Hybrid Book One: Becoming

Dropping The Bomb

    I was back in the room I had woken in before, this time I wasn't alone though. A man sat on the side of the bed and Owen stood at the door. I glared at Owen for a moment before turning to examine the new stranger. He was a very handsome man, though I was not attracted to him in any way. He had a long nose that turned up slightly at the end, set between two very dark gray eyes. With sharp cheekbones and a thin mouth turned up in a smile, he had a very regal air about him. His black hair was the same shade as mine, with almost a blue tone to it. There was something strange though, like his scent was comforting to me and almost too pungent at the same time. 

    "Who are you?" I asked him, my voice quiet. I'd figured out that running didn't work and neither did fighting, so I may as well just find out what they wanted from me. 

    "It's quite the long story, I'm afraid. Where to start?" He had a kind voice when he spoke, almost soft. There was this underlying predatory air about him though which made me very aware. He looked as if he was contemplating something very serious as Owen spoke up. 

    "He's your dad." He stated. The other man flicked an annoyed glance at Owen.    

    "Aside from his lack of imagination and drama, he is right. I'm your father." He held out a hand to me. "Augustus, but you may simply call me the Americanized version, August." I reached out to gingerly take his hand and almost immediately pulled my hand back, he felt like ice cold stone. Owen and August laughed at my reaction. "I always enjoy that first reaction." August said. 

    "So, if you're my dad what was with all of this? Why have me kidnapped and locked away? What the hell happened to me? Cause, I know that wasn't some crazy dream where I turned into an animal." I rattled off my questions quickly and they glanced at each other again.     

    "Owen, can I have a moment with my daughter? I'm sure that the hallway will be safe for all of us, I don't think she's going to attack me." Owen nodded and stepped out of the door into the hall. August turned back to me and made a scooting motion with his hands. I slid over on the bed and he carefully set himself back against the pillows next to me, crossing his feet in front of him. He began his story after a long sigh.    

    "Many years ago, there was war between the species. The werewolves, the vampires, and the fae were the three armies. The war lasted for centuries, disguised in history as great ancient wars, due to the loss of human lives. Though the number was much higher than the history books know. After a time, due to traitors and humans becoming tired of losing their own, they began to fight back, This made the world dangerous for everyone and gave the three armies a common enemy. The leaders of each army had a great summit and decided that to stop the bloodshed they needed to make peace with the humans. It was decided that, to stop any one army from attempting to gain more control, a council would be created to manage the species. The human council member would be watcher of the vampires, the vampire would be responsible for the werewolves, the fae would watch the humans, and the werewolves would be responsible for the fae. They thought that if the other species could manage each other, they could avoid anymore fighting and live harmoniously under the councils rules. That is how we have lived for over a millennium now and it has been quite peaceful. Though the violence between species will never truly end, it has been better." August looked at me and continued. "Until I made a choice that threatened everything by falling in love with your mother." 

    "How could that threaten the peace?" I asked him. 

    "I am the council member in charge of the werewolves." He said and then he just watched me and waited for me to realize what he meant. 

    "So, you're a vampire?" I asked him after a moment. He nodded in reply. 

    "Your mother...was a werewolf." He told me. I stared at him in shock. 

    "How is that possible? How is this even real?" I asked then stopped for a minute and asked the question that burned my brain. "Why is that so bad though?" 

    "It is forbidden for the species to breed. Through the fear of a hybrid species bringing two armies back together, we decided that the species would be prohibited from procreating with those from another." 

    "Wait, so I'm supposedly some vampire and werewolf hybrid?" I asked him incredulously. "I don't think so. I can go in the sun, love to tan, mirrors work just fine for me, and I'm one hundred percent sure I have never wanted to drink blood. Until today, I hadn't turned into a wolf either. So, I'll buy that my mom was a wolf, but are you sure you're my father?" I glanced at that familiar shade of black hair again and knew he was right, but it didn't make sense. 

    "I am certain. When you were born, I enlisted the help of a shaman to suppress your vampire traits and your mother took you away from the pack. When werewolves are not around their pack, they slowly lose their powers. Alphas power comes from their pack. We knew that you could not stay here, even though the pack would protect you. I would not be able to stop myself from calling upon the vampires to aid in your protection if you were threatened and that would start a war once again. So your mother took you away, to a place none of us knew and I set up a bank account that would support you both. The pack understood her sacrifice and did initiate a new alpha." I glanced sharply at him. I knew enough about actual wolves to know the alpha was the leader. August chuckled at me. "Yes, your mother was the alpha of the pack. Which is actually how we became so close. Though there is a true alpha to all shifters, wolves and non wolves, your mother was the alpha of the largest pack within the overall population of wolves." 

    "So, I didn't turn because I wasn't around any wolves? "             

    "Well, you weren't around wolves from your pack. That is where your power would come from. When your mother died, her power was transferred into you. This caused the cloaking magic on you to fail. I sent a team to extract you as soon as I found out you were being tracked. We aren't sure how they know, but the humans are aware of you now." August just breezed through all of this like I wasn't getting more confused by the minute. 

    "How did her power get transferred to me?"  I questioned him further. 

    "Alphas power goes to the most powerful wolf of their pack upon their death. Oftentimes it is a challenger who bests them during a duel, but the power has a way of keeping the pack as strong as it can." He didn't seem to be losing any patience with me and I appreciated that.     

    "Okay, so does that mean I'm the alpha of a pack of werewolves now? Can I even do that if I'm part vampire?" That seemed like a deal breaker to me. 

    "Not remotely. There are some in the pack that are vocal about their anger over your mother choice of partner, none have showed signs that they have anything against you for your parents choices. They have been planning a little soiree in your honor actually. We need to begin your training tomorrow though, the faster the better. There is a fight coming and you need to understand your power and be able to defend yourself. If the council catches wind of this, we're all doomed and I won't be able to keep you safe. I've sent for the shaman to break the suppression magic and she should be here by the end of the week." He stood from the bed. "Are you ready to meet your pack?" He held a hand out to me and I took it, standing from the bed. I paused for a moment. 

    "Where were you?" I asked August. 

    "I told you, I couldn't be there for your safety." He seemed confused for a moment. 

    "No, when my mom got sick, I was alone. I had no family and so many questions. Why couldn't you have come for me then?" He looked at the ground. 

    "Your mother and I remained in contact for many years, but after a time she stopped speaking to me. I was unaware of her condition until I discovered you had been adopted by another family. The Fahey's are wolves of another pack that chose a solitary life. They were supposed to keep you safe and they did that. I trusted that you were in good hands so I did not think you needed me."  Learning the Fahey's were wolves was shocking but made some sense. Mr. Fahey was an avid carnivore and they went on a surprising amount of hunting trips and night walks.  

    "That's why they moved us after my mom was sent away." I said. 

    "Yes." He walked to the door and opened it, waiting for me. I began to walk forward but he stopped me as I passed through the door. "Your mother's illness was no mistake, Katherine. Trust your nose and don't ever eat or drink something that smells wrong to you. You have instincts that will keep you alive if you listen to them." I stared at him in shock. 

    "Somebody poisoned my mother?!" I asked in horror. 

    "I believe so. She had not been away from the pack so long that she would have fallen to a human illness. Be wary tonight." He told me, staring intently into my eyes. 

    "I thought I was safe here?" He just looked at me for a quiet moment. 

    "I don't think we're safe anywhere, Katherine."