Chapter 212: You’ll never turn evil

Alyssa didn’t know how best to react to what Dorian just told her.

This was the day she had been dreading; the day everyone would find out what she was. She had expected this fallout, but still, hearing him explain how badly they had taken it hurt far more than she anticipated.

She huffed out a breath, trying to force a mask of indifference. "Well, now they know. I don’t have to feel guilty for keeping it a secret anymore. If they’re going to hate me, then they better..."

"Hate you?" Dorian cut in, turning sharply to look at her. "What are you talking about? They don’t hate you."

Alyssa blinked, confusion flashing across her features. "But... but you said they took the news badly."

"Yeah, they did," Dorian nodded. "They were furious I kept it from them, furious that I didn’t tell them about the vision so they could prepare. Pandora won’t even talk to me. She’s pissed that I kept a secret from her after we made a promise years ago never to keep things from each other. And Alec is mad at Jake."

Alyssa’s ears were ringing from everything Dorian had just laid out. She faced him fully, her brows knitting into a deep, disbelieving frown.

"So they don’t hate me?" she questioned softly. "They don’t think I’m a monster?"

?"No, they don’t," Dorian shook his head. "Matter of fact, their anger is directed at me for hiding something so crucial from them. They’re not mad at you at all. They’ve actually been worried sick since you passed out."

The relief that washed over Alyssa was intense and profound. She slid off the edge of the bed, walking toward the vanity and gripping the wooden edge with white knuckles. She had been terrified for nothing.

"I don’t even know how to feel," she admitted, slowly turning back to face him. "I had already prepared myself for the worst. I thought for sure they’d despise me."

?"Why would they?" Dorian murmured. "When Nina and Jake found out, they didn’t treat you differently, did they?"

"Well, Jake actually did," she said with a nervous laugh. "And Nina was terrified of me for a while."

"But they’re past it now, aren’t they? Because they can’t blame you for what happened in the past. It’s not your fault you’re a Hybrid."

He stepped off the bed and closed the distance, coming to a stand before her. "I don’t think you being a Hybrid will ever change the way people feel about you."

?"But, Dorian," she pressed, her voice thick with worry. "What if I turn out to be like those other Hybrids? You told me they were deadly, ruthless monsters. And with how I lost control last night, it might only be a matter of time before I turn into something evil."

"That is not going to happen," Dorian assured her firmly. "You are not going to turn evil, my love. You are the kindest, sweetest, most compassionate woman I’ve ever known. Everyone knows that. You are nothing like those monsters."

He dragged his thumb across her bottom lip, his eyes burning with intensity. "Even while you lost control last night, you didn’t harm a single Lycan. Your fury was focused entirely on the rogues, and you wiped out every last one of them. You were incredible, Alyssa."

A soft, disbelieving laugh escaped him as he shook his head in awe. "Honestly, my love, I was mind-blown. I never thought I’d live to see the day my little lamb took on a horde of rogues single-handedly. I felt prouder than ever to be your husband."

Alyssa smiled softly, her chest swelling with warmth at the admiration in his eyes.

"Was I really that impressive?" she teased, a ghost of playfulness returning to her voice.

"You were, and more," Dorian smiled warmly. "And you were nothing like those monsters. That is how I know you will never become one. You’ll never turn evil."

Hearing Dorian’s unwavering reassurance, Alyssa stepped forward, wrapping her arms around his waist and pressing her face against his chest. "Thank you," she whispered. "I don’t know what I’d do without you."

"You’ll always have me," Dorian murmured, pressing a kiss into her hair before tilting her chin up to kiss her lips. "Though we have other pressing matters to address."

The smile vanished from her face in an instant. "What is it?"

"Ragnar escaped. I don’t know how he managed to slip away; it must have been during the chaos of the storm you conjured. But once things settle, we’re going to find him."

"I’m coming with you," she said. "There’s a reason behind all of this, and I’ll tell you everything. But you have to let me come."

To her surprise, Dorian gave a firm nod. "All right. You’ll come with me. But you should also know, Samantha and Anthony were badly injured."

"Oh, no," Alyssa gasped, her eyes widening. "How are they? Where are they?"

"They’re fine now, my love. The venom from the rogues interfered with their natural healing ability, but Nina managed to stabilize them. They’re on the mend."

"Can I see them? Please?"

Dorian’s expression softened at the wave of empathy on her face. This was one of the million reasons he was madly in love with her; her relentless instinct to place everyone else’s well-being above her own.

"You can, but not right now," he said gently. "Maybe later, once they’re awake. My aunt Kalista also wanted to see you before she left, but you were still asleep."

"Luna Kalista is gone?" Alyssa exclaimed.

Dorian nodded. "Conrad and Devon, too. Fortunately, they weren’t seriously hurt. Once they regained consciousness, they left. I suppose the night was strange and unsettling for everyone. I haven’t even seen Elvira yet."

At the mention of Elvira’s name, a sharp wave of memory slammed back into Alyssa’s mind. She couldn’t believe she had almost forgotten.

"Dorian," she said urgently, grabbing his hand. "I have to tell you something. It’s about Elvira, Conri, and Joffrey. They’re working together."

Dorian’s expression instantly darkened into a menacing scowl. "What? What do you mean?"

"I mean exactly what I said. Elvira is working with Conri. He’s the one who saved her after she fell off the cliff. He’s the one who took her to the asylum."

"Wait, Alyssa, how do you know this?"

"It doesn’t matter how I know," Alyssa pressed on, her tone breathless. "I saw her last night, right before the rogues attacked. She met with Ragnar. That means Ragnar is working with Conri, too."

Dorian stood in total silence as she laid out every detail she had uncovered, including Samantha’s vital role in piecing it together. With every word she spoke, the beast beneath his skin roared louder, clawing at his ribs.

He should have known Conri had his hand in this. When the bastard had demanded his children be reinstated in the hierarchy, it had clearly been part of a much larger, darker game. The pieces were finally locking into place.

When Alyssa finished speaking, his golden-brown eyes had shifted completely into pools of black coal.

He pulled away from her, his face twisted into a mask of lethal fury as he snapped the mind-link open.

[Jake?]

The beta answered instantly. [Yes, Alpha?]

[Find Elvira and drag her back here. Now!]