Chapter 19: Part 19

The night was cold, the moon hanging low in the sky like a watchful eye, but the hunger within me was far more consuming than any chill could ever be. I could feel it growing, clawing at my insides, the thirst for blood becoming unbearable. But it was something I couldn't openly acknowledge. My pack understood, but they never asked. They knew the struggle, the hunger I carried inside me. They knew better than to question it, and I appreciated their silence.

—

The next morning, we gathered for a meeting—an important one. The Alpha of the Silver Ridge Pack, Damon, had called us all to discuss the future of our alliances and the tensions with the rogue packs that had been creeping closer to their lands. As usual, the room was thick with the voices of Alpha-level pack members, each one waiting for me to speak.

I had slipped away before the meeting had even begun.

Instead of sitting in the crowded, stuffy meeting room, I was out in the woods, hunting. The forest embraced me, the wind whipping around me, the earth beneath my feet grounding me. But most importantly, it was quiet. Peaceful. I needed this.

I felt the familiar rush of power surge through me as I tapped into the elements. The earth beneath me responded, cracking and shifting as I moved, drawing on the strength of the air around me. But it wasn't just the elements I was focusing on—it was the pull inside of me, the gnawing need for blood.

But I wasn't hunting for a meal, not the way most would. My pack knew better. Kian, Nova, and even luca—none of them asked questions anymore. They simply accepted that I needed time to manage this hunger in my own way, away from prying eyes.

Hours later, when I returned to the house, the meeting was still going on, but I could sense the tension in the air. My absence hadn't gone unnoticed, but it was hardly a concern. The pack had learned to cover for me, to shield me from unnecessary attention.

I found Kian standing near the door, her dark, curly hair pulled into a loose bun, her arms crossed over her chest. She looked at me with a knowing glance.

"You're late," she said, her voice low but not scolding.

"I needed the time," I muttered, brushing past her.

Kian simply nodded, falling into step behind me.

As I walked into the living room, the air shifted. My pack was sitting in a semi-circle, their heads turning to acknowledge me, but no one spoke. There was an understanding in the room, a quiet agreement that I would return when I was ready. The pack was always supportive, even if it was a silent support.

"Everything alright?" Nova asked, her red hair shimmering in the dim light as she looked up at me.

I gave a half-smile. "Everything's fine. Just needed a break."

Nova didn't question me. She knew.

The meeting eventually wrapped up, and as the pack began to disperse, I felt the pull of something else—a shift in the atmosphere. Luca was standing off to the side, his hands tucked into the pockets of his jacket. He was always calm, always measured, but there was something else about him. Something that I couldn't quite place, but it made my skin prickle in the best way.

Luca was a hybrid too. A wolf and vampire, just like me. It was a part of who he was, and I had known it the moment I laid eyes on him. He was someone who understood the struggle, the need, without me having to explain.

"You didn't go to the meeting," he said, his voice low as he approached me.

"Didn't feel like it," I said simply, trying to keep my emotions in check.

Luca tilted his head slightly, studying me. "I figured you'd slip out. You always do when things get too... heavy."

I didn't respond immediately, not because I didn't want to, but because it was the truth. I couldn't deal with the politics of the pack, the alliances and rivalries. Not when my blood was at war with my mind.

"So, where'd you go?" Luca asked, crossing his arms.

I didn't want to talk about it, but I could see that he wasn't going to let it slide. "Hunting. I needed to get away for a while."

Luca nodded, as if that was enough for him. "I get it."

He didn't push any further, though there was something in his eyes that made me feel like he knew exactly what I was dealing with. He knew the hunger—the craving for blood. He understood the struggle.

Later that night, Kian and Nova came to find me again, this time with a more casual air. The pack had gone to bed, and there was a sense of quiet in the house.

"I know you've been sneaking away," Kian said, standing by the door, her voice almost a whisper. "It's getting harder, isn't it?"

I nodded, not needing to say a word.

"Just... don't push it too hard," Nova added, her tone gentle. "You're not alone in this."

I met their gazes, seeing the concern in their eyes, but also the understanding. They were my pack, my family, and they would always have my back. They never questioned me, even when I needed space, even when I struggled with things I couldn't explain.

"I'm fine," I whispered, though I knew they saw through the lie.

"I know," Kian replied softly, and she gave me a reassuring smile.

But the truth was, I wasn't fine. The hunger was worse than ever, gnawing at me from the inside. I couldn't ignore it much longer.

And that scared me.

As the days passed, I spent more time in the woods. I wasn't just hunting for sport anymore—I was hunting for something deeper, something I couldn't put into words. The blood was calling to me, and it was all I could do to ignore the urge.

It was becoming more difficult to maintain control. More difficult to keep the truth hidden.

But I had to. I had no choice. The pack depended on me.

But the pull of it was always there, whispering to me, reminding me of what I was. A hybrid. A wolf, a vampire—something more, something dangerous.

And Luca, with his quiet understanding, was the only one who seemed to know exactly what I was going through. But he didn't push. He never asked me to explain. He just... let me be.

"I know what you are, Rae," he said one evening, his voice barely above a whisper. "I always have."

I turned to face him, startled. "What do you mean?"

"You think I don't know what it feels like? To crave something you can't control?" He took a step closer, his dark eyes steady on mine. "I've been there. I know how it feels."

I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. I didn't have to explain myself to him. He already understood.

And maybe, just maybe, that was enough.

"Don't worry about it," Luca said, his voice reassuring. "We'll figure it out, Rae. Together."

And for the first time in a long while, I didn't feel so alone.