Claws and Fangs Read online

  “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 have 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 new sense of worry. “What human?”

  “He’s a neighbor. I’ve 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 take him to live with the nest.”

  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’s best, Chase. I came to stay with you before she could send 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 the nest, though, on the off chance that she’s returned.”

  “You could mate with a werewolf that you like 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 only our mother could only see you now. She’d be horrified that you’re so sweet.”

  “Shut up.” He playfully swatted her arm. “Don’t ever tell her.”

  “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 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.”

  “I’m pretty sure 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’s best for her.”

  He knew his sister was right. “I’ll go find her.” He sniffed. “She’s not upstairs.”

  �€