To Win a Hybrid

by Marisa Chenery

  After his shift ended, Devin headed home with the intent of getting in a jog before he cooked his dinner. Even though he spent most of his day making donuts and helping out with other food orders at the coffee shop, he enjoyed cooking for himself. He was good at it, and hoped someday to be able to go to culinary school to get even better.

  He arrived at his small bungalow that he rented and parked his car in the driveway. It didn’t take Devin long to change into a pair of sweats and tank top. Before he left the house, he clipped his MP3 player to his waistband and then put the earbuds into his ears. With his favorite band’s music playing, he set off at an easy jog.

  The familiar rhythm of running settled over him, and he let his mind go to the place where it was just his music and the movement of his body. He called it getting into “the zone.”

  He’d reached the outskirts of town and was close to the local grain elevator. That was his usual spot to turn around to return home. He did a circle in the empty parking lot, then ran to the opposite side of the road, heading in the direction he’d come.

  Devin had only run a few steps when something in some low-lying thick brush at the side of the road snagged his attention. He could just see a spot of pink through the branches. As he came closer, he slowed and then came to a stop. He peered closer, then sucked in a sharp breath. He ran toward what had caught his interest.

  It wasn’t just a piece of pink material as Devin had first thought. It was the shirt of the woman who lay there. As he pushed the brush aside, he cursed. There was no question that she was dead. Her eyes were sightless and fixed. There was also the fact her throat looked to have been torn into, as if something or someone had used their teeth to do it. The wound appeared to be exactly like the one Waverly had received when a vampire had almost killed her. This woman hadn’t been as lucky as his sister to have a hybrid mate on hand to turn her and save her life.

  Devin turned off his MP3 player before he pulled out his earbuds. He took his cell from his sweats pocket. If the dead woman’s wound hadn’t looked like it’d been done by a vampire, he would have called the police. Since that wasn’t the case, he needed to let the ones who hunted the vamp know instead.

  He walked to the graveled shoulder of the road. He thought of calling Torger or Brolach, even Cameron, but in the end decided to call Kaisa. It made more sense. She was the one who’d been on the hunt more than the others. And he hadn’t settled on her to contact because he wanted to hear her voice and have the chance to see her. Maybe.

  Kaisa answered after the fourth ring. “Devin.”

  “Hello to you too.”

  “Why are you calling me?”

  “Don’t worry. I didn’t call to bring up what happened in the alley. I was out for a jog and found something. It’s a dead woman with her throat torn out. The wound looks the same that Waverly had after that vampire had been done with her. The body was dumped at the side of the road in some thick brush by the grain elevator.”

  “Shit. That means the vamp is definitely still here near town. I’ll come out and meet you. I’m about a minute away.”

  “Okay. See you when you get here.”

  Devin ended the call, then put his cell phone into his pocket. He was thankful the grain elevator was closed for the day. His standing at the side of the road would have drawn some unwanted attention. Plus, he knew quite a few people who worked there. Working in the only coffee shop in town, he’d probably met most of the local townsfolk. And because of that, he was pretty sure the dead woman hadn’t lived in Lemmon. He didn’t recognize her.

  It wasn’t long before Devin spotted Kaisa’s flashy expensive sport’s car driving toward him. She pulled into the grain elevator’s parking lot, got out of her vehicle and then hurried over to him. Once she reached him, he pointed to the brush.

  Kaisa went to the body and squatted beside it. She closely examined the dead woman’s throat. She took hold of her chin and turned her head to the side before tugging down the collar of the woman’s pink t-shirt.

  “You’re right,” she said. Kaisa stood and came to stand in front of him. “A vampire killed her. She also has some older bite marks that are scarred over. The bastard fed from her without healing her afterward. I don’t remember seeing her around town. Do you?”

  Devin shook his head. “No. I don’t think she’s from Lemmon.”

  “That’s what I thought. Some vampires like to capture a human to feed from on a regular basis. They get off on causing fear in their victims. They keep the man or woman for a short time, then once they get bored with them, they drink them dry and dump the body. Our vamp must have brought her with him. I think he deliberately got rid of her now for us to find the body or to learn about. It’s his way of saying he hasn’t gone anywhere, and that he figures he can do whatever the hell he wants and we can’t stop him.”

  “Nice,” Devin said sarcastically.

  “I have to call the others and let them know. Torger and Cameron in particular will want to see the woman before we get rid of the body. It has the vampire’s scent all over it.”

  “If his scent is on her, wouldn’t that make him a dumbass? I would have thought he’d want to stay off your radar.”

  Kaisa snorted. “It wasn’t something he forgot to get rid of. It’s his conceit showing. He wants us to get his scent. He’s daring us to come find him. He thinks if we confront him, we’ll lose.”

  “That still makes him a dumbass in my books. You already took out a vamp with your brothers and Cameron.”

  “He’d think it was blind luck on our part. Remember, vampires think werewolves, and especially humans, are beneath them. And hybrids are just plain abominations who don’t deserve to live.”

  “Ahh,” Devin said loudly. “Too bad they haven’t figured out you, Brolach and Torger can’t ever be killed since you’re true immortals. The vampires are way more vulnerable than any of you.”

  “Which gives us an advantage. I’m going to call Torger and Cameron now.”

  “What about Brolach?”

  “I think it best we tell him after the fact. If Waverly finds out you’re here, she’ll want to tag along with Brolach. I think it best she doesn’t see this. It might set off some bad memories.”

  Devin nodded. Kaisa was right. Waverly had nightmares every once in a while of being held captive by the vampire who’d tried to kill her. Seeing the dead woman wouldn’t do her any favors.

  He looked around the area as Kaisa made her phone calls. Devin settled his gaze on her, and greedily drank in the sight of her. He’d missed her these past three days. And he hadn’t been able to get their kiss out of his thoughts. He’d awoken in the middle of the night a few times with a raging hard-on after dreaming of her, and their kiss going so much further.

  Kaisa ended her last call and then pocketed her cell. She met his gaze. “Stop.”

  “Stop what?”

  “Stop staring at me as if you want to eat me.”

  “Sorry. I can’t help it. It’s your fault. You kissed me first.”

  “Damn it. I’m not going to do this with you now. Torger and Cameron are on their way.”

  “All right. Then when?”

  “Never.”

  Devin blew out a frustrated breath. “That’s not going to happen. We have to talk about it. Since you’ve been avoiding me these last few days—and I’m sure you’ll try to do the same thing after we’re done here—we’re going do it now while we’re still alone.”

  “No.”

  “Yes, or I’ll bring it up in front of your brother and Cameron. You know they’ll back me up.”

  Kaisa snarled her upper lip, giving him a flash of her fang in obvious irritation. “You would too, and so would they. Both of them know why there can be nothing between you and me. Still they think I should admit defeat and let you in.”

  Devin took a step closer. “Tell me then. Make me understand why you have this rule where you won’t date or have a relationship with a human.”

  “I don’t like t
o talk about it.”

  “Can’t you at least reconsider it? Both your brothers found their mates in human women. Who’s to say you won’t be just as happy with me?”

  “Brolach and Torger knew Waverly and Rikki were theirs right from the start. Their werewolf and vampire sides recognized them as their mates. There’s no denying that once it happens. I’m female. I can’t walk up to a male and know instantly he’s mine.”

  “You know what, babe? Humans haven’t ever been able to do that, and we manage to fall in love and get married.”

  “Yeah, and that works out so well for your kind. Unlike you, there is no such thing as divorce in werewolves and vampires. That’s because they mate for life, and are truly happy.”

  Devin throw up his hands. “Can’t you at least give us a try?” At the sound of two cars coming toward them, he quickly added, “I want one date. After the kiss in the alley, you owe me that, at least. Say yes or I’ll tell Cameron and Torger what happened between us.”

  Kaisa narrowed her eyes. “Do you know how immature that makes you sound?”

  “Yeah, but you forced me to it. They’re almost here. What will it be?”

  “Fine, you win. I’ll go out with you. We’ll discuss this later.”

  “That’s all I wanted.”

  The cars pulled into the grain elevator’s lot and parked on either side of Kaisa’s vehicle. After Torger and Cameron climbed out of theirs, they joined them at the side of the road.

  “Where’s the body?” Torger asked.

  Devin pointed in the direction of the brush. Cameron and Torger left Kaisa and Devin where they stood while they checked out the dead woman. They didn’t take very long before they rejoined them.

  “Now that we have the bastard’s scent, we should hopefully have an easier time hunting him,” Cameron said.

  “Don’t count on it,” Torger replied. “He’s toying with us.”

  Devin nodded. “That’s what Kaisa basically said.”

  Torger blew out a breath. “Well, we can’t leave the body here for others to find.” He turned to Devin. “Cameron and I will take care of it. You head home. Where’s your car?”

  “I was out for a jog when I found her. I’ll be getting home the same way.”

  “Kaisa will give you a ride.”

  She scowled at her brother. “I will?”

  “Yes. I doubt the vampire has any servants around, but I’d feel better if Devin wasn’t out on the road right now.”

  Kaisa nodded. “All right.” She turned and took a few steps across the road. Without looking back to see if he followed, she said, “Let’s go, Devin.”

  He nodded at Torger and Cameron, then ran to catch up with Kaisa, who’d already reached the parking lot. At her car, he climbed into the passenger side as she slid into the driver’s.

  Since Kaisa had never been to his house, Devin had to give her directions. That was their only conversation until she pulled into his driveway and put the car into park.

  He undid his seatbelt and turned sideways to face her. “Is Saturday night okay with you?”

  She set her gaze on him. “For what?”

  “Our date. Don’t tell me you forgot already.”

  “No, I just hoped you would.”

  “Not going to happen. I can pick you up at your place at around six.”

  “I’ll drive myself.”

  “Then you can pick me up. We can eat and have a few drinks at R Bar.”

  “Why can’t you meet me there?”

  “If I did that, you’d leave as soon as we finished our meal. I’m not letting you off the hook that easily. This is going to be a real date where we spend part of the evening and night together.”

  Kaisa let loose with a wolf’s growl. “Okay. I’ll pick you up here at six thirty on Saturday. Don’t make me wait for you.”

  “I’ll be on time.”

  Devin quickly leaned in and kissed Kaisa’s cheek before he got out of the car. He stood in the driveway as she backed onto the street. She didn’t look his way or wave as she drove off.

  He sighed and went to the front door. He had two days to figure out a way to win Kaisa over. One date wouldn’t be enough for him. If only he knew what had happened to her to make her so dead set against being involved with a human. Asking Torger or Cameron was out of the question. They were too loyal to her to deluge something like that to Devin. He’d have to earn her trust enough to get her to talk about it. The problem was he had no idea how to do that.

  Chapter Three

  It was Saturday, and Kaisa stood in her bedroom as she inspected herself in the mirror attached to her dresser. She picked up her brush and ran it through her hair. Satisfied, she put it down and then gave herself one final look over.

  She didn’t wear any makeup, and never had in her life. She didn’t need it. And there was the fact she grew up as a member of a native tribe. The women wouldn’t have touched the stuff, even if they’d known about it.

  Kaisa hadn’t dressed up for her date with Devin. They were only going to the R Bar. Plus, she was more comfortable in jeans and a t-shirt. She wore a black leather jacket since the nights were starting to get cooler now that summer was on the way out. The only thing different from her everyday wear was the high-heeled black suede ankle boots she’d changed into from her sneakers. She didn’t get much opportunity to wear them, and a date qualified, even if it was only Devin she was going out with.

  She left her room and stepped out into the hallway. Cameron was there, leaning against the wall beside her door. He pushed away from it and followed her down the stairs to the main level.

  “So, are you all ready for your hot date with Devin?” Cameron asked as he gave her a wink.

  Kaisa cringed inside. She hadn’t wanted Cameron or her brothers to learn about her date, but Devin had told them. She had a feeling he’d done it purposely so she wouldn’t be able to back out at the last minute. He knew Cameron and Torger would make sure she didn’t.

  “It’s not a hot date,” she said irritably. “I only said yes because Devin made it so I couldn’t turn him down.”

  “Yeah, that’s right. I can’t help wondering what he has on you. It has to be something good to make you finally cave in.”

  “That’s none of your damn business.”

  Cameron chuckled. “Oh, it’s definitely something good.” He grew serious. “Give him a chance, Kaisa. Devin’s a great guy. He isn’t Thad.”

  She growled low in warning. “Don’t ever say his name around me.”

  “Christ, Kaisa, it’s time to get over that bastard. He’s long dead and buried. You’re alive. Don’t let the ghost of him ruin the happiness you can have in your life. You’ve already let him have too much control over it as is.”

  “It might have happened four hundred years ago, but to me it still seems like yesterday.”

  “Only because you let it. I think of you as my sister, and I want you to be happy. You’re the one preventing that from happening. If you don’t like the idea that there’s no real way to know if Devin is your mate, then turn him.”

  “No.”

  “Why not? That’s what you offered Thad, and he turned you down.”

  “Cameron,” she warned with a growl.

  He ignored her. “In the end, it was best that he had. He wasn’t meant for you. You just haven’t been able to see past that. Devin is different. The guy practically worships the ground you walk on. If I was able to turn him in to a werewolf, I would have bitten him by now. I’ve seriously considered talking to Waverly about turning her brother. I know she’d do it. Maybe Brolach or Torger can be convinced to do it if she’s unsure about it.”

  “Don’t you dare.” Surprisingly, the idea of her not being the one to turn Devin didn’t sit well with her. There was always a bond that formed between a vampire, or hybrid, and the human they turned.

  “Then don’t push Devin away. If you come back here in an hour, or I call Devin at that time and you aren’t with him, I’m going to marc
h you right back to him.”

  Kaisa scowled. “What the fuck, Cameron. Since when did you feel you needed to get involved in my social life?”

  “Since I’ve seen how happy Brolach and Torger are with their mates. It’s time you found that as well. No more wallowing in self-pity.”

  She bared her fangs and hissed. “I’m done with this conversation. I’m leaving now.”

  Kaisa walked past Cameron to the front door. Both he and Devin had ganged up on her. She hated being manipulated, even if in some ways it was for her own good.

  * * * *

  Kaisa pulled into the driveway at Devin’s house. There was no way she was going to his door and ring the bell. He wanted her to pick him up, and she was doing that. She laid on the car horn.

  The door open, and Devin stepped out. She couldn’t stop herself from running her gaze over him as he walked toward her car. He wore a dark gray button-down shirt that was tucked into a pair of black jeans that hugged him, showcasing a trim waist and muscular thighs. She forced herself to quickly skim over his crotch. She was not going to check out his package, no matter how much she wanted to.

  He slid into the passenger side. “See, I wasn’t late. I was actually ready early.”

  She didn’t respond to that as she backed out onto the street. Silence reigned as she drove to the bar. It was on the awkward side, at least for her. She was decidedly underdressed compared to Devin. All she’d done was change her shoes for the date.

  Once they arrived, she parked and then they climbed out of the car. Devin came around to walk at her side. He captured her hand in his. She gave him a hard look.

  “It’s a date, Kaisa. Holding hands is part of it.”

  “Whatever.”

  She’d give him that one as a win. And it had nothing to do with the fact that having her fingers linked with his didn’t make her warm inside. No, nothing at all.

  They walked into the bar and then found a table near the back. Once they sat, a waitress came and gave them a couple menus. She also took their drink order. Kaisa asked for a beer the same as Devin had. Alcohol didn’t affect her unless she drank a shit ton of it, which would give a human alcohol poisoning. Both werewolves and vampires had a very high tolerance when it came to drinking.