HYBRID

CHAPTER 4

Nate started to feel his energy was slowly coming back. After a few moments, he gained his full strength. He pulled off and tore the rope, took Sister Amy inside the nearest room and rushed outside.

Nate went to the underground room and checked the kids. When Nate was sure that they were alright , he used mindlink to communicate to his pack "Eli was kidn*pped by the vampires! I need back up!".

Since Eli didn't give off any scent, Nate didn't know where to start, so he tried to feel her presence, but it was starting to fade off. So instead, he tracks Mila's scent, then he reaches the middle of the forest.

There he met the pack members that the chief sent. They stopped when they heard a loud scream. It was Mila's voice! "That traitor!" Nate told himself. They followed the voice. On their way, they smelled a lot of blood everywhere, and saw an abandoned house covered with vines.

"Oops! I guess the rescue is here. Aww.. I'd really love to play with you a little longer, but it can't be helped. I guess I'll just watch you from far, since I know for sure, that you'll definitely receive your punishment from your people."

The mystery person smiled at Mila, who was at that moment enduring the pain from the silver knife Nate gave to her. Mila was stabbed near her heart, which made her difficult to breathe.

Then the mystery person came near Eli, released her from being tied up, and placed her down. And whispered to her, "Your savior is here. So just wait patiently because you're safe now.", then kissed her forehead and left.

Nate and the others rushed inside. They saw Mila in the corner, with a lot of blood gasping for her breath. Then Nate looked for Eli. He saw her sitting near the door unconscious, with a little blood in her arms.

Nate felt furious, unable to maintain his anger. He went to Mila and gripped her neck tight. At that moment, he really wanted to kill her. Nate's friends stopped him, then one of them shouted, "What is wrong with you Nate?"

Then Nate shouted. "She helped the vampire to infiltrate the orphanage!" Everyone was shocked. "You won't get away with this!" Nate said, furiously.

Nate went back and carried Eli, "Bring her to the chief, make sure she'll get the punishment she deserves.". Nate told the pack members, as he was glaring at Mila.

Nate took Eli to the orphanage. He put her in a room and checked on her wound. After making sure that Eli was alright, he went back to the other room where he left Sister Amy and the children.

"Is she alright?" Sister Amy asked him, "Yes Sister, she's fine now. But she lost a lot of blood. So she needs a lot of rest." said Nate, with fear in his tone. Jenny went to Nate, as if she understood what was happening.

"Can I see Eyi (Eli)?" Jenny asked, "Of course you can, but she is sleeping right now," Nate told her, "I won't make a noise, pwamise (promise)" she said. " Alright, let's go see her," Nate carried Jenny to Eli's room.

Nate put Jenny down beside Eli, then the little girl whispered to her, "Eyi... wake up..it's my happy birthday.". Then Jenny kissed Eli's cheek. Nate smiled, looking at innocent Jenny, showing her love and concern for Eli.

TYLER'S POV

I still remember Eli's blushing face, and her heartbeat that was beating faster than usual. I know for a fact that I like her, no doubt about it, but what about her? Does she like me as well? I asked myself.

The whole day, Eli, had been occupying my mind, when all of a sudden I felt a pain in my chest. I sat down for a bit until the pain faded away. Suddenly, I thought of Eli. So I tried to call her so many times, but no response.

I couldn't stay still, so I decided to call Sam, my personal assistant. ''Can you find her location?'' I handed him over a paper with Eli's picture and name. It took him a couple of hours to come back to me and say.

''She's currently in this orphanage, outside of town with a guy friend.'' Sam informed me. After hearing him mentioning a guy, I felt irritated. I knew that it was Nate. I told Sam to prepare the car. I wanted to see Eli!

When we were about to reach the place, I could already smell Eli's scent. But apart from her, I also caught some scents that were like Nate's, but it's definitely not him, a bit different.

Then afterwards Sam spoke, ''I think we're entering someone's territory.'' I looked at Sam, so this is how it felt, I told myself, then Danny stopped the car, "This is the farthest we could get, Sir.'' he said with an apologetic look in his face.

Sam and Danny were both werewolves. Even since my identity was revealed, I have been introduced to everyone. They have been assigned to me since I was a child.

And after knowing about my werewolf blood, Sam started to plan my schedules for my training, to improve my abilities. Before I could speak, I sensed a group of men approaching in our direction.

Both Sam and Danny went out to talk to the men. I'm losing my patience since it's taking so long. So I followed them and asked, "Is there any problem?''

A man around my age came to me and said, "I'm sorry brother, but this area is off limits,''- he said it in a nice way, but I couldn't accept the fact that Eli was here in this off limit area together with Nate! And these people are not letting us in!

So I told him, " I'm sorry too, but I really need to see my friend, someone saw her. She was in this place. So can you please let us pass?'' I asked, then I walked back to the car, until one of them said.

"I'm afraid we can't do that.,'' then the five of them shifted into their wolf form. Sam and Danny were about to shift as well but I stopped them.

''I'll handle this,'' I told them with confidence. Sam opposed, ''But Sir, you don't have fighting experience!'' said Sam worriedly. "Sam, I'm a black belter, remember? Besides, this is good practice for me as well,'' I smiled.

***

Back in Nate's pack, the members who brought Mila back tell the Chief and the Elders what happened. And so Mila was treated in the dungeon where she would stay until her trial was over.

"Is it true? Did you really make an alliance with those vampires?" the chief asked Mila. "Why, you also had an alliance with other vampires yourself, so why am I not allowed?" Mila said, in a sarcastic way.

"Don't you dare compare. What you did is totally different, you put Eli in danger!" the chief shouted at her. It was the first time Mila saw he was angered.

"Now.. you will give me all the information I need to catch them," the Chief said in a firm tone. "They're all dead.." Mila answered, "Don't lie to me," the chief growled at her.

"I'm not lying, the one who stabbed me killed all of them." Mila stated, breathing heavily. "Who is this person?" the chief asked, ''I don't know, He's not one of us, also not a vampire.'' she explained.

The Chief left and told the members on duty to keep an eye on her and never leave the dungeon unattended. Then he went to talk to the elders.

''Someone was there before our members reached the place, the one who stabbed Mila. She said it was not a werewolf nor a vampire.'' the Chief informed the Elders and other pack members who were at the meeting.

''Though we cannot trust her word anymore, we must still do our own investigation," the Chief stated. The meeting ended, then the Chief distributed the task to all the members.

It was late afternoon when Nate went to the pack house. "I want to see her, " he told his father, the Chief and the current Alpha of the Golden pack. "She's in the dungeon," his father told him. ''Nate, don't do anything until the trial is over.'' the Chief reminded him.

Chief knew his son very well, he also knew that Nate would kill anyone who would try to harm Eli. Nate just gave a nod then went straight down to see the traitor.

"So.. you're still breathing?'' Nate asked Mila, "I see.. that you're not happy.. to see me.. alive." Mila said in a weak voice. "Why did you do that? Why did you hurt Eli?'' Nate asked, glaring at Mila.

''That girl.. took you away from me,'' Mila said with tears in her eyes. ''Eli didn't do anything to you,'' Nate said, clenching his fists, trying to hold back his anger.

''I'm your mate!'' Mila said, "I rejected you already.. a long time ago.'' Nate told her with straight-faced. ''I didn't accept it!'' Mila said, now tears were flowing into her cheeks.

''Well, you should.'' Nate said, then turned away. ''Why?.. can't you accept me as your mate?'' Mila asked, in between her sobs. Nate looked at her in the eye and said,

''I don't love you.'' then Nate left.

When Nate reached outside, he saw the pack members were anxious. "What's going on?'' Nate asked the Chief, "There was a wolf fighting with Chris and his friends,'' the Chief answered.

"So.. what's the problem? We know how strong he is,'' Nate said. "But he's fighting them in his human form!" a teenage boy said, a little bit amused. "I'll go check on it," Nate told his father, then left.

From far, Nate knew this familiar scent. So he ran faster, to see what was going on, then when he arrived at the main border. Nate was a little bit stunned to see four pack members already on the ground, unconscious.

And he saw Chris was at a disadvantage. Nate ran to Tyler to push him hard. But Tyler sensed he was coming. That's why he dodged it. "What are you doing here?'' Nate asked. Tyler, who looked pissed off at seeing him, said, ''I'm here to see Eli."

"How did you know this place?'' Nate asked. "Do I really need to answer your question, where is she?'' Tyler asked, he was starting to lose his temper. "She's not here," Nate answered.

"Don't lie to me, I can smell her from this distance." Tyler said in a firm tone. Nate and Chris were shocked, ''How did you--'' Nate was unable to finish his sentence when a sudden realization hit him. ''It can't be..'' Nate mumbled.

''Hmm..'' Eli tried to open her eyes. She was surprised to see Tyler. The latter was looking at her with so much worry on his eyes.

''Are you alright? I heard you were kidn*pped? Did they do something to you?'' Tyler asked her continuously, then she tried to recall what happened.

Eli closed her eyes when she remembered the past event. ''Tyler, can we talk later? I need to have a word with Nate?'' Eli saw Tyler's face become gloomy.

''Alright, I'll be outside, call me when you're done talking.'' said Tyler. Then he left, Eli asked Nate, ''Where is Mila?'' Eli asked and looked at Nate. ''She's under police custody," Nate lied, since he couldn't tell her about the pack.

"Can you not punish her? I mean you don't have to send her to jail or anything, I forgive her.'' Eli said, ''What are you talking about? You almost died back there?'' Nate said with a louder voice.

''But she did that out of anger, she must be regretting it now, so please just let her go.'' Eli said, begging him. ''You don't know what you're talking about, she'll get what she deserves, she needs to be punished.'' Nate said in a cold tone.

''She likes you Nate,'' Eli looked at her friend, trying to convince him to let Mila go.

''I know.. but I like someone else.'' Nate looked at Eli straight into her eyes to convey the feeling that he couldn't say through words.

After a moment of silence, Nate left the room and saw Tyler looking at him. Nate had just passed him, but before he could get far, Tyler asked him, ''Is she that SOMEONE?''. Nate turned to him and said, '' Yes''

"You know I won't give up on her'', Tyler stared at Nate. ''I know.. that's why I am planning to do the same.'' Nate told him with determination.

Nate went back to the pack house. He saw Chris and talked to him, ''Can I ask you a favor?'' Nate asked, "Is this about what that guy said about Eli's scent?'' Chris asked. ''Yes, can you keep it between us two?'' Nate told him.

''Sure.. but you know, you can't hide it forever.'' Chris reminded him, ''I know, I just needed more time.'' Nate said with desperation.

''But I think that Tyler guy doesn't have any idea about that matter.'' he said, looking at Nate. ''I think so too, but whatever the reason is, I'm going to use it to my advantage."

NATE'S POV

''Are you sure you can do this?'' I asked Eli, ''Of course, I had enough rest already.'' Eli responded, excitedly. ''Alright, if you say so, just don't push yourself ok?'' I told her.

''Yes, Dad!'' Eli said, teasing me again, so I talked back, ''Call me dad again, and I will kiss you.'' Eli looked shocked, but afterwards she said, ''Eeww.. that's gross! stop it!'' she really looked disgusted.

I like annoying her, it makes me feel closer to her. "'Cherry! over here!'', Eli saw Cherry come running toward our direction. "Wait.. let me breathe.'' Cherry said, I laughed and told her, ''That was just a short distance and you're tired already?''

Cherry looked at me then hit my arm, ''I'm not as athletic as you guys, you know?'' Then the three of us started laughing,

''Hey Eli, can you win this for me?'' I heard Cherry ask Eli. ''Sure! You know I'm a runner. And I never lose.'' Eli smiled.

Then I saw Tiffany's group approaching us, ''Hi there Cherry, thanks for the invitation.'' Tiffany gave a sweet smile, but for some reason I could feel that it was fake. " You invited them? I didn't know you guys were close'', I whispered to Cherry.

"Ahm.. yeah I invited everyone in our class, I'll just go to the toilet'' Cherry said, looking tense. ''Faster ok? It will start soon. I need you to cheer for me.'' Eli told her.

I looked for a perfect spot where I could watch Eli. I was seated already when Tyler sat next to me. ''You know there are a lot of available seats, so why choose beside me?'' I asked, without looking at him.

''Well, this is a perfect spot.'' Tyler answered. At that moment, Eli saw us, so she waved to us and smiled. After a few minutes, the race started. Eli is leading, followed by Tiffany.

But something was wrong... Eli was running very fast! I'm trying to think about what to do, I need to do something, otherwise people will notice. Before I could go down, I saw a mascot waiting at the finish line.

A few seconds later, Eli bumped into him. I didn't need to go down and check who the person inside was, I smelled him already.

And for the first time, I didn't feel irritated with him. I'm actually thankful that he was quick to notice that Eli was--.

''Oh no!'' It's too late, I can't avoid it. Tyler was already looking at me. ''Can we talk?" he used mind link to communicate with me.

''What is it that you want to talk about?'' I asked him, playing innocent. "Tell me, why can she run that fast?'' Tyler asked. I could feel his curiosity. "Because she 's the best runner in our class.'' I answered, while crossing my hands,

''Don't give me that reason,'' said Tyler, walking towards me. "What am I supposed to tell you?'' I asked him. "The truth, I want the truth," Tyler demanded. ''And who do you think you are, asking me in that tone?'' I'm getting pissed off again.

We glared at each other without batting an eye, when suddenly Eli and Cherry came out of the locker room. ''Guys, let's go! It's my treat.'' Eli said while smiling.''This conversation is not over,'' Tyler told me, then he followed the girls.

I don't feel like going out with him, but Eli will get mad at me if I say not to bring him with us. Also, I don't want Eli to be upset, this is a celebration of her winning , so I don't want to ruin it.

"See, I told you, their food here is so delicious! Hmm.. yummy!'' said Cherry, while eating her dessert. "Cherry, all the food is yummy for you!'' I teased her, and I started laughing.

"Why do you always annoy me, Nate? You enjoy that?'' Cherry asked, a little bit irritated. I saw her pouting, so I said, "Alright, fine, I'll stop.'' I said.

Eli was sitting beside me and Tyler in front of her, so I mind link him and said, ''Can you stop staring at her?'' I warned him. ''Why? you can also look at her if you want, that is.. if you can.'' then he smirked.

I wanted to say something more when Tiffany came to our table and asked, ''Can we join you guys?'' again it's her sweet fake smile. So I leaned back and said, "This table is good for four people,'' in a sarcastic way.

''But I think Cherry and Eli are done eating, since they have already finished their dessert.'' Tiffany insisted, glancing at Tyler. Alright, now I understand what she is doing, but before I said something again, Cherry stood up.

''Actually guys, I'm done. I'll leave first. I'll see you tomorrow.'' then Cherry quickly left. ''Hey! Cherry wait!'' Eli followed her. And then I heard Tiffany ask Tyler, ''Can I sit beside you?'' Tyler stood up and turned around but Tiffany stopped him, she grabbed his arm.

''Hey! where are you going?'' Then Tyler looked at his arms and then glared at Tiffany and said, ''Let go!'' I saw Tiffany get scared. The way Tyler glared at her is the same way Tyler looked at me, whenever we were pissed off at each other.

So she released his arms, and since all my friends left, there was no reason for me to stay. I stood up and took Eli's bag, because she left it in a hurry, then I whispered to Tiffany,

''Next time.. try not to be too obvious, so your prince charming won't get pissed.'' I looked at her and smirked.