The Hybrid

Chapter 32

The auditorium buzzed with excitement and anticipation as the curtains prepared to rise. Kyra adjusted the hem of her blue gingham dress, taking a deep breath as the makeup artist dabbed the final touches of blush on her cheeks. The shiny red slippers on her feet sparkled under the dressing room lights, but she hardly noticed. Her heart pounded in her chest, and her hands trembled slightly.

Kyle leaned against the doorframe, watching her with an amused smile. “Relax, Kyra,” he said, crossing his arms. “You’re going to knock this out of the park.”

She gave him a nervous glance. “Easier said than done. What if I forget my lines? Or trip on stage? Or—”

Kyle stepped forward and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Breathe. You’ve rehearsed this a million times. You’ve got this. Just imagine everyone in the audience is a scarecrow—dumb and floppy.”

Kyra couldn’t help but laugh. “Thanks, Kyle. That actually helps.”

“Of course it does. I’m a genius,” he said, giving her a confident wink before heading to his place on stage.

Kyra took another deep breath, smoothing her dress one last time before joining the others. The cast was in their positions, waiting as the opening music began to play. The curtains slowly parted, revealing a packed audience.

For a moment, Kyra froze. The sea of faces blurred together, and her fear threatened to overwhelm her. From the corner of her eye, she spotted Amber smirking, clearly enjoying her discomfort. But then, her eyes locked onto someone in the front row.

Ryder.

He sat with a calm, confident smile, his piercing eyes fixed on her. The moment their gazes met, everything else melted away. The crowd, the stage, the pressure—it all disappeared. Her fear dissolved, replaced by a warm, steadying confidence. It felt like it was just the two of them in the room.

Kyra straightened her shoulders and stepped forward. Her voice came out clear and strong, and as the play unfolded, she poured her heart into every line and song. She embodied Dorothy with grace, delivering a performance that had the audience mesmerized.

By the time the final curtain fell, the auditorium erupted into thunderous applause. The cast gathered on stage for a bow, but it was clear Kyra was the star of the show.

Backstage, the congratulations came in a whirlwind. Allie hugged her tightly, gushing about how amazing she’d been. Kyle clapped her on the back, declaring her a natural-born star.

And then, Ryder appeared.

He held out a stunning bouquet of burgundy roses, the deep red petals vibrant against the green stems. “You were incredible,” he said, his voice warm and sincere.

Kyra took the flowers, her cheeks flushing as their hands brushed briefly. “Thank you,” she said softly, meeting his gaze.

For a brief moment, they just smiled at each other, the noise of the room fading into the background. But the moment shattered when a deep, familiar voice interrupted.

“Yes, Kyra, a truly beautiful performance,” Elder Rodrick said, his tone laced with an unsettling undertone. “It’s nice to see you fitting in so well.”

Kyra’s heart sank, and she instinctively took a small step back as Rodrick approached. His imposing presence cast a shadow over the celebratory atmosphere.

Ryder’s expression shifted instantly, his face hardening before he forced a polite smile. “Elder Rodrick,” he said smoothly, “what an unexpected surprise. Did you come all this way just for the play, or is there another reason for your visit?”

Rodrick’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “I was in the area and thought I’d stop by. We should talk… in private.”

Ryder’s jaw clenched, but he nodded. “Of course.” He turned to Kyra, his expression softening slightly. “I’ll see you back at the pack house later.”

Kyra nodded, but her stomach churned as Rodrick shot her a warning glare. It was brief, subtle enough that no one else seemed to notice, but it sent a shiver down her spine.

As Ryder and Rodrick walked away, Kyra let out a shaky breath. She tried to shake off the unease as Sally and Theodore hurried over, beaming with pride.

“Kyra, you were wonderful!” Sally said, her eyes sparkling. “We had no idea you were so talented!”

Theodore nodded in agreement. “Truly amazing. You stole the show!”

Kyra forced a small smile, though the tension in her chest lingered. She was still angry at them for all the lies, but she didn’t want to ruin the moment. “Thanks,” she said quietly, clutching the bouquet tighter.

As the room buzzed with post-performance excitement, Kyra couldn’t help but glance toward the door where Ryder and Rodrick had disappeared. The warmth of the evening’s triumph was now overshadowed by a growing sense of unease.

Rodrick quietly shut the door behind them, the sound of the latch clicking echoing in the vacant classroom. The tension was thick in the air as he turned to face Ryder, his expression unreadable.

“So,” Rodrick began, clasping his hands behind his back. “I see Kyra’s fitting in well. Heard through the grapevine that you’ve moved her into the pack house. Care to explain why that is?”

Anger bubbled up in Ryder’s chest, barely contained. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, and his voice came out low and venomous. “Since you gave Sally and Theo a potion that nearly killed her, that’s why.”

Rodrick pressed his lips together, his face still calm, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of irritation. “It was an experimental drug,” he said evenly, “for her supposed Lycanthexia. There were—”

Ryder cut him off sharply. “Don’t. I know everything now.” He stepped forward, his towering presence radiating dominance. “I know she’s a hybrid.”

Rodrick’s calm demeanor cracked as his face darkened, growing cold and calculating. “Then all the more reason to keep your distance from her,” he said, his voice like steel.

Ryder’s patience was unraveling fast, his anger threatening to boil over. “Yeah, that’s not going to happen,” he shot back, his voice low and dangerous. “Turns out, she’s my mate. So keeping my distance isn’t exactly an option.”

For the first time, shock flickered across Rodrick’s face. He quickly masked it, but Ryder caught it—and he relished it.

“She doesn’t know it yet,” Ryder continued, his tone turning smug. “But come the Full Moon Celebration, she will. And I will claim her as my Luna.”

Rodrick’s expression twisted into one of pure fury. “Like hell you will!” he snapped, stepping closer. “You cannot claim a—” He caught himself, his jaw tightening, but Ryder knew what word he wanted to say. Abomination. “A hybrid as your mate. The Elders won’t allow it. The ally packs won’t stand for it. I sent her here for protection, not to become your Luna!”

Ryder’s control finally snapped. “You don’t get to tell me who my mate is or isn’t!” he roared, his voice reverberating off the walls. “That’s up to the Moon Goddess, not you!”

Rodrick’s eyes narrowed, his voice dropping to an icy whisper. “You have no idea what she is. What she’s capable of. She’s dangerous, Ryder—dangerous even without meaning to be. And in the wrong hands…”

Without thinking, Ryder surged forward, grabbing Rodrick by the throat and slamming him against the wall. Rodrick grunted, but his lips curled into a malicious smile, unfazed by the threat.

“Looks like she’s already affecting you,” Rodrick said, his voice a dark mockery. “Did I make a mistake sending her here? Are you going to be like Wyatt?”

The name hit Ryder like a bucket of ice water, and he immediately released his grip, stepping back as shame and anger warred within him. “I’m not like that monster,” he growled, his voice shaking. “I’m—” His words caught in his throat before he finally admitted, “I’m in love with her.”

Rodrick straightened, rubbing his neck as he eyed Ryder with a mix of wariness and pity. “If you truly love her,” he said quietly but firmly, “you’ll reject her as your mate.”

Ryder’s head snapped up, a growl rumbling in his chest.

Rodrick held up a hand. “Listen to me. She’s too powerful, Ryder. Even I don’t fully understand her nature or the extent of her abilities. She could destroy you without meaning to. And if I were to allow you to claim her, there’s no guarantee you’d even survive the marking.”

Ryder hesitated. He didn’t want to admit it, but Rodrick’s words struck a nerve. There was logic there, buried beneath the frustration and the emotion. But deep down, Ryder couldn’t ignore what he felt. He and Kyra were meant to be—he was certain of it. Why else would the Moon Goddess allow them to be paired?

Rodrick stepped closer, his expression grave. “Ryder, if you take her as your mate, you’ll be inviting chaos into your life and your pack. There’s no telling what storm will unfold.”

Ryder squared his shoulders, his jaw tightening. “If there’s a storm, I’ll weather it,” he said firmly. “Because no matter what, I’ll keep her safe. Always.”

Rodrick studied him for a long moment before shaking his head. “You’re playing with fire,” he said quietly.

“Maybe,” Ryder said, his voice steady. “But she’s worth it.”

The tension between them lingered as the weight of their conversation settled over the room. Neither man was willing to back down, and both knew this was only the beginning of the battle ahead.