The Hybrid

Chapter 51

Ryder stood silently as Kyra sat on the edge of the bed, her hands trembling slightly as she tried to lace up her boots. Without a word, he knelt before her, taking over the task with gentle, steady hands. Kyra watched him, her chest tight with emotions she couldn’t quite name.

Once he’d finished, Ryder helped her to her feet and kissed her forehead, holding her for a moment longer than usual. Just as Kyra was about to speak, the door burst open, and Allie, Ethan, Kyle, and Amber piled into the room.

Allie immediately ran to Kyra, throwing her arms around her neck and sobbing. “I don’t want you to go!” she cried.

Kyra hugged her tightly, her own tears threatening to spill. “I don’t want to go either,” she whispered, stroking Allie’s hair. “But I have to.”

Kyle cleared his throat, his voice laced with mock cheerfulness as he tried to lighten the heavy mood. “Well, Dorothy’s heading back to Kansas, huh? Don’t forget to click your heels three times.”

Kyra let out a faint laugh, managing a small smirk as she turned to him. “And I’ll miss you most, Scarecrow,” she teased, wrapping him in a hug.

Kyle gave her a quick squeeze, whispering, “Be safe, Kyra.”

Kyra nodded before stepping back and turning to Ethan. She gripped his shoulder firmly. “Take care of Allie for me, okay?”

Ethan gave her a solemn nod. “I will. You just focus on staying safe.”

Finally, Kyra turned to Amber. Amber crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. “Good riddance,” she said with a faint smirk, though her eyes betrayed the emotions she was holding back.

Kyra smirked in return. “I’ll miss you too, Amber,” she said, pulling her into a brief but meaningful hug.

Amber muttered under her breath, “You better come back in one piece.”

Ryder placed his hand on Kyra’s shoulder, drawing her attention. “It’s time,” he said softly, his voice thick with emotion.

Kyra nodded, allowing him to take her hand and lead her out of the room. Her heart pounded so loudly in her chest that she was certain Ryder could hear it. As they stepped into the hallway, her eyes fell on the elders standing near the exit, their presence imposing and final.

Kyra froze in her tracks, her breath hitching. “Ryder… I can’t,” she whispered, fear gripping her like a vice.

Ryder turned to her, his own tears slipping free. He gently cupped her face in his hands, leaning down so his forehead touched hers. “We don’t have a choice, Kyra,” he said softly. “This is the only way to keep you safe.” Then, in a voice so low only she could hear, he added, “I’ll come back for you. I promise.”

Kyra’s tears spilled over as she kissed him passionately, clinging to him as though her life depended on it.

Felicity cleared her throat loudly, glancing at her watch. “Time’s ticking,” she said, her tone impatient.

Ryder reluctantly pulled away, resting his forehead against Kyra’s one last time. His voice cracked as he whispered, “I love you.”

Kyra’s voice broke as she replied, “I love you too.”

Taking a shaky breath, Kyra turned and walked toward the elders, her legs feeling like lead. She glanced back at Ryder one last time, her burgundy eyes locking with his.

Ryder stood frozen, his hands clenched at his sides, watching as she walked out the door and out of his life. As the door shut behind her, Ryder felt his heart crumble, the ache so deep it was almost unbearable.

The door clicked shut, and Ryder’s knees gave out as he collapsed against the wall. Sliding down to the floor, his chest heaved as he struggled to catch his breath. Pain rippled through him, sharp and unforgiving.

Gregory rushed to his side, crouching down and gripping Ryder’s shoulder firmly. “It’s okay, boss. We have a plan, don’t we? To get her back, like you said,” Gregory said, his voice steady, though his concern was evident.

Ryder shook his head, burying his face in his hands. “No…” he choked out, his voice breaking. “There is no plan. I just… I just told her that because it was the only way she’d leave with them.”

Gregory’s expression faltered, the weight of Ryder’s anguish settling over him. He didn’t know what to say—Ryder’s pain was raw, palpable.

Tears streamed down Ryder’s face as he whispered, “I let her walk away… I let her go.”

Before Gregory could respond, the door flew open, slamming against the wall. A tall, imposing figure burst into the room. His sharp eyes scanned the space with urgency as he barked, “Where is she? Where’s Kyra?!”

Gregory was on his feet in an instant, positioning himself between the stranger and Ryder. His stance was defensive, his muscles taut. “And who the hell are you? How do you know Kyra?”

The man snarled, his lips pulling back to reveal sharp teeth. “There’s no time for this! She’s in danger! How long ago did they leave?”

Gregory’s eyes narrowed, refusing to back down. “Tell us who you are first. How do we know you’re not one of Wyatt or Evelyn’s spies?”

The man let out a growl of frustration, his body trembling with restraint. “I don’t have time for your games!” he snapped, his voice low and dangerous. “I’m her father!”

The room fell into silence. Ryder snapped out of his haze, his tear-streaked face lifting to meet the stranger’s intense gaze. “What… did you just say?”

“I said,” the man growled, his voice like steel, “I’m Kyra’s father. Now, tell me where she is!”

Ryder and Gregory exchanged a tense glance as they took in the man’s unnaturally sharp features, pale complexion, and the faint red gleam in his eyes.

Gregory narrowed his gaze. “You’re a vampire,” he said accusingly, stepping closer to Ryder as if shielding him.

Dorian sighed heavily, running a hand through his disheveled hair. “Brilliant observation,” he said dryly. “Yes, I’m a vampire. Got anything else to state the obvious, or can we focus on the fact that Kyra is in danger?”

Gregory crossed his arms, unconvinced. “Why the hell should we trust a vampire claiming to be her father? And how do you know this isn’t a trap?”

Dorian hissed in frustration, his patience wearing thin. “Because they’ve been hunting her for years, and I’ve been trying to stay ahead of them. But clearly, I’m not the only one failing at that.” He fixed his piercing gaze on Ryder. “How long ago did they leave? Wyatt and Evelyn are planning to ambush the convoy.”

Before anyone could respond, the door burst open again. Allie, Amber, Ethan, and Kyle stormed in, their faces a mix of fury and determination.

“Who the hell is this?” Amber snapped, already moving to position herself for a fight.

Ethan growled low in his throat, while Kyle’s fists clenched at his sides. Allie’s eyes darted nervously to the group, ready to back them up.

Gregory stepped forward, raising his hands to block them. “Stand down!” he barked. “It’s not what you think.”

“He’s a vampire!” Ethan growled, his eyes blazing.

“Yes, thank you, Captain Obvious,” Gregory snapped. “Now shut up and listen. He says he’s Kyra’s father.”

The room erupted in disbelief, everyone speaking at once.

Dorian hissed, baring his fangs. “Enough!” The sound cut through the chaos, and everyone froze. “We’re running out of time! If we don’t warn them, she’s as good as gone. Now tell me how long did she leave!”

Ryder fumbled to pull his cell phone from his pocket, his hands shaking. Ignoring the tension in the room, he dialed Rodrick’s number. Each ring felt like an eternity, his heart pounding louder with each passing second.

Finally, the call connected.

“Rodrick!” Ryder barked into the phone. “The convoy’s going to be ambushed! Wyatt and Evelyn—”

But a low, chilling laugh cut him off.

“Sorry, Alpha,” came Wyatt’s smug voice from the other end. “Rodrick isn’t available right now. But thanks for confirming you’re still sniffing around.”

Ryder’s blood ran cold. “You son of a—”

The call disconnected before he could finish. Ryder stared at the phone in shock, his knuckles white as he gripped it.

“They’ve already made their move,” Dorian said grimly. “We’re too late.”