Bound by Blood (Bound #1)(5)

“Did that bitch just say two thousand?”

“Two damn thousand?”

Shock coated the faces of the shifters. Even Mike looked nervous. Jace didn’t. He just kept watching her, and he kept his claws out.

“You’re being hunted,” she told them. “How many wolves have the demons taken out in the last few weeks?”

They didn’t answer, but she saw the swift glances that passed between the pack members.

“They’re also attacking us,” she said. “For once, the vampires and the werewolves share an enemy.” Now they were all focusing on her with narrowed eyes and tense faces. “If we don’t take these bastards out, believe me, they will destroy us. They’ve got the numbers on their side. They have the power…”

“So what?” Mike demanded. “An alliance?” He fired a fierce stare at Jace. “Is this just some truce ‘til we kick the ass of all—”

“It’s a mating,” Jace said, voice flat. “It’s forever.”

Until death. “A doorway opened between hell and earth, and the demons are slipping right through that door,” Morgan said. More of the hell spawn came through each day.

“So close the damn door!” Mike snapped.

Jace’s fingers stretched as if he were itching to plunge his claws back into the wolf. Maybe he was.

“We will,” Jace said simply. “The wolves and the vampires will send them back and close the door.”

They had to work together. In order for that doorway to shut, they’d both need to bleed. Only she’d be the one giving up the most blood.

And Jace would be the one to face hell.

Murmurs swept through the bar. The wolves finally seemed to realize just how serious this night was. A vampire wasn’t their prey. Instead, a vampire was becoming their alpha’s mate.

Jace came to her side again. When his hands—still tipped with those deadly claws—rose to her throat, Morgan didn’t flinch. He swept back her hair and his knuckles brushed over her skin.

The wolves closed in now, watching, and some—some were already shifting. Mike swore and turned away. He stomped for the door.

“Don’t be afraid,” Jace’s voice, right at her ear. She felt the whisper of his breath on her flesh.

“I’m not.” Her own voice was just as soft as his.

His claws skated down her neck. “Liar.”

Wolf senses. Could he really smell her fear?

“Have you ever been bitten?” he asked.

So many eyes were on her. She’d known the bite would have to be in public. It was one of the pack rules. Claimings had to be public. Witnesses had to see the bite. Witnesses—just like in human marriage ceremonies.

Because that’s what a marking was…marriage. When a male wolf bit his female in front of the pack, he claimed her.

I can do this.

It would just help if her knees weren’t shaking.

She gave him the truth, “No.” No one had ever bitten her.

“Good.” Too much satisfaction purred in the one word.

“Don’t forget,” her voice was way too breathless. She wasn’t actually looking forward to this, was she? “I get my turn later.”

“I’m counting on it.”

Oh, damn.

She titled her head, arching her neck even as she closed

her eyes. She wouldn’t look at the others as he did this. She would just close her eyes and pretend that—

That I’m not giving my life to a werewolf.

His lips touched her skin first. She’d expected the bite. The sharp sting of teeth. Werewolves were supposed to be wild.

No better than animals. That’s what the Council said, that’s what—

His tongue licked her skin, and Morgan lost her breath. Her breasts tightened even as her body tensed.

She didn’t open her eyes. Don’t want to see them.

He sucked her skin, licked her, but didn’t bite, not yet. His arms surrounded her, his body sheltered her, and he made her wait.

Worse, the bastard made her want.

Because her skin was too sensitive, his lips too wickedly skilled, and if a vampire had a sweet spot—okay, yes, they all did—it was the neck. Just a few licks there, and she was choking back a moan.

Then she felt the edge of his teeth on her skin.

“Do it,” she told him, desperate.

“You accept me?”

Morgan nodded.

“Say it, Morgan, I need the words. You have to say—”

“I accept you!”

His teeth sank into her. Not her neck, but the curve of her shoulder. The pain was whitehot, pulsing. Then pleasure whipped through her. A wave of pleasure so intense that she cried out and opened her eyes.

And saw a giant, white wolf leaping right at her.

Barely a bride, and already, the groom’s family was gunning for her. Jace lifted his head at her cry and he roared, “Mike!” even as he shoved her back. Then her husband jumped into the air. His bones crunched, popped, and fur broke over his skin. The man vanished, and a giant black wolf attacked in mid-air. Morgan touched her shoulder and felt the wet warmth of her blood. The skin ached, but she knew the flesh was already healing.

Vamp healing power.

The two wolves were a twisting, snarling mass. Claws flew, razor-sharp teeth snapped. Blood matted their fur, and their growls filled the air.