Vampire Mine

Chapter One

Trey Veznor gasped in ecstasy as he felt the prick of teeth against his skin. A gash had been made in his throat, creating a small trickle of blood. Sexual need rushed through his body, engorging his cock, drawing his balls taut. He growled at the sharp scrape of teeth against his neck, the sweet flick of a tongue sweeping across his flesh. Despite the ache in his muscles he tried to reach out when his lover moaned—the sound a symphony in his ears—and discovered he was unable to do so, trapped in a body that refused to function.

Fury made him want to scream in frustration.

The need to touch the female—his female—increased.

She’d been hurt. He scented the metallic rustiness of her blood, sensed her wounds through their flourishing connection. Misery consumed her, the pain unbearable. She’d been injured in a way that terrified him. He’d never seen the woman destined to be his mate in a weakened state. She was strong, fearless and fierce. He knew her, could feel her. He’d thought about her so often she was in his thoughts even when he didn’t realize it.

Sadie.

His skin parted in welcome as her tiny fangs pierced his throat. Her lips moved, surrounding the punctures, sealing them off. The suction of her mouth as she drank was so sweet and hot. He wanted to grasp her tiny waist and place her on top of him. A few thrusts and he’d come like a randy schoolboy, unable to hold back long enough to even think about sinking his cock inside the haven of his mate’s body.

Desire amplified, his dick straining against his jeans.

So close…so fucking close.

He’d hurt her before, reckless in his outrage against her kind, but he was determined to make things right. Once he found her he wasn’t letting her go. He’d warned her not to make promises she couldn’t keep.

No more barriers. No more bullshit.

Teeth slid from his skin and her tongue skimmed over his wounds.

“Sadie,” he whispered, trying to lift his arms and open his eyes.

He felt her move away, her succulent scent beginning to fade.

Damn it. He wouldn’t let her go. He’d tether her ass to his bed and force her to face what they were to each other, even if it meant being locked in a room with his mate for days.

“Sadie,” he roared, fighting to lift his lids, to see her angelic face. “Listen to me.” It felt as though his soul was ripped apart, torn in two as she vanished. “Damn you! Listen to me!”

This time when he tried to move, his arm worked.

Then something shook him hard. “Wake up.”

He swung at the thing pulling him away from the warmth of Sadie’s touch. His wolf’s anger merged with his, his growl a threat to the idiot stupid enough to try to come between him and the one female destined for him.

They’d waited too long. Time had transformed into an enemy he’d become tired of facing. Each second was pure agony. Too much more of this shit and he’d break like a rubber band stretched past its limit.

More shaking against his shoulder, harder this time. “Trey, wake the fuck up.”

His eyes flew open, his hand flew out and he wrapped his fingers around a throat. Even with vision blurred from sleep he made out the form of a dumbass fucking male who’d intruded where he wasn’t wanted. When his opponent didn’t fight him he slowly came down to earth. His fingers loosened as he recognized a vital member of his pack, the one person who was aware of his situation and of the loss he experienced with each passing day.

“Easy, man,” Nathan—his Beta—grumbled. “I’d have left you alone but you were getting loud.” Trey lowered his hand and Nathan moved away. The Beta ran his fingers through his hair, shaking his head. “You’re going to have to get hold of that shit. If we have guests and they hear you they’ll know something’s up. Hell, they already suspect something’s off.”

“I could say the same about you,” Trey replied, shaking off the memory of Sadie’s silken lips against his neck. He sat up and ran his hand over his face. “You’ve not exactly been June Cleaver.”

Nathan’s lips formed into a sardonic smirk. “Unlike you, I’ve only got a few weeks left. I’ve waited this long. A few more days aren’t shit.”

Fucking bastard.

“If she shows,” he taunted, unable to prevent the sliver of jealousy that arose. “She could blow you off.”

Humor faded from Nathan’s face, replaced by anger. His Beta’s eyes turned, irises shifting from brown to amber. “She gave me her word.”

Nathan’s mate—a vampire who’d somehow been involved when Sadie had saved Trey’s life—had promised to return after a period of three months. Nathan hadn’t wanted to give her that space but current events had prevented him from stopping her departure. Fortunately, due to their circumstances, the men had been able to share their concerns about taking vampire mates. In the shifter world such unions were forbidden. Vampires were magical creatures, with some of them being able to turn the animals inside shifters into familiars.

Such a thing could render a shifter—male or female—powerless.

“Listen,” Nathan said, this time in control of his emotions. “When Leigh shows up I’ll find out about Sadie. As soon as I know where she is I’ll tell you. You can talk to her and sort things out.”

Sounds like a great plan. Too bad she doesn’t want to talk to me.

The intimate time he’d shared with his mate had gone badly—very, very badly. He’d been drunk, relying on his friend Mr. Daniels to assist him in grief. Sadie’d paid the price for his spiral of gloom. All it had taken was a few words—words he hadn’t meant to speak aloud, for fuck’s sake—for her to promise he’d never see her again.

The way she’d looked at him…the hurt he’d glimpsed in her eyes…

Christ it made him feel like a total piece of shit.

Nathan walked across the bedroom toward the door. “Diskant called right after you crashed. He’s arranged for a meeting with the pack at noon.”

“Let me guess.” He swung his legs over the side of the bed, flexing the muscles in his back. “We’re hosting.”

“You’re Alpha,” Nathan responded over his shoulder. “What do you think?”

Nathan vanished around the corner, leaving Trey staring at the empty entranceway. After Diskant had moved he’d handed over the keys to his former home—an old fire station, of all places—to Trey. The place had always been used for meetings. Since Trey had been reinstated as Alpha—a responsibility he’d abandoned to search for those who’d killed a large portion of his pack months ago—he’d been in charge of all werewolf business in the city.

He’d thought pack business would be a welcome distraction. Something to ease the memories of a woman he wasn’t sure he’d ever see again. Instead each gathering with his kind served as a reminder of how moronic he’d been. Yes, he was Alpha. As such he’d always care for those who turned to him for protection. However, as a shifter it was impossible not to do the same for his destined female.

She was equally—if not more—important.

As he walked to the adjoining bathroom he thought about the time that had passed. Sadie had rescued him from a Shepherd cell eight weeks ago. For two months he’d wondered where she was and if she was safe. Nathan had hesitantly told him about what he’d seen when Leigh had brought him home. Sadie had been in the car, bleeding all over the place. Nathan hadn’t had the opportunity to inspect her wounds since she’d vanished into thin air.

Phasing.

That’s what vampires called it. Some vampires were born with the talent, able to move from one place to another instantaneously. It allowed them to protect themselves from harm and to move around undetected.

He turned on the shower and considered contacting Aldon Frost. The vampire was the only person he knew who could give him answers. Unfortunately contact with the leech wasn’t welcomed by the pack, which meant it was done on the down-low. They knew Trey did the vamp’s security and accepted Aldon returned favors but that was as far as their knowledge went. Aldon had been curious about Trey’s interest in vampires but hadn’t asked questions. That was one perk of running a private and exclusive security business.

He chose his clients and worked when he felt like it, was his own boss on his own terms.

As his client, Aldon would answer questions without hesitation, sharing information in exchange for state-of-the-art technology. Not to mention Trey’s services came with complete confidentiality. No one would know where Aldon lived, what kind of system he’d purchased or what kind of traps he had in place for unwelcome visitors.

Sliding his head under the hot spray of water, he thought of Nathan’s promise.

A few weeks.

Sure as fuck, it sucked, but he’d wait.

Like a premonition of bad things to come, Sadie’s warning returned to haunt him.

After tonight, you’ll never see me again. You have my word.

“I warned you not to make promises you can’t keep,” he growled in frustration, closing his eyes and enjoying the hot streams of water beating down his back. “Once I find you, you’re mine. There’s no running from me.”

Not now.

Not tomorrow.

Not ever.

He didn’t take his time, glad that he’d gotten his hair cut and didn’t have to primp or preen. Toweling off, he studied his reflection. Since he’d stopped drinking his coloring had returned to normal, although he still had shadows under his eyes. That came from restless sleep—most nights consisting of dreams of Sadie. On good nights they’d engage in pleasures of the flesh, exploring each other’s bodies in all sorts of wicked, delectable places. On bad nights, such as the one he’d just woken from, he’d be trapped in his body, unable to move, knowing after Sadie had taken his blood she’d leave.

The doorbell rang, which was odd since the pack usually just barged inside the house whenever they felt like it. He got on track and pulled on his clothes. Black T-shirt, worn blue jeans and a beat-up pair of boots. It wasn’t anywhere near noon—maybe six or seven if his inner clock was ticking right. Perhaps it wasn’t the pack and Ava had decided to swing by. Usually if she had an appointment with the doc, who’d started monitoring her pregnancy more closely, she liked to drop off leftovers from dinner.

His mouth watered just thinking about it. The woman certainly knew how to cook.

Diskant and Emory were lucky bastards. Their mates—Ava and Mary—had become close in recent weeks. The women made meals, talked and spent their free time together. The men in their lives reaped the rewards of the friendship. Not only did they get to eat homemade food every night, they also got to take their mates to bed after they finished. It was the good life—one Trey wanted for himself.

Stop that shit. Get your head on straight. Pack business today. Remember?

He tried to listen to sound reasoning, going through the motions.

Then logic flipped upside down and turned on its motherfucking head.

A scent drifted through his door, hitting him like a well-aimed sucker punch.

The hair on his nape rose on end, his sense of smell kicking into high gear. The fragrance was familiar but he couldn’t quite place it. Flashes of memory bled together. Wasn’t the scent from the nightmare he shared with Sadie? Every single time she took his blood then left him high and dry there’d been someone else with her. He’d always known there had been—had been able to feel the weight of the outsider’s stare—but didn’t really give two dog dicks about it. All he wanted to focus on during the encounters was his female, not some idiot who’d decided to enjoy the show.

He dragged in a deep breath, senses going into overdrive.

Damn. The smell was so fucking recognizable. Deep down he knew it from somewhere. Worse? He also identified traces of Sadie’s scent along with it. His mate’s sweetness was there—faint but there.

What the fuck?

Two and two. Simple fucking math. Bringing everything together.

He ran from the bedroom and rushed down the stairs, heart pulsing, muscles in motion. He’d recognize Sadie’s luscious scent anywhere, delicious and vibrant, an aphrodisiac that went straight to his head. She wasn’t close but someone who’d been in her presence was. God help the person who’d come to his home. He wasn’t in the mood to ask questions. He was going to demand answers.

He didn’t hesitate when he spotted the stranger in his kitchen—a tiny and helpless female. Sadie’s scent was stronger now. Despite the fear that he felt coming off the woman across from him, he could smell traces of his mate. Moving forward and ignoring the alarm in the young girl’s face, he growled low in his throat. Before he could reach her Nathan blocked his path. Trey snarled, the wolf within gaining ground, wanting to take control. His Beta grasped his arms, harsh fingers digging into his skin. Trey snarled when he felt the male’s power—the ability Nathan had to control the beast of others—attempting to calm him with touch.

“Get your fucking hands off me.”

“No,” Nathan snapped, pushing Trey back, getting in his face. “Go for her and there’ll be blood. I’m a Beta by choice. I don’t fight battles. Not because I can’t but because I choose not to. Don’t forget that.”

Trey’s wolf howled—in pain, anguish and fury—and tried to push past his defenses. Too long denied what it needed, the beast sought an outlet. Trey was aware this would happen eventually. The animal could only take so much for so long. He’d been afraid he’d frighten Sadie when they met again, consumed by the desire of man and beast.

“Listen, Trey. That’s my female you’re threatening.” Nathan snarled in warning, nails forming claws that broke the surface of Trey’s skin. “Calm. The fuck. Down.”

Calm down? Is he serious?

Wolf and man came together, wanting to slam the female who was staring—eyes wide in terror no less—at him from across the room. The words computed but the meaning wasn’t entirely clear. Why should he care who the fuck she was? The female was a means to an end, a way to get what he needed most. He’d been denied for so fucking long—too fucking long.

Sadie.

“Let go of me, pup,” he ordered, words garbled.

“You will calm down.” Nathan’s eyes changed color, becoming an unrecognizable shade of neon green. “Right fucking now!”

Power slammed into Trey’s body with the force of a train. Anger, frustration and need bled together, collected into a fireball of anguish. In an instant the feelings slid from his skin, taken from him before he could prevent it, there one second and gone the next. The wolf went silent, no longer snarling in his head, forced to retreat.

Nathan let go, wincing as though pained. Trey watched the Beta sway from side to side, spreading his arms for balance. Nathan almost toppled over but landed against the counter, using his arms to remain in an upright position. He bowed his head, taking deep breaths, his face no longer tan and healthy but sickly pale.

“Oh Goddess,” the small female pressed into a corner whispered, her fear so potent the smell burned his nostrils. “I shouldn’t have come here.”

“Don’t be afraid,” Nathan said, sounding as weak as he looked. He tried to move to her. “I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

Trey knew the Beta wasn’t in any shape to get to the woman. Until Nathan regained some of the power he’d used to subdue Trey’s wolf he’d be weak as a newborn. He took a step back, knowing better than to approach the girl. Even in his current state Nathan wouldn’t allow anyone anywhere near his female.

“He needs your help.” Trey commanded quietly, “Go to him.”

“I don’t think that’s such a good idea.” She glanced between the men and then stared frantically around the room, as though she was pondering the best way to escape. “Neither of you seem stable.”

Nathan eased his head upward, pivoting just enough to see his mate. “Leigh.”

“Help him,” Trey said, keeping his tone light. “He won’t hurt you.”

“You don’t know that,” she countered, her sapphire eyes almost too large for her face.

“Yes, I do. He can’t hurt you. Not ever. It goes against our very nature to harm our mates.” Nodding at Nathan, he informed her, “From now on you have that man by the balls. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do for you.”

“Y-Your mates? What the hell is that supposed to mean?” she squeaked and squirmed out of the corner, moving toward the door, keeping as much distance between herself and the men in the room as possible.

The human reaction coming from a vampire confused him.

Sadie had phased with ease. He’d seen it with his own eyes.

Why isn’t she using her ability if she’s so afraid?

Nathan moved—his body graceful, muscles flexing with the motion—faster than Trey anticipated. The Beta trapped Leigh against the wall and wrapped his arms around her waist. Then he bent so his head nestled at the crook of her throat. She tried to fight her way free, slapping weakly at his arms.

“What’s wrong?” Nathan’s words were strained but steady. “You’re sick. I want to know why.”

“I’m not sick,” she snapped, as though his observation pissed her off. Despite that, it was obvious the vampire was weak. Her struggles didn’t gain her an inch of freedom. “I just…I’m fine. Let go!”

The Beta slid one hand up her side and twined his fingers in the hair at her nape. He forced her to look at him, tilting her head back, examining her face. After several seconds he found what he was looking for. It was impossible to keep secrets from Nathan. The male excelled—and was a master—at reading people.

“No, you’re not.” Nathan growled. “You’re fucking starving. I scent your hunger. I sense your pain.”

Shit.

Shifters experienced shame and outrage when they didn’t see to the needs of their mates. It was instilled from the moment of conception. Then, to make sure the message hit home, the males of a pack always led by example. A female was to be cared for. The male provided shelter, comfort and nourishment.

Unexpectedly, Leigh’s fear faded and she narrowed her eyes. “I didn’t come here to discuss my eating habits, thank you very much.” She whipped her head around and looked at Trey. “I came because Sadie’s in trouble. I’m not sure what she’s gotten herself into but it’s got to be bad. She hasn’t returned to the coven and she’s not been to our healing caverns.”

Terror lanced Trey’s chest and he stopped giving a shit about Nathan’s reactions or how terrified the woman in his Beta’s arms might be. “How long has she been missing?”

“Almost a week.”

Normally Nathan’s influence kept the wolf in a tranquil state for a few hours. Trey hadn’t thought it was possible for the beast to go from zero to sixty following the sapping of emotion. The transfer of hate and animosity to understanding and tranquility was stunning. Some wolves put their tails between their legs for months after Nathan gave them an ample shot of his mojo.

So much for that.

The wolf roared in his head, returning with a vengeance, causing his vision to change. Crimson tinted the objects in the room, making Leigh’s eyes appear pink instead of blue. He wanted to rage at the female, to ask her why in the fuck Sadie had put herself in harm’s way. Afraid he might do just that, he grasped a nearby chair and sent it soaring across the room. Wood splintered, breaking into pieces. The tips of his fingers prickled, his nails lengthening to claws.

“That’s why I came.” To her credit, Leigh didn’t sound scared. Even if he could smell her horror at his behavior, she was attempting to hide it. “I can find her.”

“How?” The question came out a snarl, the man and wolf asking at the same time.

“The same way we found you after you went and got yourself in trouble,” she muttered, her gaze turning to a glare. He scented her hostility then, as though she viewed him as an absolute piece of shit and detested being in his presence. He wasn’t sure why. What reason did she have to dislike him? “I have something that belongs to her,” she went on. “I can trace her with it.”

“Why not go to your coven?” Nathan interrupted. “Why come to us?”

“They don’t know she’s missing.” Leigh lowered her head and fidgeted. “I’ve…uh…” Forming her hands into tiny fists, she continued, “I’ve been covering for her.”

“Why?” Trey asked, grateful he’d started gaining ground over his bestial half. The wolf was still there, pissed as ever, but at least it was listening.

The sound of a door opening was the most unwelcome noise Trey had ever heard. He spun on his heel, braced for his unexpected guest. He immediately identified the visitor’s scent—a combination of leather and Dial soap. Just great. Anyone else he could boss around and order to get the fuck out. This one, however, would smile in his face and take a seat at his table.

Fucking A.

The only human in the pack—Caden Stone—waltzed in. The enormous motherfucker had ditched his facial piercings—keeping only the earrings that stretched his lobes—but that didn’t make him less intimidating. The bastard’s size alone screamed fuck with me and die. Since Cade had covered himself with a leather jacket so his numerous tattoos didn’t show—and he wasn’t scowling, which brought attention to the wicked scar along his chin—Trey hoped Leigh wouldn’t freak out and rush from the room screaming.

“Honey, I’m home,” Caden said as he strode over the broken chair at his feet. “Looks like I made it just in time.”

Fine. The cocky asshole wanted to take part in the mix? Then by all means.

“You sure did,” Trey drawled, taking a step to the side to block Leigh and Nathan from full view. “Since you’re here, I’m guessing you know about the pack meeting at noon. I have some shit to do so I’ve got to jet for a while. How about you entertain the guests and take notes. Be my secretary for the day.”

“Like hell,” Caden retorted, standing like a fucking brick wall in the kitchen. He folded his arms over his chest and spread his feet shoulder width apart. “I’m not your bitch.”

“Diskant has new information on Shepherd compounds. They think they have a line on the group who does their dirty work,” Nathan offered. Trey heard shuffling—more than likely Nathan and Leigh rising to their feet. “You’ve been waiting for this. There’s a good chance you’ll get the names of the men you’ve been searching for.”

Several emotions flickered across Cade’s usually non-expressive face.

Disbelief. Hope.

Happiness?

Then his gaze became troubled, almost desperate.

Everyone knew to leave the human alone. He’d suffered more than any man should, losing his wife and unborn child in the most violent way. Afterward, when he’d lost all hope, Shepherds had swooped in. They’d tricked Caden, telling him shifters had been responsible for the death of his family. It wasn’t until he’d met Trey’s pack that Cade had learned the truth.

The horrible information and knowledge he’d gained had nearly destroyed him.

Those first few weeks with the pack had been tough. Cade was a smartass at heart and loved to push people’s buttons. Then he’d taken a break and returned. Something had changed, although Trey couldn’t put his finger on precisely what it was.

“You’re sure?” Cade asked, sounding grave.

Nathan appeared in Trey’s peripheral vision, his arm snaked around Leigh’s waist. He’d turned so she wasn’t entirely visible, her face hidden by the long fall of her dark hair. “I got the call last night. Diskant wants to reach out to other packs and share information but he promised you first dibs.”

Trey knew Nathan was nervous. He and the Beta had agreed it was best to inform the pack about their mates after things settled down. Right now the members didn’t trust anyone who wasn’t a shifter. If both of them came clean at the same time—confessing they’d mated to vampires—chaos would certainly ensue.

Which meant Cade couldn’t know who or what Leigh was.

Thankfully the gargantuan man was distracted and caught up in his thoughts. His gray eyes were glazed over. He seemed to be looking through everyone, toward something no one else could see. With a wave Trey sent Nathan and Leigh from the room. The wolf didn’t like waiting—wanting to go to Sadie right then and there—but he managed to maintain control. He had to take care of Cade first. Then he could put an end to his own misery.

After the couple disappeared he put a hand on Cade’s shoulder. “You can go it alone or you can let us help you. As a member of the pack you have a voice in this. We’re bound to your decision.” Cade didn’t respond, staring ahead, jaw clenched. “This is your choice,” Trey reminded the man. “You call the shots this time around.”

“Go take care of your shit,” Cade said, remaining still. “I’ll cover until you get back. I need to think.”

Not wanting to push, Trey lowered his arm. He didn’t want to leave Cade alone but he didn’t have any other alternative. Once Sadie was safe he’d return for the meeting. The pack would decide what they wanted to do and they’d have their vengeance. Then he could come clean, introduce Sadie to the pack and see what waited for them in the future.

It’s not going to be that easy and you know it.

Pushing negative thoughts aside, he left the kitchen and went in search of the tiny vampire who was about to start a domino effect. Actions always had consequences. Like any other individual, he’d just have to face them as they came. Even if it wasn’t going to be happy or nice, he’d find and claim his female. Like it or not she was stuck with his stubborn ass. He’d waited what seemed like forever to find her. He wasn’t going to let her slip from his grasp a second time.

After tonight, you’ll never see me again. You have my word.

Fuck, it wasn’t going to be easy.

Not by a long shot.