Forbidden Mate: Awakening

Another week had passed. Tyler and Audrey visited for sometime again, for reasons I didn’t want to know, and Adrian had been more quiet than usual. I knew why but I wandered every night, not wanting to sleep, if things would go back to normal after what we had both realized.

Adrian has become a hybrid.

It was a secret I would keep to myself and one Adrian and I would both share. He hadn’t burst into a transformation ever since the last time and he’d been trying to hone his newfound truth and powers. That was something really admirable about him. Not letting the unexpected twist of things depress him, but making the most out of it.

Though, I felt Adrian’s conflicted view of being part his kind and part a kind who hates his kind, I wish this would’ve happened to him not during an era where the hatred between our kinds were too profound. I constantly wished things would get less complicated, but I had helped a vampire – the greatest taboo a pack hunter can commit, so what could I expect?

One afternoon as I observed Audrey from a distance, I had a particular gut feeling. She was talking with the other dudes so freely because she was an extrovert and good with guys. Her demeanor seemed innocent and genuine to everyone around her, but I knew better. There was a certain glint in her eyes I had always noticed, a hunger for something more than her that made me cautious around her.

She casted an evil and mocking glance at me, and I eyed her in response.

Audrey had always been good at manipulation and twisting situations to her advantage. She had made Tyler see me as a wrench and successfully gotten him for herself but I felt her sights were set on something even bigger, yet I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of dread, knowing the havoc she could wreak if she succeeded in any of her deceitful plans.

She knew very well how to put on a performance, effortlessly weaving her web of lies. Trapping Tyler and the rest of the pack in her game which she was carefully doing and I saw through her… maybe that’s why she detested me so much.

Her words were laced with poison, carefully designed to sow seeds of doubt and argument in our grove.

I couldn’t shake off the feeling that something wasn’t right. Audrey’s words and gestures seemed calculated, designed to get a specific response. It was as if she was using her charm and charisma to manipulate Tyler and gain favor with the pack.

As I watched her play her role with a chilling perfection, I couldn’t help but feel angry at how easily they were falling for it. I knew the truth, the darkness that lurked beneath her charming disguise. I couldn’t let her succeed in her twisted ambitions.

But how could I expose her without proof? Audrey was the mistress of manipulation, leaving no trace of her deceit. I needed to be cautious, to gather evidence and then, expose her true nature before it was too late.

Now, I had to add that to my list of things to fucking do, because at this point, life didn’t want to get slower for me. They were complications at every corner.

Adrian’s a hybrid now.

The hidden journal and the riddles.

Don’s sudden disappearance.

And then the ring.

If only the puzzles would fit in by themselves accordingly in my life, every single day would be less stressful and drama-filled than it already was.

But I saved a vampire – yeah, I know now that was what triggered things.

•••••••••

One ordinary afternoon, as if any day in my life is actually ‘ordinary’, a fleet of cars pulled into our grove, catching everyone’s attention. Whispers spread through the air and I was obviously curious.

Who could be arriving with such an entourage? And why was this person coming?

My parents had already summoned everyone outside, so I believed the person would be a dignitary of some sort. As the commotion settled, a familiar footstep echoed through the main gate, drawing everyone’s gaze.

I exchanged a glance with Jaxon. We both shared our curiosity and concern. Adrian was also present there and was resolute. The entourage had covered the person’s figure until he was directly in front of my father. They spaced out to reveal the dignitary.

It was Rex Bratson, Tyler’s father and the Alpha of the pack.

Something important must be happening for him to make an unexpected appearance.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Everyone quickly bowed before him, including my parents, to show reverence.

Rex was known for his authoritative presence and unwavering dedication to the pack. His visits were usually reserved for significant matters, and his arrival now hinted that something of great importance and urgency would be happening soon.

Questions flooded my mind. What news did Rex bring? What could have compelled him to pay us a visit at this particular moment? Was it related to the suspicions I had about Audrey? No, that was so stupid.

“Greetings, Alpha.” My father said and the rest of us echoed, “Greetings, Alpha.”

“It’s been but a short while, Henry.” He said as he went to shake my dad cordially.

“Greetings, Alpha.” My mom smiled placidly at him.

“Rebekah.” He nodded to her too.

“To what do I owe this visit?” My father inquired.

“Oh, Henry, it is but a matter of love and scrutiny.”

As Rex turned to face the entrance, my father and the rest of us did too. Tyler and Audrey came hand-in-hand through the door and stood a considerable space away from the elders.

What was going on?

“I see…” My father tried to catch up.

“We’re to plan a wedding soon, and I’ve also come to query about a particular werewolf hunter my son seems to not shut up about.” Rex’s smile looked dangerous and scary at least.

What he said…. a wedding, Tyler, werewolf hunter?

I looked at Tyler and Audrey and caught her sinister smirk and Tyler’s apprehensive stare too.

A single question echoed in my mind: What exactly has Rex come for?

°°°°°°°°°

Jaxon and my father hurriedly led Rex into the other room, their expressions filled with a mix of respect and unease.

I stood at the distance, watching the scene unfold. The others also had no idea what was going on. Tyler and Audrey had already went through the other door to a separate room. Rex’s arrival had stirred something within me, and I couldn’t help but wonder what exactly he came for?

As the meeting commenced I found a way to go close to the door to eavesdrop on their conversation. The others watched me, including Adrian, but noone did anything to stop me. Rex wasted no time in addressing the reason for his visit and it was the first thing that came out of his mouth that made me stop breathing.

“My son, Tyler, and Audrey, one of your hunter’s daughter, are to be married.”