The Phantom Wolf

Chapter 21 (Bonding)

*3rd Person POV*

Pearl spent the next 2 weeks at the Cullen residence, at Carlisle and Esme's insistence. Deciding to get to know them all a little bit better, and wanting to remain close to Bree. She found that the bond that was tying them together, made it difficult to be apart for long periods of time.

However, the constant noise and foot traffic in the house, made her seek out her home back on her territory quite often. Having spent months alone before this. Suddenly being thrown into a lot of social interactions, certainly wasn't high on her enjoyment list. As such, Pearl regularly returned to her territory alone to hunt, relax and recuperate, as well as sleep. Sleeping with an entire coven of vampires in the house was still a rather unnerving thought, so Pearl preferred to go back home to her cave in order to do so.

During this period of time, Bree spent a large amount of time with Carlisle and Esme, honing her control as a new born vampire and adapting to the animal diet that the Cullens live by. Carlisle and Esme took on a parental role with Bree, when teaching and spending time with her. Given how young she was when she was turned (15 years old), she certainly needed that kind of bond in her immortal life.

With Bree spending the majority of her time learning control because of Bella's frequency around the house, Pearl was left to get to know the rest of the coven members. Although she would accompany Bree on her hunting trips occasionally, it was not something she would do often, as she preferred hunting in her wolf form. And being so close to the reservation and the consequential pack that lived there, made Pearl reconsider hunting in her wolf form around the Cullen residence. So when she did join Bree, she was always in her vampire form and she would refrain from taking down any prey.

With a shared love for rough-housing and wrestling, Emmet and Pearl became close incredibly quickly, so much so that Emmet started claiming Pearl as his little sister.

Pearl and Emmets wrestling matches were strictly limited to out side of the house, as per Esme's rules. Jasper and Rosalie would often go outside to watch, and they would sometimes place bets on who would win. Pearl and Emmets strength levels were fairly similar, with Emmets advanced strength and Pearls combined strength of both a vampire and a shifter, they were a pretty even match. As such, they would often trade wins. There was no clear winner between the two as vampires. Pearl was yet to fight him as a wolf, so the tables could be turned in her favour if she was to do so.

Whenever Bella and Edward got a break from Alice's wedding planning energy, they could also be seen watching the play fights between the vampire and the hybrid. On occasion, Jasper and Edward would join in and try to claim victory. Although whenever Jasper joined, it was hardly a competition, as his skills far outmatched the others. But it was still fun for them all.

Pearl and Rosalie also ended up spending quite a bit of time together. Finding out that they share a love for cars, bikes and mechanics, they could be found in the garage at times, tinkering away with the many cars that the Cullens owned.

"Oi dog! You got the oil?" Rosalie called out whilst under the jeep.

"Yeah I got it barbie! Gimme a sec!" Pearl responded from the other side of the car.

They even came up with teasing nicknames for each other. Although they were more along the lines of insults. Given that Rosalie didn't get along with the human that was joining the family, it was rather surprising to everyone that she got on so well with a supposed shifter.

Alice filled most of her time by planning Bella and Edwards wedding, but even with all that, she was somehow able to (during her busy schedule) go shopping enough, to fill an entire wardrobe with clothes for both Bree and Pearl. Although Alice's taste in clothes had Pearl rolling her eyes at times. She was still grateful for the items, even though she had no plans of wearing the many dresses Alice had bought for her. She was a tomboy for a reason. Dresses weren't Pearls thing.

When Carlisle wasn't focusing his time and attention on Bree, he was getting to know Pearl. Asking questions about her hybrid nature. Her unique situation, truly fascinated him.

With Bree's new born needs and Jaspers adaptation to the new diet, the two of them would regularly go on hunts together. Taking the others with them whenever it was needed.

Bella's frequency at the house due to incoming wedding, and the hybrids appearance, allowed Esme to use the kitchen quite often, much to her delight. Pearl and Bella didn't have much in common, but they were still able to find things to talk about, whenever the two sat down to eat what Esme had prepared. Bella and Pearl got along fairly well, considering the circumstances. And being around Bella so much, helped Pearl gain a much stronger sense of control around the human. The first meal they sat down to eat together, Pearl was able to ask what she meant when the human talked about the photograph that her dad had picked out, when referring to Pearls differences. Pearl found out that it was Bella's father and Billy Black who had reported Pearl as missing. And that Charlie had told Bella about her. That wasn't very hard for the hybrid to believe, but, she couldn't say that it wasn't hurtful, to find out that her family had no part in the report.

Bree and Pearl were rather occupied with everything that was going on, and were unable to really talk about the whole imprinting, mate situation properly, until the fifteenth day of them staying with the Olympic Coven.

"Hey, Pearl? Could I talk to you, please?" Bree came up behind Pearl who was standing on the balcony overlooking the forest.

Pearl turned to face her and smiled before responding. "Sure. What's up?"

Bree came to stand beside Pearl before answering. "I wanted to ask about the whole soulmate thing. I don't really know what to do about that." She said softly.

Pearl hummed in response. Looking away from her to watch the forest once again.

"I mean, we don't really know each other that well, and we're destined to be together? It's kinda overwhelming to be honest. But, don't get me wrong. I like spending time with you, being near you, and your scent helps me calm down when you haven't got it hidden from everyone. But, I'm just not sure where to go from here?" Bree finished her slightly panicked rant and looked away embarrassed. Worried about what Pearls response to all of that may be. The last thing she wanted was to offend her.

Pearl remained silent for a while. Thinking over what to say. Bree's anxiety levels were only rising, the longer Pearl stayed silent, getting increasingly worried at what Pearl may think.

"You're right." Pearl finally stated. Although that answer was certainly not what Bree was expecting.

"What?" Bree questioned quietly.

"We don't really know each other, and what's making us want to be around each other is this predetermined fate of some sort." Pearl said.

Bree's eyes widened, her eyebrows raised in surprise at Pearls confident statement. Then she asked, "So, what do you want to do?"