Aura: The Lost Hybrid

Weird Feelings

We stayed silent on the walk back to the village. I watched the sun descend in the sky as time passed by. The sun would be setting soon.

We reached the tree line of the village. I could smell various meats being cooked over the fire in the distance. My stomach growled in hunger, making me realize how long it’s been since I ate.

Goddess I was so hungry!

"Somebody sounds hungry." Jericho chuckled as he sat me on my feet. My toes curled in the leaves and branches that covered the forest floor. My hair and dress both flew in the wild winds, making me feel so free.

It was surreal.

I was finally free.

But why do I still feel so trapped?

I watched the tribe members mingle and get ready for supper. It reminded me of the days at the palace with my father and how we would get ready for supper.

Goddess I miss him so much!

I took a deep breath, letting it all go. Jericho took my hand in his, gently. “I'm right here, with you."

He eased my nerves with his words as he squeeze my hand comfortingly. I closed my eyes, and shook off the anxiety.

"Are you ready?" He asked

"No, but do I have a choice?" He smiled as a laugh escaped his beautiful bronze lips.

"No, but don’t be nervous, you look great!" I could see the way he admired me as he looked down my body.

I couldn’t help but blush and smile, but it all disappeared as I remembered the scars that covered my body.

"Not when it looks like somebody carved me like a pumpkin." I laughed nervously as his smiles turned into a frown.

He looked me into my eyes, and caressed my cheeks with his fingers.

"Aura, you are absolutely gorgeous, even with the scars." There was honesty in his voice as he spoke to me. We were inches away from each other. The s****l chemistry was out of control at this point.

Jericho is so sexy, and he makes me feel so safe!

Without second thought, I attacked his lips, kissing him deeply. His fingers found their way into my scalp, as he pressed our bodies together.

I pulled back from the kiss in shock.

Did I really just do that?! I can't believe I really just did that! I never kissed a boy in my life!

Goddess what do I do!

Jericho stood there staring at me with red cheeks, looking sheepish. I’m sure he was as shocked as me that I did that.

"I gotta go!" I said running off through the tree line and into the village

"Aura!" Jericho called out behind me. I didn't listen though, I just kept running as far away as possible. I stopped running once I saw that I put some distance between us.

"Princess!" Amira said happily, approaching me from behind.

"Hey Amira." I was out of breath and my lungs felt like they were on fire.

"Why are you out of breath?" She giggled.

"No reason." I was avoiding her question, which made her giggle even more.

"Maddox is looking for you, princess." Amira took my hand and lead me through the village.

"Is he alone?" I asked curiously as she dragged me through the village.

"Why?"

"No reason." I said back, avoiding the topic of Jericho. I didn’t want to run into Jericho. I can't face him right now.

Goddess that kiss was amazing though.

His lips were so soft! But did he like it? Oh goddess he hated it!!! I've never kissed a boy before.

Goddess he probably hates me now!

"Is it because you kissed Jericho?" Amira snickered, pulling me from my panicking thoughts.

I looked at her in shock. “How did you know?!"

"Some younger kids were spying on you and mind linked the pack members of what they saw. I think they were happy to know the princess likes our soon to be Alpha.” She said back in amusement.

I scoffed in frustration, not wanting that to happen.

She led me to the biggest hut in the village and stopped in front of it.

"Don't be like that, did you not enjoy it?" Amira asked as she saw my frustration.

"Of course I enjoyed it, Amira! The kiss was amazing. His lips are as soft as pillows!" I said desperately and slightly dramatic.

She laughed, not making it any better.

"Okay then, why are you acting like this?”

"Because!" I said dramatically

"Because what?"

"Because I never kissed a boy before." I whispered in embarrassment.

"Oh Aura, that doesn't even matter." Amira reassured as she patted my back. “Plus, Jericho likes you too."

Before I could ask her how she knew, she grabbed my arm and led me into a huge hut. There was a big wooden table with wooden chairs surrounding it. Maddox, Jericho and other members of the tribe sat at the table along with other faces I've never seen before.

Maddox stood up, hugging me. Once he pulled back from the hug, Crystal came into view. She looked the same as she did six years ago.

My body froze in shock, not believing my eyes.

She walked towards me, smiling happily. “It's really you!" She sounded in disbelief just as much as me.

She hugged me tight, practically squeezing me to death. Tears flooded my eyes and ran down my cheeks rapidly. I couldn’t help but cry out into her chest, feeling like I got a piece of home back.

Crystal was like the only family I had left. In this moment, I didn't feel alone anymore.

Crystal pulled back from the hug and ran her fingers through my half dried, wild curls. “You've grown so much."

I laughed, wiping my tears, I didn’t necessarily believe her. So the tears kept falling instead of the words I wanted to speak.

"Oh honey, it's okay." She consoled me, trying to stop the tears.

"I know" I whispered out, feeling lighter. She wiped my tears with her fingers.

"Goddess you are so beautiful!" She admired me, making me laugh. “Come, there's someone I want you to meet."

She took my hand and led me around the table. There was a mysterious looking man who stood to his feet, making Crystal stop infront of him. His scarlet colored eyes indicated that he was a vampire, but his eyes were different. They were more vivid and vibrant than other vampires I have come across in the past.

Even Crystal's eyes were duller than his.

He had chalky white hair that was slicked back down to his neck, which complimented his pale dead skin quite nicely. He wore a skin tight, blacked out suit with gold embellishments that showcased his muscular body that was crafted from the gods themselves. His muscular arms popped out of his suit jacket, while his thick thighs stretched his black slacks.

Vampires usually weren’t this muscular, but here he was in all his glory.

Our eyes locked and it was like time stopped all around. It felt like his gaze was burning a fire into my soul.

"Aura, this is Bane, the vampire prince." Crystal introduced the man, throwing me from my lust.

That makes so much sense. He's the son of Scar the vampire king. Scar is an original vampire, and all original vampires are capable of having kids, but only with humans. I remember the stories my father used to tell me about them. My father respected Scar and his people. They had an alliance and relied on each other with the rogue problem.

No wonder why he looked so powerful. He had ancient blood running through his dead veins.

Bane stood to his feet, gracefully. “It's a pleasure." His voice was deep and rugged and he held his hand out for me to shake.

I hesitated, but shook his hand. His touch brought fiery tingles that shot up my arm and through my body. I pulled my hand back rapidly, with a small gasp. The others looked at us curiously.

A small purr erupted in my ears.

“Amethyst is that you?” I called out to my wolf, but she said nothing.

"Please sit! Dinner will be served soon." Maddox said happily as he pointed to the chairs nearby.

Crystal took my hand and led me over to where she was sitting. I took a seat next to her against my better judgment. Bane was sitting across from us and didn't take his eyes off of me for one second.

I couldn't explain it, but it was like his gaze was burning my skin in pleasure. My skin was crawling and was making it very hard to sit there and act normal. I haven't felt like this since I could feel my wolf amethyst.

Does this mean she's still inside of me? And if she is, why does it take seeing him to bring her out?

"Amethyst!" I screamed out inside of me, but there was nothing but silence. I could still feel the tingly sensations from his gaze, but Amethyst wasn’t coming toward to answer me.

"So, Bane. How long do you plan on staying?" Maddox asked, filling the utter silence.

"Until tomorrow morning." His deep and rugged voice sent chills down my body.

Goddess, why does this man make me feel like this? Am I going crazy?!

"Have you decided what you are gonna do?" Maddox asked Crystal.

"Well, it's actually up to Aura." Crystal nudged me, making me avert my gaze from the sexy vampire.

"What's up to me?" I asked in confusion.

"Where you wanna live."

Huh? I guess I never really thought about where I was gonna live. I mean I just assumed I would live here.

"I guess I haven't thought about that yet." I whispered out contemplating on the choices.

"It's okay Aura. There's no rush." Crystal reassured.

"Of course. You are always welcomed here." Maddox said lovingly.

"Thank you, Maddox. It means a lot."

Food was brought in and it consisted of various roasted meats and veggies. My mouth watered at the thought of delicious food in my mouth. We dug in and chowed down on all the food. I ate four, full plates of food before I was full.

Goddess it was f*****g amazing!

I haven't eaten good food like that in years. I'm used to eating scraps from the trash. I can remember the day Agatha snuck me a steak that was left over from the dinner Stephanie had hosted for her friends. Jefferey caught me eating it and beat me until I was bloody and couldn't walk.

I was fifteen when that happened.

It's weird because there's gaps in my memories from over the years of being a prisoner. Some things I can't remember, but most things are clear as day. Sometimes it feels like there's pieces of me missing that I need to be whole.

I listened to the chatter that was said around the table, trying to forget about my missing memories. I heard many stories Crystal told about her crazy adventures with Bane.

They traveled to the Maldives in search of an enemy and ended up getting stuck on a yacht in the middle of the ocean because Bane didn't have the patience not to kill the only man who knew how to steer the yacht.

Goddess the stories she told sounded like she really had been taking care of herself. It definitely sounded like Crystal too. She was definitely the one to stay in trouble or have lots of fun.

Depends on how you looked at it though.

"You always seem to find trouble everywhere you go." I was amused by Crystal’s stories to say the least.

She laughed, “I actually have changed a lot.”

"Yeah, I totally believe you.” My words were sarcastic as I laughed at her.

"No, I'm serious! My job is to make sure Bane stays out of trouble." Crystal sent flares over at Bane who just smiled and kept his eyes on me.

"Mhmhmm." I said laughing

I rubbed my stomach, trying to magically take the pain away. It ached because I ate too much, but I was satisfied nonetheless.

"Uhhh!" I said out dramatically, making Crystal laugh.

"Ate too much?" She asked, making me nod my head quickly. Everyone laughed around the table, making me blush.

"Come, let's go for a walk." Crystal took my hand and stood to her feet.

My eyes were glued to Banes as words go stuck in my throat. I wanted to protest because for some reason I wanted to stay here and be in his presence.

“Bye.” I whispered out, not even realizing I said it out loud. He chuckled slightly as he winked at me while Crystal dragged me out of the hut.

He made me feel things that I’ve never felt before. Maybe I need to stay far away from him.

Like farrrrrr away from him.

Crystal locked arms with me as she led me towards the forest for a quiet place to catch up.