The Hybrid

Chapter 34

Kyra and Allie woke up early, excitement and nerves buzzing between them as they began their morning routine. They brushed their hair and teeth quickly, eager to start their day. They dashed out of the pack house, their first stop being the shoe store.

Kyra found the perfect pair of heels: elegant silver stilettos with a subtle shimmer, which matched the deep burgundy of her dress beautifully. Allie opted for sparkly pink heels to match her bright and cheerful dress.

Next, they headed to the hair salon. Kyra showed the stylist the hairstyle she wanted: a loose braid that swept to the side, ending in a low, romantic ponytail with soft curls cascading down. The stylist added a touch of silver pins to accentuate the look. Allie, keeping things simple but chic, went with a sleek high ponytail, her natural waves adding volume and bounce.

From the salon, the girls made their way to the nail salon. Kyra chose a classic black polish, the glossy finish giving her nails a sophisticated edge. Allie went for bright pink nails, a bold and playful contrast to her dress.

Once their nails were done, they grabbed a quick bite to eat, chatting and laughing over their plans for the evening. Their final stop was the makeup studio. For Kyra, the artist created a timeless look: a sleek black eyeliner wing, a smoky eyeshadow in shades of grey and silver, a light dusting of blush, and a matte red lipstick that made her lips pop. Allie opted for a brighter look with pink-toned eyeshadow, rosy blush, and a glossy pink lip to match her nails and dress.

Rushing back to the pack house, they headed straight to Kyra’s room to get dressed. Allie helped Kyra into her fitted burgundy gown, adjusting the slit and smoothing the fabric to perfection. Kyra returned the favor by fluffing the layers of Allie’s bright pink, puffy dress. They stepped back to admire each other, grinning with excitement.

“Ready?” Allie asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Kyra hesitated, her nerves returning as she thought about the celebration. “I don’t know… What if everyone stares at me?”

Allie placed a reassuring hand on Kyra’s shoulder. “Of course they’ll stare! You look stunning. But don’t worry—I’ll be right by your side the entire night.”

Kyra nodded, taking a deep breath as they made their way to the great hall on the other side of the pack house. As they approached the grand doors, the sound of music and laughter grew louder. Kyra paused, her hands fidgeting.

“Moment of truth,” Allie said with a grin before pushing open the door.

The room was alive with activity. Tables were adorned with fine linens and delicious food, trays of appetizers circulated, and the dance floor was crowded with laughing and dancing pack members.

Kyra’s eyes scanned the room, taking it all in. She noticed Kyle dancing with a friend, dressed sharply in a suit. Amber, meanwhile, stood near the bar in a skimpy dress that left little to the imagination. The moment Amber caught sight of Kyra, her expression soured. She turned up her nose and stalked off, clearly unimpressed by the attention Kyra was receiving.

Allie giggled beside her. “What did I tell you? You’re stealing the show!”

Kyra smiled nervously but couldn’t help giggling along with Allie. Then her eyes landed on Ryder.

He was dressed in a burgundy button-up shirt that matched her dress, the sleeves rolled up to reveal his forearms. He wore a black dress vest and slacks, effortlessly exuding authority and charm. He was overseeing the servers, making sure everything ran smoothly.

But the moment Ryder’s eyes met Kyra’s, everything else in the room seemed to fade away. His breath caught, his heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, he forgot where he was. Kyra was stunning beyond words, and seeing her like this, all he could think was how deeply he was drawn to her.

Kyra felt her cheeks flush under his gaze, her heart pounding as if it might burst. For a brief moment, the world stood still, and neither of them could look away.

Kyra sat at a table with Allie, sipping on her drink and enjoying the lively atmosphere. The music was vibrant, and the pack members were clearly having a great time. Kyle and a few of his friends approached the table, their faces lighting up as they saw her.

“Kyra, you look absolutely stunning tonight,” Kyle said, his admiration clear.

Another of his friends chimed in, “Seriously, you’re stealing the show.”

Kyra felt her cheeks flush a deep red, but she couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face. “Thank you,” she said shyly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

They chatted for a while, their easy banter and compliments making Kyra feel more comfortable. She glanced across the room and noticed Amber glaring at her from the bar, her expression full of contempt. Kyra chose to ignore her, focusing instead on the warmth and friendliness around her.

Suddenly, Allie grabbed Kyra’s arm. “Come on! We’re dancing!”

Kyra barely had time to protest as Allie dragged her onto the dance floor. Kyle and a few of his friends joined them, laughing and moving to the beat. The energy was infectious, and Kyra found herself smiling and letting loose, swaying her hips and twirling to the rhythm of the music.

As they danced, Ethan, Allie’s long-time crush, appeared beside them. He gave Allie a shy but admiring look. “Allie, you look amazing tonight,” he said softly, his cheeks slightly pink.

Allie’s face lit up, and she stammered a quick, “Thank you,” before glancing at Kyra with wide eyes, barely able to contain her excitement.

Meanwhile, in a quiet back room, Ryder stood in the shadows, his mind linked with the guards stationed around the territory. How’s everything looking? he asked, his tone all business.

“All clear,” came the response from one of the guards.

“Good,” Ryder replied. “Stay on your toes. I don’t want any surprises tonight.”

Gregory, walked into the room, his expression curious. “What are you doing back here, Ryder?”

Ryder glanced at him briefly. “Just checking in with the guards.”

Gregory raised an eyebrow. “Relax, Ryder. Everything’s fine. You should be out there enjoying yourself. The full moon is almost at its peak, and if Kyra’s really your second mate… well, this is the moment of truth.”

Ryder swallowed hard, the weight of Gregory’s words sinking in. He wasn’t sure why he felt so nervous. It wasn’t like him to feel this unsettled.

Finally, he stepped out into the main hall, scanning the room. His eyes immediately found Kyra on the dance floor. She was moving gracefully, her hips swaying to the music, her long burgundy dress accentuating every curve. The slit revealed her flawless leg as she twirled, and Ryder felt his pulse quicken.

He stood frozen for a moment, captivated by her. She looked radiant, her smile lighting up the room, her laughter infectious as she danced with her friends. Ryder’s chest tightened, a mixture of awe and longing overwhelming him.

He couldn’t help but think, She’s perfect.

Kyra swayed gently to the rhythm of the upbeat music, laughing softly with her friends as the night seemed to come alive. But when the melody shifted into a slow, romantic tune, the dance floor began to clear. Couples paired off, holding each other close, leaving Kyra standing amidst a sea of romance.

Feeling a sudden pang of loneliness in her chest, she quietly stepped off the floor and made her way to the bar. She perched herself elegantly on a stool and signaled to the bartender. “Whiskey neat,” she said, her voice calm yet carrying a subtle edge.

As she sat, she swirled the amber liquid in her glass, watching the golden reflections dance. Her mind wandered, thoughts tangled with the emotions of the night.

Behind her, Ryder watched intently. He noticed the way she carried herself, the way her sadness was masked by quiet strength. He took a deep breath, gathering his courage, and walked over to her.

“Are you enjoying yourself?” Ryder’s voice was smooth yet tinged with curiosity as he stood beside her.

Kyra glanced up at him, the faintest smirk tugging at her lips. “Well, I haven’t been swept off my feet yet. But I guess the night’s not over.”

Ryder chuckled softly, appreciating her sharp wit. A song with a slow but vibrant rhythm began to play—Dancing with a Stranger by Sam Hunt. Ryder’s gaze lingered on her, his heart racing. Without overthinking, he extended his hand toward her.

“Care to dance?”

Kyra raised a brow, her lips curving into a coy smile. She downed the rest of her whiskey, set the glass down, and placed her hand in his. “Why not?”

Ryder led her to the center of the floor, where the other couples had parted to make space. As the music swelled, they began to move. At first, their steps were light and tentative, but soon, they found a rhythm that seemed to be their own.

Their bodies moved fluidly, perfectly in sync as if they had been dancing together for years. Ryder’s hand rested firmly on her lower back, guiding her as Kyra moved with a blend of grace and fire. The room seemed to fade away as they locked eyes, the tension between them growing with each step.

Kyra twirled under Ryder’s arm, her burgundy dress swirling around her, the slit revealing her long, toned leg. When she spun back toward him, they pressed closer together, their breaths mingling. She could feel the heat radiating from him, the intensity of his gaze sending shivers down her spine.

Ryder slid his hand from her back to her hip, pulling her flush against him as the music reached its peak. Their movements were hypnotic, raw, and filled with unspoken emotions. The room grew silent, every pair of eyes now focused on them as they danced.

As the final notes played, Ryder dipped Kyra low, her hair cascading over his arm. Their faces were mere inches apart, their lips so close they could feel each other’s breath. Time seemed to stand still as Ryder leaned in, his eyes flicking to her lips.

But before their connection could deepen, a shrill, deafening alarm echoed through the hall. It was different from the usual alarms—a sound that sent a chill down Ryder’s spine.

His face went pale, and he straightened instantly, his protective instincts kicking in. “Breach,” he whispered, his voice low and filled with dread.

Chaos erupted as the alarm continued to blare through the great hall, cutting through the celebratory atmosphere like a knife. Ryder turned to Kyra, his expression both fierce and tender. Grasping her face gently between his hands, he spoke with a calm urgency.

“Kyra, listen to me carefully,” he said, his eyes locking onto hers. “You need to get back to the pack house with your friends. Kyle knows how to lock it down. There’s a panic room there—Kyle will take you to it. Stay there. Do whatever Kyle tells you. Do you understand?”

Kyra opened her mouth to protest, her heart screaming to stay and help, but the resolve in Ryder’s expression stopped her. This wasn’t a time for arguments, even though it pained her to leave him. She swallowed hard and nodded, tears threatening to spill from her eyes.

Ryder exhaled in relief and leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. “I’ll come back to you,” he whispered, his voice breaking just slightly. Then, without another word, he turned and sprinted toward the door, Gregory and the guards hot on his heels.

Before Kyra could fully process what had happened, Allie, Ethan, Amber, and Kyle rushed toward her. “We need to go, now!” Kyle said, grabbing her hand and pulling her toward the exit.

They piled into Kyle’s truck, the tension in the air almost suffocating. The ride back to the pack house was silent except for the occasional glance exchanged between Allie and Kyra. The world outside was dark and foreboding, the moon casting eerie shadows over the trees.

When they arrived at the pack house, Kyle jumped out and ran to a box near the front door. He flipped it open and pressed a button. Almost instantly, the entire building was bathed in red emergency lights, and loud mechanical sounds echoed as the doors and windows sealed themselves.

“We’re secure,” Kyle said, his voice steady despite the panic in his eyes. “Let’s move.”

Allie grabbed Kyra’s hand. “Come on, let’s change into something we can move in,” she urged, pulling her up the stairs toward her room.

Kyra’s room felt both familiar and strange under the red light. She rifled through her drawers, grabbing a pair of fitted black jeans and a loose hoodie. Her hands trembled as she changed, the weight of Ryder’s words crashing down on her.

Allie was already dressed in a similar outfit and pacing nervously around the room. “Kyra, what’s going on? Do you think we’re under attack?”

Kyra hesitated, unsure how much to say. “I don’t know,” she admitted, pulling on her boots. “But Ryder said to stay in the panic room with Kyle. We just have to do as he says.”

Allie nodded, but the fear in her eyes was unmistakable. “I don’t like this, Kyra. I have a bad feeling.”

Kyra reached out and squeezed her friend’s hand. “We’ll be okay. Ryder won’t let anything happen to us. We just have to trust him.”

They both glanced toward the door as Kyle’s voice echoed from downstairs. “Hurry up! We don’t have much time!”

With a final deep breath, Kyra and Allie bolted out of the room and down the stairs, ready to follow Kyle to the panic room. But as they reached the main hallway, the distant sound of howls filled the air, sending chills down their spines.