The hybrid nobody wanted

Chapter 4:The hunt begins

I stared at the words on the wall.

COME FIND HIM, HYBRID. OR HE DIES.

My blood ran cold.

Jax. They took Jax.

Mira groaned on the floor behind me. I dropped to my knees beside her, hands shaking as I touched her face.

"Mira. Mira, wake up."

Her eyes fluttered open. Confusion first, then fear. "Raya? What" She saw the wall. Her face went white. "Jax."

"I know." My voice came out harder than I meant. "I know."

She tried to sit up, winced. "They came so fast. I didn't even" She grabbed my arm. "Raya, The Pack. They're ruthless. If we don't find him"

"We'll find him." I stood. Pulled her up with me. "I'll find him."

Mira's eyes searched my face. "You were supposed to leave tonight. Go north. The Temple"

"The Temple can wait." I looked at the blood on the wall. "Jax can't."

Mira was quiet for a moment. Then: "You can't fight a pack alone."

"I know."

"Raya"

"I know, Mira." I turned to face her. "I know it's suicide. I know I'm not strong enough. I know a hundred reasons why this is stupid. But Jax is out there because of me. Because of what I am. I'm not letting him die for that."

Mira's eyes glistened. "Then I'm coming with you."

"No." I grabbed her shoulders. "You're hurt. You stay. Guard the bar. Be here when we get back."

"We?"

I didn't answer. I just looked toward the window. Toward the trees.

Mira followed my gaze. Her face tightened. "Him."

I grabbed my bag. Checked my dagger. Touched my mother's ring,warm, always warm.

"He's still out there," I said quietly. "Watching."

"You can't trust him."

"I know." I walked to the door. Stopped. "I'm not expecting anything from him. But I won't hide from him either."

I stepped outside.

The night air hit my face like a slap.

I walked to the edge of the forest. Stopped.

He was there. Leaning against a tree. Watching.

I didn't speak. Didn't approach. Just stood there, letting him see me.

After a long moment, he pushed off the tree and walked toward me. Slow. Careful.

"Jax," he said quietly. "They took him."

Not a question. He knew. Through the bond.

"Yes."

"And you're going after him. Alone."

"Yes."

He studied me. The bond pulsed between us warm, confused, pulling.

"The Pack will kill you."

"Probably."

"You don't care?"

I met his eyes. "He's my family."

Something flickered in his dark eyes. Surprise. Recognition. Longing.

Then he said: "I'll come with you."

I stared at him. "What?"

"The Pack. I know their territory. I know their ways. You need someone who knows what they're walking into."

I laughed bitter, sharp. "Why would you do that?"

He was quiet for a moment. "The bond"

"Don't." I stepped back. "Don't blame the bond. I don't trust you. I don't want you near me. So why would you offer to help?"

He met my eyes. "Because you're going to die without me."

"Then I die."

"Jax dies too."

The words hit like a punch.

I looked away. At the trees. At the darkness. At the impossible choice in front of me.

"I don't trust you," I whispered.

"I know."

"I don't want your help."

"I know."

I turned back to him. Searched his face for the lie. For the trap. For the moment he'd betray me like every voice in my head said he would.

But all I saw was... patience. Waiting. Like he had nowhere else to be.

"Why?" I asked again. Softer this time.

Dorian held my gaze. "Because I know what it's like to lose family. And I know what it's like to have no one come for you."

The words hung in the air between us.

I should say no. Should walk away. Should face The Pack alone like I planned.

But Jax's face flashed in my mind. Beaten. Bleeding. Dying.

"If you betray me," I said slowly, "if this is a trap"

"It's not."

"I'll kill you myself. Bond or no bond."

A ghost of something crossed his face. Almost a smile. Almost.

"I'd expect nothing less."

I stared at him for one long moment. Then I nodded once.

"Fine. But stay out of my way."

He fell into step beside me as we entered the forest.

I didn't trust him.

But for Jax, I'd use the devil himself.