The Hybrid Mate

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

"A what?" Izzy's eyes widened in shock.

"An abomination... just like you, Izzy," Ezekiel replied for Sebastian.

"But how can that be? How are you a reaper if you're a hybrid?" Izzy was utterly confused. So many questions swirled in her head but could only focus on one thing at a time.

"He's the exception, Izzy," Gabriel answered this time. "Sebastian is the only hybrid allowed to hold such a prominent position."

"And he's also the most valuable because being a hybrid, you have the skills to track your own kind faster than any other species, full or half," Ezekiel said as he looked out the window, noticing the buildings ahead.

"So, what kind of hybrid are you?" Izzy now turned her attention back to Sebastian, whom she wanted to answer all those questions himself.

"He's not allowed to say, Miss Izzy." Joshua's booming voice answered her question, peering through the rearview mirror.

"Why not?" Izzy asked quietly.

"Council orders," Sebastian replied succinctly.

"I see." Izzy averted her gaze from Sebastian once again.

Then suddenly, through their mind link, she heard Sebastian's voice, 'I promise to tell you, but not now. OK?'

Izzy glanced up at Sebastian, who smiled at her gently. She smiled and nodded.

"Where to, Boss?" Joshua said as he made the last turn and entered a thick forest.

"We need to rest and get supplies. And Izadora needs to get settled in." Sebastian said as he tucked Izzy's hair behind her ear.

Sebastian's touch caused sharp tingling to shoot down Izzy's entire spine. She shuddered but not out of fear. Instead, she recognized their bond as mates did... and that one light touch tore open a desire she was unfamiliar with.

"To your house, it is," Joshua said as the forest cleared and they could see a city-like community open up in front of them.

"You have a house here?" That fact surprised Izzy. She did not expect a reaper would live among the hybrids. But then again, Sebastian just confessed he was a hybrid.

"Consider it like a hideout for us, Izzy." Ezekiel smiled as he glanced at her and returned to swiping like mad at his phone.

After he noticed Izzy's curious expression, Ezekiel supplied, "I'm canceling out any signature signals, just in case."

"But didn't you guys just say no one can find us here? It's a safe haven." Izzy questioned the reapers' earlier claim.

"It is." Gabriel smiled back at Izzy. "Ezekiel's job is to ensure all our safety wherever we are... and now that includes you." He winked at Izzy.

This prompted a low growl to emanate from the man who had kept his arm wrapped around Izzy. She could feel the rumbling in the man's chest as Sebastian pressed her against him, but Izzy also saw Sebastian's eyes darken.

"Calm down, Stroud." Gabriel shook his head. "I just winked at Izzy, that's all. I'm not trying to seduce her. She's all yours." He chuckled as he ended.

Whoa! He's possessive. How am I supposed to make friends with guys if he will scare them away? At least he doesn’t scare Gabriel. And why should I be with him, anyway?

'Because you're my mate! Before you intend to make any friends with other men, I need to know who they are first... and if I'll allow it. And that's all there is to this discussion.' Sebastian warned Izzy through their mind link, and Izzy forgot Sebastian could hear her thoughts.

Izzy rolled her eyes and intentionally thought, 'I'll do what I want to do, and I won't allow you to stop me.' She frowned at him.

Ezekiel glanced over and said, "Are you guys having your first lover's quarrel already?"

Izzy spun around in surprise and stared at Ezekiel. "You can hear my thoughts, too? Sebastian said he's the only one who can hear me." She threw an accusatory look toward the man who held her still.

Ezekiel chuckled and said, "Technically, none of us can unless you or Sebastian allow us to hear it. One of you might have opened the demon channel... the one where demons communicate through the mind link."

"I heard nothing," Gabriel shook his head. "Did you, Joshua?"

"I'm half-human and centaur, remember? I don't get the demon channel." Joshua rolled his eyes and made a turn to go uphill.

Izzy pouted, feeling extremely annoyed. She really wanted to learn how to speak through mind link properly, shutting out everyone else apart from the one she wanted to talk to.

Suddenly, she felt a warm kiss on the temple of her forehead. Sebastian had leaned in and smiled as he gazed at her. She looked up confused by this man's rollercoaster emotions... one minute overly possessive & dominating, then on the next, sweet and loving. How utterly baffling!

Izzy then heard Sebastian's voice in her head, 'I can teach you how to control the mind link, Izadora. And by the way, I love the way you say my name.'

Izzy raised her eyebrows at Sebastian and recalled she mentioned his name when she spoke to Ezekiel. She blushed at the way this man's emerald gaze seemed to pierce through her soul. She wanted to avert her gaze again but somehow could not look away this time.

"And now they made up." Ezekiel blurted out, chuckling.

Izzy shot a frowning glance at Ezekiel, to which he raised his hands and said, "Promise, Izzy, I heard nothing! It's just obvious in the way the two of you look at each other."

Izzy was about to argue when Joshua declared, "Home!"

He stopped the car in front of a modern-looking house with white walls and black accents. And wide floor to ceiling windows that had drapes blocking the view to the interior.

Sebastian helped Izzy out of the tall SUV and with his arm still around her waist, guided her toward the front door.

Izzy realized her 5 foot 3 inches stature did not compare to these four very tall men. She guessed they were at least 6 feet tall, but Sebastian was the tallest.

Inside, the other three men went straight to the kitchen, with Joshua leading the way.

"It's your turn to cook, Gabriel." Joshua grinned at the second-in-command.

"Me? I cooked last time." Gabriel protested. He didn't particularly like cooking.

"No, I cooked last time." Ezekiel reminded them. "The time after that, you just bought microwaveable meals. That's not cooking, Gabriel." He furrowed his brows in disappointment.

"I'll cook for you guys." Izzy offered, which suddenly brought silence in the kitchen.

"What? I'm an excellent cook." Izzy prided herself on having the inherent ability to cook like a real chef.

"Don't you want to rest and settle in first?" Ezekiel slowly said as he turned to look at Sebastian, standing by the doorway.

"Yes, but it's dinnertime, and I'm sure we're all hungry. I can whip something up really quick with the right ingredients." Izzy smiled and walked over to the refrigerator.

All three men turned to look at Sebastian, who nodded slightly, approving his mate's actions... for now.

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