Page 21

"I...what?" They can't possibly mean that. And besides, I hardly know them.

"You shouldn't be living on your own dear." Esme said in a worried voice.

"Not to mention that Bree is apart of our family now, and since you imprinted on her, that automatically makes you a part of it to." Carlisle said.

'It's not that simple. It just isn't. And what does imprinting have to do with anything? What does it even mean?' I thought confused.

"Umm... I'm not sure I follow... what does imprinting mean? And how does that make me a part of all this?" I said, as I gestured to the large coven in front of me.

Bree remained silent beside me. 'She seemed sad. Was I causing that? Her ears pricked at the mention of imprinting, so I guess she must be curious about it as well?' I thought.

"Did no one ever explain it to you?" Jasper asked.

"Of course no one did! She's been alone since she changed!" Rosalie shouted out, clearly frustrated.

"Now, now. Let's calm down please." Carlisle pleaded.

"I'm not sure we'd be the best people to explain this to you Pearl." Carlisle admitted. "You'll certainly get a more comprehensive answer from the boys at the reservation. I could call Sam for you." He suggested.

'Like hell I'm talking to Sam! Not a damn chance! When hell freezes over!' I thought.

"I ain't talking to my sisters ex-fiancé who practically cheated on her with our cousin." I stated firmly. "I'd rather be left in the dark and figure it out on my own." I declared. "I've done pretty well at that so far." I muttered under my breath afterwards, still bitter about that.

'I've got no intention of asking them for help. My siblings may hate and want nothing to do with me. But I'm still loyal to them. At least in some way, I am... I ain't gonna do Leah like that. No matter how pissed I am at her. It wouldn't feel right.'

"Besides, I don't want anyone from the reservation knowing about me being here. As far as they know. Pearl Clearwater is still missing. Possibly dead. And I want to keep it that way." I stated confidently.

Emmet raised his eyebrow alongside Jasper, who furrowed his. Alice's face was downcast and the others looked surprised by my declaration. All except Rosalie. She seemed happy with my decision. Or at the very least, supported it.

"If that's what you want, dear." Esme said with a sad smile.

"It is" I confirmed.

"Alright. We won't say anything to them." Carlisle reassured me. His family nodded their heads to his statement, including Bree who was staying silent for the most part.

"Now, in regards to the imprinting. The best way I can think to explain it, is to say that your imprint, is your other half." Carlisle finished.

'Other half? What does that mean? Am I gonna fall in love with her, or something?' I must've looked pretty confused, because Jasper decided to clarify.

"Your other half, meaning your mate. Your soulmate. The person you are destined to be with." He said.

My eyes widened at his remark. 'I mean, I felt protective of her, sure. But did I love her? I can't possibly love her. I just met her today, for crying out loud!' I guess Bree had the same thoughts as me. She looked just as surprised and alarmed by Jaspers bold statement.

"What?!" Bree cried out. For the first time, speaking louder than just a mere whisper or quiet words.

Alice giggled at us and our reactions. Everyone else was a mix of smirks and smiles. It was like they were all let in on an inside joke, and they were laughing at us for our cluelessness.

"Hey! This isn't funny!" I snapped. "What the hell do you mean that we are soulmates?!"

"Exactly what I said. You are soulmates. You're destined to be by each others sides no matter what." Jasper answered, somewhat smugly in his accent. He seemed to be enjoying our conundrum.

Bree was standing still in shock. Seemingly stunned into silence.

Emmet just had a dopey look on his face, before he burst out laughing when he looked at me.

I guess the shock i felt, was very much reflected on my face, since it gained that kind of reaction.

At Emmets laughter, Rosalie joined Alice in her giggling, whilst Esme and Carlisle held knowing smiles.

After a minute, Carlisle interrupted. "Let's all take a breath." He advised, and turned towards me and Bree, then he asked a question. "How do you two feel when you are next to each other?"

'Calm... Happy... Protective... Like I have a purpose.

.. Oh gosh. It's true isn't it. That's why I felt so protective of her in the clearing.

When I made eye contact with her for the first time.

.. everything I felt... everything I saw.

.. that was me... imprinting. That was me finding my supposed soulmate? '

I turned to Bree, to see if I could catch a glimpse, get any hint as to what she may be thinking at the moment. She seemed out of it, staring off into space. At least before she snapped back and made eye contact with Carlisle. It looked like she had come to some sort of realisation as well.

"I feel safe, when I am next to Pearl." Bree replied confidently.

Her words warmed my heart. 'I make her feel safe? And she has no problem saying that out loud? ...wow. I'm never that good with words and saying what I feel.'

Carlisle nodded his head before turning to me. Gesturing me to respond as well.

"...I guess, I feel happy. Being around you, Bree.

" I said whilst looking at her. "Since meeting you today, I've felt happier than I ever have before.

" I paused. 'How do I say this, without it sounding awful?

I really am no good at this.' I took a breath and continued.

"I haven't felt like this, since... my dad died. .. i almost feel... normal... again."

Bree smiled at me, then mumbled a "Me too."

"You're each others soulmates!" Alice shouted happily. "You're meant to be together!"

'This is a lot.' Me and Bree must have looked quite panicked by what Alice said, cause suddenly I felt really calm, and Carlisle started talking to us.

"No one has to do anything. Bree, Pearl is your mate, the vampire equivalent of an imprint.

A soulmate, and all that means is that she will stand by your side and support you.

Just as you will to Pearl as her imprint.

No one is going to be forced into anything that they don't want. " He stated firmly.

"Okay" Bree replied, smiling slightly.

'What was that? One moment I felt overwhelmed, the next, it was like nothing happened? That's... new.' I heard Carlisle, and what he said was reassuring to hear, but this change has peaked my interest. Tiredness forgotten.

"Why did I get so calm just now?" I asked. Bree nodded her head at my words. Questioning the same thing.

"That was me Mesdames." Jasper spoke. "It's my gift. I can manipulate and control peoples emotions." He said with a calm smile.

"Gift?" Me and Bree asked in unison.

"Jinx!" Bree called out. I smirked at her. 'She's such a child' I thought. 'It's nice.'

With the way everyone started smiling at her, I'm pretty sure she would be blushing right now, if she could. She looked quite embarrassed.

"Gifts are what vampires call their ability ." Esme responded.

"Not every vampire gets one. But those that do, often compare it to having a super power." Carlisle added.

"So... do you all have gifts?" Bree asked shyly.

"Not all of us." Esme answered.

"Instead of gifts, we can have stronger traits. For example, I have enhanced control, Esme has an extra level of compassion and empathy, Rosalie has enhanced beauty and Emmet is the strongest among us." Carlisle said.

"And me and Jasper have gifts!" Alice said excitedly. "Jasper is an empath, like he already said! And I can see the future!"

'Wait. What?! That's so cool!' My jaw literally dropped to the floor at her declaration. "Damn Alice. That's neat. Yours is cool to Jasper." Jasper only smirked at my remark, while Alice just beamed her smile at us.

"So, a gift is like a power?" Bree questioned carefully.

"Yep! That's right squirt!" Emmet exclaimed.

'Squirt? When did he come up with that?' I thought, mildly amused.

Bree chose to ignore the new nickname however, and continued. "Okay. So, I guess I have a gift then." She smiles as she spoke.

'Wait, what? Really?' I'm not the only one that was surprised, because everyone excitedly looks at her and asks Bree what she can do.

"I can do this." She tells us excited. Bree raises her left hand and as she does, a pillow floats off of the couch across from us and hovers in the air for a few moments. Before it flys full force into Emmets face.

"Hahahah!" I couldn't help it. I burst out laughing at what Bree had just done.

"That's for calling me a squirt." Bree sassed.

If I wasn't laughing hard before, I definitely was now. I was only just barely able to catch Carlisle mumble something about Telekinesis. Everyone else in the room seemed to let out a few chuckles at Emmets misfortune. Once I regained composure, I was able to refocus on what was being said.

"I'll get you back kid!" Emmet declared, in a challenging manner.

'Is that a threat?' I thought smirking. "Good luck with that." I replied with confidence. "Because if you want to get to her, you'll have to go through me first." I gave him a teasing smile.

"Won't be too hard." Emmet stated, brushing me off.

"Is that a challenge, big guy?" I asked.

"You bet it is!" He said playfully, clearly excited.

"Bring it!" I called out. 'I don't care if I'm tired, fighting him sounds fun. And I'm not gonna pass this up.'

Before we could lunge at each other, Esme cried out loudly, "Not in the house!"

"How about we take this outside?" Carlisle suggested.

"Fine by me" I said.

"And me." Emmet agreed. "Race ya." With that, he sped out of the house at vampire speed.

"Hey! That's cheating!" I yelled after him, as I tried to follow quickly and catch up.

"Oh great. Emmets best friends with a mutt now." Rosalie sighed.

"It could be worse." Alice said. "Now come on, let's go watch! My bets on Pearl!" She said speeding out of the house, after the two. Bree and the rest of the family, following soon after.