The Hybrid

Chapter 33

Ryder walked down the dimly lit hallway, his boots echoing against the stone floor as Rodrick’s words reverberated in his mind. “There’s no guarantee you’d even survive the marking.”

The marking—a sacred ritual that cemented the bond between werewolf mates. It occurred when mates consummated their relationship, a merging of souls as their auras intertwined. The bond was sealed with a bite, a mark that symbolized their connection for life. It was a moment of pure trust and vulnerability, but also one of power, for it bound their strengths and weaknesses together forever.

Ryder’s hand drifted to his left shoulder, his fingers brushing the faint scar of his mark from Kari. A bittersweet ache settled in his chest. He had loved Kari with every part of his heart; her death had left a wound he thought would never heal. And yet, this thing with Kyra—it was different. It wasn’t just his heart that longed for her. It was his soul, his every instinct, every fiber of his being.

He leaned against the cold stone wall, closing his eyes as his emotions churned inside him. Rodrick’s warnings gnawed at his resolve. There was truth in his words—Kyra wasn’t like anyone else. She wasn’t like Kari, or any other werewolf. She was a hybrid, a combination of power and mystery that not even Rodrick fully understood. Claiming her would be a risk, one he couldn’t take lightly.

And yet, when he thought about Kyra, none of that mattered. The bond between them was undeniable. It was more than the mate bond—it was primal, consuming, a force he couldn’t ignore.

He pushed off the wall, running a hand through his hair. He had to figure out what to do—and quickly. The Full Moon Celebration was Sunday. When the full moon reached its peak, the mate bond would be exposed, and there would be no hiding it.

Ryder’s jaw clenched. There was no time for doubt. He would protect Kyra, no matter what storm came their way. He just needed to decide if he was willing to risk it all to make her his.

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Kyra stood in front of the full-length mirror at the boutique, her hands smoothing down the fabric of the deep burgundy dress she’d just slipped into. The gown hugged her figure perfectly, the ruched detail accentuating her curves and the high slit revealing just enough of her leg to be elegant but bold. The deep color complimented her pale complexion. Allie gasped behind her, clapping her hands together.

“That’s the one!” Allie exclaimed, her eyes wide with excitement. “Ryder won’t know what hit him.”

Kyra’s cheeks flushed instantly. “Allie! It’s just a dress…”

Allie arched a brow, smirking. “It’s not just a dress. It’s the dress. You’re going to be the star of the celebration, and, trust me, Ryder will notice.”

Kyra turned back to the mirror, biting her lip. The mention of Ryder sent a flutter through her chest, but also a wave of uncertainty. After paying for the dress, they strolled out of the shop, Kyra carrying her purchase in one hand while Allie linked arms with her.

They found a quiet café nearby, settling into a booth with their drinks. Allie sipped her iced latte, watching Kyra carefully. “Okay, spill. Something’s obviously on your mind.”

Kyra fidgeted with black cup of coffee, her gaze fixed on the table. “What do you do if… if you like someone but you’re not sure if it’s okay to like them?”

Allie leaned forward, her curiosity piqued. “Depends on what you mean by ‘not okay.’ Are we talking forbidden romance or you’re worried about what people will think?”

Kyra hesitated before answering, her voice barely above a whisper. “Both, maybe?”

Allie tilted her head, studying Kyra with a mix of amusement and concern. “Okay, give me a little more to work with here. Who is he?”

Kyra sighed, finally meeting Allie’s eyes. “It’s Ryder…”

Allie blinked in surprise but didn’t interrupt, letting Kyra continue.

“I don’t know what to do,” Kyra confessed, her hands twisting in her lap. “I mean, he’s… older. A lot older. And he’s the Alpha. I feel like I shouldn’t feel this way, but I can’t help it. He’s been so kind to me, and last night at the play… when I saw him smiling at me, it was like nothing else mattered.”

Allie’s expression softened, and she reached across the table to take Kyra’s hand. “Kyra, there’s nothing wrong with how you feel. Age gaps are common in our world—especially with Alphas. They live longer, they have responsibilities, and honestly? It just means Ryder’s mature enough to know what he wants.”

Kyra frowned. “But what if people think it’s weird? And what if he doesn’t feel the same way?”

Allie gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. “First of all, screw what people think. If Ryder feels the same way about you, no one else’s opinion matters. As for whether he likes you…” She grinned. “Kyra, I’ve seen the way he looks at you. Trust me, there’s definitely something there.”

Kyra’s heart skipped a beat, but doubt lingered. “I don’t even know how to talk to him about it. What if I ruin everything?”

“Then don’t overthink it,” Allie said gently. “The Full Moon Celebration is coming up, and if he’s your mate, the bond will reveal itself. Just trust the Moon Goddess. She wouldn’t pair you with someone unless it was meant to be.”

Kyra smiled faintly, comforted by Allie’s words. “Thanks, Allie. You’re a really good friend.”

“Of course I am,” Allie said with a playful wink. “Now let’s focus on making sure you look so good at that celebration that Ryder forgets how to breathe.”

As they made their way back to the pack house, Kyra couldn’t shake the lingering thoughts from her conversation with Allie earlier. The store had been a distraction, but now, with the quiet of the night surrounding them, her nerves began to resurface.

“Allie, I’ve been meaning to ask you something…” Kyra started hesitantly as they walked through the front door of the pack house.

Allie, noticing Kyra’s serious tone, raised an eyebrow. “What’s up?”

Kyra hesitated, unsure of how to phrase it. “Have you… ever been intimate with someone?” She almost winced at the question, the vulnerability of it making her stomach twist.

Allie, catching her off guard, paused mid-step and turned to face Kyra. “What do you mean by ‘intimate’?” she asked, a teasing glint in her eyes, though she could tell something deeper was going on.

Kyra shifted uncomfortably. “You know… have you ever had s*x with someone?”

Allie’s playful demeanor softened, and she scratched the back of her neck. “Well, I was close once. We… just did oral. But I wasn’t ready for anything more, so we stopped.” She shrugged, looking thoughtful for a moment. “It was a little awkward. But I didn’t mind.”

Kyra’s face flushed a deep shade of red. She didn’t know if she was relieved or embarrassed by the response. Allie seemed to notice her discomfort and quickly added, “Don’t worry, it’s totally normal to not be ready for that kind of thing. Everyone goes at their own pace.”

Kyra let out a breath, surprised by how understanding Allie was. “I’ve never done anything like that before,” she admitted, her voice small. “I’ve never even had a boyfriend.”

Allie blinked in disbelief. “Wait, what? Never? But… Kyra, you’re—” She stopped herself, glancing at Kyra with a mix of curiosity and surprise. “You’re so beautiful. You could have a line of guys waiting outside if you wanted.”

Kyra shifted her weight from foot to foot. “It’s… complicated. It’s not like that for me.”

Allie raised an eyebrow, now genuinely intrigued. “Complicated? How?”

Kyra sighed, her eyes lowering. “I don’t really know how to explain it. It’s like… there’s something more, something about me that makes it hard for anyone to want to get too close. I don’t know. It’s hard to talk about.”

Allie studied her closely before nodding in understanding. “Okay, I get it. But don’t forget, Kyra. Just because you’re different, doesn’t mean you don’t deserve love or attention. Don’t let that stop you from finding someone who sees you for who you are—beautiful, smart, strong, and someone worth loving.”

Kyra smiled, grateful for Allie’s unwavering support. “Thanks, Allie. That means a lot to me.”

After a few moments of comfortable silence, Kyra’s curiosity piqued again, and she suddenly asked, “I have a hypothetical question for you. If I was… a monster, would you still be friends with me?”

Allie turned to her with a puzzled expression. “A monster? What kind of monster are we talking about here?” she asked, clearly intrigued.

Kyra shrugged, her voice softening. “You know, if I wasn’t… normal. If I wasn’t a human. Or if I had some dark secret, something that made me dangerous.”

Allie looked at her thoughtfully for a moment before answering, her expression serious. “Kyra, if you were honest with me, and you were a good person—kind, caring—I’d still be your friend. I don’t care what you are. If you’re a monster, that just means you’re someone who needs love and understanding more than anyone else.”

Kyra blinked, a strange feeling in her chest at the unconditional support in Allie’s words. The thought of telling her the truth felt like it was on the tip of her tongue, but a part of her wasn’t ready yet. The weight of her secret was still too much, and she wasn’t sure if she could bear to share it. Not yet.

“I’ll tell you one day,” Kyra said quietly, more to herself than to Allie.

Allie smiled warmly. “Whenever you’re ready, I’ll be here.”

With the tension easing between them, they finally made their way upstairs, preparing for bed. Kyra changed into her pajamas, her mind still racing with thoughts of Ryder and her secret. Tomorrow would be a big day—the Full Moon Celebration was nearly here—and she had no idea what the night would bring. But she was grateful to have Allie by her side, someone she could trust completely.

As they settled into Kyra’s bed, Allie snuggled up to Kyra. She felt a little awkward at first but then welcomed Allies warmth, the quiet of the pack house enveloped them, and Kyra finally closed her eyes, her heart pounding with anticipation for the days ahead.