Cris's POV

"Don't be mad! I had to wait until now. I had to be sure we were safe," I pleaded, trying to explain myself.

All eyes were now on me and most were filled with anger. I could feel my brothers standing defensively on each side of me.

I continued, "You never asked who was where and we had to protect ourselves."

Sam eventually sighed, "I can't blame you. I'd do the same."

Jacob reluctantly nodded.

I slowly stood and, after no objections, walked to the back door and opened it. I quickly looked back around the kitchen. Several guys had also gotten down from the counters and were watching me curiously.

"If you step back, he'll come straight in and phase. I have to carry his clothes you see," I explained, gesturing to the second bag I had carried.

They all looked bemused, but stepped away from the centre of the room. I opened the door and used my keen eyes to search the trees. I could faintly make out a mottled shape in the topmost branches.

I called out, "Pukiq, come in."

I heard his wings as they began to beat. Gracefully, he lifted off his roosting spot and dived low, swooping only a few feet off ground and across the garden. His wing span was massive, but as he reached the porch he tucked them tight to his body and glided in through the door. Within several hops he'd stopped perfectly in the middle of the kitchen floor. Jaden emitted a small hoot and rotated his head blinking at all the people in the room. It was quite freaky - he could turn his neck 270° if he wanted.

Several laughs erupted, and Paul exclaimed, "What the hell is that? A giant budgie?"

Unfortunately, that was all the excuse Shay needed and he exploded, crushing the kitchen table. Automatically, Corey shoved Seth and I clear of the angry polar bear. I turned back just in time to see Paul also phase and break the kitchen sink.

Within seconds water was spewing out from the broken pipes; however, both shape shifters were oblivious to the damage and with an almighty crash they launched at each other trying to tear out chunks. It didn't take long for Shay to get Paul's head in his paws and he was quite ready to crush his skull.

"STOP!" It was an alpha command that both Sam and I shouted at the same time.

Everyone, except us, Jacob and Seth froze. Blood was seeping out from all over Paul, but his gashes were already healing. Shay was untouched; however, the kitchen definitely wasn't so lucky. I'd had enough - it had been a long day.

Gradually they shook the command off, and the newest voice in the room spoke, "I'm sorry about Shay. I'm Jaden his cousin."

The packs turned to look at him; he'd been forgotten in the commotion and was pulling his clothes straight. He was a dorky looking lad who was smaller than all of us. I couldn't even start to imagine what the twins and Lee would look like next to everyone.

A few sniggers came from around the room, but Jaden wasn't bothered. "Laugh it up boys and keep your overgrown paws on the ground. Just remember who's above your head! I may just drop you a little gift."

The laughter in the room turned to disgust. In response Seth joked, "Hey, I heard that's meant to be lucky!"

They may mock Jaden, but he was truly blessed. When he wanted, he shared his flights with us through his eyes. It was amazing, although we could never truly feel the exhilaration he got. The same went for the others at home. It was different here. While the wolves all shared the same form, it clearly didn't make them any happier. If anything there seemed to be more aggression. We at least had our different traits, strengths, and weaknesses.

Sam looked like he was going to kill or cry. "You idiots," he yelled. "Clean it up NOW! This blood! This mess! The table … Christ, that was a wedding present from Emily's parents! … The sink! … IDIOTS - the lot of you! … I don't care whose pack's to blame just sort it out!" He was almost pulling out his hair. "Jacob and Cris, come with me." He turned and looked at the packs, "God help you if you fight while we're outside!"

By the look of things, the last warning wouldn't be a problem to follow: Paul was limping and looking very bruised and embarrassed, Shay looked like a scolded puppy, and the others seemed totally unimpressed about having to clean up their mess.

I glanced back briefly at my three. They would be ok, I was sure. Reluctantly, I followed the two alphas out to the front of the house.

Sam's POV

The three of us sat on the front step of my house and took in the air. I was distressed about the kitchen, but my house had seen worse. I had still chosen to leave before I murdered Paul; the guy had been with me from the start, which was probably why I let him get away with so much shit.

I glanced up – God, Jake looked like crap. He hadn't shaved or cut his hair in what must be forever. Mine was getting long and was well overdue a trim, but Emily had a thing about it at the moment. His, on the other hand, was ridiculous.

"How are you Jake?" I asked softly.

He looked at me as if surprised by my question, or maybe my tone.

"We used to be friends. Don't seem so shocked." I was genuinely sad things were like this now.

"I'm fine," Jake grunted.

I felt sorry for him. "I know its hard being away from Nessie. I couldn't do it."

He knew I could relate to the whole imprint thing, and I elbowed him to prompt a further response. At that, Jake leant forward in a brace position and tugged at his hair. After a long pause he sighed and sat up again.

Looking straight ahead he said, "I thought I could do it. I knew they'd have to leave, but I didn't know my choice would be this hard."

Sometimes, when I wasn't seeing him as a jerk, I still saw Jake as a kid struggling with the world. He was part of my pack once and I felt the need to try and comfort him. It was awkward though because I couldn't decide how to convey it. I resorted to messing his hair roughly. "Don't beat yourself up. You tried to go against your heart. I admire your loyalty to your pack, but you're not doing anyone any good."

Ok, the head rubbing only got a sad look from him, but he spoke and that was the point.

"I know. Nessie's a mess; she calls crying for me so many times a day. My pack feels guilty for me staying and guilty for being happy about it because I'm hurting. Fuck, I sound like a girl, but the amount of emotions I have coming at me right now, let alone my own, does my head in … Poor Seth, I'm gonna accidentally throttle the kid if he gets anymore chipper." Jacob laughed half heartedly at his last sentence.

I felt Cris shuffling awkwardly next to me.

I glanced his way as he said, "Err, I'm going to leave you two to it and go back in."

Jacob was the one who spoke next. "No, stay. It'll do them some good to get to know each other without us to monitor. Besides, you're an alpha - surely you relate to all this stuff?"

It was nice to see Cris laugh; he'd been so blank today. "If your talking about dating, then not so much. Well, I mean yeah, before I phased, and even a bit of fun after, but never any commitment. It's too complicated. How do you honestly talk about yourself? Plus, the group mind thing and intimacy - that's way too weird!"

We all chuckled, but I looked at Jacob from the corner of my eye. "We don't date either mate. We've just got ties."

"Well I haven't got time for that," Cris remarked.

"You might one day. You're an alpha, so it's likely and it's hell," Jacob said sadly. The laugh he shared mere seconds ago was gone already.

We sat there listening to the night again, but I couldn't help myself, "I think you should go Jake. You've got to leave your pack one day and you've a good beta to take over."

"You think they're ready?" Jacob questioned.

I was sure they were and Leah would make a fantastic leader. She may be petrifying, but I still knew her and she would be perfect for the job. She had already fought hard to prove she was as worthy as any man to be beta, so I could only be honest. "I think so … I'm thinking about it too you know. Well, not leaving, but stopping phasing. I want to grow old with my wife and child. It's been years since the 'almost' war. It's over and there's the new generation to focus on now."

In my head, I had planned that the younger wolves in my pack would step up while we all gradually retired to be with our imprints. I knew Paul and Jared felt every moment with their loves were precious, and they were. I didn't want to miss a second with my sweet, sweet, Emily, and wanted to make every moment of her life joyful. Besides, as much as a part of me loved still being linked with Leah (even if it was through Jake), it was time to let her go. I'd hurt her so much already, and it was selfish to want to be near her. I also knew that if she became alpha, she'd be forced to deal with me and my thoughts about my life; the same life, I still sometimes believed we should have had together.

Cris coughed and was still looking agitated as he spoke, "I couldn't imagine leaving my pack, or quitting phasing. Is it even an option? I still don't get why you're saying all this in front of me. You barely know me."

His discomfort was so obvious, and Jacob replied, "Stop looking like that! The way I figure it, and no doubt Sam does as well, you'll know all this when we phase together… Alphas can mind link, but with the privilege of a filter system."

Cris looked gob smacked. "Wow, I think it's actually making less sense the longer I'm here."

This guy might actually be funny, even without realising it. I liked him; it was good to know we could have an alliance in the making. I wanted to keep it this way so it was time to lay down my cards. "Look, I hope Jake doesn't mind, but why don't you guys stick around a while? We could all learn from each other. Your perspective on our whole phasing is different, and we'd be happy to share our background and combat skills with you."

"As grateful as I am, we hadn't really planned things long term. We kind of came with no provisions. We'd planned to sleep and eat phased, but that's not going to be comfortable forever. Besides, we've already broken your kitchen and can't even afford to pay you back," Cris said, looking shamefaced.

I didn't get it. If it was the money, then it was no issue in La Push. Well at least, there was no money to be an issue in La Push.

"Well, I'm sure there are some odd jobs you can help out with in exchange for some meals. If you can stand the smell, I even know of a big empty house that's free. I'm sure Jake could make a few phone calls - they certainly wouldn't need any rent." As I explained my idea, I realised how perfectly it could work.

I was sure the Cullen's wouldn't mind some shape shifters in their home, especially if it was for the packs benefit. Plus, it was a huge place where we could all meet and still be hidden. I knew my pack wouldn't object if the blood suckers were out of town, plus it was already a second home to Jake's lot.

I almost wanted to high five myself; Oh me and my clever ideas! Unfortunately, it was then that I realised Emily was driving up the road towards me. Safe to say, my smug face died.