Hybrid's Secret: Protecting the Crowned Enemy

Chapter 6

Hybrid's Secret: Protecting the Crowned Enemy

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Cater stared at his aunt, his breath caught in his throat. For a moment, he couldn't speak. Finally, he found his voice.

"What are you doing here, Aunt? How are you still alive? I… I saw you die."

His aunt smirked as she stepped closer, her heels clicking softly against the stone floor. She raised her hand, brushing her fingers against Cater's cheek before tilting his face slightly upward. Her tone was sweet but laced with malice.

"You should be glad to see me, Cater," she said mockingly. "But I suppose you're not even excited. Such a shame."

She dropped her hand and took a step back, her eyes narrowing. "This is no place for the son of the Dark Lord. What are you even doing here? Does your father know you're running around saving a human? And not just any human—an enemy of all supernatural creatures?"

Her voice sharpened as she crossed her arms. "You're not human, Cater. So why don't you listen to your dear aunt, leave this pathetic life behind, and return to the underworld where you belong?"

Cater clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. He watched her walk past him, her movements confident and taunting.

"No," he said firmly. "I won't."

His aunt stopped, her back still turned to him. Slowly, she turned to face him, her expression curious. "You won't… or you will?"

Cater stepped forward, his voice steady and filled with resolve. "I won't go back to the underworld. I won't go back to my father. I have one purpose here—to protect Prince Alric. And I intend to fulfill it."

A laugh escaped his aunt's lips, soft at first, then growing louder. She moved closer, her smile widening. "Oh, I see now," she said, her tone dripping with mockery. "My dear nephew is in love. You care for that prince, don't you?"

Her smile twisted into a sneer. "Too bad. I'll marry him soon enough, and you'll watch him fall before your very eyes."

Cater felt his anger rising, his demon side clawing its way to the surface. He struggled to suppress it, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.

"You'll never marry him," Cater said, his voice low and dangerous. "I'll make sure of that."

His aunt chuckled, pausing for a moment as her smile faded. Her face turned serious, her eyes locking onto his.

"And what will you do, Cater?" she asked coldly. "Destroy me? Do you think Alric will still want you once he knows what you are? That you're not just a servant, but a half-demon, half-vampire freak?"

Her words hit like a slap, but Cater held his ground.

"You should know better, nephew. If Alric finds out what you really are, he'll hate you. And then you'll lose him forever. Now, be a good boy and get out of my way."

As she turned to leave, Cater grabbed her arm, his grip firm. "I don't care if you're my aunt or not," he said. "I'll do whatever it takes to protect Alric. Even if that means killing you."

Her expression darkened, and her eyes glowed crimson. Fur and claws began to sprout from her hands, her form shifting as she struck Cater hard, sending him crashing into the wall.

"You dare threaten me?" she hissed, walking toward him as he struggled to stand. She grabbed his shirt, pinning him against the wall. "Did I not teach you to respect your family? You think you can stop me? Your powers are nothing compared to mine."

She released him, letting him fall to the floor. Cater winced but quickly stood, glaring at her as she transformed back into Princess Ava's form, her movements fluid and practiced.

"What have you done with the real Princess Ava?" Cater demanded, his voice sharp.

His aunt smiled, leaning in close to him. "Oh, Cater," she whispered. "She's long gone. I am the only Princess Ava now."

Before Cater could respond, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the hall. He turned to see Jane rushing toward him, her face filled with worry.

"Cater! Thank goodness I found you," she said breathlessly. "Do you know how angry Prince Alric can be when you're not around and—"

She stopped mid-sentence, her eyes locking onto Princess Ava. Jane's expression shifted from relief to confusion.

"Oh, Princess," Jane said cautiously, offering a nervous smile. "I didn't realize you were here. I… I was just looking for Cater."

Ava tilted her head, her smile as sweet as poison. "Why don't we shake hands, Jane? After all, we'll be friends soon enough. Once I marry the prince, you'll get to serve me just like Cater serves prince Alric."

Jane hesitated, her hand twitching as she considered Ava's outstretched palm. Something about the way Ava smiled made her skin crawl.

"Well, how could I say no to a princess?" Jane said finally, reaching forward.

Before their hands could meet, Cater grabbed Jane's arm, pulling her back.

"That's enough," Cater said sharply. His eyes stayed fixed on Ava. "Jane, step away from her. You're right—she's not Princess Ava at all."

Jane froze, her gaze darting between Cater and Ava. Her heart pounded as she whispered, "I told you, Cater. She's a witch."

Cater shook his head, his expression grim. "No, Jane. She's not a witch. And she's not part of any witch tribe."

Jane's confusion deepened as she swallowed hard. "Then who is she?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Cater turned to face her, his voice steady but laced with emotion. "She's my aunt. And she's a demon shifter."

Jane's breath hitched, and she stepped back, her eyes wide as she processed his words.

"A demon shifter?" she repeated, her voice trembling.

Ava smirked, watching the two of them with amusement. "How touching," she said mockingly. "But let's see how long your loyalty lasts, dear nephew."

She turned, her laughter echoing down the hallway as she disappeared into the shadows, leaving Cater and Jane alone.