Bulls and Blood

Page

A Pride Publishing Publication

Bulls and Blood

ISBN # 978-1-78430-689-2

©Copyright T.A. Chase 2015

Cover Art by Posh Gosh ©Copyright July 2015

Edited by Rebecca Douglas

Pride Publishing

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Pride Publishing.

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Pride Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

Published in 2015 by Pride Publishing, Newland House, The Point, Weaver Road, Lincoln, LN6 3QN

Pride Publishing is a subsidiary of Totally Entwined Group Limited.

The Blood & Thorn Ranch

BULLS AND BLOOD

T.A. Chase

Book one in The Blood & Thorn Ranch series

Breaking the rules has never been Wesley’s way…until he meets Mino.

Rule Number Two that the Thorn brothers live by is that employees of the ranch are off-limits. Wesley has always followed that rule, never stepping out of his comfort zone to do more than talk to one of the cowhands that help run his family’s ranch. Being a vampire makes it easier, since he doesn’t go out during the day.

Mino’s been interested in the youngest Thorn brother since he began working at The Blood & Thorn Ranch. It’s those stupid rules that hold him back from making the first move. Well, those and the fact that Wesley could kill him in a blink of his eye. Being human in a world of supernatural creatures makes living difficult, since he’s considered prey.

These two males, from different species and societies, must find a way to meet in the middle of their worlds if they have a chance at love.

Dedication

When writing becomes a struggle, and believe me there are times it does, I think about my readers who let me know every day that they love my characters and stories. I want to thank you all for that. You keep me doing this.

Chapter One

Wesley? Day shouted as he barreled into the house. Where the hell are you?

Wesley grimaced as he studied the figures on the spreadsheet he was working on. Where do you think I am, Amadeus?

Day burst into the office where Wesley spent the majority of his time. Wesley watched as Day almost bounced off the walls, muttering and waving his hands around.

What seems to be the problem, brother dear? Wesley leaned back in his desk chair, resting his hands on his stomach.

Day whirled to point at him. Did you know Loman bought another bull?

Wesley sighed. Yes. I did know that because I’m the one who okay’d the purchase. Why are you upset about it?

I wanted to build another cabin, so we can bring more visitors here—which will bring in more money. Day threw his hands in the air. I can’t do that when Loman’s buying more animals that we don’t do anything with.

First of all, did you read the email I sent to everyone last week before he got the bull? He gave a mental eye roll when Day dropped his gaze to his feet then shuffled them against the hardwood floor. No, you didn’t, and I’m not surprised. Why do I spend this extra time trying to keep you all in the loop when none of you read what I send you?

Day glared. They’re so wordy. If you just put the important stuff at the beginning, I’d read it.

You mean the stuff that matters to you, Wesley commented then motioned for Day to stay quiet. If you had actually read it, you would’ve seen I’ve budgeted the money for you to build that silly cabin, along with Loman’s bull. We have more than enough to make improvements to the ranch and the herd.

Seriously? Day stared at him. Why didn’t you tell me earlier?

Because, silly me, I thought you might have read the email. Next time, I’ll remember no one does and come see you each separately. Wesley nodded toward the door. Now that you know you can build it, get out of here. I’m trying to arrange the schedule for the next couple of hunts we have.

Day folded his arms over his chest and kept looking at him. Wesley went back to the computer screen, trying not to let Day’s continued presence bother him. Finally, he glanced up and scowled.

Why the hell are you still here? Wesley threw the pen he held at Day.

His brother caught it then sent the pen back to him in one quick movement. He batted it out of the way, not caring where it ended up. Amadeus was the third oldest Thorn brother while Wesley was the baby, and having five older brothers was a pain he’d grown used to over the hundreds of years they’d been alive.

He flashed his fangs at Day, annoyed by his presence. What the fuck are you staring at? It’s not like you need a credit card or a check from me to go buy the supplies.

Have you left the house lately?

Wesley frowned before turning to look out of the window behind him. The sun was high and he could see the cowhands working a herd of cattle in one of the corrals. He could hear the lowing of the animals along with the shouts of the men, even though the barrier of the glass. After taking a deep breath, he wrinkled his nose at the smell of sweat, dust and shit.

And I’d want to do that for what reason? He shook his head. I don’t need to go outside.

Maybe to breathe in the fresh air. Interact with people—human or otherwise. All you do is sit in front of your computer and play with numbers to make sure this ranch keeps running. Day stalked over to him then poked him in the shoulder. Trust me. This place will keep going, even if you take a break now and then.

Wesley pushed Day away. Go bother Loman. I don’t have time for this.

I’ll leave, but I’m going to talk to Reginald about this, he said as he left.

Don’t bother him, Amadeus. He’s not been in a good mood lately, Wesley warned before the door shut behind his brother. He better not go and bother Reginald, he muttered as he started working on the schedule of shipments coming in for the ranch. Day and Loman were in charge of the different day-to-day operations, but Wesley was the one to make sure the overall business went smoothly.

At twenty thousand acres, the Blood & Thorn Ranch was the largest one in the state of Colorado. The Thorn family had owned it for as long as there had been white people in America. Wesley’s oldest brother, Reginald, had signed a treaty with the natives who’d called the area home and had kept adding to their ranch until there was nothing left to buy.

Once that was done, Reginald had called the other five of them to come to the New World. As vampires, they’d lived hidden in the Old World, always having to move from village to village when it became obvious they weren’t getting older. At least for a century or two, they were able to live normal lives—or as normal as vampires could. The natives left them alone, and they returned the favor, for the most part.

Though Wesley called the other five his brothers, they weren’t related by blood. The same man had turned them all and the experience had created a lasting bond between them. It had been Reginald’s idea for them to band together then move to America.

It had been strange, that day twenty years ago, when vampires had chosen to come out of hiding and show their faces to the world. It also hadn’t taken them long to take over the world, showing just how weak and ineffective humans could be when faced with a real threat. Once vampires were in charge, other supernatural creatures began making themselves known as well.

Wesley stood then wandered closer to the window. The cowhands who worked the ranch for his family were a mixture of human and supernatural. Somehow they managed to deal with each other quite well. Of course, the Thorns ruled their ranch with iron fists and the punishments were severe for breaking the rules.

Reginald was the oldest vampire in the Americas, but he’d chosen not to be on the council set up to be the ultimate authority for the vampires throughout the world. They allowed him to do as he wanted on his own land, and Wesley appreciated the lack of interference. Being the independent creature he was, he hated being told what he could—or couldn’t—do on his own property. To be honest, all vampires fiercely guarded their freedom, but Wesley and his brothers understood why there needed to be laws.

Vampires were at the top of the supernatural pyramid, strongest among the strong, and they tended to see all other beings as inferior. A lot treated mortals as mere cattle, only there to feed from. While Wesley wasn’t fond of humans, he did try to treat them well. There were just