Page 8 of Alpha's Touch
The bloodsucker had hypnotized her into compliance. Her glazed eyes stared at nothing, a small smile frozen on her lips while he attempted to drain her.
Chase moved first, crossing the distance in three quick strides. He grabbed the vampire by the jaw with one hand, his fingers digging into skin. With his other hand, he pinched the vampire’s nose shut, cutting off his air.
“Remove your fangs before I break them off,” Chase growled.
With a reluctant hiss, the vampire retracted his fangs from the woman’s neck. Blood smeared his lips, making Chase want to vomit.
“Pack mutt,” the vampire hissed, blood staining his teeth. “This doesn’t concern you.”
Quinn moved in to catch the woman as she began to slide down the wall, her legs no longer supporting her weight.
“I’ve got her,” Quinn said, holding her upright. “Taking her to Cyril’s.”
Chase kept his grip firm on the vampire’s face. “Go. I’ll handle this piece of shit.”
Quinn hefted the woman into his arms, her head rolling against his shoulder as he carried her toward the street.
The moment Quinn disappeared from view, the vampire twisted in Chase’s grip with unnatural speed. One second Chase had him pinned, the next, a fist slammed into his gut, doubling him over. Chase stumbled back, regaining his footing just in time to block another strike aimed at his face.
“You interrupted my dinner,” the vampire snarled, circling Chase with fluid movements. Blood still stained his mouth, making him look like a rabid animal. “I wasn’t going to kill her.”
“Bullshit,” Chase spat, matching the vampire’s movements. “You’re one of the three causing trouble in our territory.”
The vampire lunged, faster than human eyes could track. Chase barely got his arms up to block, but the vampire feinted and drove a knee into his side. Pain exploded through Chase’s body as the blow connected with his kidney. His legs buckled, sending him crashing to his knees on the filthy alley floor.
A deep snarl tore from Chase’s throat as his wolf surged forward in response to the pain, his claws extending into deadly points. The vampire’s eyes widened.
Before the bloodsucker could retreat, Chase drove forward, burying his claws into the vampire’s gut. The sensation of tearing through flesh and muscle sent a primal satisfaction through him. Warm blood coated his hand as the vampire shrieked, his face contorting with pain and fury.
With surprising strength, the vampire shoved Chase backward. His claws ripped free, bringing chunks of flesh with them. The vampire clutched his stomach, hissing as he backed away.
“You’ll regret this, mutt,” he spat before turning and bolting down the alley, moving so quickly he seemed to blur at the edges.
Chase tried to follow but collapsed against the brick wall, his side throbbing with each breath. The kidney shot had done more damage than he’d initially thought. Warm wetness soaked his shirt where the vampire’s blood had sprayed, and the metallic scent filled his nostrils. He collapsed backward until his ass hit the hard ground.
Sweat beaded on his forehead as he tried to breathe through the pain. Each inhale sent fresh agony shooting through his torso.
Minutes passed before he heard footsteps approaching. Quinn appeared at the entrance of the alley, his face tight with concern when he spotted Chase slumped against the wall.
“Shit,” Quinn muttered, jogging over and crouching down. “What happened to the bloodsucker?”
Chase’s breath came in short gasps, his shirt sticking to his skin with sweat and blood. “Got away,” he managed through clenched teeth. “Fucker was fast.”
Quinn surveyed the damage with practiced eyes. “You need to shift. That kidney shot looks bad.”
“No shit.” Chase tried to laugh but ended up coughing instead. “Can’t do it here unless you want to get spotted carrying a heavy-ass wolf down the street.”
The pain was getting worse, a sure sign of internal bleeding.
“I’ll get the truck,” Quinn said, already standing.
Alone in the alley once again, the pain became his entire world. His vision blurred, darkness creeping in. His wolf clawed to get free, knowing instinctively that shifting would heal the damage.
“Fuck it,” Chase whispered to the empty space around him. He couldn’t stop the shift. Surrendering to it, the pain intensified for a blinding moment before blessed relief washed over him.
The wolf’s eyes closed as unconsciousness claimed him, his large body going limp just as the distant rumble of Quinn’s truck grew louder.
Chapter Three
