SPOV

Charlie was still sitting at the campfire fire well until Midnight, it was as if he didn't trust us to keep our word and protect them. It wasn't until I could smell the salt in the air, I realized he was crying. He hands were in his hair as he leant over his knees. I walked out of the forest making enough noise to alert him whilst keeping Bella asleep.

Charlie cleared his throat and stood from his chair whilst quickly wiping his eyes and trying to appear as if nothing was upsetting him. "What are you doing here?"

"I have come to talk…. If that's ok?" I held up my hands in a gesture of goodwill.

"Fine, come have a seat." He gestured to a log next to him which I gratefully took. "What have you come to talk about."

"I'm wondering what Billy told you…"

Charlie scoffed. "He told me you turn into a giant wolf, the giant wolf that met us in the clearing and when you and Bella touched or something your wolf claimed my little girl as his. Meaning you and my little girl are destined to be soul mates or some shit."

"Charlie, would it help if I could prove the first part?"

"It would go a long way to helping." He rolled his eyes, so that's where she got her smart-ass comments from. I stood up from the log and quickly stripped my clothes hiding my manhood from Charlie and transformed into a wolf being careful not to crush anything in my change.

He whistled softly and I shifted back and reclaimed by chair. "So that part is true, but why my Bella?"

"We do not know. Bella is so young we do not wish to tell her of the imprint, we want her to grow up naturally."

"She'll kill you for that, my daughter only allows you to hurt her once, after that she'll never forgive you imprint or not." I frowned as I listened, she was going to be so much trouble I could already tell.

"So, what do you think we should do?"

"Tell her. We'll sit her down together and tell her everything she wants to know, which is usually a lot. She's a good kid, good with weird." Charlie smiled.

"I will defer to you on this, you know your daughter better than anyone. But Charlie, I want to introduce myself properly.

My name is Sam Uley, I am 26 years old, but I stopped aging when I was 23. The gene that triggers the wolf inside me forced my body to age as well as grow in muscle and size. I am forced like this until the wolf is no longer in need of my body. I am a protector of my tribe; I will do everything in my power to make Bella as happy as she possibly can be. I will be anything for her, do anything for her. I will not take her from you, you will always be the most important man to her, I merely ask to be one as well."

"Well son, it's not like I have a choice." Charlie got up from his chair and peeked inside Bella's tent, I could see her curled up under blanket from here, I listened to her soft snoring and lazy beating heart and it made my wolf hum in appreciation.

"Thank you, Charlie, I'll leave you now. But know the wolves will watch over you and your daughter, you are both my number one concern next to the tribes safety."

"Son, they didn't tell me what you protect the tribe from… You're a supernatural creature, what do you protect them from?"

I ran my hand across the back of my neck. "I don't know how much the council wants you to know, so if they ask you didn't hear it from me. We hunt vampires."

"Vampires? Like Dracula?" He scoff, I couldn't help but grin at the first vampire he thinks of.

"No, these are extremely fast and strong, they are near impossible to destroy except in our wolf forms. They can be killed with fire; they do burn in the sun, so they don't come out during the daylight obviously. The myth of them not being able to come inside without an invitation is false, they have two fangs that pierce flesh so they can drink people's blood. We're unsure of how they create more of them. There were two that attacked our people long ago, they killed many people when we changed into wolves and killed them.

Since that time, we have kept everyone who is not part of our people away from our land."

"Until we came along."

"Yes, she saved you. Being my imprint means she cannot be harmed in anyway. We would all die for her before she is harmed. It's our most sacred law."

"Then I guess I can't complain. I'm going to go to bed Sam, thanks for coming around and explaining it. I won't stand in the way of a relationship between you and Bella but listen here buddy. I don't give a shit if you're a wolf, falcon, or a fish. You touch that girl before she's 18 in any inappropriate way I'll skin you alive and use you as a rug." A shiver ran down my spine.

"I believe you sir." He gave me a quick wave and disappeared into his tent, I checked over the fire to make sure it was going down safely before I ran back to my home and fell into my bed exhausted with today's events.

BPOV

I woke up stretching like a cat, and quickly pulled on my jeans and jumper before going outside. "Hey dad." Dad was just coming out of his own tent.

"Morning Bells." Dad came over and kissed my forehead, we had a sink set up where we could quickly brush our teeth. I wasn't super excited about using the 'bush shower' again, the water was freezing this time of the year.

"What's the plan for today."

"We lay the foundation for our house today." He smiled bringing a smile to my face as well.

"That's awesome, do I get to say where my bedroom goes?"

"It's just going to be a big rectangle at the moment baby, how about you grab a drawing pad and start drawing a floor plan?"

"That's a good idea daddy." So, I went and sat on my camping chair after grabbing a pad of paper and started drawing a basic rectangle, I then I started assigning spaces to individual rooms, making spaces for closets, a bathroom, study, living room and kitchen. I was getting quite proud of my creation when a shadow covered my paper. I stopped what I was doing and looked up.

The large man I was looking at yesterday was standing behind me, he moved around to stand in front then knelt down to look at me. "Hello Bella."

"Hello."

"Do you know who I am?" His eyes were a mixture between the darkest brown and flecks of lighter brown.

"No." I shook my head.

"My name is Sam Uley."

"Like Sam the wolf!" He laughed at that; his smile brought creases into his cheeks.

"Yeah, like Sam the wolf. I just wanted to come say hello, the other boys may come over and speak to you too."

"Okay. Bye Sam." I waved to him and went back to drawing. I kept looking up at my drawing watching Sam move amongst the other men that were currently working only to look away the second he turned around to look at me.

After I drew how I wanted my house to look I got up and stretched my legs, deciding to go for a walk around. Sam continued to keep an eye on me at all times nearly I didn't find it as creepy as I should have.

I kept walking until I came to the forest line and ran my fingers along the bark of the closest tree, I kept wondering into the forest until suddenly Sam was in front of me. I looked around me and towards the back of the house before facing him again.

"Bella." His voice was deep, and he sounded slightly upset. "What are you doing?"

"Walking."

"You should walk where everyone can see you."

"It's a free country." I put my hands on my hips and looked up at him. He sighed and knelt down, so we were eye level.

"Bella, the forest isn't safe for anyone to be on their own. We worry about children when they go into the forest, because we are afraid that something may happen to them. They might fall and hurt themselves, a wild animal might be there to hurt them. Someone who isn't supposed to be there might come and hurt them. This is why we don't allow children to go into the forest without parental supervision."

"You're not my dad, you don't make the rules for me."

"Then shall we go ask your dad if he's okay with you going through the forest alone?" Well, no… Because we both know he won't like it. "I didn't think so Bella. Now will you come willingly with me back to your house or will I have to pick you up and take you back myself?" He stared down at me whilst I stared up.

He sighed grabbed me around the waist and put me over his shoulder as he walked back to the house, I kicked, screamed for a few moments before I gave up and just hung their limply. When we made it through the clearing, and I could see dad he was grinning like a mad man. "It's nice to have back up." He yelled out to me, I went over to my chair and slumped in it.

Sam went back to working on the house and I took this as a new chance to have some fun, he knew what I was doing but I couldn't stop myself from playing the game anyway. Every time he was looking away, I started to walk closer and closer to the forest line. He would glare at me but would turn his back anyway. When one of the boys distracted him, I made a run for it, running straight into the forest as fast as my little legs could carry me.

He was able to catch up to me quite quickly, he just picked me up and placed me back in my chair and went back to working. I was in my chair giggling at how close I was to getting away, so I did it all over again. Only instead of going to the same tree line I walked to the farthest edge of the clearing. There was an entire house between us now, I gave him one last look over my shoulder and ran for it.

I was picked up again, but it felt unfamiliar now, I looked back behind me and saw a different person holding me, they weren't walking quickly like Sam was but was lazily walking back. "Hey Bella, why you are running like a rabbit?" He was grinning.

"It's fun, Sam tried to boss me around, so I'm making it difficult for him." I shrugged, but it felt odd considering I was hanging upside down over his shoulder.

"He likes the game, don't let him tell you otherwise. It's good to see him smile."

"Sam's nice, but I want to see Sam the wolf soon, he's not been around today."

"He's closer than you think Bella."

"What's your name?"

"I'm Paul Lahote."

"Hi Paul. Are you going to put me down now?"

"Not until Sam has you back within eyesight unharmed." He laughed, we made it through to the clearing. "I've got me a wild one here!" Paul called out.

"Gonna cook up some yummy rabbit for us Paul?" the other boy yelled out; I could hear a growl, but I couldn't see who did it.

"You bet'cha Jared, this rabbit ain't gonna run again." Paul jogged over to my chair again and placed me in it, I started laughing when he tickled me. "are you rabbit?"

"no! I promise I'll stay!" He stopped tickling me and went back to work, Sam looked me over a few more times before turning back on me again. "FOR ONE SECOND." I yelled out and got up to run again, Paul then took off from where he was standing to chase me around again, I squealed and ran around the clearing trying to dodge him as much as I could.

When he got me and placed me back in the chair I tried to get as close to him as possible before exclaiming he was it and running again, that is how I spent majority of my day before I started getting sleepier. Paul carried me to my tent and helped me crawl inside and then tucked me in before zipping up my tent again.

SPOV

Catching her was one of the greatest thrills I'd had in a long time, but when Paul went to get her, I nearly had a heart attack, right until she was back in my eyesight. But when she screamed out one second and ran for it, we all laughed at her, Paul ran after her, but he didn't run fast enough to catch her until she slowed down. They continued to run after one another for hours until she was nearly dead on her feet. He tucked her into her bed and was oddly gentle with her considering he has the worst temper out of us all.

We continued working on the foundation for the house the rest of the day letting Bella take a nap for as long as possible. We got the entire foundation started since Billy ended up brining a truck in to help finish off the job. I clapped Charlie on the back as he admired the stone foundation.

"Thank you everyone, I really appreciate this."

"No problem Charlie, you're part of this tribe now as well. We want to offer you a job as peace maker, this is similar to a police officer. You'll help keep us peaceful in the human realm of our tribe." Billy spoke.

"I'd like that, but I'd like to focus on the house and getting Bella sorted before I start… If that's okay."

"Of course, we also have a school in town that Bella can go to once the home is built, this will allow her to continue her education, but we allow the children to look at specializing in a trade."

"What kind of trades?" Charlie was skeptical.

"Carpentry, baking, cooking, fishing, farming, shepherding, building, blacksmithing. There are many trades a child can choose from, she's at the age we get the kids to start helping out."

"I think Bella can pick what she'd like to do." Both men nodded and my eyes once again fell to the small child sleeping in her tent, I gave Billy a nod then went to get some firewood for their campfire, no doubt she'll be hungry soon.

"Sue is bringing over some dinner for yourself and Bella for tonight, I believe it was a stew she was preparing."

"Thanks Billy." Charlie look relieved that he didn't have to prepare dinner after the tough day of work he's just had.

"No problem Charlie, well we'll see you in the next few days. We'll let the foundation settle and then we'll start on the frame, walls, and plastering inside. I believe plumbing goes in at the same time." Both men shook hands, the rest of the men left along with Billy whilst Charlie and I sat around the campfire waiting for Bella to wake up.

Sue came around and dropped off the stew blushing when Charlie gave her a compliment and then disappeared again, I helped Charlie get dinner ready whilst he went and woke the little princess up. "Come on sweetheart, it's dinner time."

"I don't want dinner dad; I want to sleep."

"Okay, well I'll tell Sam he has to go home then."

"WAIT WHAT?" She jolted from her bed and out of the tent like a flopping fish, she fell over a couple of times before feigning grace and sitting in her camp chair. I couldn't help but laugh at her, she was adorable.

"Bella, I've got something I want to talk about." Charlie was sitting next to her, he looked nervous, maybe more nervous than I felt at the moment.

"What's up dad?"

"You know the giant wolf you saw the other day?"

"Yeah, his name is Sam, what about him?"

"What if I told you that Wolf Sam is the same as Human Sam?" She looked from her dad to me and back again with her mouth hanging open.

"So, you turn into a wolf Sam?" She looked directly into my eyes and I found myself getting lost in the green flecks that ran through the brown.

"Yes."

"That's cool! Can I do it too?" I laughed at that; Charlie was clearly not amused.

"No Bella, it's something only certain people can do."

"But Dad told me we have Native American blood too!" She put her plate down on the ground, stood in front of me with her hands on her hips. "That means we could have this certain thing too. I want to be able to shift too!"

"Bella, it's something only people from here can do."

"That's not fair." She frowned as if it was all my fault, I felt a pang of regret and wanted to make her smile again. "Is that why Paul and Jared are so big too? Are they wolves?" I nodded. "Lucky."

"Bella, there's something special that comes with being a wolf that involves you." She went from upset to excited in a second and the wolf inside me was happy at her mood change.

"What?" I looked to Charlie and he merely nodded for me to continue, it's nice to have back up I rolled my eyes at the thought.

"You see our wolves stay inside of us all the time, and when they find someone really special just like you, they hold onto that person as tight as they can." She looked confused as she tried to figure out what the meaning was behind my words.

"Are you saying, Sam the wolf likes me?"

"Very much so…"

"Because he likes me, he doesn't want to leave me? He wants to keep me safe?"

"Yes."

"Does that mean you feel the same things?"

"Yes Bella." I smiled as she worked her way through it, earning me a smile back.

"I don't mind that. I have a big wolf that loves me, will play with me, and keep me safe. I've always wanted my own wolf." I laughed at her happiness; I ruffled her hair earning a giggle.

"My wolf will always be yours Bella, you'll be the best of friends."

We spent the next few weeks setting up their house, Bella ran us all ragged with her orders of where her bedroom was going to be, the type of windows she wanted and how close they had to be to the next window and so on. She was a bossy little girl who enjoyed being chased around the yard by Paul even exclaiming that he can't cheat by changing into his wolf.

Naturally, Paul felt this was a challenge and did in fact change into his wolf and let her ride him around the yard like a horse. He took her around the forest running over rivers, jumping over rocks, and letting her experience our world in a safe and fun manner. It drove me nearly insane thinking of all the ways she could hurt herself, I tried to intervene once only to have little miss standing there with her hands on her hips laying me a new one.

Charlie only laughed and thanked his god that it wasn't him for once. We read her books at night where I tucked her in to make sure she stayed warm, I was forced to lie still while she tried to draw my wolf, if I moved even an inch she started again and exclaimed that since I changed position she had to start drawing again. I got mocked for days for being whipped, but I couldn't complain. Her happiness was everything to me.