Moonlight

Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to SM.

A/N-thank you very much to everyone who kindly read and reviewed the last chapter.

Chapter Forty-Five-A Father's Desperation

Billy's wheelchair was positioned at what seemed the natural head of the circle. Beside him, looking quite sprightly for a man of his age, was Quil's ancient grandfather, Old Quil. Sue Clearwater had a chair on his other side, Leah and Seth were also there, sitting on the ground at her feet. Sue had now taken Harry's place on the council. Her expression was stern, when Billy tried to talk to her, she spoke to him in curt tones, shutting down any attempt at congenial conversation. It was clear she was still angry, much like her daughter, she felt betrayed by all the secrets the men had been keeping from her.

Bella wondered how horrible it was for Sue to know all that Harry had been withholding from her during their marriage. Did it make her question his love for her? It made Bella feel grateful that there were no secrets between her and Jacob. She turned her attention to Leah, admiring the way the older girl was able to keep her emotions in check as she sat across the circle from Sam and Emily. The same couldn't be said for her cousin, Emily looked downcast, occasionally shooting resentful glances in Leah's direction. She had styled her hair in such a way that it hid the worst of her scars, but that didn't stop her touching them unconsciously as she stole glances at Leah. It was like she was almost jealous of Leah's lovely face and unmarked skin.

As for Sam, it was clear he was struggling to maintain his emotional indifference. The flames reflected the pain in his eyes as he, too, looked over at Leah, the pain quickly turning to guilt when Emily caught him looking.

Bella sighed, her gaze wandering to Seth. She was reminded again of how much the young shifter reminded her of Jacob at that age. The resemblance made her smile at first, and then sigh when she thought about all that Seth had already been through.

The whole pack was there, including Embry, Quil and Jared with Kim, the girl he'd imprinted upon.

Bella's first impression of Kim was that she was an incredibly shy girl, just like Jared had described, she wasn't a beauty like Leah-she had a wide face, mostly cheekbones, with eyes too small to balance them out. But after spending a few hours in her company earlier as she tried to put Kim at ease, Bella came to the conclusion that she was one of the nicest girls she had ever met. Kim had an easy way about her that reminded her very much of Angela.

And the way Jared stared at her. It was like a blind man seeing the sun for the first time. Like a collector finding an undiscovered Da Vinci, like a mother looking into the face of her newborn child. His wondering eyes made Bella see new things about Kim-how her skin looked like russet coloured silk in the firelight, how the shape of her lips was a perfect double curve, how white her teeth were against them, how long her eyelashes were. Kim would often drop her eyes in embarrassment when she caught Jared gazing at her with such awe, but she couldn't keep her eyes away from him for long.

Having the opportunity to watch them interact had given Bella a clearer understanding of what she had been told about imprinting-its hard to resist that level of commitment and adoration.

It was perfect between Jared and Kim. It seemed they shared a classic imprint, something that could be held up as a shining example of what it was meant to be, whereas Sam and Emily's imprint was nothing but a tragedy for all those involved.

As for her and Jacob….?

Bella turned to look at Jacob. They say the eyes are the windows to the soul, and there was never a truer statement in regards to him. When Bella gazed into Jacob's expressive dark eyes, she could see how every emotion came together to form the art of his soul. His eyes held all the depth of his love for her. His eyes were beautiful, it was not about colours or shape, it was about the loving sweet essence that was so clearly there.

Jacob gave her one of his sweetest, most adoring smiles as he leaned in to kiss her. There was something so heavenly about a spontaneous kiss, she decided, a tender moment that just won't wait. It is a connection that shows the strength of the feeling, the mutual need. Bella was left feeling breathless when it ended.

As Bella leaned back against a low ridge of rock, Jacob put his arm over her shoulders and spoke low into her ear. "I love you, Bella, honey. I always have."

Happy tears filled Bella's eyes as she scooted closer to him. She had just noticed Charlie take his place on the other side of Sue Clearwater, he had been on the phone to the mysterious Anne for ages, deep in conversation about something. He looked distracted, hardly reacting when Billy offered him a drink. He remained preoccupied as he took the root beer Billy passed him and held it loosely in his hand.

"Dad's about to start the stories of how we came to be." Jacob said to her. "The first is the story of the spirit warriors." His voice was full of concern. "Its not going to be easy when Charlie learns the truth. Are you going to be alright?"

"I'm prepared for the fall out." Bella replied bleakly. "It will be hard at first, but it has to be done."

"You're the bravest person I know." Jacob's lips alighted on her cheek, soft and reassuring as he let them linger there. "I'm here. You're not alone. We'll get through this together. I promise."

Bella smiled, tucking her head under his chin as she sought comfort from the security of his warm arms.

As Billy began to talk the atmosphere changed abruptly around the low burning fire. Paul and Embry sat up straighter. Jared nudged Kim and then pulled her gently upright. Emily had produced a spiral bound notebook, her keen gaze trained on Billy. Was she really going to document what was said tonight?

Bella threw Jacob a confused look and he frowned. Sam had twisted slightly beside his imprint-he whispered in Emily's ear, whatever he said upset her, she snapped the notebook shut and turned her head away from him. Bella noticed Leah watching their interactions closely, her face still a beautiful and emotionless mask. Seth caught his sister's attention, forcing her to concentrate on Billy again.

Once everyone was properly settled, Billy resumed talking. He began telling the stories in his rich, deep voice. The words poured out with precision as if he knew them by heart, but also with feeling and subtle rhythm. Like poetry performed by its author. Never before had Bella recognised the ring of majesty that was in Billy Black's voice, though she realised now that the authority had always been there. She noticed that Charlie was as caught up as everyone else in Billy's storytelling. She tried to gauge what he was thinking, she saw a slight crease in his forehead when Billy mentioned the magic of shapeshifting. Was he slowly beginning to connect the dots?

"The wolves were all different, because they were spirit wolves and reflected the man they were inside." Billy said.

"So that's why Sam is all black." Quil snickered quietly, grinning. "Black heart, black fur."

Jacob's hand came out of nowhere and cuffed him hard around the back of the head. "This isn't the time or the place, idiot." He warned him.

Quil rubbed his stinging scalp, wincing. "Jeez, it was a joke! You remember those, Jake?"

Bella was so involved in the story and watching Charlie's reactions to it that Quil's little quip irritated her. "Show some respect." She whispered to Quil, adding her voice to Jacob's. "Just keep your mouth shut until the end of the stories."

Quil's mouth immediately snapped shut, he glowered at Bella, looking for all the world like a little toddler who had been reprimanded by its mother.

The fire threw up a volley of sparks into the sky, and they shivered and danced, making shapes that were almost decipherable. Billy took a bottle of water and wiped his forehead; his throat was dry after speaking for so long. He looked sideways at Charlie, feeling uncomfortable when he found the police chief studying him with a scrutinising gaze.

"That was the story of the spirit warriors." Billy mumbled as he passed the story telling over to Old Quil.

The ancient elder gave Billy a sly wink, looking so much like his young namesake in that moment that it took Bella-who was still monitoring all their interactions closely-completely by surprise. The chipper old man adjusted his baseball cap on his head, before squinting at the gathered group through his thick lensed glasses. "I am going to tell you the story of the third wife's sacrifice." He announced in a thin tenor voice. He cast his gaze in Bella's direction when he said this, and continued to look her way throughout the whole story as if this particular tale concerned her more than most.

Bella listened in rapt silence as Old Quil detailed the legend of the Third Wife. She was an ancient Quileute woman, who was the last wife of Taha Aki, and one of the most legendary people in her tribe known for her sacrifice for the tribe. After her son Yaha Uta killed the Cold Man, his mate, the Cold Woman, attacked the village in revenge. Yaha Uta attempted to stop her but was killed, leaving Taha Aki as the only spirit warrior left to defend the tribe. The Third Wife could see that he was losing the fight, and couldn't bear to see her husband die. She took one of her younger sons' knives and stabbed herself through the heart. The scent of her blood distracted the Cold Woman long enough for Taha Aki to destroy her. A number of her sons, who were enraged by her death, phased for the first time into wolves. Once the battle was won, Taha Aki lay in his wolf form by the Third Wife's body for three days, then vanished into the forest and was never seen or heard from again. Her bravery had earned her a place in the Quileute's legends.

"Time passed." Old Quil intoned. "And the descendants of Taha Aki no longer became wolves when they reached manhood. Only in a great while, if a cold one was near, would the wolves return. The cold ones always came in ones or twos, and the pack stayed small."

Bella saw the that old man had turned his attention away from her and was now focusing on Charlie as if this next piece of the story was vital to him. She saw her father shift in his seat, his jaw was set, a deep frown marring his forehead. But still he remained dutifully silent as he listened to the ancient elder speak.

"A bigger coven came, and your own great grandfathers prepared to fight them off. But the leader spoke to Ephraim Black as if he were a man, and promised not to harm the Quileutes. His strange yellow eyes gave some proof to his claims that they were not the same as other blood drinkers. The wolves were outnumbered, there was no need for the cold ones to offer a treaty when they would have won the fight. Ephraim accepted. They've stayed true to their side, until recently when one of them broke the treaty and ventured onto our lands…." His keen eyes shifted quickly to Bella when he said this.

Bella's breath hitched as she stared back at him. At the same time, she felt Jacob's arms tighten around her. He was as shocked as she was that Old Quil had gone so far off topic.

"What the hell is he doing?" Jacob muttered under his breath.

Billy's face had turned ashen. He was looking at Old Quil like he wanted to be sick. The rest of the pack had stilled, their gazes automatically fixating on Bella, just like the elder.

"Because of their selfish desire to settle in this area, their presence has tended to draw in others." Old Quil continued as if there was nothing amiss. "And their numbers have forced a larger pack than the tribe has ever seen. And so, the sons of our tribe, which also now includes our daughters, again carry the burden and share the sacrifices their father's endured before them." His eyes meaningfully encompassed the whole group as he said this.

There was long moment of tense silence. The living descendants of magic and legend stared at one another across the fire with sadness in their eyes. All but one.

"Burden," Quil scoffed loudly. He was able to speak again now that the storytelling had come to an end. "I happen to think it's the coolest thing in the world we can transform into wolves."

Bella groaned internally at Quil's continued idiocy. She saw her father's complexion turn grey. His expression darkened, Quil's statement having confirmed everything he was already thinking. The final piece of the puzzle had slotted into place.

"Here we go." Bella whispered to Jacob tensely.

"I'm here. I'm right here." He reminded her.

Charlie stood abruptly and quickly stormed off toward the Black's house. Billy hastily spun his chair around and followed the angry police chief. They were soon both swallowed up by the darkness.

Bella held onto Jacob's hand tightly as they walked slowly toward the house. Warm light spilled from the little redwood building, at odds with the tension and raised voices coming from inside.

They had delayed their return, preferring to give the two men some space to talk in private before they made an appearance. Entering the house was an auditory bloodbath to the ears-Charlie was angry, the angriest that Bella had ever heard him. He was showing no signs of calming down.

"Once he's finished venting, then he'll be ready to listen to our side." Jacob reassured Bella. She envied him his optimism.

"I can't believe this is happening!" Charlie's tone was despairing. "This is a nightmare!"

"Charlie, I understand this is a shock, but if you'll just give me a proper chance to explain…." Billy pleaded.

"Shut up!" Charlie yelled. "Just shut up! Its all too late. You have no idea of how much you've compromised me by keeping all these secrets. And Anne? Oh, god, what have I done?"

Jacob and Bella exchanged a confused glanced as they stood on the other side of the closed door to the living room, listening to the men arguing with each other.

"What do you mean? What does this Anne have to do with anything?" Billy asked the question they were both thinking.

"I was trying to protect Bella." Charlie said in a raspy voice. "I may be a cop but I'm a father first. And Bella's safety always comes first. There was nothing in the law that could help…restraining orders only do so much. I was venting my frustration over the phone to Anne…and…and she said leave it with her…. she didn't want me compromising myself….and that she knew someone who could deal with Cullen…."

"What do you mean 'deal' with him?" Billy asked in alarm.

"I don't know…rough him up a little…give him an indication of what was coming his way if he carried on harassing my little girl. You'd have done the same if it was one of the twins." Charlie said defensively. "And now I find out he's…he's…. FUCK!"

A/N-thanks for reading! Please review.