Lover's Serenade.

Disclaimer: I do not own the book that this fanfiction is for, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chance hissed a little as he stood under the hot water. With just a little time before daybreak he had been reluctant to leave Serenade with the stranger, but she had insisted that he grabbed a shower.

If he hurts her, I'll do my best to take him down before he kills me. Hell, all it would take is one bite. Chance thought as he scrubbed off. Most of his wounds had healed up, a few just leaving tender bruises that were fading even as he showered.

Chance's worrying was over nothing. He walked into the main room of the suite seeing that the stranger was standing by the window, a gun nearby, but not in hand.

Serenade was sitting on one of the beds watching him.

"Edward has an idea on how to get us out of here. It's risky, but I'm willing to take it Chance. I, need to get away from Alexander. I'm already useless to him since he hadn't known that we were together before I was changed."

"Don't forget you'll owe me."

"I know that. Once we get out of the state, I'll be able to access my trust fund. Luckily my parents didn't cut it when I changed. You'll have your money." She gave a weak smile.

"Sere, what did you agree to? I mean this guy was sent to kill you if you don't realize that. He could take your money and kill you anyway."

"If I was going to kill her I would have already. Something doesn't sit right about the job now that I've met her. She's too human."

"I've only been a vampire about a week." She lowered her head a little, her hair hiding her face. "Sun's coming up, if we're going to do this it has to be today. They'll get the police in to search for both of you soon."

"Fine, what's the plan?"

***

Chance filled the tank while Edward went into the gas station to get some snacks. He glanced around a little, thankful that there weren't any cameras around. Wouldn't do for them to get caught two hours from St Louis with a body in the trunk as well as enough guns to take out a small army.

Edward had made a phone call before they had left, and received one just before they had stopped for gas.

The man walked up to Chance as he put the nozzle away, tossing him a bag of chips. "They'll both meet with us. I already made arrangements at the hotel."

"But." Chance caught the chips and looked at him. "Who's meeting with us?"

"You'll see. Come on, we don't have all day."

"Oh, right." Chance nodded as he climbed into the passenger seat. The Ex alpha wolf buckled his seatbelt and wondered what was going on.

***

Serenade froze as she and Chance entered the room.The blonde who had been with the group that had come to visit the master was there.

"Sere?" Chance touched her arm lightly. She bit her lip, careful not to dig her fangs into the flesh. Chance glanced at the two Vampires and moved before her.

Anita noticed how tense he looked and reached for her gun.

"No, I know why she's scared." He leaned over to whisper something in French to JC.

"Are you sure?"

Asher nodded. He then turned to the dark haired beauty before him. "Please, allow me to speak with you alone. We'll even go upstairs if you will feel better with more people around.

"Serenade?"

"I trust him. He had a chance to harm me before. But stopped Alexander's men from attacking me while Alexander played host to other Vampires." She smiled faintly. "I never did get a chance to thank you sir." She bowed politely to him.

"And you have spent too long trying to play by his rules, I'm glad to see that you're in good health." The golden haired vampire lifted her hand to his lips.

Anita looked over at JC, while Chance growled low.

"Chance, please. I trust I'll be safe with him. Allow us to talk at least."

"And what am I supposed to do? Stay here when I know that you have to deal with the Vamps? Sere, I know you're one of them, but damn it. I miss being able to protect you like I did before." He sighed a little, pouting.

"I promise, I'll let you be the big bad wolf later okay?"

This got a chuckle out of Jason.

"What has you laughing blondie?"

"Doesn't look like you're much of an Alpha if you're letting her boss you around."

"Jason." Anita warned and he shied back a little.

"See I'm not the only one that knows the woman's a better leader."

"Chance, behave," Serenade growled and he yelped giving a meek nod. "I'm sorry."

***

Asher sighed. "Why'd you come here?" Serenade was leaning against the wall, people passing around them pretty much ignoring them. Sometimes Vampire gifts are useful after all.

She looked up at him. "If I stayed I'd be dead now. Asher, he knows I was leaking information up here to you. He's not sure how I was able to fight him yet. If he finds out, Asher, if he finds out he won't kill me. He'd keep me in order to torture me. I.. I can't endure that anymore."

"And you think I'll be able to protect you."

"I'll earn my keep. Please, all I need is a stage to sing on, and a few people to watch my back. I promise, I won't cause any trouble. Neither will Chance. He knows he's not Alpha here. I can keep him in line."

"He'll threaten fighting us to get you back. You're his last bargaining chip."

"Yeah, if things don't go well when he's negotiating with mortals, he throws a special show, and I'm it. Asher, you saw what he allows them to do to me. Please? Allow me some dignity left. I may be of her line, but I'm not like that. I've made sure that if I feed it's from only one person."

Asher cupped her chin lightly and lifted it so she could look at him.

"I'll do what I can. if all goes well, you both will be allowed to stay here, if it doesn't. I will see that you die before you get sent back to him. No one will use you in such manner again."

She nodded, closing her eyes a moment. "That's all I ask. I know I have put you in a position you do not wish to be. For that I thank you."

"No, petite do not thank me yet." The half of his face that showed, showed only sadness. She chewed her lip, careful of her fangs. For one so young, Asher was amazed at the control she had. "He trained you before he let the world know you were a vampire didn't he?"

She gave a small nod rubbing her arms. "I... He brought me over the first day I was in his home. My parents gladly signed me over to him." She looked down. "Eight months later, he had his grand opening of the casino, and I was the star of the stage. That. that's when I met Chance."

Asher nodded. "We felt the bond the two of you have. It's almost as strong as Anita's and Richard's."

She looked confused a moment. "The wolf that was daring Chance? He didn't seem Alpha."

"That's not Richard. Come, we have a lot to discuss with Jean-Claude and the night is short. You will sleep here tonight. Anita has already informed Edward."

"I would like him present too please? I know, it's silly to have the man who was sent to kill me nearby, but, I feel stronger with him there. I can't explain it."