The Hybrid

Chapter 22

As Kyra stepped out of the Shelby and onto the gravel driveway of the pack house, a mix of nerves and excitement churned in her stomach. She’d been here before when she first meet Ryder and her “punishment”, but never like this. Never as someone about to live here. The massive structure loomed before her, its rustic wood and stone exterior blending seamlessly with the forested surroundings. It was beautiful and intimidating all at once.

Ryder stood beside her, watching her reaction. “You ready?” he asked.

Kyra glanced at him, catching a flicker of something warm in his gaze before he turned toward the front door. She nodded, gripping the strap of her duffel bag tighter. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

The main doors opened with a soft creak, revealing the grand common room she’d seen before. It was just as she remembered—cozy yet spacious, with high vaulted ceilings, a massive stone fireplace, and plush leather furniture arranged in clusters. A few pack members milled about, glancing at her curiously before going back to their conversations.

“This is the heart of the pack house,” Ryder said as he led her inside. “Everyone gathers here. It’s where we have meetings, casual hangouts, you name it.”

Kyra nodded, trying to push aside the weight of their stares. She wasn’t here to impress anyone—she just needed a place to breathe. Still, she couldn’t help but feel like an outsider.

Ryder seemed to sense her unease. “Come on. Let me show you around. You’ll settle in soon enough.”

He led her down a hallway that opened up into a sleek, state-of-the-art kitchen. Stainless steel appliances gleamed under the warm lighting, and a massive island sat in the center, surrounded by barstools. The scent of freshly baked bread lingered in the air.

“This is the kitchen. We keep it stocked, and there’s always something cooking. Help yourself whenever you want.”

Kyra smiled faintly, running her fingers along the cool granite countertop. “This is… a lot nicer than I expected.”

Ryder chuckled. “Wait until you see the rest.”

He took her through a series of rooms that seemed endless—a spacious gym with every piece of equipment imaginable, a cozy library with floor-to-ceiling shelves, and even an in-ground heated pool surrounded by glass walls that looked out into the woods. Every corner of the pack house felt like a carefully crafted blend of luxury and practicality.

“And this,” Ryder said as they entered a grand hall with polished wooden floors and glittering chandeliers, “is the function hall. We use it for big events, like the Full Moon Celebrations. It’s probably the most used room in the house.”

Kyra stared in awe at the space, imagining it filled with people, laughter, and music. “It’s beautiful,” she murmured.

Ryder nodded, his eyes lingering on her for a moment before he turned back toward the hallway. “There’s just one more stop.”

They climbed a set of stairs and walked down a quieter corridor lined with doors. Ryder stopped in front of one and pushed it open, revealing a cozy bedroom with a large bed, a desk, and a window that overlooked the forest. The walls were painted a soft cream, and a thick rug covered the hardwood floor.

“This is your room,” Ryder said. “I had it set up for you.”

Kyra stepped inside, taking in the warm, inviting space. She dropped her bag by the door and turned to thank him, but her words caught in her throat when he gestured to the door next to hers.

“My room’s just there,” he said casually, but his voice held an undertone that made her pulse quicken.

The proximity sent a shiver through her, and her chest tightened with an unspoken desire she didn’t know how to handle. She quickly turned away, pretending to examine the room. “It’s… nice. Thanks.”

Ryder leaned against the doorframe, watching her with an unreadable expression. “If you need anything, just knock. No matter what time it is.”

She nodded, unable to meet his gaze. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

As he left, closing the door softly behind him, Kyra sank onto the bed, her fingers gripping the edge of the mattress. His nearness had stirred something deep within her, something she was desperately trying to ignore.

But with Ryder so close, and the bond pulling at her like a tidal wave, she wasn’t sure how long she could resist.

As Kyra finished unpacking, she sat on the edge of her bed, running her fingers along the soft quilt. She felt a strange sense of calm in the pack house, but it was tinged with uncertainty. The silence of the room was soon broken by a soft knock on the door.

Ryder stepped inside, dressed in his usual style—a well-fitted vest layered over a button-up shirt and dark jeans that hugged his tall, muscular frame. He looked calm, almost casual, but Kyra could see the warmth in his eyes as he offered her a small smile.

“Hey,” he said, leaning lightly against the doorframe. “I was wondering if you were hungry. I can make us something to eat—unless you’d prefer something brought up here.”

Kyra blinked, caught off guard. No one had ever offered to make her dinner before, except for Theodore and Sally. The thought sent a pang of guilt and anger through her, but it was quickly drowned by another memory.

Wyatt.

Her chest tightened as flashes of the past ripped through her mind like shards of glass. Wyatt had been kind once, too—soft words, gentle touches, promises of protection. She had let her guard down, and when she refused to become his chosen mate, his kindness had turned to cruelty. His rage had been relentless, his punishment unbearable.

Her hands clenched into fists on her lap, and she forced herself to focus on Ryder, standing there patiently, his expression unreadable but somehow… safe.

He tilted his head slightly, as if sensing her hesitation. “Hey,” he said softly, his tone steady and reassuring. “If you’re not ready to join the others yet, it’s okay. You don’t have to rush. Someone can bring you food here, no questions asked. Or, if you just want some time to yourself, I get that too.”

Kyra stared at him, her throat tightening. His words weren’t laced with pressure or hidden motives—just understanding. He wasn’t demanding or pushing her to trust him. He was giving her space, something she hadn’t been offered in so long.

“I’m here if you ever want to talk,” Ryder added gently. “About anything. No judgment.”

The sincerity in his voice melted the tension in her chest, just a little. She gave him a small nod, not trusting herself to speak yet. Ryder stayed a moment longer, as if silently offering his support, before giving her another kind smile and stepping out, leaving her to sort through the storm in her mind.

Kyra leaned back against the headboard, closing her eyes. She wasn’t sure if she could trust Ryder yet, but there was something in the way he treated her—carefully, patiently—that made her wonder if, just maybe, things could be different this time.

Kyra sat up on the bed, staring at the door Ryder had just closed behind him. Her heart was racing, her thoughts spinning like a whirlwind she couldn’t control.

Ryder’s kindness was a balm she hadn’t realized she needed, yet it terrified her at the same time. She wanted to believe he meant every word, that he truly cared and wasn’t hiding an ulterior motive. But the ghost of Wyatt loomed too large in her mind. She had been fooled before—tricked into thinking someone saw her as more than just a means to an end.

Wyatt had started out just like this. Gentle smiles, soft reassurances, promises that he’d protect her. She’d almost believed him. But the moment she refused to become his chosen mate, he’d shown his true face. The bruises, the scars on her soul—they weren’t something she could easily forget.

Her fingers tightened around the edge of the blanket. Ryder wasn’t Wyatt. She knew that. Everything about him was different. He hadn’t pushed her, hadn’t demanded anything from her, not even her trust. He’d given her space, had even offered to have someone else bring her food if she wasn’t ready to face anyone yet. It was such a small gesture, but it felt monumental to her.

And yet, the fear gnawed at her. What if he found out? What if he learned the truth about what she was? The fragile peace she’d found in his pack would shatter. Ryder might hate her—or worse, he might try to use her, just like Wyatt had. The thought sent a shiver down her spine.

Then there was the mate bond. It was unlike anything she’d ever experienced—an unrelenting pull that tied her to Ryder in a way she couldn’t explain. The connection was raw and overwhelming, filling her with a warmth she didn’t understand. Was it love? Could it be? She didn’t know.

She thought she’d known what love was with her aunt and uncle, but after the betrayal with the potion, she wasn’t sure anymore. They had tried to break her bond, all because they thought they knew what was best for her. Their actions left her questioning everything. Could love coexist with betrayal?

Her chest ached with the weight of her emotions. She glanced around the room, trying to distract herself, but the pull toward Ryder lingered in the back of her mind like a flame she couldn’t extinguish. She didn’t know how to navigate this—these feelings, this bond, her fear.

Kyra stood and walked toward the window, hoping the night air might clear her thoughts. The moon was bright, casting silver light over the pack house grounds. Her breath hitched as she felt it—a presence, a prickling sensation at the back of her neck.

Her eyes scanned the darkness outside, and that’s when she saw him.

Standing in the shadows, partially illuminated by the moonlight, was the vampire. The one she’d come across that night in the field during the lockdown. He wasn’t moving, just staring up at her window with an intensity that sent chills down her spine.

Her heart thudded painfully in her chest as her hand gripped the windowsill. She didn’t know what he wanted, but she knew this wasn’t a coincidence.

The vampire gave her a small, knowing smile, then melted into the shadows, disappearing as quickly as he had appeared.

Kyra couldn’t shake the feeling to follow him, she knew she couldn’t go out the front door without being seen. So she opened the window, swung her legs over and pushed herself out the third story window. She lightly landed on her feet effortlessly, she looked around to make sure no one saw her and ran into the forest.