Mine to Chase Read online

  “Like the rogue vampire who grabbed me?”

  “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.”