Mated To The Hybrid Prince - Chapter 104: Chapter 104

(Zion’s POV)
Zelda froze.
Her eyes widened for a moment, then she slowly turned to face us with a sheepish smile, clutching her heels tighter like that would somehow soften the blow.
Neither Lucien nor I were buying it.
I walked past her, my jaws clenched. “Meet us inside, Zelda.”
She gulped, the smile fading, and followed quietly.
We didn’t say a word as we entered the house. The silence was loud. Lucien and I took separate couches, both of us facing her as she stood awkwardly near the center table.
“Sit,” Lucien said.
Zelda sank into the single armchair, curling her toes into the rug like a child waiting for some scolding. Her head was slightly bowed.
“Do you have any idea what you’ve done?” I started, trying hard to keep my voice low.
She flinched.
“You disappeared with no message or call, in a place you’re strange to,” Lucien added. “We thought something happened to you.”
“That’s not all.” I chipped in roughly. “You returned smelling like a man. Who was he?” I snapped.
Zelda hesitated for a moment, then she spoke. Her voice was small. “He’s... he’s my mate.”
Silence fell over the room.
Lucien sat back slightly, brows furrowed. “You found your mate? At a club?”
She nodded, avoiding our eyes. “I didn’t know he was my mate until I got close. It just... happened.”
Lucien blinked, visibly processing the information. “Well... that changes things.”
I whipped my head toward him. “Seriously? She followed a stranger home, slept with him, and we don’t even know who he is.”
Zelda looked away, her lips trembling. She looked like she wanted to vanish into the chair.
“Even if he’s your mate, you should have told us,” Lucien said, more gently now. “You scared us, Zelda.”
But I couldn’t let it go. “Do you even know anything about him? His name, where he lives, what kind of creature he is? You’re in a foreign realm, Zelda! He could’ve been a follower of Hades for all you know, yet you stupidly walked into his den like some clueless lamb.”
“Stop!” she whispered, eyes glassy. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“You did everything wrong,” I hissed. “You were reckless, and irresponsible. Don’t think that being someone’s mate gives you a license to throw away your safety.”
She stood abruptly, tears now streaming down her cheeks. “I’m sorry I scared you, but I didn’t ask to find my mate! I didn’t ask to feel safe with someone I barely knew!”
Her voice cracked, and she hugged her arms around herself tightly like she was trying to hold herself together. Then she turned and ran, disappearing down the hallway before we could stop her. The sound of her bedroom door shutting echoed loudly in the house.
Lucien turned to me slowly. “See what you’ve done.”
“What? What did I do?” I stared at him.
“You shouldn’t have spoken to her like that or yelled, Zion. That was too much.”
I said nothing... Rage still boiled in my chest, but it had started to mix with guilt.
Lucien stood. “You better fix it fast. She looks up to you, big brother.” He spat, before leaving.
I stormed out of the room and locked myself in my office, grabbing the nearest folder of paperwork to distract myself. I couldn’t focus. Every time I heard a creak in the hallway, I looked toward her door, half-hoping she'd come out but she never did.
I sighed and finally stood, walking quietly to her room. I knocked but got no answer.
“Zelda,” I said gently. “Can I come in?”
There was a pause, then a muffled, “Whatever.”
I stepped in slowly.
She was curled on her bed, knees curved to her chest, her hair a messy cloud around her face. Her shoulders were stiff. “I’m sorry,” I began, standing a few feet from her. “I was worried, and furious. You’re my little sister, and the idea of some stranger, a man I’d never met touching you, or claiming you... rattles me.”
Her voice was small. “I didn’t mean to. I just… it felt right with him. It felt warm.”
I looked at her then, really looked.
Zelda had grown up… and I wasn’t ready.
“Maybe he’s a good guy. Maybe not, but you’re very important to me, Zelda and you scared me to death.”
She turned over, eyes still teary. “Really, you were scared, Z?”
“Terrified.”
She reached out and flicked my arm. “You’re dramatic.”
I let out a small laugh. “Shut up.”
At that moment, the door swung open and Lucien walked in with a tray of juice glasses balanced on one hand.
“Oh good,” he said, grinning. “I don’t hear any yelling or cries. That’s a win.”
Zelda sat up, her face blotchy but smiling. “We’re okay now.”
Lucien handed her a glass. “Here, have this before you traumatize us again.”
I took mine with a sigh. “She better not.”
Zelda raised a brow. “I might.”
Lucien mock-gasped. “You hear that? She’s plotting already.”
Zelda threw a pillow at him. He caught it and launched it right back. She ducked, giggling, and I leaned back, watching them.
For a moment, everything was calm again.
Three days later I was in my office at Virelux Conglomerate, reviewing inter-realm trade reports, when a knock broke the silence.
“Come in,” I called without looking up.
Lucien stepped in, a little more serious than usual.
I looked up immediately. “What is it?”
“I found a witch.”
That caught my full attention. I sat up. “Here? In the human realm?”
He nodded, closing the door behind him. “She’s strong, but there’s a problem?”
“What kind of problem?”
Lucien gave me a tight look. “She hates werewolves, hybrids, especially anyone from the royal bloodline… my sources say that her lineage was wiped out by our kind.”
My jaw tightened. “Wow.”
“But we don’t have many options…” he confessed.
I asked warily “Who is she?”
He hesitated before answering. “Our neighbor.”
I blinked. “The crazy hangover woman with a mouth on her?”
Lucien nodded grimly. “Yes, that one.”