The Chosen Series Box Set: Books 1 - 3

by Charlene Hartnady

  She nodded, not trusting her own voice. As much as she wanted to hate him, she couldn’t.

  “Try and get some rest. I want your answer in the morning.”

  Sleep.

  As if. Stephany threw the comforter off with a disgusted groan. There would be no sleep for her tonight. Yet she felt too exhausted to get out of bed so she lay there, in the dark, eyes wide open.

  Her mind wandered to Ward. In the dungeon. He might be healing rapidly, but with a wound like that, he would be in a world of pain. Not just physical.

  She would never forget the look he had given her when he found out that she was mated to Lance. Disbelief followed by sorrow, which quickly turned into devastation. Not anger or disappointment, but complete devastation like she’d pulled out his still beating heart and smashed it under her foot.

  What the hell was she going to do?

  There was a timid knock at the door. Stephany felt like burying herself under her pillow and staying there indefinitely.

  “Steph,” Tanya’s voice sounded through the door.

  “Come in.” After her human friend had stood up for her, how could Stephany deny her? Besides, she needed a shoulder right now.

  Her friend turned on the light, closing the door behind her. Tanya’s hair was mussed, she wore a pair of flannel pajamas. Her face was a mask of concern. “How are you holding up?”

  Stephany laughed. It came out sounding a little hysterical. “I’ve been better.”

  Tanya sat down next to her on the bed and grabbed her hand. Stephany squeezed. “Thank you for trying to help.”

  Tanya’s eyes turned stormy. “Those two are in a world of freaking trouble. I can’t believe that they had me bodily removed from the room.”

  “They were afraid for your safety. It was for the best.” Stephany hugged herself.

  “What about you? You’re not chopped liver.” Tanya raised her eyebrows.

  What meat had to do with it, Stephany did not know. She remained silent.

  “It’s unbelievable that the alpha—”

  “Ward,” Stephany whispered. “His name is Ward,” she repeated more loudly.

  Tanya smiled sadly. “My bad…Ward is going to be punished while Lance will get away with a warning. I heard Zane beat his ass though. Is that part at least true?”

  “Yeah, although he did not beat his ass…” Stephany felt her brow crease. “He beat him on the face and torso.”

  Tanya giggled. “You vampires crack me up.”

  This was a phrase that Stephany had heard before…crack me up meant that it made her laugh. Stephany did not understand why she worded it that way or why she would feel any type of joy at a time like this. Humans were strange.

  Tanya’s face turned serious, she pulled her bottom lip between her teeth for a few beats. “I’m very angry with them. Brant told me about the ultimatum as well. I tried to talk him into letting the wolf…Ward go…to let him be with you when”—she swallowed hard—“you know, but he refused. I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s not your fault. Thanks for trying.” Stephany paused. “Did Brant happen to mention what he will demand from Ward as punishment?”

  Tanya nodded. “I have to say that he is letting the…Ward off lightly. He will need to swear his allegiance to both kings. He will also need to agree to allow a group of our scouts to return with him so that we know where the wolves are staying, as Zane and Brant would like to visit.”

  She must’ve made a strange noise or it was possible that Tanya saw something in her eyes, because she stopped talking. “What is it?” she asked and then frowned.

  “Ward will never agree.”

  “Oh, no,” Tanya covered her mouth. “I’m not sure what Brant will do if he refuses.”

  It was so unfair. So cruel, so calculating. Stephany took a deep breath. “He will be forced to make an example of him. Ward is in grave danger.”

  “No,” Tanya paused. “Surely he wouldn’t hurt the wolf...”

  “Your kings love you, Tanya. They would do anything for you. I’ve seen the way they coddle you and give in to your every whim.”

  “Not every.” Tanya pouted.

  “Okay...they mostly give in to your every desire but make no mistake, they are ruthless and in some cases heartless. I have watched both kill without remorse and on many occasions.”

  Tanya gasped, her eyes widened and her face turned pale. Stephany could hear how her heart sped up.

  “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything. They are right to keep you out of it.”

  “No.” The human shook her head, her dark hair flying about her face. “I know that they are all of those things. Knowing does not make me feel any less for them though.”

  “Good.” Stephany moved to a sitting position, she folded her legs beneath her. “It was not my intention to tarnish them in your eyes. I was wrong to have said anything.”

  “You think that Brant will have him killed?” Tanya asked, immediately chewing on her lip.

  “Or, they’ll leave him to rot in the dungeon until he concedes. They will not let him go.” Stephany picked at a piece of lint on the bed. “He will never agree. I was not permitted to walk within the shifter camp. I had to be blind folded when we left. The only card the wolves hold is the ability to disappear. Once Zane and Brant know the location of their camp, it will become more difficult for the shifters to hide. We will become all the more powerful against them.” Stephany shook her head. She wanted to tell Tanya about the ‘secrets’ Ward had alluded to, but she decided to keep that to herself.

  “What are you going to do?”

  “I will do whatever Brant wants, just as long as Ward is not…” She clutched a hand to her mouth. A hot tear rolled down her cheek. “He can’t die,” her voice sounded muffled behind her hand.

  Tanya looked at her with concern. “I heard that Ward will make it. He won’t die.”

  “Not from that particular wound he won’t.”

  “I won’t let them execute him.” Tanya’s eyes turned stormy.

  Stephany knew that Tanya meant well, but her friend had no say in the matter. Not unless Brant and Zane disagreed and Stephany had a feeling that they would see eye to eye on this one.

  “I just wish that I could get a message to him. He needs to do as they say. Buy me some time to help him escape…” Oh damn, she shouldn’t have said that to the kings’ mate.

  Tanya nodded, her eyes wide, a solemn expression on her face. Maybe she really was on Stephany’s side. It still wasn’t right to put her in the middle like this. “He probably wouldn’t listen to me anyway, not after I deceived him.”

  “Deceived him?” her brow creased.

  “He didn’t know about Lance.” Tanya’s mouth made an ‘o’ and her eyes widened. “I had planned on telling him,” she quickly added.

  “It’s not like you and Lance are really an item or anything.”

  “We are mates. Ward doesn’t know the dynamics.”

  “I guess not…” She looked thoughtful for a few seconds.

  “He wanted to take me back with him. We planned on asking Brant and Zane.” Her lip quivered so she bit down on it. “Ward said that I didn’t have to terminate and he wanted to prove it to me. Begged me to trust him. He said if I went with him and still decided to end the pregnancy that he would bring me back.”

  “You believed him?”

  Stephany felt the tears roll down her cheeks. “I did. I think that he really believed he had the answer, but how could he possibly? I would be an idiot to allow myself to feel that kind of hope.” Problem was, she had been an idiot.

  “What if he does have the answer?” Tanya looked thoughtful. “Are you in love with the alpha?” Tanya looked her straight in the eyes.

  “Look, whatever crazy plan you’re hatching, stop now.”

  “Answer me,” Tanya pressed.

  “It doesn’t matter. Ward won’t speak to me again. Anything we might’ve had is over. I am a mated female, whether I like it or not. It doesn�
��t matter that I hate my mate.” She wiped away the tears and sniffled hard.

  “It matters a lot.” When Stephany didn’t answer, Tanya pouted her lips for a few beats. “Fine!” she huffed. “I’ll answer for you. You have major feelings for Ward. You want this child.”

  “I can’t give birth. I can’t. It doesn’t matter what Ward shows me…it won’t change a thing. Unless they have a magic wand to make my pelvis bigger…” Stephany shook her head.

  “You have to try, Steph. I don’t want you living with regret.”

  “What are you planning?” Stephany felt her heart rate kick up a few notches. “Please don’t do anything silly. Don’t get yourself into trouble or put yourself in danger.” She grabbed Tanya’s hand. “Just drop it okay.”

  Tanya narrowed her eyes. “I won’t drop it. You mean too much to me.”

  “You must, and you will, or I’ll call Brant.” Stephany reached for the phone on her side table.

  “Fine,” Tanya huffed. “I just wish you’d let me help you.” Frustration was edged into every word, which Stephany ignored for the good of her friend.

  “You have helped me. Stay out of it and keep safe.”

  Tanya threw her arms around Stephany in a hard hug. “I will, Steph. I promise, I will. I just wish I could say the same for you since this whole thing is eating you alive.”

  Chapter 13

  His chest was on fire. The closing wound still oozed blood. His breath came in pants, nausea rolled through him, causing him to dry heave. He felt his wound rip open again. The intensity of the pain caused another pang of nausea. He grit his teeth to stave off his body’s reaction, fighting to stay as still as possible. Sweat rolled off his brow. How could it be so hot and yet so cold and all at once? His teeth clattered, just as his blood ignited.

  An elderly female that smelled of vampire approached the cot. Her brow was creased and her lips were a thin white line.

  “Drink this.” She pressed a cup to his lips.

  He hesitated.

  She sighed heavily. “If we wanted you dead, you would be already.”

  This time when he hesitated it was because he was experiencing another grueling pang of nausea. His stomach clenched and he growled as the edges of his wound pulled painfully.

  “Stubborn wolf.” She tsked. “It will help against the pain and the nausea. Hopefully you will be able to sleep, which will help you to heal quicker.”

  The female held the cup to his lips again and this time he drank. The liquid tasted of spinach, there was a peppery undertone. Ward drained the entire cup, gagging painfully as he finished. Thankfully the liquid stayed down.

  Placing a chair beside the bed, the elderly female sat next to him. A bowl of steaming, fragrant water sat on her lap. Using careful strokes, she cleaned his chest and wound. It stung like a bitch, but he knew that she was only trying to help him. A clean wound healed quicker. Also, allowing the wound to first bleed and then to clean it helped to remove any lingering silver residue. He was damned lucky to still be breathing. Ward had never allowed himself to be blindsided like that before. That cowardly dickhead vampire had waited till his eyes were turned before stabbing him in the chest. If the bastard had had his way, Ward would be dead.

  He squeezed his eyes closed, hissing at the well of emotions as he thought of how Stephany had shielded him with her own body. Defended him.

  She’d also lied to him, not something he was sure he could forgive her for. It made perfect sense now why she didn’t want to be with him. Why she didn’t want to save the child. He must’ve made another noise, this time from a pain deeper than any wound could inflict because the healer tsked again. “You warriors are all such babies.” She paused for a few beats before continuing to lather his wound with a thick paste. “There, all done.” She paused, “Get some sleep. I will check on you in the morning.”

  If he was going to escape, this was his chance. Unfortunately, he was so weak that he could barely lift an arm, let alone stand. With two guards posted outside his cage, the situation was dire.

  There was no doubt in his mind that the kings would make him jump through hoops before allowing him to go. If they ever allowed him to leave that was. The moment passed as his door clanged shut, a thick chain and padlock put in place. Silver infused, no doubt.

  His chest still throbbed, but at least the nausea had subsided. Ward resided himself to a long ass night. His last thought was that he would never be able to sleep before he passed out.

  “You will let me in right now.” A female voice roused him.

  “Our orders were not to allow anyone…anyone into this cell. That means you too, my lady.” One of the guards spoke with his head bowed.

  “You will open the door and you will do it now.” She stomped one of her little feet. From her scent, she was human even though there was a light vampire smell attached to it. Maybe he was picking up on the males that flanked her.

  Ward flexed his abs, there was still a dull ache in his chest but for the most part the worst seemed to be over.

  “If you make me wake up Zane, he will have you both lashed for insolence. I am the queen for blood’s sake.” Her hair flew about her shoulders and her little hands were on her hips.

  “We may be lashed if we let you in,” one of the males said.

  “We would be disobeying direct orders,” the other added.

  “From the kings themselves,” the first one continued.

  “I. Am. The. Queen.” Stomp. Stomp. Stomp. Stomp. “You will let me in now!”

  Both males’ shoulders slumped further, their heads so bowed that their chins were almost on their chests.

  “Fine.” She huffed, fiddling in her pocket. “I’ll call Zane. Sort this out. It’ll mean fifty freaking lashes for the two of you…no make that one hundred.” She muttered to herself, and then finally pulled the phone free. “Going to be so freaking mad…I warned you.”

  The males exchanged a look. “Okay, my lady, but we will come in with you.”

  “No, you can stand outside the door. I need two minutes. He wouldn’t dare harm the queen.”

  “Yes, my lady.” One of the guards moved to the door and undid the lock.

  Ward could feel that much of his strength had returned. He was nowhere near full capacity though. The female was still crazy to enter his cage alone. A lessor male would definitely use it to his advantage. He should damn well use it to his advantage. It just didn’t feel right to do it. He would find a way to escape, just not like this.

  The female was smaller up close. She definitely smelled of vampire even though she was clearly human. So, the human queen was with child. The next heir to the vampire throne. He should so use her to escape. Ward inwardly sighed…all the more reason not to use the female.

  “I said to stay at the door.” The female shouted over her shoulder. The males instantly obeyed. If not for his dire situation, he would have laughed. That such a puny female had such menacing, killer vampire males by the balls astounded him and he wasn’t talking about the two at the door. Then again…his thoughts turned to Stephany, but the ache inside him was too much so he concentrated on the human instead.

  She rolled her eyes before looking down at him. “Hi, I’m Tanya. Stephany is my vampire bestie.”

  Her what?

  “I don’t have much time, so I’ll make it quick. How are you feeling? Do you think you’ll be okay to stand trial in a few hours?” For some unknown reason, she glanced at her bare wrist before closing one of her eyes suggestively at him. Ward had spent enough time with humans to know that the action was called a wink. The female was telling him a secret.

  He felt his brow knit in confusion.

  “I hope you are healing up.” She winked at him again.

  “I am much better. You shouldn’t be here.” Temptation rode him hard. He wanted to use the female to escape. “You should go. Now.” He grit his teeth.

  “Stephany is in her room. She is very upset. She’s booked in for surgery tomorrow.”

>   He growled softly. “I said to go, human.”

  The vampire males were instantly at her side. His racing heart slowed as the opportunity passed. There was no way he was going to use the pregnant female to escape. No way. Even if she was the queen and his best bet right now.

  “I’m fine. Get out!” her hands flew back to her hips. “We’re having a quick chat, I’m almost done.”

  The males narrowed their eyes at him. “One wrong move and you die. Are we clear?” The larger of the two males growled. He nodded once.

  “You have one more minute, my queen, and then you will have to call Zane.”

  “I don’t like it.” The other male grumbled as they moved back to block the exit.

  The human locked eyes with Ward. “She trusts you explicitly, which means that I trust you. They will be terminating the pregnancy and sterilizing her tomorrow.”

  He had to fight back a snarl. It angered him further that he still cared so much.

  “You need to save the baby.” Her eyes burned with determination.

  “She doesn’t want it.” A low rumble.

  “You’re wrong, wolf.”

  He moved to a semi reclined position. The newly formed ugly pink scar pulled but the healing wound held. The pain was manageable. “She is mated.”

  Tanya shook her head. “It is for her to discuss with you. Use your brain, it’s not as it seems.”

  “She lied to me.”

  “Stop being such a big baby. You males are all the same.”

  Why did these females insist on saying that? Ward shook his head.

  “She is in her room. Waiting.” Another long wink. It was the last warning he got before she turned and moved backwards until she was against his chest. She was careful not to hurt him. His first reaction was to push her away, but he didn’t want to accidentally hurt her so he clamped down on the urge. The female grabbed his arm, pulling it across her chest. “Man up, wolf.” It was a weird thing to say since he wasn’t a man, but he knew that she was giving him permission to use her to escape. “There are two more at the end of the hall.”