12- Maybe She Is a Hybrid?

LEON'S POV

Something was off about Alpha Kragen. When he said Lucy's name, my insides crawled. I knew Lucy was going to be a pain in my ass when I met her yesterday, but she really knew how to take things to the next level.

Dad had told us about her when he bought her from the Red Paw Pack. We knew she must be special since Dad didn’t regularly participate in this type of exchange. When he did, he always freed them right away, but he kept Lucy close by.

Liam immediately felt protective over her as well. It wasn’t until our mating gala that those same feelings emerged in me.

It was natural for an Alpha to be protective of his pack, but I knew that this was different. When I grabbed her arm at the gala I felt an electricity pulse through my body. She didn’t smell like a mate, at least I didn’t think so. She had the same dull, earthy smell as she had the day before.

It was rare, but I had heard of hybrid werewolves who were half witch or fae. This could explain the volts of electricity. She was obviously upset. Maybe this was a reaction to feeling defensive? I made a mental note to do some research on hybrids later.

For now, I needed to figure out what this Alpha had against Lucy before he stripped her from our pack to what I would assume would be her death.

Liam had made his way over to us as the guards were hauling Lucy away to the dungeon. I could see his wolf, Bolten, emerge, his eyes flashing gold. He growled and snapped his head at me.

“What the hell is going on?” he said, smelling the air around us and looking toward Lucy, confused. “Is she your mate?” I asked, avoiding his question because I really didn’t know where to start but I knew Liam thought she was his mate, and I was curious.

“I don’t smell anything, so I guess not. Where are they taking her?” He responded and I could see the disappointment in his gaze.  

I took a deep breath, looking over at my dad, who was in a heated discussion with Kragen, and then back at my brother. “Alpha Kragen claims that Lucy committed crimes within his pack. He is saying that she was originally in his pack and ran away four years ago before she could be arrested for whatever she did. She looked terrified of him, Liam, which tells me that at the very least, she does know who he is,” I explained.

“Wait, Leon, you’re telling me that Kragen Knight is saying that Lucy Knight is a part of his pack? Are they family?” Liam sai,d furrowing his brows together.

I thought for a minute. I had been so overwhelmed with the situation I hadn't even connected the dots.

“We should ask him,” Liam added, walking towards the Kragen and our father. However, I quickly grabbed his arm, pulling him back.

“Something inside me is saying that we can’t trust Kragen. Asking bold questions like that might just backfire and cause more problems. We need to think strategically, Liam; you tend to fall straight into things with your emotions. Let’s finish out this damn gala and meet up in Seth’s office afterward. Let’s not raise any suspicion. Seth got called out for pack business, his office will be empty” I said in a hushed whisper against Liams ear.

He looked at me and nodded.

We spent the rest of the gala mingling as Dad requested. He left with the other Alphas and Betas but didn’t say where or for what. I could feel the anticipation and dread through my bond with Liam. He was originally so excited about this event, but we were both in the same boat now.

There were so many unmated she-wolves here, yet I still hadn’t found my mate. I knew these galas would continue until me or Liam found a mate.

I was half tempted to choose a mate tonight so these galas could come to an end but I knew my father wouldn’t allow us to do that until we had met with each pack first.

We danced, ate, and drank for several long hours until the room started to clear out. I had noticed one she-wolf had been stealing glances all night but hadn’t approached me. I gave her a small smile and she blushed and waved.

She had short blond hair and brown eyes. Her skin was flawless, and her body was curvy in all the right places. My mind drifted again to the idea of a chosen mate, wondering how long my dad would make us endure this.

When I approached her, her body language changed, and she appeared to be way more nervous than I had realized. “Hey, my name is Leon. It’s nice to meet you! I hope that you had a good time tonight,” I said with my most charming smile while extending my arm.

She looked at my hand and then returned to meet my gaze, shaking my hand softly. “Tricia... that’s my name,” her soft voice responded.

“Well, Tricia, it appears that neither of us was lucky enough to find our mate tonight.” My response made her head tilt sideways.

“Are you sure, Leon?” she responded with more confidence than she had displayed the entire time I had seen her.

I sniffed the air, realizing at that moment that she didn’t smell like a wolf. How had no one said anything? Was she invited? She giggled as if she knew what I was thinking and found my confusion comical.

“Leon, I heard Alpha Kragen mention Lucy before he left the gala. Is she actually here? Can I see her?” she whispered, glancing in both directions before looking back up at me.