The Hybrid's Mates

*"No."*

It was a simple, yet powerful two letter word, one which was often used to disapprove and disobey. However, for me, it was a word I never had the privilege of uttering, and thus a form of power I could never possess. My whole life I had been taught to be one thing and one thing only- **obedient**. However, this all changed completely the day I turned eighteen, when my world as I knew it shattered completely, and the secrets I thought I knew, became deceivingly truthful lies.

The day started off as any other, with me completing my morning ritual of avoiding conversation with anyone and everyone in the pack by avoiding eye-contact, and then stumbling quickly behind my father so I wouldn't need to speak. My father, the usually friendly Alpha was, however too pre-occupied to carry the burden of making conversation on my behalf and instead held his phone to his ear and silently nodded and uttered:

"Yes."

"No."

"Well, I didn't say she should."

After I attempted to strategically dodge about the fifth person, my father grew annoyed at my shyness and shoved me gently. I looked up at him and judged by his perfectly raised, stern brow that it was a little hint for me to actually speak up. I obeyed, albeit reluctantly and mustered up a smile and a wave.

"Well then, just ensure that everything is ready for tonight. We can't have the other packs coming here and dancing in darkness," he said and then put the phone down and shoved it in his pocket in burning frustration. He turned to me and shook his head saying, "The most powerful Alpha known to werewolf-kind, and I'm stuck here trying to organise tonight's party. Can Jillian not just do her job properly, because I didn't even know what a fricken streamer was until this morning!"

Hearing this, I gave a small smile and said, "I think she might just be a little busy dad. She does have five other children to look after..." I then suddenly fell silent, and he gave me a look of concern.

"What is it Nixxie?" I immediately blushed red at his affectionate nickname which he had said out so loudly. The other pack members chuckled, and I felt a sudden nauseating lurch in my stomach. Slowly I began playing with my fingers, not only embarrassed by the name he called me, but also nervous to voice my own personal feelings regarding this massive party we were going to be holding.

"Dad, I asked you not to call me that in public." I uttered softly.

"Now now little Nixxie, I will call you whatever I want, besides I think it's a cute name. Now, tell me why you fell so silent just now? Is there something wrong?"

I took in a deep breath before looking up and gazing into his intimidating brown eyes. "Do I really have to go to the party tonight, dad? I mean, can't I just stay at home and spend time with you and Ferdinand?"

He raised an eyebrow at me and ran his fingers through his dark brown hair while chuckling. "Of course, you have to be there. It is your eighteenth birthday party and I've invited every single pack here."

"That's the problem..." I whispered under my breath. I'd never been a big fan of having many people around me. Just being around my pack had me in a dreadfully anxious mess. In fact, I preferred the confines of my very luxurious, very safe room in comparison to wild parties. But of course, what my dad said, I obeyed.