The Chosen One •

30

🐺 Kun 🐺

The sun had long set, but the field was still alive with wolves sparring and strategizing. The air buzzed with energy, a mixture of fatigue and determination. I'd been out here for hours, pushing myself and the other alphas harder than I ever had before. With more packs joining throughout the day, the stakes were rising.

But my mind wasn't fully here.

Tara had returned hours ago after dropping Isabel off at Mrs. Black's house, but Isa still hadn't come back. I'd called her more times than I cared to admit and sent texts she hadn't answered. If it weren't for Malia picking up her phone and assuring me that Isabel was fine—training on her own, no less—I would've already run to her.

Gray, wasn't helping. He was restless, pacing at the edges of my mind, agitated by her absence.

"She's fine. She's training. Let her be...damn," I told him for the hundredth time.

"She's our mate," Gray growled back. "You're a fool to let her out of your sight."

It took everything in me to focus as we wrapped up for the night. The warriors needed rest before we resumed training at dawn. I gave a final nod to the group, dismissing them, when Jace walked up to me.

"Kun," he started, his tone careful. "You got a minute?"

I looked him over, gauging his expression. Jace was usually lighthearted, but tonight, he seemed... off.

"Yeah," I said. "What's up?"

"Not here." He gestured toward the direction of my place. "It's... private."

I raised an eyebrow but nodded, leading the way. As soon as we stepped into the quiet of my house, I turned to him. "Alright. What's this about?"

Jace ran a hand through his hair, hesitating. "We've known each other for a very long time, yeah?"

"Get to the point, Jace." I growled.

He exhaled sharply. "I've been keeping something from you. Something I didn't know if I could trust you with. But after meeting Isabel, I... I feel like I can now."

At the mention of Isabel, I stiffened. My wolf growled low, possessive. "What does Isa have to do with this?"

Jace held up his hands. "Relax, man. I'm not coming for your mate. Just... hear me out."

I crossed my arms, narrowing my eyes. "Well fucking talking."

He nodded, looking almost relieved that I hadn't thrown him out yet. "I'm a hybrid, Kun."

The words hit me like a punch to the chest. "What?"

"I'm half-witch, half-wolf," Jace admitted. "But I got the wolf side. No magic. Just... the wolf."

I stared at him, my mind racing. "Why the fuck wouldn't you tell me that before?"

"Bro, you of all people know hybrids aren't exactly welcomed with open arms in every pack," he said flatly. "It's not something I can shout from the rooftops. But when I met Isabel, I knew right away."

I froze. "Knew what?"

"That she's one too."

His words made my blood boil. "You're wrong."

"Am I?" he challenged, meeting my glare. "Hybrids have a different scent. Most people can't tell, but I can because I am one. And Kun, Isabel is one of us. She told me herself."
"She... told you?"

Jace nodded, his expression earnest. "Yeah. She trusted me. And I'm trusting you now. Look, I'm not saying this to get between you two. I'm saying this because I don't have a good feeling about these rogue attacks. There's more going on here, and I think Isabel's connected to it."