Emery leaned into the table and was in deep thought. Now that I think about it, he and Ahbaya have the same eyes — the same type of madness in them. “A few years ago, when Matheos Bluemoon challenged Ahbaya for the throne, she was —” His gaze averted shortly. “—different. Back then. She was…” His voice seemed weaker, his eyes were fixed on his hands. “She won the fight, but he damaged her in ways none of us could imagine.” My eyes widened from the memory. It was six years ago. Everyone waited in line to have a seat inside the wide and shallow arena. Matheos Bluemoon, also known as, ‘The Hybrid Hunter’ almost defeated the rabid Queen, Ahbaya. Every single hybrid, shifter and bear-folks were silenced when he had wounded, bitten and made Ahbaya fall on her knees. It was a bloody battle, but Ahbaya was still the victor. “I remember that fight.” “Everyone remembered that fight.” Emery parroted. “We rushed Alpha Ahbaya to the doctor’s room after she collapsed. Apparently, during the

Dane and I shifted into our wolves, our stance low as we threaded carefully to the Castle of Hybrids. I bit onto the strap of my bag, bringing it to the castle with me since all of my essentials are there. The knife Ahbaya gave me, the collar of Ballantine’s and a lighter just in case I need to fire things up, literally and figuratively. And the moonlight ring. As predicted, a lot of gammas were watching the perimeter, making sure the wedding of the Century would go smoothly. But since I was able to sneak in and out around the entrance of the secret rooms, I memorized all the blind spots here. "All clear." I whispered to Dane as I watched the shadows of the Hybrids disappear from the rampart going to the drawbridge. I raised my hand, giving Dane the signal. Bracing myself, my heart started to beat double time.“Yael, are you fucking sure about this man?” Dane hissed as she stood behind me.“I am sure, Dane.” I hissed at her. “I thought you’re in this with me? You told me I have you

“You’re stronger than me.” Ahbaya whispered in disbelief. “How are you stronger than me? You’re an omega, you’re supposed to follow my orders. You're supposed to be weak. I was not demanding you to let me go of me, yet I couldn't push you off me. I was compelling you to — but you were unaffected. And your eyes, the color changed." I stopped on my tracks, wondering what she’s talking about. When I turned to her direction Ahbaya looked so baffled, surprised and in awe. “Even my aura did not have an effect on you.”Her eyes went wide, her head moving left and right as if she was in an inner battle against herself. “Could it be?” I began to pace towards her, curious about what she’s talking about. “Could it be what?” “A long time ago, when the Kingdom of Aensland was still peaceful, when shifters could only bear a single beast within, King Argon forged a stone about mates. The rules, the signs and the celebrations. The first rule is… One wolf mated to the other cannot compel his or h

It was past the holy hours where the tunnel of our escape was wide. Now Ahbaya and I were trying to get out alive in a maze of Rabid Hybrids. Mountains of men covered the doorway, our only escape. Men who were deemed faithful to Ahbaya were locked and cuffed in the underground prison, for Alpha Devant feared a coup would start. She shifted into her bear, and after such a long time, the beast finally told me her name. Krishna. She was ten feet tall, fur as dark and as terrifying as the name bestowed upon her. Sixteen men had us surrounded and Ahbaya had been kicking, punching and pushing them out of our way as if she was merely playing. Her headcount was fifteen, and mine was none. I heard Krishna’s loud growl, her huge paws and sharp claws digging deep on the fur of some poor beta who crossed her way. ‘Watch out!’ She screamed through the link as she tossed an unconscious man just over my head. I managed to duck, gritting my teeth after feeling the man’s hand brush my hair. Phew.

The tall trees swayed from the cold harsh wind, gazelles, rabbits and small critters passed through the dark. Ahbaya and I decided to go to the said meeting place she and Emery had pre-arranged. It was midnight, the time when animals lay down their guard. But with Ahbaya’s presence looming over the terrain, all creatures went into hiding. Hiding on the grass, the trees. Other animals who were ferocious and dangerous enough stood behind the tall tress, hid behind the grass and were prepared to attack. I could feel their eyes on me. I could hear them growling and ready to lay their life to protect the little ones. The debris of everyday life swirled around the forest, and the forest reeked of dead rotting meat. Hunters, butchers and trappers leave the dead and weak behind since Hybrids had a thing for eating fresh, healthy meat. The forest live in a system, and unfortunately for these creatures hybrids and trappers got into the mix and conquered the chain. “Are we there yet?” I aske