The Phantom Wolf

Chapter 96 (Relationships?)

*3rd Person POV*

"Of what?" Leah probed gently.

"Of messing it all up." Pearl revealed quietly.

With the road they were on being empty, aside from their own car, Leah slowed the car down significantly so that she could direct more of her attention towards her little sister. Leah sat with a thoughtful expression on her face as she waited for Pearl to continue.

After a minute, she did. "I've finally found a place where I belong. Somewhere where I'm accepted for who I am, where I truly feel like I fit in. I don't wanna loose that."

"Why would dating your imprint change that?" Leah asked, wanting to understand the issue.

Pearl huffed. "I'm not exactly the best at sharing my feelings, Leah. I think our failed sibling bond is an attest to that." She paused, then quietly added. "What if I snap at her one day, and say something that I don't mean. I could end up hurting my entire family if I lash out in anger. Being in a romantic relationship is a lot of responsibility, and I've never done it before. You know me, when I don't understand what I feel, I get angry, either I shut down and block everyone out, or I lash out and hurt someone. Either option just supports the fact that I'm not exactly partner material." Pearl spoke with a downcast expression on her face.

"I suppose that's true, but you've left out an important detail." Leah said.

"Oh yeah? What's that?" Pearl questioned dryly.

"The fact that everyone could do that. It's not just you." The shifter answered.

"What do you mean?" Pearl asked.

"Anyone could loose their temper and snap at someone, Pearl. And they don't need to be in a romantic relationship to do it. The two of us are a prime example of that." Leah joked slightly.

"I guess." Pearl replied and looked away from Leah to watch the trees go by as they drove.

"So what's really eating you? It can't just be the fear of saying something you don't mean in anger." Leah continued her gentle nudging in order to get some answers.

After some hesitation, Pearl finally relented and explained her real worry. "Being romantically involved with someone, I don't know how to do that. I mean, how do I know if I'm doing the right thing? How do I know when to take the next step? When to ask her out? When to kiss her? Am I supposed to initiate first, or do I wait for her to tell me when she is ready? Will she even tell me? Does she trust me enough to do that? I mean, being in a relationship is... I want to do it... but... it's a lot of pressure..." The hybrid trailed off.

Leah hummed in understanding, acknowledging Pearl's concerns without malice or negativity.

"I just... I want it all to work out. For us to be safe, and happy. And right now, we're perfect. Everything is finally going well, and we're entering a sense of normality without all of the craziness. Suddenly springing a potential date on Bree, seems unfair. Plus, she seems happy with the friendship we've got, so... I don't want to risk anything." Pearl concluded and continued to stare at the passing trees through her passenger window, successfully avoiding Leah's gaze.

The older shifter remained silent for a while, thinking over what she should say in response to Pearl's predicament. When Leah collected her thoughts, she decided to share one of her past relationships to Pearl, in hopes that it would help.

"Do you remember Dustin?" Leah asked.

"Dustin?" Pearl paused, trying to remember, then recognition flashed across her face. "He was your ex right? The one before Sam?"

"That's right." Leah confirmed.

"What about him?" Pearl questioned.

"I didn't tell you that I was the one to ask him out, did I?" Leah smirked a little as she shared this information for the first time.