Mated to the Jerk
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Eliza Vasquez
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552K
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48
Lily Summers thought leaving her pack meant freedom, but fate has other plans. A single vampire attack shatters her quiet life, thrusting her into danger she can’t ignore. And then there’s Adrian Ryker—insufferable, arrogant, and utterly impossible to resist. He’s everything she’s determined to avoid, yet the pull between them is magnetic, unavoidable. As danger looms and desire simmers, Lily must decide whether she can trust the man she wants to hate—or if letting him in will turn her heart of stone into something unbreakable.
Chapter 1
LILY
I was speeding down the freeway without a care in the world while my friend, who sat in the passenger seat, screamed for dear life. I couldn’t help it. I loved going fast.
As a werewolf, I was used to racing through the forest with the wind in my face, gravel under my paws, and adrenaline pounding through my veins. This? This was nothing. Just another thrill.
“Remind me why I ever get in the car with your crazy ass,” Marsha, my only human friend, said while trying to save her hair from the madness.
Marsha’s curls were gorgeous, even if she claimed they were impossible to tame half the time. After this drive, though, they’d practically have a mind of their own.
“Because you love my Lambo,” I said, kissing my steering wheel and laughing when Marsha gave me an odd look.
“I seriously don’t know why I hang out with you,” she muttered, shaking her head.
“Because you love me, hoe.”
“Damn. You got me there,” she shot back, smirking.
We both burst out laughing. I turned to look at her. “What would I do without you, Marsh?”
Her eyes widened. “First of all, aww. And second, you crazy bitch, keep your eyes on the road!”
I rolled my eyes. “Fine,” I muttered and pressed on the gas even harder. Naturally, Marsha nagged the whole way to school.
We arrived on campus with our lives intact. Marsha blew me a kiss as we said goodbye and headed in opposite directions.
As soon as I stepped into class, my professor greeted me with a brief nod and continued her lecture. And Moon Goddess, was it refreshing. Back in the pack, I would’ve been chewed out for being late. Here? Just a nod. Had to love human college.
The lecture went by as quickly as it came. Soon, I was heading back to my car, clutching my satchel to my side while the wind whipped my long brown hair behind me.
A vibration in my pocket made me stop mid-step. I pulled out my phone and glanced at the contact. My brows furrowed as I stared at the name blinking across my screen. Claus Blackthorn.
My fiancé, not by choice, but by an ancient practice that should have rotted in hell along with whoever invented it.
I chucked my phone back into my pocket, forcing down the memories of my past…of my family. I should have forgotten them. Buried them, even.
But a very small, desperate part of me still wanted the praise from my father’s lips, a look of kindness in my brother’s eyes. Hell, even a fucking pat on the head from either of them. Yet even something that simple never came without consequences.
A tap on my shoulder pulled me from my thoughts, and I turned around.
Marsha’s exotic green eyes twinkled with mischief as she practically jumped with excitement.
I drew in a steadying breath, bracing myself for whatever scheme had sparked in her mind mid-lecture.
Marsha had a talent for outrageous ideas, the kind I swore I’d never agree to but somehow always ended up dragged into, thanks to her relentless persistence. “Lily!” she said, a sloppy grin on her face.
“Yes?” I asked cautiously.
“Let’s go to La Loba tonight!” she chirped.
“Absolutely not.” I shook my head.
“But Lily,” she whined, “I have no one to go with. You’re my only friend.” Her shoulders slumped; defeat softened her eyes. “Please,” she added with a pout.
I sighed, running a hand over my face. Damn it. I couldn’t turn her down. Not when she got like this. “Fine. But only because I’ll be worried as hell if you go on your own.”
“I knew it. You’re the best friend a girl could have!” she squealed, throwing her arms around me in a tight hug. “You’re probably worried about the attacks, huh?”
I tilted my head slightly. “Attacks?”
“Yup, I saw it on the news. Some crazy psycho has been going around killing people.”
I chewed on my lip. I hadn’t heard about that. But knowing this, there was definitely no way I was letting her go on her own now.
So that was how I ended up, five hours later, at La Loba on a Friday night.
I was dressed in a curve-hugging crimson Helena maxi dress, killer high heels to match, and my brown hair swept into a tight French twist, with soft bangs framing my face. My makeup was full glam—smoky eyeliner, dark shadow, and bold, blood-red lipstick.
Truthfully, I hadn’t wanted to come to this damn club at all. But that didn’t mean I couldn’t look smoking hot while doing it. And if a few heads happened to turn in my direction?
Well…that was just therapy for the ego.
We approached the bouncer, and he immediately bowed his head respectfully at me. “Lily, I knew you’d moved into town, but I didn’t think I’d ever see you at a club without Luna Trinity,” he said with a surprised look.
“It’s against my will,” I muttered, glancing at Marsha, who was already eyeing Nico, the bouncer, like he was dessert. “Get inside, you thirsty hoe.” I rolled my eyes and pushed Marsha into the club.
As soon as we entered, the music blasted in my ears. People danced and ground against each other like animals—maybe because half of them were, but that was beside the point. The smell was awful: sweat, alcohol, and smoke all mixed into one disgusting cocktail. I already hated tonight, and I had just walked in.
“Oh my God, look at all the stares we’re getting,” Marsha gushed.
I looked around. She was right. Half the club was watching us like we were their next meal.
Great.
“Care to dance with me?” came a deep male voice directed at Marsha.
We turned to look at the source. The guy standing beside us was hot, which was probably why Marsha turned to me with pleading eyes.
I sighed. “Fine…but behave.” I gave her a pointed look.
“I promise I’ll behave, Mother!” Marsha grinned and crossed her fingers at me before disappearing onto the dance floor.
Geez, that girl.
I looked around the room and spotted the bar. I made my way over and sat on an empty stool.
“Can I get you anything?” asked a familiar voice I’d heard countless times before.
“Long Island Iced Tea. Put it on my tab.”
“You mean the one you never pay?” Rodrigo raised an eyebrow.
I gave him a cheeky grin. “Gotta use the ladies’ room. I expect a drink when I’m back. Thanks!” As I made my way to the restrooms, I caught an awful scent. I followed it outside.
The night was dark, the moon the only source of light. The thumping music could still be heard faintly as I stepped out the back of the club. No one was outside, just several trash cans. But that wasn’t what I had smelled.
Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows. As it moved closer, I finally recognized what I had scented.
A vampire.
Its red eyes locked onto mine, a wicked smile curling slowly across its lips.
I stilled, then slowly squared my shoulders, bracing myself.
I had a feeling that tonight was going to be a bitch.
