The Chosen Series Box Set: Books 1 - 3

by Charlene Hartnady

  “The male’s testosterone levels go through the roof.” Patricia shook her head.

  “Since most of us can’t rut, we fight.”

  “They all out brawl. Broken limbs, broken faces. Blood flows.” She lifted her eyebrows. “It’s ridiculous. Once, one of the unmated males almost cut another one’s arm off with an ax.”

  “That was an accident. We can’t think straight with the delicious scent of honeyed nectar in our nostrils. They were cutting down a tree. Jackson couldn’t concentrate and Sam got in the way of the ax. Both males were distracted. Our dicks get so hard, it’s agony. That’s why you need to know when it’s about to happen, Patricia.”

  The human rolled her eyes. “It’s rude. Eliot will inform me of my bodily functions, thank you very much.”

  “I’m sure he will”—Rushe winked—“loudly, repeatedly. Using his…”

  “Rushe…” The human’s face had turned red. “I’ve asked you not to talk so openly about my sex life. It’s really rude and I don’t like it. Anyway, you know that we are banned from having sex during that time of the month until we are mated.”

  Rushe shook his head, his eyes on the empty bowl in front of him. “Sorry, Patricia.” He lifted his eyes to the human. “I sometimes forget that humans are more deceptive.”

  The human scowled at Rushe, making an incredulous noise. “We’re not deceptive.” She put her hands on her hips. “We’re private. There’s a big difference. You have a lot to learn if you ever hope to win a female of your own.”

  “I am sorry.” He threw her a grin. “Maybe you could teach me. I’m a quick learner, I promise.”

  Patricia snorted. “Eliot will kill you if he hears you say that.”

  “You’re not mated to him yet.” Rushe bobbed his eyebrows up and down.

  Patricia’s eyes zig zagged across the room. “Stop. I love Eliot. Do you have a death wish or something?”

  “I can take the bear any day.” Rushe growled, the muscles in his neck bulged as he fisted his hands before grinning wildly.

  “Yeah right!” Patricia shot back. “He’s way bigger.”

  “I’m way bigger.” Rushe leaned back in his chair, his legs wide and his meaning clear. “I can prove it.”

  “Get the hell out of my kitchen wolf.” Her voice was low and gravelly. If she wasn’t a human, Stephany would swear that Patricia was growling softly. It was over so soon though that she was sure that she had imagined it. She shook her head feeling her brow crease.

  “Okay, okay, we’ll go but this isn’t over.” Rushe held up his hands, a broad grin on his handsome face.

  The human sighed and rolled her eyes before turning back to Stephany. “Drop by again sometime. I would love to hear all about the pregnancy. Have you felt the cub move yet?”

  “Pup,” Rushe corrected her.

  “Yeah, yeah…pup.” The human rolled her eyes.

  Stephany nodded. She couldn’t help but to smile. “Yes, I have.”

  “Oh, how exciting!” Patricia clasped her hand to her mouth. “Please come back soon, I want to hear all about it.”

  “I will,” said Stephany. There was something endearing about human females.

  Rushe said goodbye, he winked at Patricia who shook her head. “Don’t you come back unless you bring your manners with you.”

  “I’ll bring a whole lot more than just my manners.” Although Stephany wasn’t looking at the male, she could hear that he was smiling broadly.

  The human made a sound of frustration as the door closed. “The sooner that male gets a mate the better.” Stephany heard Patricia mutter as they walked away.

  “Why has a shifter taken a human mate? I don’t recall the kings giving permission for interspecies relationships. In fact, their last take on it just a few days ago was very much against it.”

  Rushe’s face turned hard. “We don’t give a flying fuck what the kings think. Our species will not last another generation if we don’t do something now. Besides”—he paused and they stopped walking for a second—“it’s unnatural for a male not to take a mate. Many shifters have been forced to share one female. Often two or three males to one female.” He shook his head. “As dominant, virile males, we are not meant to share. If I take a human, it means I don’t have to share and the competition for shifter mates is fierce. Alphas normally have first dibs,” he sighed. “A human female will be way less complicated.”

  “Patricia isn’t the only one is she? There are more humans here aren’t there?”

  Rushe nodded. “Several males have taken humans and have bred successfully. There are seven happily mated family units and four partners that are in the trial phase like Eliot and Patricia.” He smiled broadly. “Once the two courting males go into trial phase and two of the trial partners mate, I will be able to start looking for my own mate. I am next on the list.”

  That list again.

  “I still wouldn’t mind a vampire instead of a human. Humans seem weak and fragile. Would I have to share a vampire?”

  “Although vampires do sometimes share, they normally only take one mate. We do not make good breeders though.” Stephany shook her head.

  “I had heard many of your kind are infertile.” Rushe threw her a lopsided grin that would have most females parting their thighs with a sigh. “My seed is strong. I am sure I could impregnate most of your kind if given the chance.”

  “I’m sure you could, Rushe.” It wouldn’t help to argue. “I would like to know more about—”

  Before she could ask about the list, a female gasped up ahead.

  “Go home right now.” She scolded her two children, both males. The younger boy looked intrigued and kept looking back at her as they moved away. The older child narrowed his eyes. It was the same female and children from the day that they had arrived. The female stomped towards them. Once she got closer, Stephany scented that the female was also human.

  “What do you think you are doing?” she wagged a finger at Rushe. “Jake will have your hide for this. A vampire? Really?”

  The female ignored her. She was very pretty with medium length dark hair and large brown eyes. Stephany noticed that she was tall and thin. This female had a very narrow waist and an almost flat chest.

  “What the hell do you think you are looking at? You had better stay away from my children. Do you hear me? Jake will discuss this with Ward. I don’t want you to look at them again. Are we clear?” Her eyes were narrowed and she turned her wagging finger on Stephany.

  “I would never hurt you or your young…I assure you. I don’t understand why humans automatically assume we plan on draining them dry. We are not even permitted to partake in human blood, so please”—she held up her hands as the human’s eyes widened in horror—“do not worry,” she added the last quickly to reassure her.

  “As if I would believe a bloodsucker.” She huffed. “You’ll regret it.”

  “Stephany is really nice, Angela. She wouldn’t hurt a fly.” Rushe stepped forward, putting himself in the line of fire. As if a human could hurt her…please. The sentiment was sweet though.

  “I don’t trust her,” the human growled. There was no mistaking it this time, the human locked eyes with Stephany and actually growled. Low and deep. Not nearly as deep as a male, but too deep for a normal human. Her brown eyes also turned a lighter amber color.

  What the hell?

  “Keep her away from us.” She turned her eyes back to Rushe and then stomped away.

  “Are the children hers?” The female had acted strangely, but this information was more important to her right now.

  Rushe nodded.

  “Did she birth them?” It was a stupid question and out before she could stop it.

  Rushe answered anyway. “Yeah, she did.”

  “Her hips are far too narrow. Did she need to have her young removed by surgery?” That was one possibility, at least a human wouldn’t need a silver blade to remove the baby. Which meant a much higher survival rate for the young.

&nbs
p; Rushe frowned at her like she had lost her mind when voices drew their attention. Three males entered the village. They covered quick ground with their large strides. Hoisted above their heads was the carcass of a large deer. It had a magnificent rack of antlers. The males were naked. Their muscles bunched under the weight of the animal. They dropped the deer and it landed with a loud thud. The deer’s throat was a bloody mess. The first male had the same long shoulder length hair as the panther alpha she had met when they arrived. His face was covered in blood, as was his chest and hands.

  “So this is Ward’s vampire female.” His eyes raked down the length of her. “Mmmm. You were right, Rushe, she is greatly attractive.”

  She recognized the other male that stepped in next to the dark haired male as one of the ones in the group that had delivered her to Sweetwater two months ago. The male inclined his head in greeting and she did the same in return. For the life of her, she couldn’t remember his name.

  The third male was the largest of the three, so muscled that she doubted he would be able to cross his tree trunk arms over his wide chest. “I prefer my human,” he growled.

  “Patricia is mighty fine, Eliot,” Rushe said with a cocky lilt to his chin.

  The bear shifter growled so loudly that his lip curled away from his teeth. “If I hear you’ve been sniffing around my female again, I swear to the gods that I will rip off your arms and use them to beat you with. Are we clear?”

  Rushe smiled, holding his hands up in a submissive fashion. “I happen to also prefer the vampires. In fact, I’ve been trying to get Stephany to introduce me to some of her friends.”

  The dark haired, blood covered male took a step towards her, his eyes moving up and down her body with interest. “Mmmm,” he rumbled, the sound coming from deep inside his chest. “I would love to meet any female that looked like this. Long, strong legs made for wrapping around a male’s hips. Breasts just big enough to fit snugly in a male’s mouth…if he tries hard enough that is.” His eyes landed on her breasts and he actually licked his lips.

  Stephany crossed her arms over her chest.

  The male continued. “By the noises Ward makes when he ruts you, I would say that you have a really tight—”

  “You are making the female uncomfortable, Yale.” Rushe took a step forward. “Ward would be greatly upset if he heard you talking to his female like that.”

  “Where is Ward?” The male that she now knew as Yale, looked around them mockingly. “If I had this tasty morsel in my bed, I don’t think I would ever leave.”

  “Come on, Stephany. Let’s get back.” Rushe kept his eyes on the big male.

  Yale smiled. “Relax. I wouldn’t try anything. That’s my cabin over there female.” He gestured to a structure to the right of them. “If Ward takes too long, you know where to find me.”

  Narrowing her eyes on the male, Stephany pursed her lips for a few beats before saying, “Don’t hold your breath.”

  “I thought you valued your life, Yale,” Rushe growled. “Come, Stephany.” He gripped her elbow as the males bent down to pick up the carcass.

  The walk back to the cabin was quick. Thankfully they didn’t run into anyone else on the way

  “I was really worried that you were going to hiss and show him your canines. I forgot to tell you not to do that.” Rushe frowned. His beautiful blue eyes were fanned with thick lashes.

  “It hasn’t been easy. It is normal for a vampire female to issue a warning to a male in that way.”

  “Ward told you that it is an invitation to rut right? Shifters love a decent set of canines on a female and you have the best pair I think I have ever seen.” He flashed her a worried smile. “For the record. I’m not coming on to you.”

  Stephany laughed. “That would be a first. I feel sorry for the females in this place, having to deal with a bunch of testosterone riddled males all day and all night.”

  “Please try and understand. It’s hard on us. There are only so many times a male can…take care of himself.” Rushe looked pained. “Look how much bigger the bicep on my right arm is than my left.” He held up his arms. “Most males around here have this same problem.”

  Stephany giggled, trying not to measure the difference between his arms with her eyes. She laughed harder when she noted that there actually was a difference in size. Almost unnoticeable, but there.

  “Oh, nice.” He grinned. “Laugh all you want. My choice is great big, blue balls or a bigger right arm. Two guesses which I prefer.”

  Stephany laughed until tears streamed down her face. “I really like you, Rushe.” She clutched onto his arm to stop herself from falling over.

  Rushe stiffened beneath her touch. “I’m sorry, Stephany. As ruttable as I think you are, I couldn’t…”

  “No, you idiot. I was talking about liking you as a friend.”

  His shoulders slumped and he blew out a gust of air. “Whew. I got worried there for a second. Ward is my alpha,” Rushe smiled. “On the other hand, I will keep trying my luck with Patricia, I really like the female. I’m afraid the others might try their luck with you as well until Ward addresses the packs, only then will the interest stop.”

  “Patricia is right by the way. Eliot is huge. You should be careful.”

  Rushe pretended to look hurt. “How can you say that? I can take him. Too much bulk makes a male slow.”

  Stephany laughed. “My bad. In that case you could so take him.”

  Rushe grinned. “We are all permitted to make a play on Patricia and any other unmated females until they are officially mated.”

  “And let me guess.” Stephany frowned. “You all do?”

  “We’re red blooded males, so yes, we definitely do. A male needs to prove himself worthy every day during the trial period. He needs to keep his female happy by providing for her, by sating her needs as many times as is required”—he bobbed his eyebrows—“He must make sure that he holds her interest for the entire duration. So far, all the males have proven themselves. If a female were to stray it would prove that she was not a fit mate. It’s better to know such things in the beginning, as shifters mate for life.”

  Stephany nodded. “I see. I can understand the need to worry with human mates, because they seem to go from one mate to the other during their short lives.”

  “Such a thing would devastate us. That is why we have a trial period.” The big male looked solemn.

  “How long does it last?”

  “Three months.”

  “I’m sure there are many fights.” Stephany shook her head.

  Rushe nodded and shrugged. “It helps hone our hand to hand combat skills, so the alphas do not mind. I would not make a play on a good friend’s potential mate. We also tend to stay away if it is someone in our own pack. But the panther and bear clans had better beware and the other clans can be thankful that they do not reside in this village. I would steal their humans if given half the chance.” He smiled broadly. “Once a female gets a taste of this”—he palmed his dick through his pants—“she won’t want her trial partner anymore.”

  Stephany made a noise of disgust and shook her head. “Patricia was right, you really do need to learn a thing or two before trying your luck with finding a female.”

  “Why?” He looked himself over. “What’s wrong with me?”

  She laughed. The male was ridiculously sweet even though he didn’t seem to have a clue. She was sure that there would be a female out there that would find that irresistible. “Then again you are handsome and you do have a fantastic sense of humor.”

  Rushe nodded. “Don’t forget my great prowess in the sack.”

  “Why on earth would you get into a sack? Why would that be considered good?”

  Rushe laughed loudly. “You haven’t had much contact with humans have you?”

  She shook her head.

  “Good in the sack means that I have a really big dick and know how to use it.” Rushe grinned and winked at her.

  “You do know that…doing
it yourself…and actually rutting with a female are two different things right?”

  Rushe’s neck muscles roped and his jaw locked for a few seconds. “Of course I do. I’ve had females before.” He shoved his hands into his pockets. “It’s been a while, but I have rutted with an actual, bonafide, flesh and blood human. I have been with one before. I’m going to fetch your lunch now, please stay in your cabin until I return.”

  She watched him walk away. Oopsie. She’d struck a nerve. By Rushe’s response, she was willing to bet that the male was lying and was obviously greatly embarrassed by the fact that he was still a virgin. Stephany sighed. He was really sweet, she’d have to help him to find a female. Although she was hardly equipped with the knowledge needed to train him on the finer points of finding and wooing a human, she would at least try.

  Chapter 18

  Stephany looked longingly at the pieces of meat that had been delivered earlier. There were also big chunks of sweet smelling bread. Rushe had said that they were made from corn. The bread was crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. Next to the basket was a bowl of fresh raspberries. They were plump and juicy. Stephany could still taste the burst of flavor on her tongue. She hadn’t been able to resist eating a handful of the delicious berries.

  Sighing, she felt hope wane. It didn’t look like Ward would be joining her for the evening meal. Her patience and understanding were wearing thin. They really needed to talk. She didn’t care what time he came back. They were going to put it all out there and Ward would listen to her whether he wanted to or not. Standing, she made for the kitchenette intent on cooking her meat. Or at least on trying. That was another thing, she was going to learn how to stand up on her own two feet and how to help out around the small, rustic village.

  There was a loud growl from outside that was followed by an even louder snarl.