The Hybrid Mate

At Eastern Washington University, Bella found the dull and rainy atmosphere she had hoped for, far from Austin, where she wanted to escape. Although it wasn't as far as Bangkok University, which didn't accept international psych majors, it would have to do. The West Coast humidity was a welcome change from the blistering Texan sun, even though her hair disagreed. She tried to flatten it down, but it seemed pointless. Her ex-boyfriend, Jeff, had always insisted that it had to be long and smooth, and that she avoid the sun to prevent her tawny skin from darkening. But now that she was free from his controlling ideals, she was open to change. As she looked around the classroom, she realized that she didn't fit in with her pale, hipster classmates who were mostly wearing the latest old-looking outfits. She was used to being an anomaly as a femme twenty-something of Roma blood in Texas, and it looked like it would be the same here. The professor, who looke

"Almost there," Sandra announced, pointing to the right. The outline of what looked to be a massive log cabin came into view. The closer they got, the bigger it looked. The grass lot out front was filled with cars, and more than half of them had the university parking sticker on the windshield. "Told ya it was popular," said Sandra. She wasn't kidding. Men and women were filing into the wooded mansion and warm yellow lights glowed through the many opaque windows on its three stories. It was hard to believe this was a BDSM dungeon rather than a secluded Swiss chalet. "How do you like the Lodge?" Sandra asked smugly. She must have noticed Bella's slack-jawed state. "It's beautiful," she admitted. "Not at all what I expected." She laughed. "Bet you're gonna say that at least ten more times before the night's over." The group in front of them came to an abrupt halt at the door. They were talking to a man Bella could only assume w

Bella was shocked by Clarence's rudeness. Who did he think he was? The subs in the dressing room were clearly unhappy with her presence, and she felt like an unwanted center of attention. She sat down, feeling out of place, and Amber, the collared sub next to her, tried to reassure her that the obnoxious ones were just trying to run off the real competition. He also revealed that the House of Wolf was serious business around here and that the Alpha ran the entire club. Bella groaned, admitting that she didn't know anything about the scene and that she wasn't even a sub. Amber told her it was more about energy than looks and that she had the energy, making her feel a little better. "At least you're honest." Bella smiled, holding out her hand. "I'm Bella." "Amber," she replied, shaking it. "And don't worry. People can say whatever they want, but you're not actually anyone's submissive until you decide to be." She tilted his head. "What's that on your hand?

Bella swallowed hard as she struggled to maintain eye contact with the furious Wolf. As difficult as it was, she couldn’t break away. Something in his gaze held her fast in its grasp. It was an eerily familiar feeling that she had experienced only once before when her first-year psychology professor invited a hypnotherapist to demonstrate trance induction for the class. She became lightheaded again, but she knew that Darian wouldn’t be there to catch her this time if she fell. As if summoned by her thoughts, the hulking Wolf took the last empty seat, rounding out a full pack of six. Even sitting down, the size difference between him and the others was obvious. The difference was especially noticeable between Darian and the lithe man next to him, who was still watching her like she was a sheep on the horizon and he was an actual wolf who hadn’t eaten in a few weeks. She recognized him as the book Wolf from the lobby when she first entered. Bell

It was Bella’s turn to frown in confusion. “What are you talking about?” she asked. Victor cleared his throat, and Darian went silent for a moment. “Never mind,” Darian said in a tone of resignation. “I’m gonna get you something to eat.” “What?” Bella asked. “Why?” “For your blood sugar. That’s like diabetes, right? You need to eat something so you won’t pass out again.” She hesitated. Bella hadn’t eaten lunch that day, mistakenly assuming they would be serving food at the club, and she had been too nervous to keep anything down after throwing up in front of Sandra anyway. “That would be nice, I guess. Thanks.” At least if Darian was this worried about her, as misplaced as his concern was, he probably wasn’t going to kill her. Victor, on the other hand… Darian disappeared, and Bella was left alone with him. She brought her knees to her chest and tried not to look at him for fear that the stran