A/N: A quick thank you to everyone who added this story in their alerts and/or added it to their favorite list. It truly means a lot to me.

Chapter 7-

Charlie's POV-

The old man continued to stare at the rest of us for what seemed to be an eternity, his eyes pacing relentlessly between my daughter and Jake, an expression of sheer disbelief written on his face.

He looked…. truly horrified.

Why though, I had not a clue?

It seemed as if he had seen a ghost!

Nah. Make it aliens with three heads and seven hands who like to break out into a dance at the drop of the hat- and you will be close.

He looked that very shocked!

Finally, after what seemed to be an eternity, he opened his mouth to speak, nothing but cold air seeping out for the first ten seconds- I was counting; it was a mighty long wait!

"I….I don't believe this." he- finally, finally- stammered, running a hand over his forehead, wiping the imaginary sweat away. "What were the spirits thinking? They are so very young!" he stated, aghast, his question a statement more than question.

"So, its true, then?" Billy whispered, his hand outstretched to touch his son, almost as if he needed the familiar touch to soothe his fears away.

"What's true?" I gave them a confused look.

What were they talking about?

What was this 'truth' that Billy was so obviously worried about?

"Charlie," Billy sighed, close to tears, confusing me even further by his reaction. "The thing is that…."

"I think," Old Quil cut him off, a shake of the head accompanied. "We need to have this discussion while seated. It won't be an easy discussion, heaven knows!"

Okay then!

I followed the rest of them inside, taking in the sight of the nearly- nah, make it completely, barren living room that Old Quil had called us in to be seated in. There was just one single chair in the entire massive-sized room.

That's it!

No three-person sofa or comfortable looking couch, or even another chair that someone would match in a pair.

Nope. None of that.

Apparently, Old Quil was pretty firm on his 'I don't like people' status, his way of showing it being to not even offer them a seat to sit on when they walked into his house, no doubt remaining in the others' mind of how much he valued their company.

Heck, he did not even like animals or those cute little puppies that everyone cuddled, from the looks of it.

He had surely invited us in, but where were we supposed to sit, someone go and ask the man?

"Sorry," he mumbled, not apologetic at all, waving a hand in the air.

So, yeah, that's apparently our answer!

"So, it's true?" Billy demanded to know; his eyes wide as fear swam through them. "Will my son…"

"Yes." Old Quil sighed. "It is true. I don't know what the spirits were thinking but…."

"But the fact remains that they messed up!" Billy declared, his loud voice echoing through the room.

"Will?" Sarah whispered in question, seemingly in the dark as much as I was.

What was this damn secret that Billy and Old Quil knew about, that neither of the two of us was in the knowing of?

It seemed to be a mighty big one…

Did it affect my Bella?

No.

Billy was worried about the well being of his son, and while it may seem selfish, nothing had been spoken about Bella which relieved the father in me a bit.

I had nothing against Jake, but till Bella was not the one in danger, I was partly relieved.

"Billy," Old Quil let out a grunt. "I know it is not favorable…"

"He is going to change into a damn wolf!"

Say what now?

'He is going to change into a damn wolf?'

Are my ears ringing or had Billy actually said that?

How was that even possible?

Humans did not and could not change into animals.

That was just not possible.

"Billy." Old Quil sternly called out. "This is not a discussion that the kids should hear. I understand that it is unfortunate and you have every right to be upset, but this discussion requires a bit more maturity than this behavior of yours calls for."

Billy sighed, apologetically nodding his head in agreement.

"Sarah,"

Old Quil- the new man-in-charge- stood up straighter, calling the room's attention, Billy all too willing to let the man lead as he bowed down in defeat.

What the heck was going on here?

Will someone bother to tell me?

Why did Billy look so damn defeated?

What did he even mean by 'he is going to change into a wolf'?

No sane person had ever spoken those words together before, and never in the respect of a human kid!

"Please take the kids to my bedroom. I have a TV in there. You can switch on some cartoons for them. Billy will share this with you later on."

Sarah gave Old Quil an unsure nod, doing as was asked as she led Jake and- an all too happy to go with Jake somewhere- Bella inside.

"Now, will someone tell me what is going on here?" I questioned to the room in whole, glad that Bella was not here to hear me speak in this rude tone.

The girl was a sponge, I am telling you.

Anyhow, 'This', whatever this was, it seemed to be serious enough to be spoken about.

"Charlie," Billy let out a breath. "Jake's life is going to change in the future. A change that he will never be able to come back from."

Okay?

"And Bella will be affected by this change."

I am sorry?

Say what now?

"They will never be able to live far from one another. Bella will have to move to La Push in the future, to stay with Jake, as Jake cannot leave the tribe unattended. They will get married and…."

"Billy." I cut him off, putting a hand up in defense. "You might want to start at the beginning there as I am planning to take my daughter and run out of here, never letting her see any of you again in life."

It was the very fact.

I was heavily concerned about my daughter's safety at the moment.

What kind of bullshit was he even talking about?

She was five.

She was certainly not moving out to La Push or getting married anytime soon.

"The thing is that…" Billy let out a sigh. "Bella's chest is paining for a reason."

"I didn't know you were a doctor. Why didn't you tell me this any before?" I commented, sarcasm thick in my tone. I was not purposefully trying to be rude here. They were just getting on my nerves with their cryptic words, that's it.

"Charlie," Old Quil now commanded my attention. "It will all make sense once you know the entire story. And," he turned to look at Billy in question, "it will be better for you to understand if we tell you everything there is to know on the matter, after all Bella is still a mere child. We will need your support to keep Jacob sane. It may seem messed up, but the spirits are never wrong. We just need to find out their reason for tying them to one another so early on in life."

"I don't quite understand." I frowned.

Billy let out a cry, refusing to look up and meet my eyes. "My son will die if your daughter is taken away from him. He has imprinted on her. I had my doubts, but now it is confirmed."

How?

What?

Why?

"Let me start by telling you about our legends…"

Yeah, you do that, Billy.

I heavily need it at the moment.