The Hybrid War

Chapter 1

I have always loved driving long distances in the hot summer air. As I travel down a deserted stretch of highway, the windows down, and the sounds of the cicadas distracting me from the recording I'm trying to pay attention to about the pack I am on my way to visit. I've found it difficult to listen to the monotone voice of the Lycan councils scribe droning on about facts I'll never remember. I'm too distracted by memories of 5 years ago and who I have become, all made more hypnotic by the sound of the cicadas. When I was 16 I came in to a world of power I had to learn to control and it was a long process, but now 5 years later here I am preparing to take over my uncles spot on the Council. The Lycan Council was all I knew, lead by a distant relative I hadn't bothered to get to know. Royal blood lines were messy, but existed; I had other things to worry about. Being a hybrid my one most concerning trait is my temper, a constant burning under my skin. I control it most days but sometimes it comes out striking like a whip across the backs of my target. 'The Council' made up of the dominant species of the world had long been forgotten; No one quite knows when but it has slowly been bubbling like a boiling pot ready to over flow. There was a war coming but no one knows when.

With a huff I turned off the recording, it was no use I wasn't really listening to what was being said. I spotted a sign telling me I still had about 2 hours of driving ahead of me before I got to my destination, a small town that was really a cover for a pack. Long ago packs had been separate on their own lands living together, but as the world evolved those lands did as well; becoming communities with open gates allowing for Lycan to live closely with other species and creating a new world order. Some still chose to close themselves off in communities not open to the outside world, as did some factions of other species, but mostly the world had come to accept harmony.

As I see the sun starting to rise through the trees and the sky is getting brighter I decide to stop and stretch my legs at a park I have noticed. There is a fountain in the center surrounded by some benches and lush green grass. I stop the car and grab the file on the pack I am on my way to visit and my phone with the recording. Popping my headphones in I head towards the grass welcoming the movement in my legs and feeling the stiffness in them disappear. I listen to the explanation of who I'm visiting with a renewed vigor, the words no longer putting me to sleep. After some time I decide to sit and look at the file, which is mostly about the Alpha and his family. The elder Alpha Cain is handing the lands over to his eldest son, Lochlan Cain, on the next full moon. This is why Jack is already there and I am on my way. Jack has been the liason to the Lycan Council for this part of the world for as long as I can remember and longer, but soon I am taking over for him. So I now have to attend these events so the packs get used to me and understand who I am. A few more secular packs that don't believe in mating with other species are attempting to reject my place in the council but most don't seem bothered by it.

Opening the file that houses pictures and some anecdotes to prepare me for the meetings a ball rolls in to my foot. I look down at the purple ball then up to the little one about 3 feet away staring back at me. She has stopped short of coming to get it herself, taught to be cautious around strangers. "Here you go little one." I smile as I pick up the ball and roll it to her. As I do my eyes catch the light and she gasps as they lighten to protect themselves, a trait from my blood born heritage. Lightening when the sun hits them because they will otherwise burn from the heat. I quickly look down and go back to my file, not thinking much of it until I feel eyes on me. Preparing for a confrontation I look up again expecting trouble but instead see a tall man with the little girl, this time I notice her eyes. The same lighter hue as mine. I look up to her father who is clearly a wolf then back to her.

"My daughter just wanted to show me another like her. She was excited to see you have the same eyes as her." He explained. I smiled at the both and put my file down. "This is Scarlett, my name is William, I had never met another like my daughter but I am glad to know she isn't the only one. Are you visiting Red River Pack?" He asks and I nod, explaining my coming role for the Lycan Council.

"Wait until you turn 16, there will be a world of new experiences for you. Just remember to always trust your training, and your parents. They together will keep you safe and teach you everything you need to know." I give her a quick smile and stand, nodding to her father and deciding to head back to the car. As I turned her father stopped me to ask some questions about what I meant. As it turned out she is the first hybrid he has been in contact with; her mother was attacked while pregnant. He had been raising her alone until recently he met his second chance mate and has finally had some help at home. We spent a couple hours discussing my experience and some of what he could expect, I also gave him my information so he could reach out as could his daughter should she ever need it.

So much for my reading, I suppose I should get back on the road and get these meetings under way. I know all too well the road in front of that young girl, trying to understand who she is in the world and what will set her apart from her peers. Despite all the challenges Scarlett and her family will face, I wouldn't change my path or any other hybrids. Slowly more and more hybrids have been seen in the world and depending on their location they have either thrived or been hunted. My existence in the council was forcing my kind to accept that change is inevitable, as much as some would like to pretend it isn't.

Back on the road I call Jack to tell him how far away I am. I hear laughter and commotion in the background, clearly it is a good time being had in the Alpha's home. "I hate to take you away from all the fun, just wanted you to know I'm close. Stopped to stretch my legs but should be there by 9."

"Perfect, you'll be here the same time as a couple other Alphas coming to work out some land negotiations." I hear over the cars speakers. A voice I haven't heard before calls Jack, "I'm going to eat Laidey. You know where to go, love you." I smile and tell him I love him as well. That voice sticks with me though. Something about it has drawn me in, almost like the hypnotic tone of the cicadas in the night, but deeper. I suppose I'll know who that voice belongs to in a couple hours.