Page 6 of Beta Hybrid

‘Why are we out here, when Cai and Noah are back at camp?’ I ask.

Lexie blinks at me. ‘Oh, honey, it’s nothing against you. It’s just best to let them sort themselves out.’

I try to hide my frown by turning away. The mountainous oasis really is spectacular, but my gaze lands on a peculiar sight. While some of our pack and coven remain in the convoy of vehicles which brought them here, others have ventured out and wander among us. Jana, Odette and Divina sit together on the grass, heads bent, blonde-pink, sun-gold and obsidian-black.

The Dark Witch raises her head to meet my gaze.

‘She’s a bit scary, isn’t she?’ Lexie says.

Without turning to look at Lexie, I know she means Divina. I shake my head. ‘No. She’s one of us.’ I get up from the table and head over to the witches, leaving the older women behind.

I settle on the grass as they open their little circle for me. ‘I don’t want to be separated from the men to leave them to do manly things.’

Jana’s jaw is set. ‘That’s my girl.’

Odette bumps my shoulder with hers affectionately. ‘Glad to see you’re okay, Zenna.’

‘Thanks,’ I murmur back. ‘Cai talked to me about training. As though I was going to kick some ass, not hang out with all the women-folk as though we’re to have no say in what’s going on.’

Divina bobs her head. ‘Your alpha hasn’t acted this way before.’ Her gaze fixes over my shoulder, and I have a feeling she’s staring down the beta. ‘This pack is not good for our kind.’

‘I think I agree,’ Odette says quietly. ‘The alpha doesn’t like witches. His wife is one thing, but his Second—’ Odette takes my arm, eyes pinched with concern at Savannah’s claw marks. The dried blood.

‘He’d have fought for you,’ Jana muses. ‘Do you think he would have beat Noah?’

Divina clamps a hand down on my friend’s arm. ‘Do not speak this way. Wolves have good hearing,’ she reminds us.

I don’t dare turn to look at Lexie. Instead, I meet Divina’s gaze. ‘I’m Cai’s mate. I want to know what they’re planning. He wants to go after the remaining Origins. We have a vampire captive. I need to be able to fight better.’

‘We have a vampire captive?’ Jana’s eyes widen.

‘For Goddess’ sake.’ Divina drags us all to our feet and we march off into the distance. The moment we pause, she waves a hand, and a wall of black smoke solidifies around us. ‘You must keep your damn mouths shut around unfamiliar faces. These are all werewolves with acute hearing.’ She turns her dark gaze to me. ‘Zenna, of course, you’re right. But I’m hoping our alpha will return and fill us all in, and it won’t be a problem. We don’t have to stay here, and you’re right about his plans, we won’t be.’

Odette hugs herself. ‘Are you sure about that? Alpha left us to go after Zenna.’ She turns her gaze up to me. ‘Everyone understands why, of course, but what if we’re all left behind again? Will he drag us all over the world hunting these Origins down?’

Divina sighs. With another wave of her hand, she crafts a round table and four chairs for us, made out of black smoke. She takes up one seat while the three of us stare for a moment, then follow suit.

Jana brushes her fingers through the edge of her smoky chair. ‘I have to admit, that’s pretty cool.’ She turns her gaze to Divina. ‘Right, so I like you like a tiny bit more now that you helped rescue Zenna, but don’t think I don’t suspect you. I know there’s something in this for you. Being here.’

Odette frowns. The picture of innocence instead of suspicion.

I remember talking with Divina in her home, once, back at Wolf Grove. She had all but admitted that, indeed, there was something advantageous to her helping me. Or at least something she wasn’t sharing. ‘Now’s not the time for that. Divina. I’m not going to be captured again. I got lucky getting out of the Tomb.’ My voice trembles. ‘Teach me to unlock all of my abilities. Every one of them.’

The Dark Witch smiles. ‘You’ll be a formidable beta when I’m done with you.’

Chapter Three

Mordecai

My heart is fucking pounding. I clench my jaw to hide my anger as I stomp after Noah into his cabin behind the array of tents in the encampment. Savannah and Vale size each other up, neither willing to turn their back on the other.

Savannah eventually snarls and steps inside, showing she’s not afraid. That this is her turf.

Noah drags a pair of jeans on and tosses me a pair, too. ‘Sorry about that,’ he says gruffly. He smacks Savannah up the side of her head, a sound like a whimper and a growl hisses through her teeth. I blanch at the abuse, but I’m glad he’s disciplining her. ‘If Lexie hadn’t gotten between us, I don’t think I’d have made a very good impression.’ He huffs a dry laugh and settles at the head of a stout table. He leans back in the chair, showing off his broad chest.

I notice Savannah is welcome, where the rest of the women aren’t. Alpha energy only.

I clench my teeth so hard they crack. Pain washes over me. ‘You let her hurt my mate.’

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