Page 36 of Chasing Secrets
Reaching his mate, Chase planted himself directly between Jalen and the stranger. He felt Jalen’s hand grip the back of his shirt, fingers twisting into the fabric. From the corner of his eye, he spotted Zeppelin ease Preston behind his large frame.
“Just act cool,” Jalen whispered from behind him, voice so low only supernatural hearing could catch it. “Everything’s fine. Act cool. Act cool. Act cool.”
The pieces clicked into place with sickening clarity. This seemingly ordinary man with his pleasant smile and department-store clothes was the uncle. The monster who’d haunted Jalen’s nightmares, who’d driven him to seek chemical escape.
Chase’s vision narrowed to pinpricks of light as something ancient and feral uncoiled inside him. His tongue traced the sharp points of his canines, already lengthening against his will. One thought pulsed through his blood. Destroy.
But a quick glance around reminded him of their surroundings. Families with young children licking ice cream cones, teenagers taking selfies by the parlor window, a toddler chasing a butterfly just yards away.
Too many innocent eyes that shouldn’t see what Chase wanted to do to this man.
Not here. Not now. But god, how he wanted to.
“You need to leave.” Chase’s voice was dangerously quiet. “Now.”
The uncle’s gaze slid past him, trying to catch sight of Jalen who’d pressed himself against Chase’s back. “Don’t think we’ve met. I’m Derek, Jalen’s uncle.”
Chase didn’t offer his name or his hand.
“And who might you be? Jalen’s new... friend?” He drew out the word, infusing it with insinuation that made Chase want to tear out his throat.
“Walk away while you still can,” Chase warned.
Derek’s expression hardened momentarily before smoothing back into affable confusion. “Look, I don’t know what Jalen’s told you, but we’re family. He shouldn’t be ditching us for some random guy he just met.”
The casual way he said it—as if Chase was the interloper—made acid churn in his gut. This man was hiding his true meaning behind innocent-sounding words. Chase could hear the underlying message. Jalen belongs to me.
Zeppelin stepped forward, his massive frame casting a shadow over Derek. A low, rumbling sound emanated from his chest. Too animal to be human and too threatening to ignore.
“I’d suggest you listen to him.” Zeppelin’s voice was deceptively calm.
Something flickered in Derek’s eyes. It wasn’t fear, which was concerning, but calculation. His gaze swept across the patio, noting the families, the children, the public setting.
“I just came for ice cream,” Derek said with a shrug, his posture relaxing. “Saw my nephew and thought I’d say hello.” He gestured toward the ground. “Let me buy you another one, Jalen. Looks like you dropped yours.”
This man was truly sadistic, appearing in public spaces where Jalen couldn’t react, offering kindness that was really a reminder of his power. Chase couldn’t believe the casual cruelty of it, the mind games Jalen had endured.
“Speak to my mate again and I’ll rip out your tongue.” Chase fought to keep his voice level when all he wanted was to shred the bastard. “Last warning to leave.”
Derek’s smile didn’t falter. “That’s for Jalen to say, isn’t it?” He tried to peer around Chase again. “Come on, Jalen. Your mom’s been worried. You know how she gets.”
Chase took a half-step forward, close enough that only the uncle could hear his next words. “I know what you did to him. And I promise you, very soon, you'll pay for every single moment of pain you caused.”
Something flickered across Derek’s face. It still wasn’t fear. Maybe surprise that someone knew his secret. Still, he recovered quickly, a smirk playing at his lips.
“Big talk from a stranger,” he murmured.
Chase leaned in just a little more. “Be careful of the dark. It bites.”
Most humans would blanch at such a threat, especially delivered with the cold certainty Chase infused into his words. But Derek’s confidence was unshaken. Either he was too stupid to recognize genuine danger, or he believed himself untouchable.
“Threatening me isn’t very neighborly,” Derek said mildly, as if Chase had merely been rude. “I’m sure Jalen wouldn’t want trouble with the law over a misunderstanding.”
The bastard was cocky, secure in his position as a respected member of the community. Chase wondered how many other predators walked among humans, hidden behind ordinary faces and respected positions.
“Go ahead and call the cops,” Chase replied coolly. “I’ll wait right here.”
Derek thought he was calling Chase’s bluff, but he had no idea that he would be calling in Chase's backup.
