After several more minutes of Cole rocking me, I couldn't hold in the tears, the stress, or the fear anymore. I carefully rose from Cole's lap, not wanting to hurt him and took off towards my room. I could hear Cole and Tara gasping behind me, shocked by my sudden movement and I could hear them muttering to each other, although I couldn't quite make out what they were saying. I didn't bother trying to listen in this time, I just found my room and slammed the door closed, locking it behind me.

I opened up the window for some fresh air and flopped in one of the soft bean bag chairs that was next to the window. I tried to regulate my breathing but all it did was cause me to hyperventilate. My erratic breathing was followed by tears and ugly, choking sobs that struggled to free themselves from my throat. I just cried my heart out, rocking myself back and forth slightly and wrapped my arms around my knees. Everything I had ever known was ripped away from me and replaced with a much more terrifying story. Just because the story wasn't inherently bad, didn't make it less frightening.

I would have been ok getting used to the idea that Cole and Tara were werewolves and part of a pack. I would have been alright being one of the only humans around. But my life was a fucking lie. I wasn't even human. It was so much to deal with and I couldn't think of a better outlet for the emotions bottled up inside of me other than to just cry. At least a good ten or fifteen minutes later, I heard a soft knock at my door.

"Hey, honey. It's mom- Tara. Are you alright? No, that is a stupid question. I'm sorry. I know you're not alright. Can I come in to talk to you?" Tara's soft voice rang out, but it didn't have the soothing effect I knew she hoped it had.

"No, not right now. Can you- ummm... Can you get Cole for me, though?" I asked, guilt ripped through me. I knew it wasn't fair to Tara at all, I knew how hard she had been trying to bond with me, but I had never really had a female authority figure in my life, a mother, and I didn't know how to let myself be vulnerable around someone trying to fill that maternal role. As much as Ms. Jean tried, she was never great at mothering. She was more of the cool aunt that all the kids look up to and love but not the best for discipline and structure.

Tara took a sharp intake of breath, and I knew I had hurt her feelings but she still replied earnestly. "Of course, baby. I understand. I'll go get him real quick. Be right back," Tara's voice trailed off at the end and I heard her footsteps go down the hall but not down the stairs.

I heard Tara murmuring a few seconds later. A second set of footsteps came back down the hall, heavier footsteps and I knew it was Cole. Even his knock was a little harder, a little louder.

"Sweetpea, it's me. What can I do to help you right now?" Cole asked. Cole was clearly trying to respect my boundaries and privacy, but I really just needed him to hold me. I crawled to my feet, the bean bag chair leaving the imprint of my body behind. I slowly moved to the door, trying to gather my courage, then I unlocked it and cracked it open. Seeing that Tara wasn't up here any longer, I pulled the door all the way open and threw myself into Cole's arms again.

The tears flowed freely again, staining Cole's button down shirt, but he didn't seem to care at all. Cole pulled me over to the sofa where he sat down and pulled me onto his lap again. Having someone play the father was something that I've so desperately needed all these years. Cole rocked me back and forth again before speaking softly, his face pressed against the top of my head.

"What are you feeling, sweetpea? Let it all out," Cole said.

"I'm just scared and stressed out. This is just too much to process, Dad," I cried into Cole's shoulder, not even realizing what I'd called him. It just came out so naturally. Cole stiffened for a second, but I could feel him smiling against my hair before he responded.

"I know it's scary and stressful. Every single thing that you feel is valid. But you are not alone in this. Tara and I have both been through this before, just under different circumstances, so we understand to an extent. We will be here to support you and love you and help you understand all of these new changes that are going to start happening soon. I promise you sweetpea, we won't leave you," Cole said softly as he rocked me. I still cried against his shoulder, but my breathing was becoming more regular and the sobs had turned into little sniffles.

"Thank you," I managed to whisper out between my tears. Cole just kissed the top of my head and squeezed me.

"Of course, babygirl. You're our daughter and we love you. I know you aren't really used to having someone to rely on, but please talk to us when things get too much. We want to help you. Even if it seems stupid, I want to hear about it, alright?" Cole finished speaking as he pulled away from me a little, wiping some of my tears away. I nodded in response to his question.

"I'll do my best. But for now, could you just-... just hold me for a while?" I asked while keeping my gaze off of Cole, feeling embarrassed to show my vulnerability.

"Of course," Cole whispered as he pulled me back in close again.

The steady rise and fall of his chest as he breathed was so soothing, combined with the gentle rocking and Cole's fingers gently combing through my hair and petting my head. Even though a few tears still fell, I was relatively relaxed in no time and I fell asleep, leaning against Cole. In my light slumber, I felt Cole stand up and gently tuck me into bed before I completely and totally succumbed to the darkness of my dreams.