Hybrid Mates

I was born into a progressive wolf pack. Our pack is much different than the traditional packs. We are more like a monarch. My father was a King, not an Alpha. My mother was a queen, and I was a princess.

Our family lived in remote southern Louisiana. There were a lot of vamps in the area. We intermingled with them. I have a family that is both vampy and wolf.

The wolf packs outside of our area were not fond of our way of doing things, but it worked for us. The wolves protected the vamps because they wanted to. They were our family.

Of course, nothing lasts forever. Some vamps and some wolves wanted to disrupt our happy community, and they did. I was 16 when the war started. My parents sent me away during the war.

I went to college and became a real estate agent for one of the biggest developers in Louisiana, Lance Astor St. John. He built it, and I sold it. That's how I met Bishop Crown.

"I am sending a very important client to look at a house with you today, Miya," Lance said as he barged into my office.

I waved him off. I was on a very important call, but he did not seem to care at all.

"Miya!" he shouted at me.

So, I abruptly ended my call. "Are you out of your mind? That was important!" I yelled at him.

"I am sorry but listen to me. Bishop Crown is coming to the office. He wants to look at some of the properties, and I need you to charm him," Lance said with a huge smile.

When I think back on this day, I can honestly say that day changed all of our lives forever. It is unreal every thing that happened after I met Bishop.

"Who is Bishop Crown?" I asked

Lance shook his head at me like I was supposed to know who he was talking about.

"Miya, he is an attorney for King Robin and Countess Wren, and he is their son," he said.

"I do not care who he is. He gets no special treatment from me. I am showing a house this afternoon to the Wallace family. Remember?" I spoke.

"Cancel it. Call Bishop and set up some houses to show him. That's an order," Lance said.

"An order?" I responded.

Lance left the room. I remember how mad I was at that moment. I was so furious with Lance and Bishop both. I did not even know Bishop yet.

I was a good girl, and I made the call. I called Bishop to find out what he was looking for in a house so that I could take care of his needs. He was very kind on the phone. I looked over a few properties for him and made my selections. I called him back went over the properties, and he picked a few on the lake. I made all the arrangements to meet him that afternoon.

I walked down the hall to Lance's office to let him know how mad I was before I headed out to meet Bishop. I walked past his secretary opened his door while he was on the phone.

"Hey, I just wanted you to know I am heading to meet Bishop and that you owe me big," I said and walked away without giving him a chance to respond. He knew I was mad and let it go.

Lance and I always had a great working relationship. He knew when to let me be. He was always a great listener. He knew my family history. He was raised by vamps and was very fond of how my family had always treated the vamp community.

What I did not know that day as I left to meet Bishop was his family was not as fond of wolves, but Bishop was. Lance thought I could get him to buy the biggest house because I was a wolf. Lance thought Bishop would not try to negotiate with me.

As I approached my car in the parking deck, a little black sports car pulled up behind me and blew the horn. I was annoyed, to say the least.

"What?" I said as I glared at the driver.

"Lance told me to look for the most beautiful, extremely mad as hell woman in the parking deck. Is that you?" Bishop said with a big smile on his face.

"I am not mad at you, sir, but I am very upset with him. How can I help you?" I said. All I could think was this has to be the sexiest man I have ever seen in my life.

"We have an appointment. I am Bishop Crown," he said.

"Well, I was planning to meet you at the house in an hour," I said. At this point, I was annoyed. I had not eaten, and now he wants to be pushy.

"I thought I would give you a ride. That way you can tell me all about the house on the way. I can try to make a quick decision, and I won't take up too much of your time," he said.

What a charmer. Well, the house price stands. I am not coming down on it, I thought.

"Thanks, but I need to grab a bite on the way," I said and turned to get in my car, "I will be there in an hour."

"Please get in. I will buy you lunch," he said.

"Okay, we can discuss the houses over a speedy lunch," I said.

What the hell am I doing? Is he charming to me? I will be professional.

"Let me get the door for you," he said as he jumped out of his car and came around quickly to open my door.

Nice bod vamp boy, but I am not charmed so easily, I thought.

"I would hope it takes more than my body to charm you," he said.

"Vamps are not supposed to be able to read my mind," I said.

"Well, I am special, and so are you, Princess Miya," he said.

"I am sorry, not sorry. I don't get out much, I guess," I said.

I know at that moment I was every shade of red.

"I will remember that in case I need to use it in negotiating a better price on my house," he said.

"It will take more than an embarrassment to get me to lower the price of the house, Mr. Crown," I said.

Bishop closed my door and jumped into his little sports car.

"I can put the top up if you are worried about your hair," he said.

I laughed. "I am a wolf, Mr. Crown. I have perfect hair. You can leave the top down," I said with a smile. He smiled back, and I got a glimpse of his fangs. I gasped.

"I am sorry, not sorry," he said with a laugh.

We both laughed.

"I thought you were used to vamps and fangs," he said.

"I am, but it's been a long time," I said.

We rode in silence to a small deli close to the lake. "Is this okay? I hear the food is great," he said.

"It's fine. I just need a quick bite to carry me through the rest of the day. The houses I am showing you are huge and have a lot of acreages. You don't want me to pass out halfway through the tour, do you?" I said.

He smiled again. He never stops smiling. "Why don't I grab you something, and you can eat while I look at the information of the houses," he said.

I nodded. He walked up to the deli. I watched him walk away, minding my thoughts. When he returned with a brown paper bag, I was surprised.

"What is this?" I asked.

"It's your favorite," he said.

"Please don't read my mind. It's annoying," I said. I took the ugly brown paper bag and looked inside. It was my favorite, avocado burger and fries.

"Don't worry about the car; please eat," he said. He held back his beautiful smile, afraid I would see his fangs again.

"I am not afraid of them. It's just been so long since I was in the presence of a vamp. Don't hold back your smile," I said.

I ate as he drove us to the house. I absolutely did not want him to be interested in me. I did not want to start another war. I was promised to another wolf eventually. I had made a point to avoid the chosen wolf for me in hopes he would fall in love with someone else.

When Bishop pulled up the 7281 Washington cove, he was in awe.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" I said.

"It really is," he responded.

"I live right down the street," I said.

"Nice selling point. A beautiful neighbor is always a plus," he said.

"Well, I have had a hard time selling it. I think the creepy basement is a turn-off," I said.

"Well, you know us vamps, we like the creepy basement," he said.

"It has a cool wine cellar. It is almost exactly like mine," I said.

"The cellar of the house," he asked.

"Both," I said.

"Do you want to see it?" I asked.

"The wine cellar or your house," he asked.

That was it. The way he looked at me. I knew I was in trouble. This will not end well, I thought.

"Sorry. That was too forward," he said.

"Not at all. I can show you my house if you want to see it. Would you like to look at this one first," I asked.

"Umm, yes. I am sorry. Yes. Please show me the house, Miss Miya. I want to see it," he said.

We walked the property. I don't remember ever having such a wonderful time showing a house. He was so kind and charming.

When I took him inside the house, he was in awe.

"I thought you lived in a huge house, Mr. Crown. I was honestly afraid this would be too modest for you," I said.

"I mostly was in boarding schools. I have only been to my family home a few times. I want a nice place to start a family, maybe someday," he said.

"Oh. Well, this place is perfect for that," I said.

"I will take it," he said.

"You haven't even seen the entire house," I said, puzzled.

He starred at me for what seemed like forever, "I have seen everything I need to see," he said.

"I can get the paperwork ready. I have everything on my computer at home. You can drop me off there. I can make Lance bring me my car," I said.

"How about I go with you to do the paperwork after we can go get your car and maybe celebrate?" he said.

"Sure. Why not!" I said.

Bishop knew I was worried about him coming to my house. "I will be a gentleman," he said.

I don't know what came over me, but I immediately started thinking about what if he wasn't. He smiled, and I turned red again.

"Stop reading my mind. It is just rude," I said.

Bishop laughed as he followed me out of the house. He opened the door and smiled as he shut it. I am in so much trouble, I thought.

"Maybe not," he said.

"I need a witch and a blocking spell. Know any?" I asked him.

He laughed. "Which way to your house?" he asked.

"I am next door," I responded.

"Oh. Hmm, well then, neighbor, you could be in trouble. I don't know if I can live this close to you," he said.

"Flirting will get you nowhere with me," I said.

"Thank goodness I have a smoking hot bod," he said, and flashed his fangs.

"True," I responded.

For the five minutes it took us to drive from his soon-to-be new home to mine, I tried desperately not to think about how hot he was. He was the first man to make me feel like I needed to wolf out and have a wild night of romance. I had never been with any man. At 28, I was way past having a fling, but he made me want him. Maybe it was the fangs.