Chapter 7 – Meeting the father

"You imprinted?" Sam asked. I simply nodded in the passenger seat of the car. "Emily owes me ten bucks" He chuckled to himself as he started up the car.

"What?" I asked puzzled.

"Emily had her bet on Jared imprinting first but I knew it was going to be you, Paul. Especially after the way you talked about that girl. What was her name Bella?" He asked as he sped down the road.

"Yes that's her" I could feel a cheesy grin popping up on my face but I didn't stop it. Sam chuckled and pulled the car over outside a huge white house. I knew this house, I had to pass it every day to get to school but I had never paid that much attention to it, although I knew exactly who lived here. The Swans. My stomach twisted into knots as the ignition on the car was turned off.

"What are we doing here?" I asked, suddenly anxious. I didn't want Bella to know about me yet. I wasn't ready, was I expected to tell her straight away? Did Sam want me to walk straight in there and tell her that I was a wolf and had imprinted on her? No, she wouldn't take it well. She would be frightened and I don't want that. How would I possibly live with her being afraid of me, a monster? My mind seemed to flow to other thoughts. What if Bella took it well and wanted to be with me? I wanted to feel her in my arms; I want her to be mine and to love me. Not Matt.

Sam must have seen the unsure look on my features because he laughed. "Don't worry Paul, we are here because the Elders' meeting is here and Bella will not be here" He walked towards the house with Jared in tow. I was still in the car, still nervous, but the nerves were joined by another feeling. Despair. Bella wasn't here; I wouldn't see her until tomorrow. It was a good thing she wasn't here, of course it was, she wouldn't have to find out about the wolves, but that didn't stop the sudden need to see her face. "Paul hurry up" Sam shouted from the house. I sighed and climbed out of the car before making my way towards the place that Bella calls home. I could smell her delicious scent as soon as I strolled into the beautiful house. I breathed it in and cherished it.

Sam pulled me lightly into a room that was filled with men that I recognized from around La Push. Jared was shaking hands with a few. As I looked around at them I knew nearly all of them, after all La Push is a small town. I greeted them all and Sam introduced us.

Jared moved over to me as the men spoke amongst themselves. "Why did Angela tell us that the meeting was at Billy's?" I froze how I could forget that.

"Maybe she got it wrong?" It came out like a question, he just shrugged.

After that we all sat around a table that was placed in the middle of the room. Sam talked to the Elders about the progress of Jared and me. It felt weird having all these people knowing about our secret. I am too used to it just being the three of us, plus Emily. Now I realize that people that I see almost every day and never pay any attention to are now part of my life because of one secret that we all share. The six Elders explained to us that they, themselves are not wolves and it had skipped their generation due to no vampires being near. They said that their fathers, who were wolves, had made them promise to keep the secret so that when the vampires do return there is someone that will know how to handle it. I enjoyed listening to their stories and what they had to say about the wolves and I must admit I learnt a lot about La Push's history, history that no one else knows about.

We chatted for about two hours before Sam suggested that it was time that we left. I looked at the time and noticed I was late to dinner, so I instantly agreed with him. I don't want my mum to worry like she normally does.

"Before we leave" Everyone quieten down as Sam stood up and spoke. "I would like to let you all know that Paul imprinted today" All the men turned and smiled at me.

One asked, "On whom?"

"Her name is Isabella Swan" I smiled with pride at imprinting on such an amazing, heart-stopping girl.

"YOU WHAT?" a man screamed from the table of men. His eyes were wild as they glared at me. I could almost feel his anger bouncing off him. "YOU IMPRINTED ON MY DAUGHTER!"

Oh shit! How could I forget I am in Bella's house and that is Bella's father? Damn, that girl is making me lose my mind.

"Charlie calm down" Billy Black spoke peacefully. His eyes were locked on me. "We are very happy for you Paul" He smiled. Billy was always the one to be the most calm and relaxed; he seemed to always see the bright side of any situation.

Charlie mumbled something under his breath, before he looked at me again. "I suppose anyone is better than that Matt kid, god I can't stand that boy." There was mumbles of agreement from around the table. My lips were struggling to move into a smile but I managed to keep it under control as most of the men were still watching me and Jared. Charlie stood up and walked over to me. For a second I was tempted to run in the opposite direction. He was a tall man. Taller than any of us wolves, he must be about 6'9. I have seen him around La Push, as he is the chief of this town, but I have never realized just how intimating he actually was. When he reached me he held his hand out for me to shake, which I did. I shook firmly to show that I respected him and can hold my own, unlike Matt.

"Hurt my Bella and I will kill you" He growled with a menacing look in his eyes. I believe that he would actually kill me, it wasn't an empty threat.

I didn't let my fear show, Charlie doesn't want a wimp to be with his daughter, and he wants someone that can look after her. My voice fell from my mouth and I almost didn't recognize it. It was firm and strong unlike how I was feeling. "I would never hurt Bella." I spoke sincerely.

He seemed to watch me with focus as if he was analyzing me. His eyes were dark and locked with mine dangerously. I didn't look away, I will not be intimidated by him, and I want to prove that I am right for Bella. Everyone was quiet in the room. Our staring contest seemed to last hours but I knew it was only seconds. Charlie's expression seemed to soften, only slightly though. Or was it just the lighting?

"Welcome to the family, Paul" He shrugged back down into his seat as I thought over what he just said. Did that mean that he had accepted me? If that was the case, all I needed to do now was get Bella to accept me? Somehow I think that is going to be more of a challenge.

The mumbling started again and Sam motioned for us to leave. "Wait" Jared said. "Excuse me everyone." The men turned their attention towards him. "Paul and I saw a boy at school that looks like he is about to phase. He looked really ill" Nobody spoke so Jared carried on. "His name is Embry Call"

Billy gasped and the others all started to talk. "Sam you know what to do, don't let him out of your sight" Billy demanded. Sam nodded and led us away. As the three of us walked up the drive way towards Sam's parked car, Bella was walking down with Matt. I felt my breath hitch when I saw her beauty. I couldn't help the look of longing that I knew had appeared on my face. Matt must have seen it as well because he sent a daggered look at me then smirked as he threw his arm around Bella's shoulder. Anger flared through me, but as Bella's eyes locked with mine I relaxed. She smiled and shrugged off Matt's arm.

Bella walked in through her front door, with Matt following. Jared pulled me to the car as I was tempted to follow her. I slumped into the front seat of the car and my eyes were locked on the front door of Bella's house. Where Charlie was now yelling at Matt telling him that he was wasn't allowed in his house. I couldn't help a huge grin spread across my face, to the extent that it hurt my cheeks.