The Hybrid Mate

           At Eastern Washington University, Bella found the dull and rainy atmosphere she had hoped for, far from Austin, where she wanted to escape. Although it wasn't as far as Bangkok University, which didn't accept international psych majors, it would have to do. The West Coast humidity was a welcome change from the blistering Texan sun, even though her hair disagreed. She tried to flatten it down, but it seemed pointless.

          Her ex-boyfriend, Jeff, had always insisted that it had to be long and smooth, and that she avoid the sun to prevent her tawny skin from darkening. But now that she was free from his controlling ideals, she was open to change. As she looked around the classroom, she realized that she didn't fit in with her pale, hipster classmates who were mostly wearing the latest old-looking outfits. She was used to being an anomaly as a femme twenty-something of Roma blood in Texas, and it looked like it would be the same here. 

            The professor, who looked more like a model than a teacher, passed out syllabuses to the students, including Bella, a new transfer student. He recognized her and welcomed her to the class, which made her wonder how far Jeff's influence could reach. Maybe he knew the professor too? And might use him to hurt her. The thought left her feeling cold. 

           "Hey, you're not afraid of winters are you? He's harmless." The girl beside her said. Giving her a small smile. 

           Bella smiled nervously back. "First day and all." 

                     "Really? I'm Sandra." 

                "Bella. Nice to meet you." 

       Professor Winters called the class to order then and the class began. During the class, Sandra passed a note to Bella saying she wanted to buy her coffee. Bella accepted, surprised because she had not really thought she would meet or even dare hope she would meet any friends. 

                                       ***************

     Bella arrived at the cafe fifteen minutes early, hoping to find it without trouble and avoid being late for her meeting with Sandra. She made a quick stop at the campus post office, which was just next door to the cafe, to check her mailbox. Unfortunately, all that awaited her was a coupon and a letter from the campus housing office informing her that her would-be roommate had dropped out of school.

        After the disappointing mailbox check, Bella ordered a drink from the bubbly girl at the counter. The girl asked if Bella was waiting for someone, and Bella replied that she was waiting for Sandra. 

         Arthur arrived a little late, and Bella could see her mouthing her apologies before she could hear them. 

        Sorry," she wheezed, collapsing in her seat. "Major roommate drama. Total bitch. Clothes and makeup everywhere. Not a good situation. Might have to enter the witness protection program."

         Bella couldn't help but laugh. "Why, what happened?"

          "Well, she had this smelly shoe rack thing in the middle of the room, so I moved it. Turns out it was a thousand-dollar something, and I may have broken off one of the side pieces," Sandra explained. "I was just at the housing office pleading my case to switch rooms."

        "Yikes," Bella said with a wince. "So, what's the final verdict?"

     "Apparently, the housing office lady is also a fashion nut, so she's willing to transfer my roommate if she wants, but I can go screw myself," Sandra sighed, letting her head drop on the table.

        Bella hesitated. "Well, I just found out my roommate dropped out of school. Looks like we're both having issues."

        "Huh?" Sandra looked up like a hopeful puppy. "So that means you have a single room?”

         "Looks like it," Bella said carefully. She wasn't sure why she'd divulged that bit of information to him. She barely knew him, never mind whether or not he'd make a good roommate. Then again, her impulsive decisions to move in with strange people always had been her downfall. "If you want—”

          "Yes!" Sandra cried, launching out of his chair to grab her hand. "Oh Bella, you're amazing."

                "It's not a big deal," Bella assured her.

     "Yes it is! Are you sure you want to give up a glorious single room just to be nice?" she asked her new roommate.

       "Honestly, I'm not that into the idea of being by myself. I was kind of looking forward to actually living the college experience," she replied.

                   "Didn't you transfer?"

       "Yeah, but I lived off campus. With my ex."

      "That explains it. Man, must have ended bad if you came all this way just to get away from him."

                   "You have no idea," Bella muttered.

      Sandra seemed to be pondering something for a moment before her grin returned. "Well, screw him. Now that we're roommates, we'll be an unstoppable team."

                         Bella smiled. 

     "Oh yeah," said Sandra, suddenly shifting gears. She flattened the crumpled flier out on the table and leaned over it. "I saw this on the way over, some guy was passing them out at the center. Total hottie, and I'm talking eight-pack, hotter-than- hot.”

                  "What's... who's that hot?" 

           "Seriously," Sandra said in earnest. "Check it out." She stabbed the paper with her finger right over the line that read "$10,000 Cash Prize."

        The figure certainly drew Bella's attention. She read further and her interest dimmed.

     The Lodge Presents the Annual Alpha's Pet Contest

Only Hot Male Subs Ages 18-30 Need Apply

FRIDAY NIGHT ONLY

11 p.m. — ???

Winner receives access to the Alpha's Dungeon, a $10,000 cash prize, and the coveted diamond collar!

            "What is this?" Bella asked warily. "It sounds like a cheesy reality show."

      “That’s because Brendan handles the marketing and he’s a total cheeseball, but the contest is legit. And it’s cooler than it sounds. The House of Wolf throws a huge party every year with drinks, dancing and lots of hot guys, obviously.”

       "What’s the House of Wolf?" Bella asked, rereading the flier for a trace of an explanation.

        “It’s kind of a… well… I’m trying to find a way to explain without making it sound weirder than it is.”

                  “Okay…” Not off to a promising start.

           “It’s kind of like a gentleman’s club. There’s a night club and a dungeon where the more fetishy stuff happens.”

           “Fetishy?” Bella asked warily. “Like BDSM?”

        “Sometimes. They’re not all into that, though. It’s more of a general fetish club, and it’s super exclusive. Everything’s wolf-themed, too, which sounds kind of kitschy, but the place is hella fancy, so they pull it off.”

                    “So it’s a sex club.”

           Sandra laughed. “Well… yeah. When you get right down to the brass tacks, it is. But their events are really fun, and they’re open to the public.”

         “I’m sure they are, but I’m about as vanilla as it gets,” Bella admitted. Jeff had enjoyed taking her to his ritzy clubs to show off in the beginning, before he’d turned into a possessive nightmare. She'd had enough experience being objectified by kinky rich jerks for one lifetime.

      “Too bad. You’d probably win the contest if you entered.”

           Bella choked on her drink at the thought. “Me? Hell, no. Why don’t you enter?”

            "Me?" Sandra raised her brows, pointing to her chest with wide eyes. "Oh, no. I'm not entering. Besides, they're usually looking for a straight-up sub and I'm a switch. I'm sure as hell gonna enjoy the free drinks and eye candy, though."

          Bella pursed het lips in an attempt to hide her amusement. "Well, maybe the dogs will have a bear cub night soon."

         "Wolves,” she reminded her with a wistful sigh. "It's crazy hot. The whole place looks like a big cave."

          "That does sound cool, I guess. So, what happens to the winner? Do you have to, you know, get tied up and stuff?"

        Sandra thought about it for a moment before shrugging. "I don't know. You get a free membership to the club, but every sub from here to northern Cali drools over the thought of getting some one-on-one time with the Alphas. I'm not sure anyone has ever tried to turn it down."

                          "No," Bella chuckled. "I'd imagine not."

      "Why?" Her grin widened. "You thinking of entering after all, it's next week ?"

     Bella shook her head vehemently and felt a blush creep into her cheeks. "No, just curious. Psych major, remember?"

             "Sure," She said in a disbelieving tone. She stood up and stretched. "It's a shame, you'd totally win if you entered. I'll be right back, I'm gonna grab a drink. When I get back, you can tell me more about Texas."

       Bella smiled and nodded. That would give her some time to come up with her deflections. Then again, she was a couple thousand miles away from Austin. The chances of anything she told Sandra– the new roommate– getting back to Jeff were close to nil.