17 - MONSTER HYBRID

RYAN'S POV

The moment I stepped foot into the wedding hall, all eyes fell on me. I wasn't one bit surprised. I was a hybrid, and exuded excess energy wherever I went.

'Everyone is looking at us'. Philip mindlinked me, and I nodded in agreement.

'Of course, they would. They should'. I replied, holding my head high, and walking through the aisle. Seems we couldn't make it in time for the joining ceremony, but we were able to meet up with the wedding party.

'It's him. The hybrid'.

'I think it's Alpha Ryan'.

'Goddess! He's been released?'.

'It's really him!'

'Did you have an idea he was out?'

'Is he here for the ceremony?'

'Was he invited for the crown prince's wedding?'.

'He feels very deadly'.

'He's so cold'.

'The coldmoon Alpha'.

'Monster hybrid'.

I heard a lot of whispers all around, my vamp hearing making them all the more audible. I couldn't help but turn to the lady who had whispered to her mate, calling me a monster hybrid. Her eyes widened in fear the moment she realized I had my gaze on her. It seemed she had forgotten that I had the ability to hear things from afar, given that I was a 'monster' hybrid. With a slight lift of my upper lips, my mouth contorted into a very deadly smile, as I nodded in agreement to what she said. Of course, I was a monster.

Her mate had not seen my reaction coming, and the weakling went pale. They always had so much to say about people they didn't know.

Returning back to my stoic poker expression, I walked ahead, Philip and Beta Allister following me behind. We had walked a couple of steps when my eyes fell on King Xavier and Prince Logan. It had been so long since I saw Logan, and I had to make an extra effort to not go all soft at seeing him.

"Come with me, let's give him a warm welcome." I heard King Xavier whisper to his son, gently tapping his shoulder. Logan looked at his father in apparent confusion, but followed him to welcome me nonetheless.

"Ahhhh! Ryan." King Xavier grinned widely, giving me a fatherly slap on the shoulder.

"Your majesty." I gave a nod, before looking at Logan. The initially quiet hall had eventually continued with their business. I could still hear some of them whisper my name, but I wasn't as jobless as paying attention to what they all had to say. Their opinions were irrelevant.

Instead, I focused on the main reason I had decided to leave confinement in the first place. Logan. He looked aloof, which got to me, but I wasn't ready to admit that I felt hurt about it.

"What?" I found myself asking him. "You no longer know me?" I tried to sound unfeeling, but I guess I wasn't successful.

"That is something I truly fear." He replied honestly. Wasn't expecting that. Holding out his hand to me, I took it for a shake. "It's a surprise you graced our occasion. Thank you."

"It was a special request from your father. I couldn't turn him down. Plus, it's been a while since I last saw you." I replied.

"You say 'a while', like it hasn't been years." He muttered underneath his breath, which made me feel pleased. He definitely missed me.

"Okay!" King Xavier called our attention. "Enough of that. You should let Ryan enjoy his time here, considering this is the first outing he has made in years." There was a nervous undertone to his voice, which was expected, considering the reasons why I had been isolated for years. It seemed to be that even Logan really didn't understand all that had happened. Left to him, I had probably killed my mate and got imprisoned in my castle, just like many of his guests thought. I didn't give a flying fuck what the others thought of me, but not him or princess Layla. They were the one people I didn't want to see me as a monster.

A lot had definitely changed about me, through the years. But the one thing that I was quite sure about, was my love for them. They were like my younger siblings, and that feeling would never change. Atleast, I was sure about that now, after seeing him for the first time in years. Realizing I was yet to give my well wishes to his matrimonial union, I shook my head slightly.

"Congratulations your highness." I said, collecting the gift box I had gotten for him, from Philip, and handed it over to him. He accepted it, looking at me in a questioning manner.

"Thank you." He said.

"So where is your bride? I hear she is quite the she~wolf." I tried to strike up a conversation.

"You sure do hear a lot from that impenetrable castle of yours." He snorted, making me scoff. I couldn't help it.

"Come with me, Ryan. It's been a long while." King Xavier requested, making me walk away with him. He led me out of the hall, while Philip and Beta Allister stayed behind. We made our way to his private study, and he gestured at me to have a seat.

"I read your letter." I began, as soon as he sat down.

"Surely, you did." He nodded. "I am worried for Logan."

"Prince Sebastian has a hand in this." I said, gauging his reaction. His reaction told me all I needed to know. He definitely knew his other son was the one hatching this rebellion against Logan. "What do you plan to do to him?" I went straight to the point.

"Let's not hurry, Ryan. I'm hoping to kill a couple of birds with one stone. You seem to be that stone, because you are the most significant part of my plan." He said, locking eyes with mine. There was thick silence between us for a moment, before I spoke up.

"I am your servant, to do with as you please, your majesty." I bowed in allegiance. "Let me know what you have in mind." I urged.

"As you know, the coronation is supposed to take place a month from now." He started. "But a lot of the council chiefs and Alphas do not think Logan is qualified to be king. Clearly, he is yet to have his first shift, even at the age of 21."

"I'm well aware of that." I nodded. The king went silent for some long seconds, before releasing a deep sigh.

"I think he is like you, Ryan." He finally said, and I found myself frowning.

"How do you mean?"

"I think he is a hybrid."

"A hybrid?" I asked, very surprised to hear the king say that. "How does he come about his vampire genes, if your claims are accurate?"

"No, I don't think he has vampire genes. I think he is a werewolf and wizard. His mother was a witch after all. Maybe he is yet to tap into his magic, which is why his werewolf side has not emerged."

******

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All through the journey back to my pack, I pondered on all the information that king Xavier had given me today. Some were quite shocking. I still couldn't believe that Logan's mate had initially tried to fake a mate bond with Sebastian. Audrey Chadwick and Prince Sebastian had been seeing each other, and planned to announce to the kingdom that they were mates. Unfortunately, that same night the were to make their announcement, Audrey found out Logan was her fated mate, in the presence of everyone. I couldn't help but feel like Audrey had something up her sleeves.

King Xavier said she had wanted to reject Logan, but he had threatened to punish her for planning to lie about the fact that she and Sebastian were mates. She had no other choice than to marry Logan, but I still feel there is more going on. I mean, why would a strong and powerful she-wolf like her, want to fake a mate bond with Sebastian? Why did I feel like Audrey Chadwick and prince Sebastian were working together to overthrow Logan? Their plans had probably backfired when she got the shock of her life- Logan being her true mate. Was she still working with Sebastian in the background?

If that was the case, then I felt so angry and sorry for Logan. I didn't want him to experience the pains of a cheating mate, just like I did. In her case, she wasn't only cheating, but betraying him. But was that really the case? Were my thoughts accurate?

"We have arrived!" Philip's voice burst through my thoughts. Great. I needed a good rest after the stress of the day. Stepping down the carriage, I made for the the south wing, eager to have a good wash and be off to bed.

I came to an abrupt stop when I got to the entrance of the south wing, to see the familiar faces of the council chiefs and the Honourable families. I took note of the fact that no Kennedy had had shown up.

"It's true! You're out of confinement!" Chief Lucas blew out happily, making me glare in irritation. I wasn't in the mood for screams right now. They all looked at me like I had somewhat risen from the dead. Suppressing the urge to roll my eyes, I remained in my position. After a few seconds of mild chaos amognst themselves, they all finally bowed in respect.

"Alpha!" They chorused. I gave a slight nod, wanting to be in my chambers already.

"This is such good news, Alpha." Chief Lucas started. "We are happy to welcome you back."

"I had no idea I was away." I muttered coldly, and he visibly shuddered. "M..my apologies, Alpha. It wasn't my intention to...." He was still talking when I cut him off.

"Thank you all for your......" I paused, thinking of the best word. "....for your warm welcome." I nodded. "Is that all?"

"Huh?" Dean MacQuoid queried. I found myself looking at the man. He hadn't aged one bit since I last saw him.

"Is that all, or do you have anything more to say?" I explained.

"Oh..." His mouth took the shape of an 'o'. I looked across the rest of the chiefs and Honourable family members, and they were mute. Great then.

"Seeing as there is nothing more, we shall call it a night." I gave a nod, before zooming off with my vamp speed. I was so sure that they were probably sharing confused glances amongst themselves.

I had proceeded to my chambers, and the moment the guards saw me, the greeted in unison. I nodded in acknowledgment, before pushing open the door, and seeing the last person I expected to see. Atleast, not so soon. She had been comfortably sitting on my bed, and stood up the moment I walked in. We looked at each other for a while, without saying a word. She tried to speak a couple of times, but it seemed the words got stuck in her throat. The moment I saw the tears in her eyes, my anger was let loose.

"What are you doing here, Ralia?" I asked in a steely tone.