Chapter 8

"Dream Walker"

Jacobs POV

As the days went by training the newbies distracted me and gave me a sense of purpose that lifted my spirits a bit though day by day as the Vampires failed to find a lead it dwindled in its effectiveness. Training them felt important but I couldn't help but worry about the fact that there were still no leads. Finding a Werewolf was even harder than it sounded. Further proof that the numbers had dwindled of their kind to an amount that would make finding one who knew anything potentially about Renesmee near impossible or very easy as what's left of their communities must be tightly knit for a pack as large as Elcrie suggested to have grouped together to attack Renesmee and I. It was harder and harder to find strength in my pack but I continued to put on a brave face for them and them for me. I felt terrible to rip them away from their families with so little information on what we were up against or when we would even begin our journey to wherever Ness was, though Seth's insistence that each day we grew closer to finding Ness kept everyone in high spirits. It was almost as if he knew something deep down that we all didn't. It was hard to ignore, especially with him back in my head now, but overall even harder to believe.

Seth had grown up so much in the years we'd spent apart. He'd traveled to corners of the earth I'd never even dreamed of traveling to and for each place he had a million stories to tell. The younger kids followed him around much in the way he used to follow me around all those years ago, when we were stuck in Sam's pack together. I was so angry back then but Seth, Seth was always happy. Just a young boy looking for his place in the pack. Little did he know the best place was always by his side. Even if we all hated to admit it back then Seth was the only thing that made being in Sam's pack tolerable for as long as it was. Of course in the end it all worked out the way it needed to and to this day I'm still thankful for all old man Sam did for me as a kid, though I could never forgive him fully for being willing to kill Bella as a human before she was given a chance to survive her birth. A call I could never have made, even if I now understood his desire back then to protect the pack.

Elcrie had left two days after our return but Uley and Harry stayed behind to help with the newbies. The younger shape shifter's were in awe of the two as their massive statures towered even Bear. Half of them were already "in love" with Uley and it was entertaining to watch Bear chase them off one by one. Bear was convinced he had imprinted on her though Uley hardly cared to give the poor man the time of day. It was like watching history repeat itself all over again. I honestly never realized how desperate I must have looked to everyone else until now. It would make me laugh if it didn't make me sick to think of the years I wasted trying to force a relationship that was never meant to happen. At least in Bear's case there was no Vampire to fight off, just a couple of giant Adlet hybrid males who would at a moment's notice take him down if she gave the word that his advances weren't appreciated. Which surprisingly she hadn't yet. Come to think of it Uley's 100% not the type to waste her or anyone else's time. Shit. Maybe he did imprint on her.

The sudden swoosh and scent of Bella as she entered my home, a separate cabin Renesmee and I built within the family compound grounds, just three miles from the main home. Edward wasn't happy about it at first but when we broke the news about Renesmee's pregnancy, he understood the need for our own space. In fact the two of us together built most of this home ourselves. A passion project that we honestly bonded on more than we ever had on anything before. Edward was smart, like a century of medical and law schooling smart, but I'll tell ya personally I wouldn't ever let that man build a house by himself if I were you. Consider yourself warned.

"What's the news?" I shot out as Bella swiftly entered the kitchen.

"The Egyptians have a lead on Werewolf but Amun isn't exactly on board with Benjamin's hunting tactics." Bella said.

"Egyptian Werewolves. Wow." I said, "Any news on Elcrie?"

"I'm here." Elcrie said spooking me so bad I shot hot coffee out of my nose.

"Fuck! God! How the hell do you do that!" I said as I looked around for a towel, Bella, laughing, tossed one at my face as she took out cleaning wipes and began to clean up my coffee spill.

"If I don't want to be seen, I'm not." Elcrie stated ominously.

"Yeah, I see that." I replied as I poured myself a new cup of coffee.

"Put the coffee down!" Elcrie shouted as he stood up.

His commanding voice made me jump and I poured hot coffee all over my hand accidentally.

"JESUS CHRIST! WHAT THE HELL!" I shouted back as Bella raced to my hand pulling it under the sink quickly to help ease the pain, in true mother bird fashion.

"I need you to be tired right now." Elcrie continued calmly.

"What?! What the hell are you talking about old man?! Aren't you the one always preaching about the health benefits of good sleep!" I replied, a bit more disrespectful than I meant.

Bella squeezed my hand and shot a warning look into my eyes and I took a deep breath and quickly apologized as the pain very slowly began to fade from my hand.

"I'm sorry too, here let me." Elcrie replied as he stepped past Bella whose eyes widened with excitement as she waited for me to allow Elcrie to heal my hand.

I decided any amount of happiness I could give Bella right now was worth it, even if I didn't really need Elcrie to fix this particular injury. Bella watched with a smile as she witnessed Elcrie heal my hand, his turning to black as he absorbed my pain. I let it go on for just a minute or two before yanking my hand away. If you don't stop Elcrie, he'll never stop and my pain ran much deeper than a hot coffee burn. I wouldn't let him take that, it wasn't his and I wouldn't want it to be anyone else's besides mine. I can handle this burden, for now.

"That was amazing Elcrie." Bella said softly.

"Why don't you ask him for an autograph while you're at it?" I joked.

She glared at me in the way she does before we all began to laugh together for a moment.

"So why does Jacob need to be tired?" Bella asked, refocusing us all.

"Ah, yes." Elcrie said before turning to walk out of the front door.

Bella and I followed naturally as Elcrie often led without words, something I wished I was a good enough Alpha to do.

"Jacob? Have you ever heard Leah's theory that you may possibly be a descendant of my sister Uley?" Elcrie asked after a short walk into the woods.

"Yes?" I replied, "Why, are you planning on getting me and you DNA tested or something?" I joked.

"We already were. Leah was right." Elcrie continued, shocking both me and Bella.

"Wow, uh. Cool. So what does that have to do with anything?" I continued slightly in awe that I was related to one of the most fear sum predators on earth.

"Have either of you ever heard of dream walking?" Elcrie asked finally turning to me and Bella who shot each other quick looks of confusion that answered Elcire's question. "My sister Uley was a Dream Walker. It is how we remained in contact after I was ostracized from my mothers tribe."

"That's… What is that?" I was still very confused as to where this conversation was going.

"What do you know about Vampiric talents Isabella?" Elcrie asked, turning his attention to Bella who's eyes narrowed as she no doubt drew up everything she had ever learned about Vampires with talents in a matter of seconds.

"I know that talents are often a personification of a talent that was carried over from a Vampire's former human state of mind but also that some, more powerful talents, are believed to come from powerful bloodlines of human turned Vampires." Bella stated confidently.

"Exactly. Bloodline. Harry carried on my gift but as far as I know, no one has ever carried on Uley's. Or, perhaps, no one has ever had a reason to unlock this talent as she did once her and I were separated. Until now." Elcrie continued speaking in my direction now.

It was impossible not to snort and roll my eyes. If only it were that easy. Bella was clearly indifferent, though I knew most likely she was simply unwilling to disagree with Elcrie in front of him again. Elcrie however was still, his emotions unchanging as he allowed me to experience my emotions without judgment.

Finally I took a deep breath and tried to find a way to not sound sarcastic as I continued, "I really hope you're about to try something new old man cause I am no Dream Walker. I've never even heard of that. Also when did you take my DNA and have it tested with yours?"

"We don't have time for things that don't matter Jacob. The Vampires are proving useless and you are now at peak power with your pack surrounding you. It's time." Elcrie continued.

"A member of the Egyptian coven found a Werewolf, they're hunting it as we speak." Bella replied.

"Jasper, Emmett and Garrett have found 2 from information Uley collected. None have been helpful. We need names, faces, a location. The wolves can't stay here forever and time is ticking on the Volturi's offer. Tell me how Alice's visions look? Is there any future that shows Renesmee being reunified through the Volturi's help?"

"No…" Bella said sheepishly, looking away from me. "But that's not exactly how her talent woks either..."

My heart dropped as I realized, our last hope was already a failure…

"Jacob, I know change has never been comfortable for you but if you don't try something new we may end up fighting this fight on our own or possibly…" Elcries voice trailed off but his tone implied my worst fears precisely.

"Okay. What do I have to do?" I replied.

Whatever it is. I'm ready to give it my all.

Renesmee's POV

This pregnancy was killing me not literally but the rate at which the fetus grew was extremely uncomfortable. I would give birth any day now realistically. Though I couldn't wait for this to be over, and for Dane's biological connection to me to finally be severed. Undoubtedly I feared for what was to come. What would he do with this child? What would he expect my role to be? Then there was my biggest fear. Would my family come to my rescue before Dane wanted another one? Of course Priah's words about how none of Dane's children survived infancy also rattled my brain. To go through all of this just to have to watch this child die would crush me. It was something I knew would take a lifetime to recover from mentally, a time Jacob Jr. didn't deserve to have to deal with growing up.

The Blood Moon was an event that was highly anticipated by The Kingdom of The Underground. I had been forced to carry Jacob alongside Dane through two parades so far, gallivanting around as if the three of us were one big happy family. It made me sick to my stomach. From what I understood Werewolves went into a deep sleep during the blood moon and three days that followed it. This was how Dane maintained the population of Werewolves among The Underground by turning the entire nature of the beast from killing machines to hibernators. It was unfortunately ingenious and this evolution from killer to sleeper seemed almost impossible yet I fully understood the necessity as their ancestors had not done well topside.

The "Sleep of The Redeemed" as Dane called it would begin in just one week. I hoped I could keep the baby inside of me until then as I badly did not want Dane present at this birth. Thankfully he also wasn't interested in rushing the birth though Priah had twice tried to convince him to induce labor. Once going as far as to mention how "being intimate with your mate often" can help ensure an easy delivery. I was horrified at her words, something Dane caught onto quickly. Dane even allowed me and Jacob Jr. to leave dinner early that night and from what I understand he did not speak to Priah for nearly a week as punishment. I couldn't help but slightly relish in her pain, though I tried my best not to waste my time on things that did not matter as I still believe one day, hopefully soon, this will all be over.

Nights were harder as the baby grew and my hunger grew with it. Stella was at my side 24/7 at this point. A cot was put out by my door and she now spent night and day with Jacob and I. I hated having to relive my motherhood duties to her but I could hardly control my need to constantly be eating or sleeping. My breasts were often engorged as my body produced milk faster then Jacob could drink it as it prepared for the new arrival. It was all so inconvenient really. Why anyone would willingly have one child after another was officially beyond my understanding. Days huddled together in one big blob and unfortunately this lack of keeping time worked against me as I was awakened by the harsh knocking of Priah. A knock which also woke Jacob Jr. and Stella up. She was here earlier than we ever woke up though our schedule was essentially ruined to the point where night and day would have mixed together whether or not there was a sun in the sky.

"One moment Priah!" Stella shouted out as she scurried to pick up a mess of plates and burp rags that had piled up the last couple hours from Jacob and I.

"I do not have a moment to waste, we are one night away from The Sleep of The Redeemed. I have things to attend to." Priah announced as she burst through the doors with a group of large human men.

"I bet you're excited to rest, uninterrupted." I replied half awake as I rocked Jacob back to sleep.

"I will not be resting this year, I am old, matured past my prime as a Werewolf. I will be here alongside your new guards until the rest of my people has concluded." Priah replied as her eyes judge Stella who she watched scramble to clean up.

"Lucky me." I said through gritted teeth.

The guards were all human armed with guns, their faces covered in masks. Eventually six took post at all corners of my room under Priah's direction.

"Why does it look like they're getting comfortable?"

"My dear you are practically hours away from giving birth and being nearly free from the watch of Werewolves. I'm not taking any chances." Priah continued.

"On another much less exciting note. Yuskia has come down with a cough. Most likely harmless however, Dane insist anyone who so much as sniffles is not to be near the royal children so…" Priah continued as a familiar scent filled my nose.

Killian. I couldn't help but silently cry as he walked over to me. He had slimmed down a lot and his long hair was now shortened to ear length now. I imagined he must have been forced to cut it as hair that beautiful would have been incredibly hard to chop off willingly.

"They didn't feed you?" I whispered as he knelt beside me and Jacob, taking my hand with a small laugh.

"Don't worry about me. I'll be alright." Killian replied as he rubbed his fingers gently over Jacob Jr's long black hair.

"Killian… I am so so sorry…" I whispered.

I knew Priah wouldn't approve of the conversation, but I had to say it. I couldn't help myself.

"Don't be. Amina was the bravest person I ever knew. Grayson, the most nobel. They died doing what they knew was right." Killian said, a tear escaping his eyes as he stared at Jacob lovingly. "I blame you for nothing, so you have nothing to be forgiven for." He continued, healing something deep within me with just his words, "On that note, I'll help Stella clean up and then we'll prepare this room and the bathroom for your birth."

"Thank you." I replied through more tears.

Killian kissed my forehead gently, to my surprise Priah still hadn't said much of anything. She simply stood there with the same angry expression that always sat upon her face.

"Alpha Dane has written you a note… Queen Renesmee." Priah finally said, handing me a piece of paper she had been twiddling with since she entered the room.

To hear her struggle to say "Queen" before my name was also a small joy I found among her misery.

I opened the note knowing that she was far too obedient right now, as she fought to regain her place at Danes side since the dinner incident, to read it before it was given to me.

"My dearest wife,

I understand we have not always seen eye to eye and furthermore that I have hurt you in ways that cannot be undone. Though I hope you can one day forgive me I hope even harder that your anger towards my decisions do not reflect over time onto our child. I have not taken up the mantle of Jacob's father in vain as I understand what he has lost-"

That was as far as I got before anger took over. Dane had no idea what Jacob Jr. was missing out on. Besides, the wording was wrong, Jacob Jr. hadn't lost a father he had been stolen from him. I carried Jacob past Priah who put out her arms straight to Killian, who I knew was dying to hold him again. Priah stepped in my direction as I grabbed a candle, ripped the note up and set it on fire inside a dinner bowl. She growled at me while I stared her down before she finally left the room in a fury. Killian and Stella smiled at each other then turned to me and the three of us laughed together for a short moment.

That night the four of us watched together on my balcony as the Werewolves went to a place called "The Sub Underground", a large cave beneath The Underground that safely housed all of the Werewolves young and old together. It was a relief that I didn't know I needed as I watched Priah close the gates behind Dane as the crowd of humans who had said their goodbyes to their loved ones cried watching them walk away. If there was ever a time to be saved. Now was it. I watched as the moon came out that night bright red. I could feel fear leaving my body as the noise among The Underground faded to the simple, delicate heartbeats of humankind. If my body wasn't already weakened from this pregnancy I would have already taken Jacob and ran. As the humans began to wake up they prayed to the moon for the safety of those within the cave. It was a strange feeling understanding that Werewolves were the enemy or at least Dane and definitely Priah were alongside anyone else who aided in my kidnapping, however, collectively it was hard to blame what was left of a race of people for a crime a handful committed. I knew I didn't want them all to die but I didn't know how to save them without them releasing me willingly. I need to find a way to get Killian alone.

"Killian? Can we talk?" I asked through the balcony doors.

"Of course." Killlian said with a smile, his head popping up from his medical kit.

Unfortunately a guard followed behind him.

"Can we speak alone?" I said to the guard who simply turned around, but did not move.

I wanted to snap the man's neck but that would only make everything worse.

"How can I help you?" Killian continued trying to distract me.

At the exact moment he spoke I felt a sharp pain in my stomach. It jolted through my body unexpectedly. The baby had kicked me harder than ever before in my ribs, it took my breath away and the shock of the kick sent fluid flowing down my thighs. Killian caught me and repeatedly told me I was okay. My mind went blank as I could not believe what was happening. I remembered Jacobs' birth for a moment, how alone I felt, how helpless among strangers I was. Though I didn't quite feel alone I didn't feel at all like I wanted my family here to witness this. Certainly not my husband as I felt completely disconnected from the experience entirely.

Labor was a blur, I know I was in pain but I was mostly just focused on getting it over with entirely. Stella and Killian were excited for me but I didn't understand why. When Killian announced it was a girl I didn't really care in all honesty though I forced a small smile onto my lips. Before I could say no, Killian placed the crying infant into my arms. She was pale in complexion, her blonde hair a sour reflection of her biological fathers. Her eyes were a brown copy of my own however and her grandmothers before her. It was a slight relief though I knew babies facial features had the ability to morph as I had watched Jacob change tremendously in the six months of his life. It was hard to pretend to be embracing the moment there were no happy or sad tears, no real connection though the child had wrapped her fingers around my hand. I simply could not shake the feeling that she did not belong to me, though I knew she had indeed come from my body.

Priah attempted to take the child and instinctively I growled at her, prompting one of the guards to ready his weapon. I backed down but refused to hand her over and Priah, concerned about the child's safety as I held her in my arms within the bathtub where I had given birth to her, backed down as well.

"Alpha Dane has suggested the name Reina if the child was born a female." Priah let out after shooing the guard out of the bathroom.

I watched as he left though he stood just outside of the door before I spoke. "Her name is Ann." I said, my eyes not leaving the guard.

Killian dropped a metal tray that was in his hands and Stella gasped at the name. It was their family nickname for Amina, a part of me never intended to name the child at all and though it felt temporary it was much more appropriate then allowing this child to be named by the man who rapped me in order to create her.

"Ann? What a boring name for a Queen. Do reconsider-" Priah insisted.

"It has already been decided." I snapped back and cut her off. "Dane assured me I could name the child boy or girl. Her name is Ann, write it down somewhere if you're to incompetent to remember that." I continued as I cradled the infant in my arms tightly to my chest.

"Ann it is." Priah said through her teeth before exiting the room entirely.

When it was just the three of us I looked to Killian and Stella who nodded and smiled in approval of my choice of name.

"She will be a wonderful Queen. Queen Ann. I think it's just perfect." Stella said with pride.

I continued to fake my smile as I held onto the newborn though it had only been perhaps ten or fifteen minutes since her birth my mind had already begun drifting back to Jacob Jr., I wanted him near. Stella understood my silence and stood to retrieve him but instead I opted to have her hold the infant while Killian helped me up from the bathtub. Stella placed the baby in her bassinet after cleaning her off thoroughly and helped Killian dress and wash me. Through great pain I walked, with the help of Killian, over to my bed where Jacob Jr was brought to me. Stella pushed the infant's bassinet towards me and reality began to sink in as I watched her lips suckle. She needed to feed from my breast and I now had to feed her.

Jacobs POV

Three more days passed since my Dream Walker training had begun with Elcrie. I hadn't slept for a single second yet nothing I could do could get my eyes to shut. I recommended Harry's talent to Elcrie but he insisted that Harry's talent wouldn't allow my mind to focus the way it needed to maintain a conversation as I passed through my mind into another. I meditated for long periods of time during the day never stopping to eat since I had started. To the point where my body was so hungry I almost never had to use the bathroom. Something Carlisle was extremely concerned about though Elcrie did not push the matter so I decided it was okay. Maybe even necessary. I needed to focus. I needed to forget about all other desires besides my desire to connect with Renesmee. My eyes were closed tight and my mouth dry as I sat deep in the woods all alone. At least until Tweedledee and Tweedledum found me of course.

"Jake, you need to eat." Bella said as she placed the carcass of a deer in front of me.

The scent threw me outta my focus as my body screamed to be fed.

"Seriously Bella? I thought you wanted me to take this seriously! Why the hell would you bring me food when you know-"

"Maybe I just don't want you to starve to death! Or be too weak to fight when we do finally find Renesmee!" She shouted back. "Jacob, I'm sorry but this is stupid! Elcrie came in talked a big game about this talent related bloodline crap that he has no real evidence outside of Harry to represent, sat down with you for a day in the middle of the forest away from everyone and told you to focus on your strongest desire the left to go be with Leah again. Now I completely respect the man but this is just turning into another thing to worry about. Besides the Egyptians are close to this next Werewolf, we should wait-"

"I'm done waiting Bella! Done relying on other people! I can do this! Just back off!" I shouted.

"No you can't! No one can! Jacob please just let this go!"

"Has Alice seen anything?! Has anything changed?!"

"No but-"

"This is something that I can do to help!" I fought back.

"This is a waste of time." Edward chimed in rushing to Bella's side.

Of course, he was back, and back in her head. It all made sense now.

"Bella and I agree on this completely. You weakening yourself isn't going to make you any better for whatever comes next." Edward continued.

I knew whatever I did next had to be unpredictable, but that was hard with a mind reader around. Fuck you. I thought in Edwards direction before shifting into my wolf and taking off into the woods.

"Jacob! This is a bad idea!" Edward shouted as he ran behind me.

"What's he about to do?" Bella shouted behind him following me at top speed.

"He's exhausting himself! He'll run till his heart gives out, whatever it takes to fall asleep!" Edward shouted back to her.

I quickened my pace to an uncomfortable speed repeating her name in my head to drown out their voices. My heart beat fast as my vision began to blur, I was killing myself. I could feel it as my heart began to give out, but I could also feel myself begin to fall asleep so I ran faster, faster than I ever had before. Until I couldn't feel the ground beneath me anymore. Then it all went black.

In moments the blackness turned to light, a blinding light, like staring directly into the sun. As it dimmed the walls around me were cloaked in what I could only describe as moon light. It was familiar as I'd spent many nights surrounded by the same dark shadows that were cast upon the ground around me. The ground… There was no ground. I was in a tub, I think. The water was a deep shade and I lifted my hand up and only then did I realize it was blood. I immediately jumped out in fear and as suddenly as it was there, the blood was gone. I stared down at an empty tub and realized I was completely dry. Still wearing the same outfit I had out on three mornings ago when Elcrie had taken me out to the woods. I closed my eyes and thought her name once more. When I opened them I realized there was a wooden door to my left and carefully I opened the door. Fear crept into my soul as the loud sounds of chains rattling hit my ears. I had no idea where I was but I understood it was night. Chains decorated the ceilings and scattered across the floor. In the middle I realized was a small woman with long wet brown hair, dressed in white on a small cot. I took a breath in but there was no scent at all. This woman was potentially a complete stranger. Just another nightmare…

I felt myself slip for a moment then regained focus as I said her name aloud now, "Renesmee." I bowed my head in grief.

To my surprise the chains rattled loudly and I watched as they pulled towards the women who began to sit up as she turned, my heart dropped and my body exploded with relief. It was her, Renesmee… It worked… I hope.