The Chosen Series Box Set: Books 1 - 3

by Charlene Hartnady

  Although she had planned on sticking to her side of the bed, she snuggled up against Ward. This was probably the last opportunity that she would have to get close to him before he woke up and that same emotionless, distant look appeared in his eyes again. Tucked up against his warmth, Stephany was asleep within minutes.

  Kicking, growling, thrashing.

  Stephany woke with a start, it was still dark. Ward’s face was contorted in rage, his jaw locked. Once again, she placed her hand on his chest while talking to him and making soothing noises until he finally settled. It happened twice more during the night. Each time Stephany touched him and talked to him until he calmed. His strength seemed to grow. The bouts becoming more violent, yet his response to her also happened quicker. One thing was for sure, he was growing stronger. Stephany couldn’t wait for him to wake up. Though the thought of him being conscious once again terrified her as much as it thrilled her.

  Chapter 16

  A flash of silver. A sharp pain exploded across his chest. He’d been distracted and had allowed his enemy to get the better of him. It had never happened before. His chest hurt too much to contemplate what it could’ve been that had destroyed his focus. He felt his blood run down his chest, hot gushes in time with his heart which pounded in his ears. Another sharp pain as the blade was torn free in a spray of blood. He looked down at the gaping gash in his chest. He was totally fucked if that blade was silver and he suspected it was because the wound continued to gush blood, his flesh refusing to knit.

  He turned his eyes on the one that had bettered him. A male. A vampire. His biggest enemy. He hated the male, although he couldn’t say why. Battle was battle and enemies were enemies. It was never personal. At least it had never been personal before. He wanted to wrap his hands around this male’s neck and squeeze. Wanted to pull the male’s heart from his chest with his hands. If only he wasn’t so weak.

  A soothing voice.

  The pain diminished. The hate evaporated. A soft touch. The scent of freshly baked cookies accosted his senses. His female. She was here. Heat settled in against his side. He tried to move his arms, wanting to pull her closer but his body wouldn’t cooperate. Then he felt himself drift.

  He must’ve slept for a time. Something wet on his mouth roused him, he tried to let some of the moisture in his mouth but his muscles wouldn’t cooperate.

  “Just a little.” His female’s voice. “Please, Ward.”

  Working hard to comply, he managed to allow his lips to fall open. A few drops hit his tongue and he swallowed them down. Cool, good. More drops and he swallowed again. This happened a couple more times before the dark overtook him once more.

  Cool strokes on his body. Soft hands caressed him. Air caused goose bumps to rise. Someone was wetting him.

  A familiar voice, cooing noises. He felt himself relax again. “I’ll throw another log on the fire,” his female said.

  He didn’t want her to leave. He clasped the sheet, moaning in frustration.

  “Okay, okay, I’m here.” Her hand brushed the hair from his brow, her fingers lightly tracing his forehead for a few beats before she went back to work. The stroking continued. She used a soft cloth, swiping his thighs in long easy strokes. Next, she moved to his groin. Although her ministrations were in no way sexual, he felt his cock stir under her soft hand.

  She gasped. Pausing for a few long seconds before continuing. He grit his teeth as she did the same to his sacks.

  Ward opened his eyes, the light caused them to water so he closed them again before cracking them open once more. His female was looking down, her hair fell in a curtain about her face. She wore one of his shirts, and nothing else. Her long, lean legs were folded underneath her. She’d moved up and was currently wiping his stomach, pausing every so often to rinse the cloth before continuing. Her delicious citrus cookie scent enveloped him and his nostrils flared. His cock strained from his body.

  “Female,” a deep, low growl. His voice was gravelly from disuse.

  A sharp intake of breath. Stephany lifted her eyes, looking at him from under her lashes. Her eyes widened as they locked with his. Bright icy blue. He caught the scent of himself on her and all the memories of the last few days came rushing back.

  Ward growled low and deep. He felt his lip curl. Adrenaline surged. The need to kill the vampire male had him curling his fists. He lurched forward into a sitting position, expecting his body to protest. It didn’t. Aside from a slight pull on his chest, everything felt normal.

  Ward wrapped his arms around his female and pulled her against him. “I am going to rut you now,” he snarled. Feeling her breasts crush against his chest. Her nipples were hard.

  She sucked in a rugged breath. “You can’t. We need to talk.”

  “You are mine, Stephany. Do you understand that?”

  “Yes, but...” Her voice was shaky. “You’re still weak. We can’t possibly—”

  “No buts…You are mine.” He tried to loosen his grip. Only the thought of being inside her, of showing her who she belonged to, had him releasing her. But only long enough to turn her onto all fours. “I am going to take you now.”

  “Okay.” Her voice was still a little shaky. She turned her head, looking back over her shoulder. Her eyes were wide, her face pale.

  It tore at him that she was afraid. “Do not fear me.” He growled, ripping the shirt from her back.

  She whimpered. “I don’t.” It came out sounding choked, and her wide eyes said differently.

  “I would never hurt you.” He managed to sound half normal. “I just really need you.”

  “It’s okay. I’m fine.” The tension in her shoulders eased.

  He noticed how her stomach had a swollen rounded look. How her breasts were so much fuller. He growled, running a hand over her belly. His nostrils flared as he scented the pup. Their pup. His heir. His need for her increased.

  She was his. He had to prove it to her. To himself. His wolf demanded it.

  Ward cupped her breasts, rubbing his cock along the seam of her pussy. She sucked in a breath. He pinched her nipples softly and she moaned, arching her back so that he had better access to her pussy. She was soaking wet and his dick slid easily across the length of her slit. She moaned as his head knocked against her clit.

  “Mine.” He growled as he lined up with her opening.

  “Yes.” She moaned as he breached her.

  “Mine.” He snarled as he thrust into her right to the hilt.

  She moaned. “God, yes,” she whispered. Ward took ahold of her hip with one hand while using his other hand to hold onto her shoulder, pushing her into the mattress so that her rear was up and the front part of her body was down. He needed her still. Needed her submissive. He needed to claim her. To show her who she belonged to. He needed to eradicate the other male from her mind.

  Ward snarled at the thought of Lance. Her so called mate.

  Stephany whimpered.

  “I won’t hurt you. Trust me, please.” He begged. Needing this more than he needed his next breath. His wolf was restless and pacing. It wanted him to mark his female in such a way that would leave a scar. Not something he would allow.

  “I do trust you, Ward,” she whimpered.

  He leaned forward so that his cheek rested against her. “I’m going to take you now. It’s going to be hard,” he growled. “I don’t have much willpower,” he added, pausing. Ward could feel sweat beading on his brow. He would wait until she gave her permission and he would withdraw if she didn’t. He grit his teeth. The two seconds it took her to answer felt like an eternity.

  She nodded. “Yes.”

  It was all he needed. Ward began to pound into her. He held her in place, closing his eyes. Her hot, tight sheath clamped around him. So wet that a low growl escaped through his clenched teeth. He changed his angle until she cried out. Once he found her sweet spot, he ensured that he hit it each and every time. Her cries growing louder with every thrust. Her pussy clenched him hard and Stephany screamed.
/>
  His balls pulled up and his skin tightened. He had to fight to keep from increasing his hold on her. From fucking her harder.

  “You. Are. Mine.” He felt his canines extend, even his claws erupted. Ward snarled as his seed filled her, his dick swelled making it hard to move. As he continued to mark her with his semen, the pressure inside him eased somewhat. Although she already carried his scent, he felt better now that he had marked her as well. His gums ached with the need to bite down on her shoulders. He snarled. It wasn’t going to happen.

  Already the need to take her again rose up in him, but he couldn’t allow himself to give into that baser part of him. His beast had never had this much control over him before. Ward fought the desire to snarl as he pulled from her warm, welcoming body. “Did I hurt you?” He asked while he moved off of her, allowing her to move into a sitting position.

  She shook her head, refusing to meet his eyes.

  “I’m sorry. I’m feeling a little possessive right now.”

  She clutched a sheet to her chest before looking at him. “It’s fine. Not what I was expecting though. I thought you were angry with me.”

  He felt his jaw lock for a few beats. “I am,” he growled. “But you are still mine. My anger doesn’t change that.”

  “I thought you wouldn’t want me anymore. I am mated to another.”

  He hated the way she flinched as a rage infused snarled exploded forth. It caused his chest to rumble and his lip to curl. Taking in a deep breath, he calmed himself enough to speak. “I don’t want you to ever say that again.” He shook his head. “Never. You do not belong to that male. Let’s get something straight, you are mine now.”

  He could tell by the way she looked at him that she didn’t believe him. The beast urged him to take her again. This time harder. This time with both canine and cock.

  Stephany wasn’t a wolf, she wouldn’t understand. Ward needed to clear his head. “How long have I been out?”

  “Since yesterday morning. It is late afternoon now, so a day and a half.” Stephany clutched the sheet to her chest. “Let me get dressed and I will fix you something to eat.”

  “I need to speak with my pack.” He stood, turning his back on his female. Why hadn’t she told him about the other male? Did she refuse him when he’d asked her to stay because she wanted to go back to the other male? Is that why she was so hell bent on losing his scent? Is that the real reason she wanted to terminate this pregnancy?

  The questions and doubt tore at him and Ward ripped his jeans as he pulled them up. He cursed under his breath, tossing the ruined garment to the side, needing to get a grip. What he really needed was answers, but first he had to restore some of his waning control. Taking a few deep breaths, he reached for another pair of pants which he donned without incident. Next, he threw on a shirt and then turned for the door. He purposely avoided his female’s gaze, which burned into his back.

  “You need to eat. Please. You can go once you’ve had something,” Stephany pleaded.

  Without turning, he said, “I need to get out of here. I have things to do.”

  “We need to talk. I need a chance to explain.” He could hear the pain and anguish in her voice.

  “Later.” He growled, keeping his eyes fixed on the door ahead. If he so much as half looked her way, he would take her again. He was so filled with rage that he was worried that he might hurt her this time. She started to argue, but he didn’t wait to listen. Ward used every ounce of control he had not to slam the door behind him.

  Chapter 17

  Stephany sagged back onto the bed. A whole night had passed and Ward hadn’t returned. Their first encounter couldn’t have gone worse. She knew that he was angry with her, yet at the same time he felt possessive of her because he could scent her pregnancy. It was something that happened to vampire males from time to time. Once they scented that their mate was with child and their protective instincts kicked in, they became extra possessive. One thing was for sure though, he hadn’t forgiven her. This was far from over.

  It really hurt how he’d turned his back on her the moment he spilled his seed. Couldn’t leave fast enough. It was fine that he was angry. He was justified in that emotion. Ward had brought her here against her will though. She was lonely and she was scared. Petrified. The least he could do was hear her out. Let her damn well explain. He also owed her an explanation or two. Like how he planned on saving their baby. How he hoped to bring them both through the birthing alive. She’d felt more thumps beneath her skin. They grew steadily stronger. Definite movements. Little kicks. She was becoming attached. If she was really honest with herself, Tanya was right, there was no way she could’ve gone through with the procedure.

  Stephany rubbed her slight belly. “Don’t worry little one. I am sure that your father will have the answers.” She squeezed her eyes shut, trying hard not to cry. “He needs a little space. I guess I owe him that much.” She threw the covers off her and slid from the bed. “If he thinks I’m staying in this cabin until he sorts himself out though…then he is sorely mistaken.”

  After a quick cold shower, she dressed and walked out into the mild morning sun. Stephany could feel that spring was definitely in the air, even up here in the mountains. There was a chilly breeze, but the sun was pleasant.

  “Um, Stephany.” Rushe jumped to his feet. “I don’t think you should be out here. Ward would want you to stay—”

  “According to the wolf alpha, I am mated to him. Pregnant with his pup.”

  Rushe nodded. “Yes, but I—”

  “Who’s going to hurt me? Who would dare?” She asked with more confidence than what she felt. Hayden hated her, Gage didn’t trust her. She was sure that there were plenty more shifters who would feel the same. Yet, Ward had openly claimed her. Surely that would mean that she was safe. At least she hoped it did. “Besides, I’ll have a strong handsome warrior at my side.” She smiled at Rushe.

  His face turned from concerned to surprised and then settled on pride. She could actually see him puff out his broad chest. “When you put it that way. I suppose it will be okay as long as you stay close to me. I’ll give you a quick tour and then we have to come back.”

  She smiled. “Thanks.”

  Stephany made sure that she stayed at his side as they approached the first large building. Big smoke plumes spoke of a large fire. Looking through the window, she noticed many sets of tables and chairs. “This is where a lot of the cooking takes place,” Rushe said from behind her as they entered. There was a big fire in the corner with a large black steaming pot.

  The female stirring the pot shrieked, grabbing her chest. She visibly relaxed as she saw Rushe walk in. “I don’t think she is supposed to be in here.” The female turned angry eyes on Rushe. “There are children about.”

  Rushe shook his head. “It’s okay. She’s with me.” He turned to Stephany. “This is Patricia.” The female’s hair was tied in a cloth. She was small. The button up dress she wore hugged narrow hips and large mammary glands which strained the top buttons.

  Stephany could smell the delicious honeyed oatmeal that she’d come to love so much. “It’s good to meet you, I am Stephany.”

  “You’re a vampire.” The female wrinkled her nose as Stephany took a step closer.

  Stephany felt her face draw in confusion. “And you’re”—she inhaled deeply through her nose to be sure—“a human.”

  The female wiped a hand across her forehead with one hand while holding up the stirring spoon with the other. Not much of a weapon if that was her intention. “Are you planning on drinking my blood?” Stephany could also smell a heavy musk that masked her human scent. This female was rutting a shifter.

  Stephany couldn’t help laughing. “I’m sorry—” she held up a hand—“heavens no. I wouldn’t dream of it. Vampires do not drink from the same sex unless they are really desperate.”

  The human paled.

  “I’m not desperate. Besides,” Stephany quickly added, “since falling pregnant wit
h a wolf pup, I find that I am hungry more for actual food these days than for blood. Your oatmeal is one of the best things I have ever tasted.”

  The human, Patricia, glanced at Stephany’s stomach. “How far along are you?”

  “Two months.”

  Her eyes widened in excitement and she put the stirrer back in the pot and turned a lazy circle in the thick oatmeal. “Wow, already? You are very lucky. I can’t wait until I’m mated and pregnant. Eliot is so looking forward to becoming a father.”

  “Eliot?”

  “My shifter.” She sighed. “In just a few more weeks we will be eligible to mate and I can’t wait.”

  “Yes, but that’s…” Stephany began to say that interspecies matings were banned, but Rushe squeezed her hand while shaking his head once.

  “Let’s sit. You look hungry.” His eyes were wide, they implored her to listen to him.

  “I’ll bring you both a bowl,” Patricia beamed. All of her earlier fears seemed to have evaporated since she heard Stephany was with child. She set two steaming bowls in front of them. They had a swirl of white and a brown dusting. “The secret ingredients are fresh cream and cinnamon.”

  Stephany took a spoonful, which she blew on and swallowed, unable to hold back the sound of utter rapture when she did. “You are a gifted cook,” she finally said to the smiling human.

  Rushe sniffed the air. “You are going to go into heat soon, Patricia. Two days tops.” He held up two fingers.

  Now that Rushe had mentioned it, Stephany picked up on the underlying sweet scent that lingered around the human. It was not unlike the honey in the pot she stirred.

  Patricia frowned. “I wish you guys wouldn’t do that.”

  “I’m sorry. We can’t help our sense of smell.” Rushe spooned in an extra-large mouthful, grinning around the food in his mouth. He swallowed. “It’s better that you know. We don’t want any more accidents caused by males’ brains turning to mush from the delicious scent.” Rushe turned to face Stephany. “Females in heat need to stay in their cabin until it passes. We have so few females that the scent of a female in heat has caused major problems in the past.”