Caught between the Hybrids and the Drama Prince

My heart was still pounding as I walked out of the auditorium a few minutes later. The memory of the way Edward had stared at me made my heart skip a beat.

The great leader of the drama club had noticed me.

“Ouch!” I yelled as I hit something hard. My eyes darted up to Kael. His face was scrunched up as he stared at me.

“Why didn't you answer my text? I've been calling you for the past ten minutes. I thought Madison had done something to you. His eyes scanned my entire body.

Why was he so concerned about me?

I brought out my phone and unlocked it. Dozen of messages from Kael, Talon and Jett flooded my phone along with missed calls. It was as if I had gone missing for an entire week when it was just a few hours.

“ Next time, I don't care if you are on broadway, you must reply to every message sent to you. Do you understand?” Kael's voice echoed loudly in the hallway

“ I…. I'm sorry. We all turned off our phones and-”

My eyes fell down to the place where Kael's hand grabbed mine. His skin… His eyes were golden red exposing his wolf but his skin was scaly and rough like a dragon's. Kael's eyes followed mine and immediately pulled his hand away when he noticed that I had seen his hand.

“It's okay,” Kael said softly as he pulled his uniform trying to cover the back of his hand. “Just don't do that again. You made all of us worried.”

“ Juliet, you ready to leave? Everyone is waiting for you” Edward walked up to us, his smile fading as he saw Kael.

The tension between them was so thick, I could almost feel it pressing down on my chest. Kael straightened up, his expression hardening like stone. Edward, calm but cold, kept his eyes locked on Kael’s, as if daring him to say something.

I stood between them, suddenly feeling very small despite my weight.

“Yes,” I replied quickly, hoping to break the strange silence. “I’m ready.”

Edward gave a curt nod but didn’t look away from Kael. “Then let’s go.”

I turned about to walk away when Kael's hand grabbed mine again. This time, he didn't care if anyone saw the scales on his skin or not. Everyone knew he was hybrid but no one had ever seen him change.

“I'm not done yet,” Kael said, his hand tightening around my wrist.

Talon and Jett arrived, their eyes narrowing as they saw Kael going off against Edward. I tried to remove my hand but Kael's grip just tightened even more.

“Didn't you hear me? I said I'm not done talking to her. You may go.” Kael said staring at Edward.

Edward refused to back off and even stepped closer. I knew what this was. A silent challenge between boys in our school to show their dominance. It was one thing for Edward and Kael to argue but it shouldn't be over me.

“Chloe is not your property. Let her decide if she wants to stay and continue listening to you.” Edward said calmly, but there was steel in his voice. His jaw clenched as he glanced at Kael’s hand wrapped around mine.

Kael growled, “And she’s not yours either,” he snapped.

My heart thundered in my chest. My mouth felt dry. The two most powerful boys in our school, the Alpha hybrid and the drama club’s prince were standing head to head because of me. That had never happened before. No one ever fought over me. No one ever looked at me like this.

“Stop,” I whispered, but they didn’t hear me. Or maybe they didn’t want to.

Talon stepped forward placing his hand on Kael's shoulder. “Kael, let her go,” he said with quiet warning in his voice. “You’re not thinking straight.”

Jett didn’t say a word. His eyes flicked between Edward and Kael, calculating, alert. I could see the tension in his shoulders, the way his fingers twitched like he was getting ready in case of a battle.

The three of them were the most powerful without a single doubt. My eyes darted to Edward. I didn't want him getting into trouble or having to deal with Kael , Talon and Jett because of me.

I opened my mouth about to speak to Edward when Kael suddenly let go of my hand. I turned to Kael and I could see him battling with himself. Footsteps echoed around us and I could see other people arriving.

Edward pulled my hand, dragging me toward him. My breath hitched as I stumbled slightly, landing closer than I intended. His fingers curled lightly around my hand while his other hand stayed on my waist. His eyes held mine, a soft smile teasing the corners of his mouth. I couldn’t move. Couldn’t even think.

“Are you alright?” Edward asked gently, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. His voice was like velvet, smooth and careful. “He didn’t hurt you, did he?”

I shook my head, barely able to form words. “N-No. I’m fine.”

He leaned in slightly, just close enough that I could smell his cologne. “You shouldn't let him walk all over you, Juliet.”

The way he said my character’s name made my skin prickle. He was still holding my hand but there was something else about him. Something that was different. My stomach twisted. What if he was my mate?

I looked down at our hands, unsure whether to pull away. A part of me wanted to but another part of me, the lonely, unseen part was flattered that he even noticed.

From behind us, Kael growled low, the sound barely human. I turned my head slightly, catching the sharp flash of his golden-red eyes. It wasn't just him but all the triplets. Their hands were folded into fists as they stared at Edward and me yet none of them made their move.

Talon whispered something under his breath, trying to keep Kael and Jett grounded, but it wasn’t working. Kael’s jaw twitched. His chest rose and fell like he was barely holding something wild inside.

“ Let's go.” Edward said holding my hand as if he didn't see them.

As we walked away, Edward’s hand still wrapped around mine, I could feel the weight of eyes burning into my back.

I turned slightly just enough to see them.

Kael. Talon. Jett.

They weren’t just watching. They were growling. Barely holding themselves together.

Why did Kael react that way? And Talon, why was he using his magic to keep Kael and Jett calm?

Something was off about all three of them and I had a feeling that I was somehow the reason for it.