Chapter 2

For Zach, the trip back to the island was torturously long as he thought about the amount of trouble he was in. It was his first outing on his own and it ended with Joshua phasing into a wolf for the first time and the door to Zach's brand new car being ripped off. He gulped when he saw his parents standing on the dock of the island waiting for him. He parked the ferry and Emmett's eyes bulged out when he saw the car.

"Alice wasn't kidding! How did this happen," asked Emmett and Zach smiled sheepishly.

"Josh kind of kicked the door off." Rosalie shook her head in disbelief.

"I knew letting him go was a bad idea. Come on, we will discuss this inside," she muttered and he solemnly followed his parents back home. Instead of going directly to their cottage, they went to the main house. Rosalie paced back and forth in the living room as she heard Carlisle and Esme coming down the stairs.

"Your grandson is in so much trouble," she informed as they entered. While her attention was on her parents, Zach saw his brother hiding at the top of the stairs. Seth shook his head at Zach and Zach rolled his eyes, but kept Seth in his field of vision as his mother spoke.

"Leah informed us that Joshua is a wolf now and it seems your grandson had a standoff with the pack and managed to wreck his brand new car in the process."

"It wasn't like that mom, honest," defended Zach and Esme cupped her grandson's cheek.

"Are you alright," she asked and Zach nodded with a smile.

"Of course grandma."

"Then I am going into the backyard to help Alice with the wedding plans," she announced and Rosalie stomped her foot.

"Aren't you upset," asked Rosalie and Carlisle winked at his daughter.

"The car is the only damage that was done. Besides, we are the grandparents. It is our job to spoil and your job to scold. Come my love, let's go help Alice," said Carlisle as he ruffled Zach's hair. Rosalie took in a deep breath, ready to yell at her son, but he decided to plead his case before she had the chance.

"Mom, I know that most teenagers blame their dogs for their homework missing or messes that they make, but seriously, the dog damaged my car," he exclaimed and Emmett had to cover his face with his gigantic hands to hide his laugh. His body shook with mirth and Rosalie glared at her husband.

"Em this is not funny! Zach, we trusted you to go hang out with your friend and you bring the car back in this condition? It is the first time you took it out!"

"But mom how is it my fault? How was I supposed to know that Josh would hulk out on my car?"

"What are you talking about," asked Rosalie.

"You know, like the hulk, the big green guy in comic books that can't control his anger and….."

"I know who the hulk is! I mean how was Joshua even able to do this to the car? When did he first phase? What happened?"

"When we were leaving the movie theater, some of his friends came up to talk with us. They were flirting and….."

"Whoa, what kind of guys does he hang out with," exclaimed Emmett and Zach chuckled.

"They were girls, dad. Cheerleaders," he said with a grin.

"Go Joshua," said Emmett, but his mate's hiss of disproval made him clear his throat and look away as she questioned their son.

"So girls were involved, perfect."

"Josh has a crush on Nina, but she doesn't know that and she started flirting with me."

"That's my boy!"

"Emmett!" Zach ignored his parents' commentary and continued.

"I wasn't interested, but it really upset Josh and he screamed at her. That's when I knew something was up. By the time I got him into the car, he was furious and saying that I think I am better than him. I thought he would calm down enough to make it home but on the way he…."

"Hulked out," said Emmett and Rosalie in unison. Zach nodded.

"Pretty much."

"Did anyone see him change," asked Emmett.

"Only the pack, but I turned onto a back road so no one else would see what was happening."

"That was smart and very responsible," conceded Rosalie as she ran a hand through her son's hair. He beamed with pride.

"Thanks. That is when he broke the door and then the wolves started descending and things got complicated."

"Well that explains what happened, but it does not make me feel any better about ever letting you out of my sight again. Zach, what are we going to do with you," asked Rosalie and Zach glanced up at the stairs for help from his older brother. Seth pointed to his cheeks and made indentions with his fingers. Zach quickly caught onto the signal and put on his best innocent smile. His dimples deepened and he pushed out his bottom lip in a pout.

"I'm sorry mom. It was an accident and it really wasn't my fault. I didn't know that Josh would phase. If I did, I definitely wouldn't have let him near my car. I love you so much for getting it for me," he said as he hugged her. She smirked.

"Your father has mastered that pout and I know it all too well. You are not getting off the hook just yet. I know that you threw Caleb and almost got into a fight with the pack. You can't just go around showing up their alpha every time you get a chance. You have a powerful gift and it comes with responsibilities. Plus, you have to keep in mind the treaty. Em, what do you think we should do with him?" Emmett thought for a moment and Zach's eyes widened. He looked back at Seth for help. Seth signaled for Zach to hug her again and kiss her cheek, but before Zach could carry out his instructions, Rosalie sidestepped him.

"Seth, get your butt down here! You aren't helping his cause. We are going to La Push. You need to check on your nephew while Emmett and Zach go dispose of the car door. We can't have people finding it and asking questions." Seth smiled sheepishly as he jogged into the room and Zach shrugged.

"I highly doubt they will come to the conclusion that a teenage boy phased into a wolf and kicked off a door mom," said Zach and Rosalie gave him a stern look that made him look down at the ground.

"Watch your mouth young man. You are already in enough trouble as it is. You helped to make this mess and you will help your father clean it up."

"Why do I have to clean it up," whined Emmett.

"Because he is your son, let's go," announced Rosalie and Emmett rolled his eyes.

"Oh so he is my son when he gets into trouble?"

"Precisely, now let me get my purse and we can go," she informed as she walked out of the room. Emmett popped Zach upside the back of his head and Zach winced.

"Ouch," he whispered and Emmett winked at him.

"You deserved it for smarting off, but don't worry I will try to get her to go easy on you. It isn't your fault that Josh decided to phase today," explained Emmett and Zach hugged his father as they walked out of the house.

While Emmett and Zach went into the forest to find the broken door from his car, Rosalie and Seth headed to La Push to check on Joshua. As soon as they arrived, Seth went inside to speak with Jacob and Joshua while Rosalie joined Leah in the backyard. She sat in a lawn chair beside her friend as Leah stared off into nowhere in particular.

"How is Joshua doing?" Leah gave a small smile and shrugged.

"Better than I did when I first phased, but he is still a bit shaken up. How is Zach? He was pretty frustrated the last time I saw him."

"Oh he is fine, just worried about his car."

"Was that his first time taking it out?"

"Yep."

"Poor kid has horrible luck. We will pay to get the door replaced." Rosalie scoffed.

"Think nothing of it. You just worry about Joshua and helping him deal with all of this. I can hear him inside. He sounds angry. I thought he would be excited."

"It is the gene. It makes you feel out of control, like the only way to respond to anything or anyone is to lash out. I tried to talk to him but I think I was making it worse. He has my temper and he started screaming at me to leave him alone. You know I couldn't just let him talk to me that way, wolf gene or not, so I told Jake to handle his son."

"At least he has people to talk to about it and who know what he is going through."

"True, but I am still worried about him. Did Zach tell you about the pack?"

"Just that they were there when Joshua phased, what were they doing there?"

"Sam thinks they want Josh to help them change things around here. Caleb is out of his mind if he thinks Josh would help alter the treaty so that no cold ones could come around anymore but I guess that was his plan. He wanted to get to him first. Jake and I showed up and established that Josh was in our pack. We established that Jake was still an alpha and taking responsibility for Josh. That should shut Caleb up."

"Not if it is about legacy and Caleb wanting to prove a point to his pack. You three are a threat to him because you represent what he hates."

"How did you know about that? How did you know Caleb is worried about his legacy?" Rosalie looked away and Leah raised an eyebrow at her. Rosalie tried not to make eye contact with her as she studied her nails, but to no avail.

"Okay fine, Edward told me a while ago that Caleb had plans for Joshua."

"Why the hell didn't you tell me?"

"Because I didn't want to worry you and I thought maybe Sam could make him see reason. It wasn't going to change anything. What would you have done but worry?"

"I suppose you are right, but what are we going to do now? Josh says that Caleb has been watching him. I don't trust that kid." Rosalie slipped her hand into Leah's and smiled reassuringly at her.

"Hey, no one is going to mess with our boys okay? I promise you. Joshua is going to be okay." She pulled Leah in for a hug and Leah sighed as she tried to not worry so much. Jacob and Seth walked into the backyard and Seth stuffed his hands in his pockets as he shook his head.

"My nephew definitely has your temper sis. I am surprised he calmed down enough to phase back into human form," chuckled Seth and Jacob pulled his wife into his arms as he kissed the top of her head.

"He is sleeping now. It has been a long day for him. At least it is summer so he doesn't have to worry about school. The kid has great timing," said Jacob.

"Tell that to Z's new car," replied Seth. Emmett and Zach ran into the backyard and Zach frowned when he noticed that Joshua was not there.

"Where is J at? I figured we could go for a run," said Zach. Seth and Jacob glanced at each other before shaking their heads.

"He isn't ready for that yet Z," said Seth and Zach frowned even more.

"Why not? We always talked about how great it would be when he finally phased. What's wrong?" Rosalie ran a hand through her son's hair with a sympathetic smile.

"Sweetie he is just going through a lot right now. It is overwhelming for him and he needs his rest," she explained and Seth nodded.

"It really freaked him out when Caleb talked to him telepathically. Think about it Z. How would you like it if someone forced their way into your mind and you couldn't block them out?"

"I didn't think about it like that," mumbled Zach and Jacob ruffled his hair.

"Hey, don't worry. Josh will be fine. He just needs some time."

"How much time," questioned Zach and Leah shrugged.

"That depends on him. It took most of us a very long time to get under control and I don't want him around anyone until he can stay composed. He is volatile right now," said Leah.

"Josh wouldn't hurt me. We are best friends. He even called me family. Even if he tried, I can take care of myself," assured Zach and Seth wrapped an arm around him.

"We know that but we aren't going to put you or him in that position. It wouldn't be fair to either of you. Don't worry Z. He will come around. You two are best friends." Zach looked down and it pained Rosalie to see her son so hurt.

"Come on, let's head back to the island and help Aunt Alice with the wedding planning. Before you know it, Joshua will be ready to hang out and as soon as he is, you can come see him," explained Rosalie and Zach smiled hopefully.

"Promise?"

"Of course baby boy," she giggled and kissed his cheek as he grinned from ear to ear.

"So does that mean I am not grounded or in trouble?" Rosalie huffed, but nodded.

"I suppose, but no more fights with Caleb's pack unless you are provoked first, understand," warned Rosalie.

"Okay mom, I promise." Seth nudged Zach and ruffled his hair.

"Come on mama's boy, let's get back home so I can kick your butt in video games," challenged Seth as he jogged to the car.

"Takes one to know one," teased Zach as they both laughed. Emmett bumped fists with Jacob.

"See you later and good luck with Josh. I am sure he will be fine but if you need anything, let us know," said Emmett.

"Thanks Em, I'll give you a call when Josh is feeling better," said Jacob. Leah and Rosalie hugged one more time before Rosalie and Emmett drove off with Seth and Zach. Leah sighed and rested her head on Jacob's shoulder.

"Poor Zach, I know he is worried about Josh. I am too," whispered Leah.

"Josh will be fine. You remember what it was like and at least we are here for him. Come on, let's get some rest too. You know we are going to need it," teased Jacob. She kissed him sweetly and nodded as she followed him inside. It had been a long day, but they knew it was only the beginning. Joshua was a wolf and they would have to teach him about controlling his anger.