Enter Embry

"I know you snuck out again Embry."

Embry said nothing in response to his mother's comment and continued to eat his breakfast. He had patrol the night before and had to sneak back in at two o'clock. The pack was still on alert even though the Cullen's had left town the month before. They were still running across random vamps in search of the Cullen's, looking to take over the territory, or just passing through. Many had heard of the shapshifters though and decided to simply steer clear of the area. Embry hoped that soon constant patrol wouldn't be necessary.

"Is it drugs?" She questioned, "Are they blackmailing you? Are they forcing you to be in their gang?"

"No. Mom-"

"Then what Embry! Do really care so little that you would sneak out the night before your first day of senior year?"

"You don't understand."

"Then tell me!"

"I've told you a million times Mom. I can't!"

"I can't isn't good enough Embry!"

He said nothing and quickly finished his cereal.

She threw her hands in the air. "I don't know what to do anymore Embry!" His silence continued and he saw her shoulder's slump. "I have to get to work, but this isn't over. We are having a serious conversation after school."

When she walked out the door he slammed back his chair and threw his bowl in the sink. He was just trying to protect her and he wasn't allowed to tell her thanks to the fucking Alpha order that bound his tongue. Not that she would believe him. What would he say? 'Hey Mom guess what! I can turn into a giant wolf when I get angry!' That wouldn't go over well. The secret was ripping away the only family he had, his mother.

He grabbed his bag and stormed out to his truck. He couldn't stand to be in the place that had one been filled with joy and happiness for another minute.

"My mom says dinner at the diner is on the house!" Seth's exclaimed in the school parking lot. He was meet with loud cheers.

"You're the man Seth!" Quill said while giving him a big pat on the back.

"I love Sue!" Collin screamed to the air

Embry's stomach gave an appreciative growl at the thought of Sue's delicious food. At least one good thing would come out of this day.

"It's gotta be a relatively normal sized meal though." Seth threw in. They all let out sighs. They had known it was coming, but it still hurt.

"Hey Collin look over there." Brady said giving Collin a nudge and pointing in the direction of a tall boy embracing a petite girl. "What do you think he is 6'2? Think He's gonna phase soon?"

As they watched, the boy pulled away from the girl and started towards a group of boys. "Holy shit, Brady, that's Axel." Collin exclaimed with wide eyes.

Brady let out a long whistle. "Well what do you know? It sure is. He must have grown a foot over the summer."

"He a friend of yours or something?" Embry said sizing up the large boy as he walked over to his friends and gave them all a half hearted grin and pats on the back.

"Used to be. We haven't talked since Collin and I phased."

"Keep an eye on him will you." Embry told them.

"Sure thing Embry. He's probably in some of our classes. No promises though. He's wicked smart. He's probably in some sophomore classes."

Embry internally groaned at the thought of another boy joining the pack. He didn't need another kid that he'd have to keep an eye on. He already had 3 to deal with, 4 if you counted Quill. God he missed Jacob sometimes. Since Paul, Jared, and Sam had graduated Embry was officially in charge of all the boys at school.

"Hey, Seth, come here a sec." Embry called, Seth had been to busy staring at a pack of passing girls to hear the previous conversation.

"What's up?" Seth asked with a grin

"See that boy over there, the tall kid? Keep an eye on him will you. He might be in some of your classes."

"Sure thing dude. You're coming to the diner right? Your mom won't-"

"Yeah I'm coming." Embry said cutting Seth off, "My mom's working until at least 7."

Seth gave him a slap on the back. "She'll come round man. She can't hate you forever."

"Yeah whatever Seth." Embry said brushing Seth off, "Class is about to start. I'll see you later."

Embry walked into the school and towards his locker to drop off his books, and then headed to homeroom. Positive that the only good thing that was going to come out of this day was Sue's cooking, he plopped down in his homeroom with a sigh.