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not gonna stop me from kicking your damn ass if you don t
leave my pal Zander alone. Curling his lip, Logan
continued, You want blood for some fucking reason, find a
blood bank.
It s not that easy, Juarez mumbled.
Why not? Logan snarled.
Jimmy wrapped his own arm around Logan, grateful his
mate had come up on his left side. He turned and focused on
his mate, allowing his human s proximity to calm his ire.
Damn, thirty-seven years and it felt like yesterday. Juarez
and Megan aren t true mates, he told Logan. He gives her
blood to remain alive, and in return, he drinks from both her
and someone else. It s not ideal, but he loves her. Jimmy
had to admit, he craved that kind of selfless love, and hoped
to one day have it from Logan. He s been using this system
for almost a century now, I guess.
Juarez nodded once. More or less.
And why doesn t blood from a blood bank work?
Logan asked, not giving up on the idea. If it doesn t matter
who s blood you re drinking, why should it matter?
Jimmy grimaced, not liking that he was about to side with
his ex, even in a small way. It d be like me going vegetarian
to be with someone I love, he admitted.
Logan lifted one brow speculatively. Are you saying
that, if I asked you to never eat meat unless I prepared it for
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Charlie Richards
you, you d refuse me? I know a hell of a lot of ways to
prepare soy burgers to taste just as good as hamburger. His
eyes narrowed. In some cases, better, even.
Jimmy sighed. Damn, if his mate actually requested
that& yeah, he d try. He d do his best to go without actual
meat for the rest of his life. If that was what you needed,
he whispered.
See, Logan murmured, frowning at Juarez. You still
get to feed from living flesh, giving you pleasure, with your
woman, your wife, he pointed out. Then, every once in a
while, you drink warm blood from a glass, that way you and
your wife remain healthy. What s the big deal?
Juarez blanched, his face turning pale. I-I& oh, Gods.
He grimaced. I suppose that could work.
Damn straight it could, Jimmy grumbled, hating the
idea of helping his bastard of an ex-lover, but knowing he
couldn t not do so. And as it so happens, the wolf pack
owns a nearby blood bank. Stay the fuck away from anyone
but your wife, and we ll give you the blood you need, he
promised.
Juarez s jaw worked for a few seconds, then he jerked a
nod. Agreed. Do you need your alpha s permission?
Crossing his arms over his chest, ignoring the slight pain
in his shoulder, Jimmy curled his lips and snarled, I am the
Tamang pack s beta. Alpha Abbott will agree.
Of course he will, boomed a deep voice from behind
him. Jimmy turned to see Abbott striding into the room,
Richard at his shoulder. I have faith that you always have
our pack s best interest at heart. He gave Jimmy a
reassuring smile, before turning an assessing look onto the
vampire.
Well, then, vampire, Abbott rumbled. Why don t you
tell me why you ve been coming into my territory to feed
from our dear, traumatized Zander? Without waiting for a
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Restitution from His Mate
response, Abbott stepped up to the bathroom door and
knocked twice before saying, Zander, this is Abbott. I m
here, as well as your friend Logan. You re perfectly safe.
Please come out.
After a few seconds, the door cracked open and Zander
glanced around warily. I m safe?
Jimmy just fought back his grimace. Damn, no wonder
Logan made certain to take any possible punishment for
shooting him. This guy was clearly in over his head and not
dealing with the appearance of paranormals well at all.
Alpha Abbott offered Zander a tight-lipped smile. Yes.
You are safe. Since you came to learn of our kind through
my pack, you will forever be under my protection. At
Zander s drawn brows, he explained, That means, should
you be threatened, even indirectly Abbott frowned at
Juarez. You may come to me for protection or help. I or my
beta and enforcers will never turn you away in your hour of
need.
Thank you, Zander mumbled, clearly shocked. He
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