Chapter 1
As I run through the forest, I could still hear the commotion behind me, causing me to groan inwardly. I was being chased by Hunters that wanted me for my blood. You see, I’m actually a triple hybrid. The rarest there is. I skid to a stop when I get to the edge of a cliff high above the water’s surface, spinning around to see the large group of Hunters right on my tail. I step closer to the edge, purposefully causing my heel to go slightly over.
The leader of the Hunters sneers at me. “End of the road, girl. What’s it going to be? Quietly come with us, or say goodbye to the world of the living?”
I smirk. “I’d rather the third option.”
The leader arches a brow. “There is no third option, girl.”
I chuckle darkly. “Actually, there is. It’s called freedom.”
I jump backwards to free fall meters below into the water, twisting my body to dive perfectly through the surface. I swim away as fast as I could, my legs already shifted into a wicked cool dark purple to violet ombré tail. I stop for a moment when I’m out in the middle of the ocean, sighing in relief to find the Hunters didn’t dare to follow and there were no boats or ships already out on the water searching for me.
My name is Eclipse Bloodrise. I am the only living Mermaid-Lycan-Vampire hybrid. I also happen to be the last surviving member of the Bloodrise Clan and the Crescent Shade Pack. My father is the King of the Merfolk, the Atlantic Moon Kingdom. My mother was the Lycan Alpha of the Crescent Shade Pack and the Queen of the Vampires, until she was massacred along with the rest of the Bloodrise Clan and Crescent Shade Pack.
The reason why I survived is because I was with my father at the time. That happened when I was only 10 years old, which was 15 years ago. I’m now 25 and still haven’t found my mate yet. I’m beginning to think the Moon Goddess didn’t give me one. Normally, Lycans and Werewolves find their mate before 21. I haven’t.
Even if I still have my dad, I spend most of my time on land in my mother’s old castle. Mostly alone. I have a few friends living with me as they study at college and a few of the servants that used to work under Mum. I also go to college, which is actually not far from the castle I live in, so travelling to and from school isn’t a big problem for me. My friends and I tend to carpool most days, but today I’m sure they would’ve already left for the day at college, considering it’s a Wednesday.
I swim to the nearest beach, which isn’t far from the city where I live and the college I go to. I shift my tail back to my legs and walk out of the water, along the sand and up to the street. I hide behind a building that barely anyone uses to teleport myself to school since my things were already there as I don’t get homework.
Lunch break eventually comes around and I’m already hungry, considering I didn’t get to have breakfast with the Hunter fiasco this morning. I take a seat at my usual table by a window with my three best friends, smiling at them before I ultimately let out a small groan.
Akadia, my lifetime best friend and closest confidant, looks at me. “Let me guess; Hunter fiasco?”
I nod. “Every bloody morning this week. Can’t they just drop it already? I’m beginning to think inhibiting my scent is more than a good idea now. I mean, those damned Hunters can track a supernatural from a mile away with the scent of the supernatural! This is getting ridiculous, you guys.”
Akadia pats my shoulder. “Tell me about it. My sister and I ran into some Hunters this morning as well, but because we inhibit our scent, they had no idea we are supernatural.”
Akadia happens to be a Lycan-Vampire-Fairy hybrid like her identical twin sister, Evangelina. Eva is also a lifetime best friend and close confidant, considering the three of us grew up together in Mum’s castle. The three of us make up a world-wide known band called The Hybrids. No one knows the real reason as to why the band is named that, but the three of us know. It’s because all three of us are actually supernatural hybrids.
Eva throws a grape at my head. “By the way, Eclipse. What are we going to do for the concert we have on this Saturday further in the city? Because I was thinking we could do Nickelback’s song Shakin’ Hands.”
I look up at her after catching the grape. “We’ll have to properly plan out the songs on Friday. But I reckon we can save Nickelback’s Shakin’ Hands for the last song. As we normally do 13 songs, that leaves 12 left.”
Akadia sighs. “This is going to take careful thinking, isn’t it?”
I nod. “Sure will. Plus, we have the Wolf Blood Pack coming to the concert, so we have to make it better than amazing. We’ll have to strive for out of this world to impress them.”
Lilyanne looks at me. “You have got to be kidding me, right? The Wolf Blood Pack? The most feared pack of Werewolves out there in the supernatural world is coming to your concert?”
I nod. “They are. Apparently, it’s to sign a peace treaty with the ‘remaining member’ of the Crescent Shade Pack and help protect the territory. Little do they know, the three of you are also now in my pack.”
Lilyanne sighs. “This’ll be interesting. I’m glad I can inhibit my scent, even if I am just a normal Werewolf.”
I arch a brow. “Lily, you are far from being a ‘normal Werewolf’. Honey, you’re the Werewolf Princess!”
Lily groans. “Yes, but my older brother will receive the crown before me. I don’t have a chance.”
I kick her under the table. “Don’t doubt yourself, Lily. If your father is too blind to see how amazing you are as a person and Werewolf, then I don’t think he deserves to call you his daughter.”
Lily flinches and rubs her shin. “Alright, alright. You win on this one. But still, what are we going to do? You know damn well Father doesn’t like it when other Were-”
I cut her off by kicking her in the shin again. “Hello there, Damon.”
Lily spins around. “Damon? What are you doing over here?”
The dark haired blue eyed male smiles. “I came to say hello to my favourite group of people.”
I arch a brow. “How come you’re not with your friends?”
Damon shrugs. “I didn’t feel like sitting with them today. Could I join you girls?”
I nod. “Of course. Take a seat. We’re just discussing what songs we should do for our concert on Saturday.”
Damon arches a brow. “You guys are in a band?”
Akadia smiles. “Most of us. It’s just Eclipse, Eva and I. Lily here helps out with planning, but isn’t actually part of the band. She doesn’t like the spotlight. Right, Lily?”
Lily nods. “That’s exactly right.”
I look at Akadia, linking her. Nice save on that one, Dia.
Akadia smiles. Not a problem. Plus, it’s actually the truth. Lily really doesn’t like the spotlight. That’s why she’s content on letting her older brother take the throne after their father retires.
I chuckle inwardly. That’s true. And isn’t it if their father ever retires?
Akadia snorts with laughter before covering it up with coughing, getting me to go along with it and pat her on the back to help her out some. I smile reassuringly at Damon when I notice his worried expression.
“She’ll be alright. A tiny piece of food got stuck in her throat.”
Damon nods. “Alright. Maybe take a sip of your drink to help wash it down.”
Akadia smiles and nods, taking a sip of her raspberry lemonade to make it seem like she really was washing down a bit of food. Nice save, Eclipse. Seriously, that was better than mine.
I smile at her before turning back to Damon. “Tell me, why are you really here with us, Damon?”
Damon sighs. “I found out something about my family I never knew possible and thought you guys could help me out with it, considering your band name.”
I arch a brow. “What would our band name have anything to do with all this?”
Damon sighs and lowers his voice. “A band name like The Hybrids doesn’t exactly call out normal, girls. I figured out what it actually meant after finding out this secret about my family.”
I sigh. “Get to the point, Damon.”
Damon smiles. “My family are actually a clan of pureblood Vampires.”
I look straight up at him. “Are you serious? How is that possible?”
Damon shrugs. “I don’t know, but apparently that’s what my parents told me.”
I arch a brow. “What are your parents’ names?”
Damon sighs. “Beowulf and Celosia Midnight. Why?”
My eyes widen upon hearing the names. “Oh, by the Moon Goddess! They’re my most trusted advisers!”
Damon looks at me in shock. “What are you talking about?”
I sigh. “Damon, your father is a Werewolf and your mother is a Vampire, making you a Werewolf-Vampire hybrid. Your parents are my most trusted advisers because I am the only Mermaid-Lycan-Vampire hybrid. I’m actually the Princess of the Atlantic Moon Kingdom, Lycan Alpha of the Crescent Shade Pack and the Queen of the Vampires. My mother, along with the rest of the Bloodrise Clan and the Crescent Shade Pack, were wiped out by Hunters 15 years ago, making me the sole surviving member of both.”
Damon’s eyes widen. “So you’re the Alpha Queen Father and Mother have been talking with?”
I nod. “I am. Damon, you cannot tell anyone about the supernatural world.”
Damon sighs. “What about my mate?”
I arch a brow. “Who would your mate be?”
Damon shakes his head. “I don’t think you would know her.”
I look at him, dead serious. “Try me. Who is she?”
Damon sniffs the air, eyes widening before looking straight at Lily. “Actually, it’s Lily.”
Lily looks at him in shock before her eyes widen in realisation. “Oh, by the Moon Goddess!”
Damon looks at her in shock. “Wait, why did you say the Moon Goddess’ name?”
I snicker. “Because Lily is a pureblood Werewolf. The Werewolf Princess, to be precise.”
Damon’s jaw drops. “You mean my mate is royalty?”
I nod. “That she is. Don’t looked so shocked, Damon. Akadia and Eva are supernatural as well. Specifically, they’re Lycan-Vampire-Fairy hybrids. Hence our band name.” I nod at his shock. “It’s all very true.”