I sat down with Nessie a few nights later and explained to her everything I was feeling. To my surprise she actually agreed that letting Jeremy and Natalie decide for themselves when, if ever, they would become vampires was the right thing to do. She cried as she told me how devastated she would feel if either of them chose to stay human. She didn't think she could bear watching her little babies grow old. I hugged her tightly and told her that no matter what their decisions, she would always have me. And it was the truth. I promised her I'd love her forever and that was exactly what I was going to do.

We looked around the apartment where our little family began, now filled with moving boxes, and I couldn't help feeling sentimental. I would miss this place. It was no surprise that once we informed the rest of the family about Michele's revelation, they reluctantly decided that it was time to move on. We'd lived here only a few years but there was no sense in dwelling on the circumstances we found ourselves in. If it hadn't been Michele, it would soon have been some other reason that forced us to leave. It was something I knew I needed to get used to.

To my surprise, our future destination was to be Soldotna, Alaska which was located 3 hours south of Anchorage on the Kenai Peninsula. It had been Kate's suggestion when Bella was talking about our growing family during Edward's and her fact finding mission in Denali. Kate was eager to have us closer and thought the small town of 4,100 inhabitants would fit our needs. It was only a few hours run from Kate, Tanya, and Garrett and had a nice homey feel to the community, so she said.

Alice and Rose decided to purchase a large two bedroom penthouse apartment in downtown Anchorage to satisfy their desire for city life. Since it was only a few hours away and both drove like bats out of Hell, it was almost like they'd still be living next door. Jasper and Emmett agreed to live with them there without much convincing. Carlisle thought it was wise for us to reside in a few different homes considering the exponential growth of the coven. In less than ten years their numbers had grown from seven, to nine, to now twelve. I counted myself since I was now fully committed to joining them. No turning back for Jacob Black.

The most exciting part of this move for me was going to be connecting with the Kenaitze tribe that lived in the area. I was very touched that Carlisle would take my heritage into consideration when choosing our next destination. He knew it was important for me to have the kids exposed to that culture. I'm sure the Kenaitze's were very different from the Quileute's, so it would be an experience for me too. One I was greatly looking forward to.

We arrived in Alaska in mid July after having silently departed Mountain Home in the middle of the night without so much as a goodbye to anyone we knew there. Carlisle rented a three bedroom house just inside of town until we each decided where we wanted to live. There hadn't been as much time to properly put down roots in this new place as had been done in Forks and Mountain Home.

Nessie and I soon found a cute cottage type house that we could rent only a few blocks from the center of town. We moved in a month later when the twins were about six months old. Esme didn't like the idea of being in a quiet house with just Carlisle so Edward and Bella agreed to live with them. They began building a new home overlooking Nordic Lake. It would have four large bedrooms to accommodate Alice and Jasper, and Rose and Emmett, when they were in town. The Central Peninsula Hospital was thrilled to have Carlisle offer his expertise and Esme started volunteering at the high school. She was also involved in all the decisions regarding the design and decorating for the new house.

Bella and I were both offered jobs at Mykel's, the only upscale restaurant in town. Bells was excited to start mingling with town folk but it was not what I was hoping to do for income. I was back to living off Alice's stock tips for the time being. The only mechanics in town weren't hiring, though the owner was very friendly and told me he would call as soon as he had something for me. I also considered learning more about fishing and hunting (with weapons, not teeth) since those pastimes were so popular in that region. Maybe it was time for a career change? In the meantime, it was fun getting to hang out with Bella at the restaurant and I brought in some good tips. University of Alaska- Anchorage was just outside town, on the other side of the winding river, so Edward and Bella both enrolled. Edward was so studious, but I wondered if he ever tired of gaining knowledge. I never once heard him express an interest in finding an actual job.

Rose and Alice were having fun exploring the "big city" and Esme had just left the night before to visit them. They were not far away by any means, but we could all tell she was missing them living under her roof. Bella and I both worked until close at Mykel's that night so we drove home together. I'd traded in my man-toy of a vehicle before we left Idaho. It got enough strange looks down in the Lower forty eight, I couldn't imagine what people up here would think. I was now sporting a Cadillac SUV. Still a head turner in Soldotna, I know, but no one would let me get the Hyundai.

I followed Bells inside since Nessie and the babies were there. Our house had just been painted inside and out and the fumes were overbearing to her sensitive nose, meaning we'd be spending another night here.

"How was work?" Edward greeted us from the living room. I could see Ness asleep on the couch, and both babies in the pack-and-play were also zonked.

"Wonderful, if you don't count the three separate occasions when male customers asked me if I'd considered working at Good Time Charlie's" Bella hissed.

I couldn't help but laugh, hard. Emmett, Jasper, and I had gone there our second night in town because I was hungry and they wanted to get out and see the town. Once inside, we realized Good Time Charlie's was a topless bar that only served beer and burgers. We stayed so I could eat but no girls ever came out from behind the red velvet curtains. It turned out Soldotna had a topless bar, but didn't actually have any exotic dancers to work in it. The bartender offered to put a pornographic video tape in the VCR for us but I politely declined.

"Bells, just take it as a compliment," I joked. "They obviously don't see beautiful women like yourself very often."

"Great, that's comforting. Thanks, Jacob" she snapped.

Edward was trying not to smile. I knew the behavior of the local men made him angry but Bella could obviously take care of herself now. "It will be alright, Love. Once everyone gets to know you, and me, and the rest of us they will stop making such suggestions" he offered her.

She slumped down in an armchair and craned her neck back to look up at Edward. He leaned down and placed a lingering kiss on her forehead.

"How long has Nessie been asleep?" I asked.

"About an hour now. She was trying so hard to wait up for you" Edward replied.

I looked at my watch. "It's only eleven fifteen," I chuckled.

"Yes, well, your children are quite the handful" he replied. I noticed the burp cloth on his shoulder and smirked. His and Bella's time with Nessie had certainly been accelerated, and they were appreciating the twins' babyhoods a great deal.

I sat down on the couch by Nessie, careful not to wake her. Edward leaned against the fireplace's giant stone mantel and looked at me.

"Jacob, I almost forgot to mention... Seth called while you two were working. He wants to visit as soon as your house is ready for receiving company. Have you decided when to meet with the Kenaitze tribal elder yet? I think he was hoping to tag along."

Sue Clearwater, Seth's mother, had moved in with Charlie a few months back. Leah and David were now living in Sue's house. I'd bet anything that was the motivation behind Seth's desire to visit so soon.

"Thanks. I'll call him back tomorrow and tell him to come up" I said.

I carried my wife to the spare bedroom and pulled the covers over her. I crept back into the living room to get Jeremy and Natalie but Bella waved me off.

"We'll watch them, Jake. Get some sleep" she whispered.

I mouthed a thank you her way and turned on my heels back to the bedroom.

I picked Seth up from the airport the following Thursday. It was great to see him after so long. He told me Leah and David were engaged. So were Embry and Amanda. Seth said my father was doing well and enjoyed having Rachel and Daniel close by. My dad had only met Jeremy and Nat once. I needed to bring them to La Push to see him again once our lives settled down a little more.

On Friday, Seth and I went to meet with the leader of the Kenaitze tribe, which was located about an hour northwest of Soldotna. He was a tall man, over six foot, and was dressed in casual modern clothing. He had deep creases in his face and looked to be around sixty. His long gray hair was braided down his back.

"Yaghali du?" the tribal elder greeted us. "It means 'how are you'," he explained.

"Very well, thank you." I replied. "I'm Jacob Black, and this is my friend, Seth Clearwater. We come from the Quileute tribe in Washington."

"Please come inside, boys. You may call me Kavekah. It is a pleasure to meet you both."

I told Kavekah about my family back at La Push, and how I recently moved to town with my wife and children. I explained how I was eager to expose my kids to the tribe's culture. He seemed pleased by my interest in his people.

"We have a wonderful festival each summer for the tourists to learn about Kenaitze heritage. I invite your whole family to join us next month in celebration of the Yaghanen, which means "the good land," Kavekah said.

I nodded my head in acceptance. "Thank you, we would love to come."

Kavekah looked to Seth and narrowed his eyes. "You my son, are something special." He leaned closer to Seth and closed his eyes. "Wolf" he said. It wasn't a question.

Seth looked to me, asking me with his eyes what he should do. Before I could think of something the tribal elder spoke again.

"You have many vampires down in Washington, my son?"

"No, Sir" Seth answered. "We used to. But they have moved on. Our pack numbers are slowly decreasing."

"I see. We have had similar circumstances around the Kenai Peninsula. They like the wildlife, you see. And the climate is suitable as well. But our tribe is strong and we have not had a human killed in my lifetime," Kavekah said with much pride in his voice. "There is a group of vampires residing in Denali. They are peaceful, if you can believe that. We have no trouble from them."

I couldn't hold my tongue any longer. "You have a pack here? Wolves?" I asked.

"Yes. Very strong. We had a male and female vampire cross through the territory a number of months ago. It appeared they were visiting Denali so we did not make ourselves known to them. They were not killers. You can tell what they eat by the way they smell" he explained.

He must have been speaking of Edward and Bella. This was beyond anything I expected when I decided to introduce myself to Kavekah. Suddenly my pulse quickened when an idea came to me.

"Kavekah, I was the alpha in our pack of twelve down at La Push" I began. He gave me a disbelieving look.

"I stopped phasing two years ago" I explained. "Have you ever experienced a tribe member regain his ability to phase after it was lost?"

Kavekah looked at me for a moment and then at Seth. He leaned closer and smelled us deliberately.

"Have you come to Kenai to hunt vampires? How did you know we were here?" he questioned, fear in his eyes.

"No, Sir. I swear. I moved here with my family. I cannot phase anymore. Seth can, but I cannot. Please tell me if you know a way for me to start phasing again" I pleaded.

"I am an old man, but I am no fool" he thundered. "I can smell vampire all over you, boy. Tell me the truth now!"

I sure had gotten myself into a hot mess. We had just moved here a week ago and I had already blown one secret. I figured honesty would be my best choice. If there were really werewolves here in Kenai, they would have discovered our arrival soon enough.

"I do not hunt vampires, but there are some here in town. Like the Denali clan, these vampires also survive only on the blood of animals. I am married to one of them. It is her you smell on me" I said calmly. Please. Answer my question."

"No" he said after a long pause. "I have never experienced a wolf begin phasing a second time. It is very difficult for our wolves to stop phasing. Your story intrigues me. Our members usually retain their ability to transform until death" he replied.

"Death? Your wolves age?" I asked, completely taken by surprise at this information.

"We certainly do," he said, motioning with his hand for us to consider him a prime example.

"Tell me more about this coven you belong to. I must say, I find it quite strange for a wolf to be fraternizing with vampires in this way" he said to me.

Kavekah, Seth, and I sat and talked for hours after these revelations were brought to light. The tribal elder was as curious about the Quileute pack, as we were about the Kenaitze. I told him how I imprinted on Nessie. Luckily, the Kenaitze shared that trait so it was not difficult for him to sympathize with my connection to the Cullens. I didn't tell him anything more about my family that would reveal their identities. I thought it best to give us a little time to decide as a family how to proceed with these new neighbors. It was nearly dark by the time Seth and returned home to Soldotna.

My mind was reeling with all the new information I had to present to the Cullens. I had a number of questions for them as well. Did Carlisle and Edward know about these Kenai wolves? What were the chances we would settle so close to them if they didn't already know? Had I already told Kavekah too much by admitting I was practically part of their coven? Maybe I shouldn't have gone to meet the tribe without talking to Carlisle first. I was starting to feel the same slightly nauseated feeling I had the first time I had to face Edward after kissing Nessie.

"He didn't seem to hate the Denali coven the way Sam or Paul would have," Seth said, sensing my mood from my lack of car talk.

"You're right. But Kate, Tanya, and Garrett are still relatively far away. The real question is what does he think about having a new coven as close to his tribe as the nearest town? And that a couple of wolves who now know his tribe's secret are part of that vampire family?" I asked.

Seth just shook his head. Nessie and the twins met us at Carlisle's house when we returned from the reservation. I couldn't sleep on this knowledge all night. I needed to get it out in the open right away. We assembled in the conference room, some might call it a dining room, while Esme offered to rock the babies to sleep. I briefly explained to everyone where Seth and I had been. That was not a surprise since I had not been quiet about my excitement in meeting the local tribes once we moved to the area. Then, I dropped the bomb that the Kenaitze were also wolves, that Kavekah had known Seth was another kind of wolf, and of course that yours truly reeked of vampire.

"Good job, mutt. You're here one week and we're already exposed!" said Rose sarcastically.

"Great to see you too, Blondie. Why are you even here?" I shot back.

"Stop, both of you" Edward interjected. He stared at Rose as he said, "Jacob, no one is blaming you."

"Carlisle, I want the absolute truth. Did you know that the Kenaitze tribe were werewolves when you chose Soldotna?" I demanded, respectfully of course.

"Jacob, no I did not. Though, I should have considered it a possibility. The Native American populations are very high in this western United States and Alaskan regions. It should have occurred to me that the Denali clan could have had the same effect on the Kenaitze people that our presence in Forks had on the Quileute's. Tanya's family has been living here for a very long time" Carlisle said.

"Super" I said sarcastically. "Well, now they know who I am, that I am connected to you, and that you all are here."

Edward added, "It was only a matter of time before this Kenai pack sensed our presence in Soldotna. I think we need to meet with this tribal leader…"

"Kavekeh" I said.

"Yes, thank you. Kavekah, and introduce ourselves. If what Jacob says is true, and they allow Tanya's coven to remain in Denali because they are vegetarian, then perhaps with a helpful word from Sam we can convince him we are no more a threat than Tanya."

"We spent hours telling him about La Push. The wolves here are different than back home. It was interesting, and he seemed more than happy to share information with us" I said.

"Yes, we could be valuable allies to one another" Carlisle said.

"Wasn't he upset to learn that vampires had recently moved to town?" Bella asked.

"He was surprised that I was here with you, but I explained how Ness and I have a family. I think he trusts me" I replied.

"Good, then Jacob please coordinate a time for Edward and I to sit down with this tribal elder. We will negotiate a treaty like we had in Forks" Carlisle said. "And Jacob?"

I looked up.

"Let's agree on the terms of the treaty before you tell the Kenaitze's you intend to become one of us."

Hey guys! We are almost done with my book.... So sad. :'( Anyways please like, comment and share!