Thank you all so much for your reviews, they are what keep me writing. Also thank you to everyone who has favourited my story. You all rock!

Quick reminder: Madison is Kim and Jared's daughter, Seb, Samson and Sarah are Sam and Emily's children, and Silver is Ava's daughter.

Enjoy….

Walking sluggishly into the kitchen I felt strangely like I was on trial. My face still slightly flushed I glanced around before swallowing loudly. Madison blinked rapidly her coppery red hair in a messy bun and her make up which she had obviously forgotten to take off was smeared all over her face. Sarah sat on the counter looking very alone without Seth who was on patrol, her face was still pale and an opened book lay on her lap.

Trying to keep my face neutral I glanced around the rest of the room. Jared sat at the table his hands curled into fists as he focused his gaze on Madison while Paul smirked at me making me shuffle uncomfortably from foot to foot.

Finally I made myself look where I really didn't want to. My mum looked distracted as she gazed out of the Uley's kitchen window, there were bags around her grey eyes as if she had slept little and her hands clutched the mug in her hand as if to give her something to do. But most of all she looked disappointed which was a kick in the stomach. I wrapped my arms tightly around my body.

Aunt Dee looked the picture of perfection as always and her gold eyes seemed to be watching my every movement as if looking for something. Her presence seemed to make all of the wolfs stiff even Sam who had been retired for years. While Aunt Em did what she always did when she felt nervous or uncomfortable. She cooked, filling the kitchen with delicious smells in the process.

"Silver," Dee's voice was airy and musical sending a shiver up my spine, "what the hell are you wearing darling? Have you even worn any of those clothes I sent you from Paris? Alice would be appalled." She tapped her painted fingernails on the table, a human habit that she had apparently never grown out of while I pulled at the bottom of Seb's paint splattered top. It smelled like him.

"I-" I began to speak but Sam cut me off with a scowl on his face. Ducking my head again I hid behind my curls as my Mum finally looked at me her eyes furious.

My Mum and I had always been a unit, of course there were days when she drifted off but that was always to be expected. We were each half of one whole and I longed more than anything for the days where she was awake before me and we would clash with our sarcastic tendencies, but those days were little. Sometimes I just wanted to slap her, to see what my Mum was like all of those years before I was born, when she had Dad by her side. Some of the stories Dee told me I just couldn't bring myself to believe. I loved my Mum more than anything else in the world which was why I strived so hard to please her. But I was tired. Tired of pleasing her. Tired of pleasing other people. I just wanted to be me, but I was discovering not many people liked the new me.

"Of course you would want to talk about fashion," Paul scoffed while Dee simply rolled her eyes. Even after over sixteen years of watching them degrade each other and insult each other continuously I still hadn't worked out their relationship. It was weird. On the surface they seemed to hate each other but I knew it was so much more than that. My mum must have agreed with me because she smiled slightly but hid it quickly behind her hand as if she wasn't allowed to smile. I sighed.

"Anyway lets hear the punishments," Paul rubbed his hands together as if he was enjoying our pain as Seb walked into the kitchen, I avoided his gaze not entirely sure what had happened between us.

"Well that's easy," Jared spoke calmly, "Madison. No car for a month at least. That cuts off anywhere out of range of walking. And none of the other girls have a car."

"But it's only the beginning of summer vacation!" Madison exploded her eyes widening in disbelieve as she shivered slightly, "and all I did was stay out late."

"For the fifth time this month," Jared growled his eyes narrowing. With a simple flick of the wrist Emily hit him on the head with the wooden spoon she was holding to keep his anger in check. Madison slumped further down in her seat, her car was her whole life.

"That's a bit harsh," Dee noted pouting a little.

"No offence," Jared turned to look at her his nostrils flaring, "but what the hell are you even doing here?"

"My niece is in trouble," I smiled gratefully at her as she spoke, "and I wanted to spend the day with my best friend. Do you have a problem with that, dog?"

Sam placed a restraining hand on Jared's arm before he could push back from the table while Paul growled lowly again. Seb and I exchanged a look of amusement, they were supposed to be punishing us yet all they did was fight amongst themselves.

"Silver," my Mum's quiet voice shocked everyone into silence, "I don't know what the hell has gotten into you lately."

"Mum, I-"

"I need help sorting out the shop. How about the girls help out with that?" My mum's input was unexpected and rather than being angry at her request I found myself smiling slightly. Although Madison looked less than pleased as she pursed her lips in anger, my Mum and her had never gotten along.

"I think that's a great idea Ava," Emily smiled.

"Every Wednesday afternoon in Ava's shop all summer," Sam spoke confidently the undercurrent of alpha still evident in his tone after all those years. Sarah actually looked happy about wasting all her Wednesday afternoons in a bookshop.

"And no car," Jared reminded us. Glancing at Seb he nodded his head just slightly, I didn't need to worry, he would take me anywhere I needed to go.

"Girls I don't need to tell you that if this happens again-"

"You'll never guess what!"

We all jumped in surprise as Claire ran into the room her face flushed as she pulled Quil along behind her. She seemed to be practically bouncing with excitement but her smile faltered as she glanced around the room.

"Is this a bad time?" Claire murmured. The whole room laughed, even my mum, as Claire continued to bounce up and down.

"Actually ye-" Sam began.

"No it's a great time," Madison grinned jumping up to hug Claire tightly. Quil stood beside her scratching the back of his neck as if he was nervous. Something was going on.

"Guess what?" Claire smiled, I could of sworn I saw tears in her eyes, "I'm pregnant!"

"Oh my gosh!" Emily actually screamed dropping a plate with a smash, "my little Claire is pregnant."

Everyone began to crowd around Claire all smiles. While no one was looking I slipped out the back door, feeling suffocated. Seb followed me. As always.

"That punishment wasn't too harsh," he murmured as we sat down on the grass. His close proximity was almost unnerving, but I pushed the feeling away, wanting more than anything else in the world for things to stay the same between us. He was my best friend. And nothing more. Nothing more.

"I guess not," I muttered running a hand through my knotted curls, "and I don't mind walking. It's good exercise," I teased, easily slipping into my familiar role.

"Like I'm going to let you walk anywhere," Seb smirked taking my hand in his. Leaning into his new warmth I sighed. Everything felt so natural with Seb by my side, as always he made everything seem better.

"I don't want you to turn into a wolf," I admitted softly. The unfamiliar sun caressed my cheek as I spoke and I felt Seb stiffen beside me.

"I know you don't," Seb tilted my face up to look at him, "but I don't want you to be scared of me when I do. Okay?"

"I'll try," I whispered, "its going to be soon isn't it? Before the Summers out?"

"I think so," Seb's voice sounded almost haunted. He rubbed soothing circles on my hand as if trying to reassure me. I wondered if he was secretly scared and not letting on.

"Promise you wont forget about me?" I asked jokingly but a hint of seriousness seeped into my voice. Seb looked shocked at my question and he shook his head softly as he peered into my eyes.

"How could I ever forget you?" he grinned, "nothing will change. Well except I might have to run under your window a few times every night in wolf form."

I whacked him softly on the arm as I got comfortable in his arms again. I let go of the breath I hadn't realised I was holding.

"Do you want to be alpha?" I asked the question that had been playing on my mind since I was little. The idea of Seb being in charge had always fascinated me.

"No," he frowned, "I think I'll leave that up to Samson or you."

"What?" I spluttered caught of guard by the sudden change in conversation, "I'm not going to be a wolf." He thought I could be alpha?

"You might be. You Dad was."

Pulling my hand out of Seb's grasp I shook my head. I couldn't be a wolf. I couldn't.

"My Dad is also dead," I spat standing up blinking furiously to keep the tears at bay.

"I know," Seb also stood up and grabbed me by the shoulders, "I know. Don't cry. I didn't mean to upset you."

"I'm not crying," I snapped wiping my eyes furiously, "I just cant be a wolf. They scare me. Everything about being a wolf scares me."

"I'm sorry," Seb murmured pulling me in for a hug, "your right. Its very unlikely. Leah's the only girl wolf the tribe has had. I was just being selfish, I guess if I wanted anyone to share a mind with it would be you."

I relaxed as I listened to his motives. Of course I wasn't going to turn into a wolf. He was only joking.

"You do not want to know what goes on in my mind," I scoffed rolling my eyes.

"You would be surprised," he teased as he hugged me tighter. Looking over his shoulder I caught a glimpse of Dee standing at the kitchen window watching us, her liquid gold eyes narrowed. I followed her eyes to see the palm of Seb's hand still resting on my face, I had almost forgotten about it. Pulling reluctantly away I smiled up at Seb wondering if I would ever get used to his new height. I had always been so tiny.

"I have to go," I murmured knowing it was true. My mum would be reaching her social limitations and searching for places to hide. The blades of grass tickled my bare feet as we walked back towards the house.

"The weathers supposed to be good tomorrow. Cliff diving?"

"When have I ever missed cliff diving?" I stuck my tongue out at him as we reached the door, "besides I continue to find your lack of coordination amusing."

"Well you might be in for a surprise tomorrow," he grinned as he opened the door for me.

None of us noticed the unfamiliar smoky brown wolf watching us from the tree edge or the way its face twisted in pain. But I couldn't help wonder where Samson was?

Thoughts?

I had a complete memory blank and someone pointed out to me that Seth is in fact Emily's cousin so how could he imprint on Sarah? So…I know this is terrible but for the purposes of this story Seth and Leah are not Emily's cousins because then it all gets too complicated and I would have to start again. Sorry once again I should have realised earlier and thank you to the reviewer who pointed this out.