by Unknown
What the hell?
“Keep her away from us.” She turned her eyes back to Rushe and then stomped away.
“Are the children hers?” The female had acted strangely, but this information was more important to her right now.
Rushe nodded.
“Did she birth them?” It was a stupid question and out before she could stop it.
Rushe answered anyway. “Yeah, she did.”
“Her hips are far too narrow. Did she need to have her young removed by surgery?” That was one possibility, at least a human wouldn’t need a silver blade to remove the baby. Which meant a much higher survival rate for the young.
Rushe frowned at her like she had lost her mind when voices drew their attention. Three males entered the village. They covered quick ground with their large strides. Hoisted above their heads was the carcass of a large deer. It had a magnificent rack of antlers. The males were naked. Their muscles bunched under the weight of the animal. They dropped the deer and it landed with a loud thud. The deer’s throat was a bloody mess. The first male had the same long shoulder length hair as the panther alpha she had met when they arrived. His face was covered in blood, as was his chest and hands.
“So this is Ward’s vampire female.” His eyes raked down the length of her. “Mmmm. You were right, Rushe, she is greatly attractive.”
She recognized the other male that stepped in next to the dark haired male as one of the ones in the group that had delivered her to Sweetwater two months ago. The male inclined his head in greeting and she did the same in return. For the life of her, she couldn’t remember his name.
The third male was the largest of the three, so muscled that she doubted he would be able to cross his tree trunk arms over his wide chest. “I prefer my human,” he growled.
“Patricia is mighty fine, Eliot,” Rushe said with a cocky lilt to his chin.
The bear shifter growled so loudly that his lip curled away from his teeth. “If I hear you’ve been sniffing around my female again, I swear to the gods that I will rip off your arms and use them to beat you with. Are we clear?”
Rushe smiled, holding his hands up in a submissive fashion. “I happen to also prefer the vampires. In fact, I’ve been trying to get Stephany to introduce me to some of her friends.”
The dark haired, blood covered male took a step towards her, his eyes moving up and down her body with interest. “Mmmm,” he rumbled, the sound coming from deep inside his chest. “I would love to meet any female that looked like this. Long, strong legs made for wrapping around a male’s hips. Breasts just big enough to fit snugly in a male’s mouth…if he tries hard enough that is.” His eyes landed on her breasts and he actually licked his lips.
Stephany crossed her arms over her chest.
The male continued. “By the noises Ward makes when he ruts you, I would say that you have a really tight—”
“You are making the female uncomfortable, Yale.” Rushe took a step forward. “Ward would be greatly upset if he heard you talking to his female like that.”
“Where is Ward?” The male that she now knew as Yale, looked around them mockingly. “If I had this tasty morsel in my bed, I don’t think I would ever leave.”
“Come on, Stephany. Let’s get back.” Rushe kept his eyes on the big male.
Yale smiled. “Relax. I wouldn’t try anything. That’s my cabin over there female.” He gestured to a structure to the right of them. “If Ward takes too long, you know where to find me.”
Narrowing her eyes on the male, Stephany pursed her lips for a few beats before saying, “Don’t hold your breath.”
“I thought you valued your life, Yale,” Rushe growled. “Come, Stephany.” He gripped her elbow as the males bent down to pick up the carcass.
The walk back to the cabin was quick. Thankfully they didn’t run into anyone else on the way
“I was really worried that you were going to hiss and show him your canines. I forgot to tell you not to do that.” Rushe frowned. His beautiful blue eyes were fanned with thick lashes.
“It hasn’t been easy. It is normal for a vampire female to issue a warning to a male in that way.”
“Ward told you that it is an invitation to rut right? Shifters love a decent set of canines on a female and you have the best pair I think I have ever seen.” He flashed her a worried smile. “For the record. I’m not coming on to you.”
Stephany laughed. “That would be a first. I feel sorry for the females in this place, having to deal with a bunch of testosterone riddled males all day and all night.”
“Please try and understand. It’s hard on us. There are only so many times a male can…take care of himself.” Rushe looked pained. “Look how much bigger the bicep on my right arm is than my left.” He held up his arms. “Most males around here have this same problem.”
Stephany giggled, trying not to measure the difference between his arms with her eyes. She laughed harder when she noted that there actually was a difference in size. Almost unnoticeable, but there.
“Oh, nice.” He grinned. “Laugh all you want. My choice is great big, blue balls or a bigger right arm. Two guesses which I prefer.”
Stephany laughed until tears streamed down her face. “I really like you, Rushe.” She clutched onto his arm to stop herself from falling over.
Rushe stiffened beneath her touch. “I’m sorry, Stephany. As ruttable as I think you are, I couldn’t…”
“No, you idiot. I was talking about liking you as a friend.”
His shoulders slumped and he blew out a gust of air. “Whew. I got worried there for a second. Ward is my alpha,” Rushe smiled. “On the other hand, I will keep trying my luck with Patricia, I really like the female. I’m afraid the others might try their luck with you as well until Ward addresses the packs, only then will the interest stop.”
“Patricia is right by the way. Eliot is huge. You should be careful.”
Rushe pretended to look hurt. “How can you say that? I can take him. Too much bulk makes a male slow.”
Stephany laughed. “My bad. In that case you could so take him.”
Rushe grinned. “We are all permitted to make a play on Patricia and any other unmated females until they are officially mated.”
“And let me guess.” Stephany frowned. “You all do?”
“We’re red blooded males, so yes, we definitely do. A male needs to prove himself worthy every day during the trial period. He needs to keep his female happy by providing for her, by sating her needs as many times as is required”—he bobbed his eyebrows—“He must make sure that he holds her interest for the entire duration. So far, all the males have proven themselves. If a female were to stray it would prove that she was not a fit mate. It’s better to know such things in the beginning, as shifters mate for life.”
Stephany nodded. “I see. I can understand the need to worry with human mates, because they seem to go from one mate to the other during their short lives.”
“Such a thing would devastate us. That is why we have a trial period.” The big male looked solemn.
“How long does it last?”
“Three months.”
“I’m sure there are many fights.” Stephany shook her head.
Rushe nodded and shrugged. “It helps hone our hand to hand combat skills, so the alphas do not mind. I would not make a play on a good friend’s potential mate. We also tend to stay away if it is someone in our own pack. But the panther and bear clans had better beware and the other clans can be thankful that they do not reside in this village. I would steal their humans if given half the chance.” He smiled broadly. “Once a female gets a taste of this”—he palmed his dick through his pants—“she won’t want her trial partner anymore.”
Stephany made a noise of disgust and shook her head. “Patricia was right, you really do need to learn a thing or two before trying your luck with finding a female.”
“Why?” He looked himself over. “What’s wrong with me?”
She laughed.
The male was ridiculously sweet even though he didn’t seem to have a clue. She was sure that there would be a female out there that would find that irresistible. “Then again you are handsome and you do have a fantastic sense of humor.”
Rushe nodded. “Don’t forget my great prowess in the sack.”
“Why on earth would you get into a sack? Why would that be considered good?”
Rushe laughed loudly. “You haven’t had much contact with humans have you?”
She shook her head.
“Good in the sack means that I have a really big dick and know how to use it.” Rushe grinned and winked at her.
“You do know that…doing it yourself…and actually rutting with a female are two different things right?”
Rushe’s neck muscles roped and his jaw locked for a few seconds. “Of course I do. I’ve had females before.” He shoved his hands into his pockets. “It’s been a while, but I have rutted with an actual, bonafide, flesh and blood human. I have been with one before. I’m going to fetch your lunch now, please stay in your cabin until I return.”
She watched him walk away. Oopsie. She’d struck a nerve. By Rushe’s response, she was willing to bet that the male was lying and was obviously greatly embarrassed by the fact that he was still a virgin. Stephany sighed. He was really sweet, she’d have to help him to find a female. Although she was hardly equipped with the knowledge needed to train him on the finer points of finding and wooing a human, she would at least try.
Chapter 5
Stephany looked longingly at the pieces of meat that had been delivered earlier. There were also big chunks of sweet smelling bread. Rushe had said that they were made from corn. The bread was crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. Next to the basket was a bowl of fresh raspberries. They were plump and juicy. Stephany could still taste the burst of flavor on her tongue. She hadn’t been able to resist eating a handful of the delicious berries.
Sighing, she felt hope wane. It didn’t look like Ward would be joining her for the evening meal. Her patience and understanding were wearing thin. They really needed to talk. She didn’t care what time he came back. They were going to put it all out there and Ward would listen to her whether he wanted to or not. Standing, she made for the kitchenette intent on cooking her meat. Or at least on trying. That was another thing, she was going to learn how to stand up on her own two feet and how to help out around the small, rustic village.
There was a loud growl from outside that was followed by an even louder snarl.
She focused on the perceived danger and heard a deep male voice. “…I didn’t mean anything by it, Ward, I swear.”
“Yes or no, did you invite my female to your cabin?” Ward snarled. Her heart rate kicked into high gear. Stephany dropped the pan she was holding and raced for the front porch. She opened the door and her mouth fell open.
Ward stood chest to chest with the panther shifter from earlier. She remembered that his name was Yale.
“It was a joke,” Yale said. The panther was a big male, but he was no match for Ward. Both males wore low slung jeans, chests bare.
Menace and sheer dominance seemed to roll off Ward as he narrowed his eyes at the other male. Yale probably didn’t realize it, but he brought one of his feet back and shifted his weight away from Ward. It was subtle, but telling. The male was afraid. If she was a little closer, she was sure that she would scent his fear.
“Yes or no?” Ward growled. It was barely audible.
“Yes.”
Ward head-butted the male with such force that he fell to one knee. There was a murmur, and for the first time she realized that a whole group of males had congregated around the feuding pair.
Ward waited until Yale gracefully sprung back to his feet before taking a step forward, putting himself nose to nose with the male. Though Ward had to angle his head down a little. The muscles on his back roped. His lats rose out from either side of his torso. He was pumped, magnificent. Her heart shouldn’t race at such a base display, but there was something about this dominant, possessive behavior that sparked something in her. He was doing this to show them all that she belonged to him, her heart raced even more.
“Did you talk about her legs around your hips and her breasts in your mouth?”
“Not your female specifically”—Yale swallowed hard—“there was talk of vampire friends.” The male glanced away for a quick second. “You haven’t officially claimed the female.”
Ward’s eyes flashed with anger. He cursed, using a choice word that she was sure his mother wouldn’t approve of. “Not the female. My female. Mine. You would’ve scented my claim.” He snarled, sounding more like his beast than a male. “Did your eyes not roam her body? You may have been talking about her friends, but your intentions were clear.” Ward locked his jaw so hard that she was sure she heard his teeth grind together.
“I was only looking, Ward, I didn’t mean—”
Ward hit the male, his fist connecting with his jaw with a crack that knocked him onto his butt. Yale made no move to rise, he kept his eyes on the ground. His muscles were tensed and his mouth was a thin white line. It looked like he had resigned himself to his fate. Ward’s chest heaved, he took a step towards the male, hands fisted at his sides. Just when Stephany was sure Ward was going to beat the male to a pulp, he stopped, shaking his head as he did. Ward roared while standing over the downed male. Not taking his eyes off of him for a second. “Let it be known that I have claimed the vampire female.” He paused for what felt like a long time but in reality was only a few seconds. He lifted his gaze, letting it roam from one male to the next. “She is mine. Mine,” he snarled. Stephany half expected him to beat his chest like a caveman.
Males.
“Any one of you that goes near her, will face me. I hope that I have made myself clear. Know that I won’t be so lenient next time.” With a menacing growl, he turned on his heel and strode towards her. When his eyes landed on her, they narrowed further while sliding down her body from head to toe and back again. “No wonder the males are falling over themselves. Look how you are dressed.”
Stephany looked down, she was wearing one of Ward’s shirts. It stopped high on her thighs. She’d taken a shower while waiting for him to return. With all the commotion, she’d forgotten.
His comment bugged her. “I thought shifters were fine with nudity.”
His eyes narrowed further, making his eyelashes fuse. “You are not a shifter.” Ward gripped her elbow, taking her inside. “What were you thinking wandering around the village?” he growled. “You could’ve gotten yourself killed.” He slammed the door behind them. He released her the moment they were inside, running a hand through his hair which had grown longer. His face was covered in thick stubble. It shouldn’t be possible, but he was even more attractive. Damn him. She didn’t want to notice that right now.
“Did you expect me to sit around here all day?” She threw back at him. “I spent enough time between these four walls while nursing you back to health. If you think I’m going to sit here and pine until you finally decide to talk to me then you’re mistaken.”
“It was your fault I was injured in the first place.” He gestured to the almost invisible line on his chest. “If you had been honest with me, it wouldn’t have happened. I hadn’t officially claimed you yet. You put yourself and my heir in danger. It was unacceptable behavior.”
“Leaving me here without explaining anything to me was unacceptable behavior. You don’t care about me at all, do you? The only reason you claimed me was for this child.” Stephany rubbed a hand over her stomach. Her protective instincts flared. Right now she felt like grabbing Ward and shaking him. Why did he claim her if he didn’t really want her?
His eyes flashed a bright green. “Someone needed to stand up for him. If it was up to you, he’d be dead by now. Ripped from your womb.”
Stephany choked out a sob. She couldn’t help it when the tears came. Hot and fast. “That’s not fair,” she whispered. “You know I
can’t birth this baby, and that is the only reason I ever considered termination. I would not have gone through with it.”
“I don’t know anything anymore, Stephany. I’m not sure I even know you.”
His words hit home, only because there was truth to them. It stung. The blasted tears came faster.
The door opened. “Maybe you should go for a walk, Ward.” Rushe tried hard to hold Ward’s hard stare.
“Get the fuck out before you regret it.”
“I won’t let you hurt the female.” Rushe took a step into the room.
“What is she to you?” Ward looked from Stephany to Rushe and back again.
Rushe took on a look of confusion for a few seconds. “She’s my friend, Ward. I like and respect Stephany, I won’t stand by and listen to you speak to her like that. I know you can beat my ass, but I don’t care.”
Ward’s jaw tensed, but he turned his face to stare at the far wall.
“You are not being very nice. Your female has waited for you all day. She has missed you. I can attest that she has not looked at another male in your absence. You are hurting her.”
Ward took a deep breath. “I haven’t laid a hand on her.”
“Some wounds cannot be seen on the skin, Ward. Stop what you are doing please or”—the other male took a deep breath—“with all due respect, I will need to ask that you please leave.” He flinched as he said the last.
After a long wait, Ward finally cleared his throat. “Thank you, Rushe.” He nodded, “I have regained control. You can go now.”
Rushe looked at Stephany. She nodded, trying to plaster a smile on her face. Her lip wobbled, so she bit down on it. Rushe finally nodded before moving back to the door.
“Rushe,” Ward called and the other male turned his head. “You are dismissed.”
“Again, Ward, with all due respect.” Rushe dropped his gaze, “I will stay outside the door for a little while.”
Ward sucked in a deep breath while taking a step forward, his hands fisted at his sides. Then he stopped, pausing for a few beats before nodding once. Rushe left.
