Alpha’s Hybrid Cinderella
Chapter 17

"I see the hybrid is still slinking around..."

Flicka had meant for me to hear that as she entered the manor, and unlike the venomous glare she had just shot me, her voice was gloating and self-assured, as arrogant as ever. I wanted to turn and follow her back inside so I could slap her senseless, but that would only show her how easily she affected me. I forced myself to walk down the steps with my head level and my posture calm, as if nothing she said could bother me.

But it didn't last. The door closed, and a moment later when I turned the bend around the stone path that led to the forest, I broke into a fierce run so abrupt my side cramped with sudden stitches.

But I didn't stop. The pain was nothing compared to the frustration of hearing the smugness in Flicka's voice as she entered the manor, as if she were taking my place. I didn't want to remember it. If a few cramps could take my mind off of her even a little, I would gladly take it.

I skipped my classes this morning. I'd been so determined to see them through when I woke up, but there was no chance I could keep my mind on any lectures now. I would self-study to make up for it when my head was properly back on my shoulders, but for now, I had to run, run, run.

I mindlessly explored every trail I found, taking care never to wander too far. Eventually, the hours passed, and it was already the afternoon. So much for at least trying to attend the latter half of my classes. My stomach still churned at the memory of Flicka's back and the flip of her hair as she pushed her way into the manor. As if any lesson would make its way into my head right now.

My phone vibrated in my pocket multiple times, waking me from my brooding. It wasn't until I absently checked the screen that I realized I must have unwittingly traveled through a reception dead zone: all of my missed calls and messages came through at once. Raf! Sorry, just saw your messages now. I went through an area with no signal.

Her reply came lightning-quick. Where were you all morning! And where are you now!

I'll tell you when I see you. Let's meet up. I'll bring you your favorite donuts.

If you hold out on me, I won't forgive you. You've never missed a day of classes!

I know, but I'll explain everything later. Where are you now?

Home. I dragged myself through morning classes but I had to give up before lunch. My headache is kicking my a*s.

I'll pick up some ibuprofen on the way. Do you want to meet at your apartment?

Probably for the best. Leon has evening classes so I'm home alone, we can talk here.

I'll be there soon.

***

I could hear Raf dragging herself to her door long before she opened it. She bumped into something at least three times on the way, cursing and groaning, and when she emerged, she was still in her pajamas, utterly haggard and slumped. "Um... You don't look so good."

"You have no idea how many times I threw up all last night." A brief smile lit up her face for a second as mischief flashed in her eyes. "All over Leon, coincidentally."

"I see the hybrid is still slinking around..."

Flicka had meant for me to hear that as she entered the manor, and unlike the venomous glare she had just shot me, her voice was gloating and self-assured, as arrogant as ever. I wanted to turn and follow her back inside so I could slap her senseless, but that would only show her how easily she affected me. I forced myself to walk down the steps with my head level and my posture calm, as if nothing she said could bother me.

"He was so mad when he saw you yesterday. I don't think that helped." She grinned again as she moved to let me in, pleased with herself. "Let me borrow your kitchen. I picked up some honey, so I'll boil some water and make some tea for us. We could use it." "You're so sweet. Leon doesn't have a clue how to make hangover cures, you need to stay over and teach him a thing or two."

It turned out that she had no recollection of the troublemakers who had gone after us last night. I didn't know if that was good or bad. I was glad she didn't have to remember the terrifying moment when they had grabbed at us, intent on taking what they wanted without our consent, but I didn't want her doing anything risky again for a while.

It felt like a punch in the gut to acknowledge we couldn't do what we wanted solely because there were perverts and rapists who felt entitled to whoever crossed their paths, but I would rather Raf be safe than prideful.

"Honestly, I don't remember anything except that Leon came to get me."

"But you checked to make sure he wasn't hurt or anything, right? This morning?" I frowned as I slid over her mug of honey tea across the table. "There were a bunch of them, and he was holding them off by himself for a solid minute... maybe longer, before Evan came."

"About that." She frowned back and propped her chin up in her hand. "Did you tell him we were going to that bar?" "No."

"You didn't text him where you were later or anything?"

I shook my head, and so did she.

"I don't get it," she mused. "That's so weird that he knew where to find you. Did he put a GPS tracker on your car or something? But we didn't even park close by, either. He would have had to come up the block to find you. He hasn't put a tail on you or anything, right?"

"I don't know. Maybe he's tracking my cell phone." A queasy uneasiness twisted inside me at the thought of it. Was Evan taking liberties with my privacy? He had provided this phone, but even so... "Does Leon track you, too? He found you so fast." "It's the mate bond. He can find me anytime."

"Oh, right." I fell silent for a moment as we both sipped at our tea. But I couldn't leave it alone. I was quick to resume the conversation. "What else does the mate bond let you do? I know it makes a werewolf stronger, right? Like when you fight?"

"Well, sort of. It depends. But there is one thing that's common to any bonded pair. When one's in danger, the other is... powered up, I guess. It sounds dumb when I say it like that, but you saw how Leon was like yesterday, right? You said you'd never seen him like that before. When your mate's in danger, it gives you power like crazy so you can save them. Protect them."

"Oh... I see."

She gave me a sideways look. "There's something else on your mind though, isn't there? Spill. You promised you'd tell me everything, remember?"

"I'm not trying to hide it - I'm just... trying to get up the nerve to tell you."

"Just get it out. It's me, what do you have to pretend to be so cool for? Come on, tell me."

"... I might have kissed Evan last night."

"What!"

"Raf-"

"What! You little-!" She banged her fist on the table and broke out into a sharp peal of laughter, at least until she winced and buried her forehead in her hand to fight off her headache. It took her a moment to regain her bearings. "Claudia, are you in love with him after all?" "I... Maybe I like him. No one's ever cared about me before..."

"But you said you two aren't mates, right?"

"We're not." I looked down at my lap. "And last night might have been a spur of the moment thing. I looked straight at him this morning, and he pretended nothing happened."

"That douchebag. Even Ken wouldn't do that. It would be better if you liked him, probably."

Yeah, probably. Ken might be a player, but he was so kind, and I couldn't imagine him pretending away a kiss. I sighed.

"Raf, do you know Flicka?"

"Flicka, as in Flicka Glilies? Sort of. I know of her, but I don't know-know her. She's the only daughter of the family and she only makes friends with her 'caliber' if you know what I mean. Why?"

"Just, uh, heard the name the other day. Is she... a friend of Evan's?"

"It's not unlikely. They run in the same circles, right?"

She was quick to turn the conversation back around so she could grill me for all the information she could on what had happened between Evan and me. But what else was there to say? Nothing else had happened after that kiss, no matter how much I wished it had.

To stave off both hangover and misery, we watched a movie, had dinner, and talked about anything and everything. I didn't leave until night fell.

On the way home, I couldn't help thinking about Flicka. She had figured out at some point Evan and I weren't mates. How? Maybe... maybe he had told her. Maybe they were closer than I'd guessed. Was that why he hadn't done anything to her for what she had said to me?

I returned to the manor late and hurried to my room, too distraught to deal with greeting anyone. But as soon as I entered, I was met with the sight of a maid packing my things in a luggage case.

"What's going on?" I blinked at her, then at my things spread out over the bed. "Am I am I leaving?"

Sick. Nausea rocked me. Was I being kicked out? Had Flicka done something this morning to convince Evan to get rid of me? I should have known this was coming all along, but-

"Alpha Evan would like you to accompany him on a business trip, Miss Claudia."

"A business trip?"

"I'm going to Dark Moon."

I turned to see Evan leaning against the doorway, arms crossed.

"And you're coming with me, Claudia."