My Jealous Alpha Stepbrother
Chapter 115

Alex

I’m disoriented. How many years did I spend in that other dark dimension? Five? Six? Seven? I’m uncertain. I stopped marking the months on the wall of my cave the first year. Crying about being far away from home was something I had to push aside.

Instead, I trained to get stronger and survive in that other dimension because I never thought I would return. I was ready to fight dragons and monsters for the rest of my life, but now I’m here. Back in reality, with artificial light hitting my eyes.

Someone is talking, but I can’t focus on their words. Did they say my name? No. I only imagine that. Why would they use my name? I haven’t heard it for years.

Damn, is the room spinning or what?

I’m so light-headed, and once I hear a gasp, I attack it without thinking. Years spent in the other dimension have taught me one thing: the element of surprise and attacking first is how you survive.

So I move as quickly as possible, lunging for the gasping creature. The enemy is afraid; good. Victory is within reach! I easily flip them over on their back, spread out my claws, and… freeze.

Horrified eyes meet mine, and instant shame hits me. Underneath me is the face of a woman, Tarryn. She is shaking, and my claws immediately retract, but the harm has already been done. The smell of her b***d is on my paws, which makes me hang my head in mortification.

I hurt her and seeing her face sends me spiraling into perplexity. She looks the same, tiny and cute. I’m older, and she is… younger than me. Hasn’t time passed in this dimension?

I stare at Tarryn, wide-eyed and curious, while Tarryn is so afraid of me that even her bones are rattling. It pains me, especially since new development is coming into play.

There is a mate bond between us, sparkling fires underneath my skin. Looking at Tarryn and her smooth dark skin, wild hair, and doe-eyes fill me with a possessiveness I’ve never felt before.

I can’t peel my eyes off her.

Another male that smells like a demon mixed with a werewolf is standing in the room. He says something about escaping and me being a freak, but I’m hardly paying attention. My sole focus is on Tarryn, who stands on shaky legs to assess me.

“Alex…” she whispers, no doubt perplexed about the mate bond. “What happened to you?”

Alex

I’m disoriented. How many years did I spend in that other dark dimension? Five? Six? Seven? I’m uncertain. I stopped marking the months on the wall of my cave the first year. Crying about being far away from home was something I had to push aside.

I tilt my head, about to shape-shift back into a human, but the other male says, “No,” and when I look at him, he wears a feral smile. “Don’t ask him those questions here. You must leave NOW and make it back to your territory. I’m running out of magic and can’t keep time frozen forever.”

Escape?

I almost choke on my tongue after processing the hybrid male’s words. Are we still prisoners in this dimension? Holy flipping s**t. Didn’t time pass here at all?! Oh my god. I might actually pass out—

“ALEX!” Tarryn yells, and to my surprise, she swats my cheek. It’s a hard bitchslap set to bring me back to reality. It amuses me. A second ago, she was terrified of me, and now she is glaring at my face. “I know this is a lot to take in, but you and I must leave. You heard Sky, so stop freaking out. I need you to be a good boy and let me climb up on your back.”

Back?

Pfft, f**k no. She wouldn’t be able to hold on. I’m not putting her on my back—my shoulders are way better. So I stand on my hind legs, towering over Tarryn before grabbing her with one massive paw.

She shrieks in response to my claws going around her waist, and I feel her frantic heartbeat against my palm before I pluck her off the ground like a flower. I throw her onto my shoulders, and she grabs the soft fur behind my ears, holding on.

“This is so weird…” Tarryn says. “Still, I have no doubt you will be a faster runner than me with your… weird lycan form.”

Weird lycan form?

I would laugh at that if I could. My form is indeed weird, mixed with a bunch of creatures, but I don’t mind it. I’ve survived like this for years, and I must admit I haven’t been in my human form since forever. Neither has I taken a shower, which results in Tarryn coughing.

“No offense, Alex, but I will wash you once we return home. You stink like a wet dog and mud.”

A smirk forms on my wolf-like lips.

If I had known that stinking would make Tarryn offer to bathe me, I would have rolled in mud ages ago. I know this isn’t the right place to get excited, but I am. I need to make it back home as quickly as possible!

I look at the other male, who points at a window. “Leave through that window, and don’t look back.”

I tilt my head, about to shape-shift back into a human, but the other male says, “No,” and when I look at him, he wears a feral smile. “Don’t ask him those questions here. You must leave NOW and make it back to your territory. I’m running out of magic and can’t keep time frozen forever.”

I have no idea who this hybrid is, but I thank him by nodding my head. Whoever he is, Tarryn trusts him and my mate’s friends are my friends, so I don’t hesitate before rushing toward the window.

I have no idea who this hybrid is, but I thank him by nodding my head. Whoever he is, Tarryn trusts him and my mate’s friends are my friends, so I don’t hesitate before rushing toward the window.

“Oh my god, are you serious?!” Tarryn’s legs are curled around my neck, and her fingers dig into my fur. “Are we seriously jumping out of that window?! You’re crazy!”

Behind us, the other male laughs. “Have a nice trip home!”

I like that guy.

Tarry, however, is panicking. “We are going to die!”

I snort at that right before crashing through the window. Some glass shards cut into my arms, but Tarryn is safe—the perks of being a monster with a big head. She still holds on to me as we fall down from the sky, landing with a thump on my two feet.

It feels weird being back. Immediately I’m hit with the scent of earth and none of that black matter that existed in the other dimension. I’ve missed this place so much and feel myself growing teary-eyed.

I no longer have to fight dragons and monsters! I’m finally home and howl before picking up my speed. My senses are heightened. My legs are faster, and I take off like lightning.

“Jesus, Alex!” Tarryn is bouncing up and down on my shoulders, but I can hardly feel her weight. My mate is a petite little thing, but damn, her voice is loud when she complains. “Not so fast! Are you trying to make me fall off your shoulders?!”

I roll my eyes at her, but I’ve secretly missed her. I’ve thought of Tarryn for the past years I’ve spent in the other dimension. She is my only friend, even if she is nagging at me for trying to save our lives.

“You’re running like a freak, and—” a howl behind us cuts her off, and suddenly, her whole demeanor changes. The Howler pack catches up with us, and Tarryn screams into my ear. “Faster, Alex! We are being chased! Why are you slowing down?! Run, boy!”

Amusement fills my chest. It’s good to be back in my dimension. I haven’t spoken to anyone in years. I’ve been alone and sad, miserable. But a few minutes with Tarrn makes me realize I’m finally home.

This is where I’m meant to be.

“FASTER, ALEX!”

What a bossy little thing… still, I wouldn’t have it any other way.