Chapter 4 004

Stephanie's POV:

I stood up from my bed and walked to the window, pulling the curtains aside. The sun had already disappeared, and the day was slipping into darkness. The clock on the wall read 10 p.m.

Most of my day had been spent exploring the outskirts of the mansion. I'd asked Nora to show me around. To my mom, it seemed like I was beginning to adapt, and she was thrilled about it. But in my mind, I knew the real reason-I wanted to familiarize myself with the layout, ensuring my escape plan tonight would go off without a hitch.

A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts.

"Come in," I called, and Nora entered the room, carrying a box.

"Good evening, ma'am," she greeted, her voice polite yet reserved.

I narrowed my eyes at her. "How many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me that? Just call me Stephanie. I know it feels wrong to you, but it's the only way I can feel normal in this place," I said, offering a small smile.

She hesitated but nodded. "Okay, Stephanie," she said, a warm smile lighting up her face.

"So, Nora, how can I help you?" I asked, crossing my arms.

"Your dress for dinner has arrived," she replied, setting the box on the table. I sighed audibly.

Back home, I could wear whatever I wanted. But here, everything seemed like an elaborate performance. And for what? Someone needed to explain why dressing up for a simple dinner was necessary.

"You should freshen up. We don't have much time left," Nora's voice interrupted my internal grumbling.

Reluctantly, I staggered toward the bathroom. After a long shower, I wrapped myself in a towel and stepped back into my room, only to find an unfamiliar face standing beside Nora. My room looked completely different-makeup tools and hair products were spread neatly across the bed.

"What's going on?" I asked, my gaze darting between Nora and the stranger. "And who is this?" I gestured toward the unfamiliar man, who looked slightly taken aback by my question.

"She's new here," Nora explained quickly, and the man nodded in agreement.

"That explains it," he said, giving me a once-over.

"This is Louis Missouri," Nora introduced. "He's a well-known stylist around here, and he'll be in charge of your makeup tonight."

I blinked, stunned by her words. As if getting dressed wasn't enough, now I had to sit through a makeup session too? I just knew I would never get used to this lifestyle.

Despite my rising frustration, I forced a smile. I couldn't afford to let any emotions jeopardize my plan. "It's nice to meet you, Louis Missouri," I said as politely as I could.

"And you, Stephanie," he replied, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "You're stunning already-just a few touches here and there, and you'll look perfect." He clapped his hands together. "Shall we begin?"

"Sure," I muttered sarcastically, plopping down in the chair. He immediately got to work.

A few minutes later, he stepped back, satisfied with his work. Nora helped me into the dress-a strapless, corseted purple ball gown adorned with silver floral patterns. The bodice was tight, my chest threatening to spill out. It was beautiful, but far from something I'd choose for myself.

Standing in front of the mirror, I gasped. I barely recognized the girl staring back at me. I'd always known I was pretty, but this-this was different. This screamed royalty.

"You look breathtaking," Nora said softly from behind me.

I turned to Louis, still in awe. "Thank you," I murmured.

"At least now you know who Louis Missouri is," he said with a wink before collecting his tools. "I'll take my leave. Enjoy your evening."

"Let's go," Nora said, extending her hand toward me. I took it reluctantly, and we exited the room.

The hallway was dim, illuminated only by the faint glow of Nora's flashlight.

"Is there a power outage?" I asked as we made our way to the staircase leading down to the main living room.

"Not exactly," she replied cryptically.

Before I could press further, the lights flickered on, and balloons floated into the air.

"Happy birthday, Stephanie!" my mom's voice rang out from downstairs.

I froze on the staircase, taking in the scene before me. The room was packed with people I didn't recognize. My gaze darted to Nora.

"You knew about this?" I asked, my voice low.

"Happy birthday, Stephanie," she said with a grin, stepping back and leaving me alone.

All eyes were on me as I descended the stairs. My heart skipped a beat when I spotted the five brothers, each dressed in sharp black tuxedos, wine glasses in hand. Their piercing gazes locked onto me like predators eyeing their prey.

Reaching the bottom of the stairs, my mom extended her hand, and I took it reluctantly. "Mom, thank you for being so thoughtful, but this really wasn't necessary. Who are all these people?" I whispered through clenched teeth.

"This is more than a birthday party," she explained. "It's an introduction to the pack. You're now a part of the Salvador family the most powerful family which houses the most powerful Alphas in the werewolf realm. They all need to know that you're not to be trifled with."

Her words made my head spin. I forced a tight smile. "Okay, Mom. Thanks." I said, as I didn't want to hear any more of it.

She returned my smile and opened a small box I hadn't noticed before. Inside was a black-and-white thread bracelet.

"This is my first gift to you," she said, gesturing for my hand. I extended it hesitantly, and she slipped the bracelet onto my wrist.

"It may look simple, but it's not," she added as if reading my thoughts. "It's enchanted. It will suppress your powers to ensure you don't hurt anyone by accident."

I sighed inwardly, forcing another smile. "I love it," I lied.

"Never take it off. No matter what," she warned sternly.

Before I could respond, Peterson appeared beside us, planting a kiss on my mom's cheek.

"Happy birthday, Stephanie," he said warmly.

"Thanks, Peter," I replied.

"You can call me Dad, you know," he said, catching me off guard. I stammered, unsure how to respond.

"Don't worry," he said with a chuckle. "Whenever you're ready."

"Thank you," I said softly.

Peterson gestured for me to follow him. "Come, I want to introduce you to some people," he said. Reluctantly, I walked alongside him and my mother.

"This is Beta James Williams," Peterson began, introducing me to a tall, broad-shouldered man in a sleek white tuxedo. "He's the Beta of our Moonsdale Pack."

The man nodded politely, his steely gaze meeting mine. He looked like he was in his late twenties, with sharp features and an air of authority about him. Handsome, sure, but he didn't hold a candle to the five brothers. Speaking of them, where had they gone?

"Looking for someone?" James asked, his deep voice snapping me out of my thoughts.

"No," I replied curtly, brushing off the question. My eyes scanned the room again, but the brothers were nowhere to be seen.

Before I could think too much about it, I realized my mother and stepfather had disappeared into the crowd. I hadn't even noticed them leave. Now I was alone with this stranger.

"Would you honor me with a dance?" James asked, extending his hand toward me.

I hesitated, my irritation bubbling to the surface. "I'm sorry, but I can't," I said bluntly, turning on my heel and walking away before he could say another word.

Grabbing a drink from a passing waiter, I took a sip, trying to steady my nerves. Everything about tonight-this party, the people, the expectations-felt suffocating. All I wanted was some air, some space to think.

"Stephanie," Peterson's voice called out, and I turned to see him beckoning me over. Clenching my fists, I reluctantly walked toward him.

"I want you to meet someone else," he said, motioning to a woman standing nearby. "This is Helena Smith, the pack's doctor. Helena, this is Stephanie Mikaelson, my stepdaughter."

The introductions continued like this for what felt like an eternity. My legs were beginning to ache, and my head felt heavy from the constant small talk. I wasn't used to this kind of attention, and it was draining every ounce of energy I had left.

Eventually, I felt the room start to spin. Colors blurred together, and the voices around me became muffled. I tried to steady myself, but my legs gave out slightly, and I stumbled.

"Stephanie!" My mother's voice snapped me back to reality. She was at my side in an instant, her face etched with concern. "Are you okay? You look pale."

"Actually, I'm not feeling too well," I admitted, my voice weak.

"I'll call the doctor-" she began, but I interrupted her.

"There's no need for that. I just need to rest. I think I'm just tired," I assured her, forcing a faint smile.

She hesitated before nodding. "Okay, sweetheart. I still have a lot to handle here. Go to your room and get some rest. I'll let Peterson and anyone else know."

"Thank you, Mom," I said, relief washing over me. This was the perfect opportunity I'd been waiting for.

As soon as I got to my room, I wasted no time. I slipped out of the extravagant gown and into the maid's outfit I had stolen earlier in the day. It was simple, plain, and perfect for blending in.

I took a deep breath, steadying my nerves. Tonight was the night. If I didn't escape now, I might never get another chance.

Staring at my hands, I remembered my mother's words to me. I have been living a normal life for 20 years and I haven't exhibited any unusual ability. There's no way I'm believing the bullshit coming out from her mouth so I definitely don't need this bangle. I removed the bangle, keeping it inside the drawer.

Moving swiftly and silently, I left my room. My steps were confident yet cautious as I made my way down the hall, keeping my head low to avoid drawing attention. Carrying a tray of drinks as a prop, I mingled briefly with the crowd downstairs, seamlessly blending in.

The moment I stepped outside the mansion, a wave of relief swept over me. The crisp night air filled my lungs as I glanced around, surveying the area. Guards patrolled the perimeter, their torches casting flickering shadows on the ground.

The only other light came from the burning fires scattered across the hit like hawks. No, the woods behind the mansion were my only option. Nora had mentioned that the forest led to another town. It was risky, but it was my best shot.

Placing the tray down on a nearby table, I slipped away, my movements quick and deliberate. My heart pounded in my chest as I made my way to the backyard, the mansion looming behind me like a dark, oppressive shadow.

When I finally reached the edge of the woods, I paused, glancing back at the grand estate one last time. This place had been nothing but a prison to me, and now I was finally leaving it behind. Without hesitation, I stepped into the dense forest.

The woods were eerily quiet, save for the crunch of leaves beneath my feet and the occasional rustle of branches. My breathing was heavy, each exhale visible in the cool night air. The towering trees seemed to close in around me, their gnarled branches forming a canopy that blocked out the moonlight.

I kept walking, determined to put as much distance between myself and the mansion as possible. The thought of reuniting with my friends gave me the strength to push through the exhaustion. When I looked up at the sky, I noticed the moon was high and full, its pale light casting an ethereal glow on the forest floor. I must have been walking for hours.

And then I heard it-a low, guttural howl that sent a shiver down my spine.

I froze, my body going rigid. What was that?

Before I could process the sound, the rustling of leaves grew louder. My heart raced as I spun around, searching for the source. At first, I didn't see anything. But then, in the distance, I spotted them-three glowing gold lights, flickering like embers in the darkness.

No. Not lights. Eyes.

Three massive wolves emerged from the shadows, their sharp teeth bared and their eyes fixed on me. Their low growls reverberated through the air, sending a wave of panic coursing through me.

Run, Stephanie. Run.

I knew I had to run but my body wouldn't move. I was paralyzed with fear, my legs refusing to obey me. These weren't ordinary wolves. They were enormous, their hulking forms radiating an unnatural power. Their tongues lolled out of their mouths as they stalked toward me, their movements slow and deliberate, like predators toying with their prey.

I closed my eyes, bracing myself for the inevitable. This was it. I shouldn't have escaped. I shouldn't have-

A deafening growl shattered the night, followed by the sound of flesh tearing and the sickening splatter of liquid hitting my face. My eyes flew open.

A new wolf stood before me, its black fur gleaming in the moonlight. It was at least three times the size of the others, its deep red eyes glowing like fire. The other wolves lay lifeless around it, their bodies broken and bloodied.

This wolf was different. More dangerous, more powerful. And yet, instead of fear, I felt something else-familiarity.

Before I could fully process what was happening, the wolf began to shift. Its form twisted and contorted until it wasn't a wolf standing before me anymore-it was a man.

My eyes popped open and I covered my mouth in shock.

"Tyler," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

And then, like a tidal wave, realization crashed over me. Everything my mom had said was true.

"I knew you were up to something," he grunted, his eyes still red.