Hybrid

Chapter 20

Ben's eyes widen, and he looks to me for confirmation. He grins, looking like he's waiting for someone to laugh and say "Gotcha!" When no one says anything, the grin falls and he asks, "Why would she do that?"

"Because of what I am," I say, rubbing a hand across my forehead. My head is starting to hurt.

"What do you mean 'what you are'?"

"Lacey isn't my birth mom. Dad had a mate before her, and she died giving birth to me because her body couldn't handle carrying a hybrid. Dad's a werewolf, and she was a vampire. Dad never told Lacey, because Lacey hates vampires. She kicked me out when she found out," I explain.

Ben is speechless as he processes all of this. I close my eyes and lean into Max, resting my head on his shoulder. Being near him is enough to calm the nerves building up inside of me. Besides knowing that my dad would never choose Lacey over me, Max is the only thing keeping my together right now.

"She can't do this," Hayden bursts out, anger dropping from his tone. "This isn't fair. Just because you're different from the rest of us doesn't mean you're not part of our family anymore!"

"None of us care if you're half vampire. You're still our sister," Violet follows.

"Nothings going to stop you from being out sister. Not even mom," Lexi says defiantly, a glint of mischief in her dark eyes.

Tears well in my eyes. I don't think they realize how much their words mean to me. The support of my siblings and knowing they love me no matter what gives me a little boost of strength. "I know, you guys, but it was me or Lacey. I wasn't going to make dad choose, and you guys all need your mom."

It's weird to refer to Lacey by her name after calling her mom for eighteen years, but even the thought of calling her mom now is enough to make my stomach turn over. I can tell my siblings are in a similar boat.

"I don't want her here if she's making you leave!" Lexi protests.

"Lexi's right," Ben says, finally speaking up after finding out what's going on. "If she's making dad choose, the automatic choice is you. Mom shouldn't be doing this to you. To any of us!"

"She doesn't realize that we're all on your side," Violet says quietly, wiping away a mixture of snot and tears. "Things aren't going to be the same if you leave."

"I don't have any other choice. The younger ones don't know what's going on. They need Lacey. You guys are old enough to know about all of this, but they're not," I sigh. I lean forward with my elbows on my knees, shoving my face into the palms of my hands.

I hate this. I hate what Lacey is doing to all of us. She's not tearing apart our family; she's unknowingly casting herself out. I don't think she had any idea that over half her children would side against her.

"I love you guys. You're my brothers and sisters, and nothing will ever change that. If I don't leave and Lacey does, though, I won't be able to stop feeling guilty."

My bedroom door swings open, and Ryder struts in. "What the fuck is going on? Hayden texted me and said mom kicked you out," he says, shutting the door behind him harder than necessary. "And who's the new guy?" He leans against the door and gets comfortable, waiting for my answer.

"She did. He's Max, my mate," I say, my voice sounding exhausted. Part of me wants this night to be over so I can curl up in Max's bed with him beside me, but leaving means saying good bye to my family. I know I'll see them again, but it's a bigger deal because I got kicked out.

"Okay. Why did she kick you out?" Ryder asks.

"Here we go again," Levi mutters.

I explain everything to Ryder, and when I get to the part about Lacey telling me to leave, Max grabs my hand in is. I stare at our conjoined hands as I finish the story, not wanting to see what Ryder's face looks like right now. When I finish talking, I close my eyes and rest my head on Max's shoulder again.