impriting step if young

There are stages to imprinting, especially if the shape-shifter imprints on a child, or otherwise the imprintee is very young.

First stage

If the person is young, the shape-shifter will act as an older sibling.

Second stage

As the person gets older, the shape-shifter will also come to be their best friend.

Third stage

They become intimate friends. Meaning, their feelings for each other are changing into romantic feelings. (Remember, this stage may or may not happen to the imprintee, but the imprinter will fall in love with his imprint. They will not 'see' any other woman or man in a romantic way, at all. Their imprintee is all he/she cares about and he/she will love her/him even if those feelings aren't returned.)

Fourth stage

When the person is old enough, the shape-shifter's feelings grow into romantic/sexual love.

The shape-shifter will be at all times very protective and loving to the imprintee