Saturday came and it was finally the time for me to be able to attend a bonfire that Sam invited me to. He always wanted me to go to one of them and I'm glad I can go.

Sam picked me up, but he wanted to meet Charlie first. Like a gentleman, he knocked on the door and I let Charlie answer it.

"Why if it isn't Sam Uley?"

I was surprised that Charlie already knew who he was. "How do you know him?"

"I tried to help find him when he was gone for a couple of weeks along with the rest of the cops." That was back when Sam had first phased. I felt bad for him how he had to endure all of that alone when he told me.

"What brings you here?"

"I've come here to take Bella out on a date, Charlie." Sam answered and I was surprised again.

I'm going to the bonfire with Sam and he counted it as a date? I found myself liking how he put it that way. It would be our first date. Before, we have just enjoyed each other's company and learned to get to know each other.

"On a date, huh? You and Bella are in a relationship now?" Charlie asked curiously, his brown eyes flickering back and forth to us.

"Yeah, Dad," I decided to speak up and come out of the kitchen. I noticed how Sam's eyes beamed as I am in full view. I try to focus on Charlie and not stare at Sam's hypnotic gaze the whole time. His eyes got me hooked. "We have been dating for a while now. I just felt like it's time for you to know."

"Really? You have been?" He tried to absorb the new information. "For how long?"

"A few months." I answered.

Since I'm letting Charlie know now about our relationship, he would also know the truth of what Sam and the Cullens really were.

"Well, I'm glad that you finally told me when you're ready, Bella," Charlie replied and looked at my boyfriend with respect. Sam paid attention to him instead of me. "I've heard a lot of good things about you. It's admirable what you do for your tribe at your age."

I'm pretty sure I know who told them about those good things. They would most likely be Billy Black and Harry Clearwater. Singing praises about Sam to win Charlie over. That was done on purpose.

Sam did have a very good reputation around on his reservation. He was like that good role model everybody should look up to. One of the things I've always admired about him. He was set in charge to watch for his people. Reminded me of being a protector who always watched out for everyone and stayed on guard. Sam already had that leadership quality instilled in him. "Thank you, Charlie," Sam replied respectfully.

"What are you two going to do this evening?" Charlie asked him.

"We're going to get something to eat then have a bonfire down at First Beach." He answered.

"That sounds nice. Just be sure to have her home at eleven o' clock. Sharp. I'll be waiting."

"Will do, Chief."

"Chief?" Charlie raised his eyebrow at that. "Trying to butter me up by saying that or what?"

"Dad..." I groaned, giving him a look.

"Eh..." He sighed and muttered. "Never mind. It's fine, I guess. When did the two of you first meet?"

"Back when I was with my friends from school and we're at First Beach." I answered.

"A couple friends of mine and myself saw the local kids and thought to hang out with them. We saw each other and it was like..." Sam drifted off to find the right words to describe us. His dark brown eyes met mine as he concluded. "Love at first sight. She became the one for me."

"'The one', huh?" Charlie asked skeptically. "Is that what you kids call yourselves these days now?"

"Dad," I chuckled to lightly scold him. "We also have another important thing to tell you." I looked at Sam if he wanted to continue.

Charlie gave us both a stern stare and then his eyes looked at Sam, asking seriously. "You didn't get Bella knocked up already, did you?"

"Dad!" I exclaimed louder from embarrassment. That even caught Sam off guard.

We never even had sex yet. The only thing we did was a lot of passionate kissing and touching each other. That was it. It felt too soon in our relationship for us to have sex. I really do want to experience that with him more than anything.

"I'm a virgin!" I told him and it's worse that Sam was here, but he already knew. It just made Charlie uncomfortable and he cringed that he knew that personal fact about me.

"Well, uh...that's good to know, Bella," Charlie replied awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. He looked at Sam to say seriously. "You better respect Bella's decision to have sex until she's ready on her own terms. If you don't and hurt her, don't forget that I'm the Chief. I have a gun-"

"Dad, please, just stop." I begged.

"Well, uh," Sam cleared his throat from the awkwardness and the threat he received. "Like what Bella said earlier, we do have something to tell you, but maybe it's better that I show you first."

That got Charlie confused. "Show me? What is it that you want to show me?"

"It's better if we go outside." Sam suggested and we walk out to the back of the house at the backyard into the woods so no one else could see.

"Okay..." Charlie said being unsure of what's going to happen.

But I knew what Sam was really doing. He's going to show Charlie his wolf. It was a lot better for Charlie to actually see the transformation. Then I could tell him everything about it that I know. The three of us walked into the woods. We're at a clearing where Charlie would go to chop wood. I saw a half of the tree stump and Charlie's ax was in his shed.

"There's a lot of things you don't know about this world, Charlie," Sam started being a good distance away from us so it would be safe to phase. "The truth is being kept away from you and everyone. Only Bella knows and the members of the Quileute tribe council like Billy and Harry. Bella knows because she's my imprint, my mate, and she will know more about the history when we'll go to the bonfire tonight. And I have a mate because I am a werewolf and the Alpha. It's part of my Quileute legends that's been passed down to generations. What I once believed was just a bunch of silly campfire stories growing up, but now I know, it is real because I am one being the great grandson of Levi Uley since my family's bloodline is connected to Taha Aki who was one of the last great spirit chiefs. I will show you my wolf, Charlie, and I don't want you to get scared. I won't ever hurt you or Bella."

Charlie just stood there speechless and absorbed the information that Sam gave him. It was a lot for him to take already. Sam did tell me some things about Taha Aki and the bloodlines, but I have to hear all of it at the bonfire. Supposedly, Billy and Old Quil were great at telling stories.

Charlie backed away in confusion, fear, and uncertainty as Sam started to undress. Sam removed his t-shirt and jeans and kicked off his shoes, and what he had on left were his boxers. Sam got in his stance to phase, and in a blink of an eye, he had phased into a gigantic black wolf. Charlie got scared and jumped away, falling off his feet, and I stayed by his side, kneeling down to comfort him.

"Dad, it's okay!" I assured him. He looked at me and maybe it was so he couldn't look at Sam's wolfish face. Sam did approach us like a docile dog and whimpered as he laid down in front of us to show he meant no harm. "I know this is scary and a lot to handle, but this is still Sam. This is his wolf and a part of who he is."

"I can't believe what I'm actually seeing is real and werewolves exist." Charlie said in disbelief.

"And vampires exist, too." I added and he gave me a look as if that was crazy.

"What? Vampires exist now, too?" He asked incredulously.

"Yeah, and the ones we know of are living in the same town as us," He gave me a very confused look. "They're the Cullens, Dad. They're vampires but disguise well as being humans. Ever wondered why their eyes are gold? Why they don't come out in the sunlight? Their skin is always cold to the touch."

"I guess that does explain some things about them," Charlie muttered. "They always do seem a bit...strange and not from this time period, but I've just thought they're old-fashioned."

"They've been around for centuries, Dad, and moved here. I go to school with Dr. Cullen and his wife's children. They seem to have an...interest in me. One of them does. Their son, Edward. I went to school with him, and when I was his partner for the Biology project, that's when I found out the truth and he tried to kiss me."

"He did what ?" Charlie asked angrily, getting up now and so did I.

"It's okay, Dad," I assured. "I told him that I was with Sam. They've been bothering me for quite a while now. At least I have Sam to protect from them and other vampires," I looked at the black wolf, my imprint, my Alpha, who watched us. When his black eyes met mine, I felt love and warmth radiate from him. "If I didn't have him, who knows what would've happened to me? I probably would've been with Edward and become one of them."

Sam let out a low and deep growl. He hated and loathed for that to happen to me. He wouldn't want me to be with anyone else. Especially not with any of the Cullens or a vampire. That was his wolf and Alpha side coming out.

His growl had spooked Charlie and made him jump at the unexpected growl. But I comfortingly hold onto his right arm so he wouldn't leave.

"Sam can be a bit overprotective of me so I'm sure he wasn't happy with that scenario," I explained to him. "The vampires are the wolves' enemies. They can fight them together as a pack."

"There's more of them?" Charlie looked surprised and his face had almost paled in fear. It must be scary to know more wolves are coming in the future that could be at Sam's wolf size.

"Probably soon that the Cullens are here and if any more vampires show up. Right now, it's only Sam."

Charlie took everything in, and I could tell from his face that he still couldn't quite believe all of it. To acknowledge the supernatural side of the world was hard, but it's our reality. I felt bad that he had to know about all of this. I would rather have it be hidden away from him for his own protection, but Sam convinced me to do this when I had my doubts.

"How are you taking all of this?" I asked him hesitantly.

"Well...I can say that I'm not exactly comfortable and like the fact that my daughter is going to school with vampires, especially with one that tried to force himself on you. It's a lot to think about and I may have some questions."

"That's fine. Sam and I can answer them for you," I looked at my imprint. "Won't we, Sam?"

Sam nodded his huge wolf head.

"Let's leave Sam alone so he can phase and we can go in the house and answer any questions that you have." I advised.

"Okay. I do need beer for this conversation." Charlie muttered and I laughed.

I followed my father back to our house as Sam phased and put his clothes back on.

"So, that went pretty well," Sam said in approval as he drove us to First Beach after we had a nice dinner together. He was holding onto the steering wheel with his left hand and was holding my own with his right. "And Charlie likes me."

"Of course, he would." I couldn't help to smile. It brought me relief that Charlie liked Sam even after the wolf and vampire conversation.

"You should meet my mother next. She'll love you. I talked about you to her before," Then Sam added sheepishly with a guilty chuckle. "More than once."

"Okay. I'd love to meet your mother, Sam," A question had popped into mind, but I was hesitant to ask him. I felt like I shouldn't because it seemed too personal since he didn't mention me seeing his father. But that was a fact I didn't know about Sam before. "What about your father? Won't I be seeing him, too?"

I noticed him getting tense in his seat. "No." His voice hardened. Touchy subject. Obvious hatred left over for his father.

"Why not?" I gently pressed.

"Josh, my father - if you can even call him that - left my Mom and me when I was eight. I found out he was gone when my Mom found a note from him on the refrigerator. I have never seen her so upset and angry before. He just left us in the middle of the night without a word. The responsibilities of being a husband and a father got too much for him, I guess. I knew they had a lot of issues to work out, but I never thought it got bad to that point. I knew he cheated, drank, and got drunk, but I thought he could get past that and be there for us, but I guess not. My parents did have me while they were young which was they had to get married so fast, but that didn't excuse his actions and poor choices. He thought it was just easier to abandon us. Even when he was around, he wasn't there for me that much. He was always gone and came home late. I never cared much for him and my respect for him lessened when there were never any phone calls for me or visits on the holidays or my birthdays. He acted as if me or Mom never existed. My Mom was mostly the one who raised me than him. She's always been there for me and I love her so much. Without her, I don't know what I'd do."

It was nice and sweet how Sam spoke of his mother. I felt so bad for what happened to his father. That definitely didn't sound like a good one. Even though my parents were divorced, at least Charlie wanted to be in my life.

"I'm so sorry, Sam." I pitied. It was all I could say. I didn't know he had such a bad childhood.

"It's okay," He assured, but I'm not so convinced. "Life's been better without him. Mom's content without him and just happy to have me. And very excited to see you most of all."

I smiled being excited as well to see Sam's mother for the first time.

It didn't take that long for us to arrive at First Beach. Sam helped me to get out of his car like the gentleman he was and we walked together hand in hand toward the bonfire. The sun was setting down onto the horizon and the flames were flickering ahead at the pit. Three men were waiting for us as Sam and I approached them. I recognized one of them being Jacob Black's father, Billy, bound onto his wheelchair.

"Hello, Billy." I greeted and leaned down so we could hug.

"Hello, Bella," I felt his arms around me and then he let go. "How's that truck of yours doing?"

"Still going strong," I answered. "How's Jake?"

"He's doing good."

"So, this is your imprint, Sam?" Another man asked, observing me. He had some weight on him and looked shorter than Charlie. "She looks more beautiful in person."

"Thank you...um..." I blushed and trailed off because I didn't know his name.

"Harry Clearwater," He introduced himself. "I've been friends with your Dad, Charlie, for years like Billy. How's he doing?"

"Good. You go fishing trips with him, too, like Billy does?"

"Oh, yeah. Billy, Charlie, and I had great times back in our day, too," Harry mentioned fondly.

For some reason, the name Clearwater sounded so familiar to me. I didn't know why until I figured it out. "Don't you have a daughter named Leah?"

When I had visits here with Charlie, I met Leah Clearwater a few times, but we never became that close. It's the same with me and Jacob's twin sisters, Rebecca and Rachel. I mostly got along better with Jacob and his friends.

"Yeah, I do. She's a couple of years older than you. You kids used to be around with each other, remember?"

"Yeah, but I mostly hung out with Jake."

"He had been crazy about you," Billy said. "I'm waiting for him to phase and possibly imprint on you. But it looks like fate has other plans."

"Yeah, it has." Sam agreed, looking at me with pure love and adoration as I give him the same gaze. He gave my hand a light, gentle squeeze, and his thumb rubbed the back of my palm in slow circles.

"Fate decided to unite us again." An older man spoke with a tenor voice. He's white-haired, brittle, and ancient. Looks like he's wise beyond his years. The man that Sam said was very well respected at the Reservation.

His cryptic statement got me confused. "What do you mean?" I looked at him.

"This old geezer is Quil Ateara the Third," Billy introduced. "Also known as Old Quil."

"I was surprised to know who Sam imprinted on was a pale face, not only that, but it was on a Swan nonetheless," Old Quil continued, dismissing Billy and it was as if he's fascinated with me. "Judging by the look on your face, it appears that you don't study your family's genealogy like we do. You don't realize how we're connected."

"No, I don't." I confirmed.

"We study our family trees to identify the bloodlines so we'll know who the direct descendants of Taha Aki are and who would be able to phase," Sam explained. "That happened to me since I'm the great-grandson of Levi Uley who was part of the original pack with Ephraim Black and Quil Ateara II."

"How do I exactly fit in all of this?" I asked curiously.

"I was married to Molly Swan, a relative of yours, I believe." Old Quil answered. I faintly remember the name, but she rarely talked about in my family. I knew that she was my great aunt and I believe that was the same one.

"My great Aunt Molly?" I asked and even Sam was surprised at this fact, too. "I never knew that. I knew she married someone from here, but she wasn't spoken of a lot. If she was talked about, it wasn't anything good."

"That's what I would expect," He figured. "It's because she was married to me, a Quileute. And she gave up everything to be with me. It was a great sacrifice she had to make, but it was that the Great Spirits took pride in and approved of her. You have a great relationship and favor with our people that you got imprinted on by Sam. Your bloodline has definitely been blessed. You are the third cousin of my grandson, Quil Ateara the Fifth."

"He's one of Jake's best friends," Billy clarified. "Have you ever met him?"

"No, but now I really want to. Does he know about this?"

"Not how far deep it goes. Once he phases, he will." Old Quil answered.

I was starting to see how all of this was connected.

"So, since Quil might phase, will Jake too?" I wondered.

"Probably. I'm looking for any signs, but nothing yet," Billy answered. "I'm still hoping he will take on his role as being the true Alpha. If he wants it, that is. If not, Sam will still be the Alpha."

"How does that make you feel?" I looked at Sam. "If Jake wants to be the Alpha?"

"It is his right to be one more than me. I'm just taking his place for the time being. But I also wouldn't want Jake to have this major responsibility. He's just a kid himself and it'll have to be when he's ready for it."

"How will you two get the claim to be Alpha?"

"We fight over it." He didn't look too pleased with having to do that.

"Not until death or anything?" I asked worriedly for Sam's life and safety.

"No," As soon as he said that, I felt a lot more relieved. "It's more of a dominance and power thing."

I nodded in understanding and then asked the older men. "Do you know what triggered Sam to phase?"

"The return of the Cullens is more likely how it happened," Old Quil answered. "The more they'll stay here, the more our men will phase."

"Is there a way to stop the phasing before all the boys do and lose their normal, human lives?"

"We don't believe so. Even if the Cullens decide to leave, there could be many more of the Cold Ones which could trigger the other boys to phase," Harry answered. "Their scents could leave a trail for others, possibly enemies of theirs."

"So, they get to stay in Forks?" I frowned, not really liking the idea.

"As long as you visit and stay here in La Push, they can't cross the treaty line," Old Quil answered. "You'll be more protected here."

"But what am I supposed to do that I go to school with them?" My voice filled with worry and concern. Ever since what happened at the Cullen's house, I haven't been comfortable with Edward or any of them. It's not like I could force them to leave.

"You go to the same school as them?" Harry asked in surprise, not liking that.

"What if Bella lives with me?" Sam suggested. "And go to school here? That way I can protect her easier and she'll always be with me."

"You want us to live together?" That may be too soon for our relationship, but I wasn't entirely opposed to it.

"If that's alright with you." He replied hesitantly, but with hope and evidently needed to know my opinion.

Living together with my imprint? That sounded wonderful. I knew I love him. Not because of the imprint, but how we built our relationship. I love him for opening himself up to me and how much he wanted to protect me from any sort of danger and enemies. I love seeing those rare smiles, hearing his deep voice, and laughter, especially when I can get those out of him. Sam's love is real and genuine, and something I never felt before. It was unconditional love.

"Yes, it is," I answered, grinning. "I would love to live with you, Sam, and go to school here. We just have to ask Charlie about it, but I'm sure he'll be okay with it. As long as he'll get protection, too."

"He will. I always patrol at your house for any signs of danger and vampires. There hasn't been anything."

"Good," I was relieved. "I think Charlie will be understanding why I have to live in La Push with you now that he knows."

"He does?" Billy chimed in.

"We talked about everything to him today." I nodded.

"How did that go over? I remember I talked to him before about it, but he didn't believe or accept it."

"He took it surprisingly well. Learning it was a lot for him, but he eventually came around to it. I guess it's different for him now that he had actually seen Sam as a wolf."

Old Quil looked at the horizon and saw the sun going down at the beach. It got dark and there's a few clouds with some stars. A slightly chilly wind was blowing in the air and I could smell the saltwater.

"It's getting late and there's still a lot for you to know, Bella," Old Quil said, looking to me. "As the Alpha's imprint, you have important responsibilities to fulfill. By bearing the Alpha's pups, supporting him, and the rest of the pack as it will grow. Like Sam, you are the leader of the pack and the two of you will work together. Sam will work with his pack while you'll work with the females, the other imprints. Do you understand?"

"I do." I nodded, taking everything seriously.

"A smart one she is. Looks like you really have yourself a keeper there, Sam." Harry smirked to my imprint, nudging with his elbow at Sam's side.

"I know." Sam agreed, glancing over at me with pride and adoration.

Old Quil spoke to the guys. "I'll tell the legends to Bella and anyone else can give her any more information," Then he looked at me. "Then you can ask any questions when we're done."

"Okay." I said and he gestured for the rest of us to sit on the driftwood logs. I sat closer to Sam and he wrapped me in his arms as the night was getting colder, and I embrace his heat.

Old Quil's tenor voice was very comforting and could almost put me to sleep. It was as if he's telling bedtime stories in such a powerful voice, but I knew they were real. I didn't believe anything otherwise or show anything negative about it.

I've fully accepted the legends and wanted to become a part of Sam's culture. I'll do whatever I can as an Alpha's mate to make him happy and be loved.