Rise of the hybrid king

Chapter 7

Zane turned to Rowan and Jade at the base of the grand staircase, voice low but firm.
“Stay down here. Don’t let anyone come up. If we’re caught, fight only to distract—do not reveal who we are.”
Rowan nodded, gripping his dagger. Jade muttered under her breath, “If we die tonight, I’m haunting you.”
Zane didn’t bother replying.
He ascended the stairs, silent as a shadow. Sable’s scent grew stronger—wild, fevered, burning like embers in his lungs. Every step made his wolf claw harder at his chest.
Mate. Go. Faster.
He reached her chamber.
The moment he stepped inside, she was already on her feet—barely steady, sweat-drenched, breathing like a cornered beast. Her hair clung to her skin, and her eyes…
Her eyes were glowing blood-red.
She lifted her gaze and locked onto him instantly.
“You,” she hissed.
There was fury in her voice. And pain. And something else.
Zane froze, stunned.
“Drake…?” he whispered internally.
That’s not her wolf, Drake rumbled. Nyra is gone. I can’t sense her at all.
Zane’s eyes widened. Gone?
Zane stared at Sable in disbelief.
“You binded your wolf?” he said quietly.
Sable’s fingers curled, her body trembling as another surge of heat rose within her.
“I did,” she spat, voice shaking. “To silence her… to silence this bond.”
Zane took a step forward.
She growled.
“Don’t come near me.”
He paused—but his gaze softened.
Sable ? 
Her lips parted in confusion—
And then she dropped to her knees with a cry, clutching her chest as her bones cracked under her skin.
Sable erupted—bones stretching, muscles ripping beneath her skin. Her scream morphed into a bestial roar as crimson and russet fur burst across her form. Not a wolf.
A Lycan.
Wild, towering, the size of an alpha wolf, her red eyes blazing like twin suns.
“Sable—!” Zane warned, but she didn’t hear him.
She launched at him with murderous fury.
Zane barely rolled aside as her claws shattered the marble where he stood.
Drake! Now!
With pleasure.
His body flared with silver flame, bones reshaping. His fur erupted as black as midnight, 
Two of them now circled the chamber.
One feral.
One in control.
⸻
Meanwhile Downstairs
Rowan glanced toward the stairs. A loud crash came from above—followed by a roar.
“Stay here, Jade,” he muttered.
“Don’t be a fool,” she hissed. “Zane said stay—”
He pressed a finger to her lips. “If he dies, your orders die with him.”
Before she could react, he slipped away into the side corridor.
Moving swiftly, Rowan spotted two Ashborn guards patrolling near a chamber door. He ducked behind a pillar just as they passed.
The door opened.
Lexa stepped out, adjusting her nightgown, hair tousled .
She didn’t notice him.
She walked right past—
Rowan’s hand shot out, grabbing her wrist and yanking her back against the wall.
His palm clamped over her mouth before she could scream.
“Shhh,” he whispered sharply, pressing her deeper into the shadows.
Her eyes widened—then narrowed in defiance.
She snarled against his hand, muffled but furious.
Rowan’s lips curved slightly.
“Good. You’re not scared.”
He leaned close to her ear.
“Now listen carefully… if you scream, I’ll have to bite you.”
Rowan smirked as she glared at him.
“I always thought you were an innocent little flower,” he murmured, his hand still over her mouth. “But who knew…” His gaze dropped pointedly toward the chamber door she had just exited. “…a hottie at day turns naughty at night. Sneaking out of a prince’s room, right?”
Lexa’s eyes flashed in outrage.
She bit his palm—hard.
“OW—!” Rowan jerked his hand back, staring at her in disbelief.
“How dare you enter here! I’m calling guards— you have a death wish?” Lexa spat, pushing his chest.
Rowan didn’t even flinch. He grabbed her neck, pressing just enough to make her freeze.
“This scent…” he whispered with a dark grin, leaning close to her ear. “You have a lover?”
Her eyes widened in rage.
“GUARDS!” she shouted louder this time.
Footsteps rushed closer.
Zane shift back, chest rising fast. He stepped carefully toward her.
“Sable, listen to me. I am not here to cause you harm… Sable?”
She was still panting, sweat on her forehead, eyes glowing faint red. She backed away from him.
“Leave.”
“Sable—”
“I SAID LEAVE! Just go!”
Before he could answer, Jade and Rowan appeared at the door, both breathing hard.
“Zane—we need to go. Guards are active!” Jade hissed.
Two guards’ footsteps echoed from the hall.
But jade launched forward, grabbing both brothers by their wrists before they could react. whispering ancient chant under her breath.
A swirl of fiery red aura circled around them—
And in one blink—
They vanished.
Sable stood frozen, staring at the empty air in disbelief.
Her heart thundered.
The door burst open.
“Princess! Are you alright?”
Two guards ran in, spears raised, scanning the room.
Sable turned slowly toward them, wiping the sweat from her brow.
“…Yes. I’m fine.”
Zane, Rowan, and Jade landed hard on the border ground where their horses were tied.
Jade stumbled, brushing dirt off her cloak. “You brothers are crazy! This is my last time helping you idiots.”
Rowan laughed. “Come on, Jade, admit it—you love the thrill.”
She glared. “I love living, you fool.”
Rowan raised both hands in surrender. “Fair.”
She turned to Zane, who was silent—still staring at his hands like he could feel Sable’s touch burning there.
Rowan softened. “Jade saved us all. Say something, brother.”
Zane finally looked up.
“…Thank you.”
Without another word, they rode hard, hooves pounding against the forest floor, leaving Ashborn border behind—
———-
Vorux rushed into Sable’s chamber the moment the guards informed him.
“Sable! Are you alright, sister?”
She nodded stiffly, still sitting on the edge of her bed. “I’m fine.”
Before he could ask more, their mother entered, regal as ever, her long gown sweeping the floor.
She halted for a moment—her sharp eyes scanning Sable.
Then a slow smile spread across her face.
Her gaze dropped to Sable’s faintly glowing eyes.
“She awakened.”
Vorux blinked. “Mother—?”
The Queen stepped forward, her hand lifting Sable’s chin gently.
“your Lycan… has finally stirred.”
Sable’s chest tightened, unsure whether to feel fear or relief.
The Queen turned, her expression no longer cold—but triumphant.
“It is finally the time of war, my children.”
Vorux grinned, shoulders squaring with pride.
“Tomorrow,” the Queen continued, voice hard with certainty, “we shall celebrate.”
———
They finally slowed their horses once the Crimson Moon border came into view. Silence hung heavy until Rowan broke it.
“Hey,” he said, twisting in his saddle to face Zane. “Back there… in her chamber. What did you do? What happened?”
Zane’s jaw clenched. He stared ahead.
“I didn’t do anything. She… she could barely even talk.”
Jade, riding beside them, snorted. “Then why won’t you explain? Rowan asked you a question.”
Zane exhaled shakily.
“Her wolf… isn’t there.”
Rowan frowned. “What do you mean isn’t there?”
Zane’s voice dropped, uneasy.
“It’s… asleep. Or sealed. Binded somehow. But then—”
He stopped.
Jade clicked her tongue, impatient. “Then? Spit it out.”
Zane looked between them slowly.
“…She’s not just a wolf.”
Rowan stiffened. “What?”
“She’s hybrid.”
Jade burst out laughing in disbelief. “Hybrid? Don’t joke. Hybrids are ancient tales—myth.”
Zane’s eyes burned gold.
“I saw her shift.” He swallowed. “Not a regular Lycan. A red one.”
Rowan and Jade both froze, reins tightening in their hands.
The forest went dead quiet around them.
Even the wind stopped.
———-
⸻
“I will see her,” Zane finally said. “It’s been long. Haven’t met mother, right?”
Jade nodded, guiding her horse toward the forest path.
They reached Jade’s home — a small wooden house covered with vines. Warm light leaked from the window. Before Jade could knock, the door opened.
Her mother stood there, smiling softly.
“Welcome, my prince.” She bowed her head.
Zane returned the gesture and gently kissed her forehead out of respect.
“Forgive me for coming this late. But I need answers.”
Her expression turned serious instantly. “Ask.”
Zane looked directly into her eyes.
“You are an ancient witch. You’ve seen war with your own eyes.”
She nodded slowly.
“Have you ever heard… of a red beast?”
Her pupils widened. She whispered, almost in fear:
“Yes… I heard. They are born once in centuries. A red-furred Lycan — powerful enough to fight ten wolves alone. They were once called warlords.”
Jade swallowed. Rowan listened silently.
The old witch continued,
“But they vanished. Since no red beast was born for ages, the Lycans lost their war. Wolves killed almost every one of their kind. So… now it is not possible.”
Zane’s voice came low.
“I guess…” his fingers tightened on the table edge.
“…I have seen one.”
The fire crackled.
No one spoke.