The Chosen Series Box Set: Books 1 - 3

by Charlene Hartnady

  “Oh we’ve hardly even brushed the surface on that one.”

  She smiled wickedly, her tongue skimming the expanse of her bottom lip. “I think someone wants to continue now.” She gestured to his engorged cock.

  “You are an unmated human. You should rest first before I take you again…” His words ended in an astonished groan as she slid down his body and took the head of his cock into her mouth. Her full raspberry lips surrounded his head. Her wicked tongue did spectacular things to the slit at the top of his shaft. Oh by the gods it felt good. Vampire females didn’t go down on the males because their fangs got in the way. Not so with his human. One of her blunt teeth raked against him and he groaned loving the sensation.

  “Cenwein,” he choked out.

  She released him and he fisted his hands to stop from pulling her back onto him.

  “You were saying?” Her sultry voice was almost his undoing. Tanya smiled, so sexy it could almost be termed predatory. Then, her gaze moved back to his engorged head which she took back into her warm, wet mouth. This time she took him as deep as her throat would allow. It was his turn to fist the sheets, to make ridiculous grunts and moans as she sucked him. Never in his wildest dreams had he ever imagined something could feel so good without actually being inside a female’s body. Something about seeing Tanya’s mouth surrounding him, watching her head bob up and down. Seeing the sway of her breasts as she took him deep, suckling at just the right degree of pressure.

  Tanya picked up speed, her tongue sliding across his rim in an arch that had his balls pulling up. She laved a second time before deep throating him. He so wished he could delay his pending orgasm but his body was reacting to this erotic woman. His human. His future mate, come war or blood rivers. He would do anything to ensure that she stayed at his side. It was on that thought that he erupted, shouting his release, not caring if the whole manor heard him. Incredible how she swallowed him down in greedy little gulps. It almost had him coming a second time. He moaned when she used the tip of her little tongue to lick him clean.

  “Better?” Her lips were slightly swollen. The raspberry color had become overripe.

  “By the gods.” He was panting heavily.

  “Don’t tell me you’ve also never had a blowjob?”

  He felt his hackles rise. His blood ignited. “Also?” This time it was a struggle to repress the turmoil he was feeling and the word was out before he could think.

  Her face crumpled and she covered it with her hand as a sob escaped her.

  Brant felt like a jerk. “Hey.” He threaded his hand through her hair and used the other to pull her to him. She refused to meet his gaze. “I’m sorry. It just slipped out. I’m a possessive jerk. It is perfectly normal that you would…pleasure Zane while you were with him. You need to get to know him better, check for compatibility.”

  She made a growling noise. “Is that all this is to you? Sexual compatibility? Heirs?”

  “You know that it isn’t.” He cupped her face using both his hands. Her lashes glistened with tears and her lip quivered as she spoke. It made him feel like he’d been stabbed in the heart with a silver tipped arrow. “The reason I’m so possessive is because I’m developing feelings for you. I want a relationship, a union. I want a family.”

  “I want the same, but I don’t want to choose. I don’t think I can. Stephany said that—”

  “Stephany?” He really needed to have a word with his trusted assistant.

  “Don’t be mad at her, right now she is the only friend I have. Please?”

  Everything in him softened. How could he refuse her anything? “I understand. In eight days’ time you will need to choose though Tanya. Best you be prepared.”

  She sat up fumbling with her dress, she was trying to cover herself from him. The dress refused to cooperate so she finally wrapped her arms around herself. “And what if I choose Zane, would you walk away?”

  “No,” Brant growled the word unable to fully control his emotions. He banded his arms around her and pulled her to him crushing her against his chest. “He won’t have you. I won’t let—”

  Her little hands were splayed on his chest, they pushed so he released her. “Exactly. If I choose you. Do you think that Zane will let me go?”

  Damn, he hated where this was going. He could guess what she wanted to ask of him and hoped she wouldn’t do it. It was the one thing he couldn’t give her.

  “I don’t want to choose.”

  Part of him wanted to leave it there but that would be cowardly. “What are you saying?” He ran a hand through his hair and felt his jaw lock.

  “I could mate both of you.”

  His blood turned to acid. His vision swam. His fangs and claws erupted. Brant could feel that his eyes were glowing. He leapt from the bed to the far side of the room and before he could stop himself, had fisted large holes in the wall.

  The door crashed open and Xavier entered. Tanya yelped and grabbed for a sheet.

  “Get the fuck out!”

  “You are unstable my lord.” Xavier took several slow steps towards him as he spoke.

  “I am fine.”

  His brother’s eyebrows arched as he glanced at the holes in the wall and back. “I see that.”

  “I won’t harm my female.”

  Xavier looked down for a second or two before lifting his eyes to meet Brant’s. “For the record brother, I think that the human is on to something.”

  Without thinking, he punched Xavier square in the jaw, just managing to hold back at the last second so as not to inflict too much damage. Tanya screamed. Stephany crouched next to his fallen brother, her eyes blazed. He wasn’t sure when his assistant had arrived.

  “Have you completely lost your mind Brant?” she asked calmly.

  “Is that how you would speak to your king?” He realized he was being a dick but couldn’t stop himself. The thought of this arrangement continuing beyond the new moon was unacceptable. Brant turned his gaze on Tanya who sat in the center of his bed wide eyed, sheet clutched to her. Just by looking her way, he felt his demeanor soften. Felt everything in him soften. “I hope that you will choose me,” he paused. “But know that if you do not, I will kill Zane to have you.”

  Silent tears tracked down her cheeks as he spoke and he longed to go to her to give her some measure of comfort, instead he picked up his pants and strode from the room.

  Chapter 17

  Tanya clutched the sheet tighter around herself. She sobbed openly, not able to stop the tears that kept rolling down her cheeks. She had tried and she had seriously failed. It couldn’t have gone any worse.

  “Will you deal with this?” Xavier directed the question at Stephany.

  “Leave it with me,” Stephany answered.

  “I’ll be outside the door.”

  The bed dipped as the female vamp sat beside her. She placed a cool hand on Tanya’s shoulder. “He’s only acting like this because he cares. That big idiot actually has feelings for you. They both do.”

  Tanya shook her head, only wanting to cry harder at Stephany’s words.

  “It would be easier if they didn’t. It would put them in a better position to think about this objectively.” The other woman sighed.

  “This is supposed to help me how?” She hated how whiney her voice sounded.

  “Oh, Tanya.” The vampire rubbed her back in firm circles. It was oddly comforting. “It’s not over yet. You need to be strong. The good news is that you have eight days to convince them that this is the best option. You heard Xavier, even he agrees.”

  “How am I supposed to convince birth enemies to share a mate? Might as well invite the wolf alpha to join us.”

  Stephany laughed and Tanya did as well, only the tears kept coming so it sounded a little on the hysterical side.

  “You are a resourceful female. I know you can do it. Keep in mind that you are in the driver’s seat. Don’t let them try and convince you otherwise.”

  Tanya managed to get herself mostly under
control, she used the sheet to blot her eyes and nose. “I don’t think so.” She shook her head and sniffed. “They are damned head strong. I had thought that Brant would be the more reasonable of the two but he’s proving me wrong. He can be so gentle, so loving, yet he has this side to him.”

  “Brant has always dreamt of having his queen, of his family, the white picket fence and all that. He’s clinging onto a dream and needs to face reality. Zane hasn’t had an easy life. I don’t think he expected much from the mating and therefore won’t be as disappointed. Like I said earlier, he will be the more agreeable of the two.” Stephany removed her hand. “Let’s get you in the bath.”

  “It’s the middle of the night.” She glanced at the clock. “Make that early hours of the morning.” It was just after half past four.

  “Nothing like a calming bath and then it’s back to bed. Brant will want to see you before Zane comes to collect you in a few hours, and I’m sure Zane has missed you.”

  Tanya noticed how a naughty smile graced the vampire’s lips. She groaned just thinking about the whole mess. Hopefully her vampire kings would be able to keep their fists off each other. How the hell was she supposed to convince them that this threesome should continue? And even if by some miracle they agreed, how would she cope long-term being shuffled from one king to the other? Her head hurt thinking about it.

  Stephany made for the rest room. Tanya heard the sound of rushing water. Sheet still firmly around her, she followed the vampire. She was pouring something that smelled nice into the swirling water. “Get in.” Her friend gestured to the soapy water.

  Tanya let the towel drop and removed the dress.

  “How strange.” Stephany’s eyes were fixed on the juncture of her thighs.

  What the hell! Instead of responding or covering up like she felt like doing, she climbed into the tub letting the water do it for her.

  Stephany realized that she’d been staring and her cheeks turned red. “Um, sorry about that. I’ve never seen a human fully naked. Vampires don’t have any hair down there.” Her eyes widened. “Don’t get me wrong, you have very little, just a tiny strip but it is strange to me.”

  “Actually, if I didn’t see a beautician regularly I’d have a lot more than a tiny strip. Damn, do you think Brant and Zane would prefer me to wax it all off.”

  Stephany’s brow creased. “You could take it all off.”

  “Yeah. No problem.”

  She shook her head. “I think they might like it. It makes you human. They seem to be attracted to that fact.”

  “Okay, so the landing strip stays.”

  Her crease deepened. “Landing strip?”

  “It’s what it’s called. If I were to take it all off it would be called a Brazilian.” Tanya felt her lips pull into a smile.

  “I’m just glad I don’t have to wax. Does it hurt?”

  “It gets better once you get used to it. I almost died the first time, but it’s worth it.”

  Stephany’s head whipped up about three seconds before Xavier marched into the room. Tanya shrieked pulling her knees up to cover her chest.

  Xavier’s eyes stayed on Stephany the whole time. “Our perimeter has been breached.” His jaw worked. “A horde of elves and three or four wolves are on their way to the manor house as we speak. Brant is missing. You need to come with me now.” For the first time, he turned dark eyes on her.

  “I need to get dressed.” Her heart raced. If anything happened to Brant she would never forgive herself.

  “No time,” he growled.

  Stephany grabbed a little silk robe. She must’ve caught the look on Tanya’s face because she added. “What? I wanted you ready for Brant’s apology.”

  Xavier turned away from the tub. “Hurry. We don’t have much time.”

  Tanya had barely rubbed the water from her arms when Xavier growled low and deep. “You really need to move or I will be forced to put you over my shoulder just like that.”

  She shoved her wet body into the silk robe, which clung to her like a second skin. It barely covered her naked ass. She had only just tied the cord when Xavier grabbed her and pulled her through the bathroom.

  “What about you?” she shouted in Stephany’s direction.

  “I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.”

  There wasn’t any time to argue, so she allowed herself to be dragged into the suite. Asking to stop to put panties on didn’t seem likely to go over well so she bit her tongue instead. Her dagger was on the side table next to the bed. Tanya only just managed to snag it as they walked past. She put the sheathed blade into the side pocket of her robe.

  Without missing a stride, Xavier reached into his vibrating pocket and pulled out a phone. “Yeah.” A pause. They kept on walking. “I have her. I’m on my way as we speak.” Another pause. “Of course, my lord.”

  “Let me speak…” She let the sentence die as she watched Xavier shove the phone back in his pocket.

  “Brant is safe. He will meet us at the cellar entrance. You are to go underground until we have the situation under control. Chances are good that they are here for you.”

  Her heart was already racing from the exertion of keeping up with him, but somehow it managed to kick up another gear. Zane’s words came back to haunt her. Tanya would rather die than end up mated to the alpha. With one hand firmly on her robe in an attempt to seal it shut and the other clasped with Xavier’s arm, she worked harder at keeping her legs moving one foot in front of the other.

  Shouts from outside. A bloody scream.

  She gasped.

  “They are here,” Xavier stated unnecessarily as he picked up the pace. Okay, forget the panties, a sports bra would have been awesome. They rounded the corner and nearly collided with two elves.

  “Fuck,” Xavier snarled. He head butted the closest male who crumpled on impact. The second elf had time to prepare. He was a big son of a bitch with golden hair down his back. The elf pulled a long, thin blade.

  Silver.

  A shiver raced up Tanya’s spine as the elf lunged for Xavier, who side stepped the deadly arch easily. “To the study. I’m right behind you!” Xavier shouted as he punched the elf. Xavier yelped as the blade sliced his forearm. “Now!” He shouted punching the elf a second time.

  At first she was frozen to the spot, too afraid to move so much as a muscle, but hearing Xavier shout snapped her out of it. Her choices were stick around and become the next Mrs Wolf or run and save her naked ass. She ran for the study. It was funny how big the manor seemed all of a sudden.

  The robe be damned, she pulled the knife from her pocket and removed it from the sheath, shoving the sheath back into her pocket. Both her fisted hands pumped as she pushed herself to run faster. She reached the head of the stairs just as a lone elf stepped up. “Well, well, what have we here? If it isn’t the human.” His crystalline eyes dropped to her chest.

  Oh shit.

  She flashed a look down. Her robe gaped, the silk edges barely covered her nipples which protruded through the thin fabric anyway so not much use.

  The elf whistled. “Not really the alpha’s cup of nectar. He likes um tall and lean.” He flashed a glance at her face before dropping his gaze back down. “I’m sure he’ll gobble you up anyway. I on the other hand think you’re quite lovely.” He took two more steps towards her, still focused on her chest.

  She did something really slutty, but in this instance necessary since her life was at stake, and pulled her shoulders back as far as they would go. Her right breast sprang free. The elf’s jaw dropped as she took the last small step to get close enough to stab him. She couldn’t remember anything Brant had told her about where to aim. She almost expected to be stopped and didn’t think her ploy would work, but the knife sank home somewhere just below his collarbone. The elf screamed and tried to grab her. She knocked his hand away and kicked his shin, which sent him flying down the stairs. They were long and steep and by the time he landed at the bottom he wasn’t moving. At this stage Tan
ya was half way down, she didn’t stop to check if he was dead when she reached the bottom. Instead she jumped over him. Trying to fix her robe while she ran.

  “Tanya!” Brant roared.

  Thank God. She could breathe a little easier. He wore a pair of leather pants, his chest was bare and covered in blood. There was no time for any type of greeting. He clasped her hand a little too tightly and they made for his study. They ran into elves twice more, the silk clad males had made it through the outside security. The first time there was just one and Brant dispatched him easily. The second time there were three. All with those same, thin deadly looking knives. Brant took a slash across the chest getting in close enough to give the first of the group an uppercut to the nose. With a sickening crunch, the elf collapsed falling to his knees. Brant had to put the elf to his back in order to take on the remaining two. Blood gushed from the fallen male’s nose, he swayed threatening to topple over. It didn’t stop him from reaching for his knife though. The elf went on all fours and shuffled in the blade’s direction.

  She glanced at Brant who was working hard to avoid the silver while trying to down his opponents without the help of any weapon of his own. Although he was holding up fine, the fallen elf was in a perfect position to take him down if he managed to reach his knife, which was inches away from his fingertips. She looked down at the bloody knife white fisted in her hand. She had to protect Brant just as he was protecting her. Tanya planted the knife into the side of the elf’s neck. The one thing she clearly remembered was Brant telling her to pull the blade clear after a stab. She gave the hilt a jerk towards her and the blade slid clear. Blood sprayed from the small wound. Tanya shrieked as nausea clutched her stomach, causing her to gag. When she turned back, the elf lay face down in a growing pool of blood. The elf was dead. It had to be. She sobbed clasping her hand over her mouth to keep from screaming.

  Xavier stepped in next to Brant, using what looked like a samurai sword. He made quick work of the last elf. Brant staggered. There was a puncture wound to his left bicep and a second slice across his chest. Tanya couldn’t help but to make another sobbing noise as she rushed to his side. Brant leaned on her for the first few strides before rising up to his full height. Xavier led the way. Brant pushed her in front of him, his hand staying on her waist as they ran. The front lobby was teaming with vampires in full combat. The elves surged as they caught sight of her. A large menacing wolf growled, it’s back a mass of wounds. It took a vampire’s arm into its massive jaws. The vampire screamed as the jaws closed in a loud snap. The male vamp pierced the wolf with his sword and the beast collapsed.