Please help me welcome Author Amanda J. Greene to my blog today!
Surrender
to the Chase
Under
Realm Assassins
Book
2
Amanda
J. Greene
Genre: paranormal romance
Date of Publication: 5/26/15
ASIN: B00Y9JE3DS
Number of pages: 117
Word Count: 33,500
Cover Artist: Kim Killion
Book Description:
A year after the tragic death of
his close friend and fellow assassin, Ethan Halstead is ready to take up his
sniper rifle once more. But his first assignment is nothing he ever expected.
Ethan must hunt and retrieve a beautiful, spirited, alluring werewolf.
Knowing no other way to escape an
arranged marriage, Fraya flees from her pack. As she contemplates slipping
across the border and heading to South America, she is captured by a
dangerously seductive vampire who plans on escorting her back to her family.
Even as Fraya vows to make Ethan's mission as difficult as possible, she can't
resist the riotous desire he sparks within her.
But Ethan isn't the only predator
that peruses Fraya. A powerful rival pack's alpha wants to make her his mate.
Will Ethan be able to keep Fraya safe and return her to her pack? Or will he
surrender to temptation and claim Fraya as his own?
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Excerpt
1:
Lightning splintered the sky. Thunder
shook the earth beneath his feet. Damp heat thickened the air. Any moment, the
winds would kick up and the red hued clouds would release a torrent of rain.
Ethan loved summer
storms and treasured Arizona for its monsoon season. It was only during the
madness of the storm that he found peace. In those rare, precious moments, the
world reflected the chaos that roiled inside him and he felt… as if he
belonged.
Closing his eyes,
he took in a deep breath and savored the soothing scent of the desert. To his
disappointment, he would not be able to appreciate the beauty of nature’s fury.
Clearing his mind, Ethan unleashed his senses. His mark was close. He could
feel her. Crossing the street, he headed for the quaint coffee shop he
frequently sped past. She was here, which meant he could call an end to this
pointless job.
Ethan was an
assassin, not a damn babysitter. He was an expert tracker and sniper, yet the
Under Realm Syndicate had him chasing after a spoiled little she-wolf. He had
been tasked with fetching the runaway and returning her to her pack – a
complete waste of his time and talents. He couldn’t believe he had let Cole
talk him into this. The fact was this case should’ve never made the list. Why
the Syndicate decided to get involved was beyond his understanding. This wasn’t
a kidnapping or a hostage situation. The female wasn’t a criminal. She wasn’t a
threat to the human world or Under Realm society.
His annoyed growl
blended with the booming thunder. Cole had insisted Ethan accept this
assignment, “You should be grateful the Syndicate is willing to give you a
second chance. You’ve been out of practice.”
Who could argue
with that logic? Ethan had been off the map for a year. Most within the
Syndicate believed he had been killed on his last mission.
I should have
been. Shaking his head, he dispelled the thought. He refused to take sober
trips down memory lane. He needed to focus on his task.
The aroma of
freshly ground coffee was overwhelming. Ethan reigned in his supernatural
senses as he stepped inside the shop. The door closed and the torrential rain
began to fall. He did a quick, nonchalant sweep of the café, careful not to
meet anyone’s gaze. Eye contact encouraged conversation, and he was here on
business not pleasure. He would grab the werewolf, take her back home, and
detain her until he could make arrangements with her father. Simple.
Ethan walked to
the counter. After the blonde and brunette baristas finished arguing over who
would help him, he ordered and received a black coffee. The cup had both girl’s
names and numbers written on it. He thanked them with a smile. They batted
their lashes and insisted he stop by a college party later that night.
Ethan’s shoulders
shook with a light laugh. Naïve mortals.
Turning, he headed
up the winding iron staircase that led to the second floor loft area. The walls
were made almost entirely of glass, providing a glorious view of the storm.
Students sat at the tables working on their laptops while groups lounged on the
sofas discussing the world of social media.
The delicate scent
of wildflowers drifted through the air, drawing his sharp gaze to the far
corner. There was nothing remarkable about her presence. She appeared to fit in
perfectly with the scene, as if she were just another co-ed. She wore a pair of
skinny jeans and a crimson sweatshirt. She sat with her feet tucked under her
crisscrossed. Leaning over the table, her long dark brown hair tumbled forward,
blocking his view of her face. Ethan noted the worn, tattered condition of the
book she read. Her frame was small. She seemed fragile, but he knew better. She
was strong, fast, and intelligent. His mark appeared to be ‘normal’ by human
standards, but she was the wolf he was looking for.
Hoping everything
would go smoothly, he advanced. This was a delicate situation. The female could
freak out on him. She could cause a scene, and he loathed drama just as much as
he loathed this particular job. It was not a search and rescue mission. No, it
was a track-down-a-spoiled-brat-and-take-her-home mission. A simpleton could do
it. Why it had to be done was beyond him. At twenty-four, she was an adult. She
had a degree in biology and was a werewolf; she was more than capable of taking
care of herself.
Who cares? Grab
the girl and go.
Ethan quickly
reminded himself of the two basic rules: never become personally involved with
your mark and strike first, ask questions later – if you cared about asking
question at all.
As he approached
the woman, he felt a slight tremor in the air. A warning? A threat? Someone was
watching them. He set his senses loose once more, scanning the café for the
source of the violent energy, but it had vanished just as quickly as it had
arrived.
The girl must have
felt the glimmer of danger. Her gaze snapped up and met his. Her warm, honey
colored eyes were round with surprise. Her tempting red lips parted with a
silent gasp. Ethan froze. She was… more than beautiful.
She blinked up at
him. Her gaze innocently seductive, her mouth violently tempting, and her wild
flower scent was overwhelming. His body reacted instantly. It had been years
since he’d felt such a strong, instant attraction.
He watched her
lick her lips; lust shot through him like a lightning strike. Oh, yes. The wolf
was alluring and, to his surprise, he was disappointed that she was his mark.
“Hi,” she said
with a nervous lilt to her voice.
Ethan mentally
shook himself and crossed over to stand at the chair opposite her. “Hi,” he
replied.
Thunder rumbled;
the force shook the glass walls. The girl flinched and her gaze fell from his.
For a soundless moment, she sat with her hands clasped in her lap, her head
tilted down. The mortals gasped and laughed as another boom shook the windows.
“You may sit,” she
said, her voice low, barely audible.
Ethan could smell the fear that sparked within
her. Was she frightened of the storm, or what possibly lurked outside? An
overwhelming sense of protectiveness settled over him and he frowned. He didn’t
like it. He wasn’t the protective type. He was a killer not a savior.
Focus and get this
over with.
“Not a fan of
thunderstorms?” he asked as he claimed the chair.
She straightened
and fixed her gaze on him once more. Her expression was bland, her cute
stubborn chin titled up, her shoulders back. She looked regal and refined.
Every bit the aristocrat she was.
“I’m accustomed to
snow storms.”
“Really? Where are
you from?”
“Minnesota,” she
answered with a hint of hesitation.
He smiled and was
shocked he didn’t have to fake it. “You’re a long way from home.”
She shrugged and
returned her attention to her book.
Ethan took a sip
of the surprisingly good coffee and relaxed in his seat. He picked up a golf
magazine, which rested on the table beside them, and began flipping through the
pages. He wasn’t at all interested in golf. Being a vampire, he preferred
keeping out of the sun. Although, contrary to popular lore, he wouldn’t burst
into flame or turn to ash. He could work on his tan, he just preferred not to.
He casually
glanced over at the werewolf and inwardly groaned. She was reading a list of
the top ten hot spots in Chile. It appeared she was interested in sunbathing
and he couldn’t stop the image of her in a bikini from cropping up in his mind
even if he’d wanted to. And he certainly did not want to erase the image.
She sighed, closed
the book, and tucked it away in her backpack, which hung off the back of her
chair. She took up her latte and settled her gaze on him. Her lips turned up
with a sweet smile.
“You don’t strike
me as the golfing type.”
He raised a brow
and tossed the magazine down on the table between them. “No?”
She shook her
head, her long dark curls waving around her shoulders. “Not at all. You look
like you’d rather go to a shooting range than work on your golf swing.”
Ethan couldn’t
argue with that. He’d had his basement converted into an indoor gun range.
“Very observant,”
he said. “What about you? What’s your hobby?”
She bit her bottom
lip as she contemplated. Ethan wanted to bite it for her. “Traveling. It’s
something I’ve always wanted to do. You know, see the world, and experience
different cultures.”
“Is that what your
trip to Arizona is all about?” he asked.
“More or less,”
she answered with a shrug.
“Well, South
America is beautiful.”
Her eyes grew
wide. She leaned forward, placing her hands on the table. Excitement laced her
voice, “You’ve been?”
Ethan shifted
closer and reached for her hand. The air trembled with another flicker of
danger just before the lights went out. Darkness flooded the café.
His mark shoved
away from the table, snatched her backpack, and darted toward the stairs. Ethan
was right behind her. The mortals grumbled complaints, some laughed, while
others stumbled through the dark.
She was about to
reach the exit when the door flew open, crashing against the wall. Humans
screamed and shouted in alarm. The girl froze, and Ethan cursed. Clearly, he
hadn’t been the only one searching for her. He could sense the alpha’s presence
and, judging by his target’s reaction, so could she.
Ethan grabbed her
wrist. She swung around. Her fist raised, her honey colored eyes glowed, and
her fangs bared. Shadows of a wolf’s fierce visage flickered over the fine
features of her face. Her fierce growl vibrated her entire body. Ethan ignored
the warning and tugged on her arm, pulling her toward the emergency exit at the
back of the coffee shop.
He pushed the door
open. His mark tried to twist free of his hold, but he held her firm.
“Let go of me,”
she demanded, her voice roughened by her partial transformation.
“Not a chance,
sweetheart.”
She growled and
fought harder. He wasn’t surprised by her strength and knew she was still
holding back. So was he.
Pushing her now
soaked and tangled hair from her face, she snarled, “What’s going on?”
“I thought it was
obvious,” he said.
“That you’re
attempting to kidnap me?”
Ethan shook his
head. “No. That you have an alpha hunting your ass.”
Her stare was one
of confusion, awe, and horror. She stopped, and he paused. Literally dragging
her across the street would draw unwanted attention. He reluctantly released
her wrist. She was soft and warm while he was hard and cold. A frown creased
his brow when the sharp sense of loss pricked his long dead heart. On some
level, he’d enjoyed the feel of her.
She blinked up at
him. Her large, honey eyes sparkled with fear. “W-what did you say?”
His chest rose and
fell with a heavy sigh. “I’ll explain. For now, come with me.”
She shook her
head.
Ethan glanced over
his shoulder, scanning the parking lot for any sign of the alpha. He could
sense the wolf was close.
“We don’t have
much time. We need to go.”
The woman fell
back a step and Ethan’s body tensed. His instincts flared. She retreated
another step. Would she run? A part of him wished she would. He loved the
chase. The hunt. His heart began to pound, his pupils dilated, and his fangs
began to sharpen, all in anticipation.
“Don’t
Chapter One
Lightning
splintered the sky. Thunder shook the earth beneath his feet. Damp heat
thickened the air. Any moment, the winds would kick up and the red hued clouds
would release a torrent of rain.
Ethan loved summer
storms and treasured Arizona for its monsoon season. It was only during the
madness of the storm that he found peace. In those rare, precious moments, the
world reflected the chaos that roiled inside him and he felt… as if he
belonged.
Closing his eyes,
he took in a deep breath and savored the soothing scent of the desert. To his
disappointment, he would not be able to appreciate the beauty of nature’s fury.
Clearing his mind, Ethan unleashed his senses. His mark was close. He could
feel her. Crossing the street, he headed for the quaint coffee shop he
frequently sped past. She was here, which meant he could call an end to this
pointless job.
Ethan was an
assassin, not a damn babysitter. He was an expert tracker and sniper, yet the
Under Realm Syndicate had him chasing after a spoiled little she-wolf. He had
been tasked with fetching the runaway and returning her to her pack – a
complete waste of his time and talents. He couldn’t believe he had let Cole
talk him into this. The fact was this case should’ve never made the list. Why
the Syndicate decided to get involved was beyond his understanding. This wasn’t
a kidnapping or a hostage situation. The female wasn’t a criminal. She wasn’t a
threat to the human world or Under Realm society.
His annoyed growl
blended with the booming thunder. Cole had insisted Ethan accept this
assignment, “You should be grateful the Syndicate is willing to give you a
second chance. You’ve been out of practice.”
Who could argue
with that logic? Ethan had been off the map for a year. Most within the
Syndicate believed he had been killed on his last mission.
I should have
been. Shaking his head, he dispelled the thought. He refused to take sober
trips down memory lane. He needed to focus on his task.
The aroma of
freshly ground coffee was overwhelming. Ethan reigned in his supernatural
senses as he stepped inside the shop. The door closed and the torrential rain
began to fall. He did a quick, nonchalant sweep of the café, careful not to
meet anyone’s gaze. Eye contact encouraged conversation, and he was here on business
not pleasure. He would grab the werewolf, take her back home, and detain her
until he could make arrangements with her father. Simple.
Ethan walked to
the counter. After the blonde and brunette baristas finished arguing over who
would help him, he ordered and received a black coffee. The cup had both girl’s
names and numbers written on it. He thanked them with a smile. They batted
their lashes and insisted he stop by a college party later that night.
Ethan’s shoulders
shook with a light laugh. Naïve mortals.
Turning, he headed
up the winding iron staircase that led to the second floor loft area. The walls
were made almost entirely of glass, providing a glorious view of the storm.
Students sat at the tables working on their laptops while groups lounged on the
sofas discussing the world of social media.
The delicate scent
of wildflowers drifted through the air, drawing his sharp gaze to the far
corner. There was nothing remarkable about her presence. She appeared to fit in
perfectly with the scene, as if she were just another co-ed. She wore a pair of
skinny jeans and a crimson sweatshirt. She sat with her feet tucked under her
crisscrossed. Leaning over the table, her long dark brown hair tumbled forward,
blocking his view of her face. Ethan noted the worn, tattered condition of the
book she read. Her frame was small. She seemed fragile, but he knew better. She
was strong, fast, and intelligent. His mark appeared to be ‘normal’ by human
standards, but she was the wolf he was looking for.
Hoping everything would
go smoothly, he advanced. This was a delicate situation. The female could freak
out on him. She could cause a scene, and he loathed drama just as much as he
loathed this particular job. It was not a search and rescue mission. No, it was
a track-down-a-spoiled-brat-and-take-her-home mission. A simpleton could do it.
Why it had to be done was beyond him. At twenty-four, she was an adult. She had
a degree in biology and was a werewolf; she was more than capable of taking
care of herself.
Who cares? Grab the
girl and go.
Ethan quickly
reminded himself of the two basic rules: never become personally involved with
your mark and strike first, ask questions later – if you cared about asking
question at all.
As he approached
the woman, he felt a slight tremor in the air. A warning? A threat? Someone was
watching them. He set his senses loose once more, scanning the café for the
source of the violent energy, but it had vanished just as quickly as it had
arrived.
The girl must have
felt the glimmer of danger. Her gaze snapped up and met his. Her warm, honey
colored eyes were round with surprise. Her tempting red lips parted with a
silent gasp. Ethan froze. She was… more than beautiful.
She blinked up at
him. Her gaze innocently seductive, her mouth violently tempting, and her wild
flower scent was overwhelming. His body reacted instantly. It had been years
since he’d felt such a strong, instant attraction.
He watched her
lick her lips; lust shot through him like a lightning strike. Oh, yes. The wolf
was alluring and, to his surprise, he was disappointed that she was his mark.
“Hi,” she said
with a nervous lilt to her voice.
Ethan mentally
shook himself and crossed over to stand at the chair opposite her. “Hi,” he
replied.
Thunder rumbled;
the force shook the glass walls. The girl flinched and her gaze fell from his.
For a soundless moment, she sat with her hands clasped in her lap, her head
tilted down. The mortals gasped and laughed as another boom shook the windows.
“You may sit,” she
said, her voice low, barely audible.
Ethan could smell the fear that sparked within
her. Was she frightened of the storm, or what possibly lurked outside? An
overwhelming sense of protectiveness settled over him and he frowned. He didn’t
like it. He wasn’t the protective type. He was a killer not a savior.
Focus and get this
over with.
“Not a fan of
thunderstorms?” he asked as he claimed the chair.
She straightened
and fixed her gaze on him once more. Her expression was bland, her cute
stubborn chin titled up, her shoulders back. She looked regal and refined.
Every bit the aristocrat she was.
“I’m accustomed to
snow storms.”
“Really? Where are
you from?”
“Minnesota,” she
answered with a hint of hesitation.
He smiled and was
shocked he didn’t have to fake it. “You’re a long way from home.”
She shrugged and
returned her attention to her book.
Ethan took a sip
of the surprisingly good coffee and relaxed in his seat. He picked up a golf
magazine, which rested on the table beside them, and began flipping through the
pages. He wasn’t at all interested in golf. Being a vampire, he preferred
keeping out of the sun. Although, contrary to popular lore, he wouldn’t burst
into flame or turn to ash. He could work on his tan, he just preferred not to.
He casually
glanced over at the werewolf and inwardly groaned. She was reading a list of
the top ten hot spots in Chile. It appeared she was interested in sunbathing
and he couldn’t stop the image of her in a bikini from cropping up in his mind
even if he’d wanted to. And he certainly did not want to erase the image.
She sighed, closed
the book, and tucked it away in her backpack, which hung off the back of her
chair. She took up her latte and settled her gaze on him. Her lips turned up
with a sweet smile.
“You don’t strike
me as the golfing type.”
He raised a brow
and tossed the magazine down on the table between them. “No?”
She shook her
head, her long dark curls waving around her shoulders. “Not at all. You look
like you’d rather go to a shooting range than work on your golf swing.”
Ethan couldn’t
argue with that. He’d had his basement converted into an indoor gun range.
“Very observant,”
he said. “What about you? What’s your hobby?”
She bit her bottom
lip as she contemplated. Ethan wanted to bite it for her. “Traveling. It’s
something I’ve always wanted to do. You know, see the world, and experience
different cultures.”
“Is that what your
trip to Arizona is all about?” he asked.
“More or less,”
she answered with a shrug.
“Well, South
America is beautiful.”
Her eyes grew
wide. She leaned forward, placing her hands on the table. Excitement laced her
voice, “You’ve been?”
Ethan shifted
closer and reached for her hand. The air trembled with another flicker of
danger just before the lights went out. Darkness flooded the café.
His mark shoved
away from the table, snatched her backpack, and darted toward the stairs. Ethan
was right behind her. The mortals grumbled complaints, some laughed, while
others stumbled through the dark.
She was about to
reach the exit when the door flew open, crashing against the wall. Humans
screamed and shouted in alarm. The girl froze, and Ethan cursed. Clearly, he
hadn’t been the only one searching for her. He could sense the alpha’s presence
and, judging by his target’s reaction, so could she.
Ethan grabbed her
wrist. She swung around. Her fist raised, her honey colored eyes glowed, and
her fangs bared. Shadows of a wolf’s fierce visage flickered over the fine
features of her face. Her fierce growl vibrated her entire body. Ethan ignored
the warning and tugged on her arm, pulling her toward the emergency exit at the
back of the coffee shop.
He pushed the door
open. His mark tried to twist free of his hold, but he held her firm.
“Let go of me,”
she demanded, her voice roughened by her partial transformation.
“Not a chance,
sweetheart.”
She growled and
fought harder. He wasn’t surprised by her strength and knew she was still
holding back. So was he.
Pushing her now
soaked and tangled hair from her face, she snarled, “What’s going on?”
“I thought it was
obvious,” he said.
“That you’re attempting
to kidnap me?”
Ethan shook his
head. “No. That you have an alpha hunting your ass.”
Her stare was one
of confusion, awe, and horror. She stopped, and he paused. Literally dragging
her across the street would draw unwanted attention. He reluctantly released
her wrist. She was soft and warm while he was hard and cold. A frown creased
his brow when the sharp sense of loss pricked his long dead heart. On some
level, he’d enjoyed the feel of her.
She blinked up at
him. Her large, honey eyes sparkled with fear. “W-what did you say?”
His chest rose and
fell with a heavy sigh. “I’ll explain. For now, come with me.”
She shook her
head.
Ethan glanced over
his shoulder, scanning the parking lot for any sign of the alpha. He could
sense the wolf was close.
“We don’t have
much time. We need to go.”
The woman fell
back a step and Ethan’s body tensed. His instincts flared. She retreated
another step. Would she run? A part of him wished she would. He loved the
chase. The hunt. His heart began to pound, his pupils dilated, and his fangs
began to sharpen, all in anticipation.
“Don’t,” he
warned.
Chapter Two
Fraya dodged cars,
ignoring their blaring horns. She sped through the abandoned strip mall.
Puddles splashed beneath her feet, rain stung her cheeks and blurred her
vision. Three… four… five blocks. Terror fueled her. She had to get away. Far
away. Now.
God, she had been
stupid. She had sensed an ominous, dangerous presence lurking in the shadows
for days. Yeah. Stupid. An alpha. Shit. If the werewolf caught her… If he were
of a rival pack… She couldn’t think about that. She had to escape the alpha and
the smoking hot stranger who had insisted she go with him to lord knew where.
Turning a corner,
she sprinted across an empty lot to a vacant park. She slipped past deserted
swaying swings. Lighting cracked and thunder shook the ground beneath her feet.
Fraya heard a
vicious growl behind her. Her heart painfully pounded against her ribs as she
ran faster. She had just reached a clear soccer field when she heard him lunge
for her. Fraya swallowed a scream as they crashed to the ground.
He rolled her to
her back. Bracing his hands on either side of her head, he held his chest away
from her, but trapped her legs with his thighs. He overwhelmed her with his
size and power. Strength emanated from him. His once playful green gaze was now
cold and sharp. Shadows contorted his handsome face and his fangs… Her breath
stilled in her lungs. Her heart stuttered. Pure terror struck her. Vampire!
“Little wolf,” he
rasped. “Never run from one such as me.”
Holy shit.
The male pinning
her down was a vampire. Amongst the Under Realm Society, vampires were believed
to be creatures of folklore. Her mother had told her stories of the blood
drinkers – secret assassins created by and for the Under Realm Syndicate. They
were thought to be unimaginably strong, fast, lethal, cold blooded,
indestructible killing machines.
Did the Fates hate
her? Had she done something terribly wrong in a previous life? Fraya had
thought her world was falling apart, now she realized it was burning and
crashing down around her.
The vampire dipped
his head down, burying his face in the hollow of her neck. She could feel his
cool breath on her throat and, God help her, excitement rushed through her.
Closing her eyes, she held her breath, waiting for him to strike. Her heart
skipped as she thought about his fangs penetrating her jugular, his lips
pressed tightly against her neck as he greedily drained her.
Seconds turned
into minutes, his large frame shielding her from the rain. He didn’t touch her.
He held his body a fraction of an inch above her, his elbows bent in perfect
ninety-degree angles, supporting him. He effortlessly held the position as he
took in her scent.
Fraya opened her
eyes. Gathering her courage to speak, she nervously licked her lips. The urge
to wrap her legs around his hips, grip his shoulders, and pull him against her
was maddening. Her body grew hot and her shirt felt tight across her breasts.
God, the anticipation was devastating. No! The fear was devastating. She was
overcome by terror not lust.
“A−are you going
to bite me?” she asked, her voice trembled.
The mysterious
vampire brushed his lips over her pulse. The caress was so light she wondered
if she had imagined the kiss. Need flooded her, drowning any sense of
self-preservation. Dangerous. He was dangerous and so was the alpha. She shook
her head, trying to clear her mind of the thick haze of lust.
She felt his lips
brush her ear as he said, “Run from me again and I will sink my fangs into your
pretty little neck.”
Would his bite
bring agonizing pain or blissful euphoria?
He took in one
last deep breath, inhaling her scent, before he pushed himself back. He
remained on his knees, keeping her trapped beneath him. Their gazes met as
lightning splintered the heavens. Fraya was struck speechless as a blistering
curse fell from his lips. His piercing green eyes burned with ravenous desire.
She knew his gaze mirrored her own. She wanted him. The animal inside her
howled, demanding she surrender to this male. She shifted beneath him, barely
resisting the urge to arch her back and roll her hips in invitation.
What was happening
to her? She was losing her mind. Yes, that must be it. She had been on the run.
The constant stress, lack of sleep, and ever-present hunger must be getting to
her.
“Why did you chase
me?”
“Why did you run
from me?” he countered.
Fraya tried to sit
up, but he gently pushed her back down. With an irritated sigh she answered, “I
wasn’t running from you in particular. I was running from the alpha.”
“Stick with me and
you needn’t worry about the alpha.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“Really?”
He nodded.
She was skeptical.
“Why should I trust you?”
“You can run as
far and as fast as you like, but the alpha will eventually track you down. An
unmated pureblood female werewolf without her pack,” he shook his head,
“sweetheart, you’re fair game.”
Fraya couldn’t
argue against that, but she wasn’t in the market for a bodyguard. She needed to
travel light and fast. She needed to get to Chile like yesterday and he would
just slow her down.
“Thanks for the
offer, but I’ll take my chances.”
With a shrug of
his large shoulders, he stood. He held out his hand, offering to help her to
her feet. She hesitated, staring at his out stretched hand for a moment before
she took it. The chilled bite of metal locked around her wrist.
Rage swept through
like an inferno. Her lips pulled back, baring her own set of fangs. Her wolf
was rising.
“Stay calm,” he
said, his voice smooth and way too even.
“What the hell are
you doing?” she snarled.
“I politely
offered you my protection, but you didn’t want it. Now, I really must insist.”
Fraya’s vision
began to turn red. How dare this stranger restrain her? She should rip his
throat with her teeth. “Who are you?”
He shook his head.
“My name isn’t important, but I’ll be the vampire escorting you home.”
Dread twisted her
stomach, forcing bile to rise in her throat. “No. You can’t. I won’t go back!”
She fought against the cuff, using all of her strength, but unlike normal
steel, the bracelet held true. “Are you working for my father?”
He clasped the
other band around his own wrist, binding them together. “I work for no
individual man.”
She grabbed his
arm. Panic heightened her voice, “I’ll double whatever my father is paying you.
I can’t go back. You don’t understand−”
The wind whipped
around them, yet he could still smell her fear. With a frown he asked, “You
would rather test your luck against the alpha than return home?”
“Please, I can’t
go back,” she begged. “I will triple your pay.”
He raised a brow.
“Triple?”
“Yes!”
He captured her
cuffed wrist and pulled her hard against him. Desire crashed over her, robbing
her of breath. “Money doesn’t interest me.”
Oh, God. Her pulse
kicked up, her heart pounded so fast she could hear it. “What does interest
you?”
His alluring lips
slowly lifted into a charming smile, which was made sexy by his long lethal
fangs. “You’re coming with me, little wolf.”
Chapter Three
The roaring engine
of the 1970 Camaro filled the silence within the car. Fraya nervously glanced
his way. He was soaked through, just like she was. Droplets of rainwater fell
from his black hair and slowly slipped down his cheek, over his hard jaw, and
onto his shirt. She had the insane desire to follow the trail with her lips,
her tongue… His wet clothes revealed every harsh line of his solid body.
Fraya’s gaze
fluttered to his hand on the stick shift. He wore an interesting looking ring.
Gold, silver, and black strands twisted together, creating a cathedral setting
for the sapphire stone, which was overlaid with a strange coat of arms. Leaning
toward him, she studied the symbol intently. The ring was familiar… The tiny
hairs on the back of her neck rose. Her gaze snapped up. The vampire was
watching her. She felt her cheeks burn with a blush. He gave her a wink. Fraya
abruptly turned away trying to hide her embarrassment.
The silence
remained constant as they continued to drive into the darkness of the night.
Fraya couldn’t keep still. Anxiety made her hands tremble causing the cuff
around their wrists to rattle. With an exasperated sigh, the vampire took her
hand, placed it on the eight ball shifter, and covered her fingers with his
own. She tried to pull away, but he had her trapped.
“Can you try to
relax?” he asked.
“I might if you
tell me where we’re going?”
“And spoil the
surprise?”
Her eyes went wide
with alarm and he chuckled. She tried to ignore the warmth of his teasing
smile. This man could be a killer and she could very likely be his next victim.
She shouldn’t find him sexy as hell; she should find him terrifying.
“Does my fear
amuse you?” she demanded.
“Not in the least,
but you’ve no reason to fear me.”
“Oh, really?” she
scoffed. “One, I don’t know you. Two, you’re a vampire.”
Her captor
nonchalantly shrugged. Fraya growled low and turned her attention back out the
window. She was done conversing with him. It was pointless. He wasn’t going to
tell her who he was, where he was taking her, how or when he would be shipping
her off to her father, effectively ending her life as she knew it.
She closed her
eyes and shivered. She didn’t know whom she feared more now. Her father or the
vampire. This male was dangerous. Lethal. Vampires were mysterious creatures,
rumored to have been created by the Under Realm Syndicate to eliminate threats
to their Society. Fear’s icy grip choked her. Was he an assassin? Did they
actually exist? The vampire claimed he would return her to her pack, but there
was a chance he could be driving her out to the middle of the desert to…No,
don’t think about it.
He couldn’t be
trusted, but that didn’t stop hope from fluttering in her chest. Could she
convince him not to take her back? The vampire had refused her money, but he
seemed… interested in her.
Fraya had little
experience with men. She’d had a crush on a boy for a while when she was
seventeen. Their love affair hadn’t lasted long. Her father had learned of
their relationship and severed ties with his pack. A chill shook her. She
couldn’t stand her father, but she would always be grateful that he had stepped
in when he had. Lynn Ferugson had become extremely possessive and controlling
toward the end of their relationship.
Don’t think about
Lynn. There could be another alpha. Father has many enemies.
Fraya blinked in
disbelief when they pulled up to a very modern home with sleek lines and large,
darkly tinted windows. The vampire hit a button on the visor. The driveway was
a steep decline into an underground garage. Fraya’s heart rate spiked as they
came to a stop and the ignition shut off.
Without a word or
even a glance, the vampire unlocked the cuff then exited the car. Fraya bit
into her bottom lip and silently chanted: stay calm. But her nerves weren’t
listening to her rational mind. Was her father here? Or was he on his way? If
not, when would the vampire be sending her back?
Her soul nearly
jumped from her body when he opened her door. For a second he stood, staring
down at her. Concern flickered like a shadow over his face. He leaned in and
unfastened her seatbelt.
“Will you do me a
favor?” His rough voice banished her anxiety, immediately replacing the
debilitating emotion with another – desire. He held out his hand. “Please,
relax.”
Fraya bit even
harder into her bottom lip as she gazed at his out stretched hand. Why was he
being nice? And caring? She didn’t like it. She couldn’t like it. The secretive
vampire wasn’t to be trusted.
She brushed aside
his hand and stood, closing the car door behind her. It slammed harder than
she’d intended, but she wouldn’t apologize.
“You’re working
for my father and plan on returning me to his pack. Since you’re screwing me
over, I won’t do you any favors.”
Did his lips
twitch with a smile? “How about doing it for yourself?”
“Sadly, ‘relax’
was deleted from my personal dictionary a long time ago.”
A gasp slammed
from her lungs as he pressed her back against the car. Taking her wrist, he
brought her hand up and pressed her palm against her chest. She could feel her
heart pounding.
He leaned in,
caging her. His head dipped down to the hollow of her throat. She swallowed
hard and suppressed a longing moan when his breath caressed her sensitive ear
lobe.
“You really ought
to do yourself the favor and Google the definition. Your pulse: it’s wild. And
it makes me crave a taste.”
Against her will,
her body arched into him. Her hips pressed forward, her breasts thrust against
his chest. Heat rushed through her as she shivered from the contact. Damn it.
What was wrong with her?
The vampire
released her and stepped away. His expression unreadable, he studied her. Fraya
felt her blush burn her cheeks and spread down her neck. God, she must be
glowing red.
“Come on.”
He turned and
headed into the house. Fraya slowly followed.
“He’s not here,”
he called over his shoulder as he led the way down a windowless hallway.
Fraya paused.
Could the vampire read her mind? No. He couldn’t… Shaking her head, she
continued down the hall, which led to an enormous open concept living area. The
kitchen was a dream, complete with industrial grade steel appliances and a
large island. The dining area was elegant and simple while the living room
screamed bachelor pad. A huge black leather sectional faced a TV that was the
size of the wall. However, what captured her interest was the picturesque
windows. The pool created an oasis, a tranquil scene. Angry storm clouds were
rolling in, lightning struck in the distance, and the wind bellowed. She
stepped toward the windows, drawn in by the majestic desert.
The vampire came
to stand beside her and, in that moment, her fears dissolved. Her anxiety
melted away. She wanted him to wrap an arm around her shoulders and pull her
close. She wanted him to hold her as the summer storm passed. She wanted this
moment of peace to last forever.
Stop acting
stupid, she chided herself. She was in trouble and needed to get out. Quickly.
“Are you hungry?”
he asked.
She nonchalantly
shrugged. She was starving, but only a fool admitted weakness to their enemy.
“You’ve been on
the road, I doubt you’ve had a decent meal lately.”
“I get by,” she
replied.
“A candy bar from
a vending machine at a bus depot does not a meal make,” he said with a chuckle.
Fraya bit her lip
to stop from smiling. “Hey, some have peanuts, which makes them a good source
of protein.”
He laughed, and
the sound warmed her heart, easing the worry in her soul.
The vampire isn’t
charming, and he doesn’t have a sexy laugh. Oh, yeah, she would keep telling
herself that. She’d also tell herself he wasn’t hot, his eyes weren’t gorgeous,
and that she didn’t secretly crave to taste his smile.
He grabbed her
wrist and gently tugged her toward another hall. “The bathroom is the first
door on the right and you may use this bedroom.” He opened the door to the left
and stepped aside.
Fraya hugged her
backpack to her chest and stepped past him. The guest room was nicely furnished
with a queen size bed topped with a white comforter. A single dresser and a
small desk with a comfy looking armchair she could curl up and read in
completed the room. This certainly beat the train stations and bus stops she
had been camping out in. Fraya never stayed at a hotel. She feared hanging out
at one place for too long.
One night here
will be fine. Besides, I need some time to devise a new exit strategy. She
would need to ditch the vamp and somehow make it across multiple boarders if
she were ever going to reach Chile. This wasn’t going to be easy.
She dropped her
bag on the floor beside the bed and followed him back out into the main living
area.
“You’re welcome to
use the shower. You’ll find everything you need in there. You can also wash
your clothes if you like.”
She glanced down
at herself. “If you hadn’t tackled me, I wouldn’t be caked in mud.”
“If you hadn’t
run, I wouldn’t have had to tackle you,” he countered.
“I ran because of
the alpha.”
He shook his head.
“I’m not big on sharing, but I’ll let you in on a little secret. I’ve fought my
share of renegade alphas.”
When he didn’t
continued, she prompted, “And?”
He closed the
distanced between them. His eyes locked on hers. Instantly, Fraya’s heart began
to pound. Caressing her cheek, he whispered, “They’re all dead.”
About
the Author:
Amanda J. Greene is a paranormal
romance author. When she is not writing, she can be found playing the role of a
university student who also works full time. She lives in Southern California
with her very supportive husband and their two dogs. Doing all the above and
being a military wife is not easy, but rewarding! Of course, she accomplishes
everything with a strong cup of coffee in her hand.
Amanda is also an associate
reviewer on The Book Nympho blog.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amandajgreene1
Tour
giveaway
2 ebook copies of the Under Realm
Assassin series
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Please thank Amanda for joining us today! Please check out her links!
Keep Writing!
Jodie Pierce
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