First Born Son

by laura-maeve

William Black is the first born son of Alpha, Jacob Black. As next in line for the throne, it's up to him to prove himself worthy of the title of Alpha Male. Little does he know, Will has an enemy, one who's out for revenge. With this enemy in his territory, he takes it upon himself to cut down the threat. The question is can he get over his teenage hormones long enough to succeed?

4. Chapter 4

Phew, this is a long one. Nothing truly epic happens here, just a lot of advice to Will and maybe his phasing. Eh, nothing big. Oh and we meet Embry's youngest. She's adorable. I kind of really like this chapter...

*Disclaimer*

Please Enjoy!

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The End of July

RPOV

Jules was weeping into her father's chest as Sue performed the ceremony for Billy. She was on the council of elders and had been asked to do it. It was fitting that the day was windy on the cliffs with no rain. Jacob's mother hadn't been buried, and therefore neither would Billy. He'd been cremated just like his wife, and his ashes would be released over the cliffs. Our daughter refused to let go of her father, so I stayed back to let them mourn. Will was holding one of my hands; Ash had the other. Maddox was standing with his cousins while their mothers broke down in their husbands' arms. All of the pack was standing behind us, most of the tribe behind them. Walker and Christa were there with their three kids, plus Garrett who had come with Haleigh. Leah, Caden, and their son, Gage, were standing beside them. And to add to their group was Tricia and Embry with their girls. I picked out other members like Jared, Sam, Quil and Claire. Leila was standing with her parents. My family and Grampa Charlie stood to the side. Seth and Shelby with Brayden and Piper were standing close to our family. The two of them had traded places with my kids. Brayden hovered near Jules, but didn't dare try to get her away from Jacob. He was just a strong pillar beside them. Piper was standing on the other side of Will, rubbing his shoulder.

I looked to Jacob. He was holding Jules tightly against his chest, silent tears rolling down his cheeks into her hair, but his eyes were unfocused again as Sue talked about Billy's life and family. Over the last few months that Jacob had had with Billy, he'd secretly helped Billy pack up and tie up loose ends as did Grampa Charlie. Every day he'd come back home from helping with a haunted look in his eyes. And every time, he'd go down to our room and lock himself in. Keeping the secret from the kids and his sisters had been taking a toll on him, but when he did interact, he was especially good at hiding everything. When the rumor had spread that Jacob was depressed and going to Billy for fatherly advice, I'd supported the rumor to help him. The kids were suspicious, but they never questioned it, just asked if there was anything they could do to help.

Thankfully, Billy had indeed passed in his sleep a few days ago, and it had been Jacob to find him. That day, he'd phased and run into the woods. Seth had been the one to come in, tears staining his face, to tell me what had happened. Jacob had just come home yesterday from running. Embry and Seth had come to check on us multiple times, scared the kids would think their father had abandoned them. I knew he hadn't. He'd just needed some time to cope with the loss of his father.

Beside me, finally, Will broke. He laid his head on my shoulder and cried. I cradled his head and kissed his hair, my own tears falling into the black and copper locks. Ash just stood beside us, lip trembling, and his tears slow and steady. Over with his cousins, Maddox wasn't much better. His face was splotchy, eyes rimmed in red while he held Ava and Linley. Dane was wrapped around his legs. Colton and Henry had split up to stand with Rebecca and Rachel. Paul and Tom supported the two women who were sobbing in heartbreaking hiccups.

"Traditionally, the eldest child releases the loved one." Sue glanced at Rebecca. "However, I think Rebecca would agree that it should be Jacob."

Becca sobbed harder, gripping Tom as if she were drowning and he were the last solid thing on this earth to cling to.

Sue looked to my husband. "Jacob?"

He took a deep breath and tried to gently detach Jules from him, but she just tightened her hold, squeezing her eyes closed. Swallowing hard, he bent his head to whisper to her. After a moment, she nodded. Wrapping an arm around her waist, he half carried her toward Sue. He took the jar from her, and she hugged him tightly. Jacob moved with Jules toward the cliff edge. His head bent again. A second later, she lifted her head and reached out to the jar. Together, they tilted it until Billy's ashes fell and were caught by the wind. I watched as they were carried out over the trees and the ocean.

When they turned back, Jacob handed the jar back to Sue. Will and Ash moved for their father, wrapping both him and their sister in their arms. Maddox stayed with his cousins, but I could tell he wanted to join them. Henry carefully pulled him away so that he could. He stopped beside me to hug me and kiss my cheek before moving for his father and siblings. Jacob held the four of them the best he could. Amidst them, he managed to look up at me. I smiled the best I could through my own tears while I let him have his moment with his children. Behind me, my own parents came up to hold me between them. I rested my head on Dad's shoulder. They each wrapped an arm around my waist. My heart hurt for losing Billy, but my soul ached for my husband and children as well as my sisters-in-law and my nieces and nephews.

After everything was done and people passed their respects to the Black children, we managed to get everyone into the SUV. When we got into the house, Jules attached herself to her father once more. My boys looked helplessly to their sister as she clung to Jacob and sobbed. Jacob swung her into his arms and disappeared upstairs. The boys and I sat down in the living room. Maddox and Ash sat on either side of me. Will sat at my feet, head in my lap. It was Ash who comforted Will while I leaned on Dox's shoulder and held Ash's free hand. There wasn't anything to say. We'd all lost someone precious to us. And it was a horrid slap of reality. Mortality was a natural part of life. For the rest of the world, it was the way of life. People were born, lived their lives, and died all the time. My kids were getting their first taste of it. It was real to them now that even though they could live for a very long time, they could still be killed. They weren't indestructible. Nobody was, not even the vampires. We all had to die at some point, but depending on how careful we were would depend on how long we could evade the Grim Reaper. If you were human, you knew that it didn't matter how careful you were. In the end, time won out.

Rachel and Rebecca had wanted to spend some time with their families before coming over, which was fine. We needed some time to collect ourselves, too.

We must have sat there for a couple hours before there was a soft knock on the front door.

"Come in," Maddox called softly.

Whoever it was heard him. It was Piper and Brayden. Piper kissed the four of us on the cheek. "Do you need anything? I could fix some lunch."

We all shook our heads.

"I think we just need some comfort," I said. "Jules is upstairs with Jacob."

She nodded. "I'll go check on them."

"Thank you."

"Mom said to call her if you need anything. Dad put some wolves on Aunt Rachel and Aunt Rebecca."

I smiled up at her. "You're a sweetie. Thank you."

Brayden moved up behind me while Piper went for the stairs. He wrapped his arms around my shoulders and kissed my cheek. "Are you sure you don't need anything, Aunt Ness?"

I patted his arm. "I'm sure, sweetheart."

He whispered into my ear so only I could hear, "Dad sent me over just in case the emotional overload was too much."

I nodded. "Good idea."

Jacob came down a moment later. Craning my neck, I saw him reach for a bottle on top of the fridge. Something stronger than beer. He poured the dark liquid into a small glass and tossed it back. He grabbed a few more glasses and came to set them on the table. Filling them all, he handed them out to us, leaving one behind on the table to represent Billy. I'd never cared much for alcohol, but I joined the boys in a shot. We raised our glasses and tossed them back. It burned all the way down. But it was a comforting feeling, letting me know that I wasn't as numb as I felt.

Jacob refilled for the boys but knew not to refill my glass. I met his eyes with mine and then looked down at Will, still at my feet. He'd already tossed his second shot. I shook my head at Jacob. The last thing Will needed was alcohol to fuel the rage. Over the past couple of months, with knowing something was off with his father, Will had been having issues controlling the anger. Now any little thing set him off. Henry and Brayden would drag him out into the woods, thinking it was time. But he always came back calm and apologetic.

Jacob tried to take the glass, but Will shook his head. "I want another."

"No, Will. You've had enough," Jacob said.

"No," Will demanded. "I want another."

Brayden reached for the glass. "Why don't we take a walk?"

Unexpectedly, Will burst up from the floor with a speed that he'd never before owned. And it was then that I realized he'd grown even more. His shoulders were now as broad as Jacob's, and he was only a couple inches shorter than his father. Taller and broader than Brayden, my son looked like the alpha he was born to be. I also realized that now that he was away from me, I was a bit chilled. Heat was pouring off of him.

He faced off with Brayden, baring his teeth. "I said, no," he growled low. His body was shaking, vibrating with a barely contained rage. This time, I wasn't so sure that there was any coming back from it.

The room went utterly quiet as the two boys faced off. Ash and Maddox sort of moved in front of me, their shoulders brushing as they leaned their torsos over. Despite his sorrow and exhaustion, Jacob shot up and grabbed Will around the shoulders. "Come on. Let's take a walk, son." He looked to Brayden. "You stay here with them." Then he looked to Maddox and Ash. "You two take care of your mother and sister."

After they nodded, Jacob wrestled our son out the front door, leaving us in an electrified silence.

JPOV

In my arms, Will was vibrating with heat and anger. It was time.

He ripped himself out of my arms and down the porch steps.

"What's pissing you off now?" I demanded. I made my tone angry to try to boost his anger. It was time for him to phase in a safe environment. I did not want him near Nessie or Jules or his brothers when he decided to finally get angry enough over the fact that his noodles weren't cooked enough or some shit like that.

Angrily, he pushed his fingers through his hair. "Everything! First, you and the pack treat me like a child, following me everywhere. Grampa's gone. And now, I can't even drink with you. You're treating me like a fucking child!"

I didn't even bother with scolding him for the language. It was just the two of us, and God knew that he'd heard me say it enough. "You're angry at mortality? That's life, Will. Shit happens and there's nothing we can do about it! And we don't treat you like a child. We're trying to protect you and the people around you, something a lot of us didn't have. So be grateful. As for the drinking, you're underage. You're lucky you get what you do. So that's not an excuse. Don't throw a tantrum with me, son."

As he shook, his eyes filled with tears, and I knew what they were for.

Reaching out, I pulled him into the first real hug since the night he'd beaten up that kid. "It's okay. I miss him, too, Will. I feel the same anger and the same empty hole that you do."

"How do you deal with it?" he asked clutching at my suit shirt.

"I don't. If there's one thing I've learned, it's that pain reminds you of what's precious. The time you have left and the people you share it with. You have to feel the pain to remember that no matter what you turn into, at your core, you're human. Feelings are a part of being human. Wolves don't feel, Will. They work on basic instinct, but humans don't." Pulling back, I put a hand over his heart. "We feel, Will. Yes, losing your grandfather hurts. It's supposed to. But you know what he would say to you right now?"

"What?" he whispered.

"He'd tell us to use the pain to strengthen us. Remember, what doesn't kill us makes us stronger. That's not just a pop song, alright? It's true. Fighting Tristan's pack, I learned how weak I'd been and how much stronger I could be. I almost lost your mother so many times. Each time I didn't, I came out of the situation stronger, a better man. Did I feel pain? Absolutely, every time I saw her injured or crying. All three of her pregnancies scared me, I won't lie. Out of the three you were the most normal. The twins scared me the most. But we made it. I'm a stronger man and father because we all made it to the other side as a family."

He shook his head. "I can't, Dad. I get what you're saying, but…I don't know why this is hitting me so hard, but it is."

"He was your grandfather. You loved him. Letting go of the people you love is the hardest task of all. You feel like a piece of who you are is missing. That's how I feel. My dad is gone. I'll never be able to have a father/son chat with him again, never be able to rag on him about his wheelchair or call him 'old man' again. I feel as lost as you do, Will. I've lost one of the last connections to my mother. Granted, I have Sue, but Billy was the only man to know and understand my mother intimately. He could tell me her quirks and what made her mad. Once Sue is gone, it'll be like losing her all over again." I started to choke up and Will pulled away from me, shaking his head over and over.

"I can't, Dad. Just stop. Please." He wrapped his arms around his torso. "Why is all of this happening at the same time? My phasing. Grampa dying."

I walked toward him but he pulled away when I tried to put a hand on his shoulder. I sighed. "Will, life tests us like nothing else."

"I don't care. And right now, I really don't want to hear your life philosophies." And then he turned around and darted into the woods.

A dark shape moved in the brush. It wasn't Henry but I recognized the wolf. Derek dipped his head once before loping off after my son, keeping an eye on him. Adam, Derek, and Rhett had come home from their travels a couple years ago. Before Calahan had died, he'd allowed Rhett to transfer to Walker's pack, and Walker had allowed Adam and Derek to live on the property with Rhett since Rhett had become one of the teachers for the cubs of the pack. No travel for him and more running for Adam and Derek. It all worked out.

"Jacob?"

Looking up at the sky, I sighed. "He took off, but didn't phase. His anger isn't as great as his pain. A pity that isn't his trigger." Turning around, I saw her worried look. "Derek followed him. He'll be alright."

"But where's he going? Brayden and the others are in here."

"Ness, sometimes it's not about running to someone. Sometimes it's about needing isolation and not having someone else tell you how you should feel or how life works."

Her worried eyes studied the woods. "What if he phases?"

I motioned behind me. "Derek's out there. And I'm running patrols tonight. There are others running."

"But-,"

"Leave it, Ness. Please. He's having issues coping with all of it right now. Let him come back on his own."

"Will can take care of himself, Mom," Ash said from the doorway. "He'll come back when he's ready. He's got a lot of pressure on his shoulders. Let him work it out without us breathing down his neck."

Ness looked between the two of us before staring back out at the woods. After a while, she nodded and let Ash take her back inside. He looked over his shoulder at me. I nodded. The corner of his mouth lifted just slightly.

Turning backing around, I did my own staring. As the wind picked up with a coming storm, a sliver of unease slithered into my blood. It was familiar from back before Tristan and Jane had really started their attack on us. With that feeling back, I was more worried about my son than I let on.

Something was brewing, and as always there were only two questions.

What? And when?

August

JulesPOV

All I wanted was to lay my head down on my desk in homeroom and sleep. It had been a month since Grampa Billy passed away and things were still rocky at home. Will would leave and not come back until early morning hours or when Dad got tired of his crap and dragged him back in. I'd never seen my brother so quiet, so…dull. Out of the four of us kids, he'd spent the most time with Grampa, fishing with him all the time and tinkering with the wheelchair. It wasn't that Maddox, Ash, and I hadn't loved our grandfather. We had. I'd cried for four days straight, had even helped to spill his ashes to the wind. We'd all loved him, but Will just had a special connection to him. It was that connection and the fact that he was close to phasing that caused his strange behavior. We were all concerned about him being back in the hallways again with the bustling students. He was at the point where if someone accidentally bumped into him, he could rip them apart. Dad had gotten permission from the principal to have Brayden shadow my brother in the school. It lessened the tension a bit but not enough to keep my mind off of Will. I made Brayden promise to text me every hour.

Behind me, Piper patted my back. "He'll be fine," she whispered while the teacher finished roll call. We'd already been called so we were just waiting.

"Don't lie to comfort me, Piper. We both know he won't. He's a time bomb just ticking down. We'll be lucky if he makes it through the day. And for goodness sake, if you see the new girl, be nice. If Will sees you being rude to her, it could set him off in the hallway."

"Yeah, well, if I see her outside and Will is outside, all bets are off. Brayden could drag him off."

I turned to sit sideways in the desk, looking at her incredulously. "Could you please just drop it? You haven't seen her since that night, unless there's something you aren't telling me. And I haven't seen her since I saw her talking with Will on her tour day."

"Excuse me, Miss Black, Miss Clearwater. Are we having issues playing Quiet Mouse?" Mr. Parker stared down the aisle at us, his glasses perched on the tip of his nose.

The class snickered while I turned back in my seat. "No, sir."

"Good. Then please be quiet so I can finish roll call."

He went back to it and I sat there stewing.

Piper patted my shoulder before sitting back in her chair.

When the bell finally rang, I ran out into the hall. Brayden was standing at the door at the end of the hall, waiting for Will. He caught my eye in the bustle of students and nodded. So far, so good. Piper and I had to split up. I had English and she had calculus. She'd been able to skip the foundations class and was a math ahead of me. Like Ash, I was an English/Lit enthusiast. Math was not a strong suit of mine.

Turning around to go to my next class, I ran into something that squeaked. Books fell to the ground at my feet. I managed to hold onto mine.

"Ohmygod, I am so sorry," a girl said as she knelt down.

Kneeling down myself, I set my books aside to help her with hers. "No, it was my fault. I wasn't paying attention. I apologize."

"It's alright. Being the new girl, I was bound to run into someone."

Looking up, I came face to face with Hunter. I'd only caught a glimpse of her before as she'd walked away from Will, but she'd obviously spent some time in the sun. Her hair was a brighter blonde, and her already tanned skin had darkened a few shades. Both made her hazel eyes very green.

She smiled, teeth bright in her tanned face. "Do I know you? I mean, have I met you? You look familiar but I haven't been here long enough to remember."

I shook my head and went back to helping pick up her books. "No. But you met my brother on the last day of school in April."

"Will?" she asked, surprised. "You're Will's sister?"

Nodding, I handed her the stack I was holding as we stood up. "Yeah. I have different coloring than my brothers. Not as dark-complected."

Her green eyes studied me from my head to my feet. "I can see that. He did say you looked more like your mother."

My eyebrows met my hairline. "He talked about me?"

She lifted a shoulder in a shrug. "Just a little. Nothing bad and no secrets. I promise."

Just being near her gave me the creeps. It could have been from Piper's projections of the girl. But no matter what it was, little alarm bells went off in my head. There was a slight lilt to her voice, giving a hint of an accent. It was familiar, but not there enough to let me grasp it. Brayden and I had gone to Trey for a background check. He'd managed to dig up the fact that she checked out. Adoption records and her history at schools in Canada. The only thing he couldn't find was the will that had left her a house on the rez, but that didn't really mean anything if they had kept it old school on paper instead of uploading it to a computer.

Even though I was freaking out inside, I forced a smile, thinking about Will. "Well, that's good. I'd have to kick his butt if he did."

She laughed. "I'm sure you could." Resituating her stack of books, she held out a hand. "I'm Hunter."

I shook it even though I didn't want to touch her. "Jules. It was nice to meet you."

"You, too."

"Welcome to the rez. If you need anything, let us know."

Her smile flashed again. If I were describe it, I'd say it was venomous, just a hint of evil. "I certainly will. I suppose we should get to class."

"Yeah," I said softly as she took off in the direction my brother and Piper had gone.

Gage, Aunt Leah's son, and Tate, Leila's brother, came up beside me. Gage was the younger of the two and looked it. His frame was thin and willowy, like a bean pole, but the broadness of his shoulders indicated he'd fill out eventually. The light brown mop on top of his head was a mix of his father's blond and mother's brunette. And his eyes were a piercing green, apparently the color Uncle Caden's had been before he'd been infected and stayed too long in animal form, making his eyes amber. Tate looked like a typical Quileute boy. Dark skin, hair, and eyes. He was a bit stockier, but that could be because he was fifteen and could start sprouting like a weed any day in preparation for phasing. Between fifteen and eighteen were the magic ages for phasing. Gage would probably start growing soon, too.

"Who was that?" Tate asked.

"New girl."

"The one Piper's been on about?" Gage asked.

I froze and slowly turned toward him. His accent. It wasn't as pronounced as his father's, but it was there, lilting in the same way Hunter's was.

He squirmed, uncomfortable with my scrutiny. "What?"

Staring back to the last spot I saw Hunter, my mind whirled. Honestly, it didn't mean anything, but to my knowledge people didn't have English accents in Canada. And she'd been abandoned when she was a baby, so it couldn't have come from her parents even if they'd come over from Europe. Not to mention, nobody of the Quileute tribe spoke with that kind of accent, except for Gage. Accents were environmental, so Hunter had to have grown up around that accent somewhere. It could mean something or nothing, but my gut was going with something. Mom and Dad had always taught us to trust our guts. Mine was screaming that something was up where she was concerned. Will hadn't mentioned her once after his episode months ago, but Piper would bring her up every now and then.

Looked like I was starting to leave Switzerland and pick a side.

"You okay?" Gage asked.

Mentally shaking myself out of the thickness of uncertainty and dread, I nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just worried, I guess." I turned to them. "So how's sophomore year? Any classes with the twins?"

"Sucks," they said together. They were best friends, and it showed.

"But I have English/lit with Ash. Thank god," Tate said. "I'm more of a science guy."

"I've got geometry with Maddox. Not yet sure who will be tutoring whom."

"Well good luck. I gotta get," I said and started walking. "You two behave!"

They both gave me false innocent looks.

I narrowed my eyes. "You heard me." And then I rushed off for my locker.

WillPOV

I trudged down the hallway with Brayden shadowing me. Even though he'd graduated and wasn't supposed to be here, he'd been welcomed home by the lower classmen. Not surprising that he'd been popular with everyone. I got fewer wishes of welcome, probably because I didn't look like I was up for the interaction. Since Grampa Billy's death, I hadn't been able to let go of that emptiness or the shock.

"Will! Oh, sorry. Will!"

Frowning, I turned around. Hunter was making her way through the throng of students, looking a bit frazzled. Her blond hair was in a frizzy knot on top of her head, green eyes shining as she pushed through the other students. I hadn't given her a thought since my and Piper's fight, since Dad had talked to me. On my trips into the woods alone, I'd tried to force the phase, but no matter what I thought about, I couldn't trigger it. And I knew that I'd been followed. Dad didn't care about my fits. He wanted me safe so he had me followed. But not once had Hunter crossed my mind.

She caught up to me, breathing hard and clutching her books to her chest. "Hi," she said breathlessly.

"Hi, Hunter," I said with no enthusiasm as I started walking again. I could see Brayden studying her out of the corner of my eye.

She apparently didn't catch my less than enthused response because she kept walking with me. "I'd hoped we would have a class together. Where are you heading?"

"Government."

"Ooo, me, too!"

"How was California?"

Her nose crinkled. "Sandy. Very. But it was warm and the beach was pretty. Kind of miss it. However all the sand in my car, I could live without."

I managed to force a small smile. My fists were tucked into my jeans pockets, shoulders hunched.

She stopped, putting a hand on my arm. "Are you okay? You seem a little…out of it."

I took a deep breath but Brayden answered for me. "His grandfather passed. Very recently."

Her gasp was sharp. "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry, Will." She motioned behind her. "I just ran into Jules and she didn't say anything. I couldn't even tell something was wrong."

"She's tougher than I am. And I'm going through some other things, too. Like you saw the night of the party." Glancing over at her, I raised an eyebrow.

Sheepishly, she looked away, still walking beside me but not as peppy. "So, Piper told you, huh?"

Brayden spoke up from behind me, studying her closely. "My sister doesn't keep secrets from me."

Hunter looked back, studying Brayden in return. "Your sister, huh? Is everyone related to each other around here?"

Brayden growled. "You know about the pack. We're a tight knit group."

Hunter's expression flickered from concerned innocent to something angry before she tucked it away again. "I didn't mean to offend. It just seems like everyone is saying brother and sister left and right. It's a little confusing."

Stopping, I turned to her. "So why were you spying?" Despite my defending her, I hadn't liked what Piper had told me.

Clearly taken aback, she groped for an answer. "I…I wasn't spying. One of the teachers asked if I was going to the party. I figured you'd be there and we could talk more. When I saw you go into the woods, you looked worried about something."

"Oh, so you care about me now?" I demanded, the hostility clear in my voice. Brayden stepped close enough that he could grab me. I felt the line of heat from his body. And even though it pissed me off, I didn't force him back.

"N-no…I mean, yes, I care. I mean, you were the first person who didn't look at me like I was a freak for being here. And I'm really sorry about your grandfather. If there was something I could do, I-,"

Leaning forward, I snapped, "I don't need or want your charity. Like Piper told you, stay out of our business. You don't want me as a friend or anything more. Trust me on that."

With that, I left her standing there alone to stare after me, Brayden at my heels.

HunterPOV

Dammit!

First Jules was suspicious of me, and now Will. And that Brayden. Definitely wasn't fond of him, or the way he'd been staring at me. Maybe my scent wasn't hidden well enough. If not, this wouldn't work. And Brayden's sister. The bitch thought she was so tough, but she was all bark without having sprouted her fangs yet.

For this to work, I needed to get into that group. I thought I'd set the hook deep enough into Will before I'd left, but apparently his sister and Piper were too influential on him. He was my way in, so I had to find a way to worm into his life better. That was going to be difficult with him so close to phasing. If I said the wrong thing, I was in deep shit. His phase would be instantaneous. I'd still be in the middle of my own change while he faced me down in his wolf form.

Looks like I'd be talking to Mel tonight. Awesome.

Sighing, I cracked my neck, put my pity expression back in place, and followed Will and his bodyguard toward my next class.

JulesPOV

By lunchtime, I was hungry and nauseated at the same time. Piper was already at the table. Thank goodness we had lunch together. Slamming down my books, lunch, and water bottle, I leaned over the table and hissed, "There is something up with that chick."

She blinked at me. "What do you think I've been trying to tell you?" she said, not missing a beat.

Sitting down, I pulled out my sandwich and chips. "She 'accidentally' ran into me in the hall after homeroom. And those little subconscious alarms went off like the Fourth of July."

"Told you so," she said, taking a bite of her roast beef.

I gave her a look. "And I didn't like the way she was talking about Will. Like they were besties or something. It was weird." Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Gage and Tate in line. They were at the back. "Oh, and another thing. You were talking about her accent. Gage!" He turned and I motioned him over. He stood beside me, looking at us expectantly. "Talk."

He blinked. "What?"

"Start talking."

"About what?"

"Anything."

Rolling his eyes, he took a deep exasperated breath and started talking about his classes and teachers. While he jabbered on, I watched Piper's expression go from "wow my best friend has lost her mind" to "holy shit".

Nodding enthusiastically, I pushed Gage back toward the line. "Fascinating," I told him. "Thanks."

"But-,"

"Gage, what are you doing, man? Get over here."

Grumbling, he went to join Tate once more.

Piper leaned forward, her short hair escaping from behind her ear. "An English accent?"

"Who's got an English accent?" Ash sat down next to me, pulling out a cold piece of pizza.

I looked around for Dox. "Where's your other half?"

He shrugged. "No lunch together this year. Answer the question." Wrinkling his nose, he picked the mushrooms and onions off the supreme pizza. "I swear he's trying to kill me. It's a wonder he doesn't have gas all day long." Maddox liked everything on his pizza and usually the twins got two to themselves.

"Why not eat from yours?" I asked, laughing.

"Will ate the rest of it last night, and I'm damn sure not going to complain about it where he might hear me. I like my throat and face right where they are, thanks." He took a bite after it was picked to death. "Now," he said still chewing, "you gonna tell me what we're talking about?"

"The new girl," Piper answered. "Remember I said she had a slight accent?" Ash nodded. "I couldn't place it, but knew it sounded familiar. Jules ran into her and said the same thing."

"Yup," I said, sipping my water. "And then Gage came up and started talking. That's when I recognized it. Isn't Canada primarily French speakers?"

He shrugged and swallowed, then took a drink from my water bottle. "Somewhat. I mean, there are several nationalities of course. But didn't you say she was adopted by a Quileute couple, then raised by her adoptive uncle?"

We both nodded with "see? Uh-huh" looks on our faces.

My brother frowned. "Language and accent is highly environmental. That's why Gage has a slight accent. It would be different if he didn't live with his dad. He probably wouldn't even have what he does. But a full-blooded Quileute couple wouldn't have those accents. Even if she'd been born to English parents, she shouldn't have it. I mean, we hang out with Uncle Caden and Uncle Jasper all the time, but we don't come home with English lilts or Southern tilts."

Piper and I laughed at that last. He had a way with words, my brother. He just shrugged as if he hadn't done something funny on purpose, which he hadn't, and finished his pizza. We both worked on my water bottle.

Suddenly Piper ducked down. "Incoming," she whispered.

Following her gaze over Ash's head, I saw Hunter standing a few feet away looking uncertain. "Would you mind if I sat with you? I really don't know anybody else."

Mentally sighing, I smiled on the outside. "Sure."

Ash moved his chair closer to mine so she'd have room to sit between him and Piper at the circular table. Piper huffed and refused to look at her.

Hunter looked to her. "Look, I just wanted to tell you that I'm really sorry…for that night. I wasn't spying. Really. I'd wanted to talk to Will and I saw him dart into the woods looking worried. I thought maybe I could help if something was wrong."

Ash and I shared a look before turning to Piper. She had that attitude expression. Mentally, I begged her not to try to call her out on anything we'd discussed. Our ESP must have worked because she picked up her bag of chips and smiled. Only Ash and I knew that it was as bright and empty as a light bulb.

"Don't worry about it. I should apologize, too. I was just worried about my really good friend. We've known each other all our lives so we're all a bit protective of each other."

Hunter lifted her hands. "I completely understand. My uncle told me that the pack has always been an entity in and of itself. And with my fascination with wolves, I figured that you'd all be close. That's how packs are."

Piper leaned forward. "Then you're aware that we take care of anything that threatens one of our own."

Hunter's smile died as she glanced at the three of us. When Ash and I didn't say anything to counter that, Piper sat back, still smiling and munching happily. It was an evil happy, but happy nonetheless. If she were shorter, she'd be swinging her feet like a little girl.

Ash decided to step in. "So, Hunter, we haven't met yet." He held out his hand. "I'm Ash. Jules's brother. One of them anyway."

Hesitantly, she took his hand and smiled. "You obviously know who I am. Will told me a little about his brothers. You have a twin, right?"

He nodded. "Maddox. He's the older out of the two of us by about five minutes." He sat back, popping open a giant bag of peanut M&M's. They were a weakness of his. "I'm curious about your accent." I stiffened, but he put a hand back over my knee, squeezing a little before going back to munching on dessert.

She looked surprised almost as if she were about to ask "what accent" before she stopped herself. "What about it?" she asked instead.

"Did you grow up around people with English accents? I mean, I know you had a Quileute adoptive family, so it couldn't have been from them. Did you spend time in Europe?"

To my surprise, she answered quite skillfully. If it was a lie, I couldn't tell. "Actually, after my uncle died, I did go to Europe. That's why I'm taking my senior year now. I'm eighteen soon to be nineteen. I took a year off, looking for my birth parents. My adoptive parents had told me that they were from England, so I traveled Europe for a while."

Ash, listening intently, asked, "Did you find them?" I knew he was studying her. Ash was one to wait and listen, paying attention to his surroundings. And he loved psychology. While I liked to read paranormal romance, he had stacks of psychology and sociology books. He was watching her for any telltale signs of lying.

Her expression tightened, eyes going to the table. "They died. A long time ago."

Leaning forward, he put a hand over hers. "I'm sorry to hear that. I don't know what I'd do if I ever lost my parents, adoptive or no."

She smiled sadly. "Thanks."

"Did you have any siblings?"

This time, the smile was amused. "You sound like your brother."

He smirked. "I'll take that as a compliment."

"You should. But to answer your question, no, I don't think I did. If I do, I can't find them."

"So, you're still looking?" My dear brother had a way of talking to people, of getting them to talk to him, to open up. He was one of those quietly dominant people. It was amazing to watch him interact.

Absently, she picked up her lemonade bottle and swirled it around. "I met some of my birth parents' connections while looking for them. None of them were aware of any siblings, but they promised to look. They said my parents sort of dropped off the radar after giving me up. According to them, my parents didn't want to let me go, but had to for some reason. Nobody knows why. They seemed happy to have a baby."

Ash sat back, studying her while she wasn't looking. He frowned, like he couldn't quite grasp something. But when she looked up at him, he slid on an easy smile. "I'm sorry about your troubles, but hopefully someone will turn something up."

"Thanks."

"What are you doing?" We all looked up as a shadow fell over the table. Will was standing there, arms crossed over his chest. Brayden was standing close behind him. "I thought I told you to butt out," he said. And I realized he was talking to Hunter.

At first she just stared up at him, looking hurt. But then she gathered herself. "I wasn't aware that your family was off limits. You said that I didn't want you for a friend or otherwise. I happen to like Ash. Besides, we weren't talking about the pack, so you can't say I was spying."

Piper coughed her drink back into her cup. Her wide eyes met mine, eyebrows in her hairline.

Will looked to Ash. He shrugged. "It's true. We were talking about her."

I patted the chair on my other side. "Come on. Join us."

He looked around the table, then shook his head. "No." Then he looked to Ash. "Let's talk. Outside. Now."

Ash turned back to look at me.

"Don't look at her. I said I want to talk to you. Now."

Ash held his hands up. "Okay, okay. I'm coming. Jules-,"

"I'll take care of it," I said referring to his lunch trash.

Hurriedly, Ash stood up and followed our brother toward the door that led outside. Unfortunately, they were stopped by one of Will's human friends. The kid just grabbed Will's elbow and turned him around. And if that wasn't bad enough, he put a hand on my brother's shoulder. Ash and Brayden moved around him, standing to the sides.

"Sorry?" I heard Will say.

"Uh oh," I whispered, realizing the kid must have said something about Grampa Billy.

Will stepped back, shrugging the hand away from his shoulder. "Sorry is not going to bring him back, now is it?"

It was then that everything slowed down for me. I saw clearly as Will pulled his arm back, hand going into a fist. Ash saw it, too, and dove in front of the kid. Everything sped back up as Will's arm snapped forward, fist catching Ash's jaw and temple. Ash flew back as I jumped out of my seat.

"Ash!" I yelled as he landed on the tile floor and slid all the way back to the table. Rushing forward, I knelt down beside him. His lip was busted, eye already swelling up. Pulling him into my lap, I looked up. Brayden had his arms wrapped around Will, who was snarling and baring his teeth. The cafeteria had gone utterly silent. Kids were standing up on their chairs to see over the other kids. Teachers had started to stand from their own seats but had frozen when they'd seen who it was. All around, phones and cameras were being held up. "Brayden! Get him out of here! Now!"

He met my eyes before dragging Will out the door. I prayed somebody was in the woods watching so that Brayden wasn't alone in this.

I looked down to my brother. "Ash? Can you hear me?"

He tried to smile but grimaced instead. "I'm still conscious if that's what you're asking. Is he going to phase?"

Choking back my tears, I wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. "I think so," I whispered before looking back up at the door. The other kid was standing there, blinking as if wondering what had just happened.

"Then you should go."

"What?" I asked looking down at him in disbelief.

He swallowed hard, sat up, and winced, putting his fingers to his lip. "He'll need you."

"You need me."

"No, what I need is an Aspirin and an ice pack." His black eyes met mine. "You're the only one who's ever been able to get through to him, Jules. Having you close will calm him down so that he won't rip through the others. You know him. The anger won't abate just because he's phased. If he's going to at all." He put his hand to his head. "Go. I'll be alright. Piper will take care of me."

Speaking of, she knelt on the other side of him. "He's right."

After meeting her eyes for a long moment, I stood up, slung my bag over my shoulder, and looked at Hunter. She was still sitting in her seat, eyes wide. We met gazes for just a moment before I turned and ran for the door. Before I could get there, a tall, slender woman moved in my way.

Skidding to a halt in front of her, I barely managed to not bowl her over. "Ms. Channing-,"

The principal crossed her arms. "Where do you think you're going?"

Breathing hard, I clutched the strap of my bag. "Please, Ms. Channing. I need to get to my brother."

"You need to go to class, Miss Black. One student has already fled the school without permission. I'll not have another added to the list, especially his sister."

Beyond irritated, I stepped closer and lowered my voice. "You just saw what Will did. If you really care for him and all the students, you will let me out that door. Lives might depend on it. Want to feel useful? Take care of Ash. He needs an ice pack and Aspirin. Please, Ms. Channing. Move." What I wanted to say was that I'd move her myself if I had to because I was getting out that damn door.

But forceful action on my part wasn't necessary. She didn't look happy about it, but she moved. Darting past her, I threw open the door…and stopped. The grounds were empty of students because of the rain. Will and Brayden were nowhere to be seen and they hadn't left a trail behind.

"Come on," I whispered. "Just a little sign."

And then I saw it. The flash of golden fur. Without another thought, I ran for it across the school grounds. At the edge of the woods, Will's bag and its contents were scattered in the brush. Blood drops were spattered here and there on the leaves. Movement made the shrubs shake. Turned out that the wolf was Aunt Tricia. And she was bleeding. Long gashes had been opened up on her muzzle and just under her eye.

"Dammit, Will," I whispered, hurrying toward her. I reached out a hand toward the fur of her neck. "I'm sorry, Aunt Tricia. Are you okay?"

She ducked her huge head and rubbed against my hand. Deep into the woods, growls echoed far away.

"I've got to get to him," I breathed.

Aunt Tricia went low to the ground, offering her back.

"Are you sure?"

She yipped at me.

"Alright, alright." Gripping her fur, I slid a leg across her back. She took off as soon as I was settled. More than used to riding a wolf's back, I was able to dig my cell phone out of my pocket and call Dad. The phone rang twice before he answered. "Dad! Don't talk, just listen. Will had an episode at school and almost hit another kid. Instead Ash got in the way. He's fine, busted lip. But Brayden had to drag Will out. I think he phased. Aunt Tricia's bleeding. She's taking me to Will as I speak. Call Mom. She might need to get the house ready if I can talk him down and he phases back. But Dad, we might need you to use your tone on him. 'Angry' is an understatement."

"Breathe, baby girl," he said. "I'll do what I can."

"Wait, Dad."

"Yeah?"

"Let me try to talk him down first. You know how he is. He's angry and he's staying that way, phase or no phase. He won't appreciate the alpha voice. Please."

Silence. Aunt Tricia was still running, dodging roots and low branches. Being on her back, I still had to duck or lean a few times.

"Dad?"

"Yeah, do what you can, but don't get in his way. You hear me?" The edge of the alpha tone cut his words.

I swallowed hard. "Yeah, I hear you, Daddy."

"Good girl."

We hung up just before Aunt Tricia skidded in the dirt. These woods were filled with all kinds of clearings and meadows. We burst through some thick shrubs and into a meadow filled with tall grasses that reached up to my hips. I knew how tall they were because I slid from the golden wolf's back as soon as we broke through. A ring of wolves stood there, guarding two wolves in the middle. One of them was Brayden. The other I'd never seen before.

"Will," I breathed.

He was beautiful. Smoky black with a dark grey mask. He was massive compared to Brayden's tawny brawn.

Moving toward the circle, I reached the first wolf. It was white with amber eyes. Uncle Caden. The wolf next to him was Aunt Christa. I squeezed between them. As soon as they realized I was there, they tried to hold me back, Aunt Christa nipping my bag. To avoid her, I slipped out of it and left it at her paws. The whole time, I had eyes on the two wolves in the center. Will was crouched down, ears flat, hackles raised. He was growling at Brayden, who was sitting on his haunches, watching Will carefully. He showed no signs of aggression, which was pissing Will off even more. Slowly, I walked over to Brayden. Will's eyes snapped to me and he snarled. Brayden was up and in a defensive position a second later, snapping at Will, the calm having melted away in an instant.

I put a hand on his shoulder. "It's okay, Bray. He won't hurt me." Then I looked to my brother. "Will, it's me. Jules. I'm not going to hurt you. You know I won't." Shakily, I moved forward very slowly, my hands out in front of me. He growled again. "Will, listen to me." His eyes were the same toffee color, and I kept my gaze locked with his. "If he hasn't already, Dad's going to phase. If you don't calm down, he'll use the voice on you to make you stop. I know you're still angry. I don't blame you. All of this is happening so fast, and the anger isn't who you are. And that knowledge pisses you off, doesn't it? It just adds to that anger that isn't you, making everything worse. You think you're alone; that's why you run off at night. You don't think anyone can understand your pain so you don't talk to anyone. But I'm telling you that each and every one of these wolves has lost someone to mortality, to illness or accident. It happens, Will. If we were human, it's what would happen to us, and we would live with that knowledge. This isn't any different. We have to live with the loss, and it is okay to be angry. Nobody is blaming you. But eventually, you have to let it go, big brother. Let it go, or you're going to hurt someone. Do you even remember what you did back at the school?"

With each word, I moved a little closer; and with each word, his hackles lowered a little more, eyes becoming uncertain. Now he hunched down, not as if to lunge, but as if he were cowering. I took bigger steps toward him, Brayden shadowing me. Will's eyes snapped to him and the hackles rose once more.

I looked over my shoulder and glared. "Would you back off?" I hissed. "He won't hurt me."

Grudgingly, he did as I asked, circling around before sitting down. But his eyes stayed alert and watchful on Will.

I turned back to Will, arm outstretched, fingers almost brushing his black fur. "Do you remember?" He whimpered, hackles down again. "You almost hit a kid for giving you condolences for Grampa. Ash put himself in the way. You hit our brother in your anger. Is that something you want to do again? Do you want to be so angry that you hit Maddox next? Or me? Or Mom? You've phased now. If you hit one of us while we're still human, you could break our necks. Luckily, Ash is tougher than a normal human even though he hasn't phased and you were still barely human. If you'd actually hit that kid…Will, please. For me. Just breathe. Don't...please don't be the monster. Just because you're a wolf now, just because you've joined the pack, you're still human with morals. If anyone can control this, it's you. You're my big brother, the first born son of the alpha." Tears pooled in my eyes as I finally made contact with him. I dug my fingers into his fur and pressed my face just behind his ear, whispering, "You're my hero, Will. Please don't become the villain."

For a long moment, I prayed and cried into his fur. Will was rarely angry, and when he was, he could hold a grudge like nothing else. But he hated the anger. Dad had once explained that a lot of alphas had had the same problem. The anger protected them from making soft decisions. The problem was learning to control it. Controlling it meant finding something that grounded you, something that kept you human in your wolf form. I was praying that Will's need to keep the family safe would be his anchor.

After a couple heartbeats, his tense body relaxed and leaned into mine. Taking in a relieved breath, I hugged him tightly to me. Instantly, the tension in the meadow dropped to nothing. The circle of wolves broke apart but stayed in the meadow just in case. Brayden stayed where he was, watching us. I just held onto my brother for what felt like hours. Somehow, I'd gotten to my knees, still holding him with him laying down in the grass. I could tell he was tired by the way he was breathing, a steady thrum under my fingers.

However long later, I felt another presence nearby. A cold nose pressed into my hair. Opening my eyes, I saw Dad in wolf form standing over us. I smiled weakly. "Hey, Daddy."

Bending down, he snuffled in my hair before licking my cheek.

Giggling, I said, "I'm fine, Daddy."

A rustle sounded in the shrubs and then Mom came through. She gasped, running for us. Her copper hair flew behind her like a flag warning everyone to get out of her way. Going to her knees, she wrapped me in her arms, kissing my temple before leaning over Will's head. She was so emotional that, as she touched me, I could see flashes of her thoughts. How worried she was, how scared when she'd gotten the call from Dad.

She kissed his muzzle. "You scared the life out of me, kid," she whispered. "We are so having a long conversation once you phase back and rest." I laughed but it was choked off when she turned her chocolate eyes to me. "And you, young lady-,"

"I know, I know. I'm getting a talk, too."

"Damn straight, you are. You could have been hurt, Jules."

Reaching out, I took her hand. "I know, Mom. You can yell at me later. I promise I'll give you the whole teen package. Eye rolls and attitude."

She huffed and sniffled. "Deal."

Chuckling in his wolf way, Dad moved around to stand in front of us, nudging Will gently. Will groaned and managed to get up on his feet. Mom helped me to mine. We clung to each other, tears rolling down our faces. Standing, Will was as tall and broad as Dad's russet form. Seeing them like that, standing side by side, was an amazing site. And I wanted more than anything to phase, to stand with them. All around us, the other wolves formed another circle and went low to the ground in a cohesive submissive position. They were bowing to their alphas.

Dad looked to Will and nudged him toward the woods.

"Wait," I said. When they turned back, I looked at my brother. "Are you okay?"

Slowly, he came over and lowered his muzzle, snuffling behind my ear. Laughing, I squirmed. "I'll take that as a yes. I'll see you at home, okay? And don't worry about Ash. I promise he's fine. You know how secretly tough he is."

His eyes turned sad.

I rubbed my fingers between his eyes. "It's okay. He understands. Go run with the pack. You have to tell me all about it."

He snuffled and licked my palm before turning around and following Dad. The others followed after them. It was Uncle Caden and Aunt Tricia who stopped to sit beside me and Mom.

Mom squeezed my shoulders. "Come on. Let's go wait for them at home. You can tell me what happened. Your father wasn't big on details."

I chuckled. "Neither was I."

She rolled her eyes. "Father like daughter."

"Duh. I'm a daddy's girl."

The two wolves escorted us back home after I grabbed my bag. Man, this was a rough day.

The Next Day…

WillPOV

Slowly, painfully, I sat back against the couch cushions. Leaning my head against the back of the couch, I closed my eyes and tried not to think about how much my body hurt. Phasing into the wolf felt like years' worth of stretching, but phasing back was like stuffing a pillow into a too small box. Fucking painful. It felt like there was something inside me moving around trying to find a comfy spot. Every now and then, my limbs would involuntarily twitch.

"Here."

Cracking open an eye, I saw steam floating up from a mug in my sister's hand. Familiar with the brew from the night before, I greedily took it while she gently sat down next to me. I took a sip and some of the pain disappeared. Thank God for witches. Jules found Mara fascinating and had studied herbal remedies since she could understand what that even meant. If Mara wasn't available for remedies, Jules would do in a pinch.

"How do you feel?"

"Like I got hit by a freight train. Twice."

She laughed. "Well, last night was –what? - four times? So twice is an improvement."

My turn to laugh, and I wished I hadn't. "Oh please. Don't."

Jules grinned. "Sorry."

"No, you're not."

Now she just shrugged. I knew she was dying to interrogate me, but Mom was here. My sister knew me well enough to know that I wouldn't want to talk about it with an audience even if said audience was out of the room and trying not to listen in. But Mom being Mom understood her kids and understood that we'd want to talk. So she came up the stairs a couple minutes later with her purse, jacket, and car keys.

"You guys need anything? I'm gonna run some errands in Port Angeles."

Jules and I shook our heads.

Mom came over to kiss our cheeks. "Okay, well you two be good. No partying. Are you sure you'll be okay?"

Jules smiled. "Mom, we'll be fine. Brayden is across the lake and I'm sure Henry is running around. Or Leila. Someone is near this house. Besides, Will won't hurt me. He can't even move."

I held up the cup of herbs. "True story, Madre."

Rolling her eyes, she opened the door. "Call me if you need anything. Or Jacob if it's an emergency. Love you."

"Love you, too!"

And then she was gone. We stayed quiet for a long time. It was a school day but Mom and Dad had let us stay home. I could barely move and Jules was still kind of in shock. Plus, I needed someone to help me around, and Brayden needed a break from my ass. Maddox and Ash had gone to school so that they could grab our assignments. Ash had gone because he knew that it hurt me every time I looked at his split lip and badly bruised temple. Knowing I hurt him killed me. He was my baby brother; I was supposed to protect him, not beat him.

"You're thinking about Ash again, aren't you?" Jules asked quietly. She stretched out her arm across the back of the couch, fingers playing in my hair. She rested her head on her arm.

"Maybe," I said, taking another sip. The pain ebbed even more.

"He's not mad at you, Will. He understands."

"That's not the point, Jules, and you know it. He's our baby brother. It shouldn't have come down to that."

"Hey," she said. "Look at me." When I did, her aqua gaze met mine. "I meant what I said yesterday. Just because he hasn't phased, doesn't mean he isn't tougher than a mere human. If you would have hit that other kid, serious damage could have been done. It could have been a lot worse than a bruise and a split lip, alright?"

I managed a shrug. "If you say so."

"I do. Now," she hopped on the cushion, getting closer to me. She tucked her knees up and rested her chin on them. "On with the good stuff. Tell me what it was like."

Chuckling, I moved to sit up, wincing. "It was…intense. You know when people talk about a boiling rage? Well, that's literally what it felt like. I just boiled until…until I exploded. And when I came back to earth, I wasn't human. Let me tell you, if you think your senses are good now, just wait. Everything was sharpened. In that meadow, I could hear you running out of the school. If the wind blew just right, I could scent you through the trees. Honey and orange. That's what you smell like."

The look of amazement and longing on her face was both amusing and scary.

Looking over at her, I reached over and took her hand. "How did you know?"

She blinked. "Know what?"

"That I would still be angry."

She shrugged, her fingers playing over mine. "Will, I know you. Just because you phased didn't mean you weren't still hurt and angry over Grampa. In fact, I'd have bet that the anger turned aggressive once you phased. When your rage exploded, it was given better means to cause damage. In your human body, your anger had nowhere else to go so you were frustrated but not violent. Given claws and fangs, there wasn't anything you couldn't do." She lowered her eyes and voice. "I didn't want you to hurt anyone else. And I knew you wouldn't hurt me."

"But I hurt Ash. What made you think I wouldn't hurt you?"

Taking a deep breath, she licked her lips. "Ash jumped in from out of nowhere; didn't give you time to react or even realize it was him. I knew you wouldn't hurt me after you processed who I was and the sound of my voice. Not only were you still carrying that anger, but you were also feeling fear. It has to be at least a little scary to realize that you've changed into a big animal. Despite what other people think, I don't say that we're all animals. Out in the wild, animals work on instinct, and they're neutral until threatened. But humans? Every day we're conflicted over something. Head or heart? Logic or feeling? To just instantaneously change into a body that's supposed to have a neutral, instinctive mindset must be…terrifying. And at the same time exhilarating because you realize that you have all this power; power that your human self just can't carry."

For a long time, I just gazed at my sister. She was drawing designs on the back of my hand with a pen she'd had in her hair. Sometimes I looked at her and thanked whatever god or spirits were out there that Mom and Dad had wanted more than one kid because she was my other half. Like Ash had Maddox, I had Jules. And I needed her. She had always been able to talk sense into me even if she repeated exactly what someone else had tried to say. It had always been me and her taking care of the twins. But what I loved most about her was that she never gave up on us. When we'd be our typical guy selves and not talk about things, she forced us to talk. Most of the time she'd just sit there, staring at us expectantly until we spilled our guts. Other times, she'd jabber at us until we went nuts and gave in. And she always gave the best advice, probably because she hung out with Dad all the time, hearing him talk on pack problems. He always agreed that he'd have said the same thing.

She looked up from completing the drawing and smiled. "There."

I looked down at my hand. In ink, the outline of a wolf howling at the moon covered most of the back of my hand. She was the artistic one, always doodling and helping us with school projects. Mom had given her a camera one year for her birthday. Pictures and drawings covered just about every inch of wall space in her room.

Tilting her head, she studied her work. "When do you think Dad will let you get the pack tattoo?"

I shrugged. "Probably after I turn eighteen. Got a week. Jules?"

"Hmm?"

I met her gaze and had to clear my throat before speaking. "I'm really happy that I have you."

Her expression softened. Gripping my hand, she kissed my knuckles and pressed the back of my hand to her cheek. "Oh, Will. I'm happy to have you, too. I know I've said this before, but I'll say it again. I'm always here for you, Will. There's nothing that you can tell me that will make me judge you for any reason. You're my big brother, and I love you. You take care of me and the twins, but you need someone to look out for you. I'll gladly do that."

Before I could stop it, my emotions all flowed to the surface. Since it was just us, I let the tears pool and fall, all the while gripping her hand. "I miss him. So much."

Leaning forward, she wrapped me in her arms, and pulling me against her pressed my cheek to her shoulder. "I know, Will. I miss him, too. And it's okay to hurt, to feel the pain. It's what makes us human. You didn't cry much at the funeral like you should have. Now's the time to let it out, Will. You need to allow yourself to feel the agony of loss. Please."

It was so close to what Dad had said that I just fell apart, letting it all out. Again, she'd repeated what he'd said, but the words coming from her had more of an impact on me than when Dad had said them. The whole time, Jules held me, rocked me. Her fingers stroked my hair, neck, and back while she whispered and hummed. With my new senses, I could smell her tears, but not once did her breathing hitch. She was being strong for me, being my rock in a world that was churning and rocking, knocking problems out of the woodwork and hurling them at me.

"I meant what I said, Will," she whispered into my hair. "You're my hero and I am so proud of you. Let it go, big brother. Just let it all go. Grampa loved you. He was proud of you, and you know he wouldn't want you to be sad for him. He's with Grama now. Let him go be happy without worrying about us. We'll see him again someday but right now, we have things to do here. The pack is looking to you now. Show them that strength can grow from mourning, from tragedy. Be the alpha Grampa always knew you could be. The alpha I know you can be. I'll follow you anywhere because you're my hero."

Her words soothed and comforted me to the point that I just started weeping. I sagged in her arms, letting her soft strength cage me, feeling no shame in the fact that I was crying all over her.

Eventually, though, my tear ducts went dry, leaving me weak and exhausted in my sister's arms. Managing to push myself up, I sat up and leaned back where I'd started, head against the back of the couch. Something soft wiped at my eyes and face. Jules was cleaning up the remnants of my breakdown with her hoodie.

I chuckled and pulled away. "Some hero I am, huh?" Reaching over, I wiped away her tears.

She let out a choked laugh and pushed my hand away, replacing it with the sleeve of her hoodie. "Of course you are, stupid," she said, leaning back against the arm of the couch and gently kicking me in the thigh. "You don't have to always watch over us, feel responsible for us, but you do. You want to protect us." She poked my side with her toes. "Heroes don't always wear capes or masks, big brudder."

I chuckled, grabbing her foot and tickling her.

She jerked back. "Hey! Uh-uh. I don't think so." I kept on. "Sssstop!" she said in a hissing laugh and throwing herself back into the couch arm.

"Nope." I was stronger in human form now that I'd phased. She could jerk all she wanted, but that foot wasn't going anywhere.

Squirming and laughing, she writhed on the couch. "I swear to God, Will! Stop! If you like your teeth in your head, stop!"

There was a knock on the door.

"Yeah?" I called laughing and still tickling her.

The door opened and Brayden stuck his head in. "You two okay in here?"

"Bray!" Jules screamed. "Make him stop!"

While she was distracted, I pulled her legs into my lap and leaned over going for her sides.

"No!" she screamed, throwing her arms down to try to push me away.

Laughing, Brayden walked over to stand over her. Grinning, he shook his head. "Nah, this is your problem. Now if he was killing you, sure."

Her palms were pressed against my face, pushing me back. "Bray, do me a favor and grab her arms."

"Don't you dare!" she gasped.

Brayden leaned over the arm of the couch and her head to grip her wrists, pulling her arms back over her head. He held tight to her hands, keeping them pinned against his chest.

"Oh, you are both dead," she yelled, bucking her body as I kept hitting her ticklish spots. She was wearing shorts which made it easier to reach the backs of her knees.

I laughed with her while she squirmed and wriggled under my hands. After this, I'd be lucky to get the herbal tea for the pain from her, but it was worth it. Seeing her smile and laugh like this always made me relax a little. She was always open and smiling. When she wasn't, I always felt like I was the one to disappoint her. Usually, it was the twins who helped me pin her down, but Brayden and I were now enough to do the job. He held her down easily despite the bite of her nails in his skin, and he laughed when she threatened to neuter him in his sleep.

The door opened again, spilling the twins into the house.

"What the hell are you two doing to her? We could hear her outside," Maddox said.

Ash was beside him, laughing. I winced just looking at him, but he winked at me when he saw my expression. Jules was right. He wasn't holding anything against me. Ash wasn't the type to hold his emotions back. He always told us how he really felt about everything.

"Dox!" she gasped. "Get them off me! I gotta pee!"

Maddox just crossed his arms and frowned. "And how would you like me to do that? They're both wolves now. I mean, I suppose I could get the crowbar," he said, feigning concentration. "But that's in Dad's truck."

Rolling his eyes and shaking his head, Ash moved forward. "Let her go, guys. When has she ever lied about having to pee?"

Brayden and I shared a look and smile before we let her go. Jules hopped off the couch and squeaked all the way to the bathroom, slamming the door. Chuckling, Brayden moved to sit where she'd just been. "So it looks like you're feeling better," he said to as the twins put down their backpacks and sat down on the floor to take out game controllers.

I rolled my shoulders and popped my neck. "A bit. She gave me some of that herbal tea stuff."

He nodded in understanding. "Ah, yeah. That stuff was the shit, man. Think you'll get anymore after that episode?"

Laughing, I shook my head. "Nope. I guess I'm s.o.l., huh?"

"Please," Ash scoffed, attention on the TV. "It's Jules we're talking about. She'll always give us what we need no matter how badly we piss her off."

Behind us, the door to the bathroom opened. Jules, looking very relieved, came around and sat next to Brayden, scowling at me.

"What?" I asked innocently.

Her eyes narrowed. "I don't trust you."

I motioned to Bray. "He helped hold you down!"

"Yeah, but you instigated, you instigator." After sticking her tongue out at me she turned to the TV. Watching the twins play Halo, she brought her knees up to her chest, hugging them, and leaned against Brayden.

She didn't see the look he gave her. But I did. Glancing up, he caught me watching him. While we'd been phased out, I could tell that he was hiding something, but not what. It was like Dad said: apparently, the hybrids had the ability to hide their thoughts. Briefly, I entertained the question of Grampa Edward being able to read his mind, but no. If Brayden went through that much trouble to keep it hidden, it was his business to deal with. He may have told Jules that he was keeping up with the crush thing to keep the other guys off of her, but there was something more. I could see it in the way he looked at her. He always managed to hide it when she looked at him. Now, he silently pleaded for me not to say anything, slightly shaking his head.

There was another knock on the door before Piper came in with Ava, Gage, and Tate. As they made a noisy entrance, I looked back to Brayden and nodded once, letting him know that his secrets were safe with me. He was a smart guy and could handle his own issues.

Piper plopped next to me. "How ya feelin'?"

"Better, thanks to Jules."

"The tea?"

I nodded. "Stuff is amazing."

Jules leaned forward to look around her best friend. "Do you need more?"

From the floor, Ash said, "Told you so."

I fired a pillow at his head. Gently.

They all laughed as Ash flipped me off over his shoulder, eyes still on the game.

Piper picked up my hand and studied the wolf drawing. Due to my mother, my skin wasn't as dark as hers, more of a golden russet. I really wished I could like her as more than a sister, imprint on her, but it didn't happen when I met her eyes. They were just a beautiful emerald green. They didn't move me in the way of romantic notions. Imprinting on Piper would have made my life easier. Now I had to walk around wondering when it would happen.

"I'm glad you're okay," she whispered and smiled up at me.

Gently pulling my hand out of her grasp, I put that arm around her shoulders and hugged her. "Me, too."

After a moment, she pulled away, eyes a little sad. "So," she said in a peppy tone. "Did Jules tell you about the new girl?"

I frowned. "Hunter?"

Mhm," she nodded.

Leaning back, I gave Jules a look behind Piper. She shrugged in an "oops" sort of way. "No," I said, glaring at her, "she didn't."

"Well, we figured out her accent."

Beside Ash, Gage groaned. "You're not gonna make me talk again, are you?"

Frowning again, I looked from him to the girls. Brayden held up his hands like he had no idea what was going on, either.

"Did you hear that?" Ash asked. "Gage's accent sounds like a certain new girl's, doesn't it?"

Surprised, I just thought, yeah it did. And so Piper, Jules, and Ash went into explaining about the accents and what it could mean. When Ash told me about the conversation he'd been having with Hunter before I'd rudely interrupted, Piper scoffed and snorted through it all.

"What part of that is hard to believe, Pipe?" Dox asked. "It sounds reasonable."

She shrugged beside me. "I don't know. It's not that it's hard to believe. I just don't like her. My good vibes go into hiding when she's around or talking."

"Well," Ash said, "it didn't seem like she was lying. Nothing stood out. It's hard to fake anger or that much anguish."

Piper crossed her arms. "I don't care what you say, Mr. Know It All."

Ash shook his head, and I could practically hear the eye roll. Ava reached over from the loveseat to pat my arm. "We're all glad that you're okay, Will. Mom and Dad said to tell you that it was about time."

I laughed. "Thanks, Ava." Jules and I managed to share a look. "I feel a lot better now that I've phased."

"No more anger?" she asked.

Smiling at her, I said, "I'm still working on it, but it's nowhere near what it's been lately. Don't worry. No more temper tantrums. Promise."

Reaching up, she patted my cheek and smiled. "Good. Nobody liked seeing you like that. When you hurt, we hurt."

This time my smile was gentle. "Thanks, Ava. You're too good to all of us."

She shrugged and sat back in the seat. "I'm just voicing what everybody in this room thinks. You're the alpha of this generation. We look up to you and respect you. But most importantly, blood related or not, we're all a family. And families want to help shoulder the burden of emotions when a member is suffering. You suffer, we suffer with you. If it were one of us, you'd do the same"

Silence followed her words, but every head nodded in agreement. Jules leaned forward. She smiled and winked at me. Sitting back against the cushions, I felt even more relaxed, and much less alone than I had before.

Later that night, after they all had gone home and we'd eaten dinner with Mom and Dad, I had Jules make up some healing herbs for Ash. Holding the bowl and washcloth is one hand, I knocked on their door. Ash answered it. Maddox was in the shower and I needed a moment alone with my brother.

"Hey," he said. "Come on in."

The room was long because it was meant to be a game room. Their king-sized beds were on the same wall, and a couch was along the opposite wall. We all had our own TVs except for Jules. She didn't watch much, and when she did, she was hanging out with us. Ash's desk was on the right as soon as you walked into the room. It was piled with papers and books and journals.

"What's that?" he asked as he sat down on the couch and flipped through the channels.

I sat down next to him. "Oh, I had Jules whip up an herbal paste. It'll help speed up the healing."

The left side of his face was still a dark bruise, his lip still puffy and split. I still couldn't help the wince.

Ash chuckled. "I don't mind the bumps and bruises, but if it'll make you feel better, go for it."

Dipping my fingers into the paste, I said, "Ash, I'm really sorry for what I did."

He shook his head slightly as I applied the goo. "Don't be, Will. Shit happens. You're my brother. I'd rather you hit me than some innocent kid, after which you'd beat yourself up over it."

"I'm beating myself up now."

"Well don't. I knew what was going to happen when I stepped in the way. That's why I did it. Besides, you're in less trouble at school, and you didn't kill anyone. At the end of the day, we all survived. That's the best part."

Sighing, I dropped my hand and looked at him. "You know, I told Jules earlier that I was glad to have her. She talked me down in that clearing. Otherwise Dad would have had to order me. But I'm also glad to have you and Maddox, to have guys other than Dad to talk to. You two might be younger than me, but I need you. That's why I'm so torn up about this. You, Maddox, and Jules are my world. Just like Ava said earlier, hurting you hurts me. This shouldn't have even happened. I'm supposed to protect you, not abuse you."

Ash's eyes softened. He took the bowl away from me and set it on the table next to the couch. "Will, you can't protect us from everything, not even yourself. We're not a typical family. We all actually like each other. One night, after you'd taken off into the woods, Dad called me, Dox, and Jules downstairs. He told us what to expect, the anger and aggression, and how easily it could be set off. Yesterday in the cafeteria, I was prepared to take the hit long before you actually pulled the punch. You were so close to phasing and your strength was magnified by the anger and adrenaline. If you'd hit Brayden, he wouldn't have been as effective getting you out of the school. So I took it, knowing what would happen. That was my way of protecting you. You need protecting, too. You're not just my brother. You're my alpha, too. I will do anything to keep you safe, even take your anger. That's what we do, Will. We're family. We take hits meant for other people to protect each other. Don't ever apologize to me about something like that, alright? I'm doing what I was raised to do, take care of my siblings. You're not the only brother, here, Will. We feel as responsible for you as you for us." Reaching out, he put his hand on the back of my neck. "We have to rely on each other. Especially if we're to run the pack together. It's time that you start realizing that we're all in this together. Period. Jules, Dox, and I will not leave you to deal with this alone. That's not how Mom and Dad brought us up." He shook me from his grip on my neck. "Do you understand that? Together, Will. We're in this together."

"Always," Maddox said from the doorway. His black hair was still damp, lying flat over his forehead. His dark eyes were deadly serious.

"Always." Jules was just behind him, looking just as determined.

Silently, Dox went to pick out a movie and put it in while Jules climbed onto the back of the couch, laying out behind us, using the wall to balance her. Her fingers played in my hair comfortingly. Dox came to sit down beside me and together we watched a movie, reveling in each other's company. It was kind of stupid, but I felt that my safety net was sitting all around me in form of my three siblings.

Not near as alone as I'd thought.

RPOV

After the kids had gone up to watch a movie, Jacob and I cuddled up on the couch. He'd been running with the pack for most of the day, letting Xavier run the shop.

Snuggling into his side, I sighed. "So, what does the pack think?"

"Honestly, he's the topic of discussion. They're all excited about him joining the pack. And Edward visited me in the woods."

Surprised, I looked up at him. "Dad? What about?"

He paused before saying, "Apparently, while Will was in wolf form, Edward couldn't read his thoughts."

"What?"

He nodded, wiping a hand over his face. "And honestly, I think Will and Brayden may be alike in that both of them can hide thoughts from the pack. Will is a hybrid of sorts just like Brayden."

Settling back down against him, I was just in shock. "Okay so the hybrid thing isn't new. But Dad not able to read Will's thoughts? He can still see Brayden, right?"

Jacob nodded.

"So, that must be a mental ability that Will has. While in wolf form, his mind is protected. Especially if he can hide from the pack. Teach him to build a mental wall…and his mind will be impenetrable. I wonder if Jules, Dox, and Ash will be the same way."

Jacob tightened his arm around me, hand rubbing my harm. "That would make them one hell of a team, especially if they can open a line of communication just between them."

We sat there for a while just thinking about that. I ran my hand across his stomach, feeling the muscles tense under the touch.

"Jacob?"

"Yeah?"

"Be honest, how was he?"

Clearing his throat, he sat up, taking me with him. "Ness, you have to understand that when anger is the trigger, it doesn't just disappear after they phase. It didn't for me, not for a long time. And he's my son. Some things are bound to be genetic." Tightening his grip again, he pulled me across his lap. "Come here." Cupping my face, he pulled my lips to his. "Don't worry about him so much. Now that he's phased, we can take better care of him. I promise."

He deepened the kiss, and I melted into his touch against his hard body. After all these years, he still made me hot, still made me feel like it was the first time. His lips moved from mine to trail over my jaw and back to the skin behind my ear. Holding onto his shoulders, I leaned into him and closed my eyes. Slowly, he moved in a scorching line down my throat.

"Ohmygod! Sorry! Not looking, I swear!"

Jacob and I pulled apart and looked over the couch. Jules had her eyes shielded by her hand as she booked it for the kitchen.

"Sorry. So sorry. Oof, ouch," she said as she ran into the counter. "Just getting some drinks. Sorry."

Jacob chuckled under me. I joined him. "It's okay, Jules. You can open your eyes. You're gonna have to so you can make back to the stairs in one piece."

Once she turned back from the fridge, I could see her face was red and embarrassed. She put the cans of soda on the counter before going to grab some chips. She wouldn't meet our eyes as she gathered everything up and scuttled for the stairs.

"Night," she squeaked before disappearing upstairs.

Jacob chuckled again and put a hand to my throat. "Maybe we should go downstairs. They know what a closed door means."

"We really need to put a door at the top of our stairs. Probably be much more effective. And double doors would mean a little more soundproofing."

"Mmm," he mumbled, moving his lips down my chest, eyes on mine. "I think I can make that happen," he said, lips nudging my shirt out of the way before he kissed the skin at the top of my breast. "After I take you tonight."

I couldn't help the shiver over my body. His hands cupped my ass as he got this feet, holding me against him. I wrapped my legs around his waist while he moved for the stairs to our bedroom. All the way there, I teased his neck with my tongue and teeth.

Tonight would be just what we needed after the stress of yesterday. And I was so ready for him.

WillPOV

The next morning, a Saturday, Brayden and I walked down to the rez. I still wasn't comfortable phasing, but I felt more like myself in my own skin now that I had. A storm had moved in and the rain was cold, but I'd wanted to walk anyway. It felt nice on my now permanently hot skin.

"So, what do you wanna do about the new girl?" Brayden asked, his hands tucked into his pockets.

I sighed. "Look, I know that Piper has worries over her, but frankly, Hunter hasn't done anything suspicious or to hurt anyone. So she saw me beat Josh. Maybe there is something up with her, but until she does something, we can't really do anything about it. So for now, we keep an eye on her, keep her close."

"Piper's not going to like that."

I shook my head. "She doesn't have to like it, Bray. That's what I've decided we're going to do. Just tell her that old saying about enemies. 'Keep your friend close, your enemies closer', or however it goes. I'm sure Ash and Maddox can entertain her."

"Actually," he said, "I'm pretty sure she has a thing for you."

Raising an eyebrow, I looked over at him. "Seriously?"

He shrugged. "I'm just telling you how I see it."

"So what are you suggesting I do?"

"What you do best. You're a ladies man even though you don't act on it. Flirt, pull her in, keep her close." When I gave him a look, he said, "Look, Ash and Maddox can charm anyone, but she doesn't have a thing for them. They can only keep her interested so long. You want her close enough to keep an eye on her, you're going to have to be the one in her good graces. Besides, you already have a thing for her ass."

I punched his arm. "Okay, fine, but she probably hates me after how I talked to her two days ago. You heard me in there."

He gave me a droll look. "Then, you start off by apologizing, moron. And make it good. Chicks dig good apologies."

"And you would know that how?"

"Shut up," he said as we turned down a driveway that wound through the trees.

When we rounded a bend in the drive, I could see Uncle Embry's three girls in the yard. The three of them had decided not to go the rez schools. Instead, Uncle Embry took them to Uncle Walker's pack to be taught by the wolves who had their home school paperwork.

The youngest girl, Parker, ran up to me. "Will!"

She was only eleven years old and as blonde as her mother. She wrapped her arms around me and hugged me tight.

"Hey, Parker. How ya doin'?"

"Okay, I guess. I miss you! We don't hang out anymore."

Pulling back, I knelt down in front of her and tucked her hair behind her ear. "How 'bout this, you and I can pick a day and do whatever we want? Video games, movies, maybe cliff jumping if I can talk your mom into it."

Her face brightened. "Cliff jumping?! You phased?"

That was the one requirement for cliff jumping with the younger kids. At least one of the pair had to have phased and could hold onto the younger.

"I did."

Squealing, she jumped up and down before throwing her arms around my neck. "Yay!" She didn't want to do it with anybody else but me so she'd been waiting for me to phase.

Laughing, I hugged her. "I miss you, too, kiddo. We'll hang out soon, okay? I promise."

Nechole and Katie ran up to us. Nechole was holding a soccer ball. "Hey, guys."

I stood up but Parker kept hold of my hand, swinging my arm and dancing around. "Hey, Cole. Katie."

She gave me a look. "So, we heard about you phasing."

I winced. "Yeah. Speaking of, is your mom home?"

Katie shook her head. "Mom and Dad went grocery shopping. Apparently we all eat like the wolves." She and Nechole shared a look. "Is it true you scratched Mom?"

Taking a deep breath, I looked down at Parker. Her blue eyes looked up at me. I let out that breath slowly. "It was an accident."

"That wasn't her question," Nechole said, eyebrows raised.

"Well, I think my statement sort of answered it anyway, Cole. Look, it was an accident and that's why I'm here. To apologize. I never wanted to hurt anybody."

Katie gave her older sister a disapproving look before stepping forward to put her hand on my other arm. "It's okay, Will. Dad explained. He's been teaching us about phasing and the triggers, how violent it can be. Cole is fourteen so she's getting close. I think he actually wants you and Brayden to talk to us, you know, when you're ready to talk about it. He says that you're our generation's alpha so we should start looking to you and not Uncle Jacob."

Before I could answer, vehicle came down the drive and parked close to the house. Uncle Embry and Aunt Tricia got out. It was hard but I managed to meet my uncle's eyes.

"Daddy!" Parker let go of me to run across the yard and fling herself up into her dad's arms.

Uncle Embry caught her up and rained kisses on her face. "Hey, kidlet. Happy you got to finally see Will?"

She nodded. "Mhm. He came to see Mommy."

Brayden and I walked across the yard to join them. Aunt Tricia turned to face me and I could see the faint lines of the scratches I'd caused. They ran in pink over her nose and down her jaw. I really hoped they didn't scar.

"Aunt Tricia-,"

Smiling, she put her hand on my cheek. "Don't, Will. I'm fine."

"Please. Just let me."

She nodded. "Alright."

I took her hands. "I am so sorry, Aunt Tricia. I don't even know what happened, but after I phased, I could see it from Brayden's thoughts."

Her smile was gentle. "Now let me tell you why you were forgiven before it even happened."

I frowned inquisitively.

"I volunteered to be one of the wolves to watch over you. Your dad and Embry warned me what could happen." She motioned to the marks. "It's just a scratch, Will. It's not like you took out my eye. I'm healing. They'll be gone in a few more hours."

Suddenly, Parker was leaning out of her dad's hold and wrapped her arms around my neck. I quickly reacted and grabbed her. She kissed my cheek. "And they make Mom look super cool."

Aunt Tricia laughed and shook her head. "You are a strange child."

Parker cuddled against my neck and face. "But you love me!" she sang.

Uncle Embry chuckled. "Yes, we do, sweetie. Why don't you go play with your sisters? Mom and I gotta talk to Will."

"Okay, Dad." She kissed my cheek before wiggling out of my arms. "See ya later, Will! Don't forget to ask Mom!"

Turning back around, I found Aunt Tricia and Uncle Embry looking at me expectantly. Brayden laughed. I shot him a look before looking back at them. "She really wants to cliff jump. I may have told that I'd try to talk you into letting me take her now that I can sprout fur."

Uncle Embry quirked an eyebrow.

To my surprise, Aunt Tricia looked at her husband. "Why didn't you ever take me? Sounds like fun."

He gaped at her. "Seriously, woman?"

"What?" she shrugged. "If I can turn into a giant dog and handle you then I'm sure I could handle jumping off a cliff."

Uncle Embry looked to me and Brayden, shaking his head. "I won't even pretend that I understand women, even having four in the house. A little advice, just nod and say you understand."

Brayden and I laughed as Aunt Tricia playfully punched him. We helped them unload the groceries into the house. Afterward, we sat down around the table while Aunt Tricia made coffee and hot chocolate and tea.

"So," she said putting my mug in front of me. "How was it?"

Groping for a word, I finally settled on, "Different. But I'll tell you that I feel better now."

Uncle Embry frowned. "It usually takes longer to kill the aggression. Especially for the alpha line."

I hedged, not wanting to talk about my personal time with my sister. "Yeah, well, I found another way to get rid of it."

What I loved about both of them was that they never pushed the issue. "Have you phased again?"

Shaking my head, I looked at Brayden. "No. I haven't tried. I heard that the trigger is…essential at first."

He nodded. "It is. For most of us. It wasn't for your dad."

Shocked, I looked up at him. "It wasn't?"

"Nope. Jake was a natural. He didn't need any help phasing. You should talk to him about it."

"I will. Thanks."

The girls came in then and Parker forced herself onto my lap. The kid always pushed her way around where she wanted to me.

She looked into my cup, then up at me. "Can I have some?"

I nodded. "Go for it."

"Parker," Aunt Tricia chided.

I laughed. "It's alright. She's right; I don't see her enough."

They both smiled at me. "You're her favorite, you know. Always have been."

"Shocking," Brayden muttered.

I kicked him under the table.

"Mom," Nechole said, sliding into the kitchen in her socks. "Can I go hang out with Cassie at Uncle Walker's? Her and her dad are in the driveway."

Cassie was the daughter of the lead enforcer for Uncle Walker's pack, Brent. She was a couple years older than Nechole but they were good friends.

Aunt Tricia shrugged. "I don't mind. But use your uncle's phone to call me when you get there."

Nechole grinned and hugged her mom. "Thanks, Mom!" And then she ran back out of the house.

"She's getting better," my aunt said to her husband.

Uncle Embry lifted his mug to his lips. "She's a teenager. She's playing us like fiddles."

Brayden and I shared a confused look.

"She wants a cell phone," he said. "We told her when she turns fifteen we'll think about it. Wasn't too fond of that idea."

"Ah," Brayden said. "Attitude?"

"Like you wouldn't believe," Uncle Embry muttered. "Kid didn't talk to me for two weeks. And then she started whining and pouting every time she saw a cell phone. Now, she's getting smarter."

"Weeelll," Aunt Tricia said, fidgeting. "That could be because I had a chat with her."

Hanging his head, Uncle Embry gave her a look.

"What? I didn't promise her anything. I just said it might benefit her to chill out. 'Might' being the operative word."

I laughed. "So, how's the schooling going? I haven't been to visit Uncle Walker in a while. How's Haleigh? Didn't she move out with Garrett?"

"The girls are doing wonderful," Aunt Tricia said. "Barely ever need help with homework. As for Haleigh, yes. She and Garrett went back down to his pack. After Calahan's death, the pack wanted Garrett to lead them. Apparently, they liked him better than his father. And they love Haleigh. Should Walker or Jacob every need anything, Garrett's pack will be here in a nanosecond. And Christa told me that the two of them are expecting their first sometime in the spring."

"That's great!" Brayden said. "I always thought she'd be a good mom. Every time I went to visit the village she was always playing with the kids. If you see or talk to her, tell her we say congrats. She's going to have to visit soon."

"Definitely. She and Claire would always chase us around while the moms had playdates."

Aunt Tricia laughed. "Oh yeah. I remember that. I wasn't a mom then, but I hung out with them all the time. They were great with you guys."

"Have you heard from Quil?" Brayden asked Uncle Embry.

He nodded. "Yeah. He and Claire are coming back in time for Will's birthday. Apparently, Mika is missing you, Brayden."

He grinned smugly. "Of course she is. I'm the one who gives her ice-cream."

"You know Claire's pregnant, too, right?" Aunt Tricia asked.

"What?"

She nodded. "Yup. Quil is convinced that it's a boy."

"Of course he is. There aren't enough of us. The girls are running everything around here."

"Because we're awesome," Parker said, wiggling on my lap and sipping my hot chocolate.

Laughing, I wrapped my arms around her and tickled her like I had Jules the day before. She giggled and squirmed. "Yes, you're awesome." I stopped tickling her and rested my chin on her head. "We should probably get going. Dad probably wants me to practice phasing."

Parker pulled away and looked up at me. "Can I come, too?"

I shook my head. "Not this time, sweetness. Maybe when you're older, okay?"

She slumped. "Okay," she pouted. Then perked back up. "Did you ask Mom?"

Aunt Tricia leaned forward. "If you're talking about the cliff jumping, we'll talk about it, alright?"

"Yay!" She leaned back and whispered, "That usually means yes!"

Laughing, I picked her up and put her on the floor. Standing up, I mussed her hair. "Finish of my hot chocolate, okay? I'll come back one day after school and we'll figure out something to do." I held out my hand, palm. "Sound like a plan?"

Grinning, she slapped my palm. "Yeah!" And then she ran off.

Uncle Embry and Aunt Tricia walked us to the door. She hugged me. "I'm glad you phased and are feeling better. We were all worried about you."

"I'm good," I said, hugging her back. "Just gotta learn to control the phasing."

She winked at me. "You can do it. You're Jacob's kid. We all have faith in you."

I shook Uncle Embry's hand. He pulled me into a half hug. "You're a good kid, Will. The pack's lucky to have you. You'll do great."

"Thanks."

Brayden said his goodbyes, too. Katie and Parker were kicking the soccer ball around outside. They waved as we walked off down the drive.

Brayden patted my shoulder. "See? It's all good, man. They know what's going on with you, and they're aware of any consequences. Don't beat yourself up."

"Clearly. You know, we never talked about your phasing."

His voice hardened. "And we're not going to." He looked at me. "Don't think you're the only one going through shit, alright? We all have our fears and demons."

I nodded. "Yeah, you're right. Sorry."

"Don't be. If you really wanted to know, you could probably order me to tell you."

"Hm. You really think I could? Or do you think the voice is just one alpha at a time?"

He shrugged. "Uncle Sam and Uncle Jacob had it at the same time. Why not you and your dad? It would make more sense that way since you're related."

"True."

His hand clapped me on the shoulder. "Come on. Let's go practice."

And go practice, we did.

---

So how do we feel? I know, I know. The phasing part wasn't as epic as you thought, nor was it in Will's POV. However, that's the way it came to me and that's the way I wrote it. And who is loving Ash? I am! He's gonna be great. Anywhozzle, love y'all! xoxoxoxoxo