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 8-

Billy's POV-

And so, I began…

I told Charlie everything. I told him about our legends, about Taha Aki and how we had descended from wolves. I told him about imprinting, about the third wife and how she had sacrificed her life for the survival of our tribe.

I told him everything there was to know, keeping nothing hidden. I told him everything that my father had once told me, including how painful the change was and how intense the imprint would be, the two never able to be apart, not for longer than a few hours, at least not without their chest burning like it was the end of the world.

I hid nothing from him. I knew that he would need to know.

This affected his daughter, and by association, him.

And so, just like I would appreciate knowing every minor detail before committing to something, I gave him the same respect, explaining to him in detail of what was happening with Jake and Bella, of why they had suddenly starting experiencing this intense chest pain when apart, and how it would only increase as they grew older, their bond forcing them to commit to one another.

I told him about my suspicions of this being a true imprint, starting with Bella's chest pain lessening when Jake was around, my doubts only being confirmed by Old Quil a short while ago.

It was unfortunately all true.

Jacob was going to phase into a wolf one fine day in the future, imprinting on Bella and tying them for life to one another.

It was inevitable, and while Bella or Jake had never got the choice to choose, someone up there had decided that they were 'it' for one another, leaving them with no choice but to accept this decision thrown in their path.

I made sure to add the fact that Jake's intentions would be nothing but pure when it concerned Bella, understanding that Charlie would be worried about his daughter's well being and free will. I could understand; I had two daughters. And had I been in his boots, I would have been worried, too.

But it was not all bad.

Sure, it seemed to be that on the base level.

But I could assure Charlie this with full surety that Jake would be the best friend Bella could have ever asked for. He would be the perfect husband a wife could want, once they reached to that stage. He would be the best father to their children, and the most loyal and understanding family man that Charlie had ever seen in his life.

I knew I was making it sound all glorious, more so than it actually was.

But I had to do this for my son.

Bella could not leave him or this town.

It would kill my son, literally would.

No. Bella needed to be there in his life, and so, I had to glorify this for Charlie, making an imprint seem like the best thing on this planet, after baseball and chilled beer, that is.

Nothing could trump that, just saying!

In his defense, Charlie listened to me carefully, nodding his head here and there, but silently waiting for me to finish- and when I finally did, trying to convince him as much as I could of this not being the devil reincarnation, Charlie sat there silently, comprehending of what all he had just learnt.

"So?" I questioned, when I could no longer keep my curiosity to myself. What was he even thinking?

Hopefully, not about which flight would get him out of this very state first….

No. I had to remain optimistic.

Everything would be alright.

It would all work out for our good.

With some luck, it would!

Charlie let out an audible sigh, leaning back in his chair, shaking his head at me. "What am I supposed to tell Renee? She will never let us keep Bella back here."

That's it?

That was his question of the hour?

Huh. Strange.

I would have had more than a million questions to ask, had I been in his boots.

But then again, I was brilliant at this whole 'explaining thing'.

It was literally my thing!

Don't believe me?

The proof is right in front of you.

Charlie had not one question in mind, nothing worth discussing over, that is.

I was that very good.

Yeah, baby!

Just admit it.

He shrugged, letting out another sigh. "I know it is not the kid's fault." He motioned in the bedroom's direction- where Jake currently was. "I can't blame him; heck, he is hardly three. He definitely did not ask for any of this bullshit to come for him like a car with the brakes disabled. And if my daughter's laughter at the moment is anything to go by, I know that he will keep her happy. What more can I ask for?" he shut his eyes briefly. "I just want my daughter to be happy in life, Billy. No matter where she lives or what she does."

"She will be." I assured him. "Jake will give her everything that she wants or needs."

He nodded his head in agreement. "I understand that. And I trust you and your family. But Renee doesn't know all of this. She will never agree to let Bella stay here, at least not without knowing the truth first." He paused for a few seconds, raising an eyebrow at me in question. "Can we tell her the truth?"

I let out a sigh, having expected that question coming my way.

It was heavily complicated, this entire situation.

"I will talk to the elders, but don't expect much. Renee doesn't live in La Push or even in Forks. We would not even realize it, had she to expose us, not without the matter getting out of hand. It is a bit more complicated than it looks, Charlie."

He waved me off. "I understand. But what I am confused about is, why now? They are kids; why do they need the imprint this early on in their life? Jake is not going to phase, at least not for another ten years, in the least."

"Yes." I agreed with him. "I am confused about this, too."

Why now?

Why not when they were both of age, their relationship matured enough to handle the stress and complications that came with an imprint?

Why this early on in their life?

What good would that even be?

They were just kids.

They did not need this.

Definitely not!

"Actually," Old Quil let out a cough, deep in thought. "I think I know why this has happened…"

"Why?" I instantly demanded to know, Charlie, too, straightening up, curious to know the answer to this question.

Old Quil shrugged, waving a hand in air. "Bella lives with her mother, right?"

"Yes." Charlie nodded his head in agreement. "She spends the holidays with me; going back to her mothers' for the rest of the while."

Old Quil hummed in agreement. "And what is to say, that she would not have found someone to love closer to where she lived. It was completely plausible a concept, high school sweetheart more than just a cliché. She could have fallen in love, returning to Jake's life only after she was committed to another. The imprint, in such a case, would be futile, as she would never give Jake that fair chance to win her affection. The spirits have just guaranteed that nothing of that sort could occur in their lives. Bella and Jacob are tied together, even before they could know what love is."

"But that is just so unfair." Charlie commented, disappointed but no anger prevalent in his tone.

He had accepted it.

I could see it in his body language.

He knew that there was no other choice but to accept it.

We were completely helpless against the will of the spirits.

Old Quil let out a shrug, wordlessly stating that the spirits could not have cared any less about whether it was fair or unfair. This was their decision, and we had no choice but to accept it.

Charlie let out a sigh, nodding his head briefly. "I will talk to Renee. I don't guarantee anything, but I will try."

I nodded my head at him, my fingers crossed.

What all would my son have to go through in order to get his happily ever after?

It would not be an easy ride, but I would try my level best to make it as easy as I could.

That was for sure.