Jina

by McKayla Schutt

  Dominic climbed in and lead the way down the road and turned a few times. His wolf paced the faster as they closed the distance to Jina's address. If she runs, then there is not a damn thing we can do, he reminded his wolf who growled low in his mind.

  Dominic looked down at his phone then back up to find a used car lot. Why would they be here? Luna and Jina were leaning against her car talking while a man inched toward them. Dominic jumped out of the pickup and blocked the guy's stride.

  "Oh shit." The man in the suit gulped and took a few steps back.

  "Dominic, don't scare him. He might shit himself." Jina smacked his arm. "Is that the check?" Jina extended her hand. The man nodded quickly but kept staring at Dominic.

  "Check for what?" Dominic looked over the man, his tag said Chris.

  "I'm selling my car and riding with you." Jina's words had him turning. If she completed the transaction of selling her car she would be making it extremely hard to run away. His wolf liked the idea, but his human side stayed hesitant.

  "Why?" He studied his mate while staying aware of Chris.

  "Because I love you, you big dummy, and I would rather be in your pickup truck than driving a car I don't need." Jina folded her arms under her breasts, he glanced at them then forced his eyes to meet her gaze. A grin lit her face. She caught me. His wolf pushed images of her naked into his mind.

  "Are we done here, or do you want to scare the guy some more?" Jina raised an eyebrow. The man shook as he extended the piece of paper. Dominic snatched it out of his hands and looked over the number.

  "This isn't enough for your car," Dominic growled at the low-ball offer on the check.

  "She already..." Chris stopped when Dominic glared at him. The scent of piss filled Dominic's nose giving him an odd sense of satisfaction.

  "You'll go back in and shred the paper and give her another five grand." Dominic crumpled up the check. Chris nodded once then retreated. He turned to his mate, one of her eyebrows were raised and she wore a smirk on her lips. "What?"

  "Nothing." Jina shook her head. After a few minutes, Chris scooted up and extended the check, his body still reeking of piss. Dominic yanked the paper from his hand and nodded at the number. Jina whispered something that sounded like Latin.

  "Good, now run along." Dominic shooed him away. Chris stumbled back and fell on his ass. Jina shook her head as Chris jumped up and bolted for the doors to the office. Dominic handed her the check and strolled over to her car to move her stuff into his truck. But everything was gone. Luna giggled off to the side when he turned to look at his pickup.

  "How in the hell?" Dominic turned to Luna then his mate. He hadn't heard the rustling of bags and boxes moving. His wolf shrugged. Not my fault.

  "Sometimes having a bit of magic goes a long way," Jina whispered then winked.

  "Get into the truck, woman." Dominic pointed to his pickup.

  "Hey, your room is ready." Ash gave Luna the name of the hotel and she nodded. He had completely forgotten Ash and Drake had followed him to the dealership.

  "Thank you again for helping us out." Luna waved. Hunter nodded then quickly helped her into the car. Dominic shook Ash's and Drake's hands before climbing in to follow Hunter.

  "Did you really use magic out in the open?" Dominic hissed. How could she be so careless?

  "You, my dear, were outside of the shield I projected while Luna moved the stuff over. It took a minute tops." Jina shrugged. "The sales guy was so freaking scared of you, he wouldn't have noticed if my tits doubled in size."

  Dominic glanced down at her soft breasts and then met her gaze. A smile brightened her face. His wolf wagged his tail.

  "Don't do that again. I don't need that secret exposed and have to figure out a way to protect you from more crazy humans. The damn hunters are bad enough." He pushed down a shudder at the thought of losing them to the hunters.

  "Those bastards give me the creeps." Jina shook out her body. Dominic followed Hunter toward the hotel. He struggled to wrap his mind around Jina selling her car. Would she really stay or was she playing a trick to get his guard down?

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Jina

  JINA CLIMBED OUT OF the pickup and looked around at the nice hotel. Hunter pulled Luna into a kiss on the other side of the parking lot. They had stopped to get dinner at a chain sit down place. Dominic had been quiet most of the time. In the corner of her sight, a man halted. Jina turned to get a better look at him. The hunter symbol hung from his neck sending panic up her spine. Dominic pulled her into his body but didn't seem to be aware of the killer standing just outside the large hotel.

  "What's wrong?" Dominic whispered into her ear. A weight of worry pressed on her chest making it hard to breathe.

  "Hunter," Jina hissed, her eyes completely focused on the man who would want to kill her whole family if he had the chance. A sour taste coated her tongue.

  "They are going to kiss, my dear. That's part of having a mate." Dominic chuckled. She ignored his comment. The Hunter took two steps closer to Luna.

  "There is a fucking hunter staring at Luna and her mate," Jina hissed. Dominic's body tensed up against her.

  "Do you think he's leaving?" Dominic moved her behind him, being the natural protector he was and warming Jina's heart slightly.

  "I fucking hope so." She stared at the man walking right for her daughter. Before she could think about anything else, she raced toward her little girl. She couldn't lose her again.

  "Luna, dear," Jina yelled making her jump. The hunter's gaze turned to her and then looked behind her. She hoped he would want backup when trying to take on four supernatural beings. Night had fallen completely about ten minutes ago on their drive back from the restaurant.

  "What?" Luna asked then Hunter whispered into her ear. Her body tensed up and her hand pressed over her stomach. Hunter turned to face the man walking toward them. Jina reached them with Dominic close behind.

  "Do you happen to know where Applebee's is in this town?" the hunter asked.

  "I'm sorry, I don't," Luna supplied. The man took another step toward the small group. Hunter growled low which seemed to shock the man. His shock turned into delight as a wicked grin tipped up his lips. "I never expected to find such fresh meat tonight."

  "Walk away and things won't get ugly. You're outnumbered." Hunter pushed Luna behind him into Jina's arms. Dread turned to determination as she pulled her magic closer to the surface.

  "Two wolves with their little human mates. I rather like those odds." He raised an eyebrow while pulling out a long knife, it glinted in the street light to his left.

  "I'm not a fucking human." Jina veered around Hunter and faced the man threatening her family.

  "It's clear," Luna said right before Jina used her powers to push the hunter into the air and back a few feet. He narrowly missed the cars and landed on the small field.

  "What the fuck?" he yelled as he scrambled to his feet. Dominic shifted into his wolf and rushed right for the hunter. Jina stared in awe as the black wolf lunged for the hand holding the knife.

  Dominic missed. The long blade cut through the air, inches from Dominic's fur.

  "Get her out of here." Jina kissed her daughter then bolted toward her mate.

  "No, I'm staying with them." Luna caught Jina's attention. She turned just before reaching the fight raging between Dominic and the hunter.

  "Bullshit. They can deal with a lone hunter, I'm not putting you in danger, Luna." Hunter lifted her into his arms and put her into his car. Jina thanked the stars as Hunter climbed in too. Luna continued to yell as Hunter drove off.

  With her daughter safe, she turned and focused on her mate again. Dominic rolled away giving the hunter a clear shot at Jina. He pulled out a second, shorter knife and threw it right at Jina's chest. She lifted her hand and sent the knife into the ground an inch from her left foot.

  "You little bitch," he spat as he moved back to avoid Dominic, raw frustration pulsing in his voice.

  "Jake, do you
need help?"

  "No get the other two," he yelled at another hunter. Jina's heart leapt into her chest. When she swirled around to stop the other guy he had already jumped into his truck and driven away.

  Dominic growled low as he looked at Jina. She met his gaze for a moment. The hunter took advantage and tried to cut Dominic.

  "Prohibere!" Jina yelled freezing the hunter an inch from Dominic's shoulder. The man's eyes raced from Dominic to Jina and back.

  Dominic marched back to Jina and shifted. "I thought that spell was only for emergencies."

  "You were almost stabbed. I call that an emergency." Jina kept her hand up while looking him over. A few small cuts were already puckered pink from his natural healing abilities. After double checking his body, she snapped her fingers and clothing covered his attractive body. She faced the man who had tried to kill her mate.

  "I can't kill him because it might cause too many issues for the local pack," Dominic growled.

  "I can't hold him much longer. I used too much magic shielding Luna earlier." Her hand shook from all the magic she used keeping him from moving.

  "Damn it, woman." Dominic lunged to the hunter and took the knife from him. With a swift nod from Dominic, Jina let go of the spell. He punched the hunter in the face. He fell to the ground and groaned.

  Before Jina could even think to move, Dominic grabbed her and scurried toward the pickup truck.

  "We need to catch up to them." Dominic jumped in after Jina buckled up. He turned the truck on and it roared to life. A few moments later, they were on the road. Traffic thinned out and two sets of tail lights on the side of the road caught her attention.

  "There." She pointed, and he slowed down. Then parked behind the unknown truck.

  "Luna?" Dominic called out as they jumped out and Luna wiggled from the car and sprinted for them. Jina ran toward her daughter and froze for a second when she saw a dead body in the back of the pickup truck.

  "Thank goodness you're safe." Jina pulled her into a hug and the weight lifted from her chest. Dominic leaned over the bed of the truck and nodded quickly.

  "Thank you for keeping her safe." Dominic patted Hunter's shoulder. "I didn't think you would ever kill a hunter."

  "I didn't want Luna exposing herself. I took the lesser of two evils." Hunter turned and marched back to the car. Jina didn't like the anger rolling off her son-in-law.

  "Let's get out of here before we draw too much attention to ourselves," Dominic spoke softly then kissed Luna's head.

  "We'll see you at the next hotel." Luna waved goodbye and slid back into the car with her mate. Jina climbed into the truck and Dominic followed behind Hunter's Mustang.

  She liked having her mate close. She hoped selling her car had been the best way to prove herself to him as sleep slowly took over her body.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Dominic

  DOMINIC SHOOK HIS BODY out trying to keep himself awake as he put more distance between them and Denver. Hunter had texted him and they agreed to keep driving for another hour to Grand Junction.

  Dominic glanced over at Jina, watching her save Luna and Hunter had made her intentions all too clear. She wouldn't let anything get in her way which made his wolf excited. A small snore left her lips.

  Dominic pulled out his phone and hit the one contact he would need to completely move on with his mate.

  "What the hell, man? I was just about to freaking fall asleep," Brauc groaned.

  "Sorry about that, Brauc. Oh, before I forget, have you heard about the wolfbase?" Dominic glanced at the clock, the time difference made it one a.m. in Ohio.

  "Yeah, but I don't fucking use it. That's too much information in my opinion, and I don't feel like adding to it. What do you need? Are you calling to tell me you're back in town or something else?"

  "Something else." Dominic glanced at his mate before focusing on the road again. With Hunter leading the way, he knew no one had been trailing them for the last two hours.

  "Shit, man. You're going to leave me, aren't you?" Brauc's voice came out more awake the longer they talked. Dominic pulled off his hat and rubbed his bald head.

  "Yeah. I have to take this fucking leap and pray she won't run again." He kept glancing at her sleeping form. His wolf bounced around in his mind.

  "Damn, what made you change your mind?" Brauc chuckled.

  "She sold her car."

  "She's in the car with you now? Does she know?" Brauc asked.

  "Not yet. We just had some problems with hunters in fucking Denver." Dominic's wolf growled at the mention of hunters.

  "Shit. You all okay?" Shuffling sounded on his end of the line.

  "Yes. I ended up knocking him out before we bolted. But Hunter ended up killing one. I think Luna messaged her friend about that one."

  "Did you talk to... shit, what's his name? The alpha is..."

  "Raymand," Dominic supplied.

  "Right. Did you let him know?"

  "I don't have his number." His voice echoed and tapping rang in his ear.

  "They've been having issues with kids going missing and parents of little ones dying. It's a fucking shit show over there." Brauc tapped again.

  Dominic studied the road in the rear-view mirror to check for the hundredth time in the last two hours. The black night looked back at him.

  "That's not good. He needs to get his shit together." Dominic shook his head.

  "Anyway, I hope it all works out. If not, at least you have your daughter and Hunter to keep you company." Brauc sounded sincere.

  "True. I hope it doesn't come down to that." Dominic heard another snore coming from Jina's lips. "Hey, get some sleep. I'll text you when I get to Austin, Nevada so you know we arrived safely."

  "Thank you. And it will be a bitch to replace you." Brauc sighed and Dominic remembered Jina's comment on the situation from earlier.

  "Your son should be the one taking it. He's old enough."

  "But he doesn't have a mate or anything else together." Brauc's annoyed voice came over loud and clear.

  "Well, he can't be the alpha if he doesn't get the respect you do."

  "Night, Dominic." Brauc ended the call leaving Dominic to focus on Hunter's tail lights. The glow of a small town came after another fifty miles and soon they were turning into a parking lot for a different hotel.

  He hopped out of the truck and scanned the area. Not a damn thing out of place in the half-full lot.

  "Is Luna asleep too?" Dominic asked when Hunter rolled out and stretched.

  "Yeah. She used a decent amount of energy fighting off the hunter." Hunter shook his head.

  "I appreciate it. I really do." Dominic patted Hunter on the back. "I'll be back. Stay out here just in case."

  "A long howl means trouble." Hunter nodded. Dominic looked around again before going into the hotel lobby.

  "Hello, how can I help you?" a cheerful little human asked from behind the desk. She pushed a laptop to the side before hopping down from her stool.

  "I would like to get two rooms for the night."

  "Are you looking for one king in each room or two doubles?"

  "Kings will suffice." Dominic turned toward the exit making sure he didn't hear a howl.

  "Okay. Let's get you checked in." She smiled brightly while asking the routine questions. The whole time his wolf paced in his head, ready to shift if he heard the howl.

  "Here you go. You're on the second floor and the elevators are over to the right." She pointed toward the hallway. Dominic returned to the parking lot to find Hunter waking Luna up. Her fist connected with his face making Dominic wince.

  "Damn it, woman." Hunter backed up with his hand over his cheek.

  "I'm so sorry!" Luna laughed as she climbed out to look at Hunter's face.

  "Let's just go up and sleep." Hunter grabbed a suitcase from the car trying not to let Jina's stuff fall out. Dominic handed Hunter their card then hugged his daughter. Having her safe earlier had helped calm him down. Knowing Hunter would keep her
safe lessened some of his worry.

  Dominic carefully opened the door, Jina adjusted her head from the window to the headrest.

  "Jina, we're at the hotel." Dominic rubbed her arm a few times. Her eyes fluttered open as she met his gaze.

  "What?"

  "Let's go get some rest in a bed." Dominic smiled. She yawned and stretched. Her hands moved over the seatbelt, but her fingers didn't find the button. Dominic helped her and slowly steered her into the lobby.

  "Where are we?" He took a step back in case she resorted to punching like her daughter.

  "We are safe. That's all that matters right now." Dominic kept her close as they entered the elevator. The elevator ascended to the second floor and dinged. Luna leaned against the door with Hunter shaking his head.

  "I wanted to make sure you both were okay." Luna stuck her tongue out at Hunter then slid up to Jina, giving her a hug.

  "I'm fine, sweetheart." Jina kissed her head and smiled. "I just wanted to keep you safe. Thank you, Hunter, for taking her out of danger."

  "Anytime." Hunter nodded. Another yawn left her soft lips.

  "We all need to get some sleep," Dominic reminded his girls. He didn't care how old Luna became, she would always be his little girl. And seeing his mate hug his daughter brought him more peace in his choice than her selling the car.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Jina

  JINA TOOK IN THE LITTLE coven her daughter had lived in for a little over a decade. Deep down, Jina wished she could resurrect Kerine and kill the bitch herself. Luna had spent her time practically idolizing the witch just to be betrayed and sent off to a group of savage scientists.

  No matter what, Jina had to stay calm even standing in the coven town. If felt good to stretch her legs after another ten hours on the road.

  Adding to her stress, she was nervous to see Alia again after everything that had happened between them.

  Dominic wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her neck sending heat through her system. Her watch chimed signaling the top of six pm.