Claws and Fangs

by Laurann Dohner

  “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.”

  �
�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...”

  “What about him?”

  “I wouldn’t kill him. I’d just guide him until he understood how important it was to protect you and what we are. I don’t want you to be alone.”

  “You mean you’d scare him into submission and beat him if needed.”

  “Better me than someone else attempt to kill him for revealing too much.”

  “That’s true. I’ll think about it.”

  “Good.”

  He closed the door after him, following Jasmine’s faint scent still lingering in the air, tracking her to his bedroom.

  Jasmine stared at the ceiling, trying to make sense of everything. A slight noise drew her attention and she sat up as Chase entered his room. It was still a bit awkward between them since they didn’t know each other that well. No words came to mind as he slowly stalked closer.

  She noticed the way he moved, graceful but with an aura of danger. He wasn’t a typical guy, had never been one, but now she knew what was so different about him. Being part werewolf and vampire was a lethal combination. His dark stare didn’t frighten her though, but instead made her aware of various parts of her body. Her belly tightened and her nipples tingled. Another part of her reacted too, but she tried to ignore that.

  “How are you feeling?”

  She wasn’t sure why he didn’t just read her mind. That ability still unnerved her. “Okay. A little tired but restless. I couldn’t fall asleep.”

  He sat on the edge of the bed, his weight dipping that side slightly as he shifted to face her. “Are your eyes sensitive to the light in here? Any numbness in your body?”

  She wished the second part was a current symptom. Every time Chase was near, it was impossible not to notice the way her body reacted to him. It had been that way since the first time they’d met at her office. One look, and her heart rate had increased and her palms had been sweaty when they’d shaken hands.

  “No. I’m good.”

  “It’s a slow process, fortunately.” He reached out but he didn’t touch her. Instead his fingers traced a crease in the bedding. “We still have a bit of time.”

  “Before I turn into a full-on vampire?”

  “Yes.”

  “Will it hurt?” That was a real fear.

  “No. Your body will start going numb while it shuts down until you fall asleep. Your heart will stop beating at that point, and you’ll die.” He glanced anywhere but at her. “The next evening, after the process is finished, you’ll wake.”

  “Will I still have a beating heart?”

  “It does to a degree.”

  “What does that mean? It either does or it doesn’t.”

  “It will slow to a standstill if you haven’t eaten or if you’re sleeping during the day. When you wake and feed, it accelerates. The fresher the blood in your system, the more it will pump at a normal rate.”

  “What about air? Will I need to breathe?”

  “You could go without for quite a while. You technically don’t need it but it isn’t pretty when your body is starved of oxygen for extended periods of time.”

  “Can you elaborate? I don’t know any real facts about vampires, just the fiction I’ve read in books.”

  “Think white or a greenish tint, depending on whether you’re in a dry or wet climate.” He grimaced. “We need to take care of this situation, Jasmine.”

  She knew what that meant. “You want to make me your mate.”

  “You know I do.” He leaned closer, holding her gaze. “I promise you’ll never regret it.”

  “How can you possibly do that?”

  He hesitated. “I’m over a hundred years old, Jasmine.”

  She studied his features closely. He didn’t appear older than early thirties, if even that. She bit her lip, trying to guess his point, besides shocking her.

  You can hear me when I concentrate on projecting my thoughts to you.

  The sound of his voice inside her head was as clear as if he’d spoken the words aloud.

  Believe in what you think is impossible. I’m proof of that, my love. I’ll always keep my promises to you.

  Hot tears filled her eyes while she gazed into his. The brown irises turned cobalt as she watched, more proof that everything she’d once known to be factual wasn’t quite true. Chase changed everything. Her life was turned upside down by his very existence.

  “Take a chance,” he murmured, inching closer, staring deeply into her gaze. “You have everything to gain.” His voice deepened. “My love. Me. Happiness.” He paused before giving her a sexy, devastating grin. “Great sex.”

  He wasn’t playing fair. He was too close, smelled really good, and who was she kidding? She adored Chase Woods. It ran deeper than that though, had almost been an obsession since they’d first met. He was the man who’d captured her fantasies on a nightly basis, made other men insignificant in comparison, and he’d saved her life.

  “I’ll lose my house, my job, my friends and family if I agree, right?” How can I do that to be with this man? It went against everything she’d ever believed in. She was a strong, capable woman. The concept of walking away from her life to be with Chase left her feeling lost and confused.

  “I know it’s difficult, but if the rogue had friends, you’re still in danger. They will seek revenge and come after you. They would destroy the people you care about to get to you. I’m strong enough to defeat anyone who dares come after you. You’re my mate, Jasmine. I won’t let anyone harm you. And there are other things to consider. How will you explain the changes you’ve undergone to the people you know, especially over time? They will notice. That will put you at risk because you’d have to lie to the people you care about, causing you pain. That would hurt you more. And that would hurt me.”

  “I didn’t ask for this.” Bitterness rose over the impossible situation she’d been placed in.

  “The rogue did this, not me. I walked away from you once when it was the last thing I wanted to do. I did it because your happiness came first.” His tone softened, and so did the look in his eyes. “I’d do anything for you.”

  “Can’t you fix me so I don’t turn into a vampire? Can’t we just date and my normal life can resume? I need more time.”

  Chase hesitated, a pained look crossing his handsome face. “I’d give you anything if it were possible. The rogue harmed you too much for a hospital to save your life. My blood was the only option to keep you alive. I didn’t mean for this to happen, for you to start to turn into a vampire, but he’d taken you too close to death. You have only two options now—become one of them, or agree to be my mate. Either way, I can’t turn back the clock and undo what has been done.”

  Jasmine didn’t like it but she knew he spoke the truth. He had supernatural powers but time travel wasn’t one of them. Putting anyone else in danger wasn’t something she’d ever willingly do.

  “I’d die for you, Jasmine.” Sincerity deepened his voice. “I know it’s asking a lot, perhaps too much, but please agree to be my mate. I swear you won’t regret it. I’ll do whatever it takes to make you happy. We’ll work out all the issues.”

  Her heart squeezed tightly while she stared deeply into his beautiful eyes. He meant every word. She believed that, and the love she felt for him grew stronger until it was tough to breathe. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be with him forever. Her concerns and fears faded as they watched each other.

  Only one word came from her lips. “Yes.”

  She wasn’t sure who was more surprised by her agreement. Becoming his mate was a lifelong com
mitment. He’d made sure she understood there would be no turning back, and they’d live for a very long time. Chase’s smile faded as a low growl emanated from deep within his chest.

  “You won’t regret this.”

  Jasmine really hoped she wouldn’t. “What do we do?”

  He leaned closer. “What comes natural.”

  “That didn’t answer my question.”

  “I’m going to make love to you.” His warm hand gently cupped her cheek. “And when the time is right, I’m going to bleed for you. You’ll drink more of my blood while I bite into you.”

  “Will it hurt?” It sounded oddly sexy but she didn’t want to feel pain.

  “Never.”

  The husky promise was one she wanted to believe as he closed the distance between them and his full lips brushed hers. Just the whisper-soft feel of their mouths touching was enough to make her heart race with excitement. His masculine scent and taste was arousing.

  “Undress.”

  She leaned into him, kissing him when he would have pulled away to give her room to maneuver out of her T-shirt and boxers. She grabbed the curve of his shoulder and hung on. The shyness of their new relationship had her longing to get lost in the moment before she was naked. It would be easy to do with Chase. The man almost screamed raw sex appeal.

  Another growl rumbled from him and her nipples tightened in anticipation. The sex between them had been amazing, wonderful and intense. She wanted to be that mindless again and pushed up, going chest to chest with Chase. His free hand wrapped around her back, pulling her more snugly against him.

  Tongue met tongue as they explored each other with an eagerness born of pure fervor. The memories of the last time they’d touched excited her as much as his kiss. No one had ever made her as hot as he did. It might have been the forbidden delight of being with the ultimate bad boy but her ability to think faded. Whatever the reason, she squirmed, wishing she’d stripped when he’d asked so no barriers were between them.

  Chase pushed her onto her back and she didn’t struggle when his weight pinned her down. He tore the T-shirt at the sides, the material easily giving way to his strength. The sound of it shredding only heightened her desire to be skin to skin with him. His knuckles caressed the skin he bared, teasing her where they skimmed.