Aura: The Lost Hybrid

The Start of A New Life

My eyes snapped open to unfamiliar faces looking down upon me. Panic and anxiousness coursed through me, as my chest rose and fell rapidly.

The unfamiliar faces who were looking at me appeared to be of indigenous descent. They had various tribal tattoos that covered their bodies from head to toe. They must have been all related because they had similar features that consisted of russet colored rough skin, and black curly hair that varied in lengths. Their eyes varied in colors from dark brown to a clear crystal blue.

"We thought you died." A man with more markings than the rest said out to me while still kneeling over me.

I raised up my head looking around a little bit more.

"Ahhh" I said out painfully, raising my body and sitting up. I felt like I had been smashed my a dumpster truck or something.

"You should rest. You fell a long distance." The man said with concern.

"No time for rest! I have to put distance between me and the palace." My breathing was heavy, as I tried to find the strength to stand up.

"You are safe here." The man reassured.

I stopped and looked at the man. For some reason he looked familiar.

They all did.

"I know you" I whispered out in confusion.

"Yes princess, you do know us."

A memory unlocked inside of my mind like a puzzle. I remember my father bringing me here when I was around six years old.

They were the Jaabili Tribe.

The man who was talking to me was their leader, Maddox. They had lived in the mountains and forests for as long as they could remember. They were wolves, and lived as naturally as possible. They hunted for their food, lived out in the forest, and have kept themselves hidden for centuries.

I remember coming here with my father and meeting everyone. I remember the beautiful atmosphere and life they created out in the forest. But I don't understand, I don't remember anything else. And why would my father know them? Why would he bring me here in the first place?!

"The Jaabili Tribe." I whispered.

"Yes princess." His lips curved into a smile at me remembering him.

I paused for a moment, taking everything in. “But I don't understand, How did you know my father?"

"Our ancestors have been allies for centuries, princess." Maddox said back to me.

After he said that, it was like everything connected. I always heard about stories of a tribe who lived out in the forest but was never discovered by anyone outside of their tribe. I remember my father talking to his beta, Grover, to make sure Maddox and his family were doing alright with the rough winter we were having at the time.

Goddess it all made so much sense, but I still have so many questions!

"So you knew my grandfather?" I asked out to him

"Yes princess."

"You don't have to keep calling me princess." I said out frustratedly, “I'm far from a princess."

I looked towards the ground, not wanting to see their judgmental stares.

I was far from a princess. I definitely didn't look the part, and I sure as hell didn't act the part. What princess can't defend herself and her people?! Maybe I would've done better if I didn't have this stupid bracelet that suppressed my powers!

"UGHH!" I yelled out frustratingly loud.

In the corner of my eye, something caught my attention. I was so focused on the people around me that I didn't even realize that the bracelet that was keeping my powers suppressed, was gone. There was a pretty gnarly and raw laceration wound left in its place.

Time stood still at that moment. Am I finally free?

"Amethyst!" I called out to my wolf

Nothing.

"Amethyst! Are you there?"

Still nothing.

But I heard her! She was talking to me when I escaped.

I tried to summon the power within me and form a ball of water in my hand but nothing happened. Anger and hopelessness filled my senses overwhelmingly. Tears flooded my eyes and began falling down my cheeks.

I was devastated.

"Are you alright princess?" Maddoxx asked out worriedly

"Yes." I said emotionless, wiping my tears away. I put up a barrier, not wanting to show anybody my emotions.

I don’t want to be weak infront of these people.

I picked myself up and stood on my feet. “If you will excuse me for a while. I’m gonna take a walk.”

"Of course princess.” He gave me a somber expression, wanting to comfort me. The thing was, I didn’t need his comfort. I just needed to be alone right now.

I walked past Maddox and some of his tribe members, looking for space to be alone. Then the perfect spot popped into my head. When my father brought me here, I loved it so much that I wanted to show my appreciation to Maddox and his tribe. So I decided to grow them a beautiful California redwood tree.

I sprouted it and grew it to about eight feet tall. Everyone in the tribe was shocked as they watched me grow it out of the ground, years ago. I mean I was a child after all, who knew my power could be so strong.

I walked through the tribes village as I headed towards the tree.

The love and value they held for eachother was heart breaking. It reminds me of what I can't have with my family.

Members of the tribe wave and smile as I walked past. I kept my head down, not acknowledging them. What's the point? I'm not the person they think I am.

I'm useless.

I passed through the village and made it to the tree I grew years ago. It's grown atleast another ten feet.

Goddess it's so magnificent.

I watched as the thick leaves bristled in the wind as the tree stood strong and tall.

I remember climbing up the tree after I grew it and jumping around like a monkey with the other kids in the tribe. What I would give to be a kid again and to have my father back with me.

Against my better judgement, I started to climb the tree like when I was a child. As I climbed higher, a branch broke underneath me, causing me to fall to the ground.

"AHHHHH!" I screamed out in pain, laying on my back as it ached in agony. Rage coursed through me rapidly. I jumped to my feet furiously, striking the tree over and over again until my fists were bloody. I stopped once the pain became unbearable. I examined my hands and saw that my knuckles were torn open from the bark of the tree.

I definitely should have rethought that.

A twig snapping behind me, caused me to turn around quickly. I saw a handsome man fairly older than me, just standing there watching me.

He approached me hesitantly.

"We should get you cleaned up, princess."

He looked at my hands, making it seem as if I was a damsel in distress. I scoffed out in annoyance as I glared at him.

"I'm fine!" He looked at me in amusement.

"No you're not, princess.” He tried to hold back his smile, but he just couldn’t. He had a really nice smile, and the more I looked at him the more I recognized him. I took a moment to study his features because he looked so familiar.

Why does he look so familiar?

Then it popped into my head.

Jericho.

Maddox's son and only son.

"Leave me alone, Jericho." I replied back to him.

"Oh so you do remember me?" He laughed, making me smile.

I giggled at his stupid way of trying to cheer me up, even though it wasn't working.

He approached me, grabbing my hands.

"You're not healing." He said out softly, examining my hands.

I didn't say anything. What was I supposed to say anyways?

"Please let me treat your wounds.” He looked me into my soul with his piercing emerald eyes.

Jericho really has grown into a handsome man. I remember when he was a little thing running around here acting like he was king of the jungle. Now he has to be like 6'2, and his shaggy brown hair was now down to his back. His body was a muscularly defined piece of art, making it hard to avert my eyes.

The Jaabili tribe were as natural as possible, so that included clothing. They make their own attire, which consists of coverings woven out of straw or other various things they've found in the forests.

Nudity isn't a big deal to them. Wolves are a part of us and are natural beings, nudity comes along with that.

"Aura?" He called out to me

I stopped looking into his mesmerizing emerald eyes and shook my head yes.

"Can I treat your wounds?"

"Yes." I cleared my throat, knowing he saw me checking him out.

He laughed, “Follow me."

He took my hand, leading me through the forest. He looked back periodically with this sly smirk on his face. I rolled my eyes and followed behind him. He led me through the village and to a hut on the far east side.

"Sit down." He ordered, looking towards the makeshift hospital bed.

I annoyedly took a seat, because this was honestly unnecessary. I haven't gotten medical help in years, even when I wasn't healing fast like I should have. I haven't healed properly ever since that stupid f*****g bracelet was put on me!

He mixed various holistic items together into some sort of paste.

I've seen some of these ingredients before. I saw my father do something similar when I was younger, he told me my mother taught him how to do that.

Jericho took my hand gently and applied some of the paste to my knuckles. It was cold and very soothing which eased the aching pain in my hands. After he applied the paste, he wrapped both of my hands in a gritty type of cloth and tied the ends so the cloth wouldn't come off.

"Thank you." I was grateful for his kindness.

"Of course princess." He held onto my hands while looking at me deeply into my eyes.

I rolled my eyes in amusement, feeling slightly uncomfortable.

"You're gonna have to stop with the damn princess talk." He laughed, looking at me curiously.

"Fine, but only when it's just us. My dad would kill me if I didn't treat you with respect."

"Just because you don't call me princess doesn't mean you're disrespecting me." I replied back

"I know, but try explaining that to the ancient dinosaur I call my father.” He laughed, making me laugh profoundly with him.

I remember Jericho as being so funny, even when he was a little boy. It's crazy how I only met him once, but it feels like we've known eachother forever.

"There's that beautiful smile." Jericho said out, giving me a look of mesmerization. I stopped laughing and blushed, putting my head down trying to cover my red cheeks.

Maddox pulled back the textile curtain and walked inside the hut with us.

"There you two are." He said out happily, looking at the both of us catch up. He noticed my wrists and his face expressed concern.

"What happened princess?"

I took a deep breath, thinking hard about what I'm gonna say next.

"I um, took my anger out on a tree.” I avoided their gaze, not wanting to see their reaction.

Jericho snickered next to me. Without another thought, I raised my hand and swiftly slapped him on the chest. I winced in pain from my wounds, making him laugh in amusement.

"I don't know why she thought she would beat the tree." Jericho chuckled, making me glare at him.

I tried to hold back a smile but I couldn't. I rolled my eyes and didn't even give him the satisfaction of giving him a reaction.

"But your hands, they're not healing." He held confusion in his expression.

I put my head down, avoiding eye contact with the both of them.

"I'm not the same as I used to be." I whispered, feeling sad.

Nobody said anything, but I could feel their pity in the air.

"You are the daughter of Apollo and Nadia Kingsman. Nothing could ever change what you possess inside, princess.” Maddox tried to be reassuring, but I didn’t feel it.

I mean he was right, but it was so hard to believe him. I can't feel my wolf amethyst anymore, and I can't even summon my powers.

"I want to believe that, but I can't." I said out frustratedly, looking at my wrapped hands, “I can't even feel my wolf anymore."

"Have faith princess, your father sure did." Maddox said out softly, trying to reassure me

I snapped my head towards him.

"Why would you say that?" I was curious. Did he have a dream or vision about my father like I did?

"Your father used to tell me that you were gonna save the world one day."

So the dream was real?! What my father told me was real?! But how will I save the world if I don't even have my wolf or powers anymore!

"My father was a dreamer." I said disregarding what he said.

He laughed.

"Apollo sure was a dreamer." He held amusement in his voice, “But he was the only god damn dreamer that was right."

I laughed, knowing he was right.

"Your father was a good man, you have my word that we will be here for you in any way that we can." He was honest, I could feel it.

I stood up and hugged Maddox tightly. It reminded me of the way my father used to hug me.

Goddess I miss my father.

"Thank you." I pulled back from the hug and gave him a smile.

"Of course, princess."

I scoffed out in annoyance, “Please, just Aura."

"Okay princess Aura." Maddox smiled back, making me roll my eyes, ignoring the formality.

"I have good news." Maddox said out happily, peaking my interest. I saw his eyes glaze over before he looked back at me.

"What is it father?" Jericho was curious too.

"Good news for Aura." Maddox replied back, looking at his nosey son sternly.

"What news?" I giggled out

"Crystal will be here shortly."

Crystal?! My Crystal?!

"Ever since Stephanie kicked out any unwanted people out of the palace, Crystal led them here. They stayed here for awhile, but it was hard maintaining resources for everyone. Somehow Crystal met a great man who ended up being the vampire king's son, and they took them in at their castle. They've been there ever since." Tears slipped from my eyes as a smile creeped up on me. Of course Crystal took care of everyone, she always has.

Sometimes I wonder how it would be if my father and Crystal were together instead of him and Stephanie. Our life would be different right now, but I can't get stuck on the past. I have to keep looking forward and not give up.

I can't let my father down.

I can't let our people down.

I can't let our world down.

Now the only thing that was left to do at this point was to get my powers back. Goddess I don't know what you have in store for me, but please give me a fighting chance to save our world!

"You should probably clean up before they come, the prince will be accompanying her." Maddox stated, throwing me from my thoughts.

"Great, more royalty." I was annoyed at the thought of the vampire kings son.

My father liked Scar the vampire king surprisingly. My father used to tell me that they had their own unique friendship.

I never thought anything of it.

Jericho laughed, throwing me from my thoughts again. “You are royalty."

"But I'm different. I have a heart." I replied back, making them both laugh.

"Don't let the prince hear you say that." Maddox laughed out, “I'll have someone bring you a change of clothes and they will escort you to the lagoon."

"Thank you, Maddox." I said thankfully

"Of course, princess." He left the hut, leaving Jericho and I alone.

"Let's go, Jericho!" Maddox yelled out a couple of seconds later. I laughed as Jericho rolled his eyes in annoyance.

"I'll see you soon Aura.” He was sweet with his words, making my heart flutter. I couldn’t help but blush like an i***t and smile like a schoolgirl.

Goddess help me!

Jericho left, in search of his father, leaving me alone.