Chapter 7

"I don't get why you guys are acting like you're all in on a secret that I can't know about." I confessed to Seth, walking to my locker after lunch on Thursday. Brady had given me another crappy excuse this morning for not being able to come over after school and Seth had just told me he couldn't get dinner because he was 'busy'. All week the guys had been making lame excuses as to why they couldn't hangout or meet up and it was really annoying. They never used to have problems with hanging out and now they all are always too busy. "We're all best friends, I don't get why I'm suddenly being treated like an outsider."

"What do you mean? We're not in on some secret." He said, looking confused. I scoffed.

"Yea, okay. So the weird excuses and random times of being busy aren't you guys hiding something?"

"Nope." He said, not very convincingly.

"If you say so." I shut my locker and walked to class, leaving Seth standing there alone.

Things were different between me and him this week. We weren't how we used to be before he got sick. He's very careful around me and he's always making sure I'm happy or okay. He walks me to and from school in a more protective way than normal, like he's trying to keep me from getting hurt. He's always on edge, as if somethings going to jump out at any given moment and he has to be ready to fight or defend me. He's always smiling at me and looking at me and watching me. He still stares at me in English and not in a friendly way, it's more intense, more loving. Which is weird because, well, it's Seth. It's almost a little too much. I love the kid and all and I'm liking how much he cares about me but he's just my best friend, he shouldn't be acting like my boyfriend.

He broke up with Jenna at the beginning of the week because 'he wasn't good for her'. I didn't say anything, but I was insanely happy he finally realized he was too good for her.

After school, I had walked with Kat back to her house so I could grab a dress that I had left there a while ago. This weekend was the Back to School BBQ at First Beach for the seniors, where the seniors from the high school come to drink and eat and celebrate our final year. It's an all-night thing on Saturday, starting at dinner time and going until early Sunday morning. I was so excited about it because I remember DJ telling me stories from his two years ago about how much fun it is and how great it is to see everyone in the grade.

"Don't you think it's weird how the guys are always busy lately? Like, they never hangout with us anymore." I turned to Kat who was sitting on her bed. She bit her lip.

"They probably just have a lot of homework to catch up on and chores around the house. Remember, they were sick for a whole week." She had a point, but I still didn't believe it. Something was strange with the guys and she seemed to know a little bit more about it then she was letting on. "Do you want a ride home?" She asked, before I could ask more questions. I stuffed the dress in my bag and shook my head.

"Nah I'm good. I'll just cut through the woods behind Brady's house." I thanked her for the dress and walked to the Fuller's backyard where I found the trail that led to mine and Seth's backyards.

The walk through the woods wasn't long; Brady's house was quite close to mine. It was quiet, no noise except for the birds chirping or the occasional rustle of leaves from a squirrel. I could almost see Seth's house when I recognized a tall figure ahead of me. It was Seth. I wondered what he was doing in the woods, I thought he said he had to help his mom with something after school.

"Hey Seth-" I started to call him but stopped when I saw him take his shirt off. I stopped walking and ducked behind a tree. What's he doing? I peeked out and saw him standing there in his boxers. Why is he suddenly shaking? I got up to go ask if he was okay but as I started walking towards him his shaking got more violent. I heard this awful cracking noise and suddenly a giant sandy colored wolf was standing where Seth had stood a split second before that. I gasped as I took in the sight of the ginormous beast. The wolf snapped his head up at the sound of my gasp and looked at me, it's eyes wide with shock. It growled as it realized I was watching it.

I couldn't move. I couldn't blink. I could barely breathe. What just happened? Where did Seth go? Why was this giant animal just standing there staring at me? I could feel my heart start to race as fear set in. Was this animal going to eat me? Was I about to die? I wanted to run, I could see my house, I could probably make it if I ran fast enough. Oh, who was I kidding, there's no way in hell I could run past that thing without it catching me. I decided I could run to Brady and Collin's house. They were the closest house behind me and maybe I could get there before that thing gets to me. It's my only chance right now.

Before I could move though, the wolf took a step towards me and then slowly walked to the group of trees next to him. My eyes were wide as I watched it's every move, ready to run at any given moment. The wolf disappeared behind the trees and I closed my eyes as I released the breath I had been holding. Maybe I'd be safe after all.

I felt something in the air and the sound of footsteps came back. I opened my eyes to find Seth standing right where the wolf had been standing a second ago. My eyes widened. Did he just turn into that wolf and then turn back? Was he that monster? That beast?

"Stevie…" He spoke softly and slowly, his hands up in an 'I surrender' style. He took a small step towards me and I thought to myself oh fuck no. I took a deep breath and turned, sprinting towards the Fuller's house. I could hear footsteps behind me and Seth shouting my name but I didn't stop. I pushed with all my power to get to Brady's house before Seth could get me. Once I saw Brady's backyard I started shouting for help.

"BRADY! BRADY HELP! BRADY!" my prayers were answered when the backdoor opened and Brady ran out onto the little deck, worry all over his face. "Brady! Help! There's a monster, we have to get inside." I ran up to him and tried pushing him into his house with no luck. I could feel the tears streaming down my face from the fear and hysteria in my body. He grabbed my shoulders and looked me in the eyes.

"Breath Stevie. Take a deep breath, what's wrong?" his face was full of worry and concern as he turned to scan the woods for the thing that was chasing me.

"Seth. He's a monster. He changed. And then a wolf. And it was huge. And it's Seth. He's coming. He was right behind me Brady we have to get inside." I kept panting, unable to catch my breath or calm down. Suddenly the leaves ruffled and Seth came bursting through the trees.

"Stevie, you gotta let me explain!" he called as he ran towards us. I pushed Brady inside while he was distracted by Seth but I couldn't get the door shut before Seth put his foot between it, stopping me from closing it. I looked at Brady for help but he stood there dumbfounded, not realizing I needed help or that his best friend was a complete monster. I was shaking from crying so hard that I let go of the door.

I knew there was a bathroom down the hall that I could run and hide in so I turned to run there but Seth was faster. As I reached to open the door, he slammed it shut from behind me. He was so close and I didn't know what he was going to do or what that monster inside him wanted. I pressed myself up against the door as much as I could to keep away from touching him but he didn't move, he stayed close to me, his head close to mine.

"Stevie," he whispered, "Please. Let me explain. I'm so sorry you saw that but I promise you I'm not going to hurt you. I would never hurt you. Please, just let me explain." His voice was soft and quiet. I turned to look at him and saw what looked like tears in his eyes. He looked so scared and hurt, like me being afraid of him was hurting him. I couldn't believe it though, even if he was sorry, he just turned into a giant animal and he looked so mean and vicious. I can't handle talking to him right now.

"Please just go. I can't talk right now Seth, I need space. Please, just leave me alone." I cried quietly, closing my eyes and pressing myself further into the door. I felt him stand up straight and back away from me. I didn't move but I heard him whisper to Brady.

"Take care of her please." He mumbled and then I heard the back-door open and then shut. After a minute, I quickly ran to the back door and locked it. I finally turned to Brady to find him standing against the living room wall, far away from where Seth and I just were. I sat on the couch beside him and saw his body relax as he came and sat next to me.

"Can you please explain what the fuck just happened here…" he chuckled quietly and I glared at him.

I took a deep breath "I was walking through the woods-" I began.

"You shouldn't be in the woods alone, you know."

"Don't interrupt me." I snapped. He just held his hands up in surrender.

"I was in the woods walking home from Kat's house and I saw Seth. He was shaking and when I went to go ask what was wrong, this giant animal took his place. It was as if the animal ate Seth in the brief moment it took for me to blink. And then when it saw me it growled and moved towards me. And then it went behind some trees and suddenly Seth came running out, as if he changed from the wolf to himself. And he tried coming towards me and I freaked out and ran here because you were the closest house."

"Damn, and here I thought you wanted me for my protection but really I was just the easiest house to reach." He laughed but stopped when he saw the tears streaming down my face. "Aw, Stevie, come here." He said, wiping my tears away and pulling me into a hug. "It's all okay. No one is going to hurt you. Seth isn't going to hurt you either I promise." I pulled back in shock.

"How do you know?! He's a monster Brady! Our best friend is some crazy wolf thing and we never even knew it!" I stood up and started pacing. Brady was being so calm about this, like he knew Seth was able to do this. Maybe that's why Seth was sick last week, maybe he was actually abducted by aliens and made into a wolf. Maybe that's why he suddenly got so much bigger; his height, his body, everything got bigger after he got sick. But wait, Brady and Collin were sick and got bigger too. What if they can become wolves too? What if all three of my best friends are also wolves? Is Kat a wolf? She doesn't seem like she changed though.

I thought back to what changed with the guys and thought about how much they look like the gang that hangs around La Push- Jacob Black's crew.

Seth walked in, laughing with Jacob Black. I thought, remembering back to that day in the diner with Embry.

"These guys are some of my best friends." Embry told me.

I knew Embry had been friends with Jacob but he was never friends with Seth. Unless they started hanging out without me knowing. And the only time that could happen is if it was the week Seth was supposedly sick. But still, that wouldn't make them best friends, right?

Unless they shared some type of secret that only they knew about. Maybe they knew Seth could morph into an animal… maybe that whole group of guys can… But that would mean….

My eyes widened as I looked at Brady sitting on his couch twiddling his thumbs. He was a wolf too, I just knew it. My hands flew up to cover my mouth as I realized this.

"I think it's time I call Kat…" he said, pulling out his phone and dialing her number. I couldn't move. I was in the house of another monster and I came here willingly. I was frozen. I could barely breathe.

"Hey, everything okay?" I heard her ask.

"Uhm, we kinda have a problem…" he said, looking at me carefully.

"What kind of problem?"

"A Stevie problem… she knows." I know? What do I know? That my friends were monsters? That they were animals? That they were wolves?! There was a pause on the other line.

"Where are you?" she asked.

"My house."

"Sam says to bring her here."

He said okay and then hung up, turning back to me. "You up for a drive?" he asked, going to grab his keys. I just nodded and followed a bit behind him. Brady ran out and into his jeep but I stood in the door way, scared to follow him into a car.

"Hurry up!" Brady shouted over the now pouring rain. I sighed and ran to the car but hesitated before opening the passenger door. I got in and sat as far from Brady as possible.

"Oh relax." He said, his demeanor changing from quiet to upbeat. He pulled out of the driveway. "I'm not gonna eat you." He gave me a wicked smile. "You probably wouldn't taste good anyway." I gave a nervous chuckle because he just confirmed my suspicions- he too was able to turn into a wolf. Great.

He started driving down the road and I sat near the door, my hand hovering near the door handle in case I needed to bolt.

"Oh please, don't tell me you plan on jumping out of this car for some reason." He laughed at me and I moved my hand to my lap, not laughing or saying anything.

"When we get to Sam's he'll explain everything to you. But yea basically Seth is now part werewolf." I gulped when he 100% confirmed my thoughts. "So are Collin and me. And all the guys we thought were gang members. They're actually just a pack of wolves. But it's so cool Stevie, I can run faster, I'm stronger, I'm bigger. How awesome is that!" Brady said, throwing his arm around my shoulders. I flinched.

"It's just so awesome." I muttered sarcastically.

"Oh cheer up Stevie! This is really cool. I'm still the same Brady you know and love. Nothing about my personality has changed. There's no need for our friendship to change either… Wait till you meet all the guys. And- OH! Wait till you have Emily's home cooking. It. Is. Amazing!..." Brady kept talking while I tuned him out, thinking about seeing Seth.

"Brady." I said, cutting him off. He looked at me. "Is Seth going to be there?" I asked quietly.

He sighed before answering. "Yeah, Seth's gonna be there." I shivered, scared to see the guy I've called my best friend for the past seventeen years.

Brady pulled into Emily's driveway and parked the car.

"Stevie, I don't want us to change. I love being your best friend and you being mine. I don't want this stuff to change that because there's no need for it to. Promise me that we'll be okay?" he looked at me sadly, holding up his pinky. How could things not change? He's a wolf! Doesn't that automatically change things?

"Brady you're a wolf… how does that not change things?" I asked quietly.

"Because I'm still an idiot. I still trip over air, I still laugh at inappropriate jokes, I still fuck around with Seth and Collin. I'm still me. Please Stevie, just stick around and see that. Once everything is explained I think you'll feel better about it all. Just please, don't leave Stevie." He begged. I've never seen Brady so nervous and serious about something before. He looked like he'd cry if I stopped hanging out with him. I sighed and wrapped my pinky around his. Now that I've calmed down from my panicked state from earlier, I decided I can try and at least see what the hell is going on. He smiled and gave me a hug.

He then got out of the car and jogged to my side and opened the door for me. He held his jacket over our heads as we made a run for the front door.

"Dude, I'm soaked." I mumbled. "You're a terrible umbrella."

"Sue me! At least I tried." He fired back. I just giggled. Maybe Brady is still his stupid normal self, maybe he didn't really change that much.

When we walked into the living room, I hid behind Brady because the guys all scared me. If what he said was true, then that means every guy in this house is also a giant animal.

In different circumstances, the site in front of me could actually be considered hilarious: Paul Walker and Jared McCarthy were throwing Kat back and forth to each other, like a game of catch.

"Guys! Put me down! Just because I'm small doesn't make this right!" Kat yelled.

"Yeah, but Quil lost our football so now we've got you!" Jared said as he tossed her back to Paul.

"I said I was sorry!" Quil yelled from the kitchen.

"Hey!" Collin yelled, coming upstairs from what I assumed was the basement. He ran to where they were throwing Kat and caught her in mid-air. "I gotcha, babe." Collin winked and kissed her. She just laughed.

"Yo Seth!" Brady yelled, while he walked into the living room and lounged across Collin and Kat on the couch. "Our little friend Stevie is here!" Everyone in the room looked at me as I awkwardly stood near the front door. Seth walked in from what I assume to be the kitchen and I took a step backwards out of instinct. He didn't walk towards me but he did talk.

"Stevie I'm so sorry about what happened…" he apologized. I just nodded, unable to find my words. Everyone was watching us but I didn't care and neither did Seth it seemed. He took a small step towards me and it took everything I had not to take a step backwards. If I can give Brady a chance to prove he's still himself, I should be able to do the same for Seth. I opened my arms for a hug and Seth came willingly, pulling me into a tight hug. I froze briefly before snapping out of it and hugging him back.

"So, I hear you know our little secret." I turned to see Jacob Black walking into the living room with Sam Uley. I pulled away from Seth and nodded. Jared and Paul took a seat on the love seat. Quil stood in the kitchen doorway with a muffin. Jacob ushered for me to sit on the couch and I did, sitting between Seth and Brady but making sure I wasn't touching them or anyone in this room. Jacob and Sam stood across from me with their arms crossed.

"How did you find out?" Sam asked me with a look of anger in his eyes.

"I- I saw him in the woods and I saw him turn into that thing." I said, not wanting to say wolf because it still sounded crazy. Sam took a deep breath.

"I realize that. What I want to know is how exactly you saw him phase."

"I don't know what you mean. He was stripping in the woods one second and then suddenly a wolf took his place." I answered quickly, nervous to upset them.

"You saw him naked?!" someone yelled from the front door. I turned to saw my brother standing there in a pair of ripped jeans and a baggy teeshirt. Relief filled me to see a familiar protective face in this room of craziness.

"DJ!" I yelled and jumped up from my seat, running and throwing my arms around my big brother. He picked me up and hugged me tight, laughing.

"Wow I didn't think you'd be so happy to see me!"

"Are you kidding? You've been gone all week and when I saw that you weren't in the hospital I was so confused and concerned. And with all this craziness I need some sanity…" I trailed off, suddenly realizing that he was at this house with all these people who I didn't think he knew. "Wait… why are you here?" I asked, stepping back as panic started to settle in. My brother was a wolf too, wasn't he?

"Relax Stevie. Breathe. Everything is going to be fine, just come and let them explain everything. You're going to be okay." He tilted my head up so he could look me in the eyes. I took a deep breath and nodded. If DJ said I would be okay, then I believed him. He's my older brother, he would never let me get hurt.

I went back to my spot on the couch while DJ went and sat on the couch across from me. "So, what's this I hear about you seeing Clearwater naked?" his whole demeanor changing drastically.

Seth blushed and I shook my head.

"No no, he was in his underwear when he became the thing." I refuse to say wolf.

"Ok, so I guess we should explain then." Sam said after another moment of silence.

"That'd be nice." I muttered, not realizing they could hear me. He glared and turned to Jake.

"So, uh, I guess I'll explain." Jake mumbled to himself.

The night went on and I learned all of the legends and stories. Turns out Seth and everyone, including my DJ, have this Quileute magic in their blood that make them phase into spirit wolves whenever a vampire comes around. The Cullens, who are the mysterious family that lives in Forks, are the clan of vampires that caused the change for the guys and Leah.

I was having a hard time believing it all because it was crazy. People turning into animals due to vampires? It sounds like something from the movies. If I hadn't actually seen Seth change with my own two eyes I would've laughed and walked out hours ago. I had promised Brady I would stay and figure out what was going on and so that is why I am still here. Looking past the scary monster part, it all actually sounded pretty cool. The guys all had enhanced speed, strength, sight, smell, and sound. It's also why they grew so much during the week they were 'sick'. I also found out that their 'sicknesses' were actually them turning into the wolf for the first time and working on phasing back and learning how to control themselves in public.

I decided that Brady was right, him and Seth were still the same idiots I knew and loved and them being wolves shouldn't change that. I relaxed into the couch more and became comfortable with their legs touching mine and when they saw that, they both high fived and hugged me and knew that I was okay with everything that was happening. I had laughed and hugged them back, happy to have my best friends back again.