The Hybrid Series

SASHA

Was I sad we were moving again? In a way, yes. In all honesty, I was more disappointed.

Disappointed that she-wolves could be so mean to one of their own. Even if my sweet Livi was different, what does that matter? It’s not her fault she is the way she is.

I am determined to find the place where Livi will finally be safe, accepted, and loved for who she is, not feared because of the unknown.

I will keep moving until we find our safe haven, our sanctuary. I hope that Livi will find her mate. I know Livi isn’t keen on being around people; I understand why.

She stopped trusting her own species long ago, lost hope that they could change and accept her. Now all she sees is the negatives in being near others, of opening up to others.

A lot of irreparable damage has been done, damage that I cannot heal. Only her mate will fully be able to heal her heart, to show her that there is light and love in the world.

Ever since she turned eighteen, I have been hoping he would turn up somewhere and heal her broken heart. But so far, no luck…even with all of the moving!

I’m not even sure she is open to meeting her mate. I worry she will reject them in fear of being rejected herself.

Her walls are up. It would take someone extremely powerful to tear them down, brick by brick.

I understand why she has lost trust with werewolves, she-wolves in particular. It’s taken its toll on her to have pack after pack exclude and shun her.

She doesn’t show it though and she still plasters a smile on her face every morning. She’s a strong girl, my Olive, physically and spiritually.

I’m not ashamed of the fact my daughter is different, but I do fear for her. I fear how the pack will react when they learn the truth.

I fear for my daughter and how she will handle the abilities she may possess; I fear how she will feel if her abilities make themselves known.

But most of all, I fear what she will think of me for not telling her the truth sooner.

Everything I have done for Livi, rightly or wrongly, has been from a place of love and a desire to protect her. That is my only intention—to protect my daughter and keep her safe from any threat.

If that means moving a million times over, I would do it in a heartbeat.

I worry for Livi. She is the sweetest girl with the biggest heart, but if you push and push and push her, she will snap. That’s what I’m trying to prevent.

I want to keep Livi safe from any repercussions from her actions, because if Livi hurt someone, I mean really hurt someone, she’ll be broken.

So now we are on the way to our new pack: The Dark Wood Pack. I know Livi will like it. She loves to be outdoors. She spends most of her time—when she’s not with me—outside, exploring pack lands.

We have been driving for six hours. I’m exhausted already. I hate driving for long periods.

Ugh, my neck, I think as I rub the back of it.

Get it together, Sasha. This is for Livi.

In truth, I will drive to the ends of the earth if it means finding the pack Livi is finally accepted into with open arms, aching neck and all.

The sun is shining through the car window, warming my face. I let out a content sigh. The forest is surrounding us; we can’t be too far now.

I glance over to see Livi is grimacing and shifting in her seat.

“Are you okay, sweetie?” I ask.

“Yeah, I-I’m…just really nervous,” she responds, eyes shifty.

I narrow my eyes at her but turn my attention back to the road and smirk.

I bet this has something to do with Raven. She always has been a feisty one!

I know Livi won’t appreciate it if I press more about the conversation she and her wolf have just had. I decide to play dumb instead.

“Well, you’ve got nothing to worry about. I’ve got a good feeling about this one!” It’s true, I really do!

Livi is clearly not convinced, but I plan on doing my best to make this the best pack yet.

We sit in silence for the next ten minutes, both lost in our own thoughts. I get an idea. This has always perked her up ever since she was tiny.

“I know what will cheer you up,” I blurt out as I rummage in the glove box, desperately trying to find what I am looking for.

Aha! There it is!

I pull out the CD and notice Livi smirk.

Ahh, see! My plan is working already!

I pop the CD in and press play. Hey Jude by the Beatles plays. Livi chuckles and slowly but surely starts to sing and shout the lyrics as loud as she possibly can.

Each verse gets louder and louder before we’re both screaming the lyrics at the top of our lungs, no doubt sounding like a bunch of dying cats.

After another half an hour, I spot the town coming up near the end of the dirt track. Excitement fills me, and I start to bounce in my seat.

“Eek! Look! We are here!” I exclaim.

Livi sits up in her seat, mouth slightly agape. If I didn’t know better, I would think she was almost excited. I pull up to where two male wolves stand on guard and roll my window down.

The wolves approach the car. “Name and reason for visit,” one asks.

“I’m Sasha Dubois, and this is my daughter, Olive Dubois. We are new transfers.”

“ID and documentation, please,” says the larger of the two males.

He drops his head so he can see in the car. He takes a deep breath and stares at Livi, eyes roaming all over her. He must think I’m stupid if he thinks I can’t see him checking her out.

Livi knows she’s not ugly, but she also seems completely unaware of all the male wolves that ogle and drool over her.

The boys in high school and college were always trying to get her attention, but I think maybe she felt it was a trap the she-wolves had set to further her humiliation.

I hand over our ID and acceptance documents. He gives me the nod and we pull away.

I sneak a peek at Livi. She’s blushing.

No doubt has something to do with that wolf of hers again! I smile.

I start to see our cottage come into view. It’s absolutely, breathtakingly beautiful.

Pleeeeeaaaaaseeee, Goddess. Let this pack work out!

Livi is looking glum again. I slap her thigh with excitement, hoping to bring her back to earth. “This is going to be good for us, Livi.”

She smiles back at me, but the smile doesn’t quite reach her eyes. She’s just humoring me.

I pull up into the driveway of our stone cottage. It’s even more stunning close-up. Immediately I spot the empty flower beds; ideas of flowers flood my mind.

Maybe some carnations? No! Leucanthemums! Yes, they will do nicely.

I head to our front door and open it, letting Livi in first. She stands in the doorway gawking for a while before heading back out to the car to grab some of our stuff.

I have a look around, thinking about what colors to decorate and how to make this beautiful cottage our own.

I go and grab some boxes from the car. I make quick work getting my clothes put away. I have had a lot of practice after all.

Then I get to work on finding homes for our items. I find spaces for my treasured plants on end tables and in corners of rooms.

In what feels like no time, everything has been put away. Livi and I throw ourselves on the sofa with a sigh.

All of a sudden, I can feel and hear my stomach rumbling. I’m surprised when Livi doesn’t comment on it. We need food and we need it fast!

“Right, I think that calls for takeout!” I exclaim. “What do you want?”

Livi scrunches her face while she thinks. It’s adorable when she does it. “Hmm, maaaaybe…Chinese?”

I make the call and once it arrives, we sit on the sofa with our Chinese food while we watch Bridgerton. I think I underestimated how hungry I was. I only come up for air after the food is all gone.

When it hits about 11 p.m., we start to make our way to bed. Livi says goodnight and starts to head upstairs.

I call to her, “Oh, Livi, I forgot to tell you. I managed to get you space at the local college. You start on Wednesday!”

Livi whips around. “But that’s only two days away?!” She’s panicking.

“I know you don’t like going to school, but focus on your studies. And who knows, maybe this time you’ll make a friend?”

Or maybe find your mate, I mentally hope, crossing my fingers.

She scoffs and rolls her eyes. “I highly doubt that, Mom. I’m a freak, remember? And besides, why do I need friends when I have you?” She looks at me with her puppy eyes.

She knows how to wrap me around her finger.

“All right, all right. You kiss-ass, get to bed!” I chuckle.

***

The next morning I’m up sorting some things in the kitchen when Livi runs down.

She annihilates a bowl of cereal, kisses me on the cheek, and darts out of the house while shouting behind her that she’s going to take a look around.

I smile as she leaves, but I can’t help but fear about how the new pack will take to her. I continue to silently pray to the Moon Goddess to let this pack work out.

With Livi out of the house, I have my own list of things to sort out, one being my work. I was one of the pack doctors in my last pack.

My job makes it easier to transfer. Packs always need extra doctors!

I make my way to the pack house—well, I should say pack house grounds. There are three large stone buildings, which is uncommon for pack houses. They’re usually all in one large building.

They’re the same sort of style as the cottage, built from stone. One building has a sign outside: “Dark Wood Hospital.”

The other two I assume are communal spaces and living quarters for higher-ranked pack members.

I head into the hospital and ask for a nurse to point me in the direction of the head doctor. He nods toward an office at the end of the hospital wing.

I knock on the office door.

“Come in!” says a male voice.

I open the door and see a man, maybe mid-to-late forties. He has graying hair and a clean-shaven—which accentuates his strong jaw.

“Hi, I’m Sasha, the new pack doctor. I just wanted to introduce myself and finish off the last bits of paperwork.”

His smile broadens. “Ah, Sasha! So good to meet you.” He extends his hand, which I grasp firmly and shake.

“I’m Callum. I must say I’ve been pretty intrigued by your file.” He looks at me as if he’s trying to unravel a mystery.

“Really? How so?” I feign being surprised.

“Yes. It says here that you have transferred ten times in the last six years. That’s a lot of moves,” he says as he crosses his arms over his chest.

“Err, yes, it is. I guess we just haven’t found the right pack to settle down in yet and my daughter and I just love to travel!” I start to fiddle with the hem of my T-shirt.

I notice Callum is looking at my shifty hands. He gives me a reassuring smile.

“One day, if you’re ever ready to open up and tell someone why you’re moving so often, I’m happy to be a listening ear.”

I smile, though I’m feeling awkward and embarrassed. It’s definitely becoming more and more noticeable that we’re running away from something.

“Thank you. I appreciate the thought.”

Callum hands me the papers, and I fill them out quickly and leave, just in case he tries to question me further.

Back at home, I busy myself by putting some laundry away.

When I hear the door unlocking, I dry off my hands as Livi comes through the door. I come out of the kitchen to greet her, a spring in my step.

I take in Livi’s appearance. She looks drained, as if she’s waging an internal war. I rush to her.

“Livi, is everything okay?”