The Chosen Series Box Set: Books 1 - 3

by Charlene Hartnady

  “Is Luna your mate? I’m sorry, am I keeping you from her?” She shook her head. “Look, just let me go, you should go back to your female…”

  “Luna is not my mate…at least, not yet.” His face was a mix of emotions. Brow creased, eyes staring at a spot somewhere past her shoulder, his jaw set. Ward finally looked her straight on. “You were taken by accident, I will personally ensure your safety. I may not be mated”—his eyes narrowed—“but do not be concerned.” He put his hands up. “We are forced together for a few days but I won’t try anything. I mean, you’re a vampire and I am a wolf.” He threw her a half smile. Somehow managing to look handsome…for a wolf. “Our kind doesn’t mix.” His face grew stern. “Hayden and Sawyer obviously need more work, they have clearly been blabbing to the rest of the pack about you… ‘not bad looking for a vampire’”—he made a frustrated noise—“I will beat their asses…” He added the last more to himself than to her.

  He suddenly seemed to remember that she was there. “Make yourself at home.” He gestured around the small cabin. The space was dominated by a large, comfortable looking bed with a small sitting area to the one side. There was even a small kitchenette.

  Stephany wanted to argue further, but knew it would not help. She glanced past the bed and made for a sofa. Ward followed her, taking the opposite chair. They sat for a time in uncomfortable silence. She mentally shrugged, it was as good a time as any to find out more about why he hated her species so much. Maybe even to try to learn a little more about those so called secrets they had. Not because she thought they were doing anything that would really threaten her species, but more because it interested her. It wasn’t like she had anything better to do. “So vampires have all the money and power and that’s why you hate us?”

  The stormy expression that clouded his features made her wish that she’d kept her mouth shut.

  “Let’s get something straight, you don’t have all the money and you only think you have all the power. Your kings are arrogant dickheads, but that doesn’t mean I hate you.”

  “We do have all the power.”

  “You’re a dying breed.” He growled sending shivers up her spine.

  “We are all dying breeds.”

  Ward didn’t respond, which worried her. Of all the species, vampires and the wolves were the worst afflicted.

  Ward shrugged. “We have a shortage of females and your females are mostly infertile.” He purposefully dropped his eyes to her narrow hips.

  “We are not infertile.” She flashed her fangs his way. It was a touchy subject. For an unknown reason, his words stung. She may not be infertile, but her physiological makeup meant that she could not birth young. Stephany couldn’t understand why his words bugged her so much. She didn’t want to reproduce, just like she didn’t want to mate. By blood, she didn’t want any type of relationship of that sort with a male.

  “Don’t be so testy, vampire. Be more careful, you should know that showing a male your canines is considered an invitation to rut.”

  “They are fangs not canines. In vampire it’s considered a ‘fuck you’.” She tried not to show her shock at having said such a bad word.

  He must have noticed her discomfort because his lips twitched. “Yeah fuck, rut same thing.”

  She couldn’t help the gasp that escaped.

  Ward laughed. “Are all vampire females so…uptight? I had heard that your species was highly sexual. I guess the information was wrong.”

  Yeah sure, Stephany thought to herself, vampires rutted like rabbits on Viagra infused blood. Most did anyway. She wasn’t one of them though. Trying to maintain eye contact with the big male, she pursed her lips.

  “If it’s any consolation, wolves are just as highly sexed. It’s not a big deal, must be a species thing. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

  “I am not highly sexed.” She blurted, and then immediately regretted the outburst. After accidentally losing control all those years ago, she prided herself on her impeccable willpower. No sex, not ever, she didn’t even get the urge any more. Not even while drinking blood. It had been many years since she’d gone into heat, so many years since she felt the intimate touch of another that she’d forgotten what it even felt like.

  Ward folded his arms across his massive chest. From her seated position he looked even bigger, way more imposing. Stephany found that she wasn’t afraid of him though. His eyes raked down her body moving ever so slowly before coming back up again. He paused for the longest time on her breasts, her nipples had the audacity to tighten under his scrutiny. It was the stress of being so thoroughly gawked at that caused her body to react. It had absolutely nothing to do with being turned on in any way.

  His eyes locked with hers. “Not highly sexed. If you say so.”

  What the hell was that supposed to mean? Stephany bristled, she felt her eyes narrow and her hands became knots at her sides. “What do you know anyway? You know nothing about me, wolf.”

  “I am a male. I know enough.”

  A sound of frustration escaped but she shut her mouth, unwilling to argue any further. Let the wolf believe what he wanted, she knew better.

  “You’re making it sound like you don’t rut. I don’t believe that”—he paused, his green eyes bore into her—“I refuse to believe it.”

  “It’s my business and I’m not acknowledging or denying either way but I’m curious, why would you have such a hard time believing that I don’t rut?” This wasn’t a conversation she should be having with this male, but she couldn’t help herself. For whatever reason it irked her that he seemed to think she was some vampire hussy. Although hussy was a bit harsh since most single vampire females rutted at will. It was considered normal amongst their kind.

  He made a deep growling sound and let his arms fall to his sides. His hands were big, strong looking. She was sure he could crush a male’s skull with a single squeeze. “I find it hard to believe that a female like you doesn’t rut… and often…”

  Stephany sprung to her feet, landing directly in front of him. He smirked, standing also. She was extremely tall, yet she had to look up to maintain eye contact with him. “I’m not like most of my species. An out of control, rut with anything female? Is that what I look like to you?”

  Ward had the audacity to smile. It made her want to hurt him. “You’re an attractive female.” He shrugged, his eyes roving over her face. Maybe it was just her imagination but they seemed to heat as they locked back with hers. “Highly attractive.” His voice had dropped to a deep rumble. His nostrils flared. “I’m sure you have a whole string of males after you on any given day. As to your being out of control”—he shook his head—“the opposite is true. You need to loosen up a bit. And no, I don’t think you would rut with just anyone.” Ward took a small step back, his jaw clenched.

  Again it unnerved her how easily he had read her. As hard as she tried to hold onto her anger, she couldn’t. He didn’t believe she was celibate because he thought she was…highly attractive. It had been a very long time since a male had looked at her in that way. She was, after all, a mated female and it was common knowledge that she was celibate. Males of her coven had given up trying to seduce her a long time ago. The attention, although by no means a come on, was something alien to her. It needed to stop, it made her feel uncomfortable.

  Stephany inclined her head, sitting back down. She didn’t want to talk about sex with this wolf. With anyone for that matter. Hopefully he would drop the whole thing. She was sorry that she had brought it up in the first place.

  His eyes stayed on her as she sat. Tucking her hands into her lap, she had to fight the urge to fold her legs underneath her. At long last, he moved away and she let out a pent up breath she didn’t know that she was holding.

  Ward spread himself out on the bed. She wasn’t exactly sure why, but it made her feel even more uncomfortable. He folded his hands behind his head and stared at the ceiling. Not for the first time since arriving here, she noticed how cramped the cabin was. W
hy the wolf insisted on walking around in just a low riding pair of faded jeans was beyond her. It might be warm inside but the least he could do was put on a shirt. Her eyes kept pulling to that line of dark hair that reached from his navel to the top button of his pants. Body hair was not something she was used to. It was not…unattractive.

  A quick knock sounded and Ward sat up, his eyes back on her. “Don’t move.” A gruff command as he rose to his feet.

  She narrowed her eyes at him but stayed put.

  “Enter,” Ward growled.

  A large male walked in, a big basket in one hand and a jug in the other. He kicked the door closed behind him. The wolf was big, but not anywhere near as large as the alpha. He had sandy blond hair and bright blue eyes that kept flashing her way.

  “Put the food down and leave,” Ward growled.

  “Does she eat rabbit?” The wolf looked her way. “I hope you eat rabbit. I left it raw in case you prefer bloody meat.”

  Blood.

  Her stomach growled and her fangs lengthened until they throbbed in her gums.

  The male smiled and winked at her. “Hayden was right when he said you were hot…it doesn’t really matter that you’re a vamp.” He took a step in her direction and her natural reaction was to hiss at him, fangs bared.

  Confusion marred his features. “She flashed her canines, yet she doesn’t look like she wants me.”

  “Get out, Rushe.”

  “We don’t have many females…I’m not opposed to…” The young wolf’s eyebrows were raised as his eyes slid down the length of her body.

  “Get the fuck out.” Ward snarled, his teeth bared in all their gleaming, ultra-sharp glory.

  “Sorry, Ward. It’s not always easy for us. Please understand.” The male inclined his head in submission.

  Some of the tension eased from the big alpha. “We are working on it. Patience. It won’t be long.”

  Rushe mumbled something about blue balls and left the room, the door clicking behind him.

  Ward shook his head, his hands unfurling at his sides. “I apologize. Some of the males have not had female…companionship in a very long time. Since there has been very little interaction between our species, we are also unfamiliar with your ways, especially the females of your kind.”

  “I understand. You need to know that I’m not interested in”—she took in a deep breath—“I mean…I don’t want to…you know....with him or any of them.”

  Ward smiled. “I know. I wasn’t sure how the males would react to you. I was fearful they may try and hurt you. Seems like I might have been wrong.”

  “Does that mean I can go outside?”

  His face clouded. “No. It doesn’t change anything. There are things you are not permitted to know.”

  “Secrets…” She let her sarcasm show.

  He nodded. “Besides, you’re not interested in the attention. Do you really want a bunch of horny males on your tail?”

  “No.”

  “Then you’re stuck with me.” He hooked his thumbs in his jeans. “You’re safe, warm, clean. I just need to get you fed and we’re all set.”

  Blood.

  Her fangs throbbed, her senses honed in on his heartbeat and the sound of his blood rushing through his veins.

  “Would you like me to cook your portion of the rabbit?”

  “Yes, please. I don’t eat raw meat. Um,” she paused not sure how to progress. “I would offer to help, but I can’t cook.”

  Ward smiled. “If you want, I’ll teach you. It’s not like we have anything better to do.” For just a second his eyes shone with a predatory gleam. His gaze unnerved her until he thankfully turned and opened the basket, ending whatever it was that had passed between them. His back was all broad muscle and smooth, tanned skin. Her mouth watered for a taste. She didn’t care anymore that he was a wolf. At this stage she was starting to get desperate for blood. Hopefully the food would help. Even if it did stave off the worst of it, how long would the reprieve last? Not long she feared.

  “Um, Ward.”

  “Yeah.” He glanced at her over his shoulder.

  “Can we hurry, I’m really hungry.”

  He chuckled, a soft rumble. “Get your ass over here and help while I clean the—”

  She gasped as he lifted a dead rabbit from the basket. It was floppy, neck twisted at an odd angle.

  Ward grinned. “You should see your face, maybe you should move away while I take care of this. I didn’t realize vampires were so squeamish. You drink blood for hound’s sake.”

  “Fresh, warm, straight out of the vein.”

  He quirked up an eyebrow. “Your eyes are glowing.”

  She looked back down at the basket, averting her gaze.

  “If you need…”

  She shook her head. “I’m fine.” What the hell was wrong with her? Why couldn’t she admit that she needed him? Or at least his vein. She was right to resist, his reaction when the time came to finally drink from him concerned her greatly. Blood drinking could be a highly sexual act. She’d heard that humans were greatly affected, becoming highly aroused. With vampires it could go either way depending on the drinking partner, maybe this would be the case with other species. It was something she couldn’t risk though.

  Stephany opened the basket and aside from various vegetables, she pulled out some spinach, four eggs, a half loaf of fresh crusty bread and two apples.

  There was a slicing noise and the scent of animal blood filled the air. Stephany wrinkled her nose at the coppery stench. The creature was dead, its blood a congealed mess. How distasteful.

  “You can wash the vegetables. Maybe cut an onion into small pieces. You’ll find knives in the top drawer to your right.”

  It felt weird having a female performing domestic duties in his personal space. Scratch that, it felt weird having her here period. He couldn’t remember ever having invited one into his private space. Not that there were many females to choose from and not that this was his permanent residence.

  It was complicated, invite a female – Luna – in and suffer the consequences. Females were wired to want mating and young; and as soon as possible. Although he was alpha and expected to take a mate, it would have to wait. He wasn’t ready for such a big step. The pack wouldn’t accept his hesitancy for too much longer, yet the thought of taking Luna to his bed left him cold. Although she pushed him constantly, flashing her tail at him at every chance, he got the distinct impression that it was out of a sense of duty rather than because she really wanted him.

  Thankfully Stephany was a vampire, a completely different species. She clearly didn’t want any of that from him. Unlike Luna. He sighed softly, pulling the innards from the rabbit’s cavity. Next, using his knife, he removed the creatures head, tail and paws. With expert precision, he pried away the skin from the neck area and removed the whole fur in one easy motion.

  Stephany had just finished washing the vegetables and had started on the onion. It was a sorry sight. Most of the onion had been massacred along with the skin, what was left was in large asymmetrical chunks. When she looked up at him, her nose was running and her eyes were filled with tears, she sniffed wiping her right eye with the back of her hand. “I warned you.” She gave him a shy smile and he couldn’t help but to smile back.

  “Here…” He walked over and her eyes widened at the blood on his hands.

  Ward shook his head. “I can’t believe what a baby you are. Aren’t vampires supposed to be these really badass creatures of the night complete with red eyes and sharp canines intent on ripping open throats? Leaving devastation in their wake?”

  She laughed. Fuck. If she was pretty before, she was drop dead gorgeous right now, runny nose, leaking eyes and all.

  She was a bloodsucker, he reminded himself. Polar opposites. Enemies. She was also shy, sweet and a total control freak. In another life, he would’ve really enjoyed making it his personal mission to make her let go. To watch her completely unravel and let loose.

  “Rippe
d throats, total destruction…it happens,” she said wiping her nose a second time.

  “Not in your case?”

  She didn’t respond, so Ward dropped it. He threw away the parts of the rabbit they didn’t need and made for the basin where he washed the blood and gore from his hands. “This is the part where I teach you how to make rabbit stew. You’ve never cooked?”

  She shook her head. “I live in…never mind.” How did she tell him she was the personal assistant to one of the kings? That she lived in the castle and wanted for nothing. She literally lived like royalty.

  “No, tell me.”

  She shook her head. “I’m also allowed one or two secrets of my own. You’re right, there are things that we really shouldn’t know about each other. Especially since our species are still technically at war.”

  “You’re right.” He tried not to growl because she had a point, he didn’t have to like it though.

  “What should I do next?” she asked, her eyes wide, her eyebrows raised.

  “Hand me the knife,” he gestured to her hand.

  “I’m so bad that you’ve already given up on me?”

  Ward chuckled. “I want to show you how to cut the carrots. I haven’t given up. I don’t know the meaning of the word. I’ll make a chef out of you yet.”

  She smiled up at him. “Somehow I very much doubt it.”

  “We’ll see.” Ward chopped the sad chunky looking onion up finely, throwing them into a pot with a chunk of butter. “Right.” He grabbed a freshly washed carrot and diced the first third in even thin slices. “That’s all there is to it.” He held out the handle of the knife to her. “Do you think you can handle it?”

  “I think I’ll manage.” She took the knife, careful not to touch him in the process. He moved in behind her to watch her work. The moment he stepped into her personal space, she tensed. Interesting. Was she so adverse to wolves? Or was it just him? Maybe she had been telling the truth when she said she didn’t rut…ever. Why would she lie about such a thing? As he moved away, she exhaled the breath she had been holding and her heartbeat evened out.