The Hybrid Luna

Hey guys, if you haven't read the first book, I suggest you read The Rogue Lycan Princess. But it's up to you. Thanks.

***

SHADOW

"Oh, my Goddess! Welcome back." Kindra, one of my best friends, opened her arms, smiling widely.

Barely stepping out from the backseat of the car, I was already smiling back, hugging her. "Thanks."

"Welcome back, Alpha. The pack was not the same without both of you." Duke, the Beta, went to my husband beside me. It still felt funny calling Califf my husband when the pack preferred mates.

They hugged each other before Duke came to me. "We missed you, Luna."

"I missed you all." I returned the hug and noticed Zack, Lyon, and Kairo were already there, but one was missing. "Where's Tor?"

"Really, Luna? He was the first thing you asked?" Zack pursed his lips playfully.

I rolled my eyes at him as I laughed softly. "Didn't I just say I missed you all?"

"We're happy you both are back, Alpha," said Lyon.

"I know the pack would be in good hands while we were away." Califf snaked his hand around my waist.

"No pack business today, guys. I'm sure they're jetlagged. Let them rest." Duke picked up the duffel from the ground, and the guys went to open the trunk to get our luggage.

"Of course," Kindra agreed, holding my arm as we went inside the pack house. "I can't wait for you to tell me about your honeymoon. Not the juicy part."

"Well, I had fun. So much fun."

Some of the pack members were there to welcome us, and seeing the excitement and joy in their eyes made me feel attacked by all the love around me. It was overwhelming.

To be honest, I still wanted one more week of rest, to lie down on the beach under the sun, and Maldives was such a great place. The ocean was so pristine and calm. The food was delicious.

I never had so much fun in a long time. Califf made our honeymoon so memorable and special. He was nothing but a generous, loving, and thoughtful mate that I dreamed of.

My skin was tan, obviously, and I still had a honeymoon hangover effect, but we had a responsibility to our pack, and Califf had jobs to do.

"Thank you. I'll see you in the morning," Califf told the guys as they brought the bags to our bedroom.

"Let us know if you need anything," Duke said before he closed the door behind him.

I kicked off my shoes, pulled the socks, and threw myself in bed. I was not ready to go back to work. I still wanted to lie down for a while and not think of anything, but this was what I did now- a Luna, a mother to the pack, and a wife to Califf.

I sighed as I shut my eyes close. "Looks like the pack was in good hands while we were away."

"We'll talk about the pack once we get some rest." He sounded tired. Despite having my father's private jet, Califf was already working and didn't get a nap from a long trip back home.

I heard him unbuckle his belt and zip his pants. Seconds later, the mattress dipped, and he joined me in bed.

"You have to take your clothes off-"

"And change to pajamas. I know." I didn't bother to open my eyes, but I was smiling.

"I wasn't suggesting anything, my mate." He placed his hand on my tummy, making me stiffen. I felt it right away. "Hey. No rush, okay?"

Nodding, I opened my eyes because I could feel his gaze on me. "I know. I just don't want to disappoint you."

"Never." He pulled me close so he could wrap his arms around me. He was already shirtless, only in his boxers. His warm body made me feel safe and secure.

"I will give you everything if I can, Alpha. I want you to know that."

"Baby, we have all the time in the world. Maybe there's a reason, and when it's the right time to have a baby, at least we're ready."

"I'm glad we're on the same page."

"We're still in a honeymoon phase. Let's enjoy each other before we suffer sleepless nights from her fuss, feeding, and changing diapers."

I leaned in and kissed him on the lips. "I still can't believe you're mine now, mate."

He chuckled, his eyes twinkling. "We both know I was yours the moment you saw me behind the revolving door."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Yeah. I thought, damn. Who's this guy? He's fucking hot, mysterious, and deadly."

"Hot, huh?" He sounded amused as he cocked a brow.

"Yeah. And you're fucking mine, Alpha."

"Well, then. Let's fuck before we get some rest." He tightened his arms around me, eyes not blinking, searing me with intense gaze.

"No, Alpha. You need to rest. You look tired, and what was that you were working on that couldn't wait?"

"Business, baby, for our future."

"Don't work too hard. I need a strong husband, not an alpha and a boss."

"Noted."

I pulled away from him and got out of bed.

"Where are you going?"

"To change to pajamas. The ugliest pajamas I have."

"Do you think it turns me off if you put on a burlap sack?" He laughed. His voice was rich. I could feel him in my thoughts. He was happy, and that made me happy, too.

I pulled out the drawer and grabbed a pair of blue pajamas. "I was hoping to turn you off so we can get some rest and have energy for tomorrow. I'm sure you have a lot of work to do, and so do I."

"Just put the thing on and come back to bed."

"Let me brush my teeth first." It was my excuse to get to the bathroom. Once I got there, I checked the highlights on my hair. My hair grew an inch, but nothing had changed- a constant reminder that I had to train my gift.

"What's wrong?" Of course, he followed me.

I couldn't help but steal glances at his remarkably fit body, those bulging biceps, eight packs abs, and those damn strong thighs.

It never failed to amaze me how stunning he was, and he was mine. Even if I already tasted and touched every inch of his body, I still couldn't get enough of him. Whether it was a bond thing or I just loved him, he was still the hottest and the most devastatingly handsome man I'd ever met.

And those incredibly piercing and penetrating silver-gray eyes- until the realization hit me- my cheeks flushed as he caught me staring at him because I was too preoccupied staring at my Adonis, who just confidently stood there with a smirk.

"Don't look at me like that if you don't wanna get fucked, mate," he said affectionately, even if there was a word fuck involved.

I felt suddenly naked, and no one had ever looked at me the way he did with such raw and unwavering intensity of desire.

I forced myself not to roll my eyes. "Then put some clothes on, Califf."

"Are you really that tired?"

I faced him. "No, Alpha. You, on the other hand, even if you have the stamina of a stallion, you need to rest."

"Okay, but what's bothering you?" His dark brows drew down.

I met him in the eye. "What do you mean?"

"You came here to check your highlights. Do I need to worry? Do you wanna talk to Zarah tomorrow?"

"No, and no. I didn't use my gift." I shrugged. "But, I don't know. I thought, maybe since the High Priestess permitted me to use my gift once I'm done with my training, I was hoping these highlights would be gone too."

He nodded in understanding. "You can ask Zarah if it goes or is permanent."

I sighed. "I bet it's the latter, but I'm okay with this. It doesn't look so bad."

***

I woke up to the kisses on the back of my neck and a hand cupping and kneading my breast. And my body was instantly on fire. I whimpered and instantly aroused.

Pressing his face against my head, he whispered, nibbling the soft shell of my ear, "Baby, I know you are wet. I really want you," His voice was groggy, yet the sound shot through my veins like a drug. His cock was stiff, rocking slowly against my lower back.

My pulse went haywire.

"Take me." I lifted my leg, giving him access. I skimmed my hand between my thighs and traced my finger on my clit. I gasped in response and shuddered as I rubbed my fingertip along my sensitive nub and wet slit.

"I feel you, baby." His voice had turned husky. Califf felt it, too, rocking his hard erection against my ass with a gratifying groan.

Guiding it into my slit, I pushed my ass back, turning my head as an invitation to kiss me. I opened my mouth. He didn't disappoint me, claiming me, kissing me greedily, and plundering me with his tongue.

With a single slide, he was in, making me mewl in satisfaction.

"Fuck." Groaning, he pinched my nipple and began thrusting in and out at a slow rate until he slammed so hard that I wasn't prepared for the force of it.

CALIFF

The door swung open to my office. My father walked in with a wide smile.

Months had passed, and I still tried to wrap my head around that Shadow risked her life to heal my father despite what he did to her parents and her old pack. I could never repay her, and the only thing I could do was give her my unconditional love and treat her as my queen.

"Dad." I rose to my feet and met him halfway. "What are you doing here?"

"Welcome back, son." He pulled me into a hug with a back tap.

"Thank you."

"Where's your wife?" He looked around the office and didn't find Shadow.

"She's with Kindra, sorting out the infirmary supply. How's mom?"

"She's knitting."

"Knitting?" I sat back. A hint of laughter from me made Dad shrug as he sat across from me.

"She's excited to receive the good news."

I sighed as I rested my back. "She might be disappointed. And please, don't ask Shadow. We've talked about having children, but it started to get into her head, and she began stressing. I don't want her to make it her priority. I'm okay to wait for a few years, or at least when the house is done."

"Good. Good." Dad nodded.

"Now, tell me, what's this visit all about?"

"I met Sebastien last week. He also wants to be a grandfather."

"Of course." I was forced not to make an eye roll. "He wants to expand his kind. That's what he and Shadow fought about when they first met, but I think he has a change of heart. I start to think that he may care about his daughter, and he hasn't broken his words."

"I think so. In his own way, he wants to be a good father to Shadow. So as Alexander." He stood up.

"You're leaving?"

"Well, I'm sure you have a lot of things to catch up on. I don't want to take so much of your time. Come and visit us once in a while. And tell Shadow that I dropped by."

Before my father could go to the door, it opened wide, revealing my beautiful wife.

"Waylon, what a surprise?"

"Hey, honey." They kissed cheek-to-cheek. "How was the honeymoon?"

"Great and short." She laughed, eyes twinkling. "How are you?" She strolled her gaze at my father from head to toe.

"Never been better. I never used that wheelchair again. It's a miracle, honey."

"I'm glad to hear that. It's all worth my highlights." She was still smiling. "How's Eleanor? I missed her."

"I was just telling Califf to come and visit us."

"We will once we're done with our pending works. I still have a lot to catch up on and learn, but baby steps."

"Then I should be going. I just came to check up on both of you."

"Take care," I said as I came beside Shadow.

Once my father was gone, I wrapped my arms around my mate, inhaled her scent, and kissed my mark on her neck. "How are you?"

"I'm good. You should go back to work."

"Why are you pushing me hard to work, baby?" I tried hard to sound gloomy.

"I still have a lot to learn about being a Luna, Califf."

"Hey." I forced her to face me. "This is a long-term job. Just like being a mother." Shit. She instantly pursed her lips. "I mean, you have me to help you out. If any of the pack members need your help, then help them, guide them, and give them advice. The rest is my job."

She took a deep breath. "I'm just trying to familiarize myself with my job descriptions. Anyway, Duke has the infirmary stock request. Tomorrow, you will get the budget request from the kitchen."

I couldn't help but smile and be proud of her. "You did that in just two hours?"

"Well, it's almost the year's second quarter, Alpha."

"I'm proud of you, baby." I cupped her face and kissed her lips. "Truly. You're my Luna."

She frowned. "Why? You're doubting our mate bond or my capability."

"Don't ever say that." I traced her chin with my thumb. "You know, I never doubted the first time I sniffed your scent. I just tried to fight it because I was not ready to have a mate, but I never regretted my decision to have you in my life."

"Well, don't be dramatic." She went to sit on the chair and took her phone.

I sat back in my chair and reviewed my investment report at Alpha Knight's winery. "With whom are you chatting?"

"Jealous?" she asked, her gaze was still pinned on the screen.

"If you're chatting with a guy, yes."

"Yes. I'm chatting with Zack," she answered instantly.

"About?"

She met my gaze. "If Zarah won't make a portal, I have to travel with Zack. I'm one hundred percent sure you won't allow me to drive alone. Am I right?"

"Yes. And I'm confident Zack will take his own life if he puts yours in any harm's way."

"It won't come to that."

"Have you talked to Zarah?"

"She hasn't replied to my text."

I nodded. "I don't like the idea of you traveling long hours even if we already eliminated the threats."

"There can be another one. Maybe humans, something like in Wrong Turn movies."

"Really, baby?" I squinted, smirking. "That's what you scared about? A half-Lycan, half-witch is scared of human traps?"

"Those are deadly." She shrugged and paused. "Zack, come in."

I shook my head in amusement. She really had way better senses than all of us. I could only do that with concentration, and it was just normal for her, and she could do more good to the pack once she mastered her gift.

Zack walked in. "Alpha, Luna."

"You will keep her safe for me."

He sat next to Shadow. "With my life."

"Please, stop it. I can take care of myself." She rolled her eyes but didn't take her gaze off the phone screen.

"No doubt, but it's part of my job, and don't insult my capability, Shadow."

She laughed, offering him a fist bump. "We're a team, Zack. I would never do that."

He fistbumped with her. "So you're going to practice your gift?"

"That's the plan, but Zarah might have Coven work today."

"Well, I'm just a link away."

"How's the patrol duty, Zack?"

"So far, no incident, Alpha. Boring. Did Lyon report yet?"

"He'll be here in a few hours. How's Duke while I was away?"

"Less scary, but everyone respects him as the Beta. And he's reliable. Kindra is good at her job, too."

"No incident, accident, fights while we were away?"

"Nothing, Alpha."

"Huh?" Shadow turned her head at Zack and looked at him. "Given that you guys are the best walking Google and TMZ, nothing really happened for two weeks?"

"I pretend not to be insulted, Shadow, but I told you."

"How's the training of the two bullies?"

"Oh, they're fast learners. I guess they learned their lessons and respect you a lot now," he told Shadow with a smile. "I mean, they couldn't stop talking about that day when you told them to fight alongside us."

Shadow smiled. Pride appeared in her eyes. "Homer and Rocket said that?"

"Yup. And trust me. They will catch a bullet for you," said Zack.

"I hope it won't come to that. They're good kids."

"Alpha, we have a situation?"

"What?" I was already on my feet when Lyon's voice came right to our pack link. The images of blood and deaths and the aftermath of Keane's actions flashed back in my head, almost making me dizzy.

"What's wrong?" Shadow and Zack asked in unison.

"I'm here on the site, Alpha. I saw the claw marks on the chest before the new sheriff covered the body. It's not a bear attack or a work of a human."

"There's a new sheriff in town?" I asked in surprise.

"Yes," Zack answered. "Sheriff Carter Wade."

"Come back to the compound. I want you to tell me everything."

"On my way."

When the link cut off, I met Shadow's gaze. I went silent for a moment, wondering how to tell her. I didn't know how to break the news. To be honest, everything that happened in the past was still raw, and I didn't want another attack or dead bodies piling in my backyard.

"There's been an attack."

"Not again."

"By a werewolf?" Zack asked.

"Possibly. And the victim is human."

"Shit."

SHADOW

"I can't believe this is happening." I slumped my butt onto the couch.

"This is different, Shadow," Lyon said as he sat on the chair across mine.

I wasn't convinced because I felt it was a déjà vu all over again. It had been months since the attack at the compound, and I hadn't fully recovered from what we lost- our fallen. I was still visited by that nightmare of watching Zack dying in my arms. I couldn't go through that again.

"Hey." I felt Zack's hand on my knee, causing Califf to groan. In an instant, his hand was gone. "No one would ever cross Alpha. This is not a work of our pack."

"How do you know it's not one of us?" I looked him in the eye. He was worried.

I felt everyone's emotions- they were all worried. They knew we were all in danger if someone would make such a ruthless attack on a helpless human.

"Unless someone catches a virus, no one will do it intentionally. Everyone knows the punishment is death," Lyon said promptly.

Califf hadn't said a word, but I felt his eyes on me as he rounded to sit on his desk. I lifted my chin, meeting his gaze. "What's on your mind?"

"I don't know who would hurt a human, but I will find out, and if someone from our pack did this, he would pay a merciless death. I will make sure of it." His voice dropped icy cold. His jaw locked, and I could feel his anger radiating through him.

I touched his knee. "After what happened months ago, no one would ever try to cross you, Alpha. Relax. Your anger is brewing through you. It's affecting me."

A soft knock interrupted us.

"Come in," he said dryly.

Zack and Lyon stood up.

Duke emerged. "Sheriff Carter is here, Califf." He did not use the word alpha.

The sheriff- the new sheriff was here? I shut my mouth close.

"Relax," Califf said through our link. "Let him come in."

The sheriff walked in, in uniform, with a hat and an envelope in his grasp. He was medium built in his thirties, blond with brown eyes.

"I'm Sheriff Carter Wade." He offered a handshake.

"Califf Stone." My mate gripped his hand.

"You have a pretty strong grip there, Mister Stone," the sheriff said confidently. His heartbeat, on the other hand, beat so fast.

"I do extensive workouts. This is my wife, Shadow, and my associates, Lyon and Zack, and you've met Duke."

"Yeah. I saw Lyon earlier at the crime scene."

"Please, have a seat." Califf motioned.

"I'm good. I wanna speak to you in private. If you don't mind."

"Is it okay if my wife stays?"

"Of course."

Califf nodded at Lyon. Zack and Duke left, and Lyon followed, closing the door behind them.

Once we were alone with the sheriff, Califf said, "I heard what happened outside my property."

"Let's cut to the chase, shall we?" The sheriff began, making me swallow. "I know what you are."

"Excuse me?" My back stiffened at his words. My heart beat uncomfortably fast. I thought I was going to have a heart attack before the sheriff.

However, Califf didn't even react as if he heard that every day. My heart was still in my throat when he asked coolly, "What do you mean, Sheriff?"

"You're a werewolf. An Alpha." And then he looked at me. "And she's your Luna."

Califf laughed flatly. "A what?"

"I'm not here to cause you any trouble. My guess is the PD in town doesn't know what you are. Me, on the other hand, I've met and have friends of your kind."

"If you're here to talk nonsense, I have no time to waste, Sheriff, but if you want to ask about the incident, my family and I will cooperate with you because the last thing I want is to involve the people I protect with murder."

"I know Alpha Knight. I came from California. As I said, I'm not here to make any trouble. I know what you guys are capable of. The last thing I want is to get myself shredded to pieces. Trust me. The first time I found out about your existence, I couldn't sleep for days, but I got used to the fact that werewolves, witches, and vampires exist. Call Alpha Knight if you have doubts, and I know werewolves are protective and cynical."

"What do you want?" Califf's voice was firm and deadly. He showed no emotion, much less enthusiasm, that a sheriff knew our existence.

"Cooperation. That's all. I will leave you in peace. I just want to know who killed Jesse Miller. We both know for a fact that it was not an act of humans unless someone has an artificial Wolverine's hand. Then that ruled out as murder."

"I will hold myself accountable if my family has involvement with that brutal killing. We may have beasts inside us, but we have laws to uphold. And trust me, if proven guilty, I will hand them to you. You have my word."

"I heard good things about you. I wouldn't have come here if you were not a good man, Alpha Califf. I trust your judgment, and you would do the right thing if a member of your pack did it."

"Like I said. You have my word." His tone remained hard and cold. He didn't even blink.

"Your secret is safe until I die." He stood up. "Mind if I ask you something?"

"Go ahead."

"Does any of you catch a virus?"

"Me and Shadow just arrived yesterday from our honeymoon, but I haven't received a report of someone catching a disease."

"Congratulations."

"Thank you, but why you were asking about a virus?"

"I'm not accusing anyone of anything. I'm just investigating what happened, and I didn't want to get another report of a dead body. I hope you understand. I just want to know if anyone here is sick."

"I will let you know if someone catches a virus. And I understand, considering it happened near my land. Are you sure it's not a bear attack?"

"I'm sure Lyon told you the extent of the injury. The laceration."

"We were attacked a few months ago and have refugees with us. The tendency of getting attacked outside my territory is considerably huge. But I will be honest if I get a report from my doctor."

"Thank you. Feel free to contact my office if you find something."

"Sheriff, mind if we see a picture of the corpse?" I asked.

"Of course." He opened the envelope and handed me the copies.

I took them from him. The first picture was the whole body. The man was around his thirties, medium build, wearing a white shirt and a dark brown leather jacket. His body was filled with blood.

I forwarded the picture to Califf and looked at the second copy taken in the morgue. The dead body was shirtless, showing substantial claw marks on his chest. I swallowed hard as I remembered the picture of Kent thrown at me in that confinement.

"Are you okay?" Califf asked.

"Yeah. It reminds me of Kent," I said via the pack link and gave him the picture. "Looks familiar?"

He breathed through his nose and nodded. "Yeah."

"Are you sure this man is human?" I asked the sheriff.

"Yes."

"How do you know he's not a werewolf?" Califf asked.

"No one came to claim. Usually, you guys don't come alone. I see authority when I see one. I recognized your Beta instantly, and of course, you, Alpha."

"Why would someone do this to him? What did he do?"

"I have no idea. I'll be checking if he has criminal records. I sent a picture to Alpha Knight, but he didn't recognize him either."

"Knight is a good man. He's my ally."

"Yes, he is. He said good things about you and warned me not to cross you."

"As long as you won't hurt my people, we're good."

"I won't dare unless I have a good reason. And I don't think someone will believe me if I say you're a werewolf." Sheriff Wade chuckled.

I gave back the pictures. "We'll do our best to help you find who did this. This could be just an accident or just the beginning. This incident can be a threat to us, too."

"Since I can't prove anything, I will rule this out as an animal attack, but help me find out who did this."

"I give you my word, sheriff. This incident is also unsettling."

"Thank you."

Once the sheriff's car left, I grabbed my phone and dialed Zarah. This time, she picked it up.

"How's the honeymoon?"

"Good to know that you're not having Alzheimer's." I inhaled a noisy rush.

"Imagine the odds, but I have coven duty, Shadow." She sounded bored.

"What about my training?"

"You will start on Monday. Why are you calling me?" She hooted. Gee. She could be so cold and mercenary sometimes.

I rolled my eyes. "Do you know any werewolves have caught the virus recently?"

"No. Why?"

"A dead human with claw marks on his chest found outside our territory."

"Are you sure it's not done by one of you?"

"I'm not sure, but why would they do that?" I heaved a sigh.

"I don't know, Shadow. When was the last time you talked to your father?"

"Last week. Why?"

"Is your mate with you?"

"I'm listening, Zarah," Califf interjected.

"Be careful. Both of you. Warn your pack."

My shock was so great I gasped. I took a moment to reorient with her warning. "About what? You're scaring me." I felt goosebumps erupt all over my skin. My wolf instantly became agitated with that kind of warning.

"Warn your allies. That incident could be a bait to prevail your existence, Alpha."

My throat tightened as I listened to her. I barely blinked. I even forgot how to breathe.

"What do you mean, Zarah? Care to elaborate?" His tone turned hard.

"I thought Alpha King informed you. He said he didn't want to alarm you while you were on your honeymoon and rush you to go home."

"What is it about?" Califf finally toned down as he felt my emotions everywhere.

"There have been attacks in the south three weeks ago. They were targeting werewolves. Two alphas were dead, and betas and some members were burned beyond recognition in their wolf forms before they could shift. Just be careful."

"Oh, my God." I jerked as I felt a hand on my back, turning my head at Califf. "Who would do something like that?"

"Hunters."