CHAPTER 39
ALEXIA P.O.V
"Where are you?"
"Almost there. Just give me ten more minutes."
It was the day of Hayden's wedding, and Clara and Naomi were already there, urging me to hurry. I would've arrived earlier if Snowy hadn't ruined the shoes I planned to wear. I had to order new ones, and of course, the delivery system decided to be slow today of all days.
So yeah… I was very late.
Luckily, I arrived just as the couple were exchanging their vows. At least I didn't miss that.
"Where were you?" Clara asked immediately as I sat down.
"Something came up."
"Aren't they adorable?" Naomi sniffed, clearly emotional.
"I didn't think she'd be this pretty," Clara commented.
"So you were expecting an ugly duckling?" Naomi shot back.
"No, not ugly—don't twist my words! I just thought she'd be… normal." She paused, then groaned. "Ugh. Look who's here."
I followed her gaze and spotted Julia strutting in, looking as snobbish as ever. Her dress was… barely there.
What is she even doing here? I thought.
And Asher wasn't with her.
That's a good thing… right?
"Let's ignore her," Naomi said.
"I couldn't agree more," I muttered, grabbing a drink from a passing waiter.
We continued chatting until the bride prepared to toss the bouquet. I wasn't interested, so I kept talking—
Until chaos broke loose.
The flowers landed perfectly in Clara's hands.
Her face twisted in pure horror.
"Take it! Take it! I don't want it!" she screamed, tossing it to Naomi.
"And what makes you think I want it?!" Naomi yelled, throwing it straight at me.
"No way I'm getting married!" I tossed it back.
Gasps filled the air as we continued passing the bouquet like it was cursed.
Eventually, I bolted.
And ran straight into someone.
"Hey, watch it!" he snapped.
That voice—
"Tyler?!"
"Sweet cheeks," he smirked, "why are you running like you're in a marathon… at a wedding?"
I ignored his sarcasm and hugged him tightly.
"What are you doing here? Don't tell me you're aspiring to get married too."
"Yuck. Why would I burden myself like that?" he scoffed. "I'm here to settle something with someone… and I heard they'd be here."
"I hope that doesn't involve guns," I said cautiously.
"They might."
"Tyler!" I smacked his leg—harder than intended.
"Ow! Alexia, are you trying to cripple me? Since when did you get this strong?!" he whined.
"Sorry. But you still deserve it for destroying my kitchen."
"Oh, that?" he grinned mischievously.
"Come on, sweet cheeks. Admit it—the food was great."
"Ugh… fine. That's why I'm letting you off the hook."
"And I appreciate that." He leaned in, kissed my forehead, then pulled away. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got someone to meet."
And just like that, he disappeared.
"Who's that?" Clara asked, suddenly beside me.
"I hope those flowers aren't with you," I said warily.
"Nope. A sweet girl saved me from them. Now answer me."
"My friend."
"You never told me you had a friend like that."
"Tyler prefers a low profile."
"That's his name?" she asked.
I nodded.
"Will you introduce us?"
I frowned. "Clara, don't tell me you like someone you don't even know."
"Maybe not… maybe yes."
"Clara…" I warned.
"Fine, forget it." She shrugged, then smirked. "Hmm… looks like my brother decided to show up late. Show-off."
I turned—
And there he was.
Asher.
Looking… unfairly handsome.
I couldn't look away.
"Alexia!!"
"Y-yeah? What?"
"What are you staring at?"
"Nothing. What were you saying?"
"I said Julia doesn't seem to be talking to Asher. Looks like something happened between them. Let's go taunt her."
"Yeah… you two go ahead. I'll pass."
"Since when do you avoid fights?" Clara raised a brow. "Whatever."
"If it isn't the three musketeers," a familiar voice sneered.
Great. Just great.
"Julia, just the person we wanted to see," Naomi said sweetly.
"Oh? And what for?"
"Well," Clara smirked, "you haven't been bootlicking my brother since he arrived. Care to explain?"
One point for Clara.
"Asher wouldn't want me exposing our relationship," Julia said smugly. "I'm just giving him space. I wouldn't want to look needy."
My fists clenched.
So they were dating…
My heart stuttered.
"You already look needy," Naomi snapped. "And that dress? This is a wedding, not a nightclub."
"Point for Naomi," I muttered.
They all turned to me.
Oops.
"And what do we have here?" Julia scoffed. "A wallflower? Finally realized this party is too much for someone like you?"
"At least I'm not making a fool of myself," I shot back. "And I'm only holding back from putting you in your place because this is a wedding."
She scoffed. "You really think you can compete with me? Money? Influence?"
"Blah blah—your daddy is rich. So what?" I cut in. "Can you stand on your own without him?"
"At least I have a rich father," she snapped. "Something you wouldn't understand."
I stepped closer.
Her confidence cracked instantly.
"Not so bold now, are we?"
She stumbled backward—
Straight into a waiter.
Drinks spilled all over her.
Gasps echoed.
"So much for class," I shrugged.
She lunged at me like a raging bull—
I stepped aside.
She hit the ground again.
Clara and Naomi burst into laughter.
"Word of advice," I said coldly. "Stop embarrassing yourself and leave."
She burst into tears and ran off.
Did I feel bad?
Not even a little.
"Alexia," Hayden approached.
"I'm so sorry—I didn't mean to cause a scene."
"It's fine," he waved it off. "I didn't want her here anyway."
"Glad to be of service," I smiled.
Then—
BOOM.
The explosion ripped through the air.
Screams followed instantly.
Another explosion.
Gunshots.
Panic.
Chaos.
Then—
A shot rang close.
I turned—
And froze.
Clara's pink dress turned red.
Her body collapsed.
"CLARA!!!"
I ran to her, dropping to my knees.
"Clara—look at me! Stay with me, okay? You're going to be fine!"
She nodded weakly, pain etched across her face.
Smoke filled the air.
I couldn't see Naomi.
Didn't have time to think.
I hooked her arm over my shoulders and struggled to lift her, my heart pounding violently in my chest.
Then—
A shift in the air.
A presence.
Before I could fully react, a figure dressed in black lunged out of the smoke, a dagger gleaming in his hand as he aimed straight for my chest.
My instincts kicked in instantly.
I twisted sharply, dodging the fatal strike—
—but not fast enough.
A searing pain ripped through my leg as the blade sliced deep into my flesh.
A gasp tore from my lips.
The metallic scent of blood filled the air.
Mine.
Clara's.
Everywhere.
The man came at me again—fast, relentless.
I dropped Clara carefully to the ground, forcing myself to focus despite the burning pain in my leg.
He swung again.
I blocked his wrist mid-air, my grip tightening with inhuman strength. His eyes widened in shock—
Too late.
I drove my elbow into his throat.
A sickening crack echoed.
He staggered back—
I didn't give him time.
With a swift motion, I twisted the dagger from his grip and plunged it straight into his chest.
Once.
Twice.
Until he stopped moving.
His body hit the ground with a dull thud.
Silence.
For half a second.
Then chaos rushed back in.
What is going on…?
No time to think.
Smoke thickened around us, making it harder to breathe, harder to see.
Clara.
I rushed back to her, my leg screaming in protest.
The smell of her blood—
It hit me harder now.
Stronger.
Pulling at something dark inside me.
No. Focus.
I forced the thoughts away, lifting her onto my shoulders again despite the pain tearing through my body.
Step.
Step.
Step.
Each movement heavier than the last.
By the time I stumbled outside, my vision was already blurring.
People were everywhere—crying, shouting, running.
I lowered Clara gently to the ground, my hands shaking as I tore the hem of my dress and pressed it against her wound.
"Stay with me… please…"
But the smell—
It was everywhere.
Thick.
Overpowering.
My head spun.
My control… slipping.
My fangs slowly pushed past my lips.
My nails sharpened.
My breathing turned uneven.
No… no, not her…
I couldn't leave her.
But I didn't know how long I could hold on.
The smell of blood—
It hit me hard.
Too hard.
My thoughts started slipping.
No… not now…
I forced myself forward.
Outside was chaos—people screaming, running.
I dropped her gently and pressed my torn dress against her wound.
But the smell—
It was overwhelming.
Dizzying.
My control began to crack.
My fangs slowly extended.
My nails sharpened.
No… no… I can't—
Just as I was about to lose it—
Someone yanked me back.
I hissed—
"Calm yourself, Alexia."
Tyler.
He pulled me close, pressing my face into his chest to hide me.
Naomi and Allen rushed to Clara.
Tyler dragged me away.
My body burned.
I struggled against him, desperate.
Hungry.
Out of control.
He pinned me down and shoved a sachet of blood to my lips.
I fought—
Then gave in.
Slowly… painfully… I calmed.
My wound began to heal—too slowly.
"Good girl," Tyler murmured.
He stepped back, tore open his own sachet, and drank.
That's when I saw it—
Fangs.
Amber eyes.
Pale skin.
Sharp cheekbones.
He was losing control too.
Then the blood worked.
His appearance returned to normal.
"Let's go," he said.
FLASHBACK
"You did well."
"You're the best."
"You're my hero."
"Best friends forever."
"I want to be like you…"
The voices overlapped—
Louder.
Closer.
Darker.
They swallowed me whole.
I screamed—
And woke up gasping.
"Alexia!"
Someone grabbed my chin.
"Hey… it's okay. Breathe."
Tyler.
I followed his voice, grounding myself.
I looked around.
Hospital.
"What… am I doing here?"
"To keep up appearances," he said. "Your injury wasn't healing fast enough."
"You… know what I am?"
He nodded.
"I've known for a while."
My brows pulled together. "But how? I thought—"
"Wyatt told me," he cut in calmly. "The first time you changed."
A flicker of unease crawled up my spine.
"Why would he tell you?" I asked slowly. "We're not supposed to tell anyone."
Tyler didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he straightened.
And something about him changed.
It wasn't obvious at first—but I felt it.
The air shifted.
Heavy.
Commanding.
Like something unseen had just pressed down on the room.
"Not anyone," he said quietly. "Just not the wrong people."
A pause.
Then—
"Not your leader."
My heartbeat stuttered.
"…Leader?" I repeated, the word barely leaving my lips.
He held my gaze.
No teasing.
No smirk.
Just something deeper.
Something… dangerous.
"I'm the one they answer to," he said, his voice lower now—firmer. "Every hybrid. Every territory. Every secret."
The weight of his words settled slowly.
Too slowly.
"No…" I shook my head faintly. "That's not—you're joking."
He didn't laugh.
Didn't even blink.
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
A chill ran down my spine.
Images flashed in my head—
Tyler laughing.
Teasing.
Burning my kitchen.
Acting careless.
Carefree.
But now—
Now I was seeing something else.
The way he handled me when I lost control.
The authority in his voice.
The way Wyatt listened to him… without question.
My chest tightened.
"You're serious…" I whispered.
"Yes."
Silence fell between us.
Thick.
Uncomfortable.
Unavoidable.
"You mean…" I swallowed. "All this time—you knew what I was… what I was going through… and you said nothing?"
His expression softened slightly—but the weight of his presence didn't disappear.
"I was waiting," he said. "For you to stabilize. For you to understand it yourself."
"That wasn't your choice to make," I snapped, anger rising to cover the unease creeping in.
"And it wasn't yours to collapse in the middle of a crowd," he shot back—sharp, controlled. "You nearly killed your friend today, Alexia."
The words hit hard.
Too hard.
I froze.
Silence again.
Then quieter—
"But you didn't," he added.
I looked away, clenching my fists.
"You don't get to just… drop something like this on me," I muttered. "You—of all people—being a leader?"
That familiar spark returned for a second—
A faint smirk tugged at his lips.
"Yes," he said. "The same person who ruined your kitchen."
Despite everything—
I huffed a small laugh.
But it didn't last.
Because now I knew.
Tyler wasn't just Tyler.
He was something far bigger.
And suddenly—
Everything about him made sense.
And nothing did at the same time.