The Phantom Wolf

Chapter 48 (A Human Blood Diet?)

*3rd Person POV*

After an hour or two, of fixing Bella's truck, Pearl's stomach started to rumble. Having not had anything substantial to eat today, she finished up with the truck and headed to the kitchen. Meeting up with Esme and Bree who were cooking. They were preparing food for the hybrid. Pearl sat on a stool by the island and watched the two. They knew that Pearl was there as they had heard her come in. They were more than happy to accept Pearl's company while they cooked.

"Make sure that the pan doesn't boil over Bree." Esme warned.

"Right" Bree replied, turning down the heat of the stove.

'Esme looks right at home here. It's clear she enjoys cooking a lot.' Pearl thought, and decided to ask about it.

"Have you always liked cooking Esme?" Pearl questioned.

"I love to cook. I used it as my escape when I was human. And now that you and Bella are in the house, I can do it more as a vampire too, since there are people to enjoy it." Esme happily responded to the hybrid.

'An escape?' Pearl wondered what she meant by that, but thought better of asking.

"What about you dear? Do you like cooking?" Esme asked Bree.

"I liked cooking when I was human. Wasn't very good at it though. My talent comes in on baking. I used to love making deserts. Sweets, cakes and brownies. I had a real sweet tooth." Bree says while smiling.

"I can totally see that." Pearl comments.

"If you ask me, I'd say you're pretty good at cooking." Esme says.

"Thanks" Bree replied, looking down in embarrassment. She would be blushing right now if she could.

"And I can taste what you guys make, so I can confirm that everything you make tastes amazing." Pearl said while grinning.

Bree gasps, getting an idea. Immediately turning to Pearl, she asks, "If I start making deserts again, will you be my official taste tester for them?"

Pearl was slightly taken aback by the pure excitement flowing off of Bree. She could feel it in full force from the imprint bond. The warmth it produced was a wonderful feeling, so Pearl was quick to agree. "Sure. I can do that."

"Yes!" Bree exclaims happily, almost knocking the pan on the stove, over in excitement.

Esme was quick to intervene, and moved the pan out of the way, making sure that Bree wouldn't get hurt. Esme wanted to scold Bree for her recklessness, but Bree's current happiness and pure excitement made that extremely difficult. It was impossible for the matriarch to get the words out, so just smiled warmly at the girl instead, enjoying her happiness.

After a moment had passed and the vampires had gone back to preparing a meal for Pearl. Bree decided to ask Esme about something she's been wondering for a while.

"Esme?" Bree gains the matriarch's attention.

"Yes dear." Esme acknowledges.

"How did you and Carlisle meet?" Bree asks shyly.

Esme smiles softly while looking at the vegetables she was preparing. Pearl could see a hint of sadness behind the woman's eyes.

Esme hums and replies to Bree, "I've never told you about my human life, have I?"

Bree shakes her head and looks to Pearl, silently asking if she has been told. Pearl shook her head slightly to Bree, indicating that she hasn't heard about it.

"Well, I was born in 1895 in Ohio. I met Carlisle for the first time when I was 16 years old." Esme reveals.

"Was he already a vampire by then?" Bree asks excitedly.