“I won’t.” It was an easy promise to make. The concept of meeting someone so cold gave her chills and made her doubt what she’d signed up for as Chase’s mate.
Jenny seemed to read her mind. “Chase hates our mother and I can’t blame him. He’s nothing like her, I promise. That’s why I came to him for protection.”
More questions filled Jasmine. “Why do you need protection? Are the men stronger?”
“They are.” She nodded. “Mother Nature or whoever you want to blame gave them bigger bodies, more muscle and a shitload of aggression. It’s safer if we stick together.” She paused. “I’m safer. He did fine on his own.”
“He’s pretty tough, isn’t he?”
A smile curved her sister-in-law’s mouth. “You did very well picking him for a mate. No one will be able to care for you better.”
“I want him to really love me,” she admitted softly.
“He does.” Jenny laughed. “You doubt it? Many females tried to lure him into marking them but none succeeded.”
“We barely know each other.”
“It isn’t always about how long you know someone. For us, it is more important how strongly you feel when you meet the right person. We’re instinctual creatures.”
“And you can read minds.”
“That too. It helps us get to know someone really fast and well. He didn’t make a mistake picking you for his mate.”
Jasmine voiced her inner fear. “He did it to save my life.”
“No. He did it because he wanted you. We’re…older than we look and we chose to leave our people. Humans die faster than we do so death is something we’ve adjusted to. He would have allowed you to die if you weren’t the one he wanted to mate. Don’t think for a second that it was pity that prompted him to bring you home for keeps.”
“Says you.”
“I’m the only expert on our kind you know.” Jenny glanced her way. “You’ll just have to take my word for it.”
“I guess I will.”
“Haven’t you felt it through the mate bond?”
Jasmine remembered all the sensations that had invaded her mind when Chase opened up to her. “Yes.”
“He loves you. Stop rationalizing with your human side and trust your instincts. Mating bond links don’t lie. It’s impossible to fake emotions. You’d feel the deceit.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
Jenny chuckled. “Is it so hard for you to believe you mean everything to my brother after all you’ve seen since becoming a part of his life? Vampires and werewolves are real. True love exists and you have that with my brother. It will last as long as you two are alive.”
Jasmine silently wondered how long a life she’d lead with Chase. It was a question she wasn’t sure she wanted answered. Would they have fifty years together? A few hundred? Maybe more? In the end, it wouldn’t matter. Every day they had together would be one she spent with the man she loved.
The last of the sunlight faded as they drove into town. “I really hate these places,” Jenny muttered, parking in the lot beside the nightclub.
“It looks pretty dead. Does it open later since it’s geared for vampires?”
“They are out and about. The nonsense about them being totally helpless while they sleep during the day only applies to the newly turned. Even those wake about an hour before sunset. They can’t wait to leave their lairs once they can. I don’t like this.”
Jasmine glanced around at just a few cars in the parking lot. “Maybe they don’t open until later since I’m sure they probably don’t close until just before dawn.”
“Maybe.” Jenny didn’t sound so sure. “It’s not as if I hang out in blood bag hangouts. Let’s go. Chase doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”
“Are you sure we should go in there?” A bad feeling hit Jasmine.
“He wouldn’t order me to drive you here if it was dangerous. Maybe they are closed tonight so he can introduce you to his friends. He swears the two blood bags who own this joint aren’t soulless pricks.”
“That makes me feel better.” Jasmine hoped the sarcasm wasn’t missed as she climbed out of the car.
Jenny stared at her from across the roof as she jerked her head toward the front doors. “We should get inside.” She glanced around. “I don’t like being in the open in unfamiliar territory.”
“Okay.” Jasmine looked around as well. “I don’t see anyone.”
“I feel as if we’re being watched. The hair on the back of my neck is tingling.”
“Maybe we should leave.” A chill ran down her back as she watched the other woman tense up and circle the car to reach her side.
“No. Chase is waiting. I’m sure we’re safe. Let’s just get inside the building.” Jenny grabbed her hand and led her forward. “Hurry up.”
The front doors to the club were unlocked. They entered and Jenny jerked to a halt and snarled. The sound was aggressive and Jasmine gasped.
“What’s wrong?”
“Blood. Lots of it.”
“It’s a vampire club. Didn’t you say they drink it here?”
Jenny stepped in front of her and pulled something from beneath her shirt. It had been tucked inside the waistband of her pants—a wooden stake with a leather handle.
“Why do you have that?”
Jenny released her, reached back and withdrew a small gun. “I have this too. Just in case.” She paused. “One for vamps, one with silver bullets for wolves. Stay behind me and stick close.”
“Shit.”
The urge to flee was strong but Jasmine followed orders. She trailed her into a large room that wasn’t well lit but the bodies on the floor were visible due to a few overhead lights. She peeked around Jenny and her dinner nearly came up as she realized two of them had missing heads.
“Oh my God.”
“Defend my mate,” a deep voice roared.
Jasmine tore her attention from the horrific scene of death to locate Chase. He stood beside two tall men, one in a kilt, one in leather pants, and they faced off against a group of five people. The tension in the room was obvious, even if her mate’s face hadn’t been contorted in rage. His fangs were showing.
“Right on time,” a woman snickered.
Jasmine watched the woman turn around. She was pretty but it only lasted a few seconds before her features began to change. Her nose pushed outward as hair grew rapidly along her cheeks. It was obvious she was a werewolf.
“Crap,” Jenny groaned, pushing Jasmine back when she bumped into her.
The four men dropped to their hands and knees to change into their werewolf forms too. The sickening sound of bones popping reached Jasmine.
“That is so wrong.”
Jenny glanced back. “Get against the wall now. They are here to kill you. Take this.” She lifted her arm, offering the gun over her shoulder, handle first. “Aim for the head or heart. Don’t hesitate to pull the trigger. They’ll tear you to shreds if you let them.”
Shock held Jasmine still for a few heartbeats before she swallowed hard and grabbed the weapon. “I’ve never fired one,” she whispered.
“It’s a good time to learn,” Jenny muttered. “Just don’t hit me.”
Good advice. Her hands trembled as she wrapped them around the cold metal and found the trigger. Her mind wanted to shut down but she didn’t allow it to happen. They were all in danger. “Is the safety off?”
“It’s never on.” Jenny suddenly crouched, stake fisted in one palm and braced her weight with the other. She growled in warning, taking a protective stance.
Chase and his two friends didn’t wait for the werewolves to finish their transformation before they withdrew swords and attacked. The second her mate moved, Jasmine noticed a short woman who’d been hiding behind him spin around to dash to a far door.
Who is she? Why was she behind Chase? Jealousy was short-lived as two of the werewolves rolled out of the way of the sharp blades. They righted themselves on four legs and their thick, furry bodies barr
eled in the direction of the front door.
Right at us, Jasmine realized. She couldn’t look away from their vicious teeth.
A big body suddenly landed just feet in front of Jenny. Jasmine wondered how Chase had gotten there. Light reflected off his long blade as he swung it and something slammed into the wall that almost hit her. She whimpered when she realized what it was as the thing thumped to the floor and almost hit her foot. An arm was the next thing that came sailing up into the air as her mate took out the attackers.
“I’m going to be sick,” she warned.
“They are the enemy.” Jenny sounded calm. “Better them than us.”
What the hell did I get myself into? Jasmine thought just before everything went black.
Chapter Eight
“Mine? Come on. Talk to me.”
Jasmine realized she was cradled in strong arms and knew that husky voice. She’d had a hellish nightmare. She opened her eyes to stare at Chase. His hair was damp and so was his chest, which she was pressed against, as if he’d just showered.
“How are you?” The concern in his eyes was clear.
“I…” She cleared her throat.
“It’s over. They are all dead. We’re in one of the apartments under the club. You’re safe.”
“That was real?”
His arms tightened. “Yeah. The stench of all that blood overwhelmed you. It’s to be expected, you being a new mate.”
“I think it was the flying body parts.”
His mouth curved into a smile. “Life with me is never boring.”
She would have used another description to explain how things had changed since her kidnapping and rescue.
Chase sobered. “You weren’t supposed to be here or see any of that.”
“Jenny said you wanted us to come to the club.”
“No. My phone was stolen and someone from my pack sent that message. I told you to stay at home where you’d be safe.”
Memory fully returned. “Who was that woman?”
“A bitch who got what was coming to her.”
“I saw her escape out a back door. Will she come after us again?”
“Oh. You must mean Mora. She’s one of the pack. I thought you were referring to Tina.“
“Who are they?”
“Mora and her mate are half-breeds. Tina is a full-blooded wolf who thought she could impress me by showing her cunning nature but it got her killed.” He shifted his hold and stroked her cheek with his thumb. “She made the unforgivable mistake of going after someone I love.”
The bond between them opened and his feelings warmed her, showing how strong his emotions were. Lust also hit, leaving her no doubt he wanted to lay her on the bed they sat on to make love to her.
“Chase.” She cupped his face to pull him down for a kiss.
His full lips brushed hers before he withdrew and smiled. “I have good and bad news before I allow you to seduce me.”
“Me?” She laughed. “You’re the one projecting images of bending me over in front of you and making me hot.”
A sense of seriousness cooled some of the heat between them. She took a deep breath. “Give me the good news first since you are determined that we talk before following through with what I just saw.”
“The deadliest of my enemies won’t be a problem anymore. It will send a strong message to anyone who considers coming after me or mine.”
“Okay. What’s the bad news?”
“You left the house after I told you not to. You’re in deep trouble.”
“Jenny thought the text was from you.”
His eyebrows arched. “She’s not your mate.”
Disbelief filled her. “She figured that you wanted me to meet your friends. It wasn’t her fault someone swiped your phone.”
“True. I’ll make sure it always stays in my possession at work from now on instead of leaving it in my jacket pocket at my desk. But…I gave you an order and you didn’t follow it. I’m going to have to punish you for disobeying.”
Her temper flared. “Disobeying? Did you really just say that?”
Humor sparked in his eyes. “Don’t you want to know what your punishment is?”
She tried to wiggle out of his arms but he was too strong. “No. I’m a person, not a pet. Don’t even think about spanking me because I’m not into that crap.”
“I’d never hit you.” He chuckled. “I took the next month off so we could spend time together. My vacation is effective as soon as I finish getting dressed and we leave the club.”
“You did?”
He nodded.
“I’m not the blind obedience type.”
“I’m glad to hear it. I like it when you stand up to me.” He leaned in, smiling again. “Besides, you project your thoughts forcefully at times. You weren’t happy when I left this morning. You want a honeymoon and I agree.”
“This all sounds like good news to me.”
He kissed her with a quick brush of his lips. “We’re going to get to know each other really well.” A memory of them together in the shower flashed through her mind as he shared it with her so she knew exactly what he meant.
“I’m still waiting for the bad stuff.”
“I heard what you said to my sister. You are going to learn how to use a gun and you should know how to fight. I want you to always be safe.”
“Honeymoons are supposed to be fun.”
“It will be.”
“Uh-huh.” She wasn’t convinced.
“Me. You. Mostly undressed.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Wrestling around. Getting up close and personal. Sweating will be involved.” His lips moved lower as he tucked his head, homing in on her throat. “I’ll pin you down. You can try to pin me.”
She gave him freer access as his voice lowered into that sexy, soft growl that turned her on. “I’m still not hearing anything bad.”
He nipped her skin and a jolt of desire shot from her neck to her lap, drawing a moan from her.
“I have to deal with one last issue before the honeymoon starts.”
“What is it?” Worry struck. Will he have to fight again?
“I doubt it.” He read her mind. “At least I don’t believe I’ll meet any more resistance. The strongest wolves were already taken out and I need to assert my position as alpha with the pack. A little time will be good for them to mull over what happened and how futile it would be to challenge me in the future. I just need to speak to them first.”
“Okay.” She’d worry but she could understand that he’d have to deal with the werewolves. “If you’re not expecting more fights, what is the bad part?”
“You’re looking at thirty days of me not leaving your side,” he rasped. “No respite. No reprieve. I really want you, mine.” He softly growled again. “And I’m going to have you over and over. I’m going to love you so much and so often, you’ll be sorry.”
“Never. I’m really happy to be your mate, Chase.”
He held her tighter. “Me too.”
About Laurann Dohner
I’m a full-time “in-house supervisor” (sounds much better than plain ol’ housewife), mother and writer. I’m addicted to caramel iced coffee, the occasional candy bar (or two) and trying to get at least five hours of sleep at night.
I love to write all kinds of stories. I think the best part about writing is the fact that real life is always uncertain, always tossing things at us that we have no control over, but when you write, you can make sure there’s always a happy ending. I love that about writing. I love to sit down at my computer desk, put on my headphones and listen to loud music to block out the world around me, so I can create worlds in front of me.
Laurann welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email addresses on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
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Also by Laurann Dohner
Cyborg Seduction 1: Burning Up Flint
Cyborg Seduction 2: Kissing Steel
Cyborg Seduction 3: Melting Iron
Cyborg Seduction 4: Touching Ice
Cyborg Seduction 5: Stealing Coal
Cyborg Seduction 6: Redeeming Zorus
Cyborg Seduction 7: Taunting Krell
Mating Heat 1: Mate Set
Mating Heat 2: His Purrfect Mate
New Species 1: Fury
New Species 2: Slade
New Species 3: Valiant
New Species 4: Justice
New Species 5: Brawn
New Species 6: Wrath
New Species 7: Tiger
New Species 8: Obsidian
New Species 9: Shadow
Riding the Raines 1: Propositioning Mr. Raine
Riding the Raines 2: Raine on Me
Something Wicked This Way Comes, Volume 1 anthology
Something Wicked This Way Comes, Volume 2 anthology
Zorn Warriors 1: Ral’s Woman
Zorn Warriors 2: Kidnapping Casey
Zorn Warriors 3: Tempting Rever
Zorn Warriors 4: Berrr’s Vow
Print books by Laurann Dohner
Cyborg Seduction 1: Burning Up Flint
Cyborg Seduction 2: Kissing Steel
Cyborg Seduction 3: Melting Iron
Cyborg Seduction 4: Touching Ice
Cyborg Seduction 5: Stealing Coal
Cyborg Seduction 6: Redeeming Zorus
Cyborg Seduction 7: Taunting Krell
Mating Heat 1: Mate Set
Mating Heat 2: His Purrfect Mate
New Species 1: Fury
New Species 2: Slade
New Species 4: Justice
New Species 5: Brawn
Riding the Raines 1: Propositioning Mr. Raine
Riding the Raines 2: Raine on Me
Something Wicked This Way Comes, Volume 1 anthology
Something Wicked This Way Comes, Volume 2 anthology
Zorn Warriors 1 & 2: Loving Zorn
Zorn Warriors 3: Tempting Rever