Chapter 34

After Paul took Amaya home and tucked her into bed, - she'd cried herself to sleep on the drive from Jacob's-, he decided to go do what she asked of him earlier. Crossing into Forks wasn't going to be an easy task, Paul would have to do it human unless he felt a threat, then he would phase into a wolf. He decided against taking his truck, not knowing what the Cullen's were going to do to him once he arrived on their territory.

Snow began falling, but it didn't bother Paul because of his one hundred and nine body temperature, wearing simple cargo shorts and sneakers like always. Even in winter, the guys in the pack had no reason to wear more clothes because their body temperature kept them more than warm enough. Paul was on edge after Kyrine's explosion and he honestly wanted to kill Jacob for all the pain he was causing his imprint, but because of the pack vow, Paul couldn't get involved.

If he wasn't a part of the pack, Paul would have no problem taking Kyrine back to Emmett in the blink of an eye because it was obvious and clear as crystal how much she did love him, bloodsucker or not. Sighing, Paul raced through the woods as fast as his legs could carry him, stopping just short of the treaty line and took a deep breath, inhaling the air. He frowned, a familiar sickly sweet smell entering his nostrils and knew the Cullen's were probably out hunting, deciding not to smell the air anymore until he was back in La Push.

The smell being this close to the treaty line should've worried Paul, but it didn't because somehow he trusted the Cullen's and knew they would never cross into La Push territory, not even with Jacob kidnapping Kyrine. The hair on the back of his neck stood up as soon as Paul crossed over into Forks, already on high alert and kept his eyes peeled for anything suspicious or out of the ordinary. He knew where the Cullen's lived and even if he didn't, Paul could easily sniff them out, heading in their direction.

"Kind of late for a midnight stroll, isn't it Paul?"

Paul's head whipped around and stared back at his alpha, seeing the man hadn't crossed into Fork's territory, but Paul was only a few feet into it. "Not really. It's a beautiful night." Paul shot back, wondering why Sam was following him and tried to keep his temper in check. This was his alpha after all. "What are you doing out here, Sam?"

"It's my turn for patrol." Sam answered, having phased into human form when he saw Paul hadn't phased, eyes narrowed. "And I should ask you the same thing. Where are you going in Forks?"

Paul knew Sam wasn't going to like hearing this and took a deep breath. "I'm doing Amaya a favor she asked me…"

"About Kyrine?"

Paul nodded, not appreciating being cut off and would've lashed out if it was anyone else from the pack. "Yes. Carlisle is worried about her heart condition and since Jake refuses to let him check on her, Amaya asked me to go tell the doc about it."

Sam shook his head sadly, sighing as well. "Paul, that's interfering and being a part of the pack, there are certain-"

"This has nothing to do with being in the pack, Sam." It was Paul's turn to cut Sam off, gritting his teeth. "I'm doing what my imprint asked of me just like anyone else in the pack would. This isn't about taking Kyrine from Jacob, we all know she's his damn imprint, but she also has a serious health condition that is slowly killing her, Sam. She's dying. Doctor Cullen is the only one who can help her and Jacob won't let him. So I'm doing what I CAN do and that's going to the Cullen's and telling them what is going on with her. Maybe the doc will have some suggestions on what we can do to help her since Jacob refuses to see what he's currently doing could kill her sooner rather than later."

Sam couldn't help agreeing with Paul's logic, knowing deep down keeping Kyrine under lock and key was the worst thing for her. "Fine, since you insist on going, I'm coming with you." Sam ignored Paul's shocked state as he stepped over the treaty line, wearing just a pair of cargo pants and shoes like Paul, both of them looking grim.

"You don't have to-"

"Paul, being the alpha isn't easy and you feel strongly about going to the Cullen's about Kyrine's condition. Our first and foremost vow in the pack is to protect ALL humans no matter the circumstances." He clapped Paul on the back, but no smile came to his lips. How could anyone smile under state of affairs like this? "I'm not letting you go alone. It's not that I don't trust the Cullen's, but I also know that Emmett isn't in the right frame of mind. That and Emily asked me to go talk to them because she was concerned about Kyrine's condition after bringing the girl some things earlier."

Paul couldn't help smirking, raising an eyebrow. "So this is about Emily eh? You never planned on stopping me from going?" When Sam shook his head, Paul growled playfully and put Sam in a quick headlock. "Old man, you're gonna get your ass kicked."

Sam growled in return, struggling against Paul, both of them just having a moment to release some tension. "I may be an old man, but at least I'm not a pup wet behind the ears." He managed to get out of Paul's headlock, both of them calling truce for the time being. "And you were right in saying that you're doing what your imprint asked of you just like anyone else in the pack would. Emily asked me to do this and that's the only reason why I'm sticking my nose where it probably shouldn't be."

"You're a good man, Sam." Paul felt a little less tense now that he had someone coming along with him, knowing Kim, Jared's imprint, would've had a field day had he asked Jared to come to Forks with him. "I'm glad you're here."

"I wish I could say the same thing. Let's get this over with."

Paul nodded as they both trekked through the woods, breaking out in a run to make it to the Cullen's faster. Around twenty minutes later, the glass house came into view, both Paul and Sam looking at each other skeptically. They could instantly smell the sickly sweetness that permeated the air, both wrinkling their noses simultaneously before walking out of the woods into the front yard. They didn't get to the front door when both were tackled from behind, both of them coming face to face with Alice and Jasper Hale, two of the Cullen clan.

"What are you two doing here?" Alice demanded, immediately getting off of Paul while Jasper released his hold on Sam, both stepping away wrinkling their noses. "Ugh, I told you I smelled wet dog, Jas!"

"Indeed." Jasper nodded at his beloved, never taking his eyes from the wolves. "What brings you two to our home?" The snow falling didn't seem to faze any of the four individuals standing in the Cullen yard, narrowed gold orbs on stone black, neither letting their guard down.

"We're here to speak to the doc." Paul stated as if it was the most obvious reason in the world, scowling. "And don't appreciate being pummeled to the ground, vamp." He was going to call her a bloodsucker, but decided that wouldn't be the smartest thing to do.

"Sorry about that, we're on alert right now." Jasper apologized, ignoring Alice's incredulous look and smiled uneasily. "We're looking for Emmett, but haven't been able to find him. Have you two seen him?"

"Jasper, is everything alright?" Another sweet voice sounded from behind the four, all eyes turning to stare at Esme. "Edward said he heard Paul's thoughts and said he was on his way here." She smiled at Paul warmly, walking toward him. "I'm so glad you could make it, Paul. Please come inside, both of you. You're here about Kyrine, yes?"

Paul blinked when Esme actually looped her arm through his, feeling a chill run down his spine, but didn't push her away because she was only being kind. "Yeah, Amaya was really upset from your phone call and asked me to come talk to the doc about Kyrine. Is he here?"

"Yes, just inside. Please don't be angry with Edward. Sometimes his gift isn't controllable, especially when he's deep in his own thoughts." Esme hoped Paul wasn't offended that Edward had already heard him coming miles away, keeping the smile on her face. She looked over her shoulder at Jasper and Alice. "Why don't you two come inside as well? We've searched high and low for the last few days and nights. Emmett will come home when he's ready."

Emmett not being here didn't surprise Paul in the slightest, deciding he would be keeping that information from Amaya. She would go to Kyrine and that's the last thing Kyrine needed to worry about was Emmett's whereabouts, especially when she was being held against her will by Jacob. That was enough for her to deal with. Paul was here to do one simple task and that was to tell Doctor Cullen about Kyrine's condition. Then he would be running back to La Push like his shorts were on fire with Sam, knowing he felt the same way, the smell completely awful and burning their nostrils.

"Paul and…Sam, how wonderful of you two to pay us a visit." Carlisle greeted politely with a warm smile, his pale complexion not hiding how stressed out he'd been over the past few days. "Nessie, please go get them some refreshments, my dear."

"Okay Grandpa." Renesmee smiled and stood up from the couch, walking past Paul and Sam on her way upstairs to the pristine kitchen.

"Do you smell that?" Sam suddenly asked out of nowhere, sniffing the air and looked over at Paul, both of them looking bewildered. "Is there another wolf here?" He directed that question at Carlisle, eyes narrowing slightly.

"Well…"

"Hey Carlisle, how do you-" Dark eyes widened as both Paul and Sam whirled around at the same time, both of them staring perplexed at none other than one of their own from the pack, Seth Clearwater. "Oh shit…"

"Oh shit doesn't even begin to describe it." Paul was flabbergasted while Sam looked bemused, at a complete loss for words. "What are you doing here, pup?"

Seth scuffed his shoe against the carpet and chewed his bottom lip, his hands clasped behind his back. "I was going to tell you guys, but I wasn't sure how to do it…" He looked up when Renesmee suddenly walked back into the room, his dark eyes instantly drinking her in as a brilliant smile crossed his face. "There you are, sunshine."

Renesmee grinned back at Seth, oblivious to both Paul and Sam's stunned stares while holding two glasses of water. "Grandpa asked me to go get them some water…" Then she realized why Seth looked so uneasy, frowning as she walked over to him instantly, golden eyes worry-filled. "You haven't told them yet, I'm guessing?"

"With everything going on, I haven't had the chance Nessie." Seth felt terrible, not wanting her to think he was hiding her like a dirty little secret because that was far from how he felt for her. "Sam, I imprinted on Renesmee." He blurted out, Renesmee having handed the glasses of water to both Paul and Sam, only for Sam to spew his water out of his mouth while Paul snorted it out of his nose.

"WHAT?" Both shouted simultaneously, followed by a lot of growling and groaning.

"I know things haven't been…easy on the rez the past couple days, but…" He looked down at his imprint adoringly, his arm wrapped securely around her shoulders. "It just happened one day. I was patrolling the grounds and Renesmee managed to accidentally stumble into our territory. I know that it's against the treaty, but the moment our eyes met…she became my whole world and I got her out of La Push safely. Being half-human though, I think the treaty can be bent a little because of that factor, don't you?" He hoped anyway, smiling apprehensively at his pack brothers and more importantly, his alpha.

Sam pinched the bridge of his nose, wondering what the hell was going to happen next. "I'm not mad about her stumbling into our territory, Seth. I don't even know what to say or think right now, but she is allowed on the rez because you're right, she is half-human." The treaty said nothing about hybrids and Sam honestly trusted her, knowing she did eat human food and drank animal blood like the Cullen's. "We're here because of Kyrine."

"Is she still alive?" Carlisle immediately asked, the shock of Seth imprinting on Renesmee put on the back burner for the time being. "How is her blood pressure? Is she keeping food down? Is the LVAD still working for her?" This would be so much easier if Carlisle could just go examine her, feeling helpless.

Sam blinked, not knowing the answer to any of these questions and looked up at Paul, hoping he did. "Paul?" He nudged his fellow pack member, who jolted out of his apparent shocked state, having been staring at Seth like he'd grown a second head. "Paul, focus!"

"S-Sorry…" Paul looked back at Carlisle, swallowing hard, though he had heard the questions for the most part that the vampire fired at them. "She's fine, but…the woman went off her rocker tonight, man. She hurt Amaya with what she said and…we think she's giving up because of what Jacob is doing to her." He lowered his eyes from Carlisle, knowing the man was probably going to be very upset hearing this. "Amaya asked me to come here and tell you that the LVAD is still working, but…her sister has completely given up on living. She's not eating right and her lips are this weird shade of blue…"

Carlisle closed his eyes and stepped away from the men, needing a moment. "I was afraid of this." He whispered, looking back at his wife worriedly. "That means she's not gaining enough strength and her circulation is getting worse. The LVAD isn't buying her enough time for a heart. I've been searching all over and so has UNOS, but nothing has come up yet. Her parents are starting to wonder if she's ever going to come home, but they still haven't called Sheriff Swan, thankfully. And Emmett is missing, we can't find him anywhere."

"We already told him about that, Carlisle." Alice piped in, feeling terrible for the man she considered a father, chewing her bottom lip. "So what's going to happen once that LVAD goes out? Kyrine's heart gives out too?"

Carlisle nodded solemnly. "I'm afraid so, Alice. The fact of the matter is since her spirit is crushed from what Jacob Black has done to her combined with not taking care of herself properly, it's speeding up the process of her death, which is what she wants from what I've heard."

"Is there anything we can do for her?" Paul asked somewhat desperately, knowing he couldn't go back to Amaya with nothing except the same information they both already knew. "Please, if there's anything to help her, Doc…"

"I honestly don't know." Carlisle heaved a sigh, walking over to stare out at the falling snow. "I know how to treat physically injuries and anything to do with the body, but…emotional pain is out of my league. She won't get better with all the negative energy surrounding her and with Emmett missing…I'm afraid her time is nearly up."

Paul frowned, his heart actually breaking for his imprint and Kyrine. "So nothing can be done? We can't do a single thing to help her?" There had to be something, Paul wasn't giving up that easily as he stepped toward Carlisle.

"Pray." Carlisle locked eyes with Paul and then Sam, watching the alpha stroke his chin thoughtfully. "That is the best advice I can tell you and when the LVAD does give out, you need to call me immediately no matter what Jacob Black says. If he wants her to live, he will let me come take her to the hospital in Forks. We have machines there that can help pump her heart and keep her alive long enough to try finding a match."

Sam cleared his throat, all eyes landing on him. "As the alpha of the Quileute tribe, I'm granting you full access to Forks once that call is made. I'm going to gather the Quileute tribe and do a tribal healing séance for Kyrine, hoping some of that energy will flood her body and help her live longer." It was a long shot, but Sam knew the Quileute tribe was very powerful when the situation called for it.

Carlisle smiled encouragingly, nodding, and watched as the men exited the house to return to La Push, hoping the tribal séance helped heal some of the pain Kyrine was in.