The Hybrid’s Vampire

Chapter 1 - Auðr

June is always a busy month for my band, Immortal Eclipse. Being a gay man, I tend to book out June to attend as many pride events as we can. It doesn’t matter that the rest of my band are heteros. To each their own. The point is they are still allies and other than my great-great-grand nephew, we’re all vampires, and fresh blood is fresh blood. They don’t care about gender or sexuality regarding the feed.

Tonight’s gig at Ember in Portland was going to be interesting. A trip through Bloodmoon territory is always interesting, especially after Albert mated up with their human princess. I like Hana. She keeps Albert and his buddies in line, and I like that. Plus, the girl is a fan, and unless they get creeper-level, I love all my fans. 

However, catching up with old friends isn’t what will make tonight interesting. My great-grand nephew Léonel got a message from a cop in Bloodmoon about an estranged daughter living there. I know how badly that cunt Jane Cornell and her equally douchey chosen mate Theodore Hanley and their whole fucked up pack hurt Léonel. They cost him his wolf and nearly cost him his life twice. The first was when he was in that coma, and the second was when I found him drunk off his ass, ready to jump off a bridge.

I recognized him, not that we’d personally met, but the Darby genetics were strong in my little brother Joseph’s line. Léonel was a dead ringer for my brother if he was born in this era and favored leather jackets and jeans. I saved his life that night and got him sober-ish. Then, I recruited him into my band as the drummer, and the rest is history—or it was until that phone call.

I couldn’t even imagine what must be going through my great great grandnephew’s mind. To find out all these years later that the one time he had sex with his mate resulted in a child. That fucking whore just found another way to have fucked him over. Screwing another man and taking the other guy as her mate was bad enough. But to keep Léonel from his child and pass it off as her chosen mate is next-level cruel. 

Jane Cornell is going to hell. I do not doubt that. And given what I’ve learned, I’m inclined to be the one who sends her there. She has caused unfathomable pain to my family. She left Léonel broken with no reason to live. She kept his child and proceeded to treat the child like trash. Hello, winner of the Worst Mother of the Millennium award. I’m disgusted that she and Theodore were going to essentially sell the child to their pack’s Beta when he wasn’t even her mate. 

I’m glad Bloodmoon handled the situation. I’ve met the Bloodmoon Alpha once because of his daughter and the guy might be a tad short for an alpha, but he has one intense aura. Given that he raised Hana, I can believe he’s scary and does what’s right. In the case of Léonel’s child, what was right was putting Theodore and that prick Beta in jail. Logan took it a step further, threatening to take over their pack if they ever tried to force a chosen mating again.

I’d have taken it a step further, and still might, but that’s less what’s right and more eye for an eye. Theodore wanted to traffic my great great grand nibbling. I’d traffic his ass. I’ll have to find out what prison he and Beta got sent to and ensure their time pays them back all the pain tenfold. Nobody fucks with a Darby.

I frowned as I looked at Léonel sitting in a booth nervously waiting to meet this child. I keep saying child because from what we’d been told, they identify as non-binary, as does their mate. They are certainly in the right family if acceptance of gender and sexuality is what they are looking for. We’ve got gay ole me; my sister Marie was a big ole lesbian who just died too young to enjoy being an ‘old maid,’ and of course, my great-grandniece Shikoba, who’s transgender. We Darbys are very forward-thinking and open-minded.

“You gonna be good?” I asked, putting my hand on Léonel’s shoulder.

“Yeah. Why wouldn’t I be? I mean, it’s just a kid I didn’t know about with the woman who ripped my heart out and stomped into oblivion. Just another day of the week.” Léonel’s sarcasm was thick as he held up his glass of whiskey. 

“Do I need to find Rhapsody? Have her on standby? Do you want me to stay close?” I offered.

“I don’t want Rhapsody around.” He shook his head.

“Don’t tell me you two are fighting. I told you when you started hooking up with Rhapsody not to shit where you eat. I don’t want to find a new keyboard player.” I grumbled.

“I don’t think it’s at a point where you need to rethink band status. And why would Rhapsody get dropped and not me? She’s been in the band longer.” Léonel asked.

“Um, because of nepotism. Plus, you’re a great drummer, and I’m not firing you.” I scoffed.

“Just leave it be. We’re just… you know how Rhapsody feels about kids.” He frowned.

“Ugh, family vampires are so temperamental. I can’t have kids, but you don’t see me getting all ‘woes me’ when I see a child or someone I know who has one.” I shook my head.

“Uncle, that’s very, very different. You can have children. You’re just not sexually attracted to women. Rhapsody is a woman who was turned before she ever had kids, and now she never can have one.” He said.

“Whatever. I still think Rhapsody is being dramatic.” I shrugged. “I won’t go far. If it gets weird and you need backup, use the bat signal. I’ve got your back, nephew.” I rustled his hair.

“I’ll keep it in mind.” He grunted, swatting me away. “Go find your pre-show snack.” He shoved me away from his booth. 

“Fine.” I held my hands up. I’m serious, though. If meeting this kid triggers your bat signal, Uncle Auðr will come to the rescue.”

“Please stop talking about yourself in the third person.” Léonel chuckled.

I grinned, happy to have at least gotten a chuckle out of him before I ventured out of the club and into the early evening of Portland’s Pride Event. I took a deep breath and smiled. So many bodies, so little time. I needed to be selective in my pre-show meal. Not that I’m a super picky eater; it’s just that I’m on a timer. I need to be back in time for a quick touch base with the others and sound check before we go on. So, it’s just a snack, a taste to keep my energy up during our set. 

I smirked as I perused the selection—so many options. I spotted Zeke and Rune among the protesters. Yes, it’s 2029, and there are STILL narrow-minded people who think their religion and ‘morality’ should dictate what others do. It’s why, especially in June, my bandmates and I target those fuckers, and we aren’t nice about our feeds either. Rune instigated the protestors, not with words. No, that little shit was in their heads, fueling their ignorant peanut brains with rage. It worked as the protestors started getting more vocal. 

“Pride is a sin!”

“Homosexuality is a sin!”

“You are depraved people bound for hell!”

“You’ve perverted the rainbow!”

The next thing I know, signs are flying, and I notice a purple-haired femme boy shouting, “TASTE THE RAINBOW, MUTHA FUCKA!!” as they went in swinging. I know I shouldn’t assume gender. While this purple skittle, my favorite color—though I prefer the UK black currant flavor to the American grape—was dressed in a black pleated skirt with pleats in different colors of the rainbow, nothing about their body type or voice indicated a woman. 

I fixed my black suit jacket sleeve as I walked up behind the morsel. I go all out for gigs, even more so when it’s a Pride gig. My coat and slacks may be black, but the lapel and cuffs are rainbow, like the inside of the jacket. Plus, my vest and tie were rainbows, acting as pops of color against my black dress shirt. 

As I got closer, I cocked my head as their scent reached me. They’re a hybrid werewolf. Typically, werewolves have a distinct scent that I find gross under other circumstances. However, this purple gumdrop smelled like my next snack, and that had already offered themselves. So, I would be first in line for that taste.

“If that’s an offer, I’m first in line.” I purred.

I ran my hand over their leg, stopping just below the hem of the skirt. I felt an odd spark at touching them but brushed it aside as static. I’m forward, but not THAT forward. I’ve been slapped my share because my idea of not being too forward doesn’t always align with what some men think. What can I say? I’m from a different time when certain advances weren’t frowned upon. Okay, my advances were frowned upon more than they are today cause, well, homophobia is bad in this millennium, but it was even worse in mine.

I was prepared for a bad or good reaction. I started to think it was going to be a good reaction. My little rainbow snack shuddered with a soft moan at my touch. All their anger at the protesters faded. This all added to a good response, especially as they turned to me with a smile and a hunger in their eyes. I wasn’t prepared for the deep growl of “Mate.”

What in the name of all that is holy and unholy? Perhaps they have their wires crossed or are thinking of someone else. I’m a vampire. Beyond that, we don’t have fated mates. On what planet would a vampire and werewolf make sense for more than a fuck? There’s a reason Rhapsody and Léonel are only fuck buddies. Okay, there are MANY reasons, but one is the whole species difference.

Chapter 2 - Sage

I’m happy for my mom and my twin. Truly, I am. Our lives collectively vastly improved when we moved to Portland three years ago. Our family went from being just the three of us to including Daddy Hale, a new big brother in Austin and a sister in Suzie. Now Leo is part of all that. Not to mention, we gained the whole Bloodmoon Pack. The level of community, support, and general acceptance these wolves gave us blew the minuscule acceptance - mostly indifference we were met with back in Massachusetts.

It’s great that we have such a large family and support base. The downside to all this is living in a house with THREE couples. At any given time, at least one of the couples is fucking or about to be fucking. I have seen and heard things that require therapy. Sure, I was already in therapy, but that was totally unrelated. No one should have to suffer what I’ve suffered by being the seventh wheel in the Carlisle-Shelton household. I’m strongly considering moving into one of the bachelor apartments in Mount Hood. 

It’s not something I’ve brought up with anyone. Mom and Hale are so happy to have a full house, and while River’s more distracted by Leo, I know they’d have feelings about me moving out. So, I’ve kept quiet and have not rocked the boat at home. The only person with whom I’ve discussed the idea of moving into an apartment has strangely been Austin. I only say strangely because while he’s my stepbrother and a good dude, I’m not as close to him as Mom or River. 

Austin has been understanding. He considered moving out, too, but staying allows him and Suzie to continue saving money and attending college. I know they plan to move out when they can afford a house, but till then, we’re playing full house, and I’m in the Joey Gladstone role. It sucks, but I’ll suck it up and think like Austin. I’ll use this time living rent-free to get my education and save money.

Today, I felt less like a spare wheel. I came with River and Leo to the Pride Festival in Portland. We’ve gone every year since we moved here, but it’s Leo’s first time attending. I’m sure they are excited to be at the festival. It’s just overshadowed by anxiety about meeting their bio dad. I doubt Léonel Darby is going to end up being on the same shittastic tier as the cuntbag that mated her mom or mine and River’s sperm donor. It takes a special kind of asshole to be like them, and while he’s not active in his pack, by all accounts, the Darby family are good and accepting people.

I didn’t plan to stick with River and Leo during their meeting with Léonel. As cool as meeting the drummer for Immortal Eclipse sounds, that’s not what that meeting is. I would feel out of place as I’m not Leo or their mate. So, I was mentally prepared to duck away before we got to the club. The opportunity to split off came up when I noticed a bunch of protestors getting riled up.

I do love fucking with these fascists fuckwits. Every year they show up and shout their bullshit bible verses like that means a fucking thing. Hello, this is America. We don’t all follow the bible or its narrow-minded peanut-brain translations. Old cis white people need to keep their opinions to themselves and stop telling everyone else how to live like ‘good Christians’ when they are hateful fucks that don’t practice what they preach. 

“You’ve perverted the rainbow!” Some asshole shouted, and I was triggered.

‘Let’s show them what happens when they fuck with the rainbow.’ Eclipse growled as I threw a punch.

Before finding out that I was a werewolf and getting training from David and others in the pack on how to fight that punch would’ve been a bit pathetic. However, I have been training for the last two years, and with Eclipse on my side, I’ll fuck a bitch up. I shouted my favorite motto as I glared at the fucker as he hit the ground with a black eye and broken nose. 

I was ready for a fight. It wouldn’t be the first or last time Hale had to bail me out for fights, but suddenly, all thoughts of fighting disappeared. A scent hit me, overpowering every other smell. It was like black currant wine and the resin of patchouli washed with soothing vanilla. The scent made every muscle in my body relax while every cell seemed to hum in anticipation.

‘Mate.’ Eclipse growled, on alert, trying to find the source.

Mate? I have a mate! Will they be male, female, non-binary? Will they accept me for me? They aren’t on the protestor’s side of this, right? Goddess, I hope they aren’t protestors. I didn’t think I could handle that. I couldn’t handle a mate who can’t accept that I’m non-binary and that I’m demisexual. As these thoughts raced through my mind, my brain short-circuited as someone’s cool, rough hand danced up my leg, sending electricity through me. I’ve often been told what the mate bond feels like, but feeling it for myself is WOW. 

Then, a sinfully delicious Cajun accent spoke, and I felt a need and desire I didn’t know was possible. He said he was first in line. My heart was racing as I turned to face my mate. I was dumbfounded by what I saw under the festival’s brightly colored lights. I recognized him. Auðr. My mate is Auðr, the lead singer of Immortal Eclipse—the vampire who Caleb Cobain turned. My mate is a vampire! 

“Mate,” Eclipse growled, taking my shock as their chance to speak.

I could sense River in our family link. They were worried about me, and I didn’t want River to interfere. I needed to face this myself, and River needed to support Leo in meeting their dad—a descendant of my vampire mate.

‘Go meet Leo’s dad. I… I just found my mate. So, I might be a bit.’ I advised through our link. 

‘Holy SHIT! Way to go!’ River shouted back. 

‘We can’t wait to meet them and get all the details later. Find us at Enigma.’ Leo instructed

I don’t know if the celebration was in order yet, but I appreciated my twin’s enthusiasm about my discovery. I was observing Auðr’s face, watching for any indication of what he thought of all this. Currently, he was unreadable, like a mask of calm over his features. I wanted to know his true feelings on this revelation. His eyes glanced over my left shoulder, and I saw him stubbly nodding. 

Furrowing my brow, I looked over my shoulder. I recognized Rune, the guitarist for the band, helping the protestor I had punched to their feet. Rune arched a brow at me before scoffing as he led the protester away. What the fuck was that about? Why was he helping that guy? And why did he scoff at me? Is it the whole ‘werewolves’ smell bad to vampires? Shit, do I smell bad to Auðr?

I turned back to Auðr’s expressionless face. It was a pretty face. A kissable face. Yet it was also a punchable face. I’m not the kind of person who easily picks up on social queues, so when he’s giving me NOTHING to even try and go off, it makes me a bit nutty. Eclipse didn’t like that Auðr ignored us and was more indifferent than me.

“Are you to fucking say something? Cause this uncomfortable silence bullshit ain’t cutting it, pretty boy.” I asked, folding my arms.

“Relax, skittles.” Auðr held his hands up. “Let’s take this someplace private.” He held his hand out.

‘Private sounds good,’ Eclipse licked his chops.

‘Private also sounds dismissive.’ I grumbled.

“What’s wrong with talking here?” I asked definitely.

“You want to answer to Hana Kinsley for breaking the rules?” Auðr arched his brow, finally showing some facial expressions.

Shit. He’s got me there. If we discuss anything directly involving who we are, which is likely given that we’re mates, we can’t talk in public. Hana and her Alpha Daddy would have my head for breaking the statue of secrecy. And that’s the kind of trouble not even Daddy Hale could get me out of. My shoulders sank as I nodded.

“Fair point.” I conceded, taking his offered hand.

His hand may have been cold to the touch, but the sparks of the bond only left warmth tingles everywhere. As I said before, I’m a demisexual. I’m not like River or most people I know. I don’t get all sexually charged over strangers and their looks. I need an emotional connection to feel desire for someone. 

Until I had a thing going with Maitiú Cooney last year, I thought I was asexual. However, I’d formed an emotional connection to Maitiú after moving here, which led to more. I’m not saying more was like sex. We both wanted to save that for our mates. But we did make out a few times. Mostly, we held hands till he found his mate last fall.

‘And you’ve found yours here and now. Stop thinking about Maitiú.’ Eclipse rolled their purple eyes at me. ‘Auðr isn’t a stranger. He is our mate. You don’t get a deeper-rooted connection than the mate bond. It’s beyond physical and emotional. It’s our souls.’

It’s hard to argue with my wolf on that. The mate bond is more than physical and emotional. This explained why holding Auðr’s hand as he led me through the crowd to a back entrance to Enigma felt so intimate. I’d been so in my head and the mate bond that I hadn’t realized we’d left behind the festival and were in a small lounge till he shut the door, taking his hand from mine.

Chapter 3 - Auðr

This cannot be happening. I’m a fucking vampire! I’ve been dead for over a century! I get that the Darby bloodline was meant to evolve to be wolves, but that was my little brother Joseph’s destiny. He was fated to be mated to a werewolf, which sparked the evolutionary change in our line to be the basically pureblooded wolves they are today. 

Even if I hadn’t died and been turned into a vampire, I’m G-A-Y! I can’t have children with another man. On top of all that, why over a hundred years later? Either this wolf has their wires crossed, or their Mood Goddess is DRUNK and HIGH because there is no way a vampire is fated to a werewolf.

While my purple Skittle, ugh, not mine, knock that shit off the brain, was getting pissed that I was keeping my emotions in check, I saw the guy they’d punched trying to get up. I’d managed to catch Rune’s eye without altering the wolf. We don’t have telepathy, but Rune picked up the social cue I needed to back up. He helped the protester up and, with his eyes, asked if he could do what he wanted with the guy. To that, I nodded. 

I knew what Rune would do to the guy. It wouldn’t be pretty, but if he cleaned up and was on time for our gig, I didn’t care. I won’t deal with sloppy vampires in my band. Rune knows that. There’s a reason we had an opening for a drummer when I brought Léonel in. Fucker was messy, and I killed him before he brought human authorities or, worse, after us all. Rune won’t dare cross that line. None of them will.

Skittles tried to argue about taking this somewhere private. There was no way I was having this conversation in public. There was too high a possibility that we’d say something that gives away our supernatural natures. I’ve never broken the statute of secrecy, and I’m not about to change that. That would mean facing the wrath of Hana Kinsey. No, thank you. Thankfully, Skittles saw reason when I name-dropped their pack princess.

I led the wolf through the crowd back to Enigma and into my private dressing room, ignoring the weird tingles holding their hand was giving me. Not letting myself think about those little sparks and what they may or may not mean. My brain outright refused to consider this to be real. My undead heart was a different story. The thing hasn’t even twitched since I became a vampire. Yet those little sparks from holding Skittle’s hand were trying to jumpstart it with all their might. 

I let their hand go, feeling a mix of emotions as I was free from the sparks trying to jumpstart my dead heart. I locked the door, not wanting any possible interruptions. I doubted there would be any until closer to show time, but better safe than sorry. I checked my pocket for my phone. While I will focus on dealing with this, I still need and want to be available if Léonel needs me. 

“Well, we’re not in public. Are you going to talk now or stand there like some sexy statue or mime?” Skittles demanded, folding their arms, their unique amber eyes shimmering purple.

Sexy statue or mime? This wolf’s brain is fried. I mean, I know I’m sexy, but come on. And purple eyes? Over a hundred years as a vampire, and I’ve seen some weird shit. However, I’ve never seen a purple-eyed anything. I know hybrids get weird-colored hair and eyes, though I doubt the purple is natural, as I could see the roots had recently been touched up. I’d have to check the carpet to know the true color of the drapes.

No. No. NO!

I was not going there. I don’t know how old this wolf is, beyond sixteen. Nope. I might keep my life private, but I’m still a celebrity. People try to make my personal life their business. I don’t need any of that ‘he fucked a minor depending on the state’ press. I’m not touching this wolf beyond that hand-holding to get them in here. At least not till I know how old they are.

“I’m still assuming you’re part of Bloodmoon, though you could be from an affiliated pack here for the festival. But something about your smell screams Bloodmoon.” I assessed. “So, the questions become: what’s your name, and how old are you?”

“I don’t know if that’s a compliment or insult. It better not be an insult ‘cause Bloodmoon is the best pack in the world.” Skittles grumbled. 

“In the world? How many packs have you visited to come to that conclusion?” I shook my head, still waiting for my answers.

“A few since I turned sixteen,” Skittles said.

“Uh-huh. So, name and age.” I gestured for them to carry on.

“I’m Sage Carlisle, and I’m eighteen. No need to ask your name unless you’ll tell me your Darby family name since I can’t imagine Auðr was your birth name.” Sage narrowed their eyes at me. 

Eighteen? Well, that was something of a relief. No tabloid could say I was taking minors into back rooms. Not that I’m planning to do anything with Sage. Interestingly, their name is a shade of green, but their color is purple. I need to get on track with my thoughts.

“No one outside my family knows my birth name, and not a damn one of them would take the gamble on calling me that name.” I shook my head.

Elvin Louis Darby died in the streets of New Orleans on June 28th, 1925, after a bunch of homophobic assholes took umbrage with the fact I fucked one of their brothers.  Enzo Beaumont was the living embodiment of ‘the juice wasn’t worth the squeeze.’ When Enzo’s brother Brice heard a rumor about seeing his brother leaving La Trinité with me, Enzo sold me out. 

Everyone knew but didn’t say anything about La Trinité being a queer club. So, Enzo spun it that I made him go there, forced myself on him, and let others have a turn. The great irony was that Enzo was the one that invited me to that club, and he was the one that initiated the orgy that night. After I was left to die in the street, losing the fight, Caleb was like an angel of mercy. He found me and offered me revenge. I took the offer, killed the nine men who left me to die, and then I killed Enzo. From that day, I made it a rule never to get involved with closet cases.

“You’ll tell me eventually. Mates don’t keep secrets.” Sage smiled like that was a foregone conclusion.

“Listen, Skittles… I mean Sage.” I corrected myself. 

“You’re wrong. We aren’t mates. We can’t be mates. I am the undead. I am a vampire. I don’t even think I technically have a soul anymore, and if I did, it’s damned for opposing death and becoming this…” I gestured to myself.

“Vampires have mates. The Silverclaw Deltas are a mated human and vampire. Byron and Shannon are mates. Caleb and Marianna are a mated pair of vampires. Princess Hana and Albert are mates.” Sage tried to make their counter.

“Allow me to be more specific. Only werewolves have fated mates. Every couple you listed chose each other. Also, none of those couples include a werewolf. Not fated mates. No mate bond glitter sparkle magic.” I explained.

“Shannon is like a quarter werewolf. She’s even related to you.” Sage said as if that made a difference.

I rubbed my temples as I took a deep breath. My temples were not letting go of the idea of us being mates.

“Be that as it may, Shannon does not have a wolf. She is human, and she chose to be marked by Byron. Who knows that if for any reason he ever hurts Shannon or any of her children, there is a long list of Darby werewolves that will rip him apart if I don’t find him first.” I sighed. 

“The point remains that vampires don’t have fated mates. I’m dead, undead, but whatever. I can’t be your mate. You’re confused.” I said.

“I was never a religious person, but belief in the Moon Goddess isn’t a religion ‘cause werewolves exist; therefore, she’s real. The Goddess works in mysterious ways. How many generations of your family are werewolves? I don’t know the full family tree, and what I know is only ‘cause my twin’s mate found out they’re a Darby.” Sage rambled.

His twin’s mate is a Darby? His twin is mated to Léonel’s child. That’s why they were here. It wasn’t simply chance or that they were here for the festival. They likely came here with their twin and Léonel’s kid. It’s freaky to think they have a twin in the club right now. Are they identical? Fraternal? Sage’s twin is mated to my great great great-grand nibbling, and they’re trying to convince me we’re mates. 

“If your Moon Goddess had some grand plan for my family to integrate into being werewolves, she fulfilled that with my brother Joseph over a hundred years ago. She missed her window to have me as a pawn the day I died and became a vampire. Not to mention, as a gay man, I wouldn’t be contributing to turning my family into werewolves.” I shook my head.

“Agree to disagree because I’m not wrong. My wolf recognized your scent as our mate. Plus, when you touched my leg and held my hand just a few moments ago, I felt the sparks of the bond.” Sage protested. 

“Look me in the eyes and tell me you felt nothing when we touched,” Sage demanded.

They stepped into my personal space. We were nose to nose only because of the height the boots gave them. Without that added four inches, I’d be taller. I could see every variation in Sage’s amber eyes and how the purple pulsed in the amber. We were so close I could practically taste their strawberry kiwi gum on their breath. I can do this. I can lie to someone’s face. It never stopped me before

Chapter 4 - Sage

I’ve been called flighty and easily distracted. I have ADHD. What do people expect? However, I’m not that way about everything. When someone is truly important, I hang onto that thought like a dog… er… wolf with a bone. Nothing, not even my ADHD, could or would distract me from this topic. Auðr is my mate, even if he won’t admit it. 

My mission is to make him see and accept me as his. It might sound needy and desperate, but I am. I am needy and desperate for him to acknowledge what we are. I’m needy and desperate for him to want this, to want me. I don’t care that it sounds pathetic or toxic. I’m a werewolf, and the mere thought of him not wanting me as his mate breaks my heart. 

I may regret this later, but there was no going back. I challenged Auðr. I wanted him to look me in my eyes and tell me he felt nothing. If he does, either means he’s a damn good liar, or he truly felt nothing, and being a vampire somehow makes him immune to the bond. All the humans I know mated to wolves felt the pull of the bond at first touch. I’m just banking that his vampirism doesn’t dull that. 

I already knew his eyes were brown. I’m a fan. Of course, I know those things. It’s not like I’d have fantasies about him. I mean, yes, I thought he was hot, but please refer to when I previously said I’m demisexual. I can find someone attractive without having a physical desire to fuck them. 

‘That was before you knew he was our mate. Whole different ball game now, Sage.’ Eclipse chuckled, aware I was distracted and lost in Auðr’s eyes. 

It’s not my fault his eyes are as mesmerizing as his songs. There was so much depth to his brown eyes. They were some bland puppy, chocolate, or worse shit brown. They were more like a cognac with the flecks of gold. His pupils were fluctuating as he stared back at me. Was he trying to control his expression to lie to me?

I could hear the club beyond the door. There were no patrons yet, but employees were getting ready for opening, and I could pick up tidbits of Leo and River talking to Léonel. I could hear my heart beating faster than normal as I awaited his response. Of all the things I could hear, the one thing I couldn’t was him. He had no heartbeat. He wasn’t even breathing. Was that normal? I mean, as he’s pointed out, he’s the undead. 

“I felt nothing,” Auðr said with no emotion, yet his pupils couldn’t hold steady.

‘He’s lying!’ Eclipse growled. ‘How dare our mate lie to us.’

“You’re lying. Your voice and general demeanor don’t give it away, but your eyes do. Your pupils keep changing.” I called him out on his bullshit. 

“I’m not lying.” He rolled his eyes, pupils still unable to hold a size.

“If you’re not lying, you’re on drugs or something. Because that’s not normal, even for a vampire, for your pupils to do that.” I said, shaking my head. 

“Let’s get a base. What’s your name? What’s your band called?  What city are we in?” I asked.

“You’re being ridiculous.” He sighed.

“Answer the questions,” I said.

“Fine. My name is Auðr. My band is Immortal Eclipse, and we are in Portland. Happy?” He asked his pupils unchanging.

“Yes. Now, let’s have you tell me a lie. Say my hair is green, and you’re straight.” I instructed.

“This is beyond stupid.” Auðr sighed. “Fine. Your hair is green. I’m straight.”

“AHAH!” I exclaimed. “Your pupils did that thing again! That’s your tell. Never play poker.” I said, triumphant. 

“You felt the bond when we touched. And I bet my Jason headdress you’re going to feel the fuck out of this.” I said before closing the distance from my lips to his and kissing him.

Was that forward? Probably. Do I care? Nope. WORTH IT!

He tasted as delicious as he smelled. For all his bravado of not feeling anything when we touched, Auðr was kissing back. I’m not talking like a dead fish kiss or an absent-minded get-it-over-with kiss. No, this man was using his tongue. I had a piece of Trident strawberry kiwi gum in my mouth. Guess what? It’s in his mouth now. That’s right, people. It was our first kiss, and he stole my gum.

He groaned. I groaned. Our tongues danced. His hands were in my hair, pulling just hard enough to still feel good. My hands were all over the place. I didn’t know what to do with them. Where do I put them? I wanted to touch so many places they couldn’t decide. My hands went from his sides to his chest to his belt.

Whoa. The belt was moving too fast. 

‘Slow your roll, Eclipse.’ I blamed my wolf.

I settled for his sides, slipping my hands under his jacket. I wondered if it would be too forward to untuck or unbutton his shirt to touch his skin. If grabbing his belt was too much, I bet undressing him in any manner would be too. One kiss and I was turning into a sexual deviant like my twin. The mate bond. I blame the mate bond. I have been told what feels like a million times by everyone in my family that a mate bond will make anyone into a horny mother fucker. And the only cure is to complete the bond. 

I groaned as the kiss deepened, and his grip on my hair tightened while I got backed into furniture—a sofa. The back of my legs collided with the rolled arm of the couch, and the next thing either of us knew, I was toppling backward, bringing Auðr down with me. While I could’ve done without the surprise sofa trust fall part, I could easily get used to the Auðr on top of me part of this situation. The only downside to this change in orientation was that Auðr pulled back from the kiss.

At that moment, as we looked at each other, his walls were down, and I saw the surprise, concern, and attraction for me. There was no stopping the smile that spread across my lips. He could show emotions. And those emotions gave away everything. He felt the bond. Maybe he didn’t understand why or how it was possible, but he fucking felt it. And that’s okay. I don’t know why or how we’re mates, but I don’t care about why or how. I only care that he’s mine. 

“Still feel nothing?” I cockily asked.

The wall was back. I could see the moment it went up, and I hated Auðr’s change in demeanor. Why is he doing that? Decades of practice at keeping people at arm’s length. I suppose being vulnerable isn’t an easy thing for a vampire. I don’t know what the number looks like for vampires having mates. 

Sure, I only know five vampires with mates. Two of whom are a couple. That doesn’t give me a good base for the average number of mated vampires worldwide. We also only met, so letting me in can’t be easy. If not for the bond, I’d likely be shy, too. Being super forward, sexually speaking, is a River thing. I generally only tease and talk sexually to people I’m close to, like my family.

“I have a gig to get ready for,” Auðr said, quickly moving off me to stand. 

“So? The concert doesn’t start for another….” I dug my phone out to check the time. “Hour.”

“And in that hour, I have to feed and do a sound check.” Auðr rationalized.

“Is that what you were doing when we met? Looking for someone to feed on? Is that why you approached me? For a snack?” I asked, sitting up.

My brain was struggling to rationalize everything while my emotions were in chaos. I know Auðr drinks blood. Vampire, duh. Drinking blood comes with the territory. I know Albert only drinks from blood bags because of Hana. Dani, I don’t know if she’s a blood bag or a fresh blood drinker. I think both. I mean, I know I have heard about her mate having bite marks from where she’s fed on him. I believe all the vampires in the clan are fresh blood drinkers but will settle for a blood bag if their hunt doesn’t go well.

That’s, however, OTHER vampires. It’s different. I don’t consider how the vampires in the area feed. Auðr is my mate. How would I feel about him drinking from some random person? How personal is a vampire’s feed? Movies make it sound either super violent or super intimate. 

The territorial wolf in me, Eclipse, growled at the thought of Auðr’s fangs in someone else. That growl was something I’d expect if it was the mental image of Auðr fucking someone else. I am NOT a sharer. Most werewolves aren’t into sharing unless they are one of those rare few who get more than one mate. I am not one of them. Auðr is my only mate, and Eclipse and I are in total agreement in disemboweling anyone who even hits on him. 

“It’s what all of us do before a gig. We need to feed to have the energy to play for hours.” Auðr shrugged. “Are you going to be one of those people that get all squeamish about blood and that, as a vampire, I drink it?”

“So, yes,” he said. “I was looking for a pre-show snack, and you were originally on the menu.”

“Originally on the menu? Am I now off the menu?” I asked, feeling offended. 

“You’re a werewolf, Sage. So, you’re off the menu. It’s not technically personal. It’s just that werewolf blood doesn’t taste good.” Auðr pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed.

“Rude. Maybe being mates will make a difference. You could feed on me if you need to feed and don’t have a blood bag.” I offered.

I wasn’t sure if I would regret offering. I knew Eclipse and I didn’t like the idea of Auðr’s fangs in someone else. It doesn’t matter that it might be about as intimate to him as eating a steak is to me.

Chapter 5 - Auðr

Sneaky wolf! I hadn’t expected Sage to kiss me. I hadn’t expected it to be that good, either. It’s not like it’s been a long time since I was with someone. I hooked up with a guy at our last gig in San Francisco. He was human but fit and a great lay. So, I’m not hard up for physical intimacy. It made no sense why I was so into Sage’s kiss that we fell onto the sofa, and their gum ended up in my mouth. 

I’d wanted to lie to them and myself that I felt nothing. I knew it was a lie. I’d felt something off when I first touched Sage before they growled that ominous word. Given how my brother’s branch of our tree became werewolves, I know plenty about the mate bond. I’ve heard all about its wonders and how strong the pull is. I just never thought it was something a vampire would feel. 

I needed to get myself out of this situation, especially out of this room and away from Sage. I was too busy looking for a way out to bother lying. I was honest that I’d been looking for a pre-gig snack, and they’d been on the menu but weren’t as soon as I realized they were a werewolf. I’ve fed on a werewolf once in my long life, and it was yuck. I’d rather drink animal blood. 

I was ready to check for a blood bag to drink before sound check when Sage offered themselves. I prefer my blood from the tap. I’ve never been a big fan of the blood bag. However, they’ll do it when I’m in a pinch, and this felt like one of those times. I’m sure one of my bandmates has one somewhere. Plus, our label always ensures we have everything we need. Given that Albert is our label, he makes sure we have blood.

Why was I considering it? Why was I staring at Sage’s throat? Why was I watching the blood pumping in their carotid arteries? Sage is a werewolf. I already know their blood won’t taste good. So why am I so damn tempted to sink my fangs into their soft skin? Why is that need not simply driven by hunger? I wanted to see what my mark would or could look like. That thought is what had my fangs elongating more than my hunger.

I clamped my jaw down. I’m far too old for this kind of bullshit. I control my hunger, not the other way around. And I know this mate bond isn’t the same kind of hunger, but I will not be controlled by that either. I control my body. I control my fangs.

Once I felt more in control, I said, “If one of my bandmates doesn’t have a blood bag, I know my label should’ve provided a fridge full of them. “

“Oh,” Sage said.

They looked honestly put out that I’d drink from a blood bag rather than them. I sighed. Typically, I wouldn’t care if I said something that upset anyone. My give a fuck died when Elvin Darby died. Yet I feel bad. I didn’t want to make Sage frown. I barely knew this pup, and seeing the sadness in those amber eyes hit me in the humanity. 

“It’s not personal. Like I said, werewolf blood doesn’t taste good, and I’m running out of time before sound check.” I said. “Someone is likely going to be looking for me soon.”

“And you don’t want someone to see you with me?” Sage arched their brow.

“I have no issues with being seen with or around anyone that’s not some fascist fuck, no matter their gender and species. I prefer to avoid being caught in any compromising situation.” I tried to explain myself.

“Compromising situation? Feeding on your mate would be seen as compromising?” Sage asked.

“When not everyone that could come looking for me is aware of my true nature… yeah.” I shrugged. “Staff here at the club are human. And beyond that, there is always paparazzi. I and my label work hard to keep every member of my band’s lives private.”

“Okay, you made your point.” Sage sighed. “I guess I should let you find a blood bag and do your sound check. I should find my twin and their mate anyway.”

“Glad you’re seeing this from my perspective,” I said.

“Just one last thing…” Sage declared as they stood.

“Yes?” I asked.

My hand was hovering on the knob, ready to push the door open, as I turned to look at them. They were back in my personal space, something that should bother me, and without warning, pulled me into a kiss. Just as my willpower was going to break, someone pulled the door open, and the laughter of four of my bandmates filled my ears. 

“Oh, pardon us, Auðr.” Rhapsody laughed. 

“We didn’t think you’d still be…” Zeidan paused, eyeing Sage. “Entertaining.”

I’ve known these shitheads for a long fucking time. I sired all of them, giving them purpose in life after their mortal life drove them to self-harm. I save people from their worst moments and give them reasons to continue. In my band’s case, it is music that they live for.

Now, back to my train of thought. I’ve known my bandmates a long time and literally met them on their worst day. I’ve never cared when they’d tease me here and there about people I fuck or who I feed on. Their teasing and, worse, judging of Sage crossed a line. I keep trying to downplay what is happening between us in this short span of our meeting, but this mate bond shit is hard to control.

“Got a problem, Zeidan?” I asked, stepping away from Sage to glare at him. “If you do, I know how to fix it. Lodging your sax so far up your ass, you’ll have to play with your pants down tonight.”

“Whoa… chill, man.” Zeidan held his hands up. 

“No need to get all hostile, Auðr.” Zeke tried to play mediator.

“Yeah, it’s just some half-breed mutt.” Rune snorted.

I was ready to knock some sense into Rune when Sage lightly pressed on my chest and smiled. There was something dangerous about that smile. I couldn’t place why. Maybe it was the glint in their eyes or the amber color mixed with purple. Something was about to go down, and while I couldn’t predict what it would be, I doubted Rune would like it.

“Rune, there’s something I’ve always assumed about you, and meeting you and sinched it. So I have to tell you…” Sage spoke cheerfully, taking a step toward Rune.

I was not too fond of that. I was not fond of that at all, but I stayed put. I wanted to see what this purple skittle wolf would do to my second-embraced childe. If I interfered, that wouldn’t happen. Part of me pondered who I would protect if it came down to it. Rune or Sage? The question only lingered for a moment when the answer came to me with Sage’s next move.

“You have a beautiful face,” Sage said.

That’s not the part where my debate of which side I’d take in a fight of Rune vs Sage.

“But let’s put a bag over that personality,” Sage… or more likely their wolf as their voice had gone deeper and dark, said as they bitch slapped Rune across the room.

Zeke, Zeidan, and Rhapsody cringed as Rune broke the chair he landed on. I wasn’t expecting the force in that slap, but it got the point across. They aren’t going to mess with Sage, especially Rune, after that. Sage rolled their shoulders and turned a bright smile to the others.

“Any other unrequested commentary from the peanut gallery?” Sage asked.

“None.” Zeke squeaked.

“Well, that was a fun introduction.” I clapped my hands.

“Introduction. You call that wolf slapping…” Rune hissed, rubbing his face as he got up.

“Bitch slapping. I bitch slapped your bitch ass. And I’ll do it again if you let that fugly personality run your mouth.” Sage warned him, pointing a finger at him.

“Enough with the hitting.” I sighed. “Sage, band. Band, Sage. They’re here with their twin, whose mate is Léonel’s kid.”

Rhapsody went stiff at the mention of the kid. Léonel was right. She’s acting squirrely about the subject. She was looking at Sage differently than before. It was as if looking at Sage would tell her something about Léonel’s kid. It’s not like being twins with Léonel’s kid’s mate would give her insight into what his kid was like.

“Leo. Their name is Leo.” Sage corrected me. 

“Uh-huh, and what does that have to do with you two making out back here?” Zeke asked. 

“Absolutely nothing.” I shrugged. “We met outside when Sage punched a protester and was offering a taste of the rainbow.”

“Mighty bold talk for the guy not like five minutes ago was denying I was his mate.” Sage scoffed.

Now I was going to wince. I felt the looks my bandmates gave me. The mate word isn’t something anyone throws around. Rhapsody’s gaze, especially, held a frosty edge. More people walked in at that moment if that weren’t bad enough. Léonel walked in with a person with cotton candy pink hair and a person nearly identical to Sage but with Green hair and more masculine-facing clothes. 

“Uncle Auðr has a werewolf mate?” Léonel blinked.

“Sage, your mate is the band’s lead singer?” Green-Haired Sage gasped.

Things were about to get as interesting, and I still hadn’t gotten my blood bag. I was not fed enough for all this drama.

Chapter 6 - Sage

I was trying not to take offense that my mate would rather drink from a blood bag than me. He keeps saying it’s not personal, and maybe it isn’t. He’s not the first vampire to say they don’t like the taste of werewolf. I just, I dunno, thought as his mate, it might be different. Part of me wanted to know how it felt to be fed on. Only by him, of course. In my mind, it would be intimate, like a prelude to what marking would be like. 

‘Let him drink from the blood bag if that’s what he wants. Then the first time he sinks those fangs in your neck, it will be the marking.’ Eclipse said.

I shivered at the thought. I know that vampires mark in the same way we werewolves do. I don’t know how the marking situation works between a werewolf and a vampire. I’m gonna need to ask Daddy Hale to ask Mister Tracey to look at the mating book to see if it’s talked about in there. I mean, Auðr and I can’t seriously be the first werewolf and vampire pairing the Goddess has ever made in the history of our species. 

There’s no way she would make us the first in history. Auðr might be that special, given she brought the rest of his family into the species, but I sure the hell ain’t. I mean, I’m special in the human way people use the word. I have ADHD, and I’m on the high-functioning Autism spectrum. So, to some people, that makes me ‘special’. But special enough that the Goddess would choose me of all wolves to mate with someone of another species is impossible. I don’t care that Jason claims he returned from the dead because River and I needed him. That doesn’t make us special. It makes Jason special.

I was ready to let the idea of Auðr feeding on me go in exchange for a kiss. Of course, that got ruined. Thankfully, our first kiss hadn’t been so rudely interrupted. RUDE is the keyword. It’s not a secret that Rune is known as the asshole of the band, but calling me a half-breed mutt is as bad as those protester fucks outside calling me and others slurs for our sexuality and gender identities. As such, I don’t feel bad that I told Rune exactly what I thought and let Eclipse out enough to send the vampire flying.  

‘Fucker deserved it.’ Eclipse snorted.

Rune may be the worst of the bunch, but so far, the only one not giving me shithead vibes is Zeke. Or he was the only one till River and Leo walked in with Léonel. I’m sort of banking on the idea that Léonel won’t be an asshole. Leo’s had enough asshole parental figures. They don’t need another one. Plus, he’s related to Auðr, so he can’t be all that bad. Right?

I grinned when I saw my twin and Leo because it meant I wasn’t outnumbered. Not that Eclipse or I were worried about being the only wolf and non-band member in the room. They all saw what I did to Rune, and that was a mere bitch slap. I’m not afraid to throw down when necessary. I grinned as I hugged Leo and River, keeping my arm around my twin’s shoulders as I turned to my mate and his band.

“Everyone meet my twin, River, and their mate Leo.” I introduced. “You both know everyone’s names, but that one...” I pointed at Auðr. “Is Auðr, and alllll he’s mine.”

Auðr squeezed his eyes shut and pinched the bridge of his nose. He’s adorable as he discovered that being with me is gonna be oh so much fun. He’ll eventually get used to it. We’re mates. We’re meant for each other. All the mates I know complement each other’s personalities. And while I don’t know Auðr half as well as I’d like, I can already tell our personalities will balance out.

“How is that even possible?” Léonel asked.

The way his head cocked and his nose wrinkled was exactly like Leo’s when they were confused by something. I love it! Getting to see where some of Leo’s mannerisms come from and how even the toxic nurture of the Hanley family and that fucking awful Silvermane pack couldn’t stop nature. I have no idea how well Jane knew Léonel before she ripped his heart out to be with that scumbag Theodore. However, I hope it was well enough that every time Leo said or did something like Léonel, it caused her pain.

“All things are possible when the Goddess is involved.” I shrugged.

“While even wolfless, I try not to speak ill of the Goddess…” Léonel frowned. “I’m not sure how a wolf and vampire pairing could or would work.” He said, glancing toward Rhapsody, who was pretending not to be staring at him and Leo.

Oh, something is going on there. I want the dirt! Why would Auðr be so hesitant about being with me if they are a thing? Or is that why? Do they have a strained relationship? They aren’t fated mates since, tragically, Léonel had been fated to that bitch who birthed Leo. So, their relationship drama shouldn’t have any bearing on Auðr and my relationship. I’ll ask Auðr about Rhapsody and Léonel later. 

“I doubt we’re the first in history. And if we are, we’re trendsetters.” I smiled. “We’ll figure it out. That’s what mates do.”

“This is so fu...” Rune started to grumble but shut up when I growled at him.

“I don’t have the time nor patience for this right now.” Auðr sighed. “We have sound check soon, and I need to grab a blood bag. You three do whatever you had originally planned for the night.”

‘I don’t like that dismissive tone.’ Eclipse grumbled.

“We planned to see the show,” River said, holding our VIP passes. “David hooked us up with these to ensure Leo could meet their dad. Plus, this one...” They pointed at me. “Is a big fan. And now it and the big poster of you on their bedroom wall makes all the sense.”

It was my turn to groan and pinch the bridge of my nose. River needed to shut up. If they didn’t shut up on their own, I’d shut them up. I did not need them to embarrass me in front of Auðr and his band. I can do that all by myself. I don’t need help. So, to shut my twin up, I put my hand over their mouth.

“And that’s enough from River,” I glared at them. “I guess we’ll let you all get ready for your set and see you after.”

“Of course.” Léonel nodded. “I’ll see you have our set, Leo. We won’t be in Portland long. We have to leave for our next gig in a couple of days. But I’d like to spend time with you, River, and the rest of their family before I go.”

“Of course. River’s parents and older brother will be thrilled to meet you.” Leo excitedly nodded.

I was thrilled for Leo. They deserved to have a good parent at last. However, I was sad that Auðr hadn’t offered to spend time with me and meet my family. I frowned when I realized Auðr had somehow slipped past all of us. He’s going to pay for that later. We’re mates. The more he fights it, the harder things will be on him.

“Don’t worry about my uncle, Sage.” Léonel patted my shoulder. “He’ll come around. He’s just well… when it comes to commitment…”

“Auðr is commitment phobic,” Zeke said. “The band is the only thing he’s ever committed to. Over the decades, some guys wanted more than a fling, and he’d be a ghost.”

“Thank you, Zeke, for that unflattering and unhelp interjection.” Léonel glared at the bass player. 

“Uncle Auðr is likely the most stubborn of the Darby line, but no one is more stubborn than the Goddess. This is her will, and he can do nothing to stop it.” Léonel assured me. “Enjoy the show, and don’t worry, I won’t let my uncle sneak off or avoid you before we leave Portland.”

“Um, thanks Léonel. No worries. Eclipse and I can handle our mate.” I said.

I could tell some of the vampires, especially Rune, wanted to say something but smartly kept their mouths shut. I’m not interested in their negativity. I got it. Auðr is one of them. And I don’t just mean a vampire. He’s a member of Immortal Eclipse. More than that, he’s their leader. They might be worried that being mated would mean the end of  Immortal Eclipse. 

It doesn’t have to. I don’t have any set plans for my future. So, there’s no reason I couldn’t just travel with the band. Sure, it might cramp their style and change the dynamic since Auðr wouldn’t be out prowling the streets for food and a fuck with them. But it would mean the band stays together. 

I’d never ask Auðr to give up the band to settle in Bloodmoon with me. I’m all for traveling the world with Auðr. If that means it’s with his band, then so be it. I’ll try to get along with them, even with Rune. There must be a way to make this work. The Goddess wouldn’t have brought us together if we were doomed to fail. I just needed to remember the inspirational words that changed my big brother’s life. 

The Goddess guides us on our paths. But we all have to put in the work to find our destinies.

The Goddess has brought us to the path, and I’ll work to find where it leads. Sitting in the VIP booth with River and Leo, I sighed, looking at my yummy mate on stage. I hoped he’d not reject me in the long run and would be willing to walk this path and work with me to see why the Goddess brought us together.