Once Rejected, Thrice Accepted
Chapter 36

"Don't you sit that down there!" I scolded Duncan as he tried to put his dirty dish in the sink I had just scrubbed. "Wash it and put it away."

He just nodded with wide eyes and rigid shoulders. This was the first time he or the twins had gotten in trouble since we made it back home last night. I wanted the house to be perfect for when Erin and Charles brought my blood family down and apparently my dad's new mate. Erin didn't even know about it until he called them. I wasn't going to let that be the first bad impression when I had enough that might make them want to leave. What would happen when I told them about my scars? My life before? Or even about how I just put someone on death row yesterday?

"Everything looks amazing, baby." Leo soothed me with a purr and hug. "You look more than amazing. You look good enough to eat and I am awfully hungry." He licked my throat up to my earlobe before sucking on it.

"Stop that." Lucas pulled Leo back. "I want a taste." He barely got a kiss in with how much I was giggling.

"Ok step away before you get her all turned on and perfuming. Her family might not like that." Duncan growled. He made sure to get his kiss in before dragging his brother to the dining room to set the table.

Ok, I had this. Meeting them would be fine. They would be nice and sweet and understanding. I would feel an instant connection and all will be well.

'Stop worrying. If they try to pull anything about you moving to the royal grounds, I will stop them. I know that is what you are the most worried about. Moonlight comforted me. 'And if that sister of yours turns out like those other hussies she is leaving her with a new facial look that includes one big a's claw mark.' Someone was a bit overprotective of our mates today.

'Well, thanks for that. I didn't even think about that with my sister.' I groaned. Girls always hated me. 'Maybe I should invite Cherry as back up. She seems to have a great backbone and could help.

Moonlight shook her head and told me to nut up. Rude but I did as she said. I took one last look around the room to make sure it was fine. We had fresh coffee, every cream the guys could buy this morning on their grocery run, tea, soda, snacks, and even cookies with

icing. Those were more for me since they have become comfort food. I love them enough that I decided they will be my birthday cake next year. I will buy them and eat them all day even if I celebrate alone like I did before.

The doorbell rang, dragging me from my thoughts and freezing my body. It rang again but every time I tried to move nothing happened. Duncan squinted his eyes at me as I gave a nervous frown. He gave me a small pat on my shoulder before answering the door. "Come on in." He opened the door wide, letting in Erin and Charles first with three people behind them.

Sweat filled my palms and my urge to run and hide was riding on me hard. Once Charles and Erin moved, I saw my father and his new mate, my stepmother. I didn't feel any familial bond snap into place or anything like I had dreamed. They just looked like strangers except that my green eyes and light brown hair matched the males. The girl behind them must be my sister. We looked alike, mostly, but that is where any similarities ends. She had some anger in her eyes, wore her hair short and curled with clothes that looked brand new and expensive. She was cute and I bet very popular so I just had to hope I could win her over at some point.

Erin walked up and gave me a hug thawing out my frozen muscles. Wrapping my arms around him I took in his scent and calmed myself. I got this. They might like me but even if they don't I have my mates and the family I had here.

"You ready?" Erin whispered, keeping me out of view of everyone as they took their seats at the table.

"Yes. Let's do this." I stepped back out of his arms and turned toward the table. "So ummm.... I'm Gemma. Nice to meet you."

Erin chuckled. "My son, Jackson, and his new mate, Matilda. And his daughter, Brittany." He pointed to each one.

"Hello Gemma. It's nice to meet the Luna of the pack." Jackson held his hand out to shake mine. I looked at Erin and he nodded.

"About that..." He cleared his throat. "I didn't bring you here for anything for Charles or to help this pack. I brought you here for a personal matter. I need you to really look at Gemma and tell me what pops into your head." "Dad, What?" Jackson seemed upset. "We were in the middle of very important drills with a visiting pack."

"Honey, that pack has more than enough help between all the trainers and guards." She rubbed his arm and turned back toward me. "Gemma, you do look familiar. Have we met before?"

"Not you but she has met Jackson." Erin stepped closer and grabbed my hand. "It was about 13ish years ago."

They looked at each other before looking back at me, both their faces turned serious. "Oh. Well you do look a bit like Jackson. Maybe a distant relative?"

"No."

"Matilda, what is going on?" Brittany whined a bit putting her hand on Matilda's arm. "You said I would have time to talk to my friends and maybe meet some of the kids my age here not having a boring meeting with crap coffee." "Stop and relax. We will have time for that later on." Matilda's smile was tight seems she was annoyed by my sister.

'Yup spoiled ass brat. Should have known. They tried to make up for their mistake of losing us by spoiling her! Moonlight huffed. I agreed with her but kept my focus on the room.

"Babe, you want to sit down?" Duncan patted the seat beside him that was also the one next to Jackson. Time to get this over with. I walked over and carefully sat down taking my coffee from Lucas who was seated across from me. Jackson sniffed the air and stilled. "That smell.... my daughter..."

"I'm right here Dad. Why are you being so weird?" Brittany huffed pulling her phone out. "Let me know when we can leave since we aren't needed here. I had a mall date with my friends."

Moonlight growled surprising everyone. "Don't disrespect your Dad like that. Not all of us had the chance to have that. Sit up and listen. You might learn something." I glared at her.

"Dad! Are you going to let her talk to me like that?"

"She is right. Listen to her." Erin demanded, snapping his fingers at her. "Put your phone away."

"Matilda, I need you to smell Gemma." Jackson had turned his full attention to me.

'What do I smell like to you guys?' I linked my mates as Matilda got up from her chair and walked toward me.

'Heaven.' Leo purred. Lots of help there.

'Cinnamon and pumpkin.' Duncan replied. 'Makes me want a pumpkin spice latte all day every day!

'Pumpkin pie. With lots of whip cream.' Leo chuckled. 'Can we do the whip cream thing on you tonight?'

'Pervert. I replied to Leo while thanking the other two.

Matilda got close enough, put a hand on Jackson's shoulder, and took a whiff. "She smells just like that blanket you have in your trunk?" She looked bewildered like she had seen a ghost. "Wasn't that Natalies, the daughter you lost?" Erin gave a small smile. "Yes. This is your daughter, my granddaughter, that we lost in the woods."

"No... there is no way...we searched..." Jackson's eyes filled with tears. "We tore that forest apart, talked to every pack, and dealt with every rogue within a hundred miles. How? Where has she been?"

"Ask her. I know it's her from her scent, story, and DNA." Erin nodded at me. "It's ok, Gemma. They aren't like the ones who raised you. You can be yourself. Speak your mind."

"Ones who raised you?" Jackson growled making me flinch back almost falling off my chair.

Duncan caught me and dragged me into his lap. "If you want answers, you will lose the attitude. She is my mate, and she has a right to feel safe in her home for once. Got it?"

"For once?" Matilda whined gripping Jackson tighter.

Jackson took a breath and relaxed his shoulders. "I am sorry. I just...your...her. You're our daughter. Your mother.... She never gave up."

"I am your daughter. What the hell is going on here?" Brittany screamed jumping out of her chair. "You said your first born died and only shared stories of her on holidays so tell me who the hell this is?"

"Sit!" Charles commanded. Her b**t hit her seat in an instant. "I know this is confusing for everyone but let your Dad have this moment getting his head wrapped around it before explaining it to you properly. So, sit there and be quiet and listen." She did as she was told but you could read her rage and confusion. I felt sorry for her but I had my own emotions to handle.

"So, who raised you? Who found you? How are you here?" Matilda was losing it so Jackson pulled my empty seat closer to him and had her sit down.

"Umm.... The neighboring pack found me and gave me to a couple.... I thought they were my parents but..." Duncan squeezed me giving me comfort and strength. "It was really to use me in their war they want to start with the royals. The couple never wanted a daughter which they made perfectly clear."

"How sure are you that she is our daughter?" Jackson asked Erin.

"100%."

That was all it took before Jackson scent poured out from their them making their feelings of sorrow and pain to happiness and confusion known. The scents surrounded me blocking out everything else. Moonlight wasn't happy at first but her first whiff she was relaxed before losing it into tears. She...We remembered these scents.

"Dad...I can't believe... I croaked before blacking out into a vision.

'You have found him. Ask him to tell you all about your mother. There is much you need to know. The same voice from before told me as I stared into the darkness. 'Don't trust everyone even if they are blood or you have known them forever. Only trust your found family and the ones who prove themselves. Be strong, my granddaughter.' And the voice was gone.