Suddenly A Beta's Daughter

Chapter 4: I Have a Daughter

Robert Black POV:

"This is ridiculous. If we continue with these delays, the threat will only get worse. We need to come up with a plan." Matthew, the pack's Alpha, has been arguing back and forth with the neighboring packs on this phone conference for the last 2 hours, and we have made no progress. "We have to get all the alliance members together in one place so we can work this out."

"Alpha stone, I understand your frustration, but that will have to wait. Some of us can not afford to leave our territory. "

I couldn't bear to listen to this any longer. "With all due respect, Alpha Gantt, we can't afford to put this off either." John Gantt is the Alpha of the New Moon pack, and the pack closest to ours, the Blood Stone pack. "The alliance is formed so that in times like this, we can band together to stop the issue efficiently." For the last few weeks, our pack and many others have been dealing with an increase in Rogue attacks. "We can't do that if you are unwilling to even leave to discuss the problem properly."

"The next summit is only a month away. There is no reason for me to put my pack at risk to go to you now and argue."

"We signed the treaty so we could assist each other when needed, not wait around until it was convenient for you," Matt said back. "Some of the packs won't be able to hold on that long. We need to do this now."

"I'm at a crossroads, gentleman." James Keppeler, Alpha of the Blue Wolf pack chimed in. "I agree that this definitely needs to be dealt with as fast as possible, but I'm taking too many hits back to back. About half of my warriors are out of commission, and leaving isn't an option for me at the moment."

The other Alphas began to shout over each other about the attacks and casualties they'd suffered. Thankfully, we haven't suffered any casualties, but we've had our fair share of injuries. We are one of the bigger packs in this particular alliance, but because of this, the other packs seem to think we aren't considering the risk when we asked them to come for a meeting which has caused nothing but a headache.

"We aren't getting anywhere with this, so why don't we call it a day and revisit the subject tomorrow at noon."

After the last Alpha hung up, I got up from in front of Matt's desk and walked over to the mini bar. "I don't know about you, but I could use a drink."

"Whiskey," Matt said, leaning his head back on his chair. I handed him the glass, and he downed it in one go. "I would love to beat the s**t out of John right about now."

I let out a deep chuckle. "We aren't kids anymore. Let it go." I took a long sip before taking a seat in front of the desk.

"If I knew it would've been like this, I would have never renewed the treaty with him. The bastard only gets involved when it benefits him and does nothing but cause problems when it doesn't."

"What do you expect? He's been like that since our training days."

"That doesn't mean we have to." Just then, David came rushing into the office phone in hand.

"Woah, where's the fire?"

"Um, Rob, the police just called from the human territory. There's been some type of accident." He looked hesitant and confused. s**t I was confused too. Why would they be calling me? “There was a pretty bad car wreck and….. your daughter is missing." I froze, daughter? I don't have a daughter.

Matt looked over at me. "When did you have another kid?"

"I didn't." I looked back at David's confused face, "I don't have a daughter."

"Just take the phone. Your number was listed with her emergency contact." He handed the phone to me, and I held it up to my ear with uncertainty.

"Hello."

"Hi, this is Chief Greenstein. Am I speaking with Robert Black." A man asked on the other line.

"That is correct, but I'm afraid there has been some misunderstanding, I don't have a daughter."

"That's strange. You are listed as the father of Gabrielle Black. The mother's name is Marie Cruz."

Son of a b***h. My heart sank and my wolf, Adonis, began to whimper and pace in my head. I met Marie over 16 years ago, while out on business. Marie was my second chance mate, we dated for a few months but then she rejected me, unknowingly of course since she was human, and I had let her go. I went looking for her 11 years ago and she looked as beautiful as ever but she wanted nothing to do with me, she said there was no reason for us to see each other. She gave her my last name.

"I know Marie," I confirmed softly, David and Matt gave me sympathetic looks. "The girl, is she around 16?"

"Yes, it looks like she just turned 16 today."

"What happened? " my voice was barely above a whisper at this point.

"Like I told the previous person, Marie Cruz was involved in a severe accident and is currently on life support. When we went to the house it was empty. Someone was able to come forth and identify her but as you are the next of kin Gabrielle is in your hands but she is currently nowhere to be found."

My heart sank even lower. How could this be happening? I took a deep shaky breath then after downing the rest of my drink I responded. "What do you need me to do?"

"For now we need you to come down to the hospital and meet with the police and detectives, fill out some paperwork. We already have people out looking for your daughter and as soon as everything is taken care of she will be turned over into your care." He gave me a short list of documents he would need for me to bring along.

"I'll get there as soon as I can," I confirmed and then hung up the phone to meet the eyes of my 2 best friends. I don't even have to explain, with advanced hearing they already heard the whole conversation.

"Do you really think she's yours?" David asked.

"I don't know but there's a good chance she is. I've got to go."

I rushed up to my suite and grabbed my required documents and rushed out of the pack house and to the human territory.

Usually, it takes 45 minutes to an hour to get to the small town but the way I was driving I got there in 25, thanking the Goddess that I wasn't stopped. As soon as I made my way through the hospital and towards the ICU there I saw an officer and Dina Bayer, Marie's best friend.

"Can someone explain what's going on?" I think I caught her by surprise, perhaps they didn't tell her I was coming.

"Robert? I don't understand why you are here?"

"You don't understand? I get a call saying that my daughter whom I didn't even know I had is missing and Marie is on life support. You tell me why I'm here." She looked at the cop and then back at me worry spread across her face. "You don't seem shocked, did you know she was my child?" She remained silent. "The last time I came here, you knew then too didn't you?" I narrowed my eyes at her, it wasn't a question, I could tell by the look on her face from the time she saw me until now, she knew.

"You must be Mr. Black, I'm Chief Greenstein. " He held out his hand. Finally peeling my eyes away from Dina I greeted the man.

"Hi, so what now?" “Now you come with me so we can get some papers signed and get you set to take your daughter. "

"What do you mean take her." I had to bite my tongue hard to keep Adonis from growling at this woman.

"Well, as her next of kin, Miss Black's father gets custody."

"But he is a stranger to her, she's already lost her mother, she needs to be with people she's known her whole life." I could feel my rage reaching its boiling point, it's a good thing the chief stepped in when he did.

"I understand your concern Mrs. Bayer but this is according to Ms. Cruz's wishes. Should anything happen to her, custody falls to her father, that is unless he wants to relinquish his rights to Gabrielle. "

"Never", I all but growl out, glaring down at Dina.

"Great, now if you'd come with me."

Going over to a small private waiting room the chief and the detective went over the accident with me and a doctor joined shortly to explain her medical state and options for treatment. When they both left we sat there together filling out document after document but all I could do was think about Gabrielle, my daughter. I wonder how long it will take for me to get used to the sound of that.

"Mom tell Dad she's home." I heard someone say. I walked to the door and saw a miniature version of Dina, a young petite girl with straight, dark brown- reddish hair and soft green eyes filled with unshed tears. I met her once before, I believe her name was Stephanie. Relief washed over me as I realized she was on the phone with my daughter, she was safe and on her way here.

"We just have one more thing to go over and by then she should be arriving." Good, because I can't wait.

My first meeting with Gabi didn't go as well as I would have liked. It was amazing to see how much she took after me, well at least physically, mentally she was like her mother, headstrong and stubborn. I wanted so badly just to wrap her in my arms the second she was in my sight but she didn't want anything to do with me. She acted as if I abandoned her, which I'm sure isn't her fault. I'll spend the rest of my life giving her all the love she deserves, proving just how much I want her.

Watching her say goodbye to the people she called family and knowing that I'm taking her away from all that she knew made me feel like maybe I'm doing things a bit too fast by directly taking her back to the pack lands but then I remembered they had 16 years with her, it's my turn to be selfish, so I'm going to hold onto her for as long as I can. It was a few minutes into the drive and I figured I should try to start a conversation.

"I didn't get to wish you a happy birthday. I know last night was pretty emotional but I hope you had a good day." She was just sitting there silently looking out the passenger window. "When we get there it'll be close to lunchtime, want anything in particular, any allergies?" She just shrugged her shoulders, not even bothering to look away from the scenery outside. "Did I mention you have an older brother?" She looked over at me a little surprised. "His name is Benjamin, if you want to piss him off you can call him Benji but he prefers Ben." I'm not entirely surprised Marie didn't tell her she had a brother, hell she didn't tell me I had a daughter.

"Does he know?"

"About you? No, no he doesn't. Everything happened so fast I guess I just didn't get the chance to call him. We can surprise him when we get there." She turned to the window this time laying her head against the glass and closing her eyes and letting out a small sigh. "Look I know that this is a big adjustment for you but it is for me too, just promise you'll give me a chance, I do want this to work." She didn't respond, it seemed like she was exhausted though. Which would make sense, I could hear her toss and turn all night so I just let her get some rest, we can try again later.

Benjamin POV:

I don't know where my dad disappeared to but I don't appreciate having to cover his training classes. At least Aiden is in a good mood, I thought as I watched him body-slam another one of the warriors with a smile on his face.

"What's up with him?" Joe came up and asked, apparently seeing Aiden this happy creeped him out a bit.

"Not a clue. Maybe he got laid."

Joe laughed, "Oh please, that seems like a whole different level of happiness. I was expecting him to b***h and complain all day since he covered me but the dickhead has been smiling like a creep all morning." We watched as he happily beat the crap out of a different warrior with a smile. Even happy he doesn't pull punches.

"Just be grateful it's not you." I made my rounds to different sparring groups giving input correcting stances and joining in the occasional fight. Since we are only covering Dad's classes today once 11 o'clock hits we were free to head back to the pack house and waste the rest of our Sunday playing video games. Hopefully, my dad and uncles stay busy and won't give us anything else to do.

"Phones ringing," Joe said as he tossed me my cell, it seems I spoke too soon.

With a heavy sigh, I answered. "Yeah, Dad."

"Are you boys done with training?"

"Yes…. Please don't tell me you have something else for us to do."

"Relax, I don't. I had to go pick someone up and I need you to get an omega to fix up a room in our suite. The one across from yours should do."

"Who'd you pick up that they're staying with us?"

"It's kind of hard to explain over the phone but I think you'll love her."

"If you say so." Joe and Aiden paused the game to look my way confused and I just shrugged my shoulders at them.

"We'll be there in about 30 minutes, make sure you get it done."

"Yeah yeah." I hung up the phone and tossed it on the coffee table. "Seems like I'm getting a new roomie."

"Uncle Rob didn't say who it was," Joe asked.

"Nope." I linked the omegas with Dad's instructions and when I finished I noticed Aiden staring into space with a smile on his face. "Anyway, what's up with you A? All this smiling is starting to creep me out." The creep's smile just got bigger, it's like he's been waiting for us to ask.

"I found my mate last night."

"WHAT!" Joe and I both shouted.

"How come you didn't say anything earlier dude, that's huge."

"No wonder you've been in such a good mood, I guess you owe me. If I hadn't asked you to cover for me you would've never met."

Aiden hit Joe with one of the throw pillows before answering me. "I don't know, it's complicated."

"How so?"

"Well…" Aiden went on to tell us how he came across her and everything that happened after.

"Damn, that is complicated. I hope when I meet my mate it won't be as dramatic." Checking the time I realize Dad should be here any second. " I feel for you, I do but I've gotta go make sure everything's set up or I'll never hear the end of it. We'll talk later." I said bye to the boys before making my way to our suite.

When I reached the door I heard dad inside talking to someone. "Hey, Dad I thought I had a bit more time to get this-", what the hell. Dad stood there next to a miniature version of him and she seemed pretty nervous as she examined me. I looked back at Dad and waited for him to explain.

"Ben, meet Gabrielle, you're little sister." Oh, this has got to be a joke, there's no way. 'It's a long story but I'll fill you in later. She spent her life living amongst humans so I'm gonna need you to keep an eye on her.’

That's when it hit me, she looks like the girl Aiden described and she was from the human territory, I had to link him.

'Hey A, what was your mate’s name?'

'Gabrielle, why?'

'I thought so. It seems I just met her.'

'What. What are you talking about?'

'She's here. Apparently, your mate is my little sister.'