HYBRID

CHAPTER 2

"Eli.. wake up, wake up!" Nate was shaking his friend lightly because it seemed like she was having a nightmare. "Hmm.." Eli opened her eyes.

Eli stared at the ceiling and let out a sigh, 'just a dream, but it felt so real', she told herself. Eli looked around and saw Nate staring at her, "Nate, where are we?" she asked,

"We're in the hospital, we found you lying on the ground, in the old building." Nate informed her while helping her to sit. "Old building? Why am I--" Eli covered her mouth, when she remembered what happened.

"Nate, can you check here quickly?" Eli pulled the collar of her shirt, to show Nate her neck, "What am I supposed to look at?" Nate asked, "They injected something into me." Eli said, worriedly.

"What? Injected, let me see.. who are they?" Nate asked angrily, while scanning Eli's neck, "I don't know.. I didn't see their faces, they were wearing masks and black jackets with hoods." Eli explained,

"What else?" Nate asked, trying to confirm his hunch, "Hmm.. oh! their eyes! they all have red eyes!" said Eli. "Vampires.." Nate mumbled while gritting his teeth. "What? I didn't hear you. What did you say?" asked Eli.

"Nothing, listen. You know you are not allowed to leave my side from now on," Nate said in a firm tone. "You sound like a strict father." Eli said, while she giggled.

"This is not a laughing matter, alright." Nate said with annoyance, thinking that his friend was taking the situation lightly, "Wait here, I'll inform the nurse you're awake." he continued, then walked towards the door.

"OK, sur--, aaahh! aaahh!" Eli felt a sudden pain in her ears. She covered it with her hands to put pressure. Nate quickly rushed to Eli, "Hey! what's wrong?" Nate was shocked to see blood coming out from Eli's ears.

"Doctor, we need a doctor...someone help us here!" Nate yelled.

"How is she?", Nate asked Dr. James, worriedly, "Don't worry, she'll be fine. I gave her pain killers, so let's just wait." Dr. James assured him.

"Alright, thanks doc." said Nate. "Call me once she's awake." James reminded, "I will thank you!" Nate responded. Dr. James gently patted Nate's shoulder.

After talking to Dr. James, Nate carefully went inside Eli's room, making sure not to make any sound so he wouldn't disturb her sleeping. He sat down beside Eli's bed, then looked at his sleeping friend. Thinking about their conversation earlier made Nate really mad.

Nate was cut from his thoughts when someone knocked. He opened it and saw Tyler holding a bouquet of flowers and a basket of fruit. "What do you want?" Nate asked, displeased.

"I want to see her." said Tyler, "You can't, she's sleep--", Nate wasn't able to finish what he was about to say when.. "Tyler?". Nate turned around and saw Eli smiling back at them. "Let him in," Eli said, Nate let out a loud sigh.

"I'll be outside, and I'll also inform Dr. James that you're awake," Nate told Eli, then turned to Tyler, "So whatever it is you want to say, make it quick because she needs to rest." said Nate, glaring at Tyler and left.

Tyler placed the flowers and fruits on the side table near Eli's bed, he grabbed a chair and sat beside her. Eli couldn't take her eyes off of Tyler, his looks were captivating.

Tyler is wearing a white shirt, fitted flawlessly on his broad shoulders and firm chest, paired with black jeans. His brown hair was neatly combed, his thick eyebrows, long eye lashes and sparkling blue eyes are combo that pulls you like a magnet.

And his straight nose perfectly matched with his sexy lips. Eli was busy enjoying the pleasant sight in front of her when she heard him calling her name,

"Eli.. are you ok? How are you feeling?" Tyler asked, with a concerned look on his face, seeing Eli a little bit dazed. "Oh! I ahhm.. I'm alright, no need to worry. I just need some rest, that's all," she said with a smile. " Are you sure?" asked Tyler.

"Yes! A hundred percent!" Eli answered. "So.. may I ask what happened back there?". Tyler asked, worriedly. Eli looked away before answering.

"Hmmm...I don't know, there were some bullies chasing after me, I bumped into something then I passed out, that's why you guys saw me on the ground." Eli lied.

Eli felt like she wanted to tell Tyler, he looked trustworthy. But she had just met him. So she thought it was better to not be too comfortable with him yet.

"Anyway, thank you for these, but what about those? Did the last patient leave those here?" Eli said, looking at a bunch of different flowers placed on the other side of her bed. "No, I brought it all for you," Tyler told her.

"All of it? How... long I've been here?" Eli asked, a bit confused, "You've been here for a week now," said Tyler. Eli looked at him with disbelief. She slept for a week? 'Is it because of that drug?' Eli asked herself.

***

Knock! Knock!

"Come in", James said while still looking at his computer, "Oh! Nate, is Eli awake now?" he asked. "Yes, but she has a visitor," Nate said, irritated. "Ooh.. and you don't like the idea.. her having a visitor?" Dr. James teased.

"No.. it's just that.. whatever, anyways did you find something?" Nate asked, changing the subject. "Yes, and it's not looking good," James said with a serious look on his face.

"What do you mean?" Nate asked, a bit nervous. "The component of that drug is to activate all her suppressed abilities," James informed him. "What? So.. what do we do?" Nate asked, anxiously.

"Well, for now, we just have to observe her and I think I need to give her the shots." said James. "You mean her medication? isn't it too early for that?" Nate asked.

"Nate, I am responsible for taking care of her health, so all you have to do is trust me, and as for you.. you need to keep her safe. So don't worry, it won't harm her." James said, assuring him that nothing bad would happen to Eli. "I understand," Nate replied.

Doctor James did a check-up on Eli, and afterwards told her that he would inject her usual medicine. "Now? But I always take it at the end of the year." Eli said, a little bit confused.

"I know, but after what happens to you I'm afraid that you'll experience a post-anxiety attack," James explained. Before leaving the hospital, Doctor James called Nate and whispered, "Who is he?", James asked, curiously.

"He.. is THAT annoying visitor.'' Nate said, in a sarcastic way. ''What's his name?'' James asked again, "Tyler.. why do you know him?'' Nate asked, and look at James. ''No.. he just look like someone I knew.'' said James still staring at Tyler.

On the way back to the dorm, Eli felt a little discomfort... sitting in between Tyler and Nate. Tyler offers to drive them home since he brought his car with him, and now the three of them were all sitting in the back.

"So cramped," Nate complained, "I told you to sit in the front, you have a choice and you chose to sit here, not my problem." Tyler said with a bitter tone, " Like I will let you sit with Eli alone!" said Nate, annoyed.

"Both of you, can you stop arguing? Please.. my head hurts." Eli let out a sigh, her head was pounding like crazy! She closed her eyes and leaned back. Tyler looked at her and saw she was uncomfortable, so he told his driver to stop the car.

"I will sit in the front, so you can relax and sleep if you want. I'll wake you up once we arrive." said Tyler. After a few minutes, Nate saw Eli was already sleeping. He pulled Eli closer to him and put her head on his shoulder.

Tyler, looking at the rear view mirror, was enraged by the sight. He clenched his fist and looked away, he breathed in and breathed out, trying to calm himself.

The next morning, while Eli and Nate are having their lunch in the cafeteria, the student council president announces that the voting for the Prom King and Queen will officially start.

The students were so excited, some were chanting names, others were just making noises. Eli couldn't bare the commotion. She ran off outside the cafeteria and went to the back, so Nate followed her,

"Hey, what's wrong? tell me?" Nate asked, "Nate... my ear's ringing..it won't stop!" Eli said while both her hands were covering her ears, putting pressure on them. Nate didn't know what to do, then after minutes of struggle, Eli passes out, then Nate hurriedly carried her.

Tyler, who had just come out from a practice, saw Nate with Eli in his arms, so he ran after them. When they reached the parking lot, Nate put Eli in his car. Before he could close the door, Tyler stopped him.

"What happened to her?" Tyler asked worriedly, Nate pushed him and said "None of your business!" Then Tyler grabbed Nate by his collar and told him, "I asked you, what happened to her?" Nate saw that Tyler was so serious, so he said.

"She passed out, I need to take her to Dr. James," then he roughly removed Tyler's hand from him. ''But that's a long drive, there is a nearest hospital here. We can bring her there." Tyler suggested.

"Only Dr. James knows how to treat her condition," Nate insisted. " OK then, call and tell him to come to my house, I'll inform my driver to pick him up." said Tyler.

"Why do we need to go to your house? We can just go straight to him." Nate asked, annoyed. "My house is only fifteen minutes' drive from here, plus I will send a helicopter to pick him up." Tyler said. Nate didn't argue with him, since that was the best option they had.

***

Back on the campus, a group of girls were dragging one of their classmates to the side of the pool. "Let go! what do you want!" Cherry said angrily, trying to get away from Tiffany's friends holding both of her arms.

"Ooh.. looks like you're braver than I thought.. hmmm.." then Tiffany grabbed her hair and pulled her closer. "You know, I'm just curious... how did everyone in our class receive an invitation on your birthday except us, especially me?" Tiffany asked glaring at Cherry.

"We're not friends. Why should I invite you!" Cherry said fearlessly, "Ouch! I'm hurt, I thought we were," Tiffany said dramatically while still holding Cherry's hair, then she continued.

"Well, you might change your mind, especially now that I've found out something interesting about you," Tiffany said, then smiled. "What do you mean?" Cherry asked, confused. "Well.. I know the real reason why you got closer to Eli, isn't it because of Nat--"

"Stop! What is it that you want?" Cherry asked, irritated. Tiffany let go of her hair and then pushed her down, "I want me and my girlfriends to be there at your birthday party." she smiled arrogantly, crossing her arms.

"Fine.. you can come to my party." Cherry said, exhausted. "How about the invitations?" Tiffany asked, with her eyebrows raised. "I'll give them to you tomorrow." Cherry answered, without looking at her.

"Alright.. I'll be waiting, let's go girls!" Tiffany left with her group, leaving Cherry agitated. It is true that the reason she made friends with Eli is because she wants to be closer to Nate.

But now Cherry really likes Eli being her friend. That is why she didn't want Eli to find out about this. Tears started to fall from Cherry's eyes, she didn't want to lose her friend.

"Hey Tiffany, do we really need to go to that losers' party?" one of her friends asked, "Of course! My prince charming will be there," Tiffany said, smiling.

"By prince, you mean the new guy?" her friend asked, "Yup, Tyler Williams." Tiffany responded. "You'll see.. after the party Tyler will be mine, and that Eli girl will be out of the picture." Tiffany smiled, confidently.

***

Tyler got out of the car, then carried Eli in his arms. Nate let it pass since he helped them, but still feeling edgy about the situation, even so, he followed them inside the house.

Tyler took Eli to the second floor, went straight to his room and carefully put Eli down on his bed. Nate, looking at Tyler displeased, was standing by the door and asked, "Is this your room?" he asked, looking around.

"Yes, why?" Tyler answered, "I'm sure there's a lot of empty rooms in this house, so why bring her here?" Nate asked, annoyed.

"This is the nearest one. Do you have a problem with that?" said Tyler, losing his patience.

Nate approached Tyler, looked into his eyes and said, "Because it stinks." then Nate went and sat on the side of the bed, and started stroking Eli's hair.

Tyler hates it whenever he sees Nate being so tender to Eli. He felt like something is boiling inside him that was about to explode at any minute. So, instead of arguing with Nate, Tyler chose to step outside and calm himself.

Outside the house, Dr. James arrived and there he met the butler, who led him inside. He was stunned to see familiar faces approaching him. The two were both shocked as well to see James.

"Tony.. Emma? What are you doing here? I mean how are you guys alive?" James asked, confused. "This is our house," Tony said, trying to be calm, "Our son said.. he is expecting someone to treat his friend.. so you are that someone?" Emma asked, bewildered.

"You have a son?" asked James, before they could answer, Tyler appeared and called him. "Doctor James! She's upstairs." Tyler called to him. James turned to Tony and Emma then asked suspiciously, "Tyler... is your son?"

Emma, trying to hide her nervousness, held her husband's hand tightly and said, "Of course, he's our son." she said, looking at James, trying to convince him.

"Well.. I guess we have a lot of things to catch up with. I'll see you later, after I examine my patient." James said, while looking at their tense expressions.

"What do we do? What if he finds out?" Emma asked her husband anxiously. Tony was sitting across from her and didn't say a word, he was just staring blankly and deep in his thoughts.

Dr. JAMES POV

"I'm sorry Tyler, but if you'll excuse us? I need to talk to Nate." I said, looking at Tyler's face. "Alright, I'll be outside," Tyler said, and went out, slowly closing the door, making sure not to make any sound.

"Now tell me, what happened before she felt pain in her ears?" I asked, while I closed the door on the balcony to make sure Eli wouldn't hear us.

"When the students started making loud noises she ran outside, then that's when she said that her ears were ringing." said Nate. "Hmm.. so her sense of hearing is starting to get sensitive," I told Nate, "What will happen to her?" Nate asked, worriedly.

"Don't worry too much, I'll find a way to suppress the drug, but for me to do that, I have to go somewhere." I told him. "Then what will I do if something like this happens again?" Nate asked, distressed.

"I will give you a set of tranquilizers, you just have to inject them into her whenever she's in pain." I told him, "How long will you be away?" Nate asked, "I can't say, maybe a month?," I answered.

"But that's too long! What if her other abilities are activated while you're gone?" Nate panicked. "Then we don't have a choice, you must teach her how to handle her new skills." I told him.

"And how am I supposed to do that? Without her finding my true identity?" said Nate, worriedly. "Don't worry, OK, just tell her that I told you what I researched about the drug and its effects." Nate looked at me and I nodded, trying to convince him that he'd do a great job.

"But remember.. never ever tell her who she is." I reminded him, "As if I will forget that," Nate let out a sigh. After instructing him how to use the sedatives, I left Nate with Eli, who was still sleeping.

Then I went down and saw Tony and Emma waiting for me. "Can we talk?" Tony asked. They took me into a room far from the main house. "So what will you tell me.. the truth or the lies?" I asked directly,

"You are right, Tyler is not our son." Tony started talking, "He is.. Theo's son." he added. "I knew it! He resembles so much his mother, Natalia!" I said,

"But what happened? I thought everyone died that day. How were you able to survive?" I continued asking. "My brother received intel that Victor wanted Tyler as his subject, because Theo and Natalia were both Alpha.'' said Tony.

''So he wants to take him into his possession. That is why the day before Victor came into our pack we had already left with Tyler," Tony continued. I looked at him but I am not sure if what I saw in Tony's eyes was sorrow.. or something else.

"But I heard they had twins. Where is the other child? Why didn't you take him with you?'' I asked, checking if they were truly aware of the situation.

"I guess he died, together with his parents. Natalia doesn't want to give him to me.'' Tony said, his voice was shaking. ''It just doesn't make sense, why wouldn't she give the other child to you?'', I'm starting to doubt their stories.

''We don't know, there was no time. That's why we left them without asking the reasons.'' it was Emma who answered me. "Does Tyler know about this?" I asked, "No.. so please don't tell him, I don't want him to get hurt." Emma said, begging.

I sat on the couch, closed my eyes and covered my face with my hands. Then I let out a deep loud sigh and said, "Do you plan on telling him about his werewolf blood?" I asked while thinking about something in my head,

"Yes, now that he's about to turn eighteen he should know," said Tony. "And how do you expect him to accept all of this? Just because he's about to reach maturity, he deserve to know?" I said sarcastically.

''So.. how do you plan on telling him?" I said, after a long talk. "We don't know yet, maybe we'll wait until his birthday?" Tony told me, hesitantly.

"No need, I heard everything." the three of us turned and were shocked to see Tyler coming in. "How did you--" Tony was not able to continue what he was about to say when Tyler cut him and said,

"How did you not sensed I was outside? Well, I guess that is one of my abilities, being a son of two Alphas.." Tyler said. Now I can feel his presence. Tyler sounds like a real Alpha!