The Hybrid Alpha's Mate

Chapter 8: Kiana

Kael doesn’t say a word on the walk back. He just escorts me through the trees, jaw tight, eyes forward. When we reach his bedroom, he opens the door, gestures me inside, and leaves without looking back.

The door clicks shut behind me.

I’m alone again.

I sink onto the bed, hugging my knees. My legs still ache from running. My lungs still feel tight. My pride hurts the most. I thought I was smart enough to escape. Turns out I didn’t even make it off his land.

Hours pass. The sun shifts across the floor. I pace. I sit. I lie down. I stare at the ceiling. I think about trying the door again, but the memory of those guards outside stops me cold.

I’m starting to wonder if Kael plans to leave me in here forever.

A soft knock breaks the silence.

Before I can answer, the door swings open and a woman steps inside. She’s maybe twenty‑three, with glossy dark hair, perfect eyeliner, shiny lipgloss, and a bright pink sweater that looks like it belongs in a fashion magazine, not a wolf pack.

She beams at me. “Hi! You must be Jasmine.”

I blink. “Um… yeah.”

She walks in like she owns the place, which, judging by her confidence, she probably does.

“I’ve been dyyying to meet you! I’m Kiana,” she says. “Kael’s sister.”

Of course she is. She has the same sharp cheekbones and the same intense eyes, except hers sparkle instead of smolder.

She plops onto the edge of the bed beside me, crossing her legs. “You're the hottest topic in the pack right now.”

“Why?” I ask, confused.

She waves a hand. “Oh, you know. New face. Big news. Everyone’s talking.”

Great. Just what I wanted.

Kiana looks me over, taking in my messy hair and Kael’s oversized shirt. “We are absolutely going shopping soon. You need clothes that actually fit you.”

He actually bought me clothes… but for some reason, wearing his shirt makes me feel safe…

I speak plainly. “I’m pretty sure Kael’s never letting me leave this room again.”

“Oh, please.” She rolls her eyes. “He’s just on edge. He gets like that when things are… complicated.”

“Complicated how?”

She hesitates. “He’s dealing with a lot right now.”

“That’s not an answer.”

She grins. “You sound just like him.”

I groan and flop back on the bed. “He’s angry. Really angry. I tried to run and he practically materialized out of thin air.”

“Well, yeah,” she says. “You ran across his land.” She says, while examining her fingernails nonchalantly.

“I didn’t know it was his land.”

“Everything is his land.” She smirks.

That does not make me feel better.

Kiana nudges my knee with her foot. “He’ll soften up. He couldn’t stay angry at you.”

“I doubt it.”

“No, really. He’s just… protective. And stressed. And trying not to freak you out.”

“He’s doing a terrible job.”

She laughs, a bright, musical sound that fills the room. “Kael said you dropped your phone when you were running from the rogues. If you want, you can use mine to call your family and tell them you’re okay.”

“I appreciate the offer but… I don’t really have any family, or anyone that will care that I’m missing.” I grimace to myself, at the hard truth that I’m not sure I’ve ever said out loud.

Her face falls at my response. “Oh… sorry, I didn’t know. Well, we’re basically family now!”

“Why would we be family now? What do you mean?”

Is he going to force me to marry him or something?

“Oh boy. He really hasn’t told you much. He will though, I swear.” She starts walking to the door.

“Wait! I still have questions!”

She closes the door behind her, leaving me alone again.

Kael will tell you.

What does that even mean?

And why do I get the feeling I’m the only one here who doesn’t know what’s going on?