The Hybrid

Chapter 10

Ryder closed another book, dead end, he sighed and rubbed his hand on his face.

“Did you find anything?”

Gregory shook his head,

“No, just myths. Only thing I found was herbal elixirs, but the ingredients are rare.”

Ryder grunted,

“Yea same here.”

Gregory closed another book and stretched his body,

“Why don’t we take a break and go to the club for a drink, hang out for a bit. It’s Friday so everyone is going to be there.”

Ryder shrugged,

“I don’t know, I’m not really one for crowds. Besides Amber always try’s to make me dance with her and I can’t stand it.”

Gregory gave him a sly smile,

“Kyra might be there, Kyle told me he over heard her talking to someone about possibly going. Come on Ryder we’ve been at this since yesterday afternoon, we need to let loose.”

Kyra’s name made Ryders ears perk up, remembering how she dance in the studio made his mouth water.

“Fine, we’ll go. But only for a little bit, don’t want to get stuck there all night.”

Gregory jumped up,

“Sweet, I’ll go get ready. Meet you out front.”

He ran out of the room, Ryder put the books away and walked to his room. He changed his clothes, dark charcoal-gray tweed vest with a textured button-down front. With a deep brown dress shirt made from a smooth, lightweight fabric, with the sleeves casually rolled up. Topped off with dark blue jeans and his boots, he brushed his hair back. Ryder looked at himself in the mirror, he started to notice some little white hairs popping out of his beard. He knew he was getting old and he needed to find a new mate fast, he needed an heir.

Ryder sighed and left his room, he made his way down the hall and to the common room.

Gregory jumped off the couch, he wore a red silk button up shirt that was unbuttoned at the top. Black jean pants with black sneakers, he had his hair slicked back.

“Again, why do you always have to out dress me?”

Ryder chuckled,

“Come on let’s get this over with.”

They walked out of the pack house, they jumped into the Shelby and drove down to the club. It was already packed and they just opened their doors, Ryder pulled in the back. They walked in the back entrance to avoid the crowd, they walked through the kitchen. The kitchen crew were working double time to finish their prep work, they bowed their heads to Ryder and continued working. Ryder and Gregory exit the kitchen and took two end seats at the bar before anyone could grab them.

The bartender gave them a smile,

“Good afternoon Alpha and Beta, what can I get for you?”

She had a balanced, oval-shaped face with prominent high cheekbones, a straight nose, and softly defined jawline. Her hazel eyes are framed by long, dark lashes, and her full lips have a natural shape. Her sleek, dark brown hair adds to her striking appearance. Her voice was smooth and rich, carrying a confident and calm tone. It has a slightly husky quality, with a subtle warmth that makes it captivating and expressive.

“Hey Rhonda, I’ll have a Jack with coke and keep them comin.”

Ryder said with a wink.

“And I’ll take a gin and tonic.”

Gregory said looking at the dance floor, watching people fill the room.

“You got it.”

Rhonda said with a smile, she quickly made their drink.

Kyle ran up to the bar,

“Hello Alpha, hello dad. Nice to see you guys out tonight, can I get two Long Islands, a mojito, Mai Tai and I’ll take an Old Fashioned.”

Rhonda nodded,

“Sure I’ll have someone bring those over to you.”

Kyle nodded and turned to his dad,

“I’ll see you guys around.”

“Behave yourself.”

Gregory yelled taking a sip of his drink.

Kyle smirked and walked back to his booth where his friends were sitting.

A group of girls walked in Ryder turned his head to see if Kyra was in the groups. It was just Amber and her friends, Amber wore a tan, corset-style top with lace-up detailing and a matching high-waisted skirt, also adorned with lace-up accents, creating a coordinated and edgy look. It showed a lot of skin, all the guys were staring at her.

Ryder shook his head,

“Alpha Ryder what a surprise! It’s so nice to see you again.”

Amber said bowing her head, then she moved closer pushing her body against his.

Ryder looked at Gregory for help, all Gregory did was mouth, Be nice.

Ryder sighed and forced a small smile,

“Amber how have you been, no more food fights I hope.”

Amber fake laughed,

“No, no more fights. I’ve been a good girl.”

She said with a seductive smile, rubbing her finger tips on his arm.

One of Ambers friends hobbled over to the bar, she had a soft, oval-shaped face with smooth skin, striking chestnut brown eyes framed by defined brows, and full lips with a natural shape.

“Kyra just showed up and the boys are already drooling over her.”

She whispered in Ambers ear, Ambers face turned red.

Ryder heard Kyra’s name and involuntarily turned his head to the door.

She walked through the door she wore a cropped gray hoodie with oversized sleeves and a matching ribbed gray crop top underneath, just sneak peeking her perfect full breast. It was paired with loose-fitting black drawstring pants just resting underneath her bellybutton, showing her light perfectly toned body. Her hair fell perfectly around her face, she wore light makeup.

Ryders chest ignited, she was beautiful. He can see why all the boys are drooling over her, he was doing the same.

Amber cleared her throat, Ryder forgot she was even there.

“Excuse me Alpha, I have some business to take care of.”

She bowed her head and stormed off, Ryder looked back to the door but Kyra was gone. He searched the room to try and find her, no where, then it hit him.

The scent of vanilla and roses,

“Good evening Alpha.”

Her voice was soothing and soft, Ryder loved the sound of it. Her voice and scent made Ryder felt for the first time in a long time, calm.

Ryder turned to meet her gaze, her eyes burned a bight Burgundy.

“I told you, call me Ryder.”

He smiled and offered her a seat next to him, she smiled back giving Ryder a pleasurable shiver down his spine.

She sat down facing the dance floor leaning against the bar,

“Then you have to tell my uncle that one, I got yelled at for referring you by your first name.”

Rhonda walked over and gave Ryder another drink,

“What can I get you beautiful.”

Kyra looked at the shelf of alcohol,

“I’ll take.. a whiskey neat please.”

Rhonda looked at her surprised,

“Coming right up.”

Rhonda placed a small glass in front of Kyra, she took a sip.

“Not going to lie, I didn’t peg you for a whiskey kind of gal.”

Ryder said with a smile.

Kyra scoffed and took another sip,

“And I didn’t peg you as a club guy.”

“Oh, she’s spicy. I like her.”

Said Rhonda cleaning some glasses, Ryder smiled no one’s ever talked to him like that besides Gregory and Kari. Ryder thought it was nice to finally find someone who didn’t agree to everything he said or isn’t afraid to give some attitude.

“Well I guess we’re both full of surprises then, aren’t we?”

Ryder smirked and took a sip of his drink, Kyra smiled biting her lip.

Tingles vibrated through his body, her sent was driving him crazy.

Kyra too had tingles coursing through her body, mahogany and mint was all she could smell. She knew she shouldn’t be talking to him, that she should be keeping her distance from him. But she couldn’t help it, it was like a magnetic pull that kept drawing her to him. She wanted to be close to him, breathe his scent and feel calmed by it.

“Kyra!!!! You made it, I’m so excited!! Does that mean you’re coming over to my house after!?”

Allie ran over jumping up and down, she wore a pink oversized fuzzy crop top sweater and blue jean shorts, she wore her hair in two pigtails. She wore bright vibrant sparkly makeup, her outfit was loud matching her personality.

Kyra gave a small giggle,

“We’ll see where the night takes us.”

Kyra finished her drink and was about to order another when an upbeat song started to play.

“Oh!! This is my song, come on come dance with me!”

Before Kyra could politely decline, Allie grabbed her arm and pulled her off the bar stool,

“Guess I don’t have a choice, see you around. Ryder.”

Ryder tightened his grip around his glasses, cracking it a little, the way she said his name sent a shiver down his spine.

Allie dragged Kyra into the crowd and disappeared.

Ryder cleared his throat, he looked over at Gregory.

He almost forgot he was there, Gregory looked at him with a stupid grin.

“What are you smiling at?”

Ryder took a sip from his glass, a little bit of his drink leaked out of the crack he made. He took a napkin and wiped his chin, Rhonda, also grinning, transferred Ryders drink into a new glass.

“Go got it bad, I remember it took me years for me to call you by your first name. I haven’t seen you like this since Kari, and I know for a fact she’d approve.”

Ryder finished his drink,

“Yea but not the Elders. They’d never approve me a second mate with Lycanthexia.”

Rhonda looked at Ryder with interest,

“Second mate? Interesting your second mate is an outsider, you sure she has Lycanthexia? She doesn’t look like she has it.”

Rhonda handed Ryder another drink, Ryder looked at her confused.

“What do you mean?”

Rhonda shrugged,

“When someone has Lycanthexia they normally have patches of fur or wolf-like features manifest inconsistently, even in human form. Uneven pigmentation or scarring where transformations failed to complete. Swollen or tender joints due to strain from unstable shifts.Their body may appear frail or unusually thin due to energy depletion caused by unsuccessful shifts.” Rhonda cracked open a few beers for some people, “From what I can see she has none of those symptoms, shes healthy and down right gorgeous.”

Ryder furrowed his eyebrows,

“Could she have a mild case of it?”

Rhonda scrunched her face and shrugged mixing a drink,

“It’s possible but rare. But even with a mild case she doesn’t seem to show signs unless she’s very good at hiding it.”

“How do you know all this?”

Gregory asked.

“I took some college courses for werewolf health, I quit shortly after and decided bartending was more my thing.”

Rhonda said taking some dirty glasses and throwing them in the washer under the bar.

Ryder sat there thinking,

Why would Theodore lie to me about his niece being sick? Did he lie to Elder Rodrick as well or did he know? Did they make it up in hopes that their old Alpha will give up pursuing Kyra?

So many questions ran through his head.

“Does she have any idea she’s your second mate?”

Rhonda asked.

Ryder shook his head,

“No.”

Rhonda smirked,

“Well she clearly seems to have a thing for you, I’d honestly make a move and test the waters.”

Ryder scoffed,

“I don’t know if you’ve noticed but I’ve been out of the game for sometime. I’m a little rusty.”

Rhonda smiled,

“From what I saw, she doesn’t seem to care.”

Ryder finished his drink and turned to the dance floor and watch everyone dance.