The Alpha's Hybrid

Nine

JACKSON

"Caleb,

I cannot begin to explain how grateful I am to have known someone as kind, generous, and thoughtful as you. You've been there for me through thick and thin. You helped me when I'd given up on myself—when I was sick, weak, depressed, or just plain stupid.

After what happened two years ago, I thought I'd lost not just my father and mother, but everyone and everything I held dear. But I gained you—your friendship, your love, your devotion. For that, I am grateful. You were a breath of fresh air, keeping me sane and grounded.

Please forgive me, Caleb. I know you must hate me right now for abandoning everything and leaving like this. But I had no other option. I had to go away.

If Alpha Jackson—my mate, it's still strange to call him that—finds out what happened years ago, if he finds out it was all because of me, he will hate me. Detest me. My heart would shatter into a billion pieces.

I'm not making excuses. But I hope you forgive me. One day, we'll see each other again. I promise.

Please take care of Mom. Say sorry to Alpha Jackson on my behalf—sorry that I'm not the one for him.

Please do not look for me.

Xoxo,

Your Nixy"

---

I breathed deeply, my fingers trembling. The letter was devastating—but it also proved something: she didn't leave because she wanted to. She left because she thought she had to.

David mind-linked me. "Alpha, we tracked her scent to the pack borders. Then we lost it."

The rain had masked it.

We had no idea if she was lost in the jungle or had reached another pack.

I'd searched her house for clues—nothing. I was preparing to send warriors to scout the surrounding forests.

Caleb, on the other hand, had been silent since reading the letter. He looked lost. Too lost.

I approached him and stood in front of him, hoping to gain his attention. He stared straight ahead, not really seeing me. His eyes were bloodshot.

I placed my hands on his shoulders. He jerked, then turned to me. His eyes and the tip of his nose were red.

"Caleb, snap out of it. Help me look for her. You're her friend—you know how she thinks, where she could go. Help me find her."

"She's no longer in this pack, Alpha," he said, still staring into space.

"How do you know that?"

"I know her. She's trying to get away from you. She wouldn't pull this off only to go somewhere inside the pack. Besides, the entire pack loathes her—who would take her in? The only ones who still care are her mom, Dr. Ashley, and me. We're all here."

He took a breath. "She's stubborn. But I'll find her. I just feel like she's in serious danger."

"How do you know that?"

"I just feel it. I built a bond with her. She's my friend."

We locked eyes. "What do we do then?" I asked—surprising myself. I didn't take orders from anyone. But for my mate, I would compromise.

"We get a map of all the surrounding areas. Pinpoint where she'd go—north, south, east, west. That way, we can zero in on where she might be."

I nodded, marveling at his plan. Only an Alpha would think that fast—strategize that quickly. It was in an Alpha's blood to act on the spot.

Caleb was an Alpha. A true Alpha.

But how?