Hybrid

The Confession

Rachel took a deep breath, formulating the words in her head, finding the best way to share the news with her boyfriend. “I’m pregnant.”

Silence hung in the air. He stared at her, his expression shifting between surprise and confusion, until finally revealing a hint of nervousness about the news. “Pregnant? What do you mean? You can’t be… No, we didn’t…”

“I know! But it’s the truth.” Her trembling voice echoed through the garden, betraying her impatience and insecurity. “I don’t know how you’re going to react, but…”

“You shouldn’t have told me this here!” Lenny interrupted her, his furrowed brow showing how nervous he was. He raised his right hand to his forehead, looking at her with a look of disdain.

Before Rachel could say anything, she heard footsteps approaching; it was the matriarch of the house. She quickly assessed the situation, directing her attention to her son. “What’s happening?” Her voice was cold, like the first frost of winter, but her demeanor was calm, as if she already knew what was going on.

“Rachel… She…” “She’s pregnant,” the matriarch completed for him. Lenny looked at her, surprised. “A hybrid. You brought a hybrid into our family. How dare you do this to our bloodline?” Her words were sharp, but her expression remained serene. Rachel fought back tears, feeling a knot form in her throat. She knew Lenny wasn’t happy about the idea, and that anything he did from that moment on would either be for the good of the pack or out of an obligation he had always resented.

“I admire your irresponsibility, even if you don’t fully understand it,” the matriarch said, looking at Rachel. “This child doesn’t belong in this world. Both you and my son have betrayed our lineage,” she added, keeping her eyes fixed on the girl.

“Please… I know you understand me! We can make this work, can’t we, Lenny?” At this point, Rachel was in tears, the tears streaming down her face, leaving a wet trail from her cheeks to her chin, smudging her makeup. Lenny ignored her, staring at the ground as if he were deep in thought.

The matriarch stepped forward, wiping the girl’s tears. “I’m sorry, but you are no longer welcome here, and this child will not be accepted. I cannot allow you to ruin our lineage with a hybrid. Forgive me.” The woman’s voice was heavy with pain, and Rachel knew it—the voice of a mother, a grandmother, but also the voice of someone who could not allow such an event to happen, uniting a hybrid with the lycans. She would be sacrificed along with the child if that were to occur.

“Will she be safe?” Rachel asked, recognizing the danger. “Lenny! Say something! Please!” she shouted while gripping the boy’s arm. “Safe? The only thing you should do is stay away from us. You and that… abomination in your womb,” Lenny exclaimed, his tone dripping with contempt. The matriarch swallowed hard; she could not discipline her own son in that moment, so she simply stepped back, lightly touching the boy's arm. He understood the signal and turned, walking behind his mother.

“You can’t do this! The child isn’t to blame for what she is! She’s your child, Lenny! You are the father!” the girl shouted, her voice heavy with despair, but the boy continued to walk away, ignoring everything he had just heard, as if it didn’t affect him—unlike the matriarch, who felt the weight of those words.

“This is a problem; unfortunately, a hybrid will never be accepted among us.” A voice came from behind Rachel, startling her. She quickly turned, noticing a dark silhouette beneath the tree. He began to approach, revealing his appearance to Rachel. “You… you’re one of Lenny’s brothers, aren’t you?” Rachel said between sobs, wiping her tears. “My name is Joey; I’m the older brother,” he introduced himself, stepping closer to the girl.

“You don’t understand, do you? The arrival of a hybrid means destruction, changes in the hierarchy. That’s why we always relate to someone from the pack. When Lenny told us about his human girlfriend, he confirmed that you were infertile, but I can hear more than one heartbeat inside you.” His voice was soft, comforting. “I don’t understand; destruction?” Rachel asked, placing her hand on her belly.

“Yes, destruction. Hybrids are stronger than purebloods, able to change the rules, the hierarchy. Your child, if they wish, could destroy the entire pack. Certainly not alone, but no other lycan would ever oppose them. We grew up hearing stories of the last hybrid who lived among us; he decimated half the pack, and when they realized he was willing to wipe out the rest, including children, even allies opposed him. The c*****e was immense, the most traumatizing event, according to the elders.”