Hybrid's Eclipse

Chapter: 9

N A T A L I A

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Keep walking, Natalia. You're doing great. I kept repeating the words to myself. My inner conflict with my wolf was intense, we were at war with one another.

She wanted me to turn around, to leap into the alpha's arms and plead with him to take us, to claim us. But I couldn't bring myself to do it.

If the alpha truly wanted us, he would have made his intentions clear. My attempt to engage with him in conversation had only resulted in a bewildered stare, leaving me feeling unsure of our bond.

Noah's hand tightened around mine, pulling me out of my thoughts. I glanced up at him, seeing the concern etched on his face.

"Are you sure you're okay?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine concern. "You've been acting strange, not to mention how pale you look."

I offered him a reassuring smile but decided not to divulge the truth about the alpha being my mate. I was grateful that Noah had chosen to walk away with me instead of putting up a fight.

"I suppose meeting new people makes me a bit nervous," I replied with a shrug, eliciting a laugh from Noah.

"I thought as much, but it's okay," he reassured, wrapping an arm around my shoulder and pulled me closer. "I'll be here to protect you."

In response, I smiled. I knew I could easily take care of myself. I was much stronger than Noah, but I didn't want to overshadow his kindness by telling him that.

My thoughts inevitably drifted back to my mate.

As thrilled as my wolf was that he was an alpha, I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. I wanted him, and my wolf wanted his. But the reality of him being an alpha, and the leader of his pack, filled me with uncertainty.

It only meant that his pack might reject me, and my clan would certainly reject him, especially Glenda. Hell, even the way Noah had challenged him made believe even he would be against my relationship with the Alpha. The mere thought of their reaction sent shivers down my spine.

It doesn't matter. Mate, my wolf whined, still trying to take control to get me to return to our alpha. I suppressed her.

My thoughts were all over the place and I didn't need my wolf to act on her emotions. I thought about how complicated matters were that our mate, finally discovered, was a purebred.

Growing up, my mother had only spoken ill of said species, likening them to my absent father and warned us clearly about their deceptive nature. Despite her warnings, though, the further I distanced myself from him, the more I longed for him.

I had never felt such intense emotions before, not even during my contemplation of familial bonds, which I had missed out on in my upbringing.

The prospect of a mate was proving to be far more powerful, more overwhelming.

"Remove your hand off her," a voice behind us brought Noah and me to a sudden stop, pulling me away from the turmoil in my head.

His voice, now familiar to me, stirred up the butterflies once again.

I knew it was him before I turned around to meet his piercing blue eyes, my wolf purring with excitement.

"Excuse me?" Noah questioned, his tone reflecting his disbelief. "And why would I do anything you say?"

My friend's defiance prompted the Alpha to growl, clearly displeased with the lack of respect shown towards him.

"Because if you don't, you'll find yourself without a hand," he threatened, his voice dripping with authority.

I was relieved when Felix rushed to our side and pulled Noah aside, making his hold on me drop in the process.

My gaze remained fixed on my mate, observing how his eyes had darkened completely. I wanted to step forward and comfort him, but refrained.

Using my witch ability subtly, I projected a wave of calmness towards him and watched with satisfaction as the Alpha gradually regained his composure. A flicker of surprise crossed his face, but he remained silent.

He opened his mouth to speak, but the loud, feral growls echoing around us drowned out his voice.

We had been so absorbed in each other that I hadn't noticed we were surrounded by wolves— maybe seven of them, I couldn't be sure.

I thought our mate had deceived us, intending to launch an attack, but I was wrong when I was met with his concerning gaze, silently telling me otherwise.

Before I could question anything, the wolves lunged at us. Casting a protective shield over my friends and me, I ensured that our mate was also shielded before I prepared to shift.

However, I didn't get the chance.

The Alpha shifted into his wolf form— a magnificent black wolf with striking dark blue eyes, and positioned himself in front of me. Initially, I thought he was going to attack me, but to my surprise, he nudged me protectively, moving me out of harm's way as the other wolves attacked.

Felix had also shifted, and a few other wolves had joined the fray. Noah wasted no time in defending himself against the attackers, occasionally stealing glances my way.

Despite the chaos, I couldn't help but focus on how the Alpha made me feel. Noah had always been protective of me, but no one had made me feel as secure as the Alpha did now.

I had always been self-sufficient, strong enough to take care of myself, so it felt strange yet comforting to have someone care for me.

When another wolf lunged at my mate, I snapped out of my shocked daze and shifted into my wolf form. Swiftly intervening, I dispatched the attacker in seconds.

Soon, all the aggressors were defeated, and the wolves reverted to their human forms, lying naked on the ground.

Glancing around to ensure Noah and Mila were unharmed, even though I knew they would be, I couldn't help but notice the look of shock on my mate's face, even in his wolf form.

He approached me, his large frame towering over me, yet I felt no fear. He didn't intimidate me. Lowering his head slightly, he brushed his snout alongside my face.

Grateful to be in my wolf form, I felt a surge of heat coursing through me at his gentle touch. Every cell in my body seemed to awaken, and I couldn't ignore the faint electric sensation that tingled through my being.

It was a very brief moment, so quick no one noticed, before Felix growled, drawing my attention to him. I realised he was standing in his human form, completely nude.

"What was that all about?" he demanded, his voice laced with anger as he turned to my friend. "Noah?"

My best friend shot back, his glare fierce. "You tell me, Felix. I made it clear we wanted no trouble, yet you were ready to attack."

Their verbal sparring came to an abrupt end when my mate let out a commanding growl, asserting his authority and compelling us all to back down, regardless of whether we belonged to his pack or not.

"Enough!" He thundered after shifting back into his human form. "They were rogues."

Struggling to maintain focus on his face and not let my gaze wander over the rest of his impressive physique, I forced myself to listen to him without getting distracted.

But before I could dwell on his words, his eyes briefly met mine, warmth evident in their depths, a demeanour very different to the one displayed earlier.

His fleeting gaze lasted momentarily, before he returned his focus on the men again.

"My borders remain open, let's discuss this matter in my territory," he declared, his words contradicted his earlier statement.

I was fascinated by his sudden trust in us.