REIGN OF THE HYBRID; RULER OF ADVERSITY

Chapter 5

Kylan was regaining his strength fast. All his wounds were already healed. It was Tina that was worrying him. As much as he knew the reason why she was not healing he couldn’t find a way to help her, not when chained with his hands tied to his back. Anger got better of him and for the first time since they were captured he decided to speak up.

“You! I want you to untie me”, He shouted at a guard on duty.

The guard just turned around to look him and grinned. He was openly mocking him without saying anything. Kylan was relentless. He could out again and again calling him names until the guard couldn’t take the noise anymore. He walked towards the small circle surrounding them.

“What is it old man?” He inquired with a sadistic grin on his face.

“My wife is doing and am pretty sure you heard you alpha wants us alive”, Kylan said confidently. The guy stopped grinning took some time to think about it and then laughed hysterically before he went back to his post. This time he plugged in his earphones and listened to music. But Kylan was not going to give him any peace. He hit the ground with his boots screamed and shouted loud enough.

“Which part of I don’t care whether she dies didn’t you get?” The guard said angrily marching towards him.

Anger clouded his judgment to an extent he even forgot about the barrier that was protecting them and marched into it. Tables turned and it was Kylan who was laughing as he whimpered in pain. He was not going down without a fight, Kylan’s plan was to strike as soon as they lifted the barrier to try and heal Tina. He was just hoping she was in a shape to run or else all his efforts could have proven futile. There was no point in saving himself only to leave his better half behind. The guard went outside to talk to someone about Kylan’s request. They couldn’t hear anything clearly because of the magic ring around them. In there they were just normal human beings, defenseless against their enemies. He came back some old woman, Tina was up though she looked more beaten up.

“I will lift the barrier and you will drink this don’t get any ideas”, she said to Tina.

They all nodded in agreement. The two had been in some tight spots together for far too long that they knew each other’s plans. Tina was up to date with what Kylan was thinking without him saying anything. While the witch chanted her incantations the ash barrier started separating slowly creating a path. It was like the wind was blowing over it. Her eyes were shut and from the way she was bleeding the spell was causing more harm to her which was even more good news to them. The moment the path was wide enough Kylan broke loose from the chains and grabbed the guard in a headlock sending him straight to slumber. He had no time to scream, Tina snapped the witches head. The two kissed deeply before Kylan led the way outside.

With the first step of their escape plan already executed getting out of the compound full of wolves was another problem. They needed a disguise.

“Wait here am gonna try get us some clothes”, He said creeping away to nearby house.

Tina waited as directed looking around. She was actually taking count of how many guards they had to past and familiarize with their surroundings. As expected it was a forest and the wolfsbane in her system was preventing her from using her from using her supernatural side. To make matters worse they were brought in at night and unconscious so none of them knew a way out. Her husband returned with some clothes as promised. They disguised themselves and joined a small group of human laborers who were fetching wood the back of the pack house. Things were going according to plan until one of them discovered them trying to escape.

“Where do you two think you’re going?” the short bald headed man with a massive wood axe in his hands asked.

Tina and Kylan froze holding each other’s arms. Their hearts were pounding loud enough and fear was setting in. they were very close to Freedom and one person was standing on their way. Their chance to make amends and protect their only daughter.

“We are going to fetch some more wolfsbane for the prisoners”, Tina finally managed to speak up avoiding direct eye contact. The whistle blower wasn’t buying it. The cover story was whack with a lot of gaps. He smiled wiping the sharp edge of his axe. They had to do something or else it was their blood that was going to make it dirty again. The killer instinct in Kylan was taking over.

“First, your voice lady its very strange and second wolfsbane garden is this way”, He said pointing to the opposite direction.

The first swing forced them to separate. Kylan moved fast to push Tina away from the second swing that was targeting her. He was smart, Tina was looking so famished making her an easy target. Perhaps staying with the wolves had taught him some skills. Kylan grabbed a piece of dry wood from a heap to even the odds.

“Run am right behind you”, He ordered Tina.

She did not wait for another word from him. Tina go on her feet and ran as fast as her legs could carry her to a direction she a no idea where it was leading her. Kylan kept on picking pieces of wood that were chopped into halves until he had noting. Even the axe man was getting tired and it was his perfect time to strike. The next swing was weak, Kylan bend over and hit his forearm until forcing him to lose his grip on the axe. He picked it and threw it away instead of using it to his advantage. The alpha let his ego ruin the only opportunity he had to escape. The more he fought the more he risked being noticed missing and when the signal was sent. A pack of angry wolves came running their way. He could not outrun them there was no way. So he chose the worst idea of all, He let the axe man crush him. Squash him with blows as punishment for what he had brought upon his pack. His family was scattered because of a decision he had made alone. There was no chance he would see them again but there was a chance they will be together, they will have each other’s backs. As the pack surrounded him, Kylan could only hope the two most important women in his life never came back looking for him. He was getting what he deserved.

**********

Anything that can go wrong will go wrong

Aubrey growled "I know b***h don't remind me"

Since she rescued Leon from drowning she had never morphed, it was dangerous but her wolf was feeling more restrained than ever. Aubrey had made it a habit of speaking to her wolf, inquiring on tough decisions and putting her opinion into practice, most of the time it was during emergencies and she treated this like one. Aubrey was preparing for Leon’s transformation, a painful process that had never left her mind. Every time she thought of it she felt like a murderer. And now someone was following her, she could capture his scent close by. The same person was in college. Aubrey stopped to look back, not a single person. Perhaps he was smart but he got her feeling murderous again. Following her could only mean one thing, in fact two. Either he knew her secret or he was speculating. Aubrey had lost one family already and she was not planning to lose another one. An innocent one that did not even know who she really was.

“You chose a bad day to tail me”, Aubrey threatened her claws ready to strike, “let me make this easier for both of us am going in this woods if you have anything to say to me or do follow me”, She added on and started walking deep in the woods.

His heart was beating fast, what he though was a simple surveillance mission was getting out of hand. No normal girl of Aubrey’s age would suggest to speak in the woods with a total stranger. He even thought about being warned not to follow the lead. Unfortunately he couldn’t stop himself. He followed her until they were deep in the woods. She stopped and sat on a log waiting for him to show up. He was still hiding.

“You see I have been dying to kill someone right here in this spot” Aubrey said her eyes glowing with yellow tinge.

Her sharp carnassial teeth started sprouted too and her face was becoming hairy. The grounds man was dumbfound. He drew his gun. Shot at her twice, Aubrey fell on her knees groaning in pain. She couldn’t move. He added another two and she collapsed on her belly. He looked around to see if anyone had seen it and kept his gun back. He took his phone, the only way they were believe him was if they saw her picture not to mention the part where she was dead. To him it was a favor. When he flipped her around, there was no blood in places he had shot her. His pupils dilated and before he even said anything Aubrey had her claws on his throat ready to pierce through his flesh and probably reap a huge chunk of flesh from his neck. She got up with him in her grip, hoisted him up on a tree with one arm. The spy grounds man kept flapping his arms like a kid learning how to swim.

“Who sent you?” She asked opening her mouth wide.

“Stev...Steve that’s how he identified himself”

The name did not ring a bell whatsoever. But she knew it was the pack that had her parents that was after her and they were getting closer by the day. She had to do something quick but first she had to take care of him. Killing was in her nature yet it was no excuse. It was necessary. She tossed him over across the forest. He hit his back on a tree trunk tried to run but even without a full transformation Aubrey was fast enough to catch him. He drew his gun tried to shoot her but she kept evading until he was out of bullets. Aubrey ripped his heart out and threw the body in the river. He picked up his gun and threw it away too and she kept the phone just in case they called. As she washed her hands guilt consumed her. It always did aeverytime she killed, and it took her back to her first kill.

***flashback***

The whole pack had gathered in the pack house, Aubrey had just activated her curse. She needed emotional support more than ever not only was she was the Alphas daughter but also because it was their tradition. Her hands were cuffed in strong chains, her neck and legs too. Everyone gathered around waiting for the full moon. Aubrey was happy to see her kind offering to help, even the guilt of killing the boy who tried to r**e her was overruled for a moment. At least she had a slight idea of what was going to happen, all her 206 bones reshaping the pain was said to be intolerable but the more one shifted the easier it became. Suddenly she felt her body temperature raising, the smile on her face disappeared and was replaced with a frown , tears welling up her eyes as her spine started crackling, slowly every bone in her body ached, Aubrey screamed struggling to break the chains but they were strong enough specifically designed to withstand any kind of strength. Everyone looked on cheering until she morphed into a huge she wolf, the chains were free and the crowd created a path for her to pass, to take her new wolf for a spin. Aubrey ran off in the woods wind brushing past her fur, it felt strange and exciting at the same time, perhaps the rewards were worth the struggle. Tina, the Luna followed her with clothes some decency was necessary for her only daughter. She knew exact where Aubrey was going, the exact place she had murdered someone, Aubrey scratched the ground d using her paws and released one long howl, her first howl, a howl of freedom since that's how she felt _free.

***End of flashback***

She took a shortcut through the woods, returning to the main road could have created more suspicion. Some spots of blood on her clothes could not be washed off. Aubrey found everyone at home they were seated in the living room so instead she used the window changed her clothes and came downstairs to check on them.

“Aubrey! “ Fabian said happily, “we didn’t see you come in”, He added.

Everyone shifted their gaze to look at her and they continued to watch TV.

“Sorry I might have used the window” Aubrey said sounding embarrassed.

They all laughed and Fabians wife, Catherine laughed longest. She was nice just like Tina and to some extent she made Aubrey love her like a mother.

“Your mum and I did that too, its normal nothing to be embarrassed about” She said.

Aubrey went to grab some more popcorn and joined the family fun. The movie was going great, they laughed at some point, shouted in anger and even cheered at some point. It was the this happiness that kept her going though they were not related by blood this family showed her love like she was one of their own. There was a hard knock on the door, Aubrey did not rush to check who it was. She had caught his scent some few away. The children went to get the door and she jumped right in before they started interrogating Leon.

"Am off to the cabin for the sleepover see you tomorrow guys", Aubrey said giving Leon a bag.

Fabian just nodded and cleared his throat "Okay, and who's your friend?”

Aubrey turned her gaze to Leon, he had no option but speak up "My name is Leon sir nice to meet you guys"

"Stay safe, call if anything strange happens we haven't been in that cabin for some time now", Fabian said walking them to the door.