'do you find it hard to stay away from your friends?' Embry asked as we ran patrol. Sam was finally convinced we could do it alone. I thought about his question, was it hard to stay away from them? Sure, I missed the guys and Angela, but I was always missing school.

'sometimes' I answered 'but I had more time to separate from everyone. I was sick for a long time'

'I remember that we were all worried about you'

'so was I, I could hardly sleep or eat. But I was glad when I finally phased, it meant I felt good. For the first time in my life, I was healthy.'

'what about your family? Do you find it hard not to tell them?'

I stopped for a moment sniffing the ground 'they know about me being a wolf, but they don't know what exactly we protect them from. They just think I run around to get out extra energy or anger. It's safer that way'

'you think I should tell my mom?'

'only if you want to, I think it does make it easier. Paul and Jared are old enough that their parents aren't as worried. But Jared's grandfather knows about it, and I'm assuming Paul's mom knows the legends. But it's up to you. I think if my mom knew everything it would make her worry more.'

'I guess you're right'

'it's all up to you Embry, you have to do what's best' he nodded and the two of us finished up our patrol.

The next morning, I passed out in my bed, with the knowledge that Jacob was having a spike in temperature. He was going to phase soon, we all knew that, but we hoped it wouldn't happen.

Billy always wanted to be a wolf, a protector but when he didn't and got the peaceful life, that's all he wanted for his kids. He hoped, in vain that Jacob wouldn't phase. But if I did then Jacob was only a matter of time.

He like I, didn't really stand a chance. We both had 3 of the four families in our blood.

Turns out we didn't need to wait long, one week, just like everyone else. That was all it took. It was Billy that forced it out of him, he made a simple comment and Jacob freaked out.

When it happened Sam and I met Jacob at his house. Of course, Jacob was freaked out and in denial. He hated what happened and wished he could stop it. The worst part was the rules.

No Bella.

That was the hardest part, and I wasn't confident he wouldn't break that rule. Jacob turned down position as Alpha, though I was a little irritated that they offered that to Jacob but not me. Ephraim was my great grandfather too... it had to be because I was the illegitimate grandchild.

Jacob wasn't too bothered with that though.

Eventually Sam and Billy began talking in private, about getting the council together so Jacob and Embry could hear the legends, all of them.

He still had his head in his hands, I couldn't be sure what he was thinking but he kept playing with his hair. The planes of his face seemed to have hardened subtly, tightened... aged. His neck and his shoulders were different, too, thicker somehow, just like everyone else.

"so, this is why you started hanging out with Sam?" he asked suddenly.

I smiled tightly "yeah, I got sick. And then I felt angry all of a sudden, angry and in pain like I was being stung by a million bee stings. I just managed to get outside and away from my mom when I phased for the first time."

"this is awful" he moaned.

"I'm sorry, but it's something you can't control. No one can, the only thing you can do is make the best of it"

"and what's the best?" Jacob was getting angry.

"Jacob..."

"abandoning Bella? Not seeing my friends. Being forced into this life I don't want?"

"Jacob, I need you to calm down." I said gently, his eyes widened like he just realized what was happening "I know you're angry. Don't you think everyone else was. Our whole life changed and stopped because of this. You're not the only one who has to go through this. But you have a support to help you and right now it's safer for Bella if you stay away."

"why?" he demanded.

"because it's really easy to get angry." I gave him a look that said this was un-negotiable. "You're temperamental it's all a part of the process and soon you'll be able to control yourself but not yet. It's going to take time and practice."

"I would never hurt her"

"I know, but intentional or not if she were too close when you phased, she could get hurt. You wouldn't mean it, but it could happen. If someone made you angry and you phased accidentally... you're far stronger than you'd ever been, even putting your hand on her shoulder could hurt her. In the time I've been here just talking you've gotten angry" His jaw clenched, he knew I was right, and he didn't like it. "This is a rule for a reason. Everyone has to follow it, it's the only way to ensure she stays safe. She doesn't need to be brought into the supernatural again."

Jacob slumped down his shoulders hunched he didn't like it and I knew deep down he would try see her without permission I could only hope we could stop him.

The supernatural world was dangerous, even for our mates and imprints. And he was sworn from telling Bella anything about us, so if he listens, she shouldn't get pulled into the supernatural again, she could live her life, grow old with kids.

"Come on Jake, it'll get better, trust me" I replied pulling him up with me. The boy was barely shorter than me, the same height as Jared. Paul and Embry were all the same height as me but none of us were quite as buff as Jacob.

Not even Sam who was the tallest.

"fine" he sighed.

I led him out into the kitchen where the council was sitting with the addition of Sue. The others, Harry, Billy, and Old Quill were the council members. Harry was there because he technically was the descendant of the Bayak family, just like me. Though because my great-great grandmother was his last wife I was the rightful heir. Just like how Jacob, I guess, was the rightful heir to the alpha title. It was a little crazy, in my opinion.

Sue was off to the side, her scissors and clippers sitting next to her. Jacob could let his hair grow back out eventually, if he wanted to, but for now it had to be cut. Every time a new member joined the pack it was a reminder that we were essentially a cult.

Sam didn't think the comparison was particularly funny, but the others did, and as long as it didn't get out that we joked about it everything was fine. We didn't need news to get to Charlie that La Push had a cult.

Within a few hours Jacob was ready to join the pack. They had to explain the reasoning behind cutting his hair and then they explained the tattoo. Jacob was somber the entire night. I understood this was a big change.

Billy told the story Taha Aki, it was a legend that we all heard growing up, but it meant something different when you realize they were true. He explained how my tribe intermingled with my ancestors.

"Vampires? And Werewolves?" Jacob asked, "is this some sort of stupid fantasy movie?"

"I assure you they are real" Billy replied.

Jacob scoffed still not believing it, but Paul stood up "you think this is a joke? These creatures are real, Alex has seen them, she's fought them"

He pointed to my shoulder, where the jagged scars were still present.

"you'll see soon enough. It's hard to keep things like that a secret"

Jacobs eyes furrowed "you guys can see everything I do, hear it?"

Sam nodded "yes, we don't keep secrets in the pack, it's impossible"

Jacobs eyes widened. It was time for him to be subjected to Sam or Jared's thoughts about their imprints. But it was also time for us to be subjected to his thoughts about Bella. As long as I didn't see anything I shouldn't then I was okay with it.

The somber tension filled the air as we all took a moment to regal the tale. I looked down at my hand where the crescent shaped scar was still present. I don't know if anyone has noticed it seeing as I don't show them. I knew one day I would need to tell them, but I wasn't really interested in doing that yet.

The night ended with that information stirring around in our heads.