Three.

Jacob, Embry, and Quil showed me around town a bit. Most of it I remembered, so it wasn't like anything was too new.

We decided to go to First Beach, but there were some high school kids from Forks there. We drove to Rialto Beach instead, which was on the north side of La Push, near Quil's house. Forks was about forty minutes away, right off the highway.

The boys said Charlie Swan was promoted to Head Chief at the Police Department in Forks. They also said Bella Swan was living with her dad again. Bella and I used to play when we were younger. Sometimes it was Bella, Jake, Embry and I.

Jake mentioned Bella was dating some guy named Edward Cullen, whoever that was. Jake seemed pretty distraught over it. Embry and Quil formed dark looks on their faces when the Cullen's were mentioned. They said I wouldn't ever have to worry about meeting them though; they went to Forks High School and never came to the Reservation.

"Unless you're still tripping over your toes, Alex, then you might meet Dr. Cullen," Jake joked.

We all laughed, but the boys still had a clouded look behind their eyes.

"I'm not that clumsy!" I said, trying to pull them out of their thoughts.

Jake rolled his eyes as we all sat down in the sand at Rialto Beach.

"So, tell me boys," I started, "what have I missed? Besides all of the Bella stuff."

"Hmm…" Quil pondered.

"It's hard to say," Jacob said, "a lot has changed, and then again nothing has changed."

"Well, Quil babysits now," Embry said nonchalantly.

I turned to Quil, eyebrows raised, questioning him.

"What?" Quil shrugged his shoulders, as his eyes glazed over. "She's the sweetest little girl ever. Her name is Claire, and her favorite color is pink. She likes to play dress up. She loves it when- -"

"Quil!" Jake exclaimed.

Quil turned his head quickly, snapping out of a trance like state. He blushed and mumbled a quick "sorry."

"Awhh!" I said, smiling. "I love kids. You'll have to let me help you babysit her one day."

Just then there was a rustling in the leaves, and since it wasn't windy, I knew it wasn't the wind. The boys shot up off the ground quickly, getting into a defensive stance and growling.

My eyebrows creased. Growling? Did I hear them right? Were they really growling?

Jacob looked like he was sniffing the air, like a dog. Sniffing?

It was odd watching them from my seat in the sand as they all stood protectively in front of me, facing the forest.

Jacob calmed down after he finished smelling the air, standing up straight again. Quil and Embry followed his actions.

"Jared." The three said in unison.

I raised an eyebrow, "Who's Jared?" For some reason it didn't bother me that this 'Jared' fellow was lurking in the forest.

They all turned towards me quickly, surprised, almost as if they forgot I was there.

"He's a…" Quil started casually.

"Friend of ours," Jacob finished quickly, giving Quil a look I didn't recognize. Authority?

I shrugged it off, "Do I get to meet him?"

"Sure, I don't see why not," Embry shrugged. This was a good sign; I can see Embry being very protective over me now that I'm living in town again.

"I think he's heading to Sam and Emily's," Jacob said, looking as if he was listening intently. We were all quiet. "Yup. Sam and Emily's."

It was getting noticeably late, and the sun was setting.

"I'll have to take a rain check on that guys," I said, getting to my feet. "Dinner time soon."

Their eyes lit up at the mention of dinner.

"You three should eat over," I added after seeing their faces.

"That'd be great! Thanks," Quil said excited. Jacob and Embry smiled, delighted.

We left Rialto Beach and Embry drove the four of us back to my house. We were welcomed by my mother upon entering the house. I took off my rain coat and boots. Quil, Jake, and Embry wiped off their bare feet and I noticed their bodies dried quickly. I'll admit, it was weird.

"Are you boys staying for dinner?" my mother asked them as she smiled warmly, before turning back to her pot of spaghetti.

The guys were beaming excitedly.

"Yes!"

"Thanks Mrs. Call!"

The boys left after dinner, saying they'd take me to meet Sam, Emily, Jared, and some other people tomorrow if they could.

I bid them a goodnight, hugging each extremely warm boy as they walked out of the house.

"It's good to have you home Alex," Embry said.

A huge smile appeared on my face. "It's good to be home," I confirmed.

I watched them drive away, waving to them as they pulled out of the driveway.

Lying in bed that night I decided La Push wouldn't be as bad as I had thought the previous day. Well, maybe besides the constant rain.

Right before I fell asleep I heard a wolf howling not too far away.