Authors: Laurann Dohner
MinetoChase (8 page)
“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 barreled 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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Ellora’s Cave Publishing
Mine to Chase
ISBN 9781419944758
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Mine to Chase Copyright © 2013 Laurann Dohner
Edited by Pamela Campbell
Photography and cover design by Syneca
Model: Angelo
Electronic book publication January 2013
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