The Hidden Alpha (Stryders #4) - HOLD

Chapter 5: Stuck

Cliffhangers- did you miss them? (This is a good one).

Hope you guys are enjoying the story! Thank you to everyone who is supporting this. Input always appreciated to motivate me.

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Let's try that again.

I turned right back, walking outside the barrier. Only to walk straight to the three guys again.

Again.

I tried to run this time.

Only to almost collide with Callum, who stepped out the way.

"Stop!" Julian exclaimed to me. Looking very confused. He cast Callum a look, and Callum slightly shook his head. Jaw tight.

I stopped, blinking at them. "What just happened? I mean, I know what happened- but why am I doing this?"

I couldn't let it slip that this felt a lot like magic to me. I had to remember I'm acting like I'm human and don't know the werewolf world like I actually do.

"It looks like you can't leave," Julian's cheerful disposition still dampened my entire mood.

"What do you mean I can't leave? I have to leave. I have to get back to my family. My parents and my little brother probably are worried sick about me." 

"Try one more time. Humor me. But I don't think the barrier is letting you leave."

"Barrier?" I asked. Knowing full well what it could mean- but packs didn't have barriers. That's magic. Something about this whole thing is off. I didn't know what, exactly. Or why.

"Right. Sorry. You're human," Julian ran a hand over his face.

"Julian," Callum's voice held a warning.

"Human? Aren't we all?" I asked stupidly.  Blinking innocently again.

"Okay. This may seem weird to you..."

"Don't worry it already is," I assured him.

Julian placed a hand on Callum's shoulders. Elliot is the one who snarled at me. "Alpha Julian I agree with Callum. We shouldn't tell her."

"Well it's already weird for her anyways. I don't think it can get weirder." Julian took a step closer to me, and splayed out his hands. "Freya, we're werewolves."

I only stared at them. How would a human react to this? Overreact? Faint?

"Come on. Don't lie. There's no such thing." I gave out a nervous laugh, for good measure.

"Elliot, do the honors." Julian turned to Elliot, who shifted into the ugliest brown wolf I've ever seen. I've seen some ugly werewolves in my time - and nice ones too- but this guy was just growling at me now as a werewolf. "Don't worry, he won't hurt you or bite."

Elliot growled, stepping forward.

I put a hand on my temples. "This is all too much. I don't know if this all just a dream."

"I'm sorry, Freya, but it's real. You being unable to leave is definitely a new problem. The barrier keeps those out of our territory instead of keeping us inside. I'll speak with our elders. In the meantime, you can stay in the village until we can get this figured out."

I internally groaned. Seriously?! How long will it take?

I try to step out again. For good measure. But walk right back to where Callum, Julian and shifted Elliot is.