The Phantom Wolf

Chapter 50 (A Therapy Session?)

*3rd Person POV*

Carlisle entered the kitchen a while later. Pearl had finished her meal and was doing the dishes upon her insistence. Esme and Bree were having a girl talk. Occasionally Pearl would join in, but she mostly stayed silent, listening in.

"Ladies." Carlisle greets them. Going over to Esme and giving her a kiss.

"Hi hun." Esme responded, kissing him back.

Pearl nodded her head in acknowledgement and Bree smiled at the couple, waving slightly.

"Do you mind if I borrow Pearl for a bit?" Carlisle asked Esme and Bree.

Pearl raised an eyebrow in question, but didn't say anything.

"We don't mind." Bree responded in a happy tone. Smiling at Carlisle.

Carlisle nodded and faced Pearl. "Will you come with me to my office, please?" He asked her politely.

Pearl nodded and speedily finished washing and drying the dishes. Putting them away in the cupboards, she followed behind Carlisle, leaving Esme and Bree behind, and headed to the patriarchs office.

Once they got inside, Carlisle gestured to the sofa in the room and closed the door behind them. Ensuring that no one else could hear their conversation. Pearl sat down on the sofa and Carlisle pulled up a chair to sit in front of her.

'What's this about?' Pearl wondered.

Carlisle took a deep unneeded breath, before speaking, "I wanted to talk to you about how you're doing."

'He's checking on me? My injuries are healed.' Pearl thought. 'He was the one who treated them. He knows that I'm all better.'

"I'm fine. My leg and shoulder don't hurt anymore. And other than the scars they've left behind, I'm fully healed." Pearl said, confusion lacing her tone.

"That's good. But... I'm not asking about you injuries." Carlisle replied.

'Then what is he asking about?' Pearl internally questioned.

Seeing her confusion, Carlisle clarified, "I'm asking about how you are feeling Pearl. How you're doing mentally."

Pearl was taken aback by the question. The question itself wasn't anything special per se. Since Bree had constantly been asking her that ever since she had broken down in her arms a few days ago. Pearl was however, surprised by the fact that Carlisle had pulled her aside, specifically to ask about it.

Pearl hesitated for a while, unsure about how best to respond. Being truthful wasn't going to happen, sharing her feelings isn't a good idea. Besides, she could deal with it herself. But, if she were to downright dismiss his concern, she'd only end up drawing attention to the issue. She needed an answer that would be satisfactory for him. But with her mind going completely blank. Pearl ended up saying her usual response by default. She knew she had messed up as soon as the words "I'm fine" left her lips.

Carlisle sighed and stared at the hybrid. 'I knew it would be difficult to get her to open up. She's always been closed off about her feelings. Getting her to talk to me is definitely going to be a challenge.' He thought.

Watching him carefully with her eyes. Pearl decided that it would be best to leave, as she had no interest in talking about her feelings to him, or anyone for that matter. Pearl stood up to leave the room, but got interrupted by Carlisle.

"Sit down please." He said firmly.

Her body automatically followed his request, much to Pearl's annoyance.

"I know you don't like talking about this kind of thing. But, it's pretty obvious at this point, that you need to." Carlisle said.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Pearl got defensive.