A/N- Hey! I'm so sorry it's been so long since I updated the story. Lots of life stuff happened and got in the way but I'm back and will continue the story for y'all!

Chapter 17

Beca's POV

Despite my appearance which I hope looks put together on the outside, I'm torn up on the inside. My stomach churns and my throat burns with acid from throwing my guts up before Chloe came into the bathroom. Everything feels distant and my whole body trembles as my head thumps. I've only ever been sick once when I was younger and it felt just like this. The doctors had no idea what I caught and still to this day, I don't know. That whole week is a blur of doctors and sleep.

This whole time my mother has been alive and a part of me still can't believe that it's her sitting across from me. Reed definitely doesn't know that she's alive and I'm glad that it's just Chloe and I here. If we brought anyone else, certainly word would've gotten out and Reed would go on a rampage. I don't want to be the reason Darren and my mom are torn apart again.

"Well, we need to figure out who is leading The Old Ones," Darren states. "I heard a rumor a while back that the former alpha was challenged and was taken down. I have no idea who this new alpha is so I don't know how they work. We have no advantages over them."

"Actually, we do," Chloe starts, bouncing a little as she gets excited. "They don't know that we know right? Beca, you suspect that your dad is a part of this and he doesn't know the real reason we came here. So for now, we have the upper hand of knowing that The Old Ones are involved."

"Reed is a part of this? I'm not surprised." Rachel shakes her head in disgust. Rachel, my mom. What am I supposed to call her? She may be my mom, but she's also a stranger. God, this is so confusing and my headache isn't helping any.

"I had a weird feeling not to tell him that last time I checked in to let him know that I was leaving."

"Why would you have to check in?" Rachel questions, her eyebrows raised. I gulp and just go for it.

"I'm an agent of the NLSH. Actually, I'm the best." Silence is my only response and I wait for the hate. The hate for trapping supernatural creatures for wanting to live their life. For doing something to people who have no choice for what they are.

"He made you an agent?" Rachel whispers, her voice full of anger, but I get the idea it's not toward me. "That son of a bitch!"

"Rachel," Darren calms but I can tell that all she's seeing is red. She doesn't need comfort from him, but from me.

"It's okay. I've fought him my whole life so trust me, it hasn't been easy for him to try and control me. I know that the NLSH agents tend to have a bad rep, but I've tried to do what I can to help people." At my words, Chloe squeezes my thigh where her hand lays. We look at each other for a second before bringing our attention back to my mother and Darren.

"That's good. I hope he hasn't been too bad towards you," Rachel says sadly and I freeze. I can't tell her he hasn't because that would be lying but if I told her the truth, she might go after him. If she did that, she'd probably die.

"What did he do?" Darren growls, sensing my hesitation and I frown at his sudden protectiveness over me. Probably because I'm the daughter of his wife or mate according to him.

"Nothing I'm not used to now." Yikes, those were the worst words I possibly could've said. "Look, it's okay. We can't change the past so let's not dwell on it. We have shit to figure out so let's focus on that."

"Fine," Darren huffs, pouting since he can't go beat someone up. "Can we at least eat something? It's past dinner time and I'm starving." We've already been here for hours? Damn. My stomach growls, letting me know it's not upset anymore. Now that I think about it, my head doesn't hurt as bad.

"I'll whip something up," Rachel states, getting up and pulling stuff out. "Darren, would you like to show them a room to put their stuff in?"

"Yes Ma'am," Darren obeys and gets up, gesturing for us to follow him. "I'm guessing you guys wish to share a room?"

"Yes please," Chloe says politely, looking over at me. I wink, making her blush. Darren notices and laughs. He brings us to a room which Chloe instantly goes into, looking around. I stand in the doorway, watching her reaction and feeling warmth spread throughout my body. My heart speeds up and all I want to do is throw her on the bed and kiss her forever.

"You guys are cute," Darren says and I frown at him. "What? You two remind me of Rachel and I."

"I'm actually curious so I hope you don't mind me asking this, but how do you get over the cold feeling when you look into my mother's eyes?"

"I don't have to," Darren grins. "She's my mate. Her eyes, unlike any other, are like a normal human's eyes. Mates have a connection that can't compare to anything else. Werewolves mate for life." Chloe stops looking around the room and comes over to us.

"Are mates just a werewolf thing?" Chloe asks and I nod, wanting to know the answer to the question.

"Typically yeah. There has to be at least one werewolf in the relationship but mates don't have to be between two werewolves. I went years, meeting hundreds of werewolves and I never felt that connection until I met Rachel. Even after she was turned, the connection stayed strong, if not became stronger."

"Cool," I grin and grab Chloe's hand. "We have a connection but I can't imagine it could get any stronger even if we were mates."

"Yeah," Chloe mutters, staring at the ground. "Darren, would you mind giving us a moment?" He nods and goes down the stairs. I frown at Chloe as she pulls me into the room, shutting the door behind me.

"Beca, I have a theory and I know your mind has been flooded with a bunch of information today but I need to know you can handle a little more."

"Of course." Now I'm worried. Obviously, Chloe noticed something I didn't and I almost don't want to hear what it is.

"So you and Reed are completely different right? You don't look anything like him?" I nod,wondering how she knew that and she sighs. "I think that Darren might be your father." For a second, I just stare and my jaw clenches.

"Why do you think that?"

"Because we have an extremely strong connection, one that can only be explained if you were part werewolf and we are mates. Not to mention how insanely good your senses are. When Gail cooked breakfast for the first time, you pointed out everything and was right. Now that I'm thinking about it, you have the exact same eyes as Darren and look like him a little." For a second, I just stare into Chloe's eyes, seeing just how serious she is. Somehow though, it's not hard for me to accept this theory because it makes so much sense. How I didn't see it before, I don't know.

"I think...I think you may be right and there's only one way to find out." With that, I open the door and bolt out of the room, knowing that Chloe is right behind me. When I run into the kitchen, I startle Darren and Rachel who seemed to be in deep conversation.

"I have a question and I need you two to be completely honest with me," I growl and they both nod. "Is Darren my father?" Rachel steps forward, looking like she's on the verge of panic.

"Beca, I was going to tell you but with everything else I just bombarded you with-"

"We just wanted to give you a second to breathe," Darren interrupts, stepping towards me. "Please, don't think I didn't want you to know because of anything bad. The thought of you being alive all this time and we didn't know it, is killing me, but I'm extremely glad for this chance to get to know you. I know Reed wasn't the best father and I'm asking that you stay here and give me a chance to show you how a good one is supposed to be."

Sighing, I nod and with a sudden thought, my head starts to throb again. Tears come to my eyes and before I can swipe them away, they fall.

"What the hell am I then?"