The Chosen Series Box Set: Books 1 - 3

by Charlene Hartnady

  She focused on the perceived danger and heard a deep male voice. “…I didn’t mean anything by it, Ward, I swear.”

  “Yes or no, did you invite my female to your cabin?” Ward snarled. Her heart rate kicked into high gear. Stephany dropped the pan she was holding and raced for the front porch. She opened the door and her mouth fell open.

  Ward stood chest to chest with the panther shifter from earlier. She remembered that his name was Yale.

  “It was a joke,” Yale said. The panther was a big male, but he was no match for Ward. Both males wore low slung jeans, chests bare.

  Menace and sheer dominance seemed to roll off Ward as he narrowed his eyes at the other male. Yale probably didn’t realize it, but he brought one of his feet back and shifted his weight away from Ward. It was subtle, but telling. The male was afraid. If she was a little closer, she was sure that she would scent his fear.

  “Yes or no?” Ward growled. It was barely audible.

  “Yes.”

  Ward head-butted the male with such force that he fell to one knee. There was a murmur, and for the first time she realized that a whole group of males had congregated around the feuding pair.

  Ward waited until Yale gracefully sprung back to his feet before taking a step forward, putting himself nose to nose with the male. Though Ward had to angle his head down a little. The muscles on his back roped. His lats rose out from either side of his torso. He was pumped, magnificent. Her heart shouldn’t race at such a base display, but there was something about this dominant, possessive behavior that sparked something in her. He was doing this to show them all that she belonged to him, her heart raced even more.

  “Did you talk about her legs around your hips and her breasts in your mouth?”

  “Not your female specifically”—Yale swallowed hard—“there was talk of vampire friends.” The male glanced away for a quick second. “You haven’t officially claimed the female.”

  Ward’s eyes flashed with anger. He cursed, using a choice word that she was sure his mother wouldn’t approve of. “Not the female. My female. Mine. You would’ve scented my claim.” He snarled, sounding more like his beast than a male. “Did your eyes not roam her body? You may have been talking about her friends, but your intentions were clear.” Ward locked his jaw so hard that she was sure she heard his teeth grind together.

  “I was only looking, Ward, I didn’t mean—”

  Ward hit the male, his fist connecting with his jaw with a crack that knocked him onto his butt. Yale made no move to rise, he kept his eyes on the ground. His muscles were tensed and his mouth was a thin white line. It looked like he had resigned himself to his fate. Ward’s chest heaved, he took a step towards the male, hands fisted at his sides. Just when Stephany was sure Ward was going to beat the male to a pulp, he stopped, shaking his head as he did. Ward roared while standing over the downed male. Not taking his eyes off of him for a second. “Let it be known that I have claimed the vampire female.” He paused for what felt like a long time but in reality was only a few seconds. He lifted his gaze, letting it roam from one male to the next. “She is mine. Mine,” he snarled. Stephany half expected him to beat his chest like a caveman.

  Males.

  “Any one of you that goes near her, will face me. I hope that I have made myself clear. Know that I won’t be so lenient next time.” With a menacing growl, he turned on his heel and strode towards her. When his eyes landed on her, they narrowed further while sliding down her body from head to toe and back again. “No wonder the males are falling over themselves. Look how you are dressed.”

  Stephany looked down, she was wearing one of Ward’s shirts. It stopped high on her thighs. She’d taken a shower while waiting for him to return. With all the commotion, she’d forgotten.

  His comment bugged her. “I thought shifters were fine with nudity.”

  His eyes narrowed further, making his eyelashes fuse. “You are not a shifter.” Ward gripped her elbow, taking her inside. “What were you thinking wandering around the village?” he growled. “You could’ve gotten yourself killed.” He slammed the door behind them. He released her the moment they were inside, running a hand through his hair which had grown longer. His face was covered in thick stubble. It shouldn’t be possible, but he was even more attractive. Damn him. She didn’t want to notice that right now.

  “Did you expect me to sit around here all day?” She threw back at him. “I spent enough time between these four walls while nursing you back to health. If you think I’m going to sit here and pine until you finally decide to talk to me then you’re mistaken.”

  “It was your fault I was injured in the first place.” He gestured to the almost invisible line on his chest. “If you had been honest with me, it wouldn’t have happened. I hadn’t officially claimed you yet. You put yourself and my heir in danger. It was unacceptable behavior.”

  “Leaving me here without explaining anything to me was unacceptable behavior. You don’t care about me at all, do you? The only reason you claimed me was for this child.” Stephany rubbed a hand over her stomach. Her protective instincts flared. Right now she felt like grabbing Ward and shaking him. Why did he claim her if he didn’t really want her?

  His eyes flashed a bright green. “Someone needed to stand up for him. If it was up to you, he’d be dead by now. Ripped from your womb.”

  Stephany choked out a sob. She couldn’t help it when the tears came. Hot and fast. “That’s not fair,” she whispered. “You know I can’t birth this baby, and that is the only reason I ever considered termination. I would not have gone through with it.”

  “I don’t know anything anymore, Stephany. I’m not sure I even know you.”

  His words hit home, only because there was truth to them. It stung. The blasted tears came faster.

  The door opened. “Maybe you should go for a walk, Ward.” Rushe tried hard to hold Ward’s hard stare.

  “Get the fuck out before you regret it.”

  “I won’t let you hurt the female.” Rushe took a step into the room.

  “What is she to you?” Ward looked from Stephany to Rushe and back again.

  Rushe took on a look of confusion for a few seconds. “She’s my friend, Ward. I like and respect Stephany, I won’t stand by and listen to you speak to her like that. I know you can beat my ass, but I don’t care.”

  Ward’s jaw tensed, but he turned his face to stare at the far wall.

  “You are not being very nice. Your female has waited for you all day. She has missed you. I can attest that she has not looked at another male in your absence. You are hurting her.”

  Ward took a deep breath. “I haven’t laid a hand on her.”

  “Some wounds cannot be seen on the skin, Ward. Stop what you are doing please or”—the other male took a deep breath—“with all due respect, I will need to ask that you please leave.” He flinched as he said the last.

  After a long wait, Ward finally cleared his throat. “Thank you, Rushe.” He nodded, “I have regained control. You can go now.”

  Rushe looked at Stephany. She nodded, trying to plaster a smile on her face. Her lip wobbled, so she bit down on it. Rushe finally nodded before moving back to the door.

  “Rushe,” Ward called and the other male turned his head. “You are dismissed.”

  “Again, Ward, with all due respect.” Rushe dropped his gaze, “I will stay outside the door for a little while.”

  Ward sucked in a deep breath while taking a step forward, his hands fisted at his sides. Then he stopped, pausing for a few beats before nodding once. Rushe left.

  “Please stop crying.” He spoke softly, his eyes still trained on the door.

  “I wish I could,” she sniffed. “I don’t cry. I don’t ever cry.” Even as she said the mantra, her tears came faster.

  Ward moved towards her and she flinched. “I told you that I would never hurt you and I meant that.” His voice was deep and soothing. “Hey”—he brushed a hair from her face and cupped her chin—“
I am sorry that I said those things. I didn’t mean them.”

  She shrugged him off. “You did, Ward, but at least you were finally male enough to voice what you have been holding inside.”

  He looked away and then back at her. “I’m still sorry. I could’ve worded it differently. Rushe is right, I said those things to hurt you.” He rubbed a hand behind his neck, squeezing for a few beats. “I wanted you to feel the pain that I have felt. The pain that I still feel.” His eyes clouded. “It was wrong of me.”

  “You need to know that I hate Lance. I hate my mate.”

  “That male is not your mate,” Ward growled.

  “Just because you say he isn’t, doesn’t make it so.” She tried to keep her voice even. “I don’t want him, but that doesn’t change things. Lance is my mate.”

  Ward snarled. The sound terrifying. Even though she knew he would never hurt her, goose bumps rose on her arms.

  The door opened and Rushe put his head around the jamb, his eyes on Ward. “Please calm down. I really think you need to jog or hunt or something.”

  “Fuck off, Rushe. I am losing my patience with you.” Ward didn’t take his eyes off her.

  “I know. I’m sorry, but I won’t leave Stephany until you calm down. You can beat me if it will help you to calm down.”

  Her heart bled for the sweet wolf. She really did have to try and find him a mate. He may be a little rough around the edges, but he so deserved a female of his own.

  Ward sighed loudly, hooking his thumbs into his jeans. “Have I ever hurt anyone before?”

  Rushe lifted his eyebrows.

  “You know what I mean. Have I ever hurt a female?” Ward spoke quickly, frustration etched in every word.

  Rushe shook his head. “No you haven’t, but you have never felt this strongly about a female before either. I have never seen you this emotional.”

  Ward scrubbed a hand over his face, he made a sound of frustration. “All the more reason why I would never hurt my female. I think I’ve got this now, Rushe. Thank you.”

  The other male shook his head and crossed his arms.

  Ward grit his teeth. “Either you leave or I’m leaving. As much as I would love to beat you, you have my female’s best interests at heart and I can’t make you bleed because of that, but three is a crowd, Rushe. I don’t have much patience left and I don’t want to hurt you.” When the other male narrowed his eyes in answer, Ward added, “Please.”

  “I appreciate your help and concern, but we” —Stephany gestured between Ward and herself—“really need to talk. Ward has every right to be angry.” She locked eyes with Ward.

  “You won’t hurt her?”

  Ward shook his head. “Never.” His eyes stayed on hers.

  “I’m not just talking physically.”

  “I might snarl and growl. I may even raise my voice, but I promise not to hurt her in any way.”

  Rushe kept his eyes locked on Ward for a few beats before dropping his gaze to the ground and backing out of the room.

  “I think that male might be a little bit in love with you.” Ward gave her a tight smile and the ache in her heart eased just a little.

  The door cracked open. “I will take her if you’re not careful.”

  Ward snarled, kicking the door closed with such force that the wood cracked. He turned, his body pumped and glistening. His eyes the brightest, most beautiful green. They softened as they landed on her. “If he comes in here one more time, I will not be able to stop myself from pummelling him. I know that you would hate to see him hurt, so please prepare yourself. Know that I don’t want to do it, but he will force my hand.” Ward glanced towards the door before turning his intense gaze back on her. “Be honest with me, Stephany…do you want Lance as a mate?”

  Narrowing her eyes, she shook her head. “I already told you that I didn’t.”

  “Then he isn’t your mate. I will explain why a little later. Right now, I really need you to stop referring to him as such.” He took a deep breath. “I am feeling very possessive of you at the moment. With my scent on you. Knowing about the pup. My instincts are riding me hard.”

  “What instincts?”

  He gave a humourless laugh. “To take you. Hard. To mark you with my seed over and over again. To bite you until I scar your neck so that all may know that you are mine.”

  “They know.” She said, feeling herself grow wet just listening to him talk like that.

  “They may know, but do you?” His nostrils flared, his eyes dropped to the juncture at her thighs. “Don’t.”

  “Don’t what?”

  He sniffed, letting out a rugged breath. “I will rut you, Stephany, until you scream my name, until you tell me that you are mine.”

  “Stop talking like that, I can’t help my body’s reaction to your words.”

  He grit his teeth. “I need to know why you never mentioned that male to me. Not once.” He took a deep breath, his chest expanded for a few beats before he finally released the air. “I didn’t scent another male on you when Hayden took you that day, and I believed you when you said it had been a very long time since you rutted with someone. What I don’t understand is why you would lie about not having a mate when you clearly believe that you do.”

  She shook her head, wrapping her arms around herself. “I never lied. I watched the elven archers take Lance down. His entire chest was peppered with silver tipped arrows. It is a miracle that he survived.”

  “You thought him dead?”

  “Yes.” She tilted her chin and pursed her lips.

  Ward looked thoughtful for a few seconds. “Hayden mentioned a male that died trying to save you. It was one of the reasons he had ultimately decided to take you. If the royal guard was willing to die for you, then he knew you must be important. That was this male?…Lance.” He spat his name out like a curse.

  “Yes. We accidentally mated many years ago.” She shrugged. “We have never lived together as mates.”

  “The male seems to think that you should be together now. Why? Did you reconnect when you returned?” His eyes narrowed, his whole body tightened. “Is he the reason you grew your hair? Why you refused to stay with me in the first place?”

  “Jealous much?” Anger coursed through her veins.

  “You carry my pup, that makes you mine. I told you I am feeling possessive.” He crossed his arms over his massive chest.

  “Excuses, Ward. It doesn’t give you permission to act like a jerk. I am not a possession.”

  His eyes softened and he took a step towards her. “You’re right. I guess I’m not very good at this. I’ve never been jealous before.” He turned his eyes to the floor for a few seconds before lifting them. “I do not know how to handle the emotion.”

  “Lance is deluded. I don’t know why he suddenly feels that he owns me.” She paused while Ward growled. “He tried hard to…connect with me…once I returned, but I have not been able to think of anyone but you.” It was her turn to look away, unable to hold his intense gaze. “You are the reason I grew my hair.” Heat infused her cheeks.

  He reached out and touched a wayward strand. “Beautiful, soft and silky. Perfect for fisting while I am inside of you.”

  Another pang of arousal coursed through her. “We’re not done talking,” she said, catching his hooded stare and flared nostrils.

  “Why did that idiot male not claim you after he mated you?”

  She shrugged. “We were from different covens. The kings were birth enemies.” She let out a sigh. “Our covens were at war.”

  “Bullshit, if the male wanted you then he would’ve taken you regardless of the consequences.”

  Stephany smiled. “Our mating was by accident. Lance and I don’t belong together. He will come to realize that. The male rutted so many females over the years…it was clear he was never really interested in me.”

  “I don’t like the male. He is a colossal idiot.”

  She laughed. “And putting a sabre into your chest may have clouded your j
udgement.”

  Ward’s eyes hardened. “He got lucky. It won’t happen again. Why have you not taken any males to your bed over the years? It wasn’t because you were pining for Lance.”

  She shook her head so hard that her hair flew about her face. “Lance had nothing to do with it. I told you that I was deemed physically unable to birth children.” A well of emotion clawed its way up inside of her. “I should’ve undergone a surgical procedure to prevent pregnancy. I’ve always wanted a baby though, Ward. I’ve always wanted this.” She put her hand over the slight swell of her belly. “The reason I never sought a male was because I would’ve had to go under the knife. I guess I couldn’t bear the thought of it. Subconsciously I knew that if I abstained I would be left alone.”

  Ward put his hand over hers. “You can birth this baby, Stephany.”

  She shook her head, her eyes pricked. “My mother died birthing me.” She took a deep breath, fighting for control. “I should’ve died too. I’m already showing. This baby will be very big.” She looked down at where their hands met.

  His hand moved over her protruding belly. It would soon be clear to all that she was pregnant just by looking at her.

  He frowned. “I am an alpha, my pup will be big.”

  Stephany shook her head, squeezing her eyes shut. It looked like her worst fears would become a reality.

  “As for you being too big too soon”—he lifted her chin, forcing her to look at him—“You are already in the final trimester. Two more weeks and this pup could come. That’s where I was—”

  “Two weeks?” she gasped.

  He nodded, removing his hand. “Females are pregnant between ten and twelve weeks. We need to prepare. Tomorrow we’ll move into a bigger cabin. Rushe can take this one since he will be eligible to find a mate soon.”

  A yell of excitement erupted from outside the cabin.

  Ward rolled his eyes. “Please excuse me for a second.” He touched her arm lightly.

  “Please don’t hurt him.” Stephany gripped Ward by the bicep, her hand only making it halfway around the impressive muscle.

  “I’m hoping he’ll be far away by the time I make it outside.” Ward projected his voice while throwing Stephany a half smile.