The Phantom Wolf

Chapter 68 (Hunger & Pain)

*3rd Person POV*

Inside the Cullen residence, Jacob informs the coven of Sam's intentions, and his plan.

"He's lost the element of surprise. He won't take you head on. He'll be outnumbered. They've surrounded the place. They'll wait for an opportunity to strike." Jacob says sinisterly.

"We won't get through without a fight." Emmet comments.

"No fights. We won't be the ones to break the treaty." Carlisle answers.

"The treaty is void, at least in Sam's mind." Jacob argues.

"Not in ours." Esme replies.

"How are we gonna hunt?" Bree asks fearfully. Pearl stands beside her and takes her hand. Offering her imprint comfort.

"We'll just have to make do." Carlisle responds, trying to reassure the young vampire.

"Carlisle. The only one whose hunted as of late, is Pearl. The rest of us are running on empty." Emmet states. Voicing his concern.

"We'll be okay." Esme reaffirms to him.

"Thank you Jacob. You've done us a great service." Carlisle thanks the shifter.

Jacob nods in response, and makes eye contact with Pearl who gives him a slight nod of acknowledgment.

*Time Skip*

A week goes by. With the newly formed Black pack running perimeter patrols around the Cullen residence, the vampire home is under constant surveillance. The presence of the Black pack was deterring the Uley pack from advancing to close. Pearl also did perimeter checks, but she always ran alone. Never once asking for assistance from anyone in the Black pack. She stayed true to her word and remained solo.

Jacob's interactions with the hybrid were limited, as they only ever really interacted around Bella. And although they weren't fond of each other they were able to remain cordial for the human's sake.

Pearl avoided Leah like the plague, she had no intention of interacting with her anymore than what was necessary, and the same could be said for Leah. Neither of the sisters wished to speak with one another. They each had their own reasons for choosing silence over reconciliation.

Seth was the only member of the Black pack that actively tried to talk with Pearl. With each attempt, Seth was met with the cold shoulder from his older sister, but with every time he tried, he found that she was a little more receptive of his presence. Seth decided to join Pearl on her perimeter runs and her watches after a while. Even though Pearl would always remain silent in his presence, he found that the tension between them was lessening each time they interacted. Pearl was gradually warming up to having her little brother around again.

Bella's condition had gotten worse. All of the vampires were more on edge. With the impending threat, and lack of blood, it was incredibly hard for them to sit still. Bree and Jasper were especially struggling with controlling their thirst. Being the newest two to the vegetarian lifestyle, and one of them being a newborn with a heightened level of thirst.

On the latest x-ray Carlisle took of Bella's body, it revealed that she now had a cracked rib.

"Your rib is cracked. But there are no splinters. You haven't punctured anything." Says Carlisle.

"Yet", Edward adds on with a grim expression.

"Edward", Carlisle warns.

"It's breaking your bones now. It's crushing you from the inside out." Edward tells Bella with underlying anger. Turning to his father figure he says, "Carlisle tell her what you told me."

Carlisle hesitates before relenting. "The foetus isn't compatible with your body. It's too strong. It won't allow you to get the nutrition that your body needs. At this rate, your heart will give out before you can deliver."

Bella gulps, then replies, "Then I'll hold on for as long as I can-"

Carlisle softly interrupts her. "Bella. There are some conditions, that venom just can't fix. I'm sorry." Getting up, he leaves the room, allowing the newly weds to talk alone.

"I'm sorry Edward." Bella apologises.

"I can't live without you." Edward responds, looking away from her.

"You won't. You're gonna have a part of me." Bella replies.

"Do you honestly think that I could love it, or even tolerate it, if it killed you?" Edward responds darkly.

"It's not his fault. You have to accept what is." Bella argues.

"Because you've given me no choice!" Edward shouts.

Bella looks at him, heartbroken. Her eyes held a guilty look, but she was sure of her decision.

"We're supposed to be partners! But you decided this on your own. You've decided to leave me." He argues.

"I don't see it that way." Bella counters weakly.

"Well that's the only way I can see it. Cause it's me who'll loose you. And I don't choose that. I don't choose that." Edward says, face downcast, voice quivering. He then leaves the room in a hurry, slamming the door on his way out.

Pearl and Bree met him in the hallway.

'Do you want some company?' Pearl asks him through her mind.

Edward looks at the hybrid, sadness present in his eyes and nods softly towards her.

Pearl takes his arm and leads him away. While Bree enters the room he was previously in to comfort the distraught human.

*Time Skip*

After 2 more days, it had become increasingly clear to Pearl that Bree, Emmet and Jasper were in desperate need of blood. Bree had been forced to take a step back from caring for Bella, as she could no longer handle the scent of her blood.

The Cullens eyes were all pitch black, showcasing their powerful thirst. The situation has become incredibly worrisome to Pearl, and the thought of what could happen if someone lost control, lingered constantly in the back of her mind. The thought of how much guilt they would carry if they accidentally hurt Bella, and the realisation that the hybrid, at this point, is likely the only one strong enough to hold them back if someone does end up loosing control.

Those thoughts weighed heavily on her, and on the third day she made an important decision.

'I will get them blood.' Pearl decided determinedly.