Loving Hallie Read online

  “Thank you, mate of mine.” This time it’d been the familiar voice of her wolf answering back.

  “We will protect and love you always.” The male voice spoke again, carrying strength and peace through the now fully-formed mate bond. Vance had marked her. She’d marked Vance. Clarity began to return as the magick between them surged through her body, working quickly to repair the damage that nearly killed her.

  “Thank the gods, Hallie.” Vance’s voice rang sweet in her ears.

  “I’m h-here,” she managed to rasp out. “I’m here.”

  Vance lifted her from the floor and laid her on his bed, quickly wrapping her in a thick blanket. “I’d love to stay and clean you up and hold you, but we can’t stay. There’s three dead bodies and people will start to look for Dante sooner rather than later.”

  “My family’s plane is at the runway,” Hallie answered, blinking her eyes open slowly. He was yanking clothes on over his blood-smeared body. She heard the ratchet of a clip being loaded into a gun, but she couldn’t focus long enough to see where the sound came from.

  A shot rang out. The smell of gunpowder burned her sensitive nose. “Vance?” Her voice trembled.

  “He wasn’t dead. I should’ve paid closer attention. We have to go now.”

  She nodded weakly, eager to get as far away from Dante and his people as possible. Vance scooped her into his arms and carried her through the torn up home. His home. He was fleeing his home for her. He’d killed to protect her. They were mates. She carried his mark and he hers…what would the council think? She’d taken a Fated mate instead of making a political alignment with another royal. So many thoughts.

  Her strength was returning slowly, but it would be at least twenty-four hours until she was fully healed and back to normal. She’d lost so much blood. Come so close to… She buried her face in Vance’s chest and breathed in the light piney scent—his scent. She was so tired. Her eyelids weighed ten pounds and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t stave off the darkness.

  6

  When he’d reached the private airport she’d arrived in Canada at and inquired about the Demakis plane, people had scrambled from every direction to prepare. Vance couldn’t remember how many people he’d had to speak with on the phone before they were satisfied with the facts as he’d stated them.

  He was pretty sure Hallie’s aunt had cussed in multiple languages when she’d heard what Montague had tried. But no one, not a single person had faulted him for killing the sonofabitch. They’d even assured him they would make sure the Montague pack didn’t retaliate in any way toward him, his family, or the Demakis pack. The Montague’s should be ashamed and no other emotion would be tolerated from them.

  I’d hate to be on the bad side of the Demakis pack.

  “They are one of the most powerful families on the council. Always have been. The Montagues will be lucky to come out of this incident without their entire pack being decimated as punishment.”

  He sighed internally. Vance had never been more thankful that they’d marked each other. Were it not for that mark, they’d have taken her from his arms and sent him away…or worse. But Hallie was his and they couldn’t dispute it. Not even her aunt had said a word about it on the phone. Vance assumed one of the other staff he’d spoken with had passed along the information.

  They’d helped him get Hallie situated on the plane and then flown straight to Vegas. Five hours later they were in the United States. In Las Vegas. And headed to the Demakis residence north of the city. Hallie had woken briefly for a few moments, looking for him, reassuring herself she wasn’t alone, and then had fallen back asleep. She needed the rest. Needed to recuperate from the blood loss and injury.

  Now they were pulling up to the gate of the Demakis estate on the outskirts of northwest Las Vegas. The towering red peaks of solid rock rose in the distance across the expanse of gravely desert ground. He could see why the family had chosen the location. The wide expanse behind the property must’ve been tempting recreation for their wolves.

  “Vance?”

  “I’m here, love. We just arrived at your home. Just a few more minutes and we can get you settled into a real bed to rest.”

  The driver glanced into the rearview mirror, meeting Vance’s question with a nod. They rounded the driveway and the man driving the limousine, parked and stepped out. Vance’s door opened a moment later.

  “Can I help you with Miss Demakis, sir?”

  “I have her, thank you,” Vance answered, keeping his voice polite. The thought of another carrying her so close brought out his possessive streak. He’d never felt like this about a woman. And he’d fallen for Hallie in mere hours. Loved her. His chest tightened. I do love her.

  “Of course you do,” his wolf snapped.

  Still, it was strange to think that his life had changed so drastically over the last twelve hours. Nothing would ever be the same. And he didn’t want it to be.

  Hallie Demakis was his life now. He glanced down at her, surprised to find her blue eyes wide open and looking up at him. That sparkle he’d seen the first time she’d walked into the Montague house was back. A gentle smile curved her lips.

  He ducked his head, pressing his lips over hers for a quick kiss before climbing the front steps into her home. Was he even going to be welcome here? Would there be a fight in the pack or on the council about his place in her life.

  “Stop worrying, my mate,” Hallie whispered, cupping the side of his face with her palm. “I love you and we are going to take good care of the Vegas packs…together.”

  He smiled back at her and nodded. That was what he’d needed to hear. That she loved him. Wanted him. That accepting him as her mate hadn’t been done in a moment of weakness. “First I’m going to take care of you, love. Forever and always,” he said, echoing the promise his wolf had made to hers during their marking.

  “Forever and always,” she replied, dropping her hand from his face and snuggling deeper into his chest. Right where she belonged.

  THE END

  Thank you for being a fan of the Vegas Mates series. I’ve loved writing in this world and I’m happy to finally finish out the HEAs for the entire Demakis family.

  Hugs,

  Krystal

  Would you like some of my books for FREE?

  Subscribe to my Newsletter and receive FREE BOOKS plus new release info, giveaways, and sales!

  About the Author

  Krystal Shannan, also known as Emma Roman, lives in a sprawling ranch style home with her husband, daughter, and a pack of rescue Basset Hounds. She is an advocate for Autism Awareness and shares the experiences and adventures she’s been through with her daughter whenever she can.

  Needless to say, life is never boring when you have an elementary-aged special needs child you are homeschooling and half a dozen 4-legged friends roaming the house. They keep her and her husband busy, smiling, and laughing.

  Krystal writes magick and Emma doesn’t. If you are looking for leisurely-paced sweet romance, her books are probably not for you. However, for those looking for a story filled with adventure, passion, and just enough humor to make you laugh out loud. Welcome home!

  Website | FaceBook | Twitter | GoodReads

  Other Books By Krystal Shannan

  Vegas Mates

  Chasing Sam

  Saving Margaret

  Waking Sarah

  Taking Nicole

  Unwrapping Tess

  Sanctuary, Texas

  My Viking Vampire

  My Dragon Masters

  My Eternal Soldier

  My Warrior Wolves

  My Guardian Gryphon

  My Vampire Knight (coming next)

  Sanctuary, Texas Mastered

  Mastered: Teagan

  Mastered: Kylie (coming next)

  Somewhere, TX

  To Save A Mate

  To Love A Mate

  To Win A Mate

  To Find A Mate

  To Turn A Mate (coming next)
>
  MoonBound

  The Werewolf Cowboy #1

  The Werewolf Bodyguard #2

  The Werewolf Ranger #3

  Chasing A Wolf #4

  Seducing A Wolf #5

  Saving A Wolf #6

  Broken Wolf #7

  Hunted Wolf #8

  Pool of Souls

  Open House

  Finding Hope

  Contemporary Romance by Krystal’s alter ego, Emma Roman.

  Somewhere, TX Bachelors

  Can’t Get You Off My Mind

  What’s Love Got To Do With It

  MacLaughlin Family

  Trevor

  Caiden

  Harvey

  Lizzy