The Chosen Series Box Set: Books 1 - 3

by Charlene Hartnady

  “This way,” Brant urged her through the study door. He closed and locked it behind them. Xavier used a key to open one of the drawers in Brant’s large mahogany desk. What was so important? There was a crash at the door.

  “Hurry,” Brant growled unnecessarily.

  Once the drawer was open, Xavier fiddled inside for a second or two. There was a creaking noise and the desk slid to the side revealing a gaping hole. She could just make out several steps leading down and then the dark swallowed anything more. Using his good arm, Brant pulled her against him so that only her tippy toes still touched the ground. She had to pull on the robe to keep her ass covered. By now Xavier had pretty much seen her naked, but she’d be damned if she’d allow him more of an eyeful than he’d already had.

  There were loud bangs on the walls. “Good thing we blocked the entrances in the hidden passages,” Xavier said as they descended into the darkness. “The brick and concrete was reinforced with silver, so good luck to those bastards.”

  Tanya whimpered. Shit, she couldn’t see a thing. Brant pulled her higher up against him and she wrapped her legs around his middle. Right now she was liable to have them all falling to their deaths if she tried to negotiate down the path. She looked up at the small square of light above just as the desk slid shut.

  Pitch black.

  She doubted she would see her hand in front of her face if she tried. Tanya wrapped herself tighter around Brant. “I have you,” he said.

  They levelled off onto what felt like flat ground and Brant let her slide down beside him. She kept her arms around him, afraid to take even the smallest step on her own.

  “Zane was right, we have been compromised. They will know about this cellar,” Xavier said. There were some clicking noises and another sliding sound from above. “That should take care of the study entrance.”

  “Good thing I ordered for the passage way from the fountain to be sealed. That only leaves the forest entrance,” Brant’s chest rumbled as he spoke.

  “I have our elite troops surrounding the entrance and archers on the perimeter. Rest assured, I will head there myself and will protect our king and queen with my life.” This was the first time that she had been referred to as the queen and it felt good. “Your human did well today. She is worthy of our people and will give you strong heirs.”

  Tanya wished she could see facial expressions, but it was just too dark.

  Brant moved forward a step and then she could feel the warmth of Xavier and the brush of fingers across her arm at Brant’s back. They were embracing. Brant grunted.

  “Have your female look at that.”

  “I will be fine. You stay with Tanya, I will—”

  “No brother. You are the king. Without you or the human female, our coven would crumble.”

  Brant laughed. “Hardly. You would step in to take my place.”

  Tanya sobbed. “I know it’s selfish, but please don’t leave me.”

  Brant tightened his arm around her.

  “You have a nose my lord. You need to stay with her,” Xavier sounded stern. What did having a nose have to do with it? Could Brant scent something?

  “What is it?” she asked.

  Both men ignored her. “Fine, but take care of yourself brother. Our queen needs a guard,” said Brant.

  “Nothing like a bit of target practice,” Xavier chuckled. Retreating foot falls were her only indication that he was leaving.

  “Right, there is a first aid kit around here somewhere.” Brant moved and she stayed at his side as if glued.

  “Um, Brant. Please tell me there’s a light in here.”

  A low chuckle caused another vibration through Brant’s chest. “I’m sorry, I forgot that you can’t see in the dark. There must be one somewhere, as humans designed this place.” He tucked her in closer and moved in one direction and then the other. He reached and there was a clicking noise as the room lit up. Although not all that bright, the sudden blast of light caused her to scrunch her eyes shut while they adjusted. The room was small with a double bed to the side and a free standing toilet in the corner. Oh God, she prayed she wouldn’t need to go any time soon. Her cheeks heated just thinking about it.

  Brant released her and pulled a first aid kit from the shelf. The walls were lined with shelves filled with blankets, clothes and cans of food. There were vents in the ceiling and various other items that one would expect to find on a camping expedition or during a siege.

  Siege.

  Panic rose up in her but she shoved it down. They hopefully wouldn’t be trapped in here for long. Brant seemed tense, his eyes had a worried look, they kept darting upwards. Maybe he could hear something that she couldn’t.

  “Is everything okay?”

  “I should be with my men. There will be casualties” His jaw worked.

  She cast her eyes downwards, guilt burned in her gut.

  “No, Cenwein, this is not your fault.” He brushed her cheek with his knuckles. “Xavier was right, my place is at your side.”

  “Give me that. Sit on the bed.” She took the first aid kit and followed him, taking a seat next to him. Tanya opened the latch and rummaged through the kits contents until she found a bottle of neat alcohol and a pack of swabs. She opened the bottle and poured some of the contents onto the swab using it to clean the wounds on his chest. The cotton pad quickly soaked through with blood so she repeated the process several times. Either the chest wounds weren’t as bad as she had thought or they were already healing. She guessed the latter.

  Once she finished, she removed a tube of antiseptic cream but Brant shook his head. “That won’t be necessary, I don’t get infections.”

  “Okay.” She dropped the tube back into the kit. Next, she took the half empty bottle and moved to the puncture wound on his arm. “This is going to hurt.”

  Brant smiled, nodding once. If it hurt, he didn’t give any indication, not so much as a twitch of a muscle. She poured a second time over the wound, ensuring that the liquid went into the puncture. Tanya used the swabs to mop up the leaking fluid and to clean the wound. There was a crepe bandage in the kit that looked like it would fit well on a wound of that nature. She pulled out the sealed pack.

  “Don’t bother, I will be healed within the hour. Let’s get you cleaned up.”

  She looked down and noticed for the first time that the front of her robe was splattered with congealing blood. Tanya made a gagging sound but managed to keep the contents of her stomach down. She tasted bile. Her right hand was also covered. She’d been so busy with Brant that she hadn’t noticed. The memory of the blood pumping from the elf’s wound came flooding back.

  “You did good, Cenwein. Don’t blame yourself. He would’ve killed both of us without hesitation.”

  “Actually, he would’ve killed you and taken me to the alpha. I might’ve killed another one just before you came. It…he said that I wasn’t the alpha’s type but he would take me to the beast anyway.”

  Brant growled and his eyes glowed. “The wolf is as good as dead. His people’s heads will roll and stakes will be erected. Both the shifters and the elves will bleed for this.” He stood and paced the small space. “He will not have you.”

  “Leave their people out of this. Please don’t harm innocent women and children. Please Brant.”

  “By trying to take you, he puts this coven and the future of our species in danger. Innocent vampire women and children will die. I will not allow that.”

  “Please,” she pleaded.

  His demeanor softened. “Do not concern yourself, Cenwein. I will do what is needed to protect you, to protect this coven. I am not in the business of killing innocents and will do what I can to avoid it, but those bastards need to be hit where it hurts. I will do what I have to.”

  A tear rolled down her cheek. Damn. She was crying. Again. This was becoming an irritating habit. Brant pulled her against his warm chest.

  “Alone with the female for five minutes and already she is bawling like a baby. Can�
��t say I blame her,” Zane’s deep baritone voice filled the small space. Brant tensed, the wall of his chest turning to stone.

  “You weren’t invited.” Brant released her. He probably didn’t realize it, but he pushed her behind him. Tanya had to tip her head to see past Brant. Leather clad, his muscles had freaking muscles and his dark eyes blazed. Zane pulled a backpack from his shoulders placing it on the ground.

  Zane caught her staring and winked. “I invited myself. Had an interesting chat with Stephany outside a few minutes ago.”

  Brant growled and pushed her further behind him.

  “The female wants to choose both of us.”

  Brant choked out a humourless laugh. “Not happening.”

  Tanya stepped to the side.

  “Suit yourself.” His eyes landed on her sweeping down the length of her. Damn, the arrogant jerk could have her hot and panting without so much as a touch. She immediately felt guilty. Tanya was fast developing feelings for Brant. He could be warm and tender, so thoughtful. He was also a deadly warrior. Brant growled louder this time.

  “The sun has risen.” Zane smiled looking like a predator. “The female is mine.” He removed his jacket sniffing deeply. “I believe she is coming into heat.”

  Tanya gasped. She wasn’t even mated yet. She wasn’t sure she even wanted children.

  “Touch her and I will kill you.”

  Zane locked his jaw, his eyes narrowed. They stood like this for what felt like a very long time. “If we fight in this small space the female will be hurt, is that what you want?”

  “Bastard,” Brant spat the word. “You know I don’t.”

  “If our covens were to join, we would be much stronger against the other species.” As Zane spoke, he removed a sheath from his back and several other blades that were strapped to his body. He threw the weapons on a pile next to the backpack. “My guard are attacking as we speak. The battle will be over within the next few hours. United we would make a terrifying force. Separated we may be defeated. Neither of us would have the human.”

  Brant’s hands closed into fists at his side. “We are enemies Zane. It would never work.”

  “We need to find a way. An arrangement that would work for both parties.”

  Tanya was sick of being treated like she wasn’t in the room. “Three parties. I would need to have a say.”

  Brant turned his eyes, moving them over her face. “You will be queen. You will have a say in all regardless of how this goes.” He turned back, his voice deepening. “I highly doubt it would work.”

  “There is only one way to find out and since we’re stuck in this room for the next few hours...forced to play nice…” He threw a wicked grin her way. Zane removed his shirt, he moved to the bag on the ground gracefully lowering himself onto his haunches and removing water.

  Next, he pulled out a whole string of condoms. “The choice is yours, sweetness. If one of us manages to impregnate you, the alpha will no longer be interested in taking you as a mate. But if you would rather wait…?” he tossed the string of silver foil her way and, to her surprise, she caught it.

  Part IV

  Wild Heat

  Chapter 18

  In one fluid motion, she caught the long foil strip while never once taking her soft chestnut eyes from his. The condoms didn’t look right in her hand. His future mate should never have a need for them.

  His female wore a short, thin robe. The blue silk barely covered the top part of her thighs only just managing to conceal her sex. The fact that the robe was spattered with blood had his heart racing. He clenched his fists at his sides, unused to the emotions that coursed through him. She was, after all, the future of his coven and if anything happened to her his species would be in ruin. That must be why he felt this way. It was the only logical reason he could come up with.

  The female scented strongly of Brant, telling him that she had most likely rutted with his enemy recently.

  Enemy. Shaking his head, he couldn’t help but to think of the implications of what he was encouraging to happen. If things worked out, he would have to try and think of Brant in different terms. He had to admit, even though Brant could be a bit of a…pain in the ass, he’d never truly hated the male. It was his birth obligation to do so. What amazed him the most though was that he wasn’t offended by the scent of the other male on his female.

  Watching this enticing human take her pleasure from Brant had almost made him lose his load straight into the tight confines of his pants like a juvenile youngster. Especially hearing the female’s scream as she was dragged over the edge with his fingers on her clit. She was some female, so soft, yet hard in all the right places. So tight that his dick twitched just thinking about it.

  His eyes dropped to her breasts, jutting points stabbed at the soft robe. One pull on the tie and she would be all his. He took a step towards her just as she threw the condoms onto the ground.

  “Good choice, sweetness.” He unsnapped the first button on his pants. Brant growled low and deep, a definite warning. Zane kept his eyes on the female.

  “I’m not having sex with a cheating bastard.” She laughed but the sound held no humor. “Been there done that. I even have the t-shirt.” A sharp pungent scent rolled off her, it hit him square on. It radiated off his female. The sour aroma of pain.

  The need to draw blood hit him and adrenaline surged. Zane was on Brant in a second. It was only the sound of the female screaming that kept him from pummelling the other male. Instead he gripped Brant by the throat. “What the fuck did you do to her?”

  Small, useless taps rained on his back. “Let go of him you brute.” The human insisted on punching him even though it would be hurting her more than him.

  “You have three seconds to get your hands off of me.” Brant’s eyes had narrowed. They were glowing.

  He heard his female grunt as her little foot connected with his calf. Zane decided to let go of Brant before the human did herself damage.

  “Not him you idiot!” she shrieked.

  Zane took a step back so that he could see the female as well as keep Brant in his line of vision.

  “Don’t do that again,” Brant spoke through clenched teeth.

  “Who hurt you?” Zane kept his eyes on his birth enemy even though he was addressing his female. Their two covens needed this union, but he didn’t necessarily need to like the male in front of him. They just needed to get along enough to make this work.

  “You hurt me you bastard!” the female spat at him.

  Confusion clouded his thoughts for a few beats.

  The human made a sound of frustration and pulled the robe more firmly around herself, crossing her arms over her chest. He couldn’t help it when his eyes dropped to the deep cleavage the motion had created.

  “Don’t you dare look at me like that. Especially since you already had your fill of the females at your coven. I’m sure Charlotte was in your bed the moment I left. The spot barely cold.” Her eyes blazed, her lips pouted, her cheeks flushed.

  She was jealous as hell. Zane barely managed to keep himself from grinning. So she was quite happy to go from one king to the other, yet didn’t want him rutting with any other female in her absence. Zane shook his head. “I told you that only once we are mated will I agree to a monogamous relationship.”

  She stomped her foot and her hands flew to her hips. “I won’t have it. You can turn and leave right now. I might be a little bit plump and just a human but I deserve some sort of respect, and I won’t have the other vampire women laughing behind my back because you can’t keep your dick in your pants.” She stomped again. “If I walk in on you with one of them I swear to God…” A tear tracked down her cheek. It felt like someone fisted his heart making it hard to breath, to think.

  “Look what you did.” Brant took a step toward her but Zane shoved the other male to the side.

  Zane picked her up even though she kicked at him. “Stop, Ysnaar.” He pulled her flush against him, their faces separated by mere inch
es. She struggled in his arms still kicking at him. “Stop. I haven’t been with another female.”

  She stopped kicking but tears still coursed down her face. “You lie.” She sniffed, “You’re just saying that because you want to fuck me.”

  “He’s telling the truth,” Brant grunted. “I don’t scent another female on him.”

  The female let out a sigh, her eyes fluttering closed. She let him pull her closer and he buried his head in her soft hair. “Thank you,” he said in Brant’s direction.

  “Let’s get something clear, I didn’t set the record straight for you. I did it for her.”

  “Fair enough.” Zane pulled back while narrowing his eyes on hers, they were red rimmed. “What’s this about being plump and human? If Brant didn’t hurt you, then who did?” Zane couldn’t keep the growl from his voice.

  The female sniffed a few times. She drew back and used her hand to wipe her face. “It doesn’t matter.”

  “It does matter,” Brant said.

  “It was nothing. Nobody.”

  “Bullshit.” Zane set her down. “Tell me…us.” He added the last while trying to keep the irritation from his voice at having to include Brant.

  “My ex-boyfriend cheated on me. I walked in on them. Like I said it was nothing.”

  Zane heard Brant’s teeth crack as he ground his jaw just before letting out a low growl of his own. “An idiot,” he said, his eyes firmly on his female. “What happened?”

  “Troy said it was my own fault. I put on a few pounds after meeting him and just couldn’t shake them. I like cupcakes far too much.” A stain of pink crept up from her collar. “He said that my thighs were too thick, that I”—she swallowed hard—“had cellulite and that my breasts were”—her lip quivered—“too big.”