Bound by a Hybrid and a Lycan

Seraphina POV

The dismissal bells rang and without wasting any time, I grabbed my worn-out backpack and walked out of the classroom. Keeping my head down and scuffing my worn sneakers on the dusty path, I made my way through the throngs of students, hoping to leave school quickly and return to the comfort and solitude of my room.

"And where do you think you're going?" A shadow blocked my path, and I took in a deep breath and braced myself. I knew exactly who this was and cursed my luck that I didn't leave sooner. Slowly, I raised my head to see the cruel amber eyes of Ashley staring down at me with a wicked smirk on her face.

She was flanked by her crew members. Six of them. All flashing wicked grins at me.

"What do you want?" I asked in a meek tone.

"What do I want? If I told you what I wanted, could you possibly give it to me? You omega runt." Ashley spat out, and her crew laughed, pointing mocking fingers at me.

I flinched, trying to keep my cool.

This was a routine. They would gang up and insult the crap out of me. If I was lucky, they wouldn't resort to physical bullying, but in the end, they would leave me alone.

"Piece of trash. 19 years of age and you still haven't awakened your wolf. Isn't that sad?" She continued her taunting, touching on a very sensitive topic.

My cheeks heated up in embarrassment, and tears started trickling down my cheeks as Ashley continued to mock me about the one thing that degraded me to the status of omega, the one thing that made me a stain in the Eldrath pack-my inability to have a wolf.

With shaky legs, I tried to shove past them, desperate to get away. But Ashley, in classic bully fashion, stuck out a foot. I stumbled to the floor, backpack flying open, books and parchments scattering everywhere.

"Why are you doing this? Can't you just leave me alone?" I tried to pick myself up, but I was kicked in the gut, sending me sprawling on the floor again.

"Worthless omega trash. I wonder why you even bother coming to our school." Ashley rained more invective on me, and I closed my eyes, trying to zone her out when I heard a familiar voice in the distance.

"Leave her alone, Ashley." The voice of my best friend warned. I looked up to see Tiffany standing next to me, glaring at Ashley.

"This doesn't concern you." Ashley scoffed.

"It does now. Now leave, or I'll put you in your place right now, Ashley." Tiffany's eyes flashed a dangerous crimson, which could only mean one thing-her wolf was livid.

Ashley's eyes held Tiffany's gaze, and the two continued to glare at each other. After a while, Ashley muttered a curse and walked away with her lackeys trailing behind her.

"Are you alright?" Tiffany asked, helping me get off the ground.

"I'm fine," I said, picking up my books and stuffing them in my bag.

"You need to start standing up for yourself. It's because you're so nice that's why they always bully you." She started to give one of her usual lectures on standing up for myself.

I loved her, but I didn't think I would be able to stand up to a bully who has her wolf. That would be suicidal.

"By the way, why don't you report her to your father? You're the alpha's daughter for goddess' sake." She asked.

"My parents don't care about me, Tiffany. I'm an omega, remember? Let's just go home." I replied, laughing bitterly at myself.

Tiffany stared at me with a concerned look before sighing, and together we made our way towards the pack. As we walked, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. Sure, going back to my pack each day was akin to visiting a treacherous desert, but somewhere in that desert, there was an oasis that quenched my thirst with love and care. My heart beat eagerly, thinking of meeting him and burying my head in his embrace.

****

We arrived at the pack gates, and I immediately bade Tiffany farewell. Rushing to my room, I ignored the glares and sneers directed at me by the pack members and locked my door.

I dropped my bag on the floor and undressed quickly. Shedding my uniform, I walked to my wardrobe and rummaged through it before finding what I was searching for-a red lingerie.

"I...I hope he likes it" Heat crept up my cheeks as I slipped into the sexy lingerie and bra. Admiring myself in the mirror for a bit, I covered up with a robe and wore a pair of boots. The sun had begun to set, and the timing was perfect.

Taking a deep breath, I left my room with a single destination in mind-the Beta's chambers. Ignoring the judgmental glares and stares, I made my way silently until I reached the door to his chambers.

"He should be inside. He told me to meet him by this time," I muttered to myself. Taking a deep breath, I knocked on the door. The rhythm of my knocking was a secret pattern he and I had agreed on previously.

I knocked once and didn't get a response. My heart beat wildly as I glanced around nervously, hoping no one was watching.

I knocked again, using our secret pattern, and this time, the door creaked open slightly, just enough for me to see a part of the room inside. I peeked into the room, and to my dismay, it was empty.

"Hello? Asterion, are you here?" I squinted my eyes and called out his name softly. Suddenly, a pair of purple eyes stared down at me. My eyes widened with fear, and before I could react, a strong hand shot out, clamping over my mouth and pulling me inside while shutting the door.

Seraphina POV

"Calm yourself, it's me." Asterion's smooth voice washed away my fears, and I breathed a sigh of relief as he removed his hand from my mouth. I turned around and looked into his unnatural but beautiful purple eyes; they seemed so ethereal, like stars twinkling in the night.

"It's alright. I'm here." His hand found its way to my cheek, and I closed my eyes, leaning into his touch.

"I've missed you," I said, rushing into his embrace and clinging to him.

"I know, I'm sorry it's taken so long for us to meet. I had to take care of some last-minute tasks your father piled up for me," he explained as he stroked my hair.

We broke the hug, and he scanned me slowly, taking in the red lingerie that peeked out from under my robe. I sensed his purple eyes darken with desire, and a blush crept up my cheeks.

"You look..." his voice trailed off as he licked his lips.

"Beautiful?" I offered, shyly playing with the buttons on his shirt.

"Ethereal is the right word." He grinned and closed the gap between us with a deep kiss.

"You shouldn't be wearing things like this around me." He broke the kiss and smirked. "It does things to me."

"Oh. I... I thought you might like it." My cheeks were bright red from embarrassment as I looked down to avoid his gaze.

"Like it? Love it." He grabbed my chin and raised my head gently to look at him. "But first, let's get you out of those clothes, shall we?"

He quickly removed my robe and stood back, taking a moment to admire me in the lingerie. I couldn't help but feel a bit self-conscious under his intense gaze.

"Perfect." He said and closed the distance again, smashing his lips into mine. His kiss was more urgent this time, filled with a desire that made my heart pound against my ribs.

While he ravaged my lips, his fingers skillfully unclasped my bra. Then he scooped me up in his arms and carried me to the bed.

"Tomorrow's your birthday. I have a gift for you, but first, let me make you a woman tonight." He whispered into my ear and laid me on the bed.

I nodded, feeling nervous but also anticipating what was about to come next, and he didn't disappoint as what followed was a night that I would never forget.

******

The soft glow of the moonlight filtered through my curtains and landed on my face at exactly 12 a.m. My eyelids fluttered open, and I rose and stretched my body. Scenes of the intimate night I shared with Asterion flashed through my mind, and a small smile graced my lips.

After we had rounded up our 'activities,' I had sneaked back to my room and fallen into a deep slumber. Why did I wake up at this ungodly hour, you might ask? I didn't know, but since I couldn't go back to sleep, I figured I'd take a stroll around.

"Well... happy birthday to me, I guess," I whispered to myself. Mom and Dad are usually stoic about my affairs, and I couldn't even remember the last time they wished me a happy birthday, so that was canceled. The other pack members were not so different except for Asterion and Tiffany.

Both of them showered me with love and care that I had never gotten from my own biological parents, and I was forever grateful for their roles in my life.

Jumping out of the bed, I made my way to the wardrobe, rummaging through before selecting a simple white dress and slipping into it.

"Time for a walk." I whispered and stepped out of my room. Tiptoeing so I wouldn't make a sound, I managed to make my way out of the Alpha castle into the cool night. The full moon shone in all its glory, and I raised my head up, my lips moving in silent prayer.

"Moon goddess, today's my birthday. I've suffered throughout the years because I have failed to awaken my wolf. Please, hear me and grant my wish for a wolf companion. Hear my prayers and grant me strength, moon goddess."

I closed my eyes, hoping that my prayers would be answered on the spot, but nothing happened. I mean, what was I expecting?

Shaking my head in self-pity, I decided to clear my head by exploring the forest that bordered the pack territory. I reached the forest and continued to walk aimlessly with no destination in mind until I heard some faint sounds coming from a particular direction.

Pausing my steps, I focused my attention, and with an effort, I could hear the sounds of moans and groans coming from a location not too far from where I was.

I should have probably headed home. I should have listened to the danger signs ringing in my head, but for whatever reason, I ignored the signs and walked towards the direction of the sounds, eager to satisfy my curiosity.

The closer I got, the more the moans got even louder, and I was convinced that whoever was making these noises was engaging in some activities of a sensual kind.

Finally, I reached the source of the sounds, which came from behind an underbrush. My heart pounded as I peeked through it to see who it was.

Squinting my eyes, I could make out two naked bodies entangling each other. I focused on their faces, wondering who on earth would be having sex in the middle of the forest, and a gasp escaped my lips when I recognized who these people were.

Seraphina POV

Asterion? Tiffany?" Tears welled up in my eyes as I recognized the people making love right in front of me. I blinked my eyes, hoping this was just an illusion. I prayed that my mind was just playing tricks on me, but alas, it was real.

My best friend, the girl who always had my back, and Asterion, my mate, the man I loved more than anything in this world, were making passionate love under the pale moonlight, completely oblivious to my presence.

A searing pain pierced my heart, and I grabbed my chest with both hands as the tears dripped from my eyes. Never in my life had I expected this. I was the Omega runt of the pack, hated and despised by my parents and pack members alike.

These two were the only people that showed me any semblance of love and care, which made this betrayal hurt like a physical blow, a knife to my heart that stole the air from my lungs.

A sob escaped my lips, and all actions and sounds ceased at that point.

"Who's there?" Asterion growled as he pulled out of Tiffany and snapped his head around, searching for the source of that sound until his gaze landed on mine.

"Seraphina?" he whispered quietly. Tiffany whipped around with a confused look on her face, and her expression morphed into one of horror.

"Se...Seraphina?" Tiffany stood up from the floor and stammered.

"How could you?" I finally managed to croak out as the pain in my chest burned even hotter. This betrayal was killing me inside, and I just wanted to run to a hole somewhere and hide myself from the rest of the world.

Asterion scrambled to his feet and rushed towards me. "Seraphina, it's not what you think."

"Don't touch me!" I screamed, cringing away from his outstretched hand. "How could you do this to me?"

"Let me explain, it's not what it looks like." Asterion insisted as he reached for me again, but a wicked cackle erupted from Tiffany's lips. I looked at her, stunned that she even had the nerve to laugh after I had just caught her red-handed with my mate.

"Oh honey, it's exactly what it looks like." She snorted. Traces of her kind tone evaporated into thin air as I saw who the real Tiffany was.

Asterion snapped back and shot her a glare, but it didn't faze her as her gaze was fixed on me, her lips stretching into a wicked grin.

"Why?" I asked with a broken voice. "Why would you do this to me?"

Tiffany took a step towards me like a predator sizing up its prey. "You were so naive. Did you truly think Asterion cared for a lowly omega such as yourself?"

Her words slapped me hard across the face, and my eyes darted towards Asterion, hoping that he would tell Tiffany off and brand her a liar. I wanted that reassurance that this was just a misunderstanding and he still loved me, but my heart sank as his stoic gaze proved that what Tiffany said was the truth.

"But... but... he's my mate," I whispered to myself, refusing to accept the bitter truth.

"That's what he made you believe, my dear." She bent down and placed a finger on my chin, forcing me to look into her eyes. "He never loved you, Seraphina. We were only after one thing - power."

I felt a wave of dizziness and confusion crash over me. Power? What did she mean? The gears in my mind rotated furiously, and then my eyes widened as I finally decoded what she meant.

"F...father." I stuttered.

"Exactly. You're not so dumb after all." Tiffany chuckled, enjoying the pain her confession caused me. "You are the Alpha's daughter, and what better way to get close to the alpha than through his offspring?"

"Alas though, you proved to be worthless. The spell he cast on you to create the fake mate bond turned out to be a waste of time. Your existence is just too pathetic."

The revelations cut into me like a hot knife through butter. My world, already shattered, was splintered into a million pieces. I didn't know whether I could ever recover from this as the pain was just too much to bear.

"Asterion." I looked towards the man I had thought to be my mate. "Tell me what she says isn't true. Tell me she's lying. Please, say something!"

I screamed at him, waiting eagerly for his response, but my already shattered heart splintered further into atomic bits when I saw an annoyed expression form on his face.

"Seraphina Nyx." He spoke up. "I, Asterion Maverick, reject you as my mate."

Something broke inside me, and the pain I felt earlier multiplied tenfold. I crashed to my knees, clutching my chest and crying my eyes out, hoping the pain would stop, but it only rose, blurring my vision in the process.

"With this, the fake mate bond spell I planted on her should be broken." Asterion whispered to Tiffany.

"You will not succeed." I gritted my teeth and forced myself to stand up. "I will expose your lies, and I will tell my father everything."

With that, I turned around and walked towards the Alpha mansion.

"You won't live long enough to tell anyone." Asterion's emotionless voice spoke from behind me, and before I knew it, his hands wrapped around my throat. I cried out in panic, but his other hand clasped around my mouth, preventing me from making any further sounds.

I clawed at his arm desperately, but against a Beta? It was pointless; he was way too strong. My vision began to tunnel as my consciousness slipped away from me.

"I'm sorry, Seraphina. But you leave me no choice. I have to kill you." He whispered with an emotionless voice, and the horrifying reality finally dawned on me. This was it; I was going to die.

His other hand, the one that had caressed me so tenderly just hours ago, transformed. Long black claws extended from his fingertips, and he drew them back, ready to pierce through me.

"No!" I screamed out in terror, but the voice died in my throat as his claws plunged into my chest. The breath whooshed from my lungs, and terribly agonizing pain followed soon after.

Behind me, I heard Tiffany's wicked laughter echoing in my ears as Asterion dumped my body on the forest floor and made his way towards her without sparing me a single glance.

My vision began to go black, but I gritted my teeth and gathered the last vestiges of strength to lift my face and gaze at the moon.

"Moon goddess, hear my plea. If there's any justice in this world, grant me a second chance. Let me be reborn, stronger, more powerful. I swear on your light, I will have my vengeance. Asterion and Tiffany will pay for their treachery. I will kill them with my own hands."

With those final words, the darkness claimed me, and my world went black.