CHAPTER 1: The Hybrid's Secret

The sun hung low over the city, casting golden hues over the bustling streets of the werewolf kingdom. 

“I'll call you when I get home.” She heard a girl say from a distance 

“I know you will.” The other replied and she smiled,her best friend wasn't in school today and it made it one of the longest periods in school.

Kiara Simpson tugged her hoodie tighter around her, shielding herself from curious gazes as she stepped off the bus. The move to her new family had been overwhelming, but what was worse was the cold reception from her stepbrothers. They made it painfully clear she was an outsider in their perfect pack.

The grand gates of the Golden Fang Pack estate loomed ahead, their ornate design a testament to the pack’s wealth and power. Taking a deep breath, Kiara trudged forward, her heart sinking at the thought of the hostility waiting inside. She glanced at the imposing mansion, its grandeur only amplifying her feelings of inadequacy.

Her mother, Sarah, had married Alpha Richard Rivers six months ago, thrusting Kiara into this new, intimidating world. For most of her life, Kiara had lived as a human, her werewolf heritage hidden even from herself. But the truth couldn’t stay buried forever, and now she found herself in the center of a life she didn’t understand.

As she stepped into the grand foyer, the sound of laughter echoed from the living room. Kiara hesitated, clutching her bag tightly. The triplets Dylan, Alex, and John were lounging on the leather couches, their piercing gazes landing on her the moment she entered.

“Look who finally decided to grace us with her presence,” Dylan drawled, his deep voice tinged with mockery.

Kiara kept her head down, her cheeks burning. “I... I was at the library,” she mumbled, trying to move past them.

Alex smirked, leaning back in his seat. “The library? How studious of you. Trying to find a cure for your... human tendencies?”

Their laughter rang out, sharp and cruel. John remained silent, his icy blue eyes fixed on her. Kiara avoided his gaze, her chest tightening. She didn’t need to give them more ammunition for their taunts.

She hurried up the staircase, their laughter following her like a shadow. Once in her room, Kiara locked the door and leaned against it, exhaling shakily. The walls of her sanctuary were decorated with warm colors and personal touches, but it still didn’t feel like home.

Her phone buzzed on the nightstand. Picking it up, she smiled faintly at the notification. It was time for her live stream.

Kiara shed her hoodie and jeans, slipping into a delicate lace bodysuit. She sat at her vanity, applying a bold red lipstick and brushing her long black hair until it gleamed. A mask covered the upper half of her face, obscuring her identity.

When she looked in the mirror, Cherry stared back. Confident, seductive, untouchable Cherry.

Her laptop glowed as she set up the stream, adjusting the angle of the camera. Within moments, the chat filled with eager messages.

“Cherry! You’re here!”

“Looking stunning as always!”

“We missed you, goddess!”

Kiara’s lips curved into a sultry smile. “Good evening, gentlemen,” she purred. “I hope you’ve all been behaving while I was away.”

The messages poured in, showering her with compliments and adoration. For a few hours, she could forget the pain of her real life. Cherry wasn’t weak or bullied. Cherry was in control.

But tonight, a particular username caught her attention: “GoldenAlpha01.”

Kiara’s brow furrowed. The name seemed familiar, but she brushed it off, focusing on the stream. As Cherry, she danced, teased, and commanded attention.

Unknown to her, downstairs, Dylan leaned back in his chair, his eyes glued to his laptop screen. His brothers, Alex and John, flanked him, their expressions equally captivated.

“Cherry’s on,” Dylan murmured, his voice thick with anticipation.

Alex smirked. “You think she’ll do a private show tonight?”

“Let’s see if we can convince her,” John added, his usual stoicism replaced by a rare spark of excitement.

The three of them watched intently, their usual rivalry momentarily set aside as they indulged in their shared obsession.

When Cherry ended her stream, Kiara closed her laptop with a sigh. The adrenaline rush faded, leaving her feeling hollow. She changed back into her comfortable clothes and climbed into bed, staring at the ceiling.

Her thoughts wandered to her stepbrothers. They weren’t always cruel. Sometimes, when they thought no one was watching, she caught glimpses of something softer beneath their tough exteriors. But those moments were fleeting, overshadowed by their disdain.

Kiara shook her head, trying to push them from her mind. She couldn’t afford to dwell on things she couldn’t change.

The next morning, Kiara’s peace was shattered when Dylan barged into her room without knocking.

“Get up,” he ordered, his tone sharp.

Kiara scrambled to cover herself with the blanket, glaring at him. “Ever heard of knocking?”

He smirked, leaning against the doorframe. “We’re training in the courtyard. You’re coming.”

“I don’t—”

“Dad’s orders,” Dylan cut her off, his expression smug.

Kiara groaned, dragging herself out of bed. Training was a daily ordeal where she was reminded of her shortcomings. But Alpha Richard insisted it was necessary for her to fit into pack life.

In the courtyard, the triplets were already sparring. Their movements were fluid and powerful, a testament to their strength and skill. Kiara felt like a clumsy outsider as she joined them, her lack of a wolf making her slower and weaker.

“Come on, Kiara,” Alex taunted, circling her. “Show us what you’ve got.”

Kiara clenched her fists, her frustration bubbling beneath the surface. She lunged at Alex, but he sidestepped easily, tripping her in the process. She hit the ground with a grunt, their laughter echoing around her.

“Enough!” Alpha Richard’s voice boomed, silencing them. He strode into the courtyard, his imposing presence commanding respect. “Kiara needs encouragement, not mockery.”

Dylan and Alex exchanged looks, muttering under their breaths.

Kiara picked herself up, brushing dirt off her clothes. Her stepfather’s rare defense did little to ease her embarrassment.

After training, Kiara retreated to the woods behind the mansion, seeking solace among the trees. She sat on a fallen log, letting the sounds of nature soothe her.

But her peace was short-lived. She sensed someone approaching and turned to see John standing a few feet away, his hands shoved into his pockets.

“What do you want?” she asked, her tone wary.

John hesitated before speaking. “Why do you even try? You’ll never be one of us.”

Kiara’s chest tightened, but she refused to let him see her hurt. “Maybe I don’t want to be.”

For a moment, they stared at each other, the tension thick between them. Then John turned and walked away, leaving Kiara alone with her thoughts.

As the sun set, Kiara returned to the house, her resolve hardening. She wouldn’t let them break her. She had a secret they couldn’t touch, a part of herself that belonged to no one but her.

And if they ever found out who Cherry really was, it would change everything.

In the darkness of her room, Kiara’s laptop pinged with a new message. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw the username: “GoldenAlpha01.”

The message read: “We need to talk, Cherry.”