CHAPTER 31
ALEXIA P.O.V
"Wakey wakey, birthday girl…"
A smooth voice drifted into my sleep, followed by something freezing cold splashing all over me.
I shot up from the bed.
"What the hell?!"
Clara and Naomi stood there, laughing like two evil hyenas while Clara held an empty bowl in her hands.
"You're both dead," I glared.
"Well, someone refused to wake up," Clara said proudly. "So we had to improvise."
"Oh, you are so going to pa—"
Naomi cut me off.
"How's your head?"
I paused.
Oddly enough… fine.
I touched my forehead, expecting the usual pounding headache, but there was nothing.
"Actually… strangely fine. I feel much better."
"Good," Naomi smiled. "Because we have a lot to do."
I frowned.
"Wait, I thought the party was in the evening?"
"It is," Clara said, throwing open my closet dramatically, "but we need to supervise preparations. You know… make sure your birthday doesn't turn into a disaster."
"I also heard there's going to be a full moon tonight," Naomi added with a grin.
Clara nudged me.
"Lucky you."
"But we haven't had breakfast."
"We'll eat on the way."
"No arguments," Naomi said, dragging me off the bed. "Move!"
Hours later, we arrived at the beach.
And my breath caught.
It was beautiful.
The place looked like something out of a dream—soft lights hanging like stars, elegant decorations flowing with the wind, the ocean stretching endlessly beneath the golden sky.
The cool breeze kissed my skin, and the sound of the waves crashing against the shore made my heart feel strangely full.
"It's perfect," I whispered.
I turned and hugged both Clara and Naomi tightly.
"Thank you. Seriously… thank you so much."
Clara smirked.
"Told you."
By evening, the party was alive.
Music blasted loudly—too loudly—and people filled every corner of the beach.
The sun was slowly setting, painting the sky in shades of orange and gold. It should have been perfect.
It should have been.
"Come on, Alexia!"
Clara and Naomi were already dressed and looked like walking magazine covers.
Clara had her blonde hair tied in a messy bun, her striking green eyes matching perfectly with her emerald dress.
Naomi let her soft brown waves fall freely over her shoulders, her amber eyes glowing under the lights.
Meanwhile, I stood in front of the mirror, staring at myself.
I let my dark hair fall naturally around my shoulders, and for a second…
I almost looked perfect.
Almost.
I touched the sapphire necklace resting on my neck, matching the color of my eyes.
But something felt… off.
I leaned closer to the mirror.
"Guys…"
They turned.
"Does my skin look… paler than usual?"
Clara frowned immediately and walked over.
"Actually… yeah."
She placed her hand on my forehead.
"Your temperature is normal."
Naomi stepped closer.
"And your eyes… they look like the color's been drained out."
A chill ran down my spine.
I forced a laugh.
"It's probably stress. Nothing serious."
Clara crossed her arms.
"After this party, you are taking a break. No arguments. A week off."
She paused.
"No—a month."
I laughed.
"Yes, mom."
"Good. Now let's go."
When I stepped into the party, everyone cheered.
A giant banner stretched across the entrance.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEXIA
I smiled.
"You really went all out, Clara."
But before I could thank her properly, both Clara and Naomi had already disappeared into full party mode.
Typical.
I grabbed a drink from a passing waiter and walked around, greeting familiar faces.
Then I spotted him.
The doctor.
"You came."
He smiled softly.
"Of course. And you look stunning, by the way."
"Thank you."
I smiled.
"I hope you're enjoying the party."
"It's beautiful."
His expression shifted slightly.
"I heard there'll be a full moon tonight."
I shrugged.
"So?"
He looked at me strangely.
"For some people, it's just a moon."
His eyes darkened.
"But for others… it changes everything."
A strange chill ran through me.
"What does that mean?"
He smiled faintly.
"You'll find out soon enough. Enjoy your party, Alexia."
And then he walked away.
Weird.
Very weird.
I was still thinking about his words when I heard a voice behind me.
"Good evening."
I turned.
Tall.
Dark tuxedo.
Dangerously handsome.
And smiling like he knew exactly how attractive he was.
"Good evening," I replied.
"Are you, by any chance, Alexia?"
"Yes… do I know you?"
"Not at all. We literally just met."
I narrowed my eyes.
"Then how do you know my name?"
He pointed at the giant birthday banner behind me.
"Because the celebrant is clearly Alexia… and because you're far too gorgeous to be a guest."
I rolled my eyes, trying not to smile.
"Smart answer."
He took a small bow.
"My name is Dylan."
"Nice to meet you, Dylan."
I offered my hand.
Instead of shaking it, he lifted it and kissed it.
I froze.
Yeah.
Didn't like that.
He was handsome—brown-golden hair, dark eyes, a face carved by the gods themselves—but unfortunately for him, I was not impressed.
At all.
Then my eyes landed across the room.
And my heart stopped.
Asher.
With Julia wrapped around his arm.
My blood boiled instantly.
Why the hell was she here?!
Why would Clara invite her?!
No.
Why was he here with her?
I looked away quickly.
No.
I didn't care.
Absolutely not.
If he could move on so easily, then so could I.
"So, Dylan," I said, forcing a smile, "I haven't seen you around before."
And surprisingly…
Talking to him was easy.
Funny.
Comfortable.
Dangerously distracting.
Soon, we were both laughing.
"Can I just say," he said, stepping closer, "you look like a princess tonight."
I smiled.
"Careful. I might start believing you."
He suddenly bowed dramatically in a terrible British accent.
"Then, Your Highness, may I have the honor of your first dance?"
I laughed.
"Of course, my Lord."
We stepped onto the dance floor.
Then suddenly—
he pulled me closer by the waist.
Way closer.
I blinked, flustered.
Too close.
Definitely too close.
His voice dropped.
"So tell me about yourself."
"You'll have to try harder than that, loverboy."
He smirked.
"Actress?"
"I hate acting."
"Model?"
"High heels are my enemy."
"Influencer?"
"Nope."
He sighed dramatically.
"Come on, give me something."
I shook my head.
Then he asked—
"Do you have a boyfriend?"
I blinked.
"Well, that escalated quickly."
"I'm a fast worker."
I laughed.
"I'm not answering that."
"Even if you do," he said quietly, pulling me even closer, "I'm still going to pursue you."
Before I could respond—
our faces were suddenly inches apart.
My breath caught.
And I felt it.
A stare.
Burning into my back.
I didn't need to turn.
I knew it was Asher.
I stepped away immediately.
"Excuse me."
And left.
Fast.
I found Clara near the drinks.
"Hey!"
"Hey."
I leaned closer and shouted over the music.
"Why did you invite Julia?!"
She blinked.
"WHAT?!"
I shouted louder.
"WHY DID YOU INVITE JULIA?!"
Her expression changed instantly.
"Wait—Julia is here?!"
I nodded.
She looked murderous.
"Who the hell invited her?! I'm about to commit a crime."
"She came with your brother."
Clara groaned.
"Oh no. I'm so sorry."
I sighed.
"It's fine. Let's just survive tonight."
Then she looked up.
"Oh wow… Alexia."
I followed her gaze.
The moon.
Huge.
Bright.
Beautiful.
Full.
And then—
Pain.
Sharp.
Violent.
Explosive.
"AHHH!"
My scream tore from my throat.
My head felt like it was splitting open.
My ears rang so violently I thought they would burst.
I could hear everything.
Everything.
The ocean.
Footsteps.
Heartbeats.
People whispering.
Glasses clinking.
Blood rushing through veins.
My own pulse pounding like war drums.
My body burned.
No—
it was on fire.
My teeth ached.
My bones twisted.
Something inside me was tearing itself apart.
"Alexia?!"
Clara grabbed me.
"Alexia, what's wrong?!"
I couldn't answer.
I could barely breathe.
I covered my mouth in horror as I felt my teeth—
growing.
Sharpening.
No.
No no no—
"Help me—!"
A male voice appeared.
"It's okay. I'm a doctor. I can help her."
The doctor.
Wyatt.
"Please trust me."
Clara hesitated.
Then let go.
And he dragged me away.
Into a room.
The moment the door shut—
I lost it.
I screamed.
But it wasn't human.
It was something darker.
Something monstrous.
"Alexia, calm down!"
I couldn't.
All I could smell—
was blood.
His blood.
Warm.
Alive.
Calling me.
He stepped closer cautiously and pulled out a bag filled with red liquid.
Blood.
He tore one open and poured it onto the floor.
The scent hit me like madness.
I lunged.
But he stepped back and kicked the bag toward me.
I fell to my knees.
Ripped it open.
And drank.
Like an animal.
Like I had never tasted life before.
One bag.
Two.
Three.
I couldn't stop.
I didn't want to stop.
And then…
silence.
My body relaxed.
My vision blurred.
The room spun.
And the last thing I heard—
was footsteps approaching.
And Wyatt's fading voice.
"Everything is about to change, Alexia."
Darkness.
I woke up in my room.
But nothing was the same.
I could hear people talking outside.
Cars moving streets away.
Footsteps downstairs.
Even the tiny ants crawling in the corner of my room.
My vision was sharper.
Too sharp.
Every detail screamed at me.
I sat up slowly.
Terrified.
The door opened.
Wyatt stepped inside.
Tears filled my eyes instantly.
"What is happening to me?"
He sighed.
"Alexia… calm down. This is normal for people like us."
I laughed bitterly.
"Normal?! How is ANY of this normal?!"
He looked at me seriously.
"Because, Alexia…"
He paused.
"You are a Hybrid."
Silence.
Then I laughed.
Actually laughed.
"Good one, doc. Too many horror movies?"
But he wasn't smiling.
Not even a little.
"And why should I believe you?"
Without a word—
his fangs extended.
His claws appeared.
His face shifted, covered with fur.
A monster.
A real monster.
Then he shifted back.
I stared in horror.
He laughed softly.
"Relax. I'm not going to kill you."
I started crying.
Because suddenly—
it was real.
Everything.
Real.
"So… last night wasn't a dream?"
"No."
"Meaning I actually went insane?"
He nodded.
I broke.
Completely.
Sobs tore out of me.
"But I don't understand… in movies, you get bitten first! Why am I like this?!"
"That," he said quietly, "I don't know."
He sat beside me.
"But I will help you through this."
I cried harder.
"Why are you even helping me?"
His expression softened.
"Because I made a promise to Old Man Will."
I froze.
"My grandfather knew?"
Wyatt looked away.
"I can't tell you everything yet."
My heart shattered.
"Alexia… listen carefully. You cannot tell anyone about this."
I stared at him.
"What? No. Clara and Naomi are my family. We tell each other everything."
"This is bigger than friendship."
His voice turned serious.
"The existence of vampires and werewolves has been hidden for centuries. Only a few humans know."
He leaned closer.
"And hybrids?"
His eyes darkened.
"They are hunted."
My blood ran cold.
"Hunted…?"
"Yes."
I couldn't breathe.
"But I trust them."
"I know. But trust can get people killed."
A tear slipped down my face.
He wiped it away gently and stood.
"Get some rest."
"Wait."
He turned.
"Don't call me doctor anymore."
A small smile.
"Call me Wyatt."
I nodded weakly.
"Wyatt…"
I swallowed.
"Was Grandpa… a hybrid too?"
He shook his head.
"No."
A pause.
"He was a sorcerer."
I stared.
"One I deeply respected."
Then he walked to the door.
And left.
I sat there alone.
Broken.
Terrified.
Changed.
Why me?
Why did this have to happen to me?
Was this punishment?
Or was this…
just the beginning?