Chapter 5 005

Stephanie's POV:

I didn't need anyone to tell me that Tyler was furious-his clenched jaw and piercing gaze said it all. But what I didn't understand was why. Why did he care this much? Why did it matter to him what I did?

"I was just strolling," I blurted out, my voice breaking under the weight of the tension. His eyes narrowed into slits, and I immediately regretted my words.

"Only a fool would take a stroll in the woods at this hour, especially near the pack's boundary," he growled. "Or someone who is trying to escape. So which one are you, Stephanie?"

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest. His words hit like a hammer, but I refused to back down. "Fine," I muttered, throwing my hands up in surrender. "I was trying to escape. So what? It's not like it's any of your business."

I tried to brush past him, but his hand shot out, gripping my arm firmly. His touch sent a jolt through my body, a mix of heat and electricity that made my knees weaken. Our proximity was suffocating, his intense gaze locking me in place. Why was I feeling like this? Why did his presence unravel me in ways I didn't understand?

"Don't you dare walk away while I'm talking to you," he said through gritted teeth, his tone low and commanding.

Something about his voice made me want to obey, but I fought the urge. I wasn't going to let him control me. I wasn't going to let anyone control me.

I swatted his hand away, glaring at him. "Let me make something clear," I began, my voice trembling with suppressed anger. "My mother might have married your father, but that doesn't make us family. I know my family, and they know me. I don't need you or anyone else playing the role of my big brother. You have no right to interfere in my life."

Tyler's fists clenched at his sides, his jaw tightening. "That's where you're wrong," he said, his voice dangerously calm. "You became part of this pack the moment your mother married Peterson. Whether you like it or not, you're one of us now. And as alpha, it's my duty to protect my pack-including you. Your safety is my business."

"I don't want to be part of your pack!" I shouted, my emotions spilling over. "I want to go back home!"

"This is your home now," he said, his words like a slap to the face. "You don't understand, do you? You don't belong there anymore. With your abilities, you've already crossed the line. You're a danger to the people you're so desperate to return to. You can't go back. You need to face the truth."

His words cut through me like a blade, and tears stung my eyes. I fought to hold them back, but the dam was threatening to break. "I just want to live a normal life," I whispered, my voice cracking. "I didn't ask for this. I didn't ask for any of this. My life was already a mess-I can't handle supernatural problems on top of everything else. I can't do this."

"Please," I sobbed, my voice barely audible. "Just let me go."

Tyler didn't respond immediately. He turned his back to me, his broad shoulders rigid. The silence stretched between us, broken only by the rustling of leaves and the distant calls of night birds. The cold breeze stung my skin, and I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to hold onto what little warmth I had left.

When he finally spoke, his voice was quiet but firm. "Your plan was doomed from the start."

I frowned, his words confusing me. "What do you mean?" I asked hesitantly.

"You can't just leave because you feel like it," he said, turning to face me. "This isn't the human world. You're in the supernatural realm now-a realm far removed from the one you came from. It's like being on another planet. The only way to cross back is through a portal."

My stomach dropped. A portal? What was he even saying? My mind raced, trying to process his words, but they only added to the chaos spinning in my head.

Tyler continued, his expression unyielding. "The portals are heavily guarded. Once you enter this realm, you don't leave. Not unless someone with access allows it."

A lump formed in my throat, and I struggled to speak. "So... so I'm stuck here? Forever?"

The thought made my chest tighten, panic clawing at me. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't imagine spending the rest of my life here, in this strange, terrifying world.

"But," Tyler added, his voice softer now, "there are a few of us who have access to the portals."

My heart leapt at his words, a flicker of hope igniting within me. "Who?" I asked, my voice trembling.

"My brothers and I," he said.

The hope shattered almost instantly. Of course, I thought bitterly. The very people who had dragged me into this nightmare were the only ones who could get me out. I laughed humorlessly, shaking my head. "Great. Just great."

Then he said something that stopped me in my tracks. "I'll give you access to the portal."

I blinked, staring at him in disbelief. "What?"

"I'll take you to the portal," he said, his tone matter-of-fact. "If you want to leave, I won't stop you."

For a moment, I couldn't speak. I couldn't even think. Was he serious? After everything, was he really going to let me go?

"Are you serious?" I finally managed to say.

He frowned. "Don't make me regret it."

"Thank you," I whispered, still in shock. I followed him as he led the way out of the woods. My mind was a whirlwind of emotions-relief, confusion, doubt. Why was he doing this? Why did he care?

Soon, we were back at the mansion. The party was still in full swing, but Tyler didn't stop. He led me straight to the garage, where a sleek black sports car awaited us. I climbed in, my hands trembling as I buckled my seatbelt.

As the car roared to life and we pulled out of the compound, I turned to him, my voice hesitant. "Why are you doing this? Why are you letting me go?"

Tyler kept his eyes on the road, his expression unreadable. "Because I can't force someone to be part of my pack. You have the right to choose your own path. Even if I don't agree with it."

Hearing his reply, my lips curled into a soft smile. I rested my head on the chair and gazed out the car window. For the first time, I was seeing the town beyond the mansion where I was.

Even though it was night, the streetlights bathed everything in a warm glow, casting a peaceful, almost magical, aura over the town. It felt so quiet, so serene.

After what felt like an eternity, the car finally came to a halt.

"We're here," he said, breaking the long silence that had hung in the air like a heavy curtain. His voice was calm yet distant. Tyler unbuckled his seatbelt and stepped out of the car. I followed suit, my curiosity piqued as I took in our surroundings.

A jet terminal? My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. He mentioned a portal, didn't he? Was he trying to to with me? But I quickly dismissed the thought-what mattered most was that he was getting me out of here. I didn't care about the method, just the result.

As we approached the terminal, a man emerged, walking briskly toward us. His demeanor was formal, almost reverent.

"Greetings, Alpha," he said, bowing his head respectfully. "How can I be of service to you? Do you wish to fly out?"

"No," Tyler replied curtly, his voice firm but not unkind. "I'll be using the portal."

The man nodded, bowing again before stepping aside to let us pass. "Understood, Alpha."

I followed Tyler into the building, the sound of our footsteps echoing in the quiet space. We entered an elevator, and as the doors slid shut, I felt a strange tension building in the air.

"I'll need you to turn around," he said suddenly, his tone devoid of emotion.

I blinked, momentarily thrown off. "Why?"

"The location of the portal is known only to me and my brothers. Outsiders aren't allowed to see," he explained, his words cutting through me like a blade.

Outsider. The word stung more than I cared to admit. I swallowed the lump forming in my throat, reminding myself that I shouldn't care. Why would I? Still, the ache in my chest lingered.

"Oh," I mumbled, my voice barely audible. Obediently, I turned my back to him, staring at the cold, metallic walls of the elevator. I heard the soft beep of a button being pressed, followed by the faint hum of the elevator as it ascend.

It stopped moments later, and I felt a slight shift in the air around us.

"You can turn now," he said, his voice softer this time.

I turned slowly, my eyes widening as I stepped out of the elevator. The atmosphere was entirely different. We were no longer in a modern building but inside what appeared to be a vast, ancient cave. The air was cool, damp, and carried a faint, earthy scent.

In front of us stood a massive, glowing ring suspended in the air. It pulsed with an otherworldly energy, casting a surreal light across the cavern.

"Is that..." I began, my voice trailing off in disbelief.

"That's the portal," Tyler interrupted.

I stood there, utterly mesmerized. How could something like this exist? It defied everything I thought I knew about the world.

"So... if I step through this, I'll be back in my city?" I asked, my voice wavering with a mix of hope and uncertainty.

"Not quite," he replied, his expression unreadable. "You'll need to say the name of the place you want to go. If you don't, the portal might drop you somewhere else-Africa, Europe, or any other human continent."

"Wow," I breathed, unable to contain my amazement. This was beyond anything I had ever imagined.

"You should get going," Tyler said, glancing at his wristwatch. His tone had shifted, becoming brisk and businesslike. "I need to return to the pack."

Without thinking, I stepped closer to him and wrapped my arms around his torso in a quick but heartfelt hug. His body stiffened instantly, clearly caught off guard. For a moment, I worried I'd overstepped, but I didn't pull away. I needed him to know.

"Thank you, Tyler," I said softly, my voice trembling with sincerity. "Thank you for saving me from those wolves and for this... for giving me a chance to go home. I'll never forget your kindness."

I pulled back, feeling a strange mix of emotions swirling inside me. His face was unreadable, his expression carefully guarded, but his eyes-those piercing eyes-held something I couldn't quite place.

I turned toward the portal, my heart pounding in my chest. Just before stepping through, I glanced back at him one last time. He stood there, silent and motionless, his face a blank slate. But something about the way he looked at me made my chest tighten.

I offered him a small, bittersweet smile before doing as he had instructed. I stepped into the glowing ring, and immediately, the light engulfed me. It was blinding, overwhelming, as though I were falling into a boundless white abyss. I closed my eyes, surrendering to the sensation.

When I opened them again, I was standing in front of my house-the one I shared with Claire and her family. The sight should have filled me with relief, yet all I felt was... emptiness. A strange, hollow ache settled in my chest, as if something vital was missing.

I was lost in thought when a familiar voice called out behind me.

"Stephanie? Is that you?"