The Phantom Wolf

Chapter 41 (Pearl's Break Down)

*3rd Person POV*

Pearl slept until the next morning. She woke up to find Bree, cuddled into her right side. Bree had positioned herself very carefully when doing so, as to not aggravate any of Pearl's injuries or cause her any discomfort.

"How are you feeling?" Bree carefully asked, when she noticed that Pearl was awake.

"... Fine" Pearl responded curtly, feeling numb.

Bree rolled her eyes, then shook her head. "You're clearly not fine, so let's try again. How are you feeling?" She asked pointedly.

Pearl stared at her face for a moment, seeing the vampires serious expression, she sighed. "... It hurts." Pearl admitted under her breath. If Bree wasn't a vampire, she wouldn't have been able to hear her.

Bree frowned. "Carlisle should be back from his hunt soon, I'm sure he can give you something for the pain." She spoke softly, voice filled with empathy.

Pearl slowly shook her head.

"Pearl if you're hurting, there's no point in refusing medication that can keep you comfortable whilst you heal. Remaining in pain for no reason is stupid. None of us will think any less of you for accepting the help." Bree chastised the hybrid gently.

Pearl shook her head again, tears welling up in her eyes. "It's not that." She mumbled.

"Then... what is it?" Bree asked quietly.

"My family..." She trails off, squeezing her eyes shut. A single tear falls down Pearl's cheek.

Bree reaches her hand up and wipes the tear away. Speaking softly, she asks. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Pushing herself into a sitting position, Pearl stares out of the window, looking into the forest. Bree sits up as well and gazes at her. Waiting to see if she will open up about what's on her mind. Bree knows that it has something to do with what happened on the res. She has a few guesses, but assuming could make whatever it is worse. So she decides that waiting for Pearl to speak is her best course of action.

The silence prolongs for a while, with neither girl saying anything.

'I won't ask her again. I shouldn't push her. If she wants to tell me, she will.' Bree thinks to herself, as she waits.

The silence ended up being broken by the sound of the front door opening and closing downstairs. The others had returned.

Bree frowns slightly, "They should probably know that you're awake." She mumbled. "I know Carlisle will want to look over your injuries to make sure they're healing correctly." Bree said.

Not getting a response from the hybrid, Bree shuffles off of the bed and heads towards the bedroom door. She could call for them here if she wanted to. They would definitely be able to hear her. But, she felt that Pearl maybe wanted some alone time, and she just didn't want to ask. Leaving to get the vampire doctor seemed like the best decision. At least, it was, until she heard light sniffles coming from behind her. Stopping in her tracks, Bree turned around to see tears flowing freely down Pearl's face.

The thought of Pearl wanting to be alone forgotten. Bree walks over to her upset mate and crouches down in front of her. Looking into the hybrid's eyes, Bree could see the sadness and despair within them. Knowing that Pearl didn't want to talk right now, Bree did the only other thing that came to mind.

The vampire pulls Pearl into a warm secure hug, and begins slowly rubbing circles onto her back, being careful not to touch any of the hybrid's injuries.

Sitting still for a moment, processing what Bree was doing, Pearl eventually lifted her arms and wrapped them around Bree's upper body. Placing her head into Bree's shoulder, Pearl silently cries. Grieving the lost love of her family, and trying to come to terms with being abandoned by them. And consequently, dealing with her split second decision to disown them entirely. She may not exactly regret her choice, but, it still hurts to think about.

Bree rocked her body back and forth as Pearl cried. 'This is what my old caretaker used to do for the younger kids when they got upset and didn't want to talk about what had upset them. It always seemed to work for them, so I hope it helps now... I don't like seeing you upset Pearl. It physically pains me to see you like this... Although, I'd rather you cry it out than keep it in. The way you were behaving yesterday, worried me beyond belief. It was like you were numb to it all. Like you were already used to it and had given up... That scared me... So I'm glad that you're showing your pain now. Even if it hurts... It's better to let it out, than keep it in.' Bree thought.

"Pearl. I may not know exactly what happened when you left the party. But I know that whatever took place, is hurting you more than you would like us to believe. You don't have to talk about it. But you shouldn't hide your pain. Letting it out, is the best way to heal. And, no matter how long it takes, I will stay by your side until you feel better." Bree spoke quietly into Pearl's ear.

Pearl nodded her head slightly and clung onto the girl tighter. She cried into Bree's shoulder for the next hour, as Bree soothed and supported her.