Spot The Hybrid

Dedication

To Claudia

For being a friend.

Chapter 1

Take your hand off my ass, or I will rip it off and shove it up your—

Sara! Darren called, rushing over to his newest barmaid. She turned to glare at him, eyes flashing in anger. He glared back, not in the slightest intimidated. Unlike the customer, Keith, who was staring at Sara, eyes wide, hand cradled against his chest for protection. Sasha could use some help behind the bar.

But—

Now, Sara, he insisted.

He breathed a sigh of relief as she stomped off, muttering under her breath. Not for the first time, he cursed his decision to hire her. He liked Sara, he really did, and he was friends with her mate, Felix. Still, he was trying to run a business, and half his customers were too afraid to approach the bar when Sara was working.

That girl is a menace, Keith spluttered.

Darren fixed him with a hard look. "That woman is a member of my staff. I pay her to serve you drinks, not to put up with being manhandled."

It was just a bit of fun, Keith protested.

And I’m sure removing your limbs would be fun for Sara, Darren pointed out. So, let’s all try to have a little less fun, okay?

I’m a paying customer, Keith argued. She shouldn’t speak to me like that.

You’re paying for drinks, not the girls, Darren said. This isn’t a sleazy club. He sighed. I’ve warned you before, Keith. Don’t make me ban you. You’re a valued customer, but I won’t put up with anyone assaulting my bar staff. Keep your hands to yourself or find somewhere else to drink.

With that he turned and walked off, trying to keep a grip on his own temper. He’d never been overly aggressive, but he was a male shifter which gave him a certain level of dominance. Having three younger sisters had made him grow up to be protective of those he considered his, and his barmaids were included in that. He wouldn’t allow any of them to be harassed, even if they were capable of dealing with it themselves. Although Sara’s idea of dealing with it would probably be exceptionally violent and involve ripping off body parts. His pub didn’t need that kind of publicity. It might not be a fancy place, but it was a nice, friendly, local pub where people could gather to relax and drink. Without worrying about being dismembered.

He looked over at the bar where his sister Sasha was serving another customer. Sara was still scowling as she served hers. He missed Becca. She’d been an excellent barmaid, experienced and good-natured. Her presence had always livened up the place, and she’d never caused him any problems. Then she’d been abducted and murdered by a serial killer who preyed on shifters. Inside his mind, his leopard whined at him, upset at their failure to protect their employee, their friend. He wouldn’t fail again.

Walking over to the bar, he watched as a customer approached Sara.

Hey, sweetheart, the man said, grinning at her. It might never happen. Give us a smile.

Oh hell.

I’ll give you something, all right, Sara snarled. I’ll—

Sara, Darren sighed.

It’s my face, she said. I’ll put whatever expression I like on it. If I don’t feel like smiling while I deal with your idiot customers, then I won’t. I don’t owe anyone anything, not even a smile.

No, you don’t, he agreed, fighting to keep his cool. The last thing he needed was to snap back at her and escalate the situation. "But you do have to not actively snarl at them and don’t call them idiots."

So, what can I call them? Sara asked.

He ran his hand through his hair in frustration. Just be polite, Sara. That’s all I ask. You don’t have to put up with anyone misbehaving, but you stay calm and deal with it quietly. Try to have a little restraint.

"I am being restrained," Sara said.

He raised an eyebrow at her.

I am! she insisted. I haven’t actually ripped anyone’s intestines out. Nobody is bleeding. No one is even crying.

Hey baby.

Darren sighed. Apparently, his bar was full of idiots with death wishes today. He watched as yet another man strolled up to the bar, his eyes on Sara.

I bet I can put a smile on that pretty face.

Darren moved to intercept, hoping to prevent a bloodbath. Sara’s eyes narrowed, and she leaned forward as though she was preparing to leap over the bar. Sasha hurried away, getting space between her and the imminent carnage.

Hello, beautiful mate of mine.

Darren felt the tension drain out of him. Felix walked around the bar, grabbed his mate from behind and pulled her in close for a hug. That quickly, the anger drained out of Sara as she snuggled into him. Darren felt a little pang as he watched them. He had always had plenty of female attention, but this was something else. Something deeper. His good looks ensured that he was never short of a date. In fact, there had been so many dates that they all blurred together and he couldn’t always remember their names. There had been a few women who had stuck around for longer, a few half-hearted attempts at relationships. It never lasted. They weren’t his mate.

Watching the easy way Felix and Sara were around each other was a reminder of what Darren was missing. He sighed and walked around the bar to serve a customer. It was best not to dwell on it. Either he would find his mate, or he wouldn’t, but there was no rushing it.

***

Isn’t it about time you left the house?

Kara looked up at her sister, Tara. Yeah, they had rhyming names. Their parents had thought it was cute to give their twin daughters names that rhymed, Tara and Sara. Then they’d continued the theme when Kara was born. Apparently, their parents had an evil streak.

Kara?

I’m busy, she said with a shrug. She glanced up to see her sister’s worried expression and sighed. I’m fine, Tara. Really.

Tara sank down onto the couch next to her. You can’t hide inside forever.

Kara swallowed the lump in her throat. A part of her would love to avoid the world. It was difficult to go out in public in a shifter town. Kara had spent most of her adult life living in human towns where nobody knew she was different. In cross-species matings, most shifters took the animal form of one parent. A rare number of people took a mixture of both forms. They were called hybrids, or more often freaks. Half mouse, half polar bear, Kara’s other form came out as a giant white mouse with fangs. As a result, she never let anyone see her shift. Not that it mattered. Shifter noses could detect her unique scent and always knew she was different.

I’m not hiding, she denied. Okay, so that was mostly a lie, but she did know that she couldn’t stay indoors indefinitely. It would be easier once she got out of Bearbank and back to a predominantly human town. She preferred living in larger towns and cities where there were fewer shifters. Her inner animal hated it, loathed the noise, the pollution and all the people. Kara wasn’t much interested in what it thought. Her polar mouse (or should that be mouse bear?) grumbled inside her mind, unhappy at being ignored.

Tara sighed. So what are you up to? She leaned over to look at the laptop screen. You’re still looking for a job?

Yeah. She caught the brief flash of excitement on her sister’s face. Not here, she added.

Why not here? Tara asked. I’m here, Sara’s here. It’d be nice to have us all in one place.

You know why not.

Kara—

No, she said firmly. I can’t stay here, Tara. I’m sorry. She closed the lid of the laptop and looked over at her sister, wishing that things were different. That she was normal. Tara was right. It would be nice to be able to stay here with her family. She loved her sisters and was becoming extremely fond of their mates. Felix was an adorable goofball who accepted her without question. Alex had been a little intimidating at first, but he was extremely protective and no one dared to even look at her when he was around. She almost felt normal around them, but then there were the times when she had to face people without them. It was easier among humans.

So where will you go?

She shrugged. Wherever I can get work. As long as it was somewhere with few shifters. She looked at Tara. About the rent…

It’s fine. Tara waved away her concerns. I know you’re struggling for cash since you lost your job. We’ll work something out.

Are you planning on keeping this house? she asked. Tara spent half her time at her mate’s house.

Tara grimaced. I thought I’d sell it and move in with Alex, but…

Alex’s mother is still there, Kara finished with a smile. I get it.

For now, this is somewhere we can hide from her when we need some space, so I won’t be selling until she’s gone. So, you can stay as long as you like. I should warn you though that the woman has a habit of—

Oh, there you are.

Tara jumped so hard she almost fell off the couch.

Kara turned her head to see Anna Russell breezing into the room, a large folder under her arm. Tara’s eyes grew even wider.

There are still a few wedding details we need to go over, Anna said, dropping the folder onto the table. The sooner we get you and my baby bear sorted, the sooner I can concentrate on Sara and Felix. Then I can focus on getting my other son and daughter mated off. She eyed Kara speculatively, and Kara had the sinking feeling she’d just been added to the list of people needing mated off.

Sorry, Anna, Tara squeaked, but we were just going out.

And what’s more important than arranging your wedding to my son? Anna lifted one eyebrow in challenge.

Sara, Tara blurted. I promised that we’d visit her at work. She’s struggling to settle in and I thought we should give her some support. We did promise to drop in, didn’t we? She nudged Kara.

What? Kara gaped at her sister. It was the first she’d heard of any of this. In fact, it interfered with her plans to stay home and avoid the world.

Tara glared at her before turning back to Anna. We can’t let her down.

Of course not, dear, Anna agreed, nodding. She picked up the folder. We’ll just have to do this at the pub. Come to think of it, I’d love a nice cold drink of cider.

Tara stared at her, mouth opening and closing with no sound coming out.

Kara worked hard to keep her face straight. She could have told Tara that she wouldn’t evade Anna so easily. She felt the corners of her mouth trying to tip up in a smirk.

Well, come on then, Anna said, gesturing for Tara to stand up. We can’t leave Sara waiting. Perhaps I can have a word to her about her wedding too.

Kara bit the inside of her cheek and pushed Tara gently to get her moving.

You too, dear.

She looked up to find Anna watching her.

Your sister needs you, Anna said. Are you really going to let her down?

She opened her mouth, looking for an excuse, any reason to stay home. Anna simply looked at her, waiting. Finally, Kara sighed and stood up. Looked like they were going to the pub.

***

This is what you asked for. Shut up and drink it. Sara’s voice came from inside the bar.

Oh dear, Anna said, looking at them. I see what you mean. She’s not really cut out for dealing with the public, is she?

Her polar bear makes her grumpy, Tara said, defending her sister.

Anna pushed the door open, and they ventured inside, walking up to the bar. Kara glanced around, trying to see if anyone was staring at her. Her shifter nose picked up a tantalising scent, but she couldn’t determine where it came from. It was dispersed throughout the whole room. Inside her mind, her polar mouse chittered at her.

How’s she doing? Tara asked the other barmaid, Sasha.

Not well, she answered with a grimace. She threatens most of the customers. Half of them are terrified of her. Darren spends most of his time trying to calm people down.

Where is Darren? Tara asked, looking around.

He had to pop out for a while to see a supplier. He’ll be back later. She winced at the sound of a glass breaking. It wasn’t so bad when Felix dropped by, but then he went back to work, and Sara got snarly again.

She can’t help it, Tara said. She’s been through a lot…

Sasha sighed. I know. So does Darren. It’s the only reason he hasn’t fired her. He’s all about giving people chances and looking after everyone. She flinched as a particularly vicious snarl came from across the bar. But if he doesn’t do something soon, he won’t have any customers left.

Kara watched as a man skirted around Sara and bolted for the door.

I’m sure she’ll calm down, Tara said. She didn’t sound even slightly convincing.

Sara stomped toward them and sat on one of the stools at the bar. I’ve had enough, she announced. She looked at Sasha. Tell Darren I quit.

Sara! Tara objected.

I think we all know I’m not cut out for this, Sara said. She looked at Sasha, daring her to disagree. I’m miserable, Darren and Sasha are miserable, and the customers are all either idiots or too scared to come in here anymore. She sighed. Tell Darren I appreciate him giving me a chance, but it’s better for everyone if I just go.

Can you stay a little longer? Sasha asked. I hate to ask, but we’re pretty short-handed at the moment. After Becca… She trailed off and swallowed hard. And then a couple of others left too. We just don’t have enough staff. Couldn’t you wait until we have someone to replace you?

Sara shook her head. I wish I could, but I think I’m just making things worse. Surely you can find someone else.

What about Kara? Anna suggested.

Kara’s mouth fell open. What?

Kara here is looking for a job, Anna continued, flicking through her folder of wedding plans. I’m sure she could fill in for her sister.

What? At some point she was going to have to remember how to say other words.

I may have mentioned something, Tara mumbled, rubbing at a spot on the bar and refusing to meet Kara’s eyes. The woman was incapable of keeping anything to herself around Anna Russell. One raised eyebrow and Tara confessed to everything.

Why? Excellent, a different word. Now if she could only manage to use more than one at a time and form them into sentences.

Problem solved, Anna announced. Kara can take over from Sara. At least until you find someone else. That’ll give Sara more time for wedding planning.

Sara flinched.

Um, that could work, Tara said, flashing Kara an apologetic glance.

But—

Excellent. Anna clapped her hands. Now we’ve settled that, I have a couple of things to discuss with Tara.

Sara smirked at her sister.

And then, I’ll need to speak to Sara. The smirk disappeared from Sara’s face.

Kara stood watching as Anna herded her sisters to a table.

Come on, Kara, Anna called. We have bridesmaid’s dresses to discuss.

Sasha snorted. You’d better go. Come by tomorrow afternoon and I’ll show you the ropes. It shouldn’t be too busy then.

Kara nodded at her. She didn’t want this job, but it looked like she had it anyway. At least she’d be able to save