Alpha’s Hybrid Cinderella
Chapter 11

I couldn't give him an answer right away. Class was about to start, and the professor was sending us in conversation.

nt looks as she shuffled through her lecture notes. Ken had no choice but to leave, but he promised to show up after my class finished to continue our I couldn't stop thinking about it. A party? On Friday night? He had explained it was going to be held on grounds and hosted in one of the buildings that offered venues for just such occasions. It wouldn't be one of the rowdy house parties that I'd initially thought he was inviting me to, but almost like a school dance.

It was for both current students who could afford the pricey tickets as well as past graduates, a chance to donate to the university and indulge in some nostalgic fun.

Would Alpha Evan be going, I wondered. If it was to honor donors and sponsors, surely he would be invited and more than welcome. He obviously wasn't a current student nor could he be a graduate, but he was the reigning Alpha of the city. He must have been invited.

Wait. Why was I worrying about that? I didn't need his permission. I wasn't a prisoner, and he didn't get to decide who I made friends with or who I went to parties with. When would I realize I was free now, and no longer a slave? I was my own person. I got to decide for myself now, whenever I wanted.

When class was over, however, I was still hesitating. Ken was waiting for me, and I didn't want to think about whether he had lingered the entire time or if he had come back after taking care of business in the meantime. I hoped it was the latter. "Ken... It's really sudden. I can't give you an answer yet."

He smiled. "I understand. But the invitation stands."

I headed to the dining hall before I could cave to the pressure. Raf was waiting for me there. Leon had said he needed to be somewhere, so it was just the two of us today.

I brought up the party somehow in between her chatter, and she gasped before ranting about all the important people who would be attending. So she had found out before I did. I was surprised that she hadn't mentioned it yet.

"Yeah - about that," I interrupted when I could stand it no longer. "Ken invited me."

Her jaw dropped. "Ken? Ken Joseph?"

"The one and only."

"Wait. Then why do you look like you just got socked in the stomach! You should be jumping for joy, you dummy!" (Oh, wait,) she thought, catching herself. (I'm the dummy. She's Evan's mate! Of course this is asking for trouble. But! Still! It's Ken Joseph. Anyone would be excited. But then again, I'm not the one caught in between two guys...)

Even if she hadn't been rambling in her thoughts, the look on her face alone would have given it away

"Raf," I warned. "What craziness are you thinking right now? Your face just went through twenty different emotions at once."

"What do you mean! Nothing. I'm not thinking of anything right now... except that this makes for some really good drama." "Raf. I think you're misunderstanding. I'm not Evan's mate."

"What?"

"I'm not Alpha Evan's mate."

"That can't be true. He's been looking for ages, and he brought you back. He's never taken a woman before from any of the packs he took over."

"It's complicated. Basically, he owed me a favor, and when he found out I was being mistreated by Dark Moon, he helped me by bringing me out. That's it."

"But what did he owe you for?"

I managed to avoid answering the question, but it didn't matter anyway. She refused to believe that I wasn't Evan's mate. But at least she took me at my word about Dark Moon's abuse.

"Raf. I'm sorry that it's not as glamorous as you thought, but haven't you wondered? I'm a hybrid. Hybrids can't be an Alpha's true mate."

"Claudia, that's not how it works. The Moon Goddess doesn't look at purebloodedness or status. Leon and I are like that. We're mates because we just are, and it wouldn't matter if we were hybrids. Mates are mates."

I was never going to get through to her. I might as well change the subject. "Raf, how about we both go to the party together? You were saying you had nothing to do this weekend, right?"

She almost jumped on me in her excitement. Good. Whatever it took to get her mind off this silly mate business.

***

Ken had given me his number in the afternoon. That night before I went to bed - in my own room again - I sent him a text to verify it was him. He answered immediately.

I didn't think you'd answer so quickly, I admitted. A reply came seconds later, once again.

Always for you.

I was thinking about your invitation today. Would you mind if I brought friends?

Not at all. But you can only have one date. Me!

I smiled, unable to help my amusement. Maybe. We'll see, I typed back.

***

Two days to Friday. Evan wasn't at the manor, so I didn't have to tiptoe around him, wondering how he would react when he found out I was hanging around with Ken Joseph again. He had been so angry the first time for no good reason, at least none that he dared to tell me, but it wasn't fair to have my social life restricted based on his whims. I wanted to have fun. I wanted to have friends.

It would be so cruel to take it all away from me again after I'd finally gotten a taste. Now that I had experienced how full my life could be after getting away from Dark Moon's clutches, I couldn't bear to think of losing Raf, Leon, and yes, even Ken's company. Not to mention that I found out Evan was away because he was preparing for this next battle and takeover. A tinge of sadness colored my hours. He was off and away to look for his mate again... and another pack would fall to his ambition.

Friday came at last. I had been given an assortment of beautiful dresses when I first came, but this was my first time wearing any out in public. I'd never been to a dance before, or any party at all. What if I looked ridiculous? I'd asked Raf what she was going to wear and got a few pointers, but even so...

But I couldn't let something like this scare me. I'd promised myself I would take advantage of my new life. Letting my fear from living so long in Dark Moon's shadow control me - no. Never again. Alpha Evan was more generous than they had ever been, but I couldn't let him take care of me forever either.

Baby steps. I pulled out the first dress that touched my fingers in a rush, a beautiful, dark red dress that gleamed with tiny stones embedded in the sash. Wait. Were those... tiny diamonds? Real diamonds? The single strap dress was so beautiful I almost put it back, but again, I'd promised myself. No backing down.

I got to the university campus in one piece, which was an accomplishment in dress and heels. Raf and Leon were waiting for me with smiles on their faces, both of them head over heels for each other in their beautiful attire. They were so happy to see me, and to have this night with each other.

And yeah, I could admit it. I was envious of their connection and their shared joy. But I was happy for them anyway, of course.

Ken found me a minute later. "You're beautiful," he said, but I ushered them all in before he could give me any more compliments. The music was loud and blaring, more upbeat than I'd expected it to be, and I pretended not to be able to hear him well. Compliments in people's heads were hard enough to handle. Hearing them said aloud was simply too much.

He took my hand and guided me in through the crowd to my ever-intensifying surprise. Eyes darted to me as he made no secret of escorting the hybrid girl to the punch table, and he leaned in to ask me what I wanted to drink.

Before I could answer, the crowd parted again behind us, and the chattering and murmuring died. The music was loud, but with the dead silence from the dancers and party guests, somehow it felt far too quiet.

I turned to see who or what had caused such a change to sweep over the crowd. Indeed, all talking stopped from where we were all the way to the doors.

Wait. I knew that frame, that silhouette.

"It's Alpha Evan!" someone hissed, almost squealing, and she was right. Evan made his way toward me, dressed in a tux like everyone else here. And he came straight for me.

I was still trying to figure out how and why he was here - wasn't he in the next city over? - when he extended a hand toward me. "Claudia. Can I borrow you for a dance?"