Project Hybrid

Version 2 | Chapter 5: Welcome to the Resistance

My useless heart nearly beat out of my chest. 

My eyes traced each glittery intersection of the lattice pattern of the black cloak. The cloak's hood spilled over most of the face of the figure who guarded the door. It rested above their small chin. The bright glow of the full moon in the dark sky above us revealed the hue of their chin to be tawny. 

Whoever was hiding under the dark hood was a werewolf who forsook Howl Falls. The desire to know was eating at me as I stood there, reluctantly holding Athan's hand while the rest of the Solanos were far behind. 

You will not let go of my hand if we do this, Athan had said. It was one of his conditions for allowing me to venture out of the house. His other condition: I wasn't allowed to ask who the members of this group were before I met them.  

I couldn't take it any longer. "Remove your hood, please," I blurted out. 

"Beatrice." There was a certain coldness to Athan's voice that made me smirk. "Let the wolf be." 

It didn't matter. The figure reached up. Their leather-covered fingers tossed the black hood against their back. Silk, raven curls spilled down her heart-shaped face. Those familiar eyes—the blue-gray irises framed in almond-cut sockets—probed me with a sense of shame. 

"Keanna?" I shook my head. No. My vision began to blur into a watery sight and a sensation of heat took over as I nearly choked on my words. "How? Why? When?" 

"Bea." Keanna reached out for my hand, but I flinched. She pulled away with a pout. 

"No." I glanced into Athan's eyes as if to ask for permission. When he responded with a soft nod, I yanked my hand out of his. One second, I was focusing on Keanna as if sharpening her like a knife; the next, I had her pinned against the bricks. My heart, finally useful, was racing against my chest. My breath was heavy. "What the fuck did Howl Falls ever do to you? Your family is privileged. Your inherent sixth sense is needed by the elders." 

"What didn't they do to me?" Keanna's heavy chest heaved with a humph. "If hadn't left, I would be dead. Wolves like me—mateless and infertile—are disposed of in Howl Falls." 

Gasping, I released my hold on Keanna. "Why didn't you tell me?" 

"I would have," Keanna explained, "but I raided my family's liquor cabinet after they refused to hide me. Inebriated, I came to tell you that I was leaving, but then I saw you with Rylan, and I panicked." 

My chest was still heavy with each breath I took. "And what—" 

"No more questions," Athan interjected. His palm covered my mouth. 

In the background, I heard the storm of personality approaching us from behind. There was laughter, groans, grunts, and an exchange of words that went at the speed of light. 

"I hope they don't make us wear those weird cloaks." This came from Calamity. 

I turned around to see Athan's siblings emerging from a distance. "Knowing them, we probably will." Such words belonged to Aurelia. 

"I like the cloaks." Caleb's words were loud and buoyant as they were only a yard away from Athan, Keanna, and me. 

"You fools," Keanna called out with a bouncing laugh, "hurry up! You're already late." 

In the flash of an eye, the four siblings were standing next to Athan and me. Keanna seemed to scan us all before she reached for the metal handle.

"We're all here." 

As the last word left Athan's mouth, Keanna opened the door. Bright, orange light spilled over the pavement. She disappeared into the light. 

I lunged forward. My feet were against the threshold. The orange light unraveled into a winding pathway of carpeted steps girdled by clay walls. Down one step, an echo carried to the bottom of the stairs. Behind me, I heard a shuffle of footsteps approaching the door.