Chapter 9

''Could you tell me which day it was when they took you?'' Stiles asked to change the subject.

''They took us yesterday, it was November 25.''

Stiles let out a large gulp breath. He tried to blink away tears. Tessa seemed to sense his distress because her wolf struggled to take control. Stiles placed her hand on his chest to do some breathing exercises so she could calm down.

When her wolf is under control, he continues.

''Fuck, I've been here for longer than I thought. They just fuck with your schedule. And you don't have any indication what time it is. Fuck, this is so fucked up.'' Stiles stood and started to pace. Feeling agitated and confused, why did he think that it just had been six months?

''Stiles, when did they took you?'' Tessa asked softly, as if afraid to spook him.

Stiles let out a humorless laugh. He just wanted to go home and be comforted by his dad, or Scott, or Derek. Fuck Derek wouldn't want that. But Stiles wanted it so bad, he just wants to go home. He takes a big sniff and feels himself leaning in Tessa's direction. Why does she smell like home?

''They took me at the beginning of February. I can't remember the exact date.'' Stiles admitted while looking down at the floor.

Tessa's hands found his, and he looked up at her grey eyes. They were sympathetic.

''I'm sorry, that sounds awful. Do you have anybody at home looking for you?''

''I thought so, but they told me that the pack thinks I'm dead. And I'm thousands of miles away. They wouldn't know where to start.'' He said, feeling dejected.

''When we get out of here, we should go back to your home,'' Tessa says, determined.

''We? What about you, Tessa?''

''I've got a house, but not a home here. Adam was the only one I really knew, the only one I had left. Nobody will miss me.'' She sounds resigned, but Stiles can feel the sadness and grief coming through the pack bond.

''Would you really come with me?'' Stiles asks in wonder.

''Of course, you're my Alpha now.'' She says with conviction. As if it's stupid that he even asks.

Stiles smiles wetly. He already feels close to his first beta. She is strong; he can feel it. He really wants to hug her close and never let go.

''Now, we should start thinking about ways to get out of here.'' Tessa starts while responding to him with a small smile.

''I tried everything, the bars won't budge, not even with Alpha strength. And when they collect me for a fight, I'm incapacitated by the witch. I can't move a muscle unless she lets me.'' Stiles sneers.

''Okay, do you think they laced the bars with something? Could that be the reason you can't break or bend them?'' Tessa muses.

''It's possible, the vet I told you about back home? He had a counter laced with mountain ash, only when he opened a part of the counter you could walk through as were.''

''Was it wood or steel?''

''Wood, why?''

''Well, this is steel-'' she touched the bars softly. Before her eyes flashed gold. ''-Too bad. Otherwise, we could try fire.''

They didn't find another way that day to get out. They tried the bars together, and when they got food, they stuck together, not wanting to be apart from each other.

When it was time to sleep, Stiles started to strip.

''Why are you doing that?'' She asked while trying not to look. Stiles smirked but didn't comment. He really bulked up the last couple of months. He was in better shape than he ever had been.

''I want to sleep in my wolf form.'' He simply answered.

''Like a real wolf-wolf?'' Tessa asked with her eyebrows high, looking incredulous.

''Jup,'' Stiles said while popping the 'p.'

He then let the change take over and started to lie down. When he was comfortable, he looked up. Tessa was staring with wide eyes.

''Can-can- I do that too?''

He tried to shrug in his wolf form because he really had no idea if she was capable of doing it. She seemed to understand and gingerly laid a hand on him before starting to pet him.

Stiles should stop her. He is a big Alpha wolf, not a pup or a dog you can pet. But the petting felt soooooooo good. He heard a light giggle, and he glared at Tessa when she tried to hide her laughter.

''You look really cute like this. Like a big puppy.'' She says with obvious amusement.

He growled playfully before biting the hem of her shirt so she would lie down with him. He knows he is even warmer like this, and he thinks that Tessa could use a little warmth at the moment. She looks exhausted and smells like grief.

She lies down but keeps staring at Stiles's wolf. Not wanting to sleep just yet.

''Stiles, do you think we can get out of here?'' She whispers. Knowing he can't talk in this state, but still wanting reassurance.

He tilts his head before licking her face. She startles and lets out a laugh.

''Asshole.'' Comes the response, but it's with a fond tone. He growls playfully back before settling down again while Tessa keeps her hand in his fur. It doesn't take long before sleep claims them both.