The Chosen Series Box Set: Books 1 - 3

by Charlene Hartnady

  Ward made to stand. He didn’t have time to feel light headed because the males turned, both their faces contorted in rage.

  “Do not move,” Ward growled. “Do not even so much as breathe or the female dies.” He locked his arm around her throat, feeling like a total asshole for his actions. What choice did he have though? It was her own fault.

  “Do as he says,” Tanya pleaded. By claw she was a good actress.

  “Get into the cage.” Ward said, motioning with his eyes to the far end of the cell.

  “Don’t harm her,” the bigger male begged, hands in the air.

  “If you hurt her, the kings will hunt you down and kill every shifter. Male, female…even the children. Your species will be massacred.” The male’s hands fisted at his sides.

  “Total extinction.” The other male added, his eyes filled with hate.

  Ward didn’t doubt it for a second. “I don’t plan on hurting the female, just do as I say.” Once the males were on the far side of the cell, he exited with the human. He had her padlock the cage.

  “There are two more down the hall.” She turned to face him. He nodded once. Ward slid his arm around her neck, pretending to use her as a shield. They secured the males in the adjacent cage. Quickly and quietly, they made their way to Stephany’s room. “If I had known you were naked, I would’ve brought you some clothes.”

  “No need,” Ward whispered. His chest burned, his energy levels were depleting by the second. “I will shift soon and the clothes would just get in the way.”

  The human made a soft snorting sound. “She wasn’t lying when she said you had a big dick. Sheesh! I think you might be bigger than my males.”

  “Damn straight!” he growled softly.

  “Wait a sec. I need to say something before we go any further.” The human put a hand to his arm. It wasn’t exactly the best place for a conversation, but he would indulge her for a few seconds.

  “You will need to make it quick,” he growled under his breath.

  “Please give Stephany a chance to explain. Once you get out of here. Hear her out, please.” The human kept her eyes on him until he finally nodded. He wasn’t sure there was anything Stephany could say to him that would undo everything that had happened in the last few hours though. It was kind of fitting that the blade had cut a deep hole into his chest, across his heart. He would have scars that would run deep.

  Tanya put her finger to her lips as they neared the north wing of the castle. Stephany’s scent was strong. So was that of the kings. Part of him was tempted to leave Stephany, but he couldn’t turn his back on his child. Wouldn’t.

  The human knocked on a door. “It’s me, Steph, let me in.”

  Nothing.

  “Steph,” The female whispered. “I know you’re in there.”

  The moment the lock disengaged, he pushed through hearing Stephany gasp as he entered. Her hands were clasped over her mouth. She wore a pale blue nightgown that accentuated her eyes, her raspberry lips, her breasts…perfectly. Ward wished that he could gouge out his own eyes. He shouldn’t still find her attractive, dammit. Didn’t want to.

  The human followed in behind him closing the door.

  “Oh my god.” Stephany started to move towards him, but stopped when she caught the hard look in his eyes. She dropped her hands at her sides.

  The ugly red slash across his chest looked painful. He had to still be weak from the blood loss. The sabre may only have been silver plated, but some of that silver still had to be in his system.

  “You should be resting.” She said, immediately feeling like an idiot for saying something so stupid. “What did you do?” she turned to face Tanya.

  “What I had to do.” Her friend locked her jaw while tilting her chin.

  “Pack a bag. We’re leaving.” His eyes narrowed on her.

  “You still want me?” She couldn’t believe that he was here. That this was happening.

  His eyes dropped to her stomach. The meaning clear. He didn’t want her, he was here for the baby.

  “Do I still get to come back if I need to?” Although he believed there was a way to save the baby, she knew it was impossible.

  “I’m not leaving without you.” He crossed his arms across his chest, wincing as the wound pulled.

  “You will be put to death.” Her heart rate picked up. “Please, Ward. Just leave, save yourself. Do it now.” She had to work to stop from shouting at him.

  “You had better pack a bag then.” His jaw locked and his Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard. “And in answer to your question, know that if you come with me there will be no coming back.”

  “You know I can’t go with you then. You know why.” She moved over to him, grabbing his biceps. “Please, Ward, just go.”

  He flinched as she touched him so she took back her hands. “I know it will be difficult to leave your mate.” Ward said through clenched teeth.

  Stephany was desperate. She needed to get him to leave. The sooner the better. If he was found here, with Tanya, he was dead for sure. “You’re right. I can’t possibly leave Lance. Just go okay? Please.”

  “Stop talking shit. Lance means nothing to you and if this oaf of a wolf hasn’t realized that, then he needs his head examined.” Tanya whispered. Loudly. “Pack a damned bag or I’ll pack it for you.”

  “I can’t have this baby, Tanya.”

  “You said you trusted him. Pack the bag.” Tanya gestured to the closet.

  “Listen to your friend,” Ward growled softly. “You are coming with me.”

  Taking the same bag that she’d left the wolves with, Stephany grabbed whatever items of clothing that would still fit her. She pulled on sweatpants under her gown. Next, a pair of socks and sneakers. Lastly she put on a thick jacket. It was really cold in the mountains. As a final thought, she grabbed two sweaters, shoving them into the bag. It took some effort to zip it closed.

  “You stay here. I’ll lock you in the bathroom,” Ward said to Tanya. “Thank you for your assistance.”

  “Don’t worry about locking me in. Zane and Brant will know I helped, so no use trying to hide it.” She took in a deep breath. “Look after my friend, Ward, or I will be forced to come after you myself. I may look small and weak, but I would find a way to hurt you.”

  “Of that, I have no doubt.” Ward sort of smiled. “Thank you, human.”

  Tanya turned towards Stephany and they hugged. “I hope you’re not in too much trouble.” Stephany said into her hair.

  “Nothing I can’t handle.” Tanya replied just as they released each other.

  “I mean it, wolf…take care of her.” Tanya looked in Ward’s direction.

  The very big, very naked wolf nodded once. His green eyes were hard, his frame tense. “Stay close and keep quiet.” He barely glanced Stephany’s way, clenching his jaw.

  “Don’t do this, Ward.” Stephany had to try one last time.

  “Go with the wolf,” Tanya whispered. “You and I both know that you can’t go through with the procedure tomorrow. That if you do, it will destroy you.”

  Stephany took a deep breath and followed Ward, who had slung her pack across his shoulders. He grabbed her arm at the wrist. His calloused grip hard and somehow impersonal. One thing was for sure, he had pulled back from her. Didn’t look at her the same. Not that she could blame him. Maybe once she explained. By the gods, she could only hope it would all work out in the end.

  “Here take this.” Tanya held out her cell phone.

  Ward shook his head. “She won’t be needing that.”

  “Just take it, you never know when you are within signal and need a helping hand or a friendly ear.” Tanya put the device in her hand.

  Stephany nodded, closing her fingers. He released his hold long enough for her to stuff the phone in her pocket.

  “Take care.” Tanya whispered as they closed the door behind them.

  They had one incident at the perimeter fence. Ward punched the guard rendering him unconscious. Once
they cleared the eight foot fence, Ward fell to one knee, panting hard. His wound was leaking blood at the edge. “You are in no shape to make this escape. To take me with you.”

  He turned his eyes on her. “I told you that I wasn’t leaving without you and I meant it. I have to shift. I’ll be stronger in wolf form. Will heal quicker.”

  “Don’t do this, please.”

  “You carry my child. Mine,” he growled. “You will come back with me and you will birth him. It is the last I will hear of it.”

  “I can’t.” She sobbed, unable to hold back the tears.

  Instead of responding, Ward narrowed his eyes. It was clear that he didn’t care. Whatever he may have felt for her before had been cut out of him when that blade had tore into his chest. He stood to his full height, his body snapping and changing as he effortlessly became the big, black wolf that she remembered.

  The beast crouched down, allowing her to climb onto his back. Stephany clasped his soft fur.

  “I can’t birth this child, Ward. It is impossible. He will suffer while he tries to be born. Our child will die a terrible death while still in my womb. You are signing our death warrants. I hope you are okay with that?”

  Ward stiffened beneath her. His fur bristled beneath her fingers. He made a low, deep growl. His whole body vibrated beneath her. Giving his head a shake, he leapt forward, making for Sweetwater River, the castle at their back.

  Part III

  Determined Theft

  Chapter 14

  An all-encompassing rage consumed him, burning him from the inside out. He’d given up yelling for someone to come and tell him what the fuck was going on long ago. The only thing that helped to slow the adrenaline coursing through his veins, was to punch the wall in front of him. First a hard left, then an even harder right. On and on until his knuckles poured blood. If he stopped long enough to look, he was sure that his skin would be worn to the bone.

  Crunch.

  Speaking of bones, another one snapped like an overly dry twig under a steel toed boot. White hot pain shot up his arms and Lance grit his teeth. At least the pain helped to quell the rage, helped to tamp down on the frustration that threatened to consume him. He hated that he was stuck inside this cell. The silver bars taunted him and there was sweet fuck all he could do about it.

  Something was wrong.

  If he was a betting male…and he was…he would place big money on that something being the wolf. He could feel it in his gut. It had been overly noisy earlier in the night and way too quiet ever since then. Lance punched the wall harder. Two darkening, red smears appeared on the cracked, flaking plaster.

  “Please don’t tell me that I need to organize a padded cell?” A familiar voice said, the sound coming from just outside the bars.

  “He’s gone isn’t he? The male escaped?” Lance paused mid punch. His breath came in ragged pants from the exertion.

  “Yes,” Zane said.

  Lance grit his teeth so hard that he was sure he heard one of his molars crack from the sheer pressure. Though his tone had been even, pure tension radiated from Zane. So much so that Lance turned to look at his king. The male’s hands were fisted at his sides, and to most this would be the only outward sign that something was wrong. Not to Lance though, he noticed how Zane’s eyes had that hard look, how barely visible lines surrounded his mouth. His king was more pissed than Lance had ever seen him before, and that was saying something.

  Lance shook his head. “There’s more, isn’t there?”

  “He took Stephany.” Zane held up a hand. “Before you lose it…there is something we need to speak about, but I think it can wait until you are calmer.” His king paused, “She took a phone with her, the device is one with a tracking app.”

  His king was right, the last thing he felt like doing right now was having a chat. The information had helped to quell the worst of the hot rage rising in him to the point where it was almost manageable though. Almost. He felt the air seize in his lungs, this time there was no doubt that one of his molars cracked when he bit down. He tasted the iron twang of his own blood. His heart stopped beating for a few seconds, when it started up again he threw his head back and roared.

  When Lance finally regained sufficient control, he turned to face Zane. Already he could feel his bones knitting. His wounds binding. “How the fuck did this happen? I want the names of all responsible parties.”

  “She is gone. It will not help to punish those involved.”

  “Who are you?” Lance felt his eyes narrow as he regarded his leader for a few seconds. “The King Zane I once knew would have had those responsible quartered and hung as an example. Let me guess, this new pussy whipped version of you has sent them to bed without their supper? What the fuck, Zane?” Spittle flew from his mouth. He knew he was taking his own life into his hands by speaking to the king this way, but he found he just didn’t give a shit at the moment.

  Zane’s muscles roped and bulged, his mouth became a thin white line. His eyes hardened up a whole lot more. His hands were curled so tight that a knuckle actually clicked. “I will overlook that oversight this one time, but know that if you utter one more word of insolence, things will not end well for you.”

  Lance took a deep breath trying to calm himself, he bit his tongue so hard that he tasted blood. It didn’t work. “I will mete out the punishment myself, my lord.”

  “Leave it the fuck alone.”

  Lance felt his brow crease in confusion. “Who are you trying to protect?”

  Zane’s jaw locked and he shook his head, growling softly in warning.

  Lance knew he must have a fucking death wish because as hard as he tried, he couldn’t make himself stay silent. “I will find out and take care of them with or without your consent.”

  “Like fucking hell you will.” In one twist of the key, Zane opened the cell door with such force that it pulled right out of its silver hinges. The male was on him in seconds, he didn’t even try and duck when Zane threw the first punch. Lance was thrown backwards, his jaw cracking under the pressure of the blow. Everything in him screamed to retaliate. To ward off the blows, to punch back but how could he? Zane was the king. Any show of aggression towards the male would be as good as a death sentence.

  There was a ringing noise in his ears.

  “Don’t you dare touch my female,” his king growled.

  His newly healed ribs cracked as Zane kicked him. One of his organs definitely burst under the onslaught. Kick after torturous kick, Lance held himself in a tight ball until it was finally over.

  Zane grabbed ahold of his chin. Pain seized him and Lance couldn’t help but to groan. He had to work to pry his eyes open. It was impossible to focus on Zane’s face, just inches away from his. “Touch her and you fucking die”— long pause—“Do you hear me?” Zane squeezed his jaw. It hurt like a bitch. Lance tried to talk at this point, but he was only able to make a whining noise instead.

  “Is that a yes?” Zane growled.

  Lance made what he hoped was a sound of concession. Zane released him. One by one, he heard the locks slide back into place. Next, a heavy chain jangled and a padlock clicked. Then there was only the sound of fading footfalls as Zane walked away.

  Lance didn’t try to move just yet. His only thoughts were of the tracking app on Stephany’s cell phone. He could only hope that she turned the device on. If she used it, even once, even if just for a few seconds, he’d be able to pinpoint her exact location. When that happened, the wolf would be sorry. Dead sorry. The alpha’s entire pack would bleed and this time he meant what he said, he’d do it with or without the consent of his kings.

  Chapter 15

  Stephany could scent wood burning. She could hear movement in the distance. The smell of musk was getting stronger with every padded footfall.

  “Shouldn’t you be blindfolding me round about now?” Despite the thick jacket, her voice sounded shaky. Her breath misted in thick white clouds about her face.

  The wolf beneath her ke
pt moving forward in long determined strides. The scents and smells growing even stronger.

  “Fine,” she huffed. “I’ll close my eyes. I promise not to peek.”

  Ward ignored her, continuing for a time until he finally ground to a halt. She felt his body go down into a crouch, her signal to get off. Stephany slid from him, her legs giving out as they touched the ground. It had been many hours since they had left the castle. Her muscles quivered from the exertion it took just to stay mounted. Stephany forced herself to stand. She knew that what she was feeling had to be nothing compared to what Ward must have been going through. He had stumbled a couple of times in the last hour. More than once, she was sure that he would fall. His panting had grown heavier as they proceeded. Guilt consumed her.

  Eyes shut, she heard the familiar sound of cracking bones and then heat by her side as Ward grabbed her wrist. “You can open your eyes,” he said using a flat emotionless tone.

  She shook her head. “I can’t know your secrets, remember?”

  “That was then. Things have changed.” They started to move in the direction of the noise.

  “You’re not thinking straight. You need to protect your pack.”

  He ground to a halt. “Why? Do you plan on harming anyone?”

  “Of course not.”

  “I didn’t think so. Let’s go.” They moved in the direction of the noises again. Ward continued to breathe heavily. She felt him stumble, his weight almost pulling her down. She opened her eyes as he grunted, finding him on one knee beside her.

  “Just give me a moment.” He growled through clenched teeth, head bowed.

  “Tell me what to do.”

  “Help me up.” Ward locked his gaze with hers, his normally moss green eyes were so dark that they almost looked black.

  Stephany slid her arm under his and tried to yank him up. She could see that his wound had, at last, completely closed. All that was left was a thin red line. Ward grit his teeth, growling softly as he got back to his feet. “So fucking weak,” he bit out.