One of our shortest chapter yet, I know I'm terrible. Things have been hectic with school starting back up but I promise I haven't forgotten about you guys. Thanks so much for being patient with me. I promise I will continue this fic no matter what.

TEN- Josh

I watched her retreating back until she faded into the forest, the salty smell of her tears whipping at my already guilty conscience. I bit back a whine at the pain I'd unintentionally caused my best friend.

I heard one of my brothers follow her in the cover of the trees, keeping a safe distance away so she'd never know he was there, but close enough if she needed him. It had to be Seth; I'd found out after my Change that Jacob seemed to prefer for him to watch out for Alex since the red headed leech began skulking around our lands again. Jacob trusted Seth more than most of the pack, at least when it came to something as sensitive as watching after his baby sister. Not to mention Seth was one of the best in the packs at stealth, he could hide himself in plain sight and you'd never know he was there unless he wanted you to. I wondered why he chose to show himself to Alex a few days ago . . .

"So're you gonna stop staring after Alex and tell me what the fuck is going on?" Tristan said in a hard voice, drawing my attention away from the sounds of large feet again the earth and crying.

I sat down on the bottom step of my porch with a tired sigh, running my hand through my shaggy hair in frustration. What was safe to say? What could I tell him? I knew that everything I said would be heard by the packs, and I knew it wasn't possible to say the things I wanted to because of Sam's order.

Looking up at Tris I saw that he still had his arms crossed tightly over his chest. His brows were furrowed and his eyes blazed with fury. I should have known he would be ready to fight; I'd upset Alex and he was always ready to throw down whenever she was concerned.

"So you gonna speak or you gonna just stare at me all fuckin' mopey?!" He snapped at me.

"Listen, Tristan . . . This isn't easy for me. I-I had no control over this. I don't want this! I've-" My mouth snapped shut of its own accord. All I was going to say was that I'd changed, but I guess that somehow breached the Alpha's command. The weight of it laid heavily on my shoulders, my instincts demanding I keep my mouth closed.

"You've what? Turned into Sam's mindless groupie?"

I bristled at the insult, but my mouth stayed shut.

Don't tell our secrets. The voice in the back of my head whispered.

"You've turned into exactly what Alex fears?"

Protecting them.

My temper flared at his words, but still I kept quiet.

"You gonna turn on us like them? You gonna forget about your friends?" Tris goaded, finally finding the button that broke my calm facade.

"No!" I bellowed up at him, a tremble rocking through my limbs as I fought back the urge to Change. "You don't know shit, Lake so don't fuckin' lecture me!"

"So tell me!" He shouted back, throwing his arms up in exasperation. "Jesus! How many fucking times do I have to tell you and Alex that you guys shouldn't keep things from me!"

That brought me up short.

The anger left my body as quickly as it had come, concern taking it's place.

"What's she been keeping from you?" I asked cautiously, while hoping to turn the topic of conversation from myself.

Tristan sighed warily, the fight apparently leaving his body as well as he sunk down on the step beside me.

"She's . . . she's been going through some weird shit these last few days, dude." He said worriedly. "She's had a fever, and she's been having these weird pains, and spacing out, and she get's so angry sometimes. It's crazy. You should have seen her last night."

I raised an eyebrow questioningly, trying not to seem too interested even though I was hanging off of his every word. What he described were all symptoms of the change.

Wouldn't be too long now . . .

"What happened last night?" I asked carefully.

"So get this, we go to the movies and shit's all good, -the movie was kick ass by the way- and then after we go get dinner. We get to this Italian place and it's cool, the food is great, she looked amazing, good vibes all around."

I rolled my eyes at his unnecessary assessment of Alex's appearance, smirking until I saw his face twist into one of confusion.

"And then . . . That Bella chick showed up with her boyfriend."

My head snapped in his direction, eyes wide in immediate alarm.

". . . Alex saw them, and wanted to talk to the girl."

"Did you stop her?" I cut in quickly, the thought of my best friend anywhere near Bella or the Cullens had me on edge.

"You know how Alex is, when she sets her mind on something ain't no changing it." He shook his head and gave me a look that said I should have known better. "So I went with her instead, and boy did she give that Bella chick a chewing out of her life. It was . . . scary. I'd never seen her so angry. It was like she wanted to break that girl. That's not . . . that's not my Alex."

He sounded as though he were talking more to himself than to me anymore.

"She just kept ramming into her, like all that anger and resentment was just flowing out of her. It was insane. I don't think she realized but at one point I legit had to hold her back by the wrist. I think if I hadn't she would have jumped across the table and started tearing into the girl with her teeth."

He had no idea just how right his speculation was.

I looked at him gravely, willing him to understand what I couldn't tell him.

"You have to keep her away from the that girl, Tris."

He rolled his eyes. "Yeah, no shit. I don't think I'd be able to stop her next time."

"I'm serious, dude. They're dangerous; Bella and the Cullens. Stay away from them. And keep Alex far away. I won't be around as much to keep an eye on the two of you."

It was like I could see the wall come back up.

His hazel eyes hardened as he gazed at me coolly.

"So you are going to ditch us then?"

As much as I wanted to assure him that things wouldn't change, I couldn't lie to him either. Until the red-headed leech was caught I had no clue just how much I was going to be allowed to go to school. And Sam and Jacob still thought I needed to practice my tracking and controlling my temper.

No matter how fast you're learning, there's always more you need to know kid. Jake had said to me just the night before.

"No, I'm not leaving you guys." I said resolutely. "I'm gonna be around as much as I can."

Tris looked like he didn't believe me but still he nodded, trusting my words.

I only hoped I didn't let them down.

I knew that Alex would eventually understand -she'll be going through the same things soon enough- but it was the people I cared about who would never understand, normal people like my mom, and Tris, and Cara I feared I'd end up leaving behind for this life I didn't ask for.

I would try for them.

I could protect them, and still be present in their lives.

I had to.

"Just promise me you'll stay away from Bella Swan. She'll only make things harder for Alex." I said, partially using Alex as an excuse to ensure he took me seriously.

"Promise me you're telling me everything you can." He countered in his no-bullshit tone. "I'm not stupid, J. I know something's going on. But if you feel like you can't tell me right now, there's nothing I can do."

He stared back at me, daring me to lie to him.

"I promise." I said automatically.

He stood then, stretching and cracking his back as he did.

"Good." He turned and glared down at me. "And you don't have to worry about Alex, I'll protect her."

"I don't doubt that for a second." I smirked.

He didn't return my humor as he continued, "Yeah, I'll protect her like I always have. From everything and everyone, including you."

I only nodded in response before he turned as headed the same direction Alex had gone, back toward her house.

That kind of loyalty was what Alex needed right now. As much as it pained me, her feelings weren't my first priority anymore-her safety was.

I shook my head to clear it as Tristan disappeared into the bush.

I had to tell the pack about Alex's run in with Bella and the bloodsucker.

I jumped up from my perch on the step, heading in the opposite direction Tris had gone, already shaking and ready to shift.

I burst from my clothes the minute I was under the cover of the thick trees, not sparing a second thought on the pair of jeans I'd ruined.

I rushed toward Sam's, the conversation between me and Tris playing back in my mind to those of the packs who could hear.

We've got a problem.