Page 93

Story: The Phantom Wolf

When Bree and Pearl returned home, they were informed of Charlie's visit. Bree was happy for Bella, as she knew that the new born vampire had been worried about abandoning her father once she was turned. So it was nice to know that Bella was still going to be able to keep in contact with him.

Pearl didn't particularly care what had taken place, but she still sent a death glare towards Jacob, when she was told that he had informed the chief about the existence of shifters. To which her glare immediately prompted him to flinch and cower away from her gaze.

Over time, the family tried to settle into a new normal. The Black pack were regular guests to the Cullen house, and although Pearl was initially standoffish with her biological siblings, she did eventually make the decision to give them another chance.

Not as her siblings. But as her friends, instead. She didn't trust them enough to try again at being their sister.

The two Clearwaters instantly accepted Pearl's decision, and were grateful that they were still allowed to be a part of her life in some way.

The whole group worried about the human-vampire hybrid, as little Renesmee's growth rate was unprecedented and highly unnatural.

They all decided early on, that they would all make the most of time they got to spend with the child.

This lead to Renesmee becoming the centre of attention at all times.

And although Bree and Pearl understood why the change in dynamic was happening, it didn't stop them from getting slightly jealous of the kid.

The pair couldn't help but feel slightly neglected and ignored.

So to distract themselves from their uncomfortable feelings, Pearl and Bree spent all of their time in each other's company. Rarely leaving their partner's side.

As they continued to distract themselves, members of the family started to notice their growing distance.

Carlisle and Esme had always been in tune with each of their family members well being, and since the incident with Edward running off to the Volturi, they had taken extra care to look out for all of their children's mental health.

So upon realising that Bree and Pearl rarely spent any time with the rest of them anymore, they decided to take the two girls on a day out with them.

Understanding that Bree and Pearl were still kids themselves, the patriarch and matriarch of the family knew that the two girls needed their own attention away from the others.

So spending a day with just the four of them, sounded like a good idea.

Seeing their idea in a vision, Alice instantly voiced her support, and suggested that the two parental figures take Bree and Pearl to the shopping mall in Seattle the next day, as the weather would be perfect for vampires.

Esme and Carlisle agreed with the idea, so the plan was set in motion.

The next day, Carlisle drove himself, Esme, Pearl and Bree to the mall in Seattle.

Since Carlisle is rather responsible when it comes to road safety, they made it to their destination after about an hour in the car.

The patriarch of the family preferred not to drive a million miles over the road's speed limit.

Once they reached the large shopping centre, Bree quickly asked if they could go and look at some clothes. Pearl was reluctant to join, as she didn't see the point of browsing new clothing options when all of the clothes they currently owned were perfectly fine.

Before the two girls could get into a playful argument regarding the value of clothes, Esme suggested that that the group split up to do their own things, and then meet back up later.

After Pearl and Bree agreed, Esme took Bree into the mall to head to the closest clothes store, and Carlisle stayed with Pearl at the mall's entrance.

Turning to Pearl, Carlisle asked kindly, "What would you like to do?"

Pearl was unsure of how to respond. All the talk about clothes, reminded Pearl of her debt that she was yet to repay.

Noticing her hesitation to answer him, Carlisle patiently waited for her to start talking. He knew that asking Pearl too many questions could overwhelm her, and that was the last thing he wanted to do.

After a couple of minutes, Pearl finally disclosed what she was thinking about to Carlisle.

"It's been a long time since I properly went shopping.

Going out for those art supplies and the dresses, pre and post wedding, were the first time in years.

So I'm not sure what I want to do... but, buying something feels wrong to do right now. " She said quietly.

Feeling concerned, Carlisle wondered, 'Is it because I'm here?'

Pushing away the negative thought, Carlisle decided to inquire why she felt like that was the case. "Why would it feel wrong for you to buy something, Pearl?"

Pearl looks at him with a guilty expression on her face, and quietly admitted, "After I was turned, I didn't have any clothes.

They were destroyed after I shifted for the first time.

So, when I got a decent amount of control over my thirst, I came to Seattle and stole some clothes from a clothes shop.

I promised myself back then, that I'd pay them back when I got the chance.

.. it doesn't feel right to go and buy something that isn't necessary when I'm still in debt to that shop owner. "

Carlisle hummed in acknowledgment to what Pearl had just told him. 'It makes sense.' He thought. 'She never did specify where she got those clothes from in the past.'

"Why didn't you tell us?" The patriarch calmly asked. No anger or malice present in his tone.

Looking down, Pearl answered very softly, "I was ashamed.

I'd never stolen before. Stealing is wrong, and I still chose to do it.

Plus, when i was escaping the shop, the owner returned and I was almost caught.

They never saw me, but I couldn't get out of the building without smashing through an office window. That's not exactly, good behaviour."

'Plus, if I had done that when dad was still alive, he would have likely slapped me across the face for breaking the law.

The day Leah went shoplifting when she was 14, was the first and last time she ever did something like that.

I'm pretty sure Carlisle would never hit me, but dad had never laid hands on any of us before either.

So there is a first time for everything. ' Pearl added silently.

Carlisle watched Pearl for a moment, taking in what she had admitted, and gazed at the hybrid's downcast expression. Making an internal decision, he asked, "Do you remember what shop you stole from?"

Pearl looked up at him cautiously, meeting his eyes, then shook her head sadly. "I don't remember the name of it." She said whilst frowning.

"Do you perhaps remember where it was located?" He asked calmly.

Taking a moment to think, Pearl tried to recall the events of that day in her head. Remembering the street where she had spoken to those police officers, she was able to backtrack from there in her mind. Nodding her head, Pearl replied, "Yes, I think so."

"Alright then. Get in the car. Let's go and repay your debt." Carlisle spoke with a kind smile on his face, and started walking back to where their car was parked.

'He doesn't seem mad.' She hesitantly thought. Not wanting to get her hopes up too soon, she remained relatively cautious.

Pearl trailed behind him a little at first, but quickly matched his pace to walk next to him. When they reached the car, Pearl asked worriedly, "Are you sure? I don't exactly have the money to repay them yet."

"Don't worry about that." Carlisle reassured her as he sat down in the drivers seat.

Pearl sat down in the passenger seat next to him and looked at the vampire nervously for an explanation.

Pulling out of the parking lot, Carlisle continued confidently, "You are my kid, so any debt you have, is my responsibility to pay back. "

'His kid? Really? I matter to him that much? And why does he sound so calm? I just told him that I broke the law.' Pearl thought confusedly. Having been slightly taken aback by his statement, and by the fact that he had said it with such confidence.

The pair drove through Seattle in silence until they passed a street that Pearl recognised. Then Pearl directed Carlisle the rest of the way until they reached the correct area.

Parking across the street of the clothes shop, Pearl grew nervous at the sight of the building. Carlisle placed a comforting hand on Pearl's shoulder and then got out of the car, heading towards the shop's entrance. Pearl quickly got out as well, and followed behind him.

The pair left the store 30 minutes later.

The shop turned out to be a small family owned business that was run by the owner's son.

Carlisle explained the situation to the man whilst leaving out all aspects of the supernatural.

Coming up with some suitable and believable lies to tell the human.

Pearl apologised profusely to the man for her past actions.

To which he did accept her apology. Carlisle gave the man a little over 4000 dollars to pay for the stolen items and the repairs that had needed to be done on the window that Pearl had broken.

The son of the owners was a gentle soul, and at first, he had insisted that 4000 dollars was way too much.

And disclosed that the repairs had only cost them a couple hundred dollars.

Carlisle simply answered that the money was also for interest and any emotional distress his daughter may have caused.

After a bit of persuasion, the man graciously accepted the money and thanked Pearl and Carlisle for their honesty, as well as the mans generosity.

When the two supernatural creatures re-entered the car, Pearl's mind wandered back to the way her biological family had treated her. And compared it to how she was being treated by the Cullens. The difference to her, was staggering.

Pearl had already accepted Esme as the maternal figure in her life, as Sue's previous treatment of her made it difficult for the hybrid to feel anything other than negative emotions towards her bio mother.

But Pearl had always kept a mental distance from Carlisle, due to the love she still held for her father. Getting too close to the coven leader felt like she would be betraying her father's memory.

As they drove back to the mall, Pearl realised just how much Carlisle had done for her.

How he had accepted her for who she was, regardless of the fact that part of her is supposed to be his natural enemy.

The fact that he would always step in to help her when she needed it, without giving her any gruelling lectures or getting unnecessarily angry with her, made her feel that Carlisle had indeed become her father figure, despite her feelings towards her deceased father.

He had stepped into the role without anyone asking him to, and had become someone that she knew she could rely on no matter what.

Her father had his flaws, but she still loved him very much.

Except, he wasn't here to guide her any longer, and a part of her, still knew that he wouldn't be happy with what she has become.

He hated vampires with all his heart. Pearl just couldn't convince herself that her dad would accept who she was now.

And that made her compare him to Carlisle.

Who had accepted her despite what she was.

His words and his actions, all told her that he cared for her and loved her as his daughter.

Even though they weren't biologically related.

At that moment, in the car next to the vampire, Pearl knew that she could have two fathers in her life. She wasn't replacing anyone, she was just making more room in her heart to love another. And so, she muttered very quietly for the vampire to hear, "Thanks dad."

Carlisle smiled widely upon hearing Pearl's words, but he tried to keep his reaction to a minimum in order to not embarrass the hybrid.

He replied in as calm of a tone as he could muster, "You're welcome Pearl."