Mated To The Hybrid

Chapter 14

*VALENTINA’s P.O.V*

I wake up alone as I see the clock showing it was well past seven in the morning. Wrapping myself in the bed sheet, I make my way to the kitchen. There I notice a note on the kitchen counter.

Fresh change of clothes and toiletries. Also a cellphone in case you need anything - William

Digging into the bag beside the counter, I find a bra, underwear, socks, sneakers, a T-shirt and jogger pants.

“Not really my style but it’ll do” I tell myself.

I almost walk back to the room with the bag in hand when I notice the aroma of roses. I look around to see bouquet after bouquet of long stem roses. Each one had a little card, along with a small gift box or bag.

“This must be what we heard last night” My wolf Amora tells me, “All that noise just to bring in these gifts”.

Grabbing the first bag I see I open it to find a pair of designer heels. I try not to roll my eyes as I leave them inside. Heels were definitely not what I needed right now. I check the next box and see a set of earrings and necklace. How original, I think to myself. Love bombing me after a fight…was this going to be his solution to our problems from now on?

An Hour Later…

“All the bags are inside now” Miriam tells me.

I enter the spacious bedroom I’ll be sharing with Alpha William from now on. New silk sheets, satin pillows, fuzzy slippers by the bed and even a nightstand on each side. The dark color scheme was the only thing I liked in this room.

“Thanks Miriam” I tell her, “Was all my stuff transferred too?”.

She nods, “We finished an hour ago”.

“Where’s the Alpha? Is he coming for breakfast?” I ask her.

She gives me a puzzled look before shaking her head, “He left with his sister and parents very early this morning”.

When I don’t respond, she says, “I’m sorry, I thought you knew”.

“It’s fine. I’m sure he had his reasons” it did hurt to be excluded from his family but it gave me an idea. “I’ll have breakfast with everyone from the pack house”.

“Luna-“

“Did Austin and Tim leave as well?”

She nods, “So did a couple of the warriors-“.

“That’s okay” I say putting on my best smile, “Everyone is still here”. I try not to think about how I don’t know anyone there. I’ll just make the best of it. I am the Luna after all and I needed to get to know my pack members. This was my new pack after all.

Once we arrive to the dinning hall, I notice Ezra and his parents already enjoying breakfast. They sit with who I assume is the Gamma family. The other families seem to give the aura of warriors.

“Luna where would you like to sit?” Miriam says in a slightly louder voice. She does this on purpose as all the conversations start to stop.

“I’ll seat myself” I tell Miriam.

I walk over to a man dressed in a guard uniform who’s sitting with his family.

“Can I join?” I politely ask them. When they nod, I sit beside their small children. The parents shift uncomfortably as the kids continue eating.

“Here you go, Luna” Miriam brings over my plate and utensils. Another omega brings over a glass of water and tea.

“Thanks” I tell her as I still see the family eyeing me. The room continued to stay silent as I started to eat. Waffles, eggs and breakfast meat.

“Luna” the man says in a low voice, “To what do we owe this pleasure?”.

“I wanted to eat with the pack today” I tell him with a smile, “I don’t know anyone yet but I thought I’d start this morning”.

His wife nods, “I’m Danielle and this is my husband, Victor”.

“Nice to meet you” I tell them, “I’m Valentina”.

They slightly laugh as I realize they obviously know my name. I was their Luna after all.

“Our daughter Kayla and our son Peter” He finishes telling me.

Some of the people in the dining hall had resumed eating but most were watching us with interest. Including Ezra, who had a puzzled look on his face.

A skinny tan guy walks in and sits down with us. His loose fitting shirt hanging out of his pants and messy bed hair tells me he’s running late. He doesn’t bother to look around and goes straight for his food.

“Jas-“

“Alarm never rang” the guy starts eating fast while talking to us, “Now I’m going to be late”.

“Jason, the-“

“I’m just glad I have tonight off” he continues eating and not looking up at us, “The guys and I are going out. Hitting a couple of bars and-“

“Sounds like it’s going to be a good night then” I say with a smile.

He looks up with a startled expression that makes Danielle laugh. The skinny guy slowly puts down his fork and gulps as he looks between us all.

“I-I-I’m so-so-sorry Luna-“

I hold up my hand while stifling a laugh, “No need to apologize” I tell him, “I’m the unexpected guest at this table”.

“Of course not Luna” he says slowly, “I’m so-“

“What bars are around here?” I interrupt him as I don’t want him to apologize anymore. All I wanted to know was what kind of entertainment people did around here. I never went out while I was at Midnight Stone but things were different now. Or at least I hoped.

“Just a couple” he mumbles, “Not really that great”.

“For humans or for wolves?” I continue asking. He shakes his head and I realize he doesn’t feel comfortable around me. Omegas were like that. Regardless of gender, they didn’t like socializing with Alphas. I was no exception apparently.

A small bell rings and I watch as people start to pick up their trays and leave the area.

“Come on kids” Danielle says cleaning up after her children, “School time”.

“I should go” the skinny guy says picking up his tray, “I’m sorry again, Luna”.

I sigh as they start to say goodbye and quickly leave me by myself. Before long, I’m the only one left as the Omegas start to clean.

“Luna, are you done?” one of them asks me, “Or do you need more time?”.

“She’s done” I hear Ezra saying, “May I have a word with you, Valentina?”.

He stares intensely at me as I get up from the table but not before thanking the omega. Once we’re out of the dining hall and into the foyer, he pulls me down a hallway and into an office.

“What the h**l was that?” He asks once we’re inside.

“What was what?” I ask innocently and pretending not to know, “What’s wrong?”.

“Don’t play dumb” he sneers, “Why were you at the dining hall?”.

“Just wanted to enjoy breakfast with my pack members” I say dryly while walking around the office, “Thought I’d eat with some of the guards”. I was trying to act like I wasn’t interested in the conversation by admiring his office, but I could sense him tensing up.

“You could have sat with me and my family” he continues, “To sit with an omega guard-“

“Nothing wrong with that” I say while picking up a book and quickly flipping through the pages, “Omegas are just as important-“

He snatches the book out of my hand forcing me to look at him, “Valentina, I heard what you were asking him”.

“About the night bars?” I say with a laugh, “I’m just curious about this pack”.

“Don’t think about leaving the territory” he warns me, “You’re not some single omega girl. You’re the Luna!”.

I roll my eyes at him in annoyance, “I know that. I also know that as the Luna, I’m allowed to go wherever I want”. Does he think I’ll do something crazy? What does he take me for?

“So the rumors about you were true?” He asks in a condescending manner, “Everything Tamara said was true?”.

“What did she say?” I could feel my wolf’s rage trying to take over as I knew what he was suggesting.

“Your Alpha Dad had you locked up. A hermit who wasn’t allowed outside” he tells me as I feel my fist clenching, “Your dad doesn’t sound too kind by the way”.

They both had crossed the line. But Tamara had no right to say those things. Not only was she slandering my name but my dad’s name as well. She knew no boundaries but I wouldn’t let this slide.

“Never repeat that again” I warn Ezra, “Don’t ever say those lies again”.

“Then don’t do stupid things like the one your planning” he snaps back, “We don’t need this right now”.

“Are we done here?” I ask in annoyance. He had some nerve to try and dictate what I can and can’t do.

He nods and I start to walk away when I hear him say, “The Crown Prince, Nicholas, accepted Tamara as his wife and Queen”.

I don’t turn to see him but only say, “Is that all?”. Why was he repeating what I already knew?

“The wedding is tomorrow” he tells me, “William will come by early in the morning for us”. With that I walk out of the office and out of the pack house. Every fiber of my being was filled with rage. How dare Tamara say those awful things about my dad?! And Ezra?! What was his problem?!

“Luna?” I see a small omega approaching me, “Are you okay?”.

I see her worried face as I try to relax. I can’t let my emotions get the best of me. I was their Luna after all. Two other omegas are standing nearby and I give them a small nod.

“I am” I tell them, “I’m sorry for worrying the three of you”.

“No need to be sorry Luna” the small omega before me smiles, “We just want to make sure you feel at home here”.

“Thank you” I tell her, “I should head back inside”.

I try to walk back inside when one of them gently taps me.

“Jason says you were asking about going out tonight” the omega with red hair streaks tells me, “If you are, I know the place”.

“Ali!” The other one reprimands her.

“Alisha” the smaller omega nudges her, “Stop disrespecting the Luna”.

“Lizzie, I’m not doing anything” Alisha snaps back, “I think it’s cool the Luna wants to hang out with us”.

She gives me a mischievous grin and I have a feeling this girl means no harm. Although her red hair and bold attitude tells me she’s not like the other omegas.

“So where are we going ladies?” I quietly ask them.

Under my orders, the girls work inside the pack house. Particularly, inside my room. Pretending to arrange and clean the room gave us a good excuse to look for what to wear.

“This is a cute top” Alisha takes it out of the closet and shows Lizzie and Giana. The other omega who scolded Alisha.

“Ali” Lizzie starts again, “You can’t just grab the Luna’s things”.

“It’s fine” I say as I rummage through the new clothes, “We all need things to wear”.

“It’s really fine Luna” Giana tells me, “You don’t-“

“The Luna said it’s fine” Alisha gleefully tells them, “Should we find matching shoes?”.

“We’re not even the same size” Lizzie says, “Her clothes won’t fit us” she grabs the top from Alisha and hangs it back up.

“What if we have things altered?” I suggest, “I know how to tailor clothes to size”.

“Luna-“

“I can sew them and Alisha can take the measurements” I tell them as they still look unsure.

Part of me is nervous doing this. I’ve never went against any orders back home. But here it was different. Here I was allowed to roam free…expect Ezra was right. I was married and a Luna. Maybe this wasn’t a good idea. A Luna shouldn’t be doing this.

“What if we stay in tonight?” I ask trying to change the plans.

“Don’t you want to hang out with us?” Alisha asks with a sad smile.

“I do but Ezra won’t let me leave” I say knowing it’s the lamest but truest excuse ever, “He’ll do everything to keep me here”.

“What an a**” Alisha huffs.

The other girls gasp as they turn to look at me. Realizing what she just said, Alisha quickly covers her mouth with her hands. This only makes me burst out laughing as the other girls follow suit.

“I-I’m so so sorry Lu-“

Holding up my hand to stop her I continue laughing, “It’s fine and he is”. This only makes us laugh even more now.

“So how will we sneak you out?” Lizzie says more confidently now.

“We can use my sister’s elixir” Giana offers, “It can mask one’s scent for a couple of hours”.

“I don’t think it’ll work for me” I tell them. Not only because I was an Alpha but because I was also a hybrid. No elixir would work for me.

“What about Dawn’s trick?” Alisha offers, “Drinking the elixir and rubbing the liquid on yourself”.

I could see the hope in their eyes as they wait for me to answer. Perhaps just this once I would use my magic for my own benefit.

“Let’s try it” I happily tell the girls who start to smile.

Once it was time for dinner, the girls and I had already agreed on our plan. We would all eat dinner like normal. Then I would call them to my room under the pretense that I needed them. We’d be back before anyone noticed.

I make my way to the dining hall where I see Ezra watching me. An empty spot at their table was waiting for me and I obediently sat with them.

They eat and talk casually as I lightly talk to them. Occasionally I’d see Ezra watching me. His intense staring was starting to make me uncomfortable.

“So, Luna?” Frida, Ezra’s mom starts asking, “How do you find Silver Crescent? Beautiful isn’t it?”.

“Of course” I say with a bright smile, “Incredibly big and well guarded”.

Everyone at the table puffs out their chest in pride and I even notice Ezra smiling a bit. Werewolves were very prideful when it came to their pack.

“It’ll be even bigger with Tamara’s marriage to the crown Prince” the previous Gamma’s son says now, “Plus with the Shadow Hunter’s old-“

“No need to brag Diego” Ezra scolds him, “She’s our Luna. She knows this”.

“I wasn’t bragging-“

Ezra’s eyes cloud over and Diego instantly stops talking. Everyone notices this and some continue eating.

“Are you all going to the wedding tomorrow?” I ask trying to change the subject.

“Yes” A teen girl at the table responds, “It’s supposed to be the event of the year”.

That it was. The royals never marry ordinary wolves. Even Alpha wolves were considered beneath them…or at least that’s what King Fredrick was like.

“Convenient timing, if you ask me” Ezra’s mom laughs as the one of the guys says this.

“They know exactly how to stay in power” another lady jokes, “Pretty smart”.

“All those Alphas were ready to rebel and now they’re going-“

Ezra loudly coughs as his eyes were clouding over. Probably mind-linking everyone to shut up. All those Alphas…

“We should get a manicure tonight” the teen girl chimes in, “And a nightly facial as well”.

Her eyes beam at me as she waits for me to answer. Oh no, why did it have to be tonight. I didn’t want to decline her invitation in front of everyone but I also didn’t want to stand up Alisha and the girls.

“Actually-“

“Wonderful idea” Ezra answers for me, “I’m sure the Luna would want to get to know the gamma female”.

What is it with guys in power telling women what to do?! Also, who did he think he was to answer for me?!

“We can pick out some dresses too” the teen girl continues, “maybe some-“

“Don’t overwhelm the Luna” one of the men say, “Tomorrow is a big day for everyone”.

All I can do is agree and smile. Seeing as how everyone was excited about tomorrow, I decided not to go out.

After dinner, the teen, who’s name is Nadia had a spa room ready for us. To not disappoint the girls, I invited Alisha and the others too. But something was on my mind. What did they mean the other Alpha were ready to rebel?

“This color will suit our pack’s symbol” Nadia points to a midnight blue color.

I nod and see the other girls busy with facials. The giggling and laughter meant that they were definitely enjoying this.

“Can I ask you something?” I whisper to Nadia.

She nods as she continues to scan the color palettes.

“What rebellion was everyone talking about?” I ask in a hush tone.

She stops touching the palette and turns to face me. Wide eyed and her lips slightly parted, she brings a finger to her mouth. She pulls me away and ushers me into a spacious bathroom. She locks the door and turns on all the faucets.

“There are some things that our pack members don’t know” she tells me, “No one but the ranked members of this pack know”.

“Know what?” I continue pressing, “What is going on?”.

She heavily sighs and nods slowly, “I guess since your the Luna…I would think Will at least mentioned it…men right?” She chuckles softly but notices that I keep waiting.

“Nadia” I say slightly impatient, “Just tell me”.

“Fine” She sighs again, “Rogues were attacking smaller packs first. They would stalk them during the morning for months before they attacked. Many of the fallen Alphas tried to alert the royals but their pleas went unanswered”.

“Rogues? Why would they attack?” I ask her, “What did they gain from that?”.

“They’re rogues” she tells me, “They want chaos and destruction”.

But that doesn’t make sense. Rogues attacking werewolf packs by stalking them for months?…From what I’ve read on rogues they usually attack at random. They weren’t strategic or skillful enough to plan attacks.

“Since it was usually small packs of 20 to 30 people, the royals never noticed” she continues, “Or they didn’t care. The point is they never helped out”.

“Not once?” I ask her.

She shakes her head, “After the fall of the ‘Jasperson Pack’ everyone realized that the rogues were working with dark magic witches. The bodies of the fallen members had signs of magical torture on them”.

“Goddess” I say in disbelief, “Those poor people-“

“And the royals never did a thing” She interrupts me while talking angrily now, “Everyone realized they could be next. So Alphas started to ask us for help. After the royals, Silver Crescent Moon has the largest defense”.

“Smaller packs were asking for help” I repeat slowly, “In exchange for what? What did Silver Crescent Moon get in return?”.

“Alliances, favors, financial exchanges, territories…you name it” she continues, “Which is why when the royals announced that King Fredrick was stepping down soon, everyone decided it was time for a change”.

“As in no more royals?” I ask quietly.

She nods, “Nobody wants the rich playboy as King. Nicholas is as shallow and dumb as he seems. Didn’t you see his endless parade of partners? Or his violent behavior in the tabloids”.

I shake my head. I had to admit, I never read tabloid magazines like my sisters. I never once looked anyone up.

“Well William decided to take charge. He wanted to declare a war until…”. She eyes me carefully and I understood what she was saying.

“Until Nicholas decided to marry Tamara” I tell her.

“Exactly” she says while shaking her head, “But all those Alpha had pledged their alliance to William. Should a war ensue, William has the upper hand”.

“Isn’t it a losing war? The royals are blessed wolves and the Moon Goddess-“.

“Haven’t you seen how we’ve been treated by the royals these past decades?” She asks carefully, “They only care about themselves”.

“Well-“

“Tomorrow’s marriage changes nothing” Nadia admits, “If anything, it seems like it’s delaying the inevitable”.

She turns off all the faucets and we walk out of the bathroom.

Are the royals really as terrible as everyone paints them out to be? I ask my wolf Amora

We can’t really know until we meet them, she tells me.

One thing was for sure, they were trying to kill me. They were framing me for something I didn’t do. If anything, I needed to avoid them as much as possible.