Elena’s POV
I know, I whispered, the weight of those two simple words crushing down on me like a physical blow.
Why would they think you’re some kind of prophet, Damien pressed, his voice cutting through the silence between us like a blade.
I honestly don’t know, I admitted, hating how helpless I sounded. The uncertainty was eating me alive from the inside out.
Something must have convinced them. People don’t just decide someone’s a prophet
without reason.
That’s exactly why I need to meet with Julian’s entire family, I said, my voice gaining strength. I have to figure out what’s driving this belief, what they think they know about me that I don’t even know about myself.
And what about your pregnancy, he asked, his tone shifting to something more protective, more dangerous.
What about it, I shot back, my hand instinctively moving to my still–flat stomach. No one needs to know who fathered this child.
You’re not planning to tell them, Damien asked, disbelief coloring his words. You won’t use this information to get back in Marcus’s good graces, to reclaim your place in that pack.
The suggestion hit me like a physical slap. Damien, I said, my voice turning cold as winter steel, I will never use my baby as some kind of bargaining chip. Never. Marcus will never learn that this child carries his blood. If he knew, he’d take my baby from me without hesitation because this child would be the rightful heir to his pack leadership.
The thought of losing my baby to Marcus made my chest tighten with panic. I couldn’t breathe properly just thinking about it.
Alright, Damien said, backing down slightly. So how exactly do you plan to reclaim that pack if it truly belongs to your bloodline? If your family really has the rightful claim?
I don’t know if I even want it, I confessed, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. The admission felt like ripping open an old wound.
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78 Chapter 78 Hybrid Threat
Really, he asked, genuine surprise in his voice.
Do you honestly think I want to lead all those people who turned my life into a nightmare, I demanded, anger flaring hot in my chest. Every single member of that pack made me suffer. I can’t promise I wouldn’t make them pay for every moment of pain they caused me. I might become the most vindictive Alpha who ever lived, taking out all my rage on the very people who created it in the first place.
And that would be the entire pack, I added bitterly.
Well, at least they’d never betray you, Damien said with dark humor. They’d be too terrified to even think about it.
This situation isn’t amusing, I snapped, frustrated by his casual tone.
I know it’s not, he said, his voice becoming more serious. I just want you to consider every possible outcome here. You need to think through all your options before you make any decisions.
That’s exactly what I’m trying to do, even though I’d rather think about anything else in the world, I said. Speaking of other topics, tell me more about Julian and your mate
situation.
I’ve already told you everything important, Damien said, his voice becoming strained. I found her, we both recognized the mate bond immediately, but she informed me she was already committed to a vampire. She made it clear that’s where her loyalty would
remain.
But vampires are immortal while werewolves age and die, I pointed out. How could that relationship possibly work long–term?
I’ve been suspecting he plans to transform her into a vampire, Damien said quietly.
A hybrid, I gasped, unable to hide my shock at the implications.
I never considered it from that angle before, he admitted. She would become both vampire and werewolf simultaneously.
Yes, she would be, I confirmed, my mind racing through the terrifying possibilities.
Would a hybrid retain the ability to walk in sunlight, Damien asked, and I could hear the growing concern in his voice.
I think we have much bigger problems to worry about than my old pack drama, I said, dread settling in my stomach like a stone.
78 Chapter 78 Hybrid Threat
Absolutely, he agreed. If she becomes a hybrid who can move freely during daylight hours, humanity itself could be in serious danger.
They don’t typically hunt humans for food, I said, trying to find some comfort in that fact. But imagine what happens when other vampires learn about this breakthrough. They’ll start creating their own hybrid armies specifically designed to hunt during daylight hours.
The thought sent chills down my spine.
There’s no authority we could warn about this threat, Damien said grimly.
We’ll have to handle this ourselves if it comes to that, I said, knowing how impossible
that sounded.
I have no doubt it will come to that, he said. Vampires are absolutely ruthless when they want something. They won’t hesitate to create daylight–walking hybrids if it gives them a tactical advantage over their enemies.
We need to ensure that Julian and his family keep this information completely secret, I said, desperation creeping into my voice.
I don’t trust them at all, Damien stated flatly.
You have no reason to trust them, I acknowledged. But somehow, inexplicably, I do trust them. I can’t explain why I feel this way. I’ll ask the hard questions when we meet face to face.
I need to start preparing werewolf communities for this potential threat, Damien said, tension radiating from every line of his body.
After we conclude our meeting with Julian’s family, I agreed, and watched him nod reluctantly.
But I could see how stressed he was becoming. The more he thought about the hybrid possibility, the more agitated he grew. Honestly, I was feeling the same rising panic, but I was fighting hard not to let it show on my face or in my voice.
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