*Alexei's POV*

As I frantically glance arounds for Andrew I saw a large shape near a tree, dark black, with a mix of dark russet brown and white. It rose to it's feet and I felt a low growl escape my throat which causes me to jerk my head back and fall backwards onto my butt. My vision adjusted as I stared down at massive paws. I tried to scream in surprise but only loud high pitched barks and whimpering came out.

'Alexei calm the fuck down, you're alright' I heard an unfamiliar voice inside my head.

I jumped on to my feet and turned my head and was face to face with a large red and brown furred wolf face. The wolf was very large, but as i realized it was only a little larger than myself. 'Alexander' I thought and the Wolf nodded, his eyes shown worried now looks to be relief.

'Alexei is that you?' I heard Andrew's familiar voice in my head as I looked to see that same dark mixed pelted wolf, who began to walk wobbly towards us.

'I would love it if someone explain what the fuck is going on' I thought as I whipped my head to look at Alexander, a dark low growl came out of my mouth as the fur on my shoulders began to raise.

Alexander's eyes went to a surprised look as he immediately tucked his hears back and ducked his head slightly. 'Okay just let me talk' he said as he sighed deeply. 'Do you remember those tribe stories we were told when you were little?' He asked.

I thought about it, and I have remembered that James use to tell those stories all the time, to the much dismay of Elizabeth. 'Yeah, he eventually stopped telling us about them'

'Alexei, we're one of those tribes in the story' Alexander said as he picked up his bowed head and turned to look at Warren, who was identical to his twin. 'I know this is crazy, but i promise everything will be explained to you both' Alexander and Warren both look battered, almost racked with guilt.

Seeing my two oldest brothers look so upset lessened my anger so quickly. I couldn't stay mad at the two people that protected me all my life. 'Okay, I trusted you before, I have no real reason to trust you now'

Alexander and Warren perked up with wagging tails.

'I do have one question that must be answered right now then, Augustus and his family... are they also..' My question trailed off and I felt Andrew press his face into my side comfortingly.

Alexander nodded his head. 'Yes, they're also just like us, except Benjamin and other members of the tribe, but they already know because they actively live around it'

'Do they know about us?' Andrew and I asked in unison.

'Yes' Warren replied.

I huffed in slight annoyance and turned my head deeper into the woods. I wasn't angry with Alexander and Warren, but the Thompson family? That was a very different story. I looked down at my paws and they were itching to be used. I let out a loud howl and began running in the direction of the tribe.

My brothers looked at each other in surprise but they all bolted after me, following my tail the entire way.

I've never been to the Tribe's territory, but my new sense of smell has helped track their scent. I raced through the trees with significant speed and ease. The feel of the wind on my face, the new smells that filled my nose, and the way that the earth blow my feet as my paws padded the seconds before kicking it up behind me.

The moment i saw the tree's parted onto open land I knew i've reached the tribes territory. I wasted no time jumping through the trees onto an open field. I soon saw wolves a head of me, running straight towards us and I slammed on the breaks real hard. My eyes watching as 3 other wolves appeared in front of me, two of them looked shocked and the other one was growling

~~~~~~~~~

*Augustus's POV*

The air was rather still throughout the day. I had a looming feeling hang over me all day since seeing Alexei this morning. The feeling only grew stronger through the day. Everyone stayed home today, for they all felt the air shift and are unsettled. I was doing dishes, peeking at my phone every once in a while to see if Alexei had texted me or not, but i kept reminding myself that this is her first day of her Junior year, she's gotta be busy. I was almost done with dishes when I heard Briar shift right outside and growling as Larkin and Oliver followed in her foot steps.

I rushed outside too see the three of my siblings running as fast as they can, growling and barking and my eyes traveled further to see four giant wolves headed right toward the house. The familiar scent of sweet fire wood and roses filled my nose. I started running after my siblings and shifted into my wolf, trying to gain more distance to close the gap.

My paws drummed the ground heavily as I approached my sisters and brother as they stared these new wolves in the face. Two sets of identical wolves looked at all of us, but what made all my thoughts fact was looking at the wolf in front, her eyes were Alexei's eyes. The uniquely genetic disorder was very hard to miss.

I pushed in between Briar and Larkin, my tail wagging as i tried to hold in my slight excitement.

Alexei was too focused on Briar, her teeth bared and a thunderous growl came from her; even as she showed this aggression I couldn't help but stand there gazing at her. She was truly the most amazing soul i've ever seen. I felt a strong pull towards her with a feeling of overprotection that was almost powerful enough to make me go stand by her side right now.

'What do you want' Briars highly vicious nature came rearing its nasty head as she planted herself firmly on the ground, her teeth bared just the same as Alexei's.

Briar had always been the Alpha of our packed, more or less cause I didn't want that responsibility yet and submit to her until then. Her voice was blood curling as Andrew, who stood next to Alexei shrink back with his ears back. All of my siblings are grandchildren of our last Alpha and were always able to make several rouges shrink into submission. Alexander and Warren had their ears slightly back, only into partial submission, but Alexei held her ground firmly, unmoving from her position and no signs of the same reaction as her family members.

Alexei arched her shoulders and stood face to face with Briar, and Alexei's wolf is actually bigger than Briars. 'I have every right to be here for some damn answers because ya'll think secrets are fun to keep' Her voice could cut through anything as it boomed over Briar's and I saw Briar flinched and her ears drew back immediately and we all followed quickly afterwards.

"Aye, you guys quit your shit and invite our guests inside" My father yelled from the porch, who was wiping his hands with a oil covered rag. He looked both excited and worried as he watched.

Briar huffed in annoyance as she shook her pelt and turned her back to Alexei and her family, padding up to the house and disappeared around it. Larkin followed Briar shortly after and Oliver stayed by myself as I turned partially away from Alexei and beckoned them all to follow be as I headed up to the house. Benjamin met with me half way as Oliver and I quickly shifted and grabbed two blankets he was holding for us and we wrapped up in them and headed into the house.

I quickly changed into some sweatpants and a plain black t-shirt and grabbed a separate pair of slim black sweats and a red t-shirt and another set of clothes for Andrew from my closet. As I returned to my father the Taylor's were all back to being people, covering themselves with blankets. Alexei's eyes met with mine as I approached her.

"Easy Cana" I said softly as I smiled at her, looking down just simply admiring her wild red hair and eye's.

She scrunched her nose at me, she looked a little conflicted and a slight smile perked at the corners of her mouth. "You don't get off the cook that easily" she spoke, her eyes felt like they were staring straight through me as she grabbed the sweats and shirt out of my hand before following Oliver, who appeared on the porch to show them where they can change.

After several minutes of the Taylors dressing themselves, Alexei was the first one to come out. She opened the door to my room, in which i let her change in there, and came out to the living room. Seeing her in my clothes made my heart beat hard against my chest. They were kinda baggy on her petite figure, but to me she couldn't have looked better.

She walked up next to me as I sat on the couch and she took a seat right next to me, and I could feel the heat radiating off of her, I couldn't help but smile down at her. "So how long have you known about.. ya know.. my family?" She asked, looking back up to me.

"The day we first met, we had our suspicions because of Alexander and Warren" I paused, taking a breath and leaned back into the couch. "Then that night we officially knew because we met Alexander in his wolf form" I stated, hoping she wouldn't be too upset. "I wanted to tell you, i promise, but Ale-"

Alexei held her hand up and cut me off mid sentence. "It's okay, I figured if you knew in some way, shape, or form I know Alexander and Warren will ask you to keep it a secret" She said, making my little fears fade away.

The rest of the Taylor family then joined us in the living room and we all sat around. Benjamin came inside and looked at the bunch of us with an awkward smile. "I bet you two new ones have a couple questions, I reckon I can answer them" He said as she strolled to the middle of us, looking between Alexei and Andrew.

Andrew looked like he wanted to ask something, which made Alexei turn to look at him. "Why have we changed? Is there something that sets this off?" She asked, as if she knew exactly what her brother wanted to say.

Benjamin opened his mouth and answered simply. "When we go through our first change it is always set off because a Cold One came into our territory"

"Cold One?" Andrew asked.

"Vampires" Benjamin said as he sat down and leaned against the couch. "When Vampires move into our territory, it triggers a change in our wolves who have not shifted yet. It's in their genetics" he paused to take a sip of water that was sitting in a glass near him on the coffee table. "Now there is only one Vampire family that comes to these parts are the Edwards, they come and move here every couple of decades, and to keep the peace and to protect our town, we've made a pack with them"

"Vampires, treaties?" Alexei looked like she was trying to absorb every word that came from my fathers mouth.

"Yes, they are not allowed to hunt the people, aren't allowed to drink human blood, and they aren't allowed to turn anyone within our territory" he turned to give me a quick glance and looked at the door.

I got up to move up to the door, leaving the warmth of Alexei right next to me. I could hear them talking more about the vampires and the treaty as I opened the door and saw James walking along the driveway and greeted me with a tilt of his police hat before walking right past me.

Alexei shot out of her seat and embraced her adopted father as he walked into the living room. I could hear him mumbling apologies to her as he returned her embrace. There was a true father daughter relationship I saw.

~~~~~~~~~~~

It was a few hours after they left when I sat up in my room, staring blankly to my phone, waiting to see if i'd hear from her tonight.

After what felt like forever, but barley 5 minutes, my screen light up with a message from Alexei.

{I'm kinda glad you're just like me, or the other way around? That I'm just like you? Okay okay whatever, but its just nice}

I smiled brightly as I immediately opened the text to reply.

{Hey, I'm glad I can now share this side with you, have a goodnight Cana}