I realize I haven't put it down in a while, so I'd better be clear so I don't get into trouble. All of the characters belong to SM, the imagination is mine.

And a tuba. But that's a different story.

Oh and I know the chapter numbers are all messed up. Just go with it. A/Ns without chapters are the culprit.

JPOV

When we arrived at my house, the pack was waiting for us around the fire circle behind the house. Dad had suggested we build it since we were always over here or at Emily's, and on nice days and evenings it was more comfortable there than squished into the den of my house. Billy waved at us as Seth and Sam broke off from the group and approached us.

"Jake, Seth made a discovery yesterday," Sam said.

"Collin and Brady are going to join the pack soon," said Seth. "They're my best friends, you know, like you are with Embry and Quil...anyway, we were hanging out yesterday. It was great for a while, but then they started in on me about never being around any more and why was I suddenly good enough to join your gang and all. It was hard not being able to explain anything and they didn't like the answers I had; I've never been a really good liar anyway. Next thing I knew, we were having a shouting match and Collin launched at me. I am still stronger than he is but I let Brady pull him off so not to give anything away. Jake, he was hot… like we are. I managed to check Brady too, and he's the same. I knew you were busy with Bella so I came to Sam."

Sam nodded. "I checked the records. They're cousins, and their great-grandfather was a cousin of Ephrahaim's."

"This is not good timing, Sam. We don't have time to get two more young wolves under control and train when we don't know when the army is coming."

"I already thought of that, Jake," said Seth. "What if we tell them about it now? We know they're going to phase soon, we just have to wait for them to do it. Who knows; they might phase just because they know about it."

"No, Seth, we can't do it that way," said Sam.

"Why not? I have seen in the pack mind that except for me, everyone else was scared, angry, and freaked out when they phased the first time. There was no way for anyone to know before Sam phased, but what if Sam had been told by the Elders to be watching for the next members? The changes aren't that hard to miss, and Billy had to have known what was coming for you, just like my dad probably did. Would you have reacted differently if you'd known?"

WOW this kid was smart, I thought to myself. I looked at Sam, and read the same expression on his face. Bella touched my arm and I looked down at her. "It makes sense, Jake. They can watch the training with the rest of the pack and at least be ahead of the game for when they do phase, which will be in time for the fight or their wolves wouldn't be calling them."

"Right. Okay, Seth. Take Sam with you and invite them to our meeting. I'll go tell the pack."

Seth didn't move. "Jake...there's more, but I want to talk to you about it with everyone else, because it concerns them."

"Okay...Sam?"

"I have no idea what this is. I knew about the first part though." He nodded and we all headed for the circle where the rest of the guys were waiting. They of course all rushed over to say hello to Bella and covertly check her over. The last time they had seen her, she was a mess, and they'd been worried about her. Satisfied she was fine, they sat down in the assortment of lawn chairs that had been collected and I started the meeting.

"Seth just told me that his friends Collin and Brady Littlecreek would be joining the pack. We talked about it and he and Sam are going to invite them to come over so we can tell them about the pack."

"Collin and Brady?" asked Leah. "Aren't they young?"

"They are in my class," said Seth. "I figured out yesterday that they have all the signs. I got to thinking that with the big fight coming and all, they needed to be ready when they phase instead of scared out of their minds." He went on to repeat to everyone else what he had already told Sam and me.

"Where was he when I phased?" asked Jared. "I was out of my mind for a week."

"I think that is an excellent idea," said Billy. "You've got your dad's wisdom, Seth. He'd be proud of you."

Seth smiled sadly at the compliment. "There's more. I'm not sure you are going to like it though." He looked up at me and took a big breath. "I think that keeping the secret from our families is hurting us."

"How so, Seth?" asked Billy.

"Well, except for the Elders, nobody is allowed to know about our double life. That means that Paul, Jared, and Embry are always lying to their parents about what they doing all the time. I can feel in the pack mind that they hate this. My mom said the other day that Embry's mom thinks he and the whole 'gang of us' are into drugs and alcohol, and she'd better be careful letting me hang out with them. My mom asked why she thought that, and she said that Embry is gone at odd hours, never says what he's doing or lies about it, and then just sleeps whenever he's home. She also found out about his grades."

Embry sighed and nodded, confirming what Seth had said. "It's been hard not to think about it to keep it from you, but she's threatened to send me away to rehab or military school."

"My mom tried to defend us, 'cause, well, she knows the truth, but still. I can already see that Collin and Brady's parents are going to be really upset when they find out they've joined us. I think they have a right to know their sons aren't thugs. I'm proud of my job as protector. Why DO we have to keep it a secret anyway?"

"Because that is the way it works. It has always been that way," said Sam.

"Actually, it isn't," said Billy. "Generations ago, when the land was young, everyone knew about the Pack, and were proud when their sons were called by the wolf. As time passed, new people moved into the area, they didn't understand our ways. They were afraid and tried to hunt the wolves. We decided it was best to keep it a secret, for we had also heard them talk of trying to capture one to learn why these wolves were so large. If the secret got out, it would have been very bad for the Quileute people." He was thoughtful for a moment, and Paul asked to speak.

"I think my parents would keep the secret. Embry's right that it is difficult. Jake, Leah, Seth and Quil can all talk openly at home because their parents are Elders. Embry, Jared and I can't, and the lying is getting hard. I hurt my mom every time."

"Aww... Paul has a soft spot for his ma..." said Jared and got elbowed by Embry.

Billy was quiet for a while and then looked up as he spoke. "For the first time in generations, the pack is very young. It makes sense to involve the parents so they can be proud of the heritage their sons and daughter carry. Why don't we have a bonfire tonight and invite the parents and tell the stories and show them?" said Billy.

"Really? We can do that?" asked Embry. "I don't care if the rest of the rez thinks I'm in a gang, but things at home would be much easier if my mom understood."

Billy nodded. "Yes. I think that it would be a good thing." He pushed back from the circle. "I'm going in to call Sue and Old Quil and let them know. Catch you boys later."

Sam got up and took the handles of the wheel chair. "I've got to go with Seth to get Collin and Brady. I'll get you to the house." Billy nodded.

"Tell them to bring a pair of shorts!" called Embry. "What? I don't know if they are going to phase today or not, but if they do they won't like being stuck without clothes when they phase back."

Just as they left, Emily showed up with a snack, so we were all happily occupied while we waited for Seth to return with the new pack members. I was a bit worried about how that was going to go, and approached Emily and Bella who were sitting together watching the rest of the pack eat and roughhouse. "Em, can I ask you a favor?"

"Sure, Jake."

"I was wondering if Bella can go to your house and stay with you until it is time for the bonfire."

"Why can't I stay with you?"

"I don't know what is going to happen when we explain to Collin and Brady about the pack. The news could trigger the phase." I said as gently as I could.

"Oh. Right. That makes sense. I could help Emily prepare the food," agreed Bella.

"And with two more mouths to feed, I could use the help." Said Emily. "Bella said that we are telling all of the parents, right?"

"Yes. So make a mountain of food and we'll be set. I have to meet with the Cullens around four, and the rest of the pack arrives to meet at about 530 or so. We'll be back at dusk for the bonfire," I said.

"Sounds good," said Emily. She looked over at the table, which was now a jumble of empty plates. "Let's get out of here Bella, before they start looking for more food." Bella nodded and they gathered the empty dishes and headed for Emily's car.

A/N: I had to make up the back-story on Collin and Brady. First, I couldn't find a last name, so I made one up: Littlecreek. If anyone out there knows what it is, please send a PM to me with the link so I can see it and correct it. The rest:

They are cousins; their fathers are identical twins who married identical twins, and the boys were born on the same day at almost the same time. They look alike enough that people think they are brothers, which, technically they are since their parents are the same.

They have been thick as thieves since birth, and frequently finish each other's sentences. (Sort of like Fred and George Weasley.) I know it is confusing. I tried to left and right justify their parts, but FF doesn't do right justify. I just decided to put it all in one paragraph and ID who was talking. Awkward, but please bear with it and understand that they talk that way and always have.

Seth and Sam returned a short while later with Collin and Brady. When I shook hands as he made the introductions I could definitely tell they were running hot. I also didn't know them well since they were two years younger than I was, but they'd muscled out and grown a lot too. If they didn't phase today it would be soon, that was for sure. I just hoped that with this new plan it was as easy as when Seth announced his presence to us.

"So this is the infamous gang, huh?" (Collin) "Everyone says you are into bad stuff, (Brady) but I never believed it. (Collin) After all, Seth joined too, right?" (Brady)

I was taken aback for a moment. I had no idea the whole school thought we were really a gang. Great. "So everyone thinks we deal drugs and drink all day?" I asked.

Leah growled. "We DON'T. I'd never let my little brother get mixed up in crap like that."

"Oh of course not," said Collin,holding up his hands apologetically.

"We just know what the kids around school says about you."

"So you're not into bad stuff, what DO you do?" (Collin) "Besides jump off the cliffs?" (Brady) "Yeah that looks like a total rush!" (Collin)

I held up my hands so I could get a word in. They had looked really hopeful at Brady's mention of cliff diving and I hated to disappoint them. "Sorry, guys. No cliff diving today." Their faces fell. "Soon though." That made them brighten up a bit. "We're going to tell you what we are really up to, but first I have to ask some questions, and you may think they're kind of strange, OK?"

"Sure." (Collin) "Fire away." (Brady)

"We've all been told the legends and stories about the Quileute People by our parents and by the Elders at bonfires, right?"

"You mean the ones about fastening canoes to trees during the flood" (Brady) "and being descended from wolves?" (Collin)

I nodded. "Yeah. Those. What do you think of them?"

"Grandfather sure makes them real." Said Collin.

"Yeah. He sure does. It makes him happy that we want to learn them."

Collin nodded. "He said he was sad for a long time because our dads told him he was full of crap. They didn't like the stories and refused to learn them."

"They get upset when he tries to so called, 'fill our heads with that crap' but we don't care." (Brady) "We think they're great." (Collin)

"So your grandfather has taught them to you?" Sam asked.

"Yeah. He comes over every Sunday and tells them. We've been old enough for a while that he asks us to tell them to him, too."

"He says the young people in the tribe are losing touch with their heritage and we need to be sure to know the stories so they don't get lost." (Collin) "It makes him sort of sad." (Brady)

"You know, for the past few weeks —" (Collin) "since he heard Seth joined the gang—" (Brady) He's been drilling the Protector story into our heads. He won't tell any other story. (Collin) "Yeah. He told that one to us again yesterday." (Brady)

I didn't know about anyone else, but to them talk was making me dizzy. Wow. I wondered how much of the Protector story they knew. "Can you tell it to us? Think of it as a test." They of course took turns and in their fashion told in great detail the story of Taha Aki and how he made the alliance with the first wolf to punish Utlapa for stealing his body, which led to his becoming the First Alpha, who fathered many sons who also had spirit wolves. They told about the arrival of the Cold Ones and how the wolves destroyed them and to protect the People. "Wow. You know the whole thing. He's done a good job."

"Except that he won't tell us anything about the Cold Ones," said Brady, frustrated.

"He won't?" I asked.

"No, he says they are stories, but they are real and it wouldn't be safe for us to know that part yet." Brady stood and stalked back and forth. "It really gets me mad sometimes. Here he wants us, no, practically requires us to memorize and learn these stories so that we can keep the history of our tribe going and won't explain an obviously important part."

"I know what the Cold Ones are," said Collin, quietly.

Brady spun and looked at him, surprised. "You do? When? How? Why didn't you tell me?" He was radiating shock, surprise, frustration, and anger, and I thought I saw him slightly vibrating. I looked at Sam, who had seen the same thing and nodded.

Collin was studying his feet. "Yes. I figured it out about six weeks ago when I got grounded for that stunt I pulled at school and couldn't go on the camping trip our families took. I finished my homework and had some time on my hands. I was curious, so I decided to do some looking online to see if I could figure out the secret about the Cold Ones before Grandfather arrived to check on me. I was amazed that it was right there on Google."

I knew that; Bella had found the same thing the night I had told her the stories. I looked over at Brady, who was not taking the news very well.

"When he came over, I showed him what I found and he was real quiet at first, and then told me I was right." He looked up at Brady for the first time, and was surprised by the anger rolling off his cousin. "I couldn't tell you because he made me swear to keep it a secret. I'm sorry Brady, I just couldn't."

"You kept a secret from me? We tell each other EVERYTHING - and always have. Not only that, we swore that if one of us ever found out we would tell the other. How could you keep this from me? How is Grandfather's request more important than our pact?" Brady was now visibly vibrating, he was so mad.

Collin was taken aback by the intensity of the anger being directed at him. "Look, bro, I'm sorry. He knew I would want to tell you and said he was sorry but I couldn't. He explained why it had to be a secret. It has killed me to keep it from you. I only told you today because Grandfather did say that I would know when it was time to tell."

"And that time is now?" He pointed to us. "In front of all of them? How is it safe to bring this up in front of them?" He was pacing, shaking his head, and I knew from personal experience and the pack mind that the intensity of his anger was very confusing to him, and that he was unable to keep it from driving him. I glanced at the pack and tilted my chin ever so slightly toward the woods. They silently got up and left the circle, and only Sam and I remained with the two boys who noticed nothing.

"Look. I don't know why it felt right. It just did. So you know now. You don't need to be so pissed off." Collin had stood and was leveling his gaze at Brady, rising to the challenge. He took a step forward and blocked Brady's path as he stalked back and forth.

That did it. Brady swung at him and got Collin solidly in the gut. He grunted in pain and doubled over as Brady stood over him, growling. "Actually, I don't know EVERYTHING because you haven't said anything—" but was cut off by Collin's uppercut to his jaw that sent him sprawling backward. He flipped to his feet in an instant and roared as he launched forward into Collin and they were rolling on the ground, throwing punches and growling fiercely.

I looked at Sam, who nodded. Any moment now, we figured. Suddenly both boys cried out in pain, broke apart, and exploded, the material from their clothing shredding and falling like heavy snow. In their place, two wolves lay, panting and dazed. In that same instant, Sam and I shed our shorts and phased. I'd signaled to the pack to be quiet, and we all waited.

The anger, which had hung thick in the air had evaporated and was now replaced by confusion. After several long seconds, one wolf sat up and shook his head. "Brady, are you okay?"

"Yeah, my jaw hurts though." The other wolf sat up, and shook his own head to clear it. He looked over at his cousin and reeled backward. "AAAAH!"

"What?" asked Collin. He finally turned to look at his cousin and yelped as he leapt backward and promptly fell over, for he didn't realize he had four legs. He looked down at himself and cried out. Brady! Something happened. I think we're wolves!"

Brady finally got his feet under him and stood up, looking around, and gasped when he saw Sam and me. Bro, we're not the only ones. Collin followed his gaze and yelped as he caught sight of the two huge wolves standing behind them. They froze, growling. I could feel the amusement of the rest of the pack and flicked an ear in their direction to quell it. I looked over at Sam and sat down, and he did the same. I turned and looked at the two newest wolves and patiently waited.

Did you just hear a laugh?

No I didn't hear anything. Wait, are we talking in our heads?

I don't know. This is so out there. He reached over and poked his cousin with his nose. God, we really are wolves. What do we do now?

They were quiet, as they got lost in their thoughts. A barrage of thoughts and visions flashed through all of our minds and Brady gasped as he figured everything out. Collin!

What?

It really is true. I mean, I believed it, but it was so supernatural I couldn't really GET it.

Get what? Collin's patience was wearing thin.

The Protectors. They're real.

Of course they're real. Grandfather said they were.

Yeah but did you really, really believe him? Brady was met by a blank stare as Collin waited for him to continue. Listen, I'll explain everything, but THINK. Who did we meet today?

Jake, Sam, Quil, Seth...well, Seth we already knew.

Yeah…But WHO are they?

I am so not following you Brady and it is PISSING. ME. OFF. I'm only just now remembering why I was pissed off just a bit ago so stop being cryptic. I know you love to but now is not the time to play "20 questions."

Fine. Think about the Taha Aki story. Remember the later parts? About the last pack, and the treaty?

You mean about the pack that found the Cold Ones who were different? Who didn't kill people? The Alpha and their leader forged a treaty. So? Brady, get to the POINT.

Who was the Alpha of that pack?

Easy: Ephrahaim Black. The tribe's Chief is always the Alpha of the pack.

There were two more. Who were they?

Clearwater…and…Ataero. Collin looked over at us, and then back to Brady and I could almost hear the click in his mind as it all fell together. Wait, wait, wait. Jake Black, Quil Ataera, Leah and Seth Clearwater...

I knew you weren't that thick! That must be Jake and Sam over there. I'll bet you that Jake is the bigger russet one. He'd be the Alpha because his dad is our Chief Elder.

So why don't we hear their thoughts? He looked over at Sam and me, who were just sitting quietly; watching and listening to them work everything out.

I don't know, said Brady. Maybe we can hear each other because we already had some sort of strange bond in the first place?

Actually, we didn't want to freak you out more than you already were. (Sam)

Both new wolves jumped at the contact. So much for that theory, said Collin.

We're all here, but we can't stay in the open or a pack of huge wolves will draw unwanted attention. Go grab your shorts and follow us. We have a lot to explain. I stood to lead them to the trees.

I got their shorts, Jake. (Seth)

Brady was still pissed though. WHEN are you going to explain about the Cold Ones? Obviously they are something, or we wouldn't be in this...situation. I think it is time to explain, Collin.

I will explain, pup. I said, gently. First we need to get out of here. Once we were in the trees we started running. Slowly at first to give Collin and Brady a chance to get used to their new bodies, but they soon fell right in, exultant at the speed like we were. We made it to our pack circle and took our places. The pack all started talking at once and Collin and Brady got dizzy trying to keep up.

Whoa! I can't figure this all out. Everyone is talking at once and this is so weird. I think I have a headache.

It's cool, isn't it Collin? It is called the Pack Mind, (Jared)

More like the You No Longer Have Privacy Mind. (Paul)

It is totally cool! It is the way we share information. (Seth)

Everything? (Brady)

Everything, said Sam grimly. Secrets you never wanted to tell anyone...

Secrets you didn't want to see or hear... (Leah)

Yeah, well there is that. (Seth)

Gives new meaning to the phrase verbal picture, that's for sure. (Embry)

Is it always this confusing? Asked Brady. This is sort of information overload, like when Spock Prime mind melded with Kirk in order to explain everything quickly.

EXACTLY! Seth was jubilant. Wait until Jake gives an Alpha command. Do you remember watching Dune and the witches used the 'weirding voice'? It is JUST like that.

Leave it to Seth to think the Alpha voice is cool. (Quil)

It does get better once you learn how to process it all, I said quietly, and the pack settled down. So now you know. The wolves have called to us yet again, but there are complications this time. You wanted to know what the Cold Ones are Brady? They're vampires. Yes. Vampires are real.

I could see his mind working as I let this information sink in. He was focusing in on a memory from long ago, when his grandfather had first told them the stories:

How were these cold ones different, Grandfather?

They did not kill and feed on people, Brady.
They only hunted and fed on animals.

So the Pack agreed not to hunt Cold Ones any more?

No, Brady. They agreed not to hunt THOSE Cold Ones.

But how could they tell the difference?

Cold Ones who kill people have red eyes.
The Cold Ones of the treaty have gold eyes, and
smell different. The wolves would be able to tell.

He looked at me. I broke my arm last year and I met Dr. Cullen at the hospital. He has gold eyes...they say his whole family does. He's also got cold hands, but I thought it was just because the whole hospital is like a freezer, and everyone seemed to have cold hands. The Cullens are vampires, aren't they? Instinctively, his hackles rose.

Yes, the Cullens are vampires. As a matter of fact, they are the same ones who made the treaty with my great-grandfather, Ephrahaim. After they left, no other vampires came around so the his was the last pack until now.

Why did they leave?

Because since vampires don't age. They can't stay in one place for more than a few years or their secret isn't safe. After they left, no more vampires came into the area, so the wolves slept.

Until they came back, said Leah with a snarl.

Yes. About a year ago, they returned, and even though they do not hunt people, the wolves awakened, because the threat is always there.

Why didn't we know about this before? Why couldn't Grandfather explain this?

Collin was right. It just isn't safe. What do you think the public would do if they knew that vampires lived among them, or that huge wolves ran through the woods? Just as we cannot tell our secret, neither can they. We keep their secret and they keep ours. (Sam)

You mean we can't tell anyone about this? (Unison) Not even our parents? I am a horrible liar, Jake. I'll be grounded for life. I may as well resign from the pack now. (Brady)

I sighed. This conversation was going in too many directions at once. Technically only the Elders are supposed to know the Pack exists. We just decided to let the parents know since this is the youngest pack we've heard of. I think, though, that your grandfather should also know, since it seems we may have trouble with your fathers.

Sam nodded. We're having a bonfire tonight to break the news to them. I will make sure he is invited, and explain everything ahead of time so he is prepared to help with your parents.

Back to the vampires, please, said Collin. Grandfather said that there were five of them when the treaty was forged, and there were only three wolves at that time. There are ten of us. How many of them are there?

Seven said Leah with a snarl. That we know of.

What does that mean? Asked Brady.

It's a long story, I said. There are seven Cullens, plus an army of probably twenty or more red-eyed vampires coming. We have formed an alliance with the Cullens to fight the army.

Army? Vampires have armies? Alliance?

Leah was getting impatient. Look, the short story is that about a year ago, a human girl fell in love with one of the Cullens. They sort of adopted her into her family and she wanted them to change her into one of them. One day, some vampires who were coming through the area thought Bella would be a good snack, and attacked her. She almost died and the Cullens destroyed him. Then, on her birthday last year she got a paper cut and one of them let his bloodlust get the better of him and tried to eat her—He was supposed to be an animal hunter, but Jake said that no matter what, they are still dangerous. Her boyfriend decided it was too dangerous to be around her and broke up with her, and made the rest of the family leave too. The break-up and desertion left her catatonic for about four months. She and Jake have been best friends since they were about four and he was the only one to get her to come out of her shell and start living again. He has loved her forever and she finally realized it and loved him back and now she's his girl. You'll meet Bella later tonight.

Okay, so what does that have to do with the army?

I wasn't finished, Leah snapped.

And this is the short version? (Paul)

Shut. Up. Asshole. She turned to the new boys. The vampire the Cullens killed had a mate. A wily red haired bitch named Victoria. She wants to kill Bella: mate for a mate. She either doesn't know or doesn't care that Bella is with Jake now. Since Bella is Jake's girl, we are sworn to protect her. The Cullens never stopped thinking of her as a member of their family, so they're sworn to protect her too.

I still think the wolf mind meld version would have been better, grumbled Seth.

Brady and Collin looked around the circle. When is this army coming? (Collin) How do we fight vampires? (Brady) How do we be wolves for that matter? (Collin)

Your wolf will show you a lot by instinct, and the pack will show you the rest. As for fighting the army, we train with the Cullens. (Me)

Train?

Well, sort of. They show us moves the vampires will use, and we watch while they demonstrate. We don't have to touch them. (Paul)

Good thing. I can hardly stand the stench so I can't imagine having to actually touch one. (Leah)

Aw, c'mon! They don't smell that bad. It doesn't bother me all that much. Though red-eyes do stink something awful. Jake says that the Cullens smell different because of the animal blood they drink. (Seth)

And Esme is an AWESOME cook! Wait until you taste her pancakes! (Jared, of course) My mom's a good cook, but I miss Esme's pancakes.

Okay, I'll give you that. Esme is an awesome cook and loves to take care of us for some strange reason. Those Cullens sure are weird vampires. (Paul)

I stood, stretching. I hate to do this but I need to leave you to the rest of the pack for your education for the rest of the afternoon. I have a meeting with Carlisle and I need to go.

Wait...you were all human when we arrived, so I am guessing this isn't permanent. How do we change back?

We'll show you. Don't worry, little brothers. (Embry)

Jake, do I have to stay for this part? I promise I'll be on time for the meeting tonight but I don't care to see everyone's personal parts time and again while they learn to phase. (Leah)

Oh. Right. Leah, you're excused. See you all at 5:30 at the Cullens.