Claws and Fangs

by Laurann Dohner

  The brunet vampire hissed. “What does that mean? You’re the one who’ll die. We’ll let you watch us play with your mate first though, while she begs you to save her. Her screams will be the last thing you hear. Where is the little bitch?”

  Chase didn’t wait to be attacked. The idea of them planning to torture Jasmine was enough to send him into a rage. He moved fast, threw out his arm, and embedded the stake deeply into the vamp’s chest.

  The idiot appeared stunned as his eyes widened a second before lines appeared on his face and it turned an ashen gray. The skin split as he turned to dust, his solid form disintegrating.

  The other two vampires weren’t going to be so easy to kill, now that he didn’t have the element of surprise.

  Chase saw Blaron drop from the rafters to land in a crouch next to Damon. His friend’s sword flashed in the dim light as he rose to his full height and ended the life of the werewolf in seconds.

  Satisfaction was short-lived as both of the dead vampire’s friends recovered from the shock of realizing they’d walked into an ambush.

  Lethal lived up to his name as he sprinted across the room to join the fray and took out a second werewolf. The sound of bones popping as the remaining two pack members shifted wasn’t a concern to Chase. His attention fixed on the two bloodsuckers intent on killing him.

  One of them came at him with fangs and claws. Chase barely dodged away in time to avoid a painful slash at his throat. The adrenaline from the wolf blood they’d sucked down was going to be a problem, but nothing he couldn’t handle. He’d make certain his enemies died, to ensure his mate’s safety. He almost felt sorry for the stupid bastards for not understanding how deadly an opponent he’d become.

  The second one leapt into the fray, and Chase shoved the stake into his chest but missed his heart. The bloodsucker screamed in pain, but managed to stagger away when Chase had to release his hold to avoid the first one grabbing him from behind. He unleashed his claws and drove them into the jerk’s neck, bleeding him out a bit to weaken him.

  Swords clashed with claws across the room. Chase didn’t have time to check on Blaron or Lethal. His friends could handle themselves. They were old vampires with impressive battle skills. He had his own ass to worry about as the blood-drugged vampires unsuccessfully tried to corner him. They were bleeding and hurt, but they’d be harder to kill with the wolf blood in their systems.

  Jasmine’s image flashed in his mind, and he howled in rage as he dodged and lashed out with his claws once more as one of the vamps came too close. He couldn’t lose the fight. His enemies would track Jasmine down eventually and kill her just for the hell of it if they were able to take his life. The bad thing about living for so long was the boredom that could take hold. She would become an obsession to the bastards.

  Lethal was suddenly at his back, and he beheaded one of the vampires with his sword. Chase launched himself at the remaining vampire, taking him to the floor. His claws tore through the bastard’s chest as his opponent screamed. In seconds, he’d removed his heart, and watched in satisfaction as the solid body turned to ash.

  He staggered to his feet and glanced around at the carnage of what had been his enemies. Four dead wolves and three ash piles were all that remained. His friends had both survived.

  Lethal grinned, holding his bloodied sword. “That was fun.”

  Blaron’s white shirt was torn and wet with blood where claws had marked his chest. “Aye. It’s not over yet though.” His gaze fixed on the door. “We have more company.”

  Six of Chase’s pack mates entered the club. Four males and two females. He growled low in warning, waiting to see if they’d submit or challenge him. He wasn’t surprised at seeing them. Tina led them. She was a pushy bitch who’d tried to tempt him into mating her since he’d first taken the alpha role.

  “Surrender your mate to death and allow me to take her place,” the she-wolf growled, her fangs showing. “Don’t force us to kill you, Chase. I want you.”

  “The feeling isn’t mutual.” He snarled and glanced at the other female. Her presence surprised him. Mora was one of the most docile females in the pack, and he’d trusted her enough to make her his secretary. He’d just seen her an hour before.

  Her gaze dropped when he looked into her eyes. “You too?”

  Fear showed when she glanced up. “They made me,” she blurted.

  He could believe that. Mora was half human, couldn’t shift, and had mated to another half-breed who couldn’t protect her against the full-bloods.

  Tina’s arm flew out and knocked the smaller female to the floor. Mora stayed down and the smell of her blood filled the air. Chase shook his head, giving Tina his attention.

  “You’d make a cruel alpha bitch. You’re supposed to protect the weakest members, not bully and abuse them.” He moved slowly, placing his body closer to Mora and getting between her and the other werewolves. “It’s over.”

  Mora stood and moved behind him but he didn’t glance back. It might be a mistake to turn his back on her but he liked the little she-wolf and her mate. They’d been the only pack members to actually welcome him when he’d arrived. The previous alpha had looked down on them for their weakened bloodlines while he hadn’t, being a mixed breed himself.

  “They made me steal your phone,” Mora whispered. “Tina has it.”

  Rage gripped him as he glared at the bitch in question. “Why?”

  Tina smiled. “We told her we’d kill her mate if she didn’t bring it to me. She was quite helpful.”

  “I meant, why did you want my phone?” He had a sinking feeling that he knew.

  The club doors opened and his worst fear came true as a scent reached his nose. “Son of a bitch!”

  * * * * *

  Jasmine was irritated as she glanced at Jenny. “I thought Chase didn’t want me to leave the house? He said it was too dangerous because he has enemies who could target me. I had to promise him I wouldn’t leave the house before he left this morning.”

  The woman behind the wheel shrugged. “Don’t ask me why my brother does anything. I got the text message for both of us to come to the club, so that’s where we’re going. I’m not thrilled either. I hate blood bags and howlers, but my brother wants us at Mooning.”

  “Vampires and werewolves? Aren’t you one of them?”

  “I’m talking about the full-bloods. They snub our kind but they also fear us. Some will attack without provocation just because of what we are.”

  “Is Chase the only family you have left?”

  “No. We have cousins, aunts and uncles.”

  “Are they living close to here?”

  “No. We left the pack that most of them live with.”

  “Why did you leave?”

  Jenny glanced away from the road to frown at her. “You’re full of questions.”

  “I’m curious, and your brother isn’t around to answer them. You won’t get into trouble for telling me what I want to know.”

  A chuckle broke from her new sister-in-law. “He told me. You laid down the law. Okay, I’ll share. Our people don’t think we’re werewolf enough to make good mates. They believe our vampire blood runs too strong, since our fathers were ancients and really powerful. They fear we’re dead inside.”

  “Fathers?”

  “We’re half siblings. Chase left home before I did, but I followed him here after spending ten years with our mother. She wanted me to follow in her footsteps.”

  “What does she do for a living?”

  “I am not talking professions. She wanted me to hook up with an ancient blood bag to give him a few children. They find it an ego boost to have the ability to create offspring if the circumstances are right, but I didn’t want to become some jerk’s science project.”

  “It sounds so cold.”

  “It is.” Jenny sighed. “That’s why I went to my brother for his protection. I met my father a few times and he’s the cruelest, most vicious creature imaginable. It amazes me that my mother e
ver warmed to him enough to allow him to touch her. Then again, our mother isn’t quite right. She’s got too much of her father’s blood in her.”

  “Who is her father?”

  “An ancient blood bag. Let’s just say that Gramps isn’t the warm, cuddly type, either. He once grabbed Chase and took a bite out of him just to see how he’d taste. He enjoyed it enough to keep doing it until my brother grew strong enough to make him stop. No one likes to be an unwilling snack.”

  Horror washed through Jasmine. “Your mother allowed it?” She couldn’t imagine that any woman wouldn’t protect her own child.

  “That’s Mom.” Jenny snorted. “Very maternal, wouldn’t you say? Let me assure you that she’s one mother-in-law you don’t want to spend holidays with. Never pressure Chase into taking you to meet her.”

  “I won’t.” It was an easy promise to make. The concept of meeting someone so cold gave her chills, and made her doubt what she’d signed up for as Chase’s mate.

  Jenny seemed to read her mind. “Chase hates our mother, and I can’t blame him. He’s nothing like her, I promise. That’s why I came to him for protection.”

  More questions filled Jasmine. “Why do you need protection? Are the men stronger?”

  “They are.” She nodded. “Mother Nature, or whoever you want to blame, gave them bigger bodies, more muscle, and a shitload of aggression. It’s safer if we stick together.” She paused. “I’m safer. He did fine on his own.”

  “He’s pretty tough, isn’t he?”

  A smile curved her sister-in-law’s mouth. “You did very well, picking him for a mate. No one will be able to care for you better.”

  “I want him to really love me,” she admitted softly.

  “He does.” Jenny laughed. “You doubt it? Many females tried to lure him into marking them, but none succeeded.”

  “We barely know each other.”

  “It isn’t always about how long you know someone. For us, it’s more important how strongly you feel when you meet the right person. We’re instinctual creatures.”

  “And you can read minds.”

  “That too. It helps us get to know someone really fast and well. He didn’t make a mistake picking you for his mate.”

  Jasmine voiced her inner fear. “He did it to save my life.”

  “No. He did it because he wanted you. We’re...older than we look, and we chose to leave our people. Humans die faster than we do, so death is something we’ve adjusted to. He would have allowed you to die if you weren’t the one he wanted to mate. Don’t think for a second that it was pity that prompted him to bring you home for keeps.”

  “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 toward vampires?”

  “They’re out and about. The nonsense about them being totally helpless while they sleep during the day only applies to the newly turned. And even they wake about an hour before sunset. They can’t wait to leave their lairs once they can.” Jenny shook her head. “I don’t like this.”

  Jasmine glanced around at the 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 frequent 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’re 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 and took in the parking lot once more.

  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 said. “But 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 as the woman turned around. She was pretty, but that 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’re here to kill you. Take this.” She lifted her arm, offering the gun, handle first. “Aim for the head or heart. Don’t hesitate to pull the trigger. They’ll tear you to shreds if any of them get past me. Shoot anything that does.”

  Shock held Jasmine still for a few heartbeats before she swallowed hard and grabbed the weapon. “I’ve never fired o
ne,” 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, her weight braced 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 is 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, and Jasmine wondered how Chase had suddenly appeared. Light reflected off a long blade as he swung it and something slammed into the wall that almost hit her. She whimpered when she realized what it was. The decapitated head thumped to the floor and almost hit her foot. An arm was the next thing to come sailing up into the air as her mate took out the attackers.

  “I’m going to be sick,” she warned.

  “They’re 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.