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Bella and Edward stayed in their new cabin for the night to get some alone time.

This left Rosalie to bond with Ren for practically the whole night.

I'm happy for them, the newly weds are finally on the same page and enjoying their new life together, and Rosalie is getting to experience the joys of having a young child around.

I know she wants a kid of her own, but life hasn't dealt her those cards.

I just hope little Ren helps fill the hole in her heart, even if it's just a little bit.

Hopefully it makes her childless situation more bearable for Rose.

The atmosphere around the house is quite relaxing and peaceful now. A complete contrast to what it has been like these past few weeks. Everyone seems really happy and carefree. Everyone except Bree, that is...

I'm not sure what I've done, but, I must have done something wrong. She's never actively avoided me before. Whenever I try to speak to her, she comes up with some excuse to leave the conversation. Or she just won't even say anything to me and just walk away.

I don't get it...

She's never given me the cold shoulder before. I guess she avoided me a little during Bella's pregnancy, but we talked that out. I thought we were good now. What's going on?

This is so confusing. Bree's new behaviour reminds me of how Leah and Seth started acting after dad died. When they shifted for the first time, and practically shut me out of their lives.

I know Bree wouldn't do that, but... I don't know... maybe she just needs some space right now...

I headed into the backyard to get some air, and Seth and Leah started to approach me.

'Speak of the devil.'

"Need something?" I asked bluntly. I was probably colder than I should have been, but I can't help it. I'm still pretty pissed at them.

Seth visibly flinched at my tone and looked to his feet. Leah stepped forwards and spoke quietly. "We'd like to talk to you, please."

I looked away from them. I didn't really have any interest in conversing with them. But, maybe I should at least hear them out? Leah technically saved my life after all.

"Please Pearl." Seth begged quietly.

I sighed and muttered out, "Fine." Before walking off into the woods. I could hear them following behind me as I walked further in. If we were gonna do this, then we're gonna do it away from all of the nosy vampires residing inside the Cullen house.

Once we got far enough away, I turned to my little brother and older sister and signalled them to start talking.

"We wanted to apologise." Seth said.

"As well as give you a proper explanation as to what happened after dad died." Leah added.

I stared at them, contemplating whether or not I care enough to hear their excuses. I mean, I already know the gist of what happened. I heard it from their thoughts on the night of Bella and Edward's wedding.

"...whatever." I eventually mumbled and crossed my arms against my chest. They took that as the invitation to start talking, and Leah took the lead.

"Back when dad had the heart attack, when we were informed, all of the intense emotions we felt, along with the increasing numbers of vampires in the area, triggered our first shift.

" Leah explained. "For the next few weeks, we had to stay away from you and mum in order to gain control over ourselves. "

I raised an eyebrow at her. 'What does that mean?'

Seth answered my internal question. "When we first shifted, our emotions were intensified. And when we got angry, we automatically shifted... no matter where we were, or who we were close to."

Leah piped up. "Hurting you and mum by loosing control wasn't an option. So we had to stay away to keep you both safe. There was no other way around it."

'That night we argued, Leah started shaking in anger. Was she close to shifting then?' I wondered.

"We were allowed to attend dad's funeral, on the condition that we stayed with the pack so that they could pull us away if it all became too much." Leah said.

'That's why they weren't with me and Sue? They had to stand at the back with them instead of us, to control themselves.'

I hummed to acknowledge what Leah was saying but I didn't respond beyond that.

"After we learnt control we were allowed to return home. But now we had a duty to the reservation and all of its inhabitants. We had to go on regular patrols around the border to make sure that no bloodsuckers crossed into our territory." Leah further explained.

"That was your new job?" I pretty much knew that the answer was yes, but I still wanted confirmation from them.

Seth nodded his head, confirming my suspicion.

"And the reason you couldn't tell me any of this back then... was because of the rule our dad set." I hesitantly stated. Wanting them to clarify once and for all on the rule of absolute secrecy.

"Yes" Leah replied quietly, looking slightly ashamed.

I growled lowly. I already knew this, but hearing it again still hurt.

"... it wasn't just dad." Seth meekly spoke up.

I turned to him expectantly, and waited for him to continue.

After a bit of hesitation, he proceeded with his explanation. "The whole tribe wanted secrecy, it wasn't just dad. Sam alpha ordered us to not share the information of the tribe with anyone... even our own family." He mentioned sadly.

"Sue knew." I replied bluntly, in an accusatory tone.

"She knew because she took dad's old job. As a member of the tribe's council." Leah responded.

I scoffed at them. I can't believe this.

This is ridiculous. "So let me get this straight!

Only the council members, imprints and the pack, can know about the tribe's secrets, and everyone else is to be left in the dark, even if they are directly related to someone who became apart of the pack?

!" I yelled in frustration and disbelief.

My siblings nodded.

I added in a bitter voice, "But an outsider can know the secret?"

Seth and Leah's eyes widened, they clearly weren't expecting me to bring this up.

I continued, "Bella Swan? Heard of her?" I asked sarcastically. "Last time I checked, she wasn't a part of the tribe, nor can she turn into a giant dog, and would you look at that, she isn't an imprint either. Yet she knew about all of you. Don't bother denying it." I said, completely unimpressed.

Seth stuttered, obviously caught off guard and unsure how to respond.

Leah stared at me for a moment, then glared at the floor. Before practically spitting her next words out, "She was never supposed to know. She only found out because Jacob was head over heels for her, and neither of them would leave well enough alone."

I shook my head in disappointment and disapproval, and looked away from them.

I wasn't important enough to them for them to fight for me.

I was done with this conversation. Turning away from them, I made my intentions of leaving clear, and started walking back home without saying another word to either of them.

I heard Seth call out to me in a sad voice, but I ignored him. It just doesn't matter anymore.

"Pearl." Leah called out in an extremely soft tone, which caught me completely by surprise.

I stopped walking but kept my back turned to them.

"You should know... that out of the two of us.

.. Seth was the one that fought for you.

He wanted you to know about us... Those first few months after the shift.

.. Seth asked Sam and the council members on a regular basis for permission to tell you about us.

.. They always shut him down... but you should know that he tried.

" Leah said gently. Her voice laced with sadness and a hint of shame.

"And you?" I asked coldly, still facing away from my shifter siblings.

Leah hesitated, but did end up answering. "I discouraged him." She shamefully admitted. "I didn't want you to get involved with the supernatural world. I wanted you to have a normal life."

I clenched my fist in a mix of anger and sadness. It was nice to know the truth, but it was just so painful to hear.

Leah continued speaking, her voice sounded completely serious but it was also packed with emotion.

"I shouldn't of shut you out Pearl. I was wrong to do that.

You were always there for me. For us. But when you needed us, we weren't there.

Even if we couldn't tell you about the shifters, I should've fought harder to remain by your side.

Cause you're right. What you said when we fought back then.

You were right. In your eyes, we all died along with dad.

And while we may not be dead, we certainly left you behind. And you didn't deserve that."

I felt a tear fall down my cheek, it hit the palm of my hand as I raised it to my face to quickly wipe my eyes. Slowly, I turned around to face my shifter siblings.

Leah made eye contact with me and said something I never thought I'd hear her say.

"I'm sorry Pearl." Leah said apologetically. It was heartfelt and sincere. It was clear to me that she meant it.

"Me too Pearl. I mean, I'm sorry too." Seth nervously rushed out.

I stared at them. I didn't know how to respond.

Should I forgive them? They sound sincere and truly regretful.

But could things really go back to normal between us?

After everything that's happened? Can I really put that behind me?

It's been less than a year since dad died, and this still all feels pretty raw.

Would we really be able to move on from this?

"You don't have to forgive us. I know I wouldn't." Leah mentioned sadly. "But regardless of that, you were owed an apology. Whether you accept it or not is up to you."

Leah started walking off, and after Seth gave me a small apologetic smile, he trailed after her. Leaving me alone with my thoughts.

'Should I forgive them?'