The Hybrid

Chapter 4

Ryder ran up to his quarters, he needed a cold shower, but before he opened the door to his room Gregory stopped him.

“What was that about?”

He asked giving him a devilish smile.

Ryder cleared his throat and collected himself before turning around to face him.

“What do you mean?”

Gregory scoffed,

“Come on, not only didn’t I watched how you looked at Theo’s niece, I felt your energy about her. You think she could be your second mate? Did you get her scent?”

Ryder shook his head,

“No I didn’t smell anything which was odd, Theo did mention she was turn 18 soon and the full moon is approaching. So it could have been her heat that was getting to me.”

Gregory just crossed his arms and smirked,

“Whatever you say, maybe if you don’t find your second mate at the full moon ceremony you can take Kyra as your ‘Chosen Mate’. Just a thought.”

A second mate is a rare occurrence, often happening when a werewolf has lost their fated (soul-bonded) mate through death or rejection. It’s believed that the moon or fate grants them another chance at love and companionship, though this bond may not be as intense or natural as the first. The second mate bond is still deep and meaningful, but it’s often viewed as a blessing, especially for Alphas who need to ensure the continuity of their bloodline and leadership.

A chosen mate is someone a werewolf selects as their partner, even if they do not have a fated or natural soul bond. This choice is usually based on mutual affection, loyalty, or practical needs, such as political alliances or strengthening pack ties. A chosen mate bond lacks the intense, instinctual connection of a fated mate bond, which means the couple must work harder to build trust and unity. While not as mystical, chosen mates can still share a strong love and partnership. This type of bond is more common among Alphas or high-ranking wolves who might choose their mates for strategic purposes, but it may still be blessed or accepted by the pack if the couple has a strong relationship.

Ryder shrugged,

“We’ll see, see you in the morning.”

Gregory nodded and walked down to his quarters on the other side of the pack house.

Ryder quickly walked into his room before anyone else disturbed him, he locked his door and ripped off his clothes. He ran into the shower and turned on the ice cold water, his body jumped and stung from the ice cold daggers landing on his skin. He took a deep breath and shivered it out, it was helping him calm down. Now that is head was clear he tried to comprehend what just happened, he hadn’t felt a spark like that since his mate, Kari. But he didn’t smell Kyra’s scent so she couldn’t be his second mate, unless her scent was masked by a temporary spell.

Makes sense since they had to travel through vampire territory and they had to make sure Wyatt couldn’t track them. He can see why he was so obsessed with her, she’s gorgeous.

Even under the ice cold water Ryder still felt the warmth in his chest radiate down to his stomach, he tried to make the water colder.

She’s just a child!

He kept repeating over and over in his mind, he’s never thought of anyone the way he thought of Kyra.

Expect Kari, the warmth in his chest went out and a cold dagger stabbed his heart. Even though it’s been thirty years since their death it was still fresh in Ryders mind like it was yesterday, the pain from the mates bond being broken still hurting deep in his chest.

When a werewolf’s mate dies, the bond’s break feels like their soul being torn apart. An intense, hollow ache fills their chest, and they might collapse, overcome by weakness and grief. Memories flood in, heightening the emotional agony, while physical symptoms—fever, muscle pain, or dulled senses—mirror the emptiness they feel inside. The world seems gray and lifeless, and shifting becomes difficult as their wolf spirit mourns. Though healing is possible, they are left with a permanent scar, a reminder of the mate they lost.

Tears mixed in with the cold water on Ryders face, he rested his head the on shower wall and just let the water run down his body.

It was a warm summer day, everything was normal. Ryder over threw his father as Alpha when he was 18, making him the youngest Alpha in the region, the average age for an Alpha werewolf is typically between 30 and 50 years old. Alphas often rise to leadership in their 30s, when they have the strength, experience, and maturity needed to lead a pack. However, some Alphas can be older, especially if they’ve maintained their strength and are well-respected, or younger if they inherit the role early due to lineage or an unexpected vacancy. Ryders father suddenly spiraled into madness and started abusing his power, he started slaughtering his own clan to strike fear. Ryder challenged his father, it was a very close fight but Ryder proved himself worthy. Unfortunately his father couldn’t accept the defeat forcing Ryder to kill him, Ryder loved his father but he knew as the new Alpha he had to do whatever it took to protect his pack.

It took Ryder two years to fix the damage that was caused by his father with the rest of the region, Ryder was 20 at the time. A year earlier is when he found his mate Kari, she was beautiful. She had a refined, classic beauty with large, expressive eyes framed by dark lashes, well-defined brows, and a straight nose. Her full, naturally pink lips and fair skin complement her dark, wavy hair, giving her a sophisticated, timeless look. She was feisty, she didn’t take no one’s s**t, not even Ryder. She had the most amazing scent, Citrus and Thyme, Ryder missed it so much. She had just given birth to their son Mark, he was the sweetest little thing.

Ryder and his family was packing up to leave for the ceremony at the Shadowfang pack, they were introducing their new Alpha. Ryder had a feeling that Kari and Mark should stay home but brushed it off.

He threw a few suitcases in the back of the SUV, he decided to take the bulletproof Escalade.

Kari got done buckling in Marks car seat in the middle of the back seat,

“You sure you want us to come? What if Mark gets fussy during the ceremony?”

Ryder walked up to her and smiled, putting his hands on her shoulders

“He’ll be fine, he barely cry’s and he won’t be the only baby there trust me. It’s going to be okay.”

Kari took a deep breath,

“I don’t know I just don’t feel right about this, I mean do we have to go? Couldn’t we just send a card or something? Something just doesn’t feel right.”

Ryder should have known right then and there something wasn’t right about going, Kari always loved going to other packs and showing their support. Even though Ryder had the same feeling of something wasn’t right, he had to go. His father’s fear and tyranny was still fresh even though he’s worked hard on regaining trust, it’s still every thin.

Ryder rubbed arms and pulled her closer breathing in her scent

“I promise I won’t let anything happen to you or Mark, you two are my world. I have to fix the damage my father caused, the other packs are starting to trust me but I can still see the fear in their eyes.”

Kari tightened her lips and forced a smile,

“I understand, but could we leave right after the ceremony?”

Ryder pulled her in for a hug, the softness of her body turned him on.

“Of course, too bad we don’t have like 5 minutes I want you right now.”

Kari pushed him and playfully smacked his chest

“Pervert. Get in the car we have a few hours drive.”

Ryder smirked as he climbed into the passenger seat of the SUV, Kari climbed in the back to sit with the baby. Two bodyguards sat in the middle row and his Beta, Terrence at the time, decided to drive. Terrence we Ryders father’s beta, he tried his best to reason with him but Ryders father was just too far gone. Terrence had that classic, stereotypical Italian style to him. He had strong, masculine features with a defined jawline, rugged facial hair, and deep-set, expressive eyes. His dark, slightly wavy hair and intense gaze give him a powerful, confident look.

“We ready?”

He asked with a little Italian accent.

Ryder looked back to Kari not knowing this would be the last time he be able to see her in all her beauty and grace. The nagging in the back of his mind still screaming to get out of the car and back into the safety of their home.

Ryder shook it off and smiled at Kari then turned to Terrence,

“Let’s go.”

Ryder shut off the water, he didn’t want to keep remembering. He grabbed a towel and dried himself off, he grabbed a pair of pajama pants and climbed in his bed. He laid on his back staring at the ceiling, he knew he wasn’t going to get any sleep. For if he did, he’ll dream about his failures of keeping his family alive.