AN – I do not own the characters of Twilight. They belong to Stephanie Meyers.

Chapter 10

Third Person POV

"Who is Edward?" Tia asks very quietly, but everyone around the fire heard her. Quil looks to Sam asking silently what needed to be done. Concern is etched in both of their faces. Now was neither the time nor place to answer her question.

Sam takes a moment to think about how to get through this. He starts playing with Emily's fingers and then says "Paul, Emily hasn't heard all of the legends of Taha Aki. Tell us one." Emily's eyes light up in interest. Paul understands the real request that his Alpha is making so he starts telling one of the Spirit Warrior legends. Quil took this opportunity to explain to Tia who Taha Aki was in an attempt to distract her. It worked. Soon Tia was once again listening to Paul's story with anticipation.

As the legend came to an end, it was obvious from the drooping eyes and the silence among the group that it was time to call it a night. "Sam, I'll take Tia home." Quil helps Tia stand and collect her things. Sam looks at Quil with the silent request that he come over to his place as soon as Tia was safely home. When they reach his truck, he helps Tia get in and comes around to his side.

"Quil, no one answered my question about Edward." She said looking at him as he put his key in the ignition.

QPOV

"I'm not sure that I'm the person to answer your question." He replied hating the fact that he wasn't being completely honest with her. "What happened to you back there Tia? Why did you scream?"

Looking nervous yet again, she explains as her fingers mess with the zipper on her beach bag. "I've been having these dreams. They're strange and frightening. I don't know what they mean".

I put my hand on top of hers. "Tell me. Maybe, I can help."

Tia begins to tell her dream sequence starting with the red blur, the laughter, the mist changing to fire and the glowing gold eyes. "It seems that there's a small part of each of my dreams that changes every time I have it though. The last time I dreamt, which was at Emily's sleep over, something very large was thrown into a tree by the red blur. I can still hear its whimpers of pain." She closed her eyes in sympathy that she couldn't quite understand. "This time, the laughing voice was asking Edward "What is she?" I know that this will sound stupid but it felt as though the voice was asking about me. I woke up from the dream shortly thereafter when I screamed as the flames rose around me again. The dreams feel so real."

I listened making mental notes of what Sam would want to know about this latest dream or I was until she mentioned our most recent fight with Victoria, the one in which that bitch threw me into a tree. My face dropped when I realized that Tia had witnessed my injury and was noticeably upset because of it. What if she starts dreaming about our battles that might not end well? What if she sees one of our deaths? I close my eyes to hide the pain that my thoughts were causing.

I drive down the hill from Uma's to Sam's house. I park out front to find Sam waiting on the front porch for me. He was sitting in a chair looking down at his feet, deep in thought. I sat down next to him and explained my conversation with Tia. He didn't look up until I had finished.

"Sam, I don't know if I can handle what will happen to her if she sees one of us get hurt. My heart was breaking when she described watching me as I was slammed into the tree. I just don't think…" I close my eyes in an attempt to block out these thoughts. That fear laden path would not help me find a way to help her.

Sam looks up finally and sighs. "I knew that this day was going to come. I just wish that it hadn't come so quickly. I need to call a Council meeting to discuss this with them. I asked them to hold off on officially acknowledging your Imprint due to her situation but I don't think we can wait any longer. Between Uma and your grandfather, they will come up with a plan on how to handle this. Give me a couple of days to get everything set. I'll let you know when we're ready." I can see the determination in his eyes. It's obvious that he cares for Tia almost as much as I do.

Third Person POV

The beginning of the school week was like any other only the winter rains were starting. Living in the wettest part of the country meant that everyone carried galoshes, umbrellas and a rain jacket everywhere this time of the year. Quil picked up Tia on the rainy mornings to give her a ride to school. They would hang out together, studying or watching a movie, in the evenings. They split their time between Uma's house and Old Quil's.

TPOV

Tuesday night was the first night that I had ever spent any time around Quil's grandfather. Quil insisted in cooking dinner for me. He had learned to cook from his mother. He said that being in the kitchen reminded him of her. Old Quil sat in his recliner by the tv smiling at me as I sat on the sofa. He watched me for a long moment as Quil busied himself in the kitchen. I was about to starting to get uncomfortable when until he finally spoke.

"I can see that you make my grandson very happy. You are perfect for him. It makes my heart glad to see this. You two deserve each other." He said these words so simply and so matter of a fact. I could not doubt that he meant what he said and that he truly believed in us. I gave him my best smile in thanks.

Third Person POV

Wednesday morning managed to break through the rain that had been plaguing the Reservation. The day was going to be overcast and cool. Quil texts Tia saying that they could walk to school since the weather had improved and Tia agreed. She loved their walks.

Classes went as usual until she got to art class. As she entered the room, she immediately noticed that Seth had changed. Apparently, he was going through a massive growth spurt. What was worse though is that his easy going smile was gone. He didn't even speak to her as she sat down. He worked through class quietly, only occasionally looking up at Tia whenever he thought that she wouldn't notice. As they were cleaning up their projects, Seth finally spoke.

"So, are you dating Quil now Tia?"

"Yes Seth, I am." She answered truthfully. She really liked Seth but as a friend, not in any romantic way.

His face turned stormy. He snatched up his books from the table and slammed out of the room, leaving Tia very confused in his wake.

Agitated by that brief conversation, she decided to text her mom on the way to lunch just to touch base with her. Tia was at her lunch table by herself since Seth was apparently upset with her. She ate in silence waiting for her mom's reply. Finally, her phone buzzed. She flipped it open to see her message.

Still hiding up there with those half breeds? Come home so that we can spend some time together. I can't wait to get my hands on you.

Tia was shocked. There is no way her mom wrote that text. It had to be Jim. She grabbed her things and headed blindly out to her locker. Once she had the door open, she began switching out her books for the afternoon classes. Lost in thought, she was trying to stay calm, fighting away her inner demons. Why would Jim write that? Did mom get my message? If not, where is she? Why does he have her phone? Her mind spirals downward with questions that she can't answer as panic starts to set in. She stands at her locker staring at nothing, trying to remember to breathe and stay calm, but she begins to tremble. Totally distracted, she didn't notice that Quil and Jared were sneaking up behind her in the noisy hallway. Planning to play a joke on her, Jared grabbed both of Tia's arms suddenly.

Tia froze for just a split second. Memories of hands grabbing her flooded her mind. Panic set in. She turned around to face Quil who was hoping to steal a kiss on the cheek, but the look on her face stopped him in his tracks. Quil saw terror.

Tia dropped everything in her arms and ran out the door into the woods. Quil ran after her leaving a confused Jared behind. Tia didn't run just to the edge of the woods but went straight into the trees. She ran as fast as she could until she felt as though she could no longer breathe and that her legs were going to give out. After a couple of minutes of stumbling over roots and crashing through brush, she finally came to a stop.

TPOV

RUN! GET AWAY! DON'T LOOK BACK! My mind screamed when I first felt hands grabbing me. It was instinct. It was survival. Panic took complete control. I throw my books on the floor as I run through the doors, across the parking lot, and into the woods. My only thought is to get away before it happens again. I ran until I was no longer able to take another step. I am struggling to catch my breath. I force myself to sit down on the ground before I end up collapsing. The questions continue to scream through my head. I put my hands over my ears in an attempt to stop them. I close my eyes and put my elbows on my knees trying desperately to calm down.

QPOV

I'm laughing quietly with Jared as we sneak up on Tia. Jared was supposed to get her to turn one way and I was going to get closer to her face so that I could spook her when she turned away from him, maybe steal a kiss. Our attempt to pull a little prank went very badly. Instead of turning towards Jared, Tia froze for just a moment. Then she dropped everything in her hands and ran out the doors.

I looked at Jared. We were both very confused. He bends down to pick up her things as I run after her. I thought that she would stop before going into the trees but I was wrong. I wanted to phase in to catch her quickly but she wasn't ready to see my wolf yet. Instead, I sped up and had to rely on my human eyes and ears to find her.

Finally, I see her sitting in a small clearing. I thought she was crying at first but I couldn't hear her. Instead, I saw her trembling with her eyes shut and her ears covered, trying to shut out everything around her. I walk over to her slowly and stoop down in front of her so she could see me when she looked up.

"Tia?" I'm afraid to touch her. "Tia, what's wrong? Jared and I were just trying to pull a prank on you. We didn't mean to upset you."

I sat down beside her with my arms open, hoping that she would come to me. "Come here, let me hold you." She leaned into me and I pulled her closer. I held her tightly wishing that I could make whatever did this go away. After several minutes, her trembling stopped and her breathing was returning to normal.

"Tia, please…tell me."

She looks into my eyes for a moment and I can see that the sadness has engulfed her again. I pull her even closer. My wolf is anxious, wanting to protect her but doesn't know how. She turns her head away from me to stare out into the trees.

"Remember our conversation at La Push about my mom? I think things have gone very bad for her." She explains the text that she received and her worries. "I think Jim, mom's boyfriend, wrote that message."

"What did he mean by getting his hands on you again?" I have to put a lock down on my anger for this slime bag Jim before I do something really bad.

Tia sighs and goes quiet for a moment. "The night before I moved to the Res, he was drunk or high, or both. I don't know…I had locked myself into my room that evening to get away from him and his greasy friends. He broke down my door to get to me. I could hear my mom screaming in the other room. He tried to…tried to…" and the tears began to fall.

I close my eyes trying to imagine the fear she felt. My wolf was clawing for release. I wanted so badly to haul ass to Vegas just so I could shred this low life. I forced myself to calm down but the shaking had started. I was very close to phasing. I rubbed her arms to comfort both of us.

"T, did he rape you?" I choked out, fearful of her reply.

"No but only because mom pulled him off of me. I passed out after that but I remember seeing mom's face covered in bruises the next morning as she told me that I was moving here.

No wonder she looked so sad and broken her first days at Uma's. "You're here now Tia. I won't let that happen to you ever again." I tuck her head into my chest and smooth her hair. We stayed there in that position until both of us were no longer shaking. A new resolve had lodged itself into my chest, Never Again. I lose myself to my thoughts with her in my arms. She deserves some explanations starting now. I just need to figure out how.

"I have an idea." I pull back from our embrace just a hair. "I think you need to see my favorite place on this reservation. It holds a special place in my heart like you do. What do you say? Ditch your classes and go site seeing with me?"

TPOV

Trying to push the memories of my last night in Vegas out of my head, I snuggle into Quil's chest. His arms pull me closer. His warmth soothes me. The trembling slows down. I concentrate on my breathing and within a few moments, they're gone. Once again, I feel safe in his arms. I don't want to move. I want to stay where we are for all eternity.

"I'd love to get out of here, if only for just a little while." I say pulling away from Quil's chest. I can see that he's upset by what I told him but there's a spark in his eyes when he talks about his favorite place.

He stands and helps me to my feet. He takes my hand and we walk out of the woods. We walk over to his house where he helps me into his truck. He takes a moment to look into the woods before getting in himself. He looks excited and anxious. My curiosity is beginning to grow.

QPOV

Before getting in, I scan the woods for Jared. I finally see him beyond the field across the road from my house. He needed to know that Tia was safe and with me. Getting into the truck, my mind is racing with question about how to go about this. What do I say? Should I show her my wolf first? What do I do if she doesn't react the way I want her to? Gods, this was hard. I sigh, no sense in just letting this simmer any longer. I have to try.

"I never told you about my parents, T." I turn on some music to help my nerves and she turned in her seat to face me as I drive away from the main housing area on the Res. A couple of miles later, I turn onto a dirt road that will eventually to climb up the mountain. "My dad was killed in a storm when I was 5 years old. Since then, mom and I lived with grandfather at his place. He helped me deal with the loss of dad which was not easy for me." I stop talking for a second, thinking about dad and the next part of this story. "My mom was diagnosed with lymphoma when I was 11. The chemo and radiation treatments were brutal on her. With each visit to the hospital, I watched her get weaker and weaker. She passed away a year later." I stare off at the road in front of me, unable to say more for the moment.

I feel Tia scoot closer to me and put her arm around my shoulders. Her eyes shine with unshed tears from my story.

"I'm not telling you this to make you cry T. I'm taking you to my mom's waterfall. Whenever we had had a rough day and the weather would allow, we would come up here. She loved the sound of the water, the singing of the birds. It's beautiful. Every time I go there. I think of her, smiling, laughing and healthy. I want to share this with you."

I stop the truck over by the large sycamore as I always have. I pull Tia out of the truck behind me putting my arm around her waist to help her steady herself. We walk towards the waterfall. I take her to the best vantage point to see the falls.

TPOV

We walk for about a half mile from the truck towards the sound of the running water. The trees are so serene. The sound of the falls was soothing. I looked up to see birds happily singing to the World. When we stopped walking, I look ahead of us to the falls itself. It was breathtaking with the power of the falling water surrounded by trees. There's a large pool at the foot of the falls that would be very inviting on a hot summer's day. I breathe in the fresh, moist air.

I turn to Quil. He's lost in thought, probably remembering the times that he spent with his mom here.

QPOV

I take her over to a flat boulder to let her sit down. I turn to her so that I can see her face. "Tia, I know that you've been asking for some answers. Can I show you one?" Her eyes become inquisitive. "You know that I would never let anything hurt you, right? Can you trust me to show you this?" She nods.

"Stay right here on this rock. I'm going to go over to that stand of trees and I will return in just a second with what I need to show you. Please trust in me. Nothing will harm you."

I walk to the trees trying to make some quick decisions. When I phase, any of the pack who were in wolf form would know what happened today with Tia. I didn't care if Jared found out. He's my best friend but Tia's story is not mine to tell. She should be allowed to decide if and when she wants that information made public. I decide to focus on getting a message to Sam. Once I'm behind the trees, I get out of my clothes and phase.

Sam, I need to talk to you. Attempting to keep my mind only on my message, I hoped that my request would get to him. He needed to know what happened today. I walk out of the tree cover towards Tia.

TPOV

I watch as he stands as Quil disappears into the trees. I wonder what it could be that he needs me to know. I trust him but have to admit that this is odd. I love over at the falls again when I hear something coming towards me. I turn and my jaw drops.

My breathing stops as I find myself face to face with a huge wolf. It was at least 6' tall and massive. It stared straight at me. I begin to inch backwards on the boulder thinking that I was about to become its next snack.

It lowers its head and whimpers softly when it sees my retreat. There was sadness in its voice. I get the courage to look the wolf in the eyes again. Instead of hunger, I see gentleness. I see…

"Quil?"

The wolf rose to stand proudly before me. I watch as his chocolate brown fur rippled when I said his name. With a nod of his head, he headed back to the trees.

QPOV

My prayers had been answered. She saw me in my wolf and she understands. I quickly phase back, put my clothes on and go back to Tia. She's still on the boulder where I had left her. When I came to a stop in front of her, she looked with awe in her face.

"What just happened Quil? How did you do that?"

I sat down next to her again and started explaining using the Quileute legend of Spirit Warriors that we talked about on our first date. I held her hand as I told her that I was a shape shifter like the many generatiosn of our Tribe before me. She took all of the information without saying a word.

I take her hand gently. "Tia, I know that this is a lot for you to grasp right now, but I need you to understand one thing. I feel very protective of you. I always have since the day we first met by the lake at Uma's. You have become everything to me. I am capable of protecting you from any harm that should ever come your way, but I want to know if this is what you want. Can you accept me knowing the truth about me?"

TPOV

I listen to Quil's explanation, beginning to grasp that the legends were in fact truth. That wolf is my Quil. I close my eyes to think for a moment. Ever since I set foot on the Reservation, it has been either Sam or Quil who have always been there for me whenever I needed them. Their concern and vigilance have never wavered. The time that I've spent here has taught me that I can trust them. Now, Quil is asking my permission to be my protector, mine alone.

Taking a deep breath, I open my eyes. "Are there others? Do I know them?" I'm not quite ready to answer his question yet.

Quil gives a sigh of relief. "Yes, you've met all of them. We spent most of the afternoon with them over at La Push last week. They are like me, T. Their sole wish is to see that you, along with everyone else in this tribe, are always protected and safe. They will be there for you whenever or if I can't. However, I was hoping that they wouldn't be needed as much. I would like that job for myself." He looks hopeful.

I place my hand on the side of his face to show him my sincerity. "I think I would like that very much." I can think of no other person, or wolf, that I'd rather have by my side.

Quil's response was amazing. His eyes lit up at my reply and he jumped with energy. His smile was so bright that it lit up what was once my dark, frightened heart. I felt the warmth of his protection in my heart. He pulled me into a gentle hug. His contentment wrapped around me, surrounding me like a blanket. Old Quil was right. He's perfect for me.