Chapter 49 Finding the hybrid
Damien’s POV
We dashed into the forest in search of Sera. The forest had a way of telling the truth before words ever did.
Branches leaned inward as we moved, I felt her like a distant pulse under my skin.
Caden walked a few steps ahead of me, shoulders tense, he was just as desperate to find her as I was. He hadn’t said much since the clinic. Everything he felt was written in the way his hands curled into fists, in the way his breathing stayed just a little too shallow.
“Do you think she knows yet?” I said quietly, breaking the silence.
Caden slowed but didn’t turn. “About what?”
“About how loud she is now,” I answered. “About how many people can feel her.”
He stopped walking. I stepped up beside him, scanning the tree line while I spoke. “Sera doesn’t understand the full weight of what awakened.”
Caden finally looked at me then, frustration flaring hot in his eyes. “Damien, she’s running out of time. If she doesn’t choose—”
“Nothing bad will happen to her, I cut in calmly. “But listen to me.”
I met his gaze fully now. “Her choosing a mate isn’t just emotional. It never was. It’s political. It is as old as time. The moment she chooses, alliances will solidify. Enemies will move openly, without any regard. And whoever she anchors to becomes a target.”
Caden’s jaw tightened. “So what, we just stand back and let fate decide?”
“First things first, we have to find her. We protect her. And we make damn sure she gets to choose freely, not because she’s afraid, or because she’s being pressured,”
He exhaled sharply, raking a hand through his hair. “You sound so calm about this.”
I gave a short, humorless smile. “Someone has to be.”
The truth was, I was scared. I was scared of losing the Sera, of being rejected. Of having to fight against her.
We moved again, deeper into the forest. The bond tugged faintly, guiding us east. Every step closer made the air heavier.
“She’s strong,” I said. “Stronger than both of us. She also has support.”
“That’s what scares me. Will she be able to handle the power?” Caden muttered.
A sharp crack sounded close by. It was like a branch had snapped into two.
I shoved Caden sideways just as the bullet tore through the space where his head had been. Bark exploded from a nearby tree. Birds scattered violently into the sky.
“Down!” I hissed.
We dropped behind a fallen log as another shot rang out, closer this time.
I scanned the brush, heart steady, senses stretching outward. It was an enforcer. Definitely not just one, maybe two. They were both nervous. And breathing too fast, that's what gave them away.
A figure emerged from the undergrowth, rifle raised, eyes wide with something between fear and excitement.
“Well I’ll be damned,” the enforcer said, voice rough. “Didn’t expect company. Especially not the company of the two Alphas.”
Caden straightened slowly, fury radiating off him in waves. “What are you doing out here?”
The hunter smirked. “Looking for the deadly hybrid everyone’s whispering about.” His gaze flicked between us. “But I’ll settle for her protectors.”
My stomach tightened. So the search had begun.
“You’re trespassing,” I said evenly. “Turn around and walk away. Forget what you think you heard. We don't want to get our hands dirty.”
The man laughed. “You think I came all this way to walk away empty-handed?”
Caden’s breath hitched. I felt it immediately.
“Caden,” I warned softly.
When the enforcer lifted his rifle again. Caden shifted into his wolf.
Bones cracked and reformed in a blur of motion as he shifted mid-step, the air filling with the sound of tearing fabric and raw power. His wolf burst forward, massive and furious.
The enforcer didn’t even have time to scream.
I turned away as it happened with a wide smile on my face. Served that loser right.
Caden shifted back moments later, breathing hard, eyes still glowing faintly with rage. Blood stained his hands, the remnant of the sharp mouthed enforcer laid scattered on the floor.
“He shouldn’t have been here,” Caden said, voice low.
“I mean, we did warn him. He had it coming,” I replied.
“They are already looking for Sera,” Caden said.
“Yes, and he won't be the last. They will be coming in full force now, once they catch his scent.”
“What do we do?” Caden questioned with uncertainty.
I stepped closer, gripping his shoulder. “Listen to me. This changes things.”
Caden swallowed. “Enforcers don’t move alone.”
“Exactly,” I said. “If one finds her signal this fast, others are already on the way.”
The bond pulsed again, uneasy this time.
“She’s still training,” I murmured. “Still learning control.”
Caden looked at me sharply. “Then we don’t have time.”
“No, we don’t.” I agreed.
I turned toward the direction the bond pulled hardest, the forest parting like it knew what was coming.
“We must find her before they do,” I said. “And then, we shield her from this, long enough for her to stand on her own.”
Caden nodded, resolve burning through the last traces of fury.
“I will protect her, even if it's the last thing I do,” I said, and
looked at him.
Caden nodded, “She must be protected,” she shook hands and walked towards the direction.