Suddenly A Beta's Daughter

Chapter 5: Meeting My Brother

Gabrielle POV:

I must have dozed off on the way here, I was more tired than I realized. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I saw it was Robert who woke me up.

"Morning pup. We're here." I looked past him at the huge 6-story mansion behind him, and it was absolutely beautiful.

"You live here?" He smiled at my amazement.

"Yeah. Me and about 200 other wolves. It's called a packed house. We are at the center of the Blood Stone Pack."

I looked back at him in shock. "How many wolves?"

"We are a pretty above-average pack, I believe we are close to two thousand." Two thousand! All my life, I thought wolves were just a fairytale, and now I'm surrounded by thousands of them. He laughed at my reaction. "Relax pup, as long as you don't take anyone's food, they won't bite. Come on, let's get you inside."

We begin walking up the steps to the huge front door. The mansion had what seemed to be a wrap-around porch with bench swings and patio sets spread out. Entering the house, it looked even bigger on the inside with cream-colored walls, white marble flooring, and a high ceiling, with several chandeliers hanging in a straight line going down the long hall. There were small seating rooms on either side of the hall, each with a few people inside socializing. More people were walking in and out of different areas, each bowing their head to Robert as he passed them. They gave me curious glances, so I kept close to him to avoid the others.

At the end of the hall, there were 3 elevators lined up, the one in the middle being the biggest. Robert pulled out a card and held it out to the pad next to the elevator, and I heard as it began to make its way down to us.

"This is the only elevator that goes to the top floor but you'll need a keycard to use it, I'll have to find a spare one so you can get in and out of the suite." The elevator doors dinged, and we got on, riding it to the top floor.

When we got to the top floor and took an immediate right turn, straight down the hall and to a large white door with an electric keypad. Robert put his thumb on the knob and it scanned his print before the door unlocked. Inside the suite was a stunning open floor plan apartment. The kitchen had all stainless steel appliances, matt black cabinets, and black and white marble countertops. The dining area had a large glass table with white plush chairs pushed neatly beneath it and a floral arrangement on top. There was a little staircase you had to go down to get to the living area. There were long white coaches with black and gray throw pillows and a glass coffee table littered with magazines on top of a black rug. A huge flat-screen t.v. sat on top of a modern fireplace, and the view outside the floor-to-ceiling windows was beautiful.

"I guess you are pretty well off." I started looking out the window.

"Yeah, I guess so, but so are you." I looked over at him, "You are my daughter, I'll be adding you to my accounts and setting up your trust fund."

I turned back to the window, I wasn't sure what I was expecting, but it wasn't that. "I don't want your money."

"Whether you want it or not, it's yours. Leave it in an account until you're 50 for all I care, but you and your brother will be getting equal shares of all my assets." I chose not to respond, I doubt anything I said would make a difference.

"Anyway I've got to get ready for my meeting, Ben should be here soon to look after you, I don't care if you wander around the pack house grounds just don't go past the front gates. The omegas should be brin-"

"Hey, Dad, I thought I had a bit more time to get the." A younger version of Robert walked into the suite and stopped in his tracks when he spotted me. It was amazing how alike they looked. Robert was an inch or 2 taller, and while Robert's curly hair was cut short, Ben's hair was shoulder length, and his face was clear of any facial hair. Other than that, they could be twins, well if you ignore the age difference.

The way he stared made me a little nervous. I can't blame him, though. I would be confused too if one day I walked into my home and a short female version of me was just standing in the living room. I might not have been stoked when Robert took me from my home to bring me here, but I was curious about Ben, I always wanted a sibling. He looked over to Robert with a blank expression.

"Ben, meet Gabrielle, you're little sister." His facial expression changed multiple times in just a couple of seconds, and then his eyes glazed over. I looked up at Robert, wondering what was happening. "Just give him a second." He placed his hand on my shoulder and smiled down at me reassuringly. When I looked back at Ben, his eyes were back to normal.

"Sorry, I wasn't expecting that."

I looked down at my shoes. "Neither was I."

"Sorry kids, it's a bit of a shock for all of us, but I'm sure we'll work through all this. Ben, I know you had the afternoon off, but do you think you can keep an eye on her? Show her around the pack house and make sure she gets lunch."

"I don't need -"

"Of course!" He seemed excited, so I snuck a peak at him, and he was smiling nervously at me. "That is if you don't mind hanging out with me today." I gave him a small nod, and his smile got a little brighter.

"Alright, you 2. I'm off. Your bags should be up soon, and don't hesitate to link me if he gets on your nerves." Robert gave me a quick kiss on the top of my head and rushed out of the suite before I got the chance to protest.

"Um, let me show you your room. If I had known I was preparing a room for my sister instead of just a random guest, I would have put in some effort. If you don't like it we can redecorate. "

I don't know what he was talking about. This room is amazing, not to mention huge. I could probably fit 2 of my rooms in here, and it has a walk-in closet right next to my own bathroom. A bathroom that is about twice the size of the one I shared with Mom back home. I can't wait to soak in that huge tub. You could probably fit 4 people in it. The room was painted a mint green color. There was a king-sized white 4-poster bed with green bedding. I had my own mini living room with puffy white chairs and a green rug, plus a huge flat screen. It's not as big as the one in the living room, but I'm not complaining. In the far corner of the room, in front of a floor-to-ceiling window, sat a work desk, and beside it was a bookshelf. It was mostly empty aside from a few nick-nacks. It was honestly like a picture from a magazine. It just needed more personality.

Ben sat in the room with me while I unpacked and just went on and on. I don't know if this is how he usually is or if he was just nervous, excited, or both. He was really funny. He told me all types of stories, mostly about him and his friends getting themselves into trouble. He made it easy to open up to him, so I told him a few of the shenanigans I and Steph used to get into. Soon enough, we were talking like we've known each other our whole lives.

Benjamin POV:

Gabi is great, I enjoyed talking with her. She is so sweet but a little on the quiet side, but then again, maybe she just is not comfortable enough yet. I was trying hard to ignore Aiden, but the headache I was getting from trying to ignore his mindlinking was starting to tick me off.

'Chill out, would you '

'You can't just say you met my mate and then ghost me, what's happening why is she there, are you even sure it's her?'

'I have no idea, dad said we'd talk about it later, but that was it. I don't know where she came from or how she got here, but there's no way she's not my sister. She's way too pretty.'

'The fact that she's pretty means she definitely can't be related to you.'

"Ben?" I looked up once again, ignoring Aiden in my head. "Are you okay? Your eyes keep getting all foggy."

"Oh, I was just mind-linking, my friend." She tilted her head a little in confusion. "Our eyes cloud over when we mind link. Did you not know that?"

"No, I've only ever been around one wolf at a time, I guess I didn't notice because it was happening to me too." She seemed a bit lost in thought.

'Stop blocking me, you d**k', Aiden forced his way through.

'Dammit, that hurt. Listen, would you leave me alone if I ask if she knows you? If she's the one you met, I doubt she'd forget that experience. ' He went quiet for a moment.

'If it's her, I want to see her.'

'Chill, it's not like I can just say 'Hey did you meet some dude in the woods named Aiden, you're his mate and I know you don't understand what that means but he's been obsessed with the idea of you all day and now he won't shut up about seeing you.'

'...... you don't have to make me seem like a stalker.'

'Well, you're not making it hard. Look, it's Sunday we all have dinner together anyway. I'm sure you'll see her then.' He let out a long groan, and I couldn't help but chuckle at his impatience. ' Listen A, I get it, but I just found out I have a sister. I want to keep her to myself for a little while.'

'Fine.'He cut the link.

"Is everything alright?"

"It's fine. He's just an impatient pain in the ass." She nodded her head in understanding, " Now, onto more important matters, burgers or pizza for lunch."

She gave me the cutest little giggle. "Definitely, pizza. "

"On it." Her phone started vibrating on the bedside table. "Go ahead, I'll let you know when the food is here."

Gabrielle POV :

"Omg, I thought you died," I answered the video call to a very dramatic Steph.

"It's only been a few hours. You act as if you haven't heard from me in months. "

"Might as well have been months, why didn't you call when you got there." I plopped down on the bed holding the phone over my head. She acted as if she was worried, but I could see her fixing her hair while she had her phone propped up.

"Sorry to cause you so much distress. I was just unpacking, and guess what.' She looked over at me, letting me know I've got her attention. " I've got an older brother."

"Oh s**t really.' She put down her flat iron and picked up the phone. "Is he cute?"

I had to laugh, of course. That was the first thing that came to mind. "He looks like a younger version of Robert, but his hair is longer."

"Damn, so he's hot."

"Hey, that's my brother you're talking about."

She rolled her eyes at me. "So how is it there, meet any other family.?"

"No, not yet. I've just been in the house with Ben. Well, the house isn't the right word. It's more like a Penthouse, Robert's loaded, apparently."

"You mean you're loaded." Now it's my turn to roll my eyes. "What, might as well take advantage."

"Nah, I don't want to get used to it, I'll be back home soon. This room, however, I wish I could take this with me. Want a tour?" Steph nodded her head, so I hopped up to show her around my room.

By the time I got off the phone with Steph, the food was here, and I spent the rest of my day in the living room with Ben. I think getting to know him was the best gift I could have gotten. I just wish I didn't have to lose so much to gain this one relationship.

'It's not just one relationship. The pack is family, it's home.'

'But it's not my home. My home is back with Mom. With Steph, Dina, and Mark. '

'Gabi, you have to give them a chance, this is where we are supposed to be.'

'NO, IT IS NOT!' I felt bad for yelling at her, but I was just frustrated. She let out a soft sigh and retreated to the back of my mind.

"Gabi, are you okay?" Ben was looking at me, his face full of concern. That only made me feel worse. Ivey is right that it's not their fault that this is happening, but that doesn't mean that I should just have to go along with it.

"I'm…. It's nothing, I just… I'm fine."

"Come on. We may have only known each other for a few hours, but you can talk to me. I imagine this isn't an easy situation to be in."

I let out a small sarcastic laugh, "That's an understatement. " He looked at me softly, silently urging me to go on. "Yesterday morning was completely ordinary, my life wasn't perfect but I had everything I needed. In just 24 hours, everything was gone, everything I knew and believed in."

"What happened? Dad didn't exactly give me any specifics."

I could feel my eyes tearing up, so I leaned my head back, trying to keep them from falling, but I was failing miserably. "I'm terrified." Hearing my voice crack, Ben slid closer to me on the couch and pulled me into his arms. That was my final straw as all my tears came rushing out. "My mother's dying. I spent what felt like hours in the woods alone, thinking I was gonna die. A man I've lived my whole life believing he didn't want me took me away from the only family I've ever known. I'm not even human anymore!" Ben began to rock me back and forth, patting my back. "I just want to go home. The voice in my head won't even take my side. I don't have any control over my life, and it's... terrifying."

Though all of this, my tears have just stayed on the surface, never actually falling. I've just been so angry and frustrated, I felt like if I let them fall, I would just break down completely. There was something about Ben that just made me feel like it was okay to let it out. Maybe the bond between siblings is an actual thing. He wasn't telling me to stay strong or that it would get better. He just encouraged me to cry. He made me feel safe, so I laid on his chest my hands fisted in his shirt, and I let out all the pain, frustration, and uncertainty.

I must have cried myself to sleep at some point, which isn't that surprising considering all that's happened and my lack of sleep since. Ben was hovering over my bed, softly urging me to wake up. The shades were pulled back, and I could see the sun setting, so I knew I was out for a while. Yawning, I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes, trying to get them to focus.

"Good morning, sleepy. How are you feeling?" He tried to smooth my hair, but it was most likely a losing battle.

"Emotionally exhausted, but better. I guess the nap did me some good." He chuckled as I yawned again. "What time is it?"

"It's a little after 6. Listen, I know you might not be up for it, but there's a dinner we have to attend. "

"Have to? What kind of dinner?"

"Nothing too formal, just the pack leaders and their families. Dad wants to use this as an opportunity to introduce you to everyone else." He looked worried like he was afraid I would refuse.

"Do I have to go?"

"Technically, yes, but if you don't want to, I can just tell Dad you aren't feeling good. I'm sure everyone will understand." I don't know why that made me happy, maybe it was the fact that I was finally being given an option, but I have a feeling that I might get him in trouble if I don't go.

"It's fine, what time is dinner?"

He gave me a guilty look, "About 30 minutes ago." I just stared at him in disbelief. "I knew you were upset, so I was just gonna let you sleep, but Dad keeps linking me, so I figured I'd at least ask if you wanted to go."

I laughed, which made him crack a small smile in my direction. "Thank you." I gave him a small hug, "but I don't want you to get in trouble. Let's go."