Hybrids

Chapter 8

Caedmon's POV

We don't mean you any harm

I say this without thinking as I slowly get out of where I was hiding. Me, hiding in a corner. But she was my mate, and I needed to tread carefully. I link Theo, Zach, and Luke. The order is for them to stand by. Nyx hides Mila behind her and makes her stance.

Who are you, and how did you find us? Are you part of BioLife?

My name is Caedmon, and no, I'm not part of anything under that name. In fact, this forest is part of this town, I live here with family. This cottage is part of our terrain and we just so happened to notice that someone was living in it.

She was scared, but listening.

Her eyes... Those large eyes that had different colors, like if they belonged to different people. But they were hers. She looks thin, like she doesn't eat much. Her sister has fuller cheeks than she does. Nyx is slowly retreating, apologetic. She starts pushing her sister further back. I mind-link my friends. Zach tries to make me reason and to keep my distance. Luke asked for a moment and without waiting for my response, he popped out of the corner of a tree.

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Hi, is it okay if I talk to you? We've seen each other before. I helped you at the library, remember? Says Luke as he looks at Mila, she slowly pushes her head out of Nyx's back. Mila looked confused but something clicked and she remembered the young man who helped her with her books.

I remember you.

I saw you then and meant no harm. That hasn't changed. I've seen you around the town. I go to the library a lot too. As my brother, Caedmon, said here, this is part of our land. We were just moving around when we noticed lights here. Do you need help? How long have you lived here?

If it's because of money, I can pay. Said Nyx. It was not our intention to overstay our welcome or to use someone's facilities. She responded before Mila even said a word. Still defensive and protective, knowing that Mila is behind her, Nyx starts thinking of how to get away from this situation.

Nyx, stop for a moment, please. Said Mila as she held Nyx's hand tightly. I have seen this man and Moira has told me he means no harm. He is a shifter, just like me.

Nyx looked surprised at seeing her sister's response.

Moira tells me they're all wolves. Caedmon was your name? Mila asked and Caedmon nodded. He is a very strong wolf too. But what about the other two? Are they safe?

Caedmon was impressed as he noticed that Mila could easily tell that there were others around them. Theo and Zach pop out of the shadows with their hands slightly raised at their sides to show that they meant no harm.

Luke and Caedmon link with each other. I can hear her heart beating erratically, she is frightened.

Luke tries to keep the situation at ease as he continues talking to Mila. She is a bit more responsive than her sister. Mila is more open, Nyx is more apprehensive. Her eyes continued shifting from person to person. Caedmon cannot take her eyes off her. As Luke tries to move a little closer to them, his leg collapses in a hole. It was a small trap meant for hunting. Nyx takes this opportunity, grabs Mila by the hand and starts running away.

She knows at this point the areas around the town and makes her way to the train station. It's a small one, but from there, they can make their way to a bigger city. Mila stops by the ticket station looking at Nyx with a level of frustration.

Why did we run again?!

Mila is getting tired of the same routine. She could tell they were wolves, they were from a pack, and they meant no harm.

Do you forget that wolves also had to do with our misery? Said Nyx in a harsher tone as she touched her right ear and the side of her head. She was anxious. She felt like she could barely think straight. Her body felt foreign as she was struggling with cold sweats. Her hands kept shaking as she looked side to side to ensure they were safe. Mila stayed quiet. She knows what Nyx is talking about and, to an extent, it is unfair to expect Nyx to be calm in this situation.

They get two tickets that will take them out of here and to the next town. There, Nyx will figure out their next steps. Making their way to the train stop, Nyx starts feeling worse. The bag she bought was left when she ran away.

Great...

It just had to happen now. Her chest ached. Her throat felt like it was closing, limiting her ability to speak. She was parched, as if she had not drunk a single drop of any liquid for days. They enter the train and Mila glances over, seeing Caedmon and the other two were besides him. The train starts moving slowly and before it even picks up speed, it starts slowing back up, eventually stopping in its tracks. Nyx is looking sick, she is agitated and her breath is shaky. Her inhales and exhales are short and fast.

The doors on the train open and Mila stands up to see them. As she looks at them, Nyx stands up in front of her.

You will not take her away from me!

Caedmon looks at her and in a soft tone says, we've never intended to. You both need help. Let us help you.

As he spoke, Nyx lowered her stance and went to thrust forward to attack. As she went to throw the first punch, her body gave up on her. She felt heavy and her sight foggy, black spots taking over. Her knees buckled under her and she started falling forward. Before she could fall to the floor, Caedmon caught her. She was so light that he held her curled up with one hand, gently, out of fear that she might break. With his other hand, he moved the hair out of her face and as he tucked it behind his ear, he noticed a piece of her ear was missing and there were some bumps on the side of her head. His eye twitched as he could tell this wasn't normal, but rather than allowing anger to take over, he focused on her care. He would mention it to their pack doctor. Luke reached out to Mila, who was concerned about her sister. He held her hand and assured her that she would be okay. They would take them to their house, and get Nyx checked.

She'll be okay, you both will. For now, just come with us. Let's get you food and warm clothing. Luke told her and Zach gave Mila a gentle touch on her back to move her forward.

A car was waiting outside of the train station and Theo was there waiting with the doors open.

When did he even do that? Thought Mila to herself. She saw Nyx being carried by Caedmon.