a vested interest in this. If anything happens to her, we'd go to war."

"I'll talk to Sam today." Jacob said from the doorway. He took the seat next to me and nodded his thanks when Esme gave him a plate of breakfast. "They would do anything to protect her."

I nodded in agreement. "Would Leah help, though?"

Jacob smirked. "She has to. I'm her Alpha."

"Good luck with that." I laughed.

"Good morning." 'Cai practically danced her way into the room, ceasing all talk. She kissed my cheek and sat in my lap. Looking around, she said, "Uh-oh. What happened?"

"Um," I didn't know where to begin.

"Very eloquent, Paulie boy." Jacob clapped me on my back. I glared back.

"Quit pestering my chair or I'm gonna bite you… Again." 'Cai threatened.

I threw my arms into the air and ignored the chuckles around me. "Why am I being relegated to furniture? Isn't it enough that you use me as a pillow?"

She grinned. "Nope," she popped the 'p'. "You are ever so comfy." I just rolled my eyes. Not straying from her previous topic, she tried again. "What were you guys talking about before I came in? Why do the pack need to be involved? And why are you talking about going to war, Jacob Black?" She looked so cute with her hands on her hips while sitting on my lap, berating a man who could easily throw her in the air.

Jacob took her hand. "The first thing you need to understand is that nothing will happen to you. We will be able to protect you."

'Cai turned her gaze to Edward. "As you have no reason to protect me, will you please tell me what is going on?"

The vamp sighed. "The Volturi, our Vampiric leaders in Italy, know you are here and are coming for you. We don't know when, but they will come."

'Cai nodded absently while she ate. The kitchen was silent while we waited for her to speak or react. Finally, putting down her fork, she turned back to Edward and asked, "How did they find out? Who could have gone running all the way to Italy?"

"Tanya." Alice spoke quietly from her place in Jasper's arms. "Tanya saw you with Bella and Reneesme the other day. She believes we have created a vampiric child. They are against our law. They will come to destroy us."

'Cai left my lap and embraced Alice, rocking her. She looked to Carlisle and asked, "What are we going to do?"

"We have contacted some old friends. It is our hope that they will be willing to stand with us should the need arises."

"You mean if the Volturi decide they are going to kill you. And me? You said they know I'm here as well. What are we going to do about that?"

Esme came forward. "Sweetheart, you are going back to the reservation. You'll be safe there."

"He'll just come after me. No, I have to stay with you." She shook her head, wrapping her arms around Alice even tighter.

"Absolutely not!" We whipped around at Sam's outburst. "I've discussed this with the Elders. You are coming with me and are not to have any contact with the Cullens. Come-"

"Oh Hell no!" 'Cai stalked forward and poked Sam in the chest. "I'm not going anywhere. I'm just as much at fault here. They're coming for me, too. I'm not going, and if you don't like it, then you can stick it."

Jacob and I laughed at her words while Esme reprimanded her for her language. The look on Sam's face was priceless; Shock, awe and grudging respect all rolled into one package.

Jacob excused himself, still fighting to walk straight through his laughter.

Carlisle sighed, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Sam's right. You'll be safer with the pack."

"Actually," Jacob intervened, pulling his shirt back over his head, "my pack will be here. I've already spoken to Seth and he'll talk to Leah. They are willing to help. Admit it, Sam. 'Cai won't be any safer on the reservation. Her scent is all over this place and the leeches' guards probably know what she looks like. We're better off making a stand here."

"I don't suppose it would have anything to do with your imprint, would it?" Sam growled.

"As a matter of fact, it does. She adores 'Cai, as do most of the family. We'll be on even footing if we make a stand somewhere other than the reservation. If we stay there, there is a chance that our people will be hurt."

"Yep. That's why I'm staying right here." 'Cai pointed to the floor.

"Shall we get you a pillow?" Emmett joked.

"Nope, I've got Paul for that."

"Gee, thanks for thinking of me." I smiled down at her beaming face.

She nodded at me before turning to the rest of the family, going into military mode. "What are you all standing there for? We've got plans to make!"

"Honey, there isn't much we can do until the other clans arrive."

"I'm going for a walk." Alice stood, hugged 'Cai and pulled Jasper out the door.

"Is she okay?" I asked, perplexed at her abrupt departure.

"She is angry for not seeing this sooner." Carlisle answered gently.

"That's my fault, too." 'Cai said sadly, her optimism dying.

Esme hurried over, wrapping us both in her stone cold arms. "No, Sweetheart. What's happening is no one's fault."

"Maybe if she had seen this sooner, I could have been sent away. You wouldn't have been put in danger."

"You forget one thing: They are also coming after Reneesme thinking she is a child we have turned into a vampire. You are a mere afterthought." Rosalie assured.

"I still don't understand why turning a child into a vampire is more horrific than turning an innocent person into one. What happened that made this such an offense?"

"Newborn vampires are dangerous, so dangerous that it is hard for any to control them. It can be done, but it is very difficult." Carlisle looked as though he was in the past. "Children vampires cannot be controlled at all. There are no reasoning with them. They will kill and kill with no thought for their actions. Those who create one are immediately destroyed along with the new creation. It could be why Tanya was so quick to go to the Volturi."

"It also could have been my pushing her away and choosing Bella." Edward admitted to some of the blame.

"What does that have to do with anything? No offense, but I don't think Edward is worth killing over."

"Tanya's mother created such a child. She was destroyed in front of her children. She has sworn vengeance and will destroy Edward and his family for turning her aside." Esme finished in the circle of Carlisle's arms.

'Cai sighed. "Okay, let's think this through. You have called for reinforcements. We don't know when or exactly why the Volturi are coming, just that they are. Paul," she grabbed my hand, "I need a small sweat lodge built in a secluded meadow. Can you do that?"

"Sure, how big do you need it?"

"Big enough for myself and two others. And, I'll need these herbs. As many as you can get." She thrust a list of what she needed into my hand. I nodded as I read. "Jacob, I'll need your father's help. Old Quil, too if he's willing."

"Sure. I'll go ask him now. Come on, Paul. I'll help you."

I kissed 'Cai, waved to the others, and left. Moving behind a tree, we stripped and phased. My last human thoughts were on the fight that was to come.

I hope you enjoyed this newest installment. Thank you for your patience.