Chapter 3 Chapter 3

When I started waking up I heard people arguing. Things were becoming more clear and my dad was arguing with Alpha Michael. Alpha Michael was yelling that he would do whatever he had to do to take me back. My dad had quit listening because he noticed that I was awake. 

Alpha Noah: “Honey, Honey, can you hear me?”

Stephanie: “Dad, what is happening?” I asked as I was still trying to focus.

Alpha Noah: “You passed out when you saw Alpha Michael. What do you remember?”

Stephanie: “I remember everything. I think.”

Alpha Michael made a move towards me and my dad growled letting him know to back up. He slowed but looked desperate. 

Alpha Michael: “Stephanie, tell me how you ended up here.”

Stephanie: “I remember being outside with a woman, who I am assuming is my mom. We were working in the garden and she was singing to me. It’s still foggy. I remember a scream and she tells me to run. Before I could think, someone came up behind me and put something over my face. When I woke up I was in a car, there were two men in the car, they gave me food and water when they saw I was awake. They called someone to let them know they had me and the plan was going according to plan. I told them I wanted to go home. I wanted my parents. They laughed and said I better enjoy the sunshine because it was the last time I would be seeing it. 

They pulled me out of the car in a forest. They tied me to a tree while they went and found the spot for me. I heard them on the phone saying they wanted their money for fixing the problem. I somehow managed to get out of the ties and was running. That’s it. The next thing I know I was here.”

Alpha Michael: “None of that makes sense Stephanie, we live on the other side of the country. Why would they bring you all the way over here?”

Alpha Noah: “How the hell would she know that? She was a child. Obviously this is something to do with out and not with us. You have no reason to assume you can just take her. She is an adult and can make her own choices.”

Alpha Michael: “There is no way in hell I am going home without my daughter. She has been missing for 17 years. She will return and take her place.”

Alpha Noah: “What place is that? You have a wife and two children with another woman. Where exactly will she fit in Alpha? Explain that.”

Alpha Michael let out a roar. Dad and Noah were across the room blocking me from harm in an instant. The noise seemed to irritate my already scattered brain and brought a loud ringing to my ears. My mom reached out and was holding me, screaming for everyone to stop that this wasn’t helping anything. 

Everyone turned and was suddenly looking at me. 

Stephanie: “I will stay with my parents and brother. I am sorry Alpha Micheal, but I don’t know you or your family and given your current behavior and attitude I am not sure that I want to. Please leave.”

Alpha Michael: “Stephanie, I am your father, your family. You can’t just pretend I don’t exist. You can’t just send me away.”

Stephanie: “Maybe not but for now I am asking you to leave and give me and my family some time and some peace. I have been through quite enough today.”

His face dropped the more we spoke. His beta who I hadn’t even realized was in the room put his hand on his shoulder and whispered something in his ear. Thankfully they left without any more issues. 

We finally were getting a moment to process everything. 

My parents immediately moved to me as soon as our family was alone. Max was spiraling I could see it in his eyes. I reached for him and he immediately moved and we just saw together in a fragile moment. Suddenly mom broke, pain, fear, desperation, everything seemed to flow from her and she was panicking. Dad grabbed her and was holding her, whispering reassurances. Noah and I moved to her. I knew how she felt but I also knew that this was a moment they needed me to be strong. To hold my head high. I am and will forever be their daughter. 

Once she was calm, we sat together finally needing to speak.

Max- “They cannot have her she is our family.”

Stephanie- “Max, I am not going anywhere. I am an adult. There is nothing he can do to drag me back with them.”

Alpha Noah- “No, but that doesn’t mean he won’t make it as difficult as possible. He is going to try and claim you as family and theirs when we get to the ball. He will do everything he can to pressure you into doing what he wants for their benefit.”

Stephanie- “Maybe, but you raised me to be strong. You taught me how to fight more than just physically. Dad, I am not going anywhere, this is my pack. You are my family.”

Alpha Noah- “Let’s just take some time. We don’t leave for Luke’s till tomorrow. I am going to take your mom to rest. If either of you need anything just reach out.”

Once they were gone, Max looked at me, really looked at me. He rushed to hug me and just started crying.

Max- “Stephanie, we can’t lose you. I know you have been travelling and building a career and life for yourself, but you are one of us. We cannot stand to lose you. You saw mom just at the thought of someone trying to take you from us. You are my sister. My sister. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

Stephanie- “Max. Max. Hey, I am not going anywhere. I do not know those people. I do not want to know those people. I have a family, a pack, and a life that has nothing to do with them. I know something is off with them. I have no interest in anything else. Even if I find my mate during the Mating ball, you are my brother. I have my parents. I am not looking for anything else. I promise.”

Max seemed to calm slightly. He took another minute with the hug and left. I was left sitting in the infirmary wondering how the hell the mess happened. The more I thought about the memories the more I was remembering. The more I remembered, the more I knew I didn’t want to know those people. The more absolute I was that they are not my people. 

I knew everyone needed time to process so I went to my room to read.