THE SPOILED HYBRID.🧛 (MXM) - Chapter 10: Chapter 10

Alysa, someone’s knocking at the door!” Alessia called from his room, his voice tinged with annoyance. He had been lounging in his nightwear, a cozy yet slightly ridiculous ensemble of very short shorts, a slinky button-up shirt with green leaf patterns, and a matching robe. He had no idea that his sister had orchestrated this moment, nor that she wouldn’t be coming home until matters were resolved.
When no response came from Alysa’s room, Alessia frowned and padded down the hallway, his bare feet sinking into the plush carpet. He knocked on her door, only to find it empty. “Maybe she’s running late,” he muttered to himself, shrugging as he made his way to the front door. He wasn’t expecting anyone, but he figured it was probably a delivery or a neighbor.
He opened the door, his hand still on the knob, and froze. His eyes grew wide, his breath catching in his throat as he stared at the last person he expected to see standing on his doorstep.
Drake.
For a moment, Alessia’s mind went completely blank. His first instinct was to slam the door shut, but Drake was quicker. He wedged his foot in the doorway, his expression a mix of desperation and determination.
“Please,” Drake said, his voice soft but urgent. “Let’s talk. I’ve been trying to find you for weeks, Alessia. I just… I need to understand.”
Alessia hesitated, his hand trembling on the door. He wanted to shut Drake out, to retreat back into the safety of his room and pretend this wasn’t happening. But the look in Drake’s eyes—pleading, vulnerable—made it impossible. Reluctantly, he stepped aside, letting Drake into the house.
They walked to Alessia’s room in silence, the tension between them palpable. Alessia didn’t offer Drake anything to drink or eat, partly because he was too flustered to think of it, and partly because their house didn’t have any human-friendly food. The thought made him cringe internally, but he pushed it aside.
Once in his room, Alessia gestured awkwardly to the small couch in the corner, his cheeks flushing as he realized how intimate the space felt. He quickly retreated to his bed, sitting as far away from Drake as possible, his hands fidgeting nervously in his lap.
Drake sat down on the couch, his eyes scanning the room. It was exactly how he had imagined it—soft blue walls, a fluffy carpet, and a bed that looked like it belonged in a cozy nest. But his attention quickly shifted back to Alessia, who was sitting stiffly on the edge of the bed, his gaze fixed on the floor.
“Can you at least sit next to me?” Drake asked, his voice gentle but tinged with frustration. “I’m the one who should be afraid, not you.”
Alessia hesitated, his heart pounding in his chest. Slowly, he stood and walked over to the couch, sitting as far from Drake as possible, his body tense and his eyes downcast.
Drake sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Oh my God,” he whispered, more to himself than to Alessia. He had expected this to be awkward, but he hadn’t anticipated just how difficult it would be to break through Alessia’s walls.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The silence stretched on, heavy and uncomfortable, until Drake finally broke it. “Alessia,” he said softly, his voice filled with a mix of frustration and affection. “I don’t hate you. I could never hate you. But I need you to talk to me. Please.”
Alessia’s breath hitched, his hands clenching into fists as he fought back tears. He wanted to believe Drake, to trust him, but the fear of rejection was still too strong. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, his voice barely audible. “I didn’t mean to… I didn’t want you to see me like that.”
Drake’s expression softened, and he reached out, gently placing a hand on Alessia’s knee. “I don’t care what you are,” he said, his voice firm but kind. “I care about *you*. So, please… just talk to me.”
What do you want to know?” Alessia asked, his voice stubborn but tinged with nervousness. He sat stiffly on the edge of the couch, his hands clutching the edges of his robe as if it could shield him from the intensity of Drake’s gaze.
“Everything, baby,” Drake replied, his voice soft but firm. The term of endearment made Alessia’s cheeks flush, and he quickly looked down, his fingers tightening around the fabric of his robe. Drake noticed the reaction and smiled faintly, patting the seat next to him. “Come sit here,” he said gently.
Alessia hesitated, his heart pounding in his chest. Slowly, he scooted closer, his movements shy and hesitant. He kept the robe wrapped tightly around himself, as if it could somehow protect him from the vulnerability of this moment. When he finally settled next to Drake, their knees brushed lightly, sending a jolt of warmth through Alessia’s body.
“I… I am Alessia,” he began, his voice trembling slightly. “The prince of the Crimson Kingdom. It’s a hidden kingdom in the remote part of Russia. I came to this town specifically to find my mate, which is… you.” He blushed furiously at the word *mate*, his gaze dropping to his lap. He loved the word, loved what it meant, but saying it out loud to Drake felt like exposing a part of his soul.
Drake’s eyes widened slightly, but he didn’t interrupt, his expression a mix of curiosity and something softer—something like awe. Alessia took a deep breath and continued. “A mate is your destined partner. Most of our mates are of our kind, but… I was told mine would be a human. That’s why I’m here. That’s why I found you.”
Drake nodded slowly, his brow furrowing as he processed the information. “So… what’s your kind?” he asked.