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Chapter 53
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The Hybrid Mate Chapter 54
Bella made a mental note to watch out for him. The idea of what conversations he might have overheard already was nauseating, so she forced her mind down a different road. Darian was clearly less than amused by Ulric’s dog comment. In fact, the two of them seemed to be engaged in a staring match, which wasn't helping his case. Bella was becoming aware enough of the strange insular culture within the Lodge to know better than to interfere. They would work it out amongst themselves. Intervening, whether to calm Darian down or come to his defense, would only humiliate him. Foster returned with the robe and towel not a moment too soon. "Thanks," Bella said to him with a smile, gratefully pulling the robe around her and tying the sash around her waist. "You're welcome!" He handed the towel to Darian and got barely a grunt of acknowledgment and a withering gaze. The poor guy slunk out of the room with his tail between his legs. Bella imagined it wo
The Hybrid Mate Chapter 55
In the beginning, there were two kingdoms that ruled the earth," Ulric began, his voice low as he read from the open volume in his hands. "The Kingdom of the Sun was ruled by the kings of man, while the Kingdom of the Moon was ruled by the creatures of the night. Werewolves and vampires were Her chief descendants, but there were countless others. Were-creatures of a variety of species, from the majestic lion to the smallest mouse, ghosts, banshees, even angels who had fallen from the highest ranks of the Kingdom of the Sun to conduct their business here on earth.“The creatures of the night lived a relatively separate existence from mankind for a time, until the inevitable union between the celestial Lord and Lady forced them to coexist. Although the children of the Sun were weaker and their lives shorter, they were the only children of their father, who held them in the highest regard. He took such great delight in them that he was content to look upon them long past the hour w
The Hybrid Mate Chapter 56
“As the brothers argued, the Sun turned away, unable to bear the sight of the beasts of night who were beginning to rip into the flesh of his dearest child in an attempt to hide their crime. He disappeared behind a wall of clouds like none the creatures of earth had ever seen. The clouds soon split and torrents gushed from them, flooding the land.“The beasts who had begun to devour the fallen king scattered for shelter. The wolf's fur was soaked with tears and rain as he watched his brother try to escape in the chaos. Before he could pursue him, the fallen king began to rise. As he stood, his spilled entrails drew back within him and the blood that had soaked into the ground returned to his body through his palms, forcing its way through his flesh and into his veins.”My blood ran cold at Ulric's words. It was easy enough to cast everything aside as a fairy tale, but that last bit was far too similar to my grotesque hallucination for comfort. I unconsciously rubbed my hand an
The Hybrid Mate Chapter 57
Ulric closed the book unceremoniously and set it aside. "There's more, but those are the relevant scriptures. I'm sure Foster could recite them by heart." Bella took a deep breath and leaned back in her chair. "Well, I can definitely see why Victor doesn't believe any of that," she said. Darian grumbled something unintelligible under his breath."I don't really see how it helps in our current situation," Bella admitted. "Maybe it doesn't," said Ulric. "But it is the origin of the soulmate legend, which you happen to be living out right now." "How much of this carries over to today, though?" Bella looked at Darian. "Did you really go to a priest?" "We all do," he replied. "Male or female, all original wolves go to the Lunar Temple for a coming-of-age ceremony once we hit twelve. Ever since I was a kid, it's been a rite of passage and little more. I'll spare you the boring details, but you enter the temple, pay an offering of respect to the priest or priestes
The Hybrid Mate Chapter 58
Bella gave him a strange look. "My condition?""Oh. I was hoping one of them had told you. Well, around the full moon your kind of wolf gets, ah—" He scratched his head. "Are you sure I didn't explain this earlier?"She shook her head. "Not in depth.”He hesitated for another moment before settling his large hands on her shoulders. "Tell you what, go ask Clara about it later. She's much better at explaining this sort of thing." Bella wanted to ask what "this sort of thing" was, but Ulric didn't give her the chance. "Come along, my girl. We should get to Victor before your mate does."She followed him, realizing that the time she was about to be given with Victor was precious. She struggled for a way to ask the most pressing question on her mind and decided to just come out with it. "Sir, what's in those injections I've been taking?"He didn't look at her, but she could tell her question had startled him. "I told you, it's a serum to help ease the side effects from your me
The Hybrid Mate Chapter 59
"Bella?" Her voice came out shriveled and weak, so she tried again. "Bella, are you alright?"No response.She took a seat and reminded herself that if Darian saw her looking hesitant or scared for even a moment, he would come in to "rescue" her."How are you feeling today?" She tried.Victor looked up, and his expression wasn't one she had prepared herself for. The hollows underneath his eyes were deeper, shadowier. His mouth was curved into a thin, eerie smile, and his gray eyes lacked their usual sharpness. "So it's complete."She tried to make sense of his strange remark but couldn't. "I'm sorry?" "My brother's mark is complete. You slept together."Her face grew warm. She wasn't sure why she felt so embarrassed admitting it. Of all the things she had to be ashamed of, sleeping with Darian wasn't one of them."He's my mate, Victor," she said as gently as she could."It was only a matter of time," he murmured. It became clear from the distant look in his gaze that he
The Hybrid Mate Chapter 60
"I don't know," Bella admitted. "He's honest, compassionate, sweet. He's enthusiastic about everything he does and he always makes me laugh.""You are aware that you just described a dog, aren't you?"She glared at him. "Funny. It's not just that. I don't know what it is, but even though I've only known him for a little while, I feel like I've known him all my life. I know he'd do whatever it took to keep me safe."He snorted. "Everything except being here. He practically left you to die in the woods so he could chase his prey, remember?"Her nails dug into her thighs as a way to channel the anger mounting inside of her. "You said it yourself, he can't help it when he goes into that state." "A lack of control is never an excuse." "Maybe not in your world of leather whips and restraints where there's always a right and a wrong way to do everything, but that's not the real world, Victor," she muttered. "You can't live in that world forever."He smirked. "Y
The Hybrid Mate Chapter 61
"If you keep getting head injuries like this, I'm going to have to prescribe a helmet." Clara's soothing voice was unmistakable even over the ringing in her ears. Bella tried to sit up as she regained consciousness, but she was strapped down to a cot. A glance around the room told her that she was in the infirmary. She recognized the calming blue wallpaper and the elegant rose trim above it. There were plants everywhere, and a few neatly made cots beside hers. The infirmary had the same bright, feminine air as Clara's garden, and it was a stark contrast to the rest of the Lodge.It took a moment for Bella to recall why she was there, but once she remembered, she started pulling at the restraints."Easy there. I don't want to have to give you another sedative," Clara said, reaching for a clear syringe on a tray beside the cot."Victor—”"Is fine," she interrupted. "Well, maybe fine isn't the right word, but he will be. We heal quickly. I'm afraid Darian did a number on his ja
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The Hybrid Mate Chapter 158
Bella froze when she realized what she was doing and tossed the pieces in the empty bread basket to hide the evidence. “Sorry,” she murmured, blushing. “You uh, get my blood boiling.”“I can tell,” he said, blinking. He looked down at his hands. “I'm sorry. I had no idea I was that intolerable.”“But you're not,” Bella said earnestly. “You make me angrier than anyone else, but you also make me laugh more than anyone else. You push me, sometimes to the brink of sanity, but she's a better person when she's with him. He's all of those annoying things, but he's also sweet and funny and protective and so compassionate toward the other members of the pack. He's a natural-born leader, and a good one. Whenever she sees the way he is with the other wolves, the way he cares for them and puts their needs above his own without even thinking, she falls a little more in love with him.” He stared at her in shock. “You love me? And you're admitting that freely?”Bella laughed, embarrassed. T
The Hybrid Mate Chapter 157
Bella reached across the table and rested her hand on his forearm. “You make it sound like I'm the one who's out of your league and not the other way around.” His eyebrows knit into a perplexed frown. He finally relaxed as if he'd given up trying to figure out whatever it was that was bothering him. “You are. Even aside from the fact that you're probably one of the mythological creatures our entire religion is based on, I don't deserve you. Neither does he, but I'm a big enough man to admit that Vic is a hell of a lot closer to being worthy of you than I am.” “Don't be so sure about that,” Bella said with a wry smile. “You both have your positive qualities.” “And negative ones, I'm sure.” Bella smiled wider.“Well, let's have it. Give me the side-by-side analysis,” he said, sitting back and folding his hands studiously on the table in front of him since he had already finished his meal.She laughed, but stopped abruptly when she realized he wasn't kidding. “You're
The Hybrid Mate Chapter 156
Bella reached across the table and rested her hand on his forearm. “You make it sound like I'm the one who's out of your league and not the other way around.” His eyebrows knit into a perplexed frown. He finally relaxed as if he'd given up trying to figure out whatever it was that was bothering him. “You are. Even aside from the fact that you're probably one of the mythological creatures our entire religion is based on, I don't deserve you. Neither does he, but I'm a big enough man to admit that Vic is a hell of a lot closer to being worthy of you than I am.” “Don't be so sure about that,” Bella said with a wry smile. “You both have your positive qualities.” “And negative ones, I'm sure.” Bella smiled wider.“Well, let's have it. Give me the side-by-side analysis,” he said, sitting back and folding his hands studiously on the table in front of him since he had already finished his meal.She laughed, but stopped abruptly when she realized he wasn't kidding. “You're
The Hybrid Mate Chapter 155
“Not sweet, innocent Clara,” Bella said doubtfully. “Oh, I've caught Jason coming out of her apartment once or twice.” “Jason and Clara?” Bella blanched. “But he's so... He chuckled at her reaction. “I know. Doubt he's her type, but the moon makes everyone go crazy, especially unmated fleurs. The rest of us try to stick to our subs, but what happens on a full moon stays on a full moon.”“Until now,” Bella reminded him. “You just told me.”“Hey, you didn't hear it from me.”Bella grinned mischievously. “Nope. I'm thinking now I own you.”“I don't go that way, kiddo. Not even for you,” he scoffed. “Now, if you ever decide you want a new master...”“My contract with Victor isn't exclusive. And don't try to change the subject.”“Sheesh. Okay, fine. It's probably already pretty obvious, but Brendan and Clarence don't just take care of Foster's emotional needs. They share him as a sub, but there's no relationship there otherwise. I'm pretty sure even that's tapered off since
The Hybrid Mate Chapter 154
"Are all the others out?" Bella asked, noting that the lot was almost empty. "Most of them," he said. "Clara and your dad are still around, as usual. Vic has been holed up in his office all day. Hunter and Clarence are still frolicking in the woods somewhere. Brendan was heading out with Maverick last I heard and uh, I think I saw Sarah with Jason." Anger started to boil inside Bella, but it couldn't take hold for some reason. "Oh, whatever," she muttered. "As long as she's leaving Dad alone." He glanced at her as he turned onto the road that led past campus. "That's a surprisingly zen attitude you got there." "I'm trying out a new approach to life," Bella said, admiring the heavily forested path. He shrugged. "Hey, I'm not complaining as long as you're okay.""I'm okay," Bella said. For the first time in a long time, she meant it.No one said a word for the rest of the ride. Darian took them into the city, or at least what passed for one in their little section o
The Hybrid Mate Chapter 153
A knock at the door jolted Bella awake from the most delightful nap. Despite the dull throbbing in her head, she woke feeling more refreshed and alive than she had in recent memory. “Be right there,” she called, yawning as she sat up. Her head spun a bit once she got to her feet, but it wasn't bad enough to make her stagger.On her way to the door, she noticed something strange about her room. All her stuff was there, but it looked like half of the room had been cleared out. Before the thought could trouble her too much, she remembered that Victor had probably just come for the remainder of his old things. She did have his old room, after all. Strange that he wouldn't have mentioned it, though.She shrugged it off and pulled the door open to find Darian waiting on the other side. At least, she thought it was Darian. The man before her had lightly slicked back hair, a stark contrast from his usual tousled brown locks. He wasn't wearing a suit or anything, but for Darian, a gray b
The Hybrid Mate Chapter 152
When Bella turned around, he was walking toward her calmly. She pressed herself against the door and struggled to slow her fluttering pulse as she looked around the room for escape. The window was too far to reach, and even if she did somehow manage to escape, she would only be prolonging the inevitable. Once Victor set his mind on something, no matter how horrible that something was, he got it. It briefly occurred to her that maybe that was why he was doing this. Maybe he thought his will had been strong enough to conquer her own and that removing all traces of it was the only way she would truly be free to choose. “I'm sorry, pup. I didn't want this to be a traumatic experience,” he murmured. “I was planning on waiting until tomorrow night, but it's just as well that I don't have time to talk myself out of this.” “Please don't do this,” she begged for what seemed like the hundredth time. “I don't want to forget you.” “You won't forget me,” he said softly. “J
The Hybrid Mate Chapter 151
“Of course,” Bella said, startled that he felt like he had to ask. “Well, I know you didn't like him so I just thought...” He trailed off, losing his enthusiasm for a moment. “Thank you. It would mean a lot to have you there. Victor is coming, and he said your dad would probably want to come, too.” He glanced toward the stairs. “I'll let you go; I have to find Brendan.” “He's probably still out with the others celebrating, but I know he was planning on seeing if you wanted to go out later,” Bella said carefully. “Oh, darn. I wanted to invite him, but I'll just have to wait until later. Bye, Bella!” he waved, already halfway down the hall. “Bye, Mav.” Bella waved back, mystified. Barely recovered from the macabre interaction, she knocked on Victor's office door and waited for permission before she entered. “Aren't you supposed to be with him?” was his immediate response. “Hi to you, too,” Bella muttered, walking over to his desk.He gave her an apologetic sm
The Hybrid Mate Chapter 150
“I'm fine,” Bella lied, brushing past her. She grabbed Bella's arm before she could head up the stairs. “You're a terrible liar,” she said, sounding a bit disappointed. “You get that from your father, obviously. Tell me what's wrong, maybe I can help.” “I went out to watch the others shift,” Bella said, leaning on the railing. “Now there's an all-American pastime,” she said, casting a lustful glance in the direction of the forest. “Honey, trust me, if your boy toys are upset about you sneaking a little peek at the competition, they probably don't have the equipment for the job in the first place.” “That's not it!” Bella snapped. “And they both have plenty of equipment for the—they're both well equipped, okay?” Bella stammered. “That's not what this is about.” “No?” She blinked. “Then what?” “I left the Lodge by myself. Months ago, Victor put a mental block up that would keep me from leaving the Lodge without permission,” Bella said. “It was our trade
