“Try Chase’s own pack and the bloodsuckers in this area. He can never allow his guard down around the club members. Lethal and Blaron have extended Chase their protection as their head of security but not all vamps are sane.”
“I’m confused,” Jasmine admitted. “What does protection from this Lethal and Blaron mean?”
“They are his vampire friends and their protection means they’ve warned other vampires to never target Chase because he’s a mixed breed. That doesn’t mean all of them will listen.”
“Do vampires hate mixed races?”
The other woman licked her lips and clasped her hands on her lap. “We’re stronger in a lot of ways than vampires or werewolves. It means we could kill them. None of them are comfortable with that. Vampires can’t day walk without burning to a crisp, while the sunlight only gives us a tan. They resent that we have that ability and they know he could attack them when they are at their weakest. We can do everything they can do but we’re more.”
Jasmine understood. “And the werewolves?”
“We can’t shift but we have all their other abilities, plus the vampire traits. Werewolves respect strength and dominance the most. Any alpha would have to challenge Chase. Most packs living within the cities work for the vamps. The pack would naturally attempt to follow the strongest wolf. Chase’s scent is wolf despite not being a full-blooded one.”
“You said they posed a danger.”
“Chase scares the shit out of them. Any of them would take him out if they were able. They are never going to trust him completely to put them first because he’s not fully wolf, yet they can’t help but follow him.”
“Have any of them attempted to kill him?”
“A few.”
“What happened?”
“Chase killed them first.”
The words were said so simply, without any emotion. A chill ran down Jasmine’s spine. “That’s horrible.”
“It’s survival of the fittest.” Jenny stood. “He’s home.” Her gaze turned. “Hello.”
Chase leaned against the wall just inside the room and appeared to have been there for a while, judging by his relaxed stance. His eyes were another matter, the blue nearly glowing as he regarded his sister with a cold stare.
“What are you doing?”
“Answering her questions.”
A deep growl rumbled from him. “You know better.”
His sister lowered her chin and gaze. “I apologize. I didn’t think you’d mind.”
“Bullshit. You didn’t expect me back so fast and didn’t hear me enter the house. Go upstairs and stay there until dinner. We’d like steaks and you’re cooking.”
“We don’t have any. I bought chicken.”
“Then go back to the store.”
She nodded quickly. “Of course.” Jenny fled up the stairs.
Jasmine got to her unsteady feet, a little afraid and nervous. Chase watched her, unmoving.
“I asked her those questions. Get angry at me if you’re upset.”
One eyebrow arched.
“She’s your sister, not your servant. You go to the store if you want steaks and I’ll cook them.”
It was slightly scary when he pushed away from the wall and stalked closer. He had exchanged his jeans for black leather pants that molded across muscular thighs and lean hips. The black cotton shirt outlined his broad shoulders, chest and thick muscular arms where it stretched tight around his upper body. He stopped a foot away. They almost touched.
Jasmine had to tilt her head to keep eye contact with him, a reminder of how tall he was. Her fear increased as the silence grew uncomfortable. “She didn’t do anything wrong.” Her voice came out soft—a whisper—but she refused to back down the way his sister had. “I had questions and you weren’t here to answer them.”
“Don’t interfere again with Jenny. She knows the rules.”
“Is this how mating works? I’m supposed to do everything you say? Are you going to punish me if I disobey?”
He shook his head. “I already told you I’d never hurt you and you can always speak your mind.”
“Good. I planned to, regardless of how you’d react. I’m not the submissive type. You were just a jerk to your sister.”
His lips twitched. “I see.”
“She said she doesn’t work for you but you just treated her as though she does. Worse, actually. I have a housekeeper and I’d never speak to her that way. I’d politely ask her to do something instead of just snap out orders.”
“Any other suggestions?”
“There shouldn’t be any rules concerning your sister and me talking. This mate thing is like marriage. That’s what you said. That would mean she’s going to be my sister-in-law if I agree, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then there shouldn’t be any rules about us talking.”
“Fine.”
It surprised her that he’d caved so easily. “You mean that?”
“I’m not accustomed to being corrected.” Amusement sparked in his eyes. “I apologize.”
“I think you should tell that to your sister.”
“I will.” His hand lifted and fingertips caressed her cheek. “How did you sleep?”
“Great.”
“You’ve eaten.”
“How did you know that?”
“By smell. You had cereal with milk.”
Jasmine covered her mouth. “Do I have bad breath? I’m sorry.”
“I love that brand of cereal and I drink milk.”
And blood. She wasn’t about to forget that. “You really do eat food then?”
He peered into her eyes and she felt something inside her head. It was a faint tingle at the back of her mind.
“Vampires don’t need to eat food but some of them do. They enjoy the taste of it and some believe it keeps them more human to partake in the experience. Werewolves eat a lot of food because they need it to survive. I love my meals and yes, I drink blood as well. I need both.” He paused. “It wouldn’t be good if I didn’t drink blood. My body needs it or there are side effects that would eventually kill me.”
“You’re reading my mind again.” She wasn’t comfortable with it and placed her hand on his chest. It was warm and firm. “Stop.”
“Sorry.” He shrugged. “It’s another adjustment I need to make. It comes naturally to me. I don’t mean to invade your privacy or make you uncomfortable.”
“It’s not fair. I can’t read your thoughts so just stay out of my head.”
“I’ll try.”
“Do you mean that?” The tingling stopped as if something withdrew from her mind. “I felt that!”
“What?” He frowned.
“You probing my head.”
The tingling returned sharply and she pushed at him. “You’re doing it again, aren’t you? Get out.”
He stepped back. “Amazing.”
“Get out!” The tingling stopped.
“You can feel it. It must be my blood inside you.”
“That would do it?” She wondered what else had changed about her.
“Yes. I gave you a lot. You were severely injured. Your organs were shutting down.” His hand wrapped around the back of her neck as he drew closer. “May I attempt something?”
“Stay out of my head.”
“Not that. I want to see if you can read my thoughts.”
“I can’t do that.”
“You might.” He paused. “Close your eyes and clear all thoughts away.”
Jasmine hesitated but then did as he asked. It took her time to push back all the questions she still had. It wasn’t possible to actually read minds but that belief wasn’t set in stone anymore since Chase had proven otherwise.
“Can you hear me?”
“Of course.”
“Damn.”
The deepness of his voice surprised her and she opened her eyes to look at him. “What is wrong? My hearing is fine.”
r /> “Honey,” he whispered, “I didn’t say that aloud.”
“Say what?”
He stared at her.
“Say what aloud?”
His eyes narrowed. Can you hear me?
Jasmine gasped, almost tripping on her own feet when she stumbled back. No sound came from Chase but his voice was inside her head all the same.
“I’m shouting in my mind but you heard that, didn’t you?” he asked aloud.
“Yes.”
“It’s my blood. I knew I probably gave you too much.”
“What does that mean?” It was a frightening moment. “Am I turning into what you are?”
Anger tensed his features. “It’s the damn vampire traits.” He suddenly closed the distance and gripped her chin, forcing her head up. His other hand touched her face, pulling down her bottom eyelid for a second. “Shit.”
“What?” Alarm was a mild description for what she felt.
“I gave you too much. You’re slowly turning.”
“Turning into what? What you are?”
“Vampire.”
That wasn’t good. She didn’t need to be told that since he paled and his voice deepened into a snarl. Panic rose but she tried to fight it down, remain calm. Freaking out wouldn’t do anything but make the situation worse.
“I told you that I’d give you time but this changes things. We have to mate or you’re going to actually die.”
“You gave me blood to save me. Now it’s killing me?”
“It would be a vampire death. You won’t remain dead.”
Jasmine didn’t know what to say. Her mouth opened but no words came.
“It means you’ll be totally vampire if we don’t mate.”
“And that’s bad?” Of course it is. The shock of what he said made her heart race and her mind wanted to shut down to avoid the unpleasant truth.
“Do you like the sun, honey?”
She nodded, sealing her lips.
“Then yes, it would be bad. Even my blood wouldn’t protect you from burning in the sunlight if we allow you to fully turn. You need more of my blood on a regular basis to keep you alive. You were too drained from that damn rogue. Shit.” He released her, combing his fingers through his hair. “You were too close to death but I didn’t realize this would happen. I thought my blood would just heal you.”
“I don’t want to have to drink blood to survive.” More disturbing consequences filled her thoughts of what it would mean if she became the undead. That one just topped her list of what she’d hate most.
“It would only be mine. We’ve been through this.”
“How long do I have? I feel fine.”
“We need to mate within twenty-four hours. No longer than that or it’s going to be too late. You’ll go into an unnatural death and once your body dies, you will be completely vampire when you wake. I’d prefer we do it right now.”
That wasn’t good at all. Jasmine stared up at him and tried to remain calm. It wasn’t easy. The new world she’d been exposed to was too foreign and she had tough choices to make. Chase made it sound simple—just accept being his mate—but she wanted more time.
Twenty-four hours. She could almost hear the ticking of a clock inside her head. “I need to be alone. I need to think this through.”
He didn’t appear happy with her request but he nodded.
Chapter Five
Chase paced the kitchen until his sister entered, just back from the grocery store. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Jasmine pointed out that I don’t appreciate you enough for all you do.”
Jenny had started putting away the steaks but paused to gape at him.
“What?” Irritation flashed inside him. “Quit staring at me that way.”
She recovered and closed the fridge. “You protect me and give me a home. I don’t know what I’d do if you hadn’t taken me in.”
“It doesn’t mean I should be an ass. I have been.”
“Yes.” She suddenly smiled. “I wasn’t sure about you taking a mate but I like it so far.”
“Why wouldn’t you be happy about it?”
“She’s human but I suppose it’s better that you ended up with one of them instead of a werewolf.”
He scowled. “What would it matter?”
“Most werewolf bitches are power hungry. I wanted more for you than to end up locked to someone who would never truly love you.” She stepped closer. “Jasmine really didn’t know what you were?”
“No.”
“You met her before but waited until she nearly died to claim her? Why?”
“I was deeply attracted to her but she was too sweet and good to enter this life. I felt very protective.”
Jenny nodded. “I understand. I met a human but avoid him now because he can’t ever find out what I am.”
That statement drew a frown from Chase and a sense of worry. “What human?”
“He’s a neighbor. I have run into him more than a few times where our land meets at the river. He enjoys fishing.”
“Single?”
“No scent of a woman is on him.”
“Is he interested in you?”
“He’s male, Chase.” She grinned. “What do you think?” She sobered. “I’m really attracted to him, he smells so good and he’s funny.”
“Why don’t you date him and see where it leads?”
“We both know what would happen. He’d either freak out if he learned what I am or, if I mated him, he’d go on a power trip. Sharing my blood would make him stronger, more aggressive, and change him for the worse. He wasn’t raised with that kind of strength.”
“He could be different than most.”
“He might not be.” She walked to the counter to unpack a bag. “You’d have to kill him and I couldn’t stand it.”
“I wouldn’t do that.”
She peered up at him. “You’d have to if he started showing off to his human friends. Can you imagine? ‘Hey, look at me. I can lift a car!’” She rolled her eyes. “Rule number one is keeping the secret of our existence.”
“You could return to Alaska and our clan.”
Jenny’s expression hardened. “No.”
“Mother?”
She gave a sharp nod. “She attempted to make me a vampire’s companion.”
Anger burned through Chase. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I knew you’d be furious. She thinks that’s what is best, Chase. I came to stay with you before she could get me to London. That’s where most of the old masters live.”
“I’m glad you came to me.” He silently swore to have a talk with their mother. “Is that where she is? I don’t keep in contact.”
“Probably.” Jenny shrugged. “I ditched her at the airport and haven’t spoken to her since. I refuse to return to Alaska, though, on the off chance that she’s returned.”
“You could mate with someone from the clan to get our mother off your back.”
“No thanks!” The sadness in her eyes belied her laugh.
“Do they believe you’d be too cold to mate?”
“No. That was just you because you were always such a hard ass. I just don’t find all that growling and aggressiveness charming.”
“Understood. I get enough of that shit from my pack.”
Her eyes sparked with real amusement. “If the clan could only see you now.”
“Shut up.” He playfully swatted her arm. “It’s a necessity.”
“Why do you work for vampires?”
“Blaron and Lethal aren’t like the others. They are good souls.”
“Some say vampires don’t have those.”
“Those two do. They aren’t anything like our fathers.”
“You mean they wouldn’t abandon their companion and their young just because they’re an embarrassment with their mixed bloodlines?”
His humor died. “No.”
“Have you heard from your father?”
“Not
since he wanted me to take out one of his vampire enemies.”
“You didn’t!”
He shook his head, sighing loudly. “I’m not a weapon to be used when he needs an assassin during daylight hours.”
“Mine was the one who suggested to our mother that I become a companion to one of his friends. I think she still loves him.”
“We don’t need them. We never did. Mother needs to realize she was used by them to have offspring. The concept fascinated them but the reality didn’t fulfill their expectations.”
Jenny suddenly stepped forward and pressed her hand to the center of his chest. “Do you love Jasmine?”
“I believe I do. I think I have since we first met.”
“Be sure. Mating is forever.”
“I’ve never felt anything this strong before. She makes me happy and I really look forward to a future with her. She’s all I think about.”
“You’re such a dork.” She laughed, grinning. “That’s love.”
“Now I just have to get her to immediately agree to mate with me.”
“I thought you were going to give her time.”
“She’s turning.”
“Shit.” Jenny backed away. “Why are you standing here talking to me? Get it done. You don’t want to doom her to an existence without sunshine and cause her to be weaker than she needs to be. Your mate shouldn’t have to endure vampire flaws.”
“I don’t want her to regret it.”
“She’d hate bursting into flames if she ventured outside during the day and having to drink blood on a daily basis. Jasmine doesn’t know enough to make that kind of decision, Chase, but you do. Do what is best for her.”
He knew his sister was right. “I’ll go find her.” He sniffed. “She’s not upstairs.”
“She headed downstairs last I saw.”
“She’ll be suffering exhaustion while her body goes through the first stages of transformation.”
“Go mate her.”
Chase spun on his heel and stalked to the basement. “Do you mind cooking dinner in an hour? She’ll be hungry.”
“I’ve got this. You deal with her.”
He paused by the door and turned, holding his sister’s stare. “About the human you mentioned?”