Disclaimer: I own nothing from Twilight. Stephanie Meyer does. My characters are my own.
'Shared Pack Mind/Mindscape'
'Thoughts'
Timeline: Set after the Cullen family leaves. Harry Clearwater isn't dead in my story.
Chapter 5
Just as they were about to leave the shop, a familiar figure was seen running down the tree line at top speed. "Seth?" Leah muttered, alarmed. He was supposed to be resting today after everything's that happened.
Seth did not stop as he came barreling towards them. They all had to support the weight of the youngest member of their pack. "There's-." Seth tried, but was gasping for air. He had never ran so hard in his life. Wait, yes he had. A week ago when creatures straight out of a horror film had chased after him.
Worried, Leah pushed in front of the others. "There's what Seth?"
"There's a-. No a," Seth tried again, taking in lungful of air.
Leah held onto Seth, partly annoyed but mostly worried. "There's a what Seth? Use your words."
Seth took in a deep breath and said it all at once. "There's a fucking five year old kid who phased."
Everyone froze. "What did you just say?" a horrified voice asked from the doorway.
Everyone turned around to see Sam, Jared, Billy, and Quil Sr standing on the wooden porch. They were looking at Seth with shock. Seth's face reddened as he realized what he just said. "Sorry about the language."
"That's not the issue Seth," Leah said, giving a small sigh of relief. This was the first time in weeks she's seen her little brother acting normal again. Minus the language of course. He probably picked that up from the guys who came by the house more often. "Not only did you phase despite us telling you not to," she continued, "but you left that kid alone in the forest?"
Seth shook his head no. "That's the thing. He wasn't alone. He was surrounded by three golden wolves." Seth's voice quieted. "They were the same ones from a week ago." His eyes widened and exclaimed, "They were huge!" Seth waved his arms into a big circle to emphasize their size. "They were bigger than us. Next to the pup was another wolf, but he was the same size as us. It was weird. I only heard the kid and the dude in the shared pack mind. The voices of the three larger wolves sounded distant. Almost as if they were echoing."
"Where Seth?" Billy asked, alarmed. There has never been cases in the pack journals like this before.
Seth paused and frowned. He then mumbled, "In the small beach where the borders of La Push meets No Man's Land."
Embry, Paul, and Quil froze. That was near the same area that the woman disappeared to. The three took off with Leah hot at their heels.
Sam cursed and quickly said, "I'll come back and get you later Billy." Halfway down the road with Jared beside him, Sam yelled, "Seth, stay here!"
Once they disappeared into the tree line, Billy looked at Old Quil "What could this mean?" Billy asked.
"I am not entirely sure. But I will talk to our ancestors in hopes of finding an answer," Old Quil said as he flipped the sign to the shop to say 'Closed.' "We can do it here while we wait for the pack to return." Looking at both Billy and Seth, he continued, "Come."
Billy nodded as they all reentered the shop.
—
When John and Will had went to the car, John was still shocked that he had imprinted. He never thought that it would happen. It was hard not to turn back into the shop where his imprint was. Feeling Will squeezing his palm, John focused on the little tike. Placing his hand on the trunk, the car unlocked itself. The trunk opened to reveal some of the snacks Maya had stored in her plastic bins. John picked up Will to have him sit inside the ledge of the trunk.
"What would it be kiddo?" John asked, trying to remain focused on the task at hand.
"PB&J with milk please Uncle John," Will replied.
John nodded. "Okay. One PB&J for the pup, and two large sandwiches for the adult wolf."
John pulled out the necessary ingredients to make them both lunch. They've been surviving from fish he had caught in the lakes. Seeing a cooler by a plastic bin, John opened it to see a freshly poured glass of milk and orange juice for them. Grabbing the cups, he gave Will his milk, while he grabbed his orange juice.
As they ate, Will asked, "Do you think there's more like us here Uncle John?"
John shrugged. "There must be a reason why Maya wants to live in a town surrounded by forest in the middle of nowhere, so maybe."
"Do you think they'll like Mama?" Will asked.
"Because she's not like us?" John asked.
Will nodded. This was a conversation that they had frequently when Maya wasn't around. They all knew that Maya was always searching for others like them. 'To have a pack,' she says. But what she didn't understand was that they have always been pack, despite her being different.
"Of course they will," John said. "If they don't, we'll just stay in our own little pack with Maya."
Will smiled at John as he nodded and bit into his peanut butter and jelly sandwhich.
After a few minutes, Will cocked his head to the side, "Do you think Mama will let me fight alongside you and the others?"
John gave him a look. "You're still a pup kiddo."
"When I'm older?" Will asked.
John laughed. "Tell you what, when you're older and if Maya doesn't teach you, I will." John went to tap Will's nose. Will scrunched his nose in response. "For now, you just focus on being my favorite kiddo, okay?"
Will nodded. "Okay Uncle John."
As they finished up the last of their food, Will asked excitedly, "Are we going to go to the beach now?"
John nodded. "Yeap," he said, popping his p. "Just let me pack up."
John grabbed a blue backpack and filled it with the items Maya suggested. Once done, he lifted Will out of the trunk and onto the pavement. Holding onto his hand, John grabbed the backpack, closed the trunk, and twirled his fingers. The sound of the car locking was heard. Picking up Will to his chest, John said, "Off we go."
Will laughed as John took off towards the tree line. Running beside them, they felt a familiar warm buzz wash over them. They've been around Maya long enough to know what that warm buzz meant. In their human forms, they couldn't see them but they knew that the golden wolves were near.
Once they entered the tree line, they stripped off their clothes and placed it in the backpack. In a blink, a horse sized black wolf with white speckled spots appeared. Beside him was a small golden brown pup with russet brown spots. Both can fully see the golden wolves now. All three were standing. Their heads nearly touched the tops of the canopy.
John bent down to grab the backpack in his mouth. 'Let's go.'
The duo took off deeper into the woods with the three golden wolves surrounding them.
When they arrived to a small secluded beach, Will laughed and rolled around in the sand. John plopped down beside him. After a few moments of both rolling around, Will playfully bopped John's nose with his sand covered paws. 'Tag. You're it.'
John laughed. 'You're on kid.'
Will squeaked and started running around towards the water with John chasing after him. After an hour of tag, they plopped back to the sand, panting. That's when they felt it. It was new and different, but it felt familiar somehow. Then a voice.
'What the-?' a young high-pitched voice asked in confusion.
Will being Will greeted the unknown voice. 'Hi! What's you're name? I'm-.'
John could feel the newcomer starting to freak out.
'What? How? When?' the voice said in frantic.
'Calm down kid,' John urged.
His voice went unheard as he saw the kid starting to pace back and forth. Images of a tree on the left came to view as it panned out to the right to another tree. Back and forth the images went.
'The pup's hyperventilating,' a soft voice said. Her voice too, went unheard by the panicking newcomer.
'He's too worked up,' a gruff voice said.
'What am I going to do? There's a kid. A KID!' John heard in the mind scape. The newcomer stopped pacing as John got an image of one of the men he recognized from the wooden shop. 'Gotta tell Sam!'
'Wait, kid!' John called out but was too late as the familiar feeling came back and the voice disappeared.
Will looked at John with glee. 'There's more of us.'
John nodded. 'Yeah.' Feeling excited and worried at the same time.
Fifteen minutes went by before Will and John both heard a series of voices in their mindscape. Will moved closer to John and whimpered in response. John growled. 'Will all of you put a sock in it? You're scaring the kid.'
There was silence. Will relaxed slightly but stayed close to John.
'You're Maya's brother,' Quil recalled, remembering the voice.
John could see them closing in on their location. He looked at one of the golden wolves in worry.
'They will not harm you pup,' a soft voice said, reassuring him.
'Woah, Seth. You were right. It is almost like their voices are far away. It's bizarre,' Jared said.
John and Will looked at the golden wolf in confusion.
'They cannot hear us clearly inside their own shared mindscape, pups,' she said. 'Maya has not been fully accepted as pack yet.'
Paul, Embry, and Quil growled. 'Like hell she isn't,' growled out Paul.
'Calm down you three,' Sam said as they finally cut through to the beach. Seth was right. The three wolves towered over the rest of them. They were at least twice their size. Sam made himself look as nonthreatening as possible. He knew if there was going to be a fight, the three larger wolves can take them on easy. Sam watched the horse sized black wolf with white spots and the little golden brown pup with russet brown spots in wonder.
Will whimpered and stepped towards one of the golden wolf. 'What do you mean Mama hasn't become pack yet?'
The golden wolf nudged Will's side with its snout. 'It is the way of things pup. Until Maya becomes accepted as pack, they will never be able to hear us as clearly as you two.'
'What happens if Maya never becomes pack?' John asked, alarmed.
Paul, Embry, and Quil growled. Not liking that thought as well.
The golden wolf sat down on her hindlegs and looked away. The other two laid down and looked at the two sadly. 'You both will cease to be able to hear us, and Maya will be forced to leave.'
Growls were heard. Will's eyes widened and ran to the golden wolf sitting down. 'No! I refuse. Mama would never abandon us. Mama promised to stay with Uncle John and I. No!' Will looked at John. 'Tell them Uncle John. Mama is pack and will always be pack.'
John let out a low growl. 'What changed? This never occurred before.'
The golden wolf looking at the sky lowered her gaze to look at the two pups in front of her that she helped Maya raised. 'When she made it a mission to find those like you, we always knew that there was a risk in which she would be outcasted.'
John's eyes widened before narrowing his eyes. 'Because she's not Quileute?'
Sam and the others looked at John, surprised.
He was given no response. John growled and demanded, 'Answer me!'
The golden wolf growled back in warning. 'Watch your tone pup.' John let out a low whine. 'Ethnicity has nothing to do with this.' Her gaze softened, 'Maya does not make the rules, pup. Nor can she bend them to her will.'
John growled not understanding. 'What about Maya will leave her to be outcasted?'
'Because her magic is different from yours, pup,' a deep voice said.
Sam and the rest of the pack's eyes widened. Coming from the tree line were three more large golden wolves. The largest one was in the middle and it had golden-brown fur with a white underbelly. By his side were two slightly smaller wolves. Both golden brown, but the one on the right had a black underbelly, and the one on the left had a gray underbelly.
John's and Will's eyes widened in surprise as the sitting wolf rose to stand. 'What are you doing here?' she asked the large male wolf.
'Ensuring the pups' safety,' he said.
Alarmed, Will looked at male wolf and asked, 'What happened to Mama?'
Paul, Embry, and Quil stood to attention and let out a soft whine in worry.
'Fighting,' he answered.
John got a brief image of Maya with more larger golden wolves being surrounded by black goopy creatures at the border of Forks and La Push. He took off. Paul, Embry, Quil, and Leah took off after him.
The golden brown wolves growled. 'Foolish pups,' the male said.
Looking at her daughters and sons, the female said, 'Go with your father. I'll stay with the pup.'
Sam, and Jared watched as the large female golden wolf picked up Will by the scruff of his neck while the rest of the larger wolves took off after the others. Esika looked at Sam for a brief moment before leaving with Will in her mouth. The two went after the rest of their pack.
John jump past some shrubs as he landed on his paws and ran towards where he knew Maya was. He heard low growls and roars in the distance. He then heard flesh being ripped apart.
'I'm almost there, Maya. Just hold on,' John urged.
John entered a clearing. He heard a few gasps in his mindscape. In the middle of the clearing was a circular cloud glowing darkish red. Inside the cloud was a large golden brown wolf. It had a black goopy creature in its mouth.
'What the fuck is that thing?' Paul asked. It was different than the ones chasing after Seth, but also similar. His wolf knew that they were dangerous though. He watched as the golden brown wolf tore the head apart.
'A soul sucker,' Will's voice whimpered out.
'Kiddo, you're not supposed to be here,' John growled out as he picked up speed. He saw a black creature sneaking up on the golden-brown wolf.
'I can't phase back knowing Mama is in danger,' Will replied.
John let out a curse. 'Okay. Stay with Esika though.'
'Okay,' Will mumbled. John was relieved to see Will still in the jaws of Esika as they went deeper into the woods, away from the battle.
John roared out as the creature went to attack Maya. The roar was loud enough to warn the golden-brown wolf. It back flipped, place it's jaws on the creature's head, and ripped it off as it landed. As black goop spilled out from the creature's neck, the golden-brown wolf spit the head out of it's mouth. Only for her to be taken by surprised a creature that was hiding underground. It struck it's hand through her abdomen.
When the golden brown wolf roared out, Paul, Embry, and Quill all cried out. Immense pain erupted through their abdomen. The rest of the pack let out low whines as they felt it too through the pack bond. The creature flung the golden wolf to the side.
'Maya!' John cried out, forcing his legs to move faster.
Hearing the cries of wounded wolves, Maya looked over to see the incoming pack as she glowed. Instead of the golden brown wolf, it was replaced by a fully clothed woman that Paul, Embry, and Quil recognized. They sucked in their breaths at her bloody side.
Maya's eyes looked at John.
'No,' John called out, recognizing that look instantly. 'Don't do it, Maya. Don't you fucking dare!'
Maya reached her hand and closed her fist as the glowing dark red portal started to get smaller. John cursed and picked up speed. Paul, Embry, and Quil pushed through the immense pain to run alongside John.
'What is she doing?' Embry asked.
'She's closing the fucking portal so that we can't enter,' John growled out.
Paul, Embry, and Quil growled as they also picked up speed. Almost neck to neck with John. Leah looked at the portal with worry. She saw one of the creatures stopped running towards Maya and sniffed. It then gazed directly at her, making her suck in a breath. It ran towards the portal. Just as his hand was about touch the portal, it was impaled by a sword. The sword was made of fire. As the creature landed with a thud, the fire consumed the creature. Maya ran and jumped over another creature as another sword made of fire appeared behind her. She grabbed it with her right hand and sliced the creature through with it. Running towards the portal, Maya sliced through another creature, ignoring the pain that flared at her abdomen the best she could.
John could see Maya defending the portal so that the creatures couldn't get to them. John took a giant leap. Just as he was about to enter the portal, something heavy crashed landed on him. He went crashing down towards the ground. John quickly looked up. His eyes widened as he saw the portal close with Maya inside it. As the cloud whisped away, he heard something land with a thud then a low grunt.
'You fucking idiot!' John roared at the russet brown wolf who landed a few yards away. John got up and growled at him. 'What the fuck is wrong with you? I was almost there. I could've helped Maya.'
Jacob's eyes widened as his vision cleared. 'What the fuck are you talking about?'
John eyes narrowed at his response.
Jacob growled when he saw an image of the girl in the shop pop into his head. 'Why the fuck would I care who she is? I don't even know her.'
John growled and tackled Jacob to the ground. Jacob faked left, and made a move to the right but John was faster. John turned to bite Jacob's muzzle. Jacob jumped back to create space. Jacob was bleeding heavily on his snout as he glared at John. Angered, Jacob lunged at John, only to be stopped by Jared and Sam. Jacob's eyes widened when five large wolves were in front of him. Two were by John's side, keeping John back. Paul, Quil, and Embry were growling at Jacob, while Leah was in front of John in a defensive position.
'Enough!' the largest wolf with golden brown fur with a white underbelly said. 'Now is not the time to be acting like pups.'
'He's right,' Sam said as he took a step away from Jacob. 'Where were you Jacob? You didn't feel the pack calling for you?' Sam asked. 'I mean, I know we howl for emergencies, but there's the pack pull too.'
Jacob frowned. 'No. I was with Bella, and-.'
'Of course you would be with the leech lover,' Paul growled out.
Jacob growled in response. 'Watch it, ass.'
'What are you going to do about it, baby alpha?' Paul taunted.
Jacob growled, getting ready to tackle Paul before a loud warning growl entered their mindscape. They all paused in shock to look at larger male wolf. 'What did I just say?'
Everyone let a low whine. Jacob glared at John before taking off into the forest, away from the pack. Sam sighed.
'He has a soul sucker attached to him,' a feminine voice said as trees rustled.
Everyone stood on guard. Walking towards them were five large deers. They were as large as the five golden-brown wolves.
'Kuro,' the male wolf greeted as he nodded his head toward the largest deer.
'Emon,' she greeted. Looking at the smaller wolves, she frowned. 'You best not to stay here. A battle with one soul sucker always attract another. Come.'
Kuro went towards a direction as John rushed to walk beside her. Leah went to walk next to him, which he was grateful for. It kept his anger in check. 'Maya sent you,' John stated.
Kuro peered down at him. 'It's been a while pup. You've grown.' The five deers beside her went around the smaller wolves as they encouraged them to follow Kuro. 'Yes, Maya sent us. We were tasked to give you and the rest of the pack safe passage to where the two young pups are.'
'Two young pups?' John repeated confused. His eyes widened. 'Will is with the kid?'
'Sorry,' Seth's voice piped up. 'I didn't want to distract anyone. I saw Will phased back when I was with Billy and Old Quil. Everyone got an image of a naked five year old boy with golden locks laying on top of a large golden brown wolf with gray spots. 'I think they're okay.'
John sighed in relief. 'He must've used all of his energy. Can you stay with them kid?'
'Sure thing,' Seth said.
'Thanks kid,' John said as he looked at Emon. 'What are you guys going to do?'
Emon smirked at John, showing a large canine. 'What we do best, pup.'
John's eyes widened when Emon and his children were swallowed by glowing red cloud. John sighed. 'There goes my chance in asking if I can come,' he thought.
'It is better this way pup,' Kuro said as she guided the group towards Will. 'Maya had enclosed the entire area within a portal. This was a battle she did not want you to fight in.'
John growled and looked at Kuro. 'A freaking arm with claws went through her, Kuro. Why am I here when I should be there fighting alongside her?' John asked, feeling hurt. They were pack. Pack was supposed to help one another.
Kuro stopped to lower her head at him, making him stumble back at the abruptness. 'Do not misconstrue her actions pup.' Kuro lifted her head and continued walking. 'Maya may have taught you how to defeat a soul sucker, but she has never taught you how to defeat a Collector.'
John's eyes widened and froze in fear. Flashes of a women with black wavy hair, bloody on the floor cradling a newborn infant came back.
Leah brushed against him slightly and asked, 'What is a Collector?'
John shook his head to focus as he turned to look at Leah. 'There are other supernatural creatures out there other than just us and vampires.' The pack looked at John in shock. He stared ahead and continued walking as he said, 'Some call them the devil, others a demon. A Collector is a being you go to when you want to sell your soul to make a blood contract.' John turned to look at Leah and continued, 'The more a Collector gather contracts, the stronger it gets. Once strong enough, they can do other things than just absorb souls.'
Embry frowned at the information. 'The giant deer-.'
'Kuro,' John provided.
'Kuro said that there was a soul sucker on Jacob, what does she mean by that?' Embry asked. 'And why couldn't we see it when…'
Images of what Seth saw crossed John's mind. His eyes widened and swiveled around to Embry. 'How long ago was this?'
Surprised, Embry stepped back and muttered, 'A week ago.'
John turned to face the giant deer. 'Kuro, the kid-.'
'Maya is not pack,' she interrupted sternly.
John growled, 'What does this have anything to do with helping the kid.'
'Everything,' Kuro said as she glowed green. The small wolves blinked and found themselves at the tree line of where Little Carvers were.
John watched helplessly at Kuro as she and the herd turned back into the forest. Her hooves began to turn into whispy smoke as her voice echoed throughout the forest, 'Maya is fighting a battle that only she can do, very much like how there is a battle only you two can do.'
John frown as she and the rest of the herd disappeared.