The Hybrid War

Chapter 4

Do you remember the first time you felt those butterflies in your stomach? You feel like you could throw up at any moment but at the same time you are unsure if your feet can even touch the ground. Love is one of the most volatile experiences of our existence; there are wars started for love, people die for it, are killed for it, write, sing, or create masterpieces of art about it. Despite all of this, can you say that you absolutely understand it? Some believe love only comes after truly knowing a person, while others believe in love at first sight. What was it in hotel transylvania; a zing! That instant moment when they knew that was the person for them. Now imagine instantly knowing the person that is meant for you is standing in front of you, mere inches from you, but that giving in to that pull will tear down all the things you have spent your life swearing you don't need. This is what was happening in my head, my heart, and every other part of my body; and it seemed to be the same for Lochlan.

We moved out to the back of the house to get our food before heading somewhere away from prying parental figures and disgruntled Alphas to get to know each other. Though all the food looked fantastic I could barely think of eating at this time; which Lochlan noticed. As I walked by the trays of food I kept my choices light, fruits and veggies and a couple kebabs of meat. Lochlan however looked like he had enough food on his plate to feed 3 people, it made me smirk at him. He must have noticed my gaze on him and his plate because he almost immediately offered an explanation for his mountain of food.

"I eat when I don't know what else to do, but also looking at your plate I have a feeling I may have to share." He smirked back as he said it. I wanted to protest but then I saw the most delicious looking chocolate cake sitting at the end of the buffet. Food is one thing, but chocolate cake is possibly the best thing in this world and the next. His gaze shifted from me to where I was looking and he saw it too, with a gasp. As he bound over he stopped and picked up the cutlery we would need and handed it to me then picked up the whole cake and started to walk back towards the house. As he turned back he saw me standing there wide eyed.

"What? Don't tell me you aren't a fan of chocolate?" He questions.

"A fan of chocolate? The only thing I knew close to a mate pull before today was chocolate. You are currently holding the closest thing I have felt to love in that hand of yours." I gushed, which made Lochlan smile a big toothy grin, and he let out a genuine laugh; both of these things made me smile and laugh myself.

"I feel like I should be jealous but this dark chocolate diva in my hand has been my mistress a few times as well." He retorts with a grin, making me laugh as well.

"Now I feel like the one who should be jealous, it sounds like you, me, and this cake need to come to an understanding. Shall we go discuss how to make that work?" The talk has been easy and fun, giggling about chocolate but also seeing the pull towards each other burning in our eyes. It sounds like we have found our first and deepest connection so far, chocolate. If this is the start, I am good with it.

With our food securely in hand we head away from the prying eyes to find somewhere to get to know each other and eat. When we turned from our chocolate cake confessions we caught seven pairs of eyes on us, Jack had a smirk on his face, while Alpha Cillian and Luna Eva looked at their son with shock. Luna Eva soon started to tear up, I suppose seeing her eldest son happy with his mate was a big moment for her. Soon she would be planning the wedding I am sure, so I should welcome the peace. Alpha Edward and his mate Luna Anna were smiling and sharing a look, probably reminiscing about their own journey. Lastly, I caught eyes with Alpha Damian and his Luna Danika, she was not his mate, but like they are attempting to do for their daughter, were matched to create a stronger blood line. You could see there was little love between them, but they also looked at Lochlan and I with a level of dislike that it made a chill run up my spine. I knew at that moment that no matter what happened in the next hour, the afternoon after that would be filled with some very cold discussions and a lot of heightened emotions; I suppose I better enjoy my cake now.

"Come with me, I know where we can eat in peace." Lochlan states as he makes his way back in to the house and up the stairs. I follow him admiring the artwork and family pictures as he leads me to a balcony terrace, decorated in creams and blues. It looks like something out of a Mediterranean dream and I am all here for it. "This seemed secluded enough to not be bothered for a bit, what do you think?"

"It's perfect, I could live on this balcony." I retort as I sit in a comfy chair, placing food on the table. As I looked out to the view I see other homes near by, but separated by some trees and other foliage. It really made this space seem like it's own hideaway.

"This home has been the Alpha's residence for this pack for nearly a hundred years. Though when it was originally built it was more like an apartment complex, housing many wolves and serving as a central location. Now it's reserved for pack events and only the Alpha and their family reside here. My parents have already chosen a new home in the pack for when I take over." Lochlan explained and he looked around him and lastly at me. His eyes staring in to mine, causing my breath to hitch and my heart to skip a beat. "I suppose we should start at the beginning; hi! My name is Lochlan Cain, but anyone close to me calls me Loch. I'm future Alpha here, and have a long and storied affair with both chocolate and cake. Cruel mistresses, but I just can't say no to them." He finishes with a grin curling up the edges of his lips. I find myself transfixed by his lips before looking in to those hazel orbs. They held an equally mischievous look, but also a yearning for more than just talking. I broke my staring contest with this God like man looking out to the view before adding my own introduction.

"It is a joy to meet you... Loch." I paused using his nickname to see his reaction, his eyes widened in surprise but he gave me a smile at the same time showing me the affectation had been welcomed.

"My name is Adelaide Devereaux, though the only one to call me anything else would be the few that have gotten close to me over the years; my Uncle Jack, and the twins here - Finan and Ronin. All of them call me Laidey; Finan once made the mistake of calling me 'Laidle' and it resulted in a broken arm and some difficulty walking for him." This drew a hearty laugh from Loch, which made me giggle as well.

"Got it, no referencing kitchen utensils; though I believe I also heard your uncle call you Ladybug?" He raised an eyebrow as he asked about the name I hoped no one had heard, as he stuffed his mouth with some pasta. My face flushed beneath his gaze, and I had to turn away hoping he didn't notice the moisture in my eyes.

"Jack is the only one who calls me that, it was what my dad called me; or so Jack says. I was only 2 when I lost them, but it was important to Jack that something from my time before him be kept." I explained looking at my plate of food, pushing it around a bit.

"Whoo... OK, enough of that; what else? I too am in a shameful love affair with all things chocolate, though my favorite is chocolate mousse. I am the next in line for Jack's seat on the Council, though there are many that don't want to see me there." I say, finally deciding to eat a strawberry.

"Why wouldn't anyone want you on the Council? You are clearly well trained, raised there and understand the position, I heard Jack mention you are Alpha born which is ideal, and I have yet to see anyone that doesn't like you. What could they possibly see as a reason to not have you there?" Loch questions. He isn't wrong, I have been groomed for the position since I was a child, but I am hiding my largest secret yet. The thing that could cause my dear mate to turn away from me. One of the reasons I have feared having a mate all this time. Beyond the pain of losing a mate to their death, the idea of my mate rejecting me for who I am terrified me to my core.

Before I shared my secret I had to remind him, "I am completely certain Alpha Damian and his Luna have no love lost for me. If looks could kill even this cake wouldn't have saved me from them." My comment made Loch laugh and agree that they were not happy about the dissolve of their negotiations but he assured me that was not my concern.

"The main reason there is protest to my joining the council is because I am not completely Lycan." I stop to assess Loch's reaction, but he is just quietly eating while watching me. "I am a hybrid; as were both of my parents. My father was a Nephalim Lycan and my mother... she was born early after her mother was bitten by a blood born while pregnant. It was a miracle my mother survived at all, but she did. When I was born there was no telling what I would be capable of. I've trained hard to understand my abilities, most of them I have undercontrol. My nails stay long, even in my human form as you can see, it's one of the only physical indications of who I am. When I get angry is the worst time, as you saw in the meeting, I have a difficult time controlling my anger."

I stopped speaking to breathe, closing my eyes too afraid to look at my mate. I was terrified that I was about to lose the one creature meant to be mine for my life. As I sat there breathing, my eyes closed I was shocked when I felt a hand grab mine. First I looked at my hand in his as first he held it up, then laced our fingers together. Only then did I have the confidence to look in to his eyes, and what I saw there made me stop breathing for a moment. Behind those golden eyes I saw a bundle of emotions, admiration, respect, longing and lust, swirling around as his breathing had picked up slightly. At that moment I knew all my fears had been for nothing, he wasn't going to reject me at all and I was now to find my new life I had never expected.

"So, what you're saying is," He started with a crooked grin, "I better be prepared for some pretty intense scratch marks." He finished his statement with a wink and the lust in his eyes taking over. His statement made me gasp, then blush, illiciting a hearty laugh from him. "Oh my dear mate, I cannot wait for the day that happens, but for now how about we eat this cake?"

The next 30 minutes of our lunch was filled with us eating cake, discussing our likes and dislikes, and deciding on how to continue through the rest of the afternoon. We needed to remain professional, but also make it clear to the visiting Alphas that this wasn't just a ploy but the real thing. Just before we returned I realized I had completely forgotten about his hesitation as well as mine before when we met.

"Loch?" I call, trying to draw his attention away from where he was looking at my hand. I had moved to be sitting next to him and now we had found we needed to be touching in some way to feel comfortable. "When we met outside you seemed contentious when you realized we were mates. I explained what held me back, but what stopped you from saying something immediately?" At my question I felt him stiffen slightly.

"Allow me to explain completely before you say anything, agreed?" He asked. His question made it clear I wouldn't be a fan of his answer, but after he accepted me so completely I had no choice to do the same for him. I nodded and he continued, "when I was younger I searched for my mate, eager to have what my parents have, over time I had become resolved to the idea that I would not find my mate and would instead take a partner for strength. Over time I had accepted this and convinced myself this was what I wanted. When I knew outside who you were I was faced with questioning the last 5 years of thoughts and decisions. I was wrestling between my heart and my head on what to do. Do I turn away from my mate and maintain my plan or throw away everything I had thought and take you in my arms?" I was attempting to maintain my composure but I could feel my emotions taking over. All of a sudden I felt myself being lifted on to his lap, my legs straddled over his and I'm facing him. He took my face in his hands and forced me to look him in the eyes.

"The moment I heard Damian mention a union with his daughter I knew there was nothing else I wanted in my life more than you. I would never want another, and I knew in that moment you were my present and my future." His words began to calm me and I tried to breath through all the emotions. I smiled while blinking to try and stop the flood from coming. Loch rested his forehead on mine and stated, "we will have to accept chocolate in the relationship as well. There is no way I can leave it behind."