The Chosen Series Box Set: Books 1 - 3

by Charlene Hartnady

  There was a scrambling noise outside followed by loud footfalls. Stephany couldn’t help but to laugh. Ward grinned, shaking his head. “I’m not sure he’s ready for a female.”

  “He is,” Stephany said, hearing the panic in her voice. Rushe would be crushed if Ward changed his mind. “A female is just what he needs.”

  Ward narrowed his eyes at her, but his mouth hitched at the sides. “Don’t tell me you’re also a little bit in love with the male too.”

  Stephany slapped Ward’s arm lightly, faking mock surprise. “I was celibate for twenty years before meeting you. You have nothing to be jealous about.”

  His gaze turned feral and he moved right into her personal space, almost chest to chest. “Twenty whole years,” a low growl that had her insides turning to mush.

  She nodded.

  “I think we need to make up for lost time.”

  She nodded, biting her lip. “I’m really scared, Ward. I’m not a shifter, nor am I a human. We are pregnant for much longer. We birth big babies. What if the baby doesn’t come as soon as you are expecting?”

  Ward’s gaze softened. “You may be a vampire, but you are pregnant with my pup. He will be big for a wolf pup, but small enough for you to birth.”

  She shook her head. “I am a vampire.”

  “So you keep telling me.” He smiled at her. “Tomorrow I will take you to meet Jessy. She birthed little Ross a month ago. You may be a vampire, but the little one will have my traits. That is how it works.” He sighed, “Your species has kept to its own for so long that you have no idea. All of your traditions and lores are based on ancient beliefs not on fact or science.”

  She shook her head. “What are you saying?”

  “You met Angela yesterday?” He waited for her to nod in agreement before continuing, “Her eldest is ten. Her and Jake were the first shifter human mating. Due to the female shortage, shifters have been breeding between the various clans for many years. Wolves and panthers, bears and cougars. The offspring always have the traits of the father. With humans, it’s the same. The only problem is that interbreeding results in male offspring only. With so few female shifters, female births are rare.”

  “That’s why you keep referring to the baby as he.” She couldn’t help but to touch her belly.

  He nodded. “You will birth a boy. We have between two and four weeks to prepare. Better make that two to be on the safe side.”

  Stephany gasped. “That’s why I have felt him kick already and why I am already showing.”

  Ward’s eyes flared with excitement. “You felt him kick?” He reached out and touched her belly.

  She nodded. “I think he is sleeping right now though. I felt him for the first time a few days ago. His kicks are becoming stronger and more often.”

  “Your belly will swell quickly over the next two or more weeks. You will not get very big though because the pup will be much smaller than a human baby. I am not sure how big vampire newborns are.”

  “I have been told that vampire young are bigger than human young.”

  “The little one will be much smaller than your vampire babies. He will be fully formed but because of his size he will be vulnerable. Some females choose to stay indoors for the first few months once a pup is born.” He took a deep breath. “I am considering moving us to our more permanent location deeper in the mountains, but we would be cut off from civilization.”

  She looked around them. “And this isn’t cut off?” She smiled.

  Ward frowned. “No, we are only a few hours away from Sweetwater. With the coming birth, it might be better to stay here.”

  “You’re worried.”

  He swallowed hard. “There has never been a vampire shifter birth before, I would rather be prepared. You may need help when the time comes. With Sweetwater close by…” He put his arms around her and pulled her close. “You are pregnant with my pup, all will be well.”

  She nodded against his chest, hoping that he was right. There was still a small seed of doubt though. A whole lot of what-ifs that they would only find answers to once the baby came. A small kick had a smile forming on her lips. This baby would make it. He had to.

  They had dinner together and talked. Slipped back into a comfortable companionship like before. Well almost like before. Stephany figured it would take time. Things had changed.

  Ward insisted on washing up.

  “What did you mean when you said that I wasn’t mated to Lance?” The last thing she felt like doing was bringing up her mate again, but she needed to know.

  Ward stiffened, he grabbed a dishcloth and wiped his hands before sitting across from her. “The lores are a big thing to the vampires. Let me see if I know this particular one based on discussions we’ve had.” He paused, “You mate during a new moon. Both biting each other while you rut.” He grimaced like he was imagining her and Lance during the act.

  Stephany couldn’t help but to squirm a little. She nodded. “We don’t just bite we take blood.”

  He nodded. “Makes sense.” He shook his head, smiling. “If two vampires rut during a full moon and accidentally take blood from each other during rutting, then that means you are mated, bonded to each other for all time?”

  She nodded.

  Ward laughed. “Biggest load of bullshit.”

  She gasped. “How can you say that? It’s rude to put down our lores like that.”

  “The lores are similar to human traditions. There is no magic involved. With humans, the male normally asks the female. They plan an elaborate ceremony, they swap rings. It is customary for the female to wear a white dress. They need to rut in order for the mating to be binding, yet humans break off their bond more often than not. They are known for taking multiple partners over the course of their short lives, often breeding with more than one partner.”

  “Humans are not governed by the lores,” she said while leaning forward in her chair.

  “More on these magical lores. That’s not it, humans are not able to genetically manipulate each other.”

  She felt her brow pull together. “I don’t get it.”

  “The reason why non humans bond so effectively is because we swap genetic material at a fundamental cellular level. It is not as apparent when it is a same species mating as the traits are the same. When a male and a female actually want to be together and frequently swap genetic material, they start to imprint on one another. The concept of becoming one is in essence true. After a time they only want each other. With shifters, we become addicted to our mate’s scent.”

  “How does genetic material get exchanged?”

  His eyes heated. “Through kissing, touching but it mainly happens when we rut. It is why a male is so driven to mark his mate with his seed. Biting also plays a big role.” Ward’s jaw tensed, his eyelashes practically fused as his gaze dipped to her breasts before sliding back up to her mouth.

  “What happens with human shifter matings?”

  “Humans take on some of our traits. Shifters still imprint with their human females just as strongly.”

  Stephany remembered how the two females had growled at her earlier today. Could that be because they had taken on some of their mate’s traits? “That’s why Angela growled at me like that. I had forgotten about it.” Stephany growled a few times herself after being with Ward, which was not normal for a vampire female. At least now she understood why. Her eyes widened. “What other traits will I pick up? Please don’t tell me that I will start to sprout fur or a tail.”

  Ward laughed. “No, the changes are much more subtle.”

  “Oh, God! Will I start panting? Drooling?”

  He reached over and pulled her onto his lap. His erection hard underneath her butt. “Panting? Drooling?” he raised his eyebrows. “That can be arranged.” Ward palmed her breast, gently pinching her nipple.

  She moaned.

  Removing his hand, he slid it around her back, his eyes turning serious. “The lores are not based on scientific fact. They are mainly gr
ounded in tradition and are sometimes wrong, Stephany. Do you see now that no bond exists between you and that male? He has no hold on you.”

  She put her hands on his shoulders. “I don’t want to be mated to him, but according to my coven, to Lance himself, he and I are mated.”

  His jaw locked and his eyes darkened. “You are with the shifters now, not the vampires. You have not rutted with that male for many years. No bond exists,” he growled.

  “I still don’t fully understand. I am told that Zane himself had a favorite female that he used to rut with and often. Why did he not become…bonded…with her?”

  He shrugged. “They could have not of had an exclusive relationship. One or both had to have rutted others, preventing a genetic bond from forming. The bond happens quicker and runs deeper if the couple love one another as well.”

  She nodded. “Yeah. They both regularly took others to their beds.”

  Ward smiled. “There you have it then.”

  “It’s all so complicated,” she huffed. Wanting what he said to be true.

  “Not really.” Ward tightened his hold on her. “If two people have strong feelings for one another then they will spend a lot of time together and will rut often, slowly imprinting on one another until an unbreakable bond is formed. In the cases of the humans, they will age much slower, become stronger. Their senses are heightened.”

  Stephany scratched her forehead. “Wait a minute, that’s what happens with the chosen human female.”

  Ward laughed, shaking his head. “Your kings don’t have a clue. You really believe it would only happen to the chosen female? The same principle would apply whether it was with one of the kings or with a regular vampire male.”

  “Can’t be.”

  “I told you that some of the lores are flawed. Based on traditions not fact. It is the same with our lores. Our ancestors did not want us diluting our blood with humans and other species. There are various bogus lores that try and prevent this.” He raised his eyebrows. “That a human female would not survive being rutted by a shifter male. That offspring of a cross shifter paring would result in a runt being born with the weakest characteristics of each clan. That the child would be an abomination.” He made a sound of frustration. “All a load of bull. Just like the one that says your kings would be unable to impregnate any other human female. They choose a female at a ceremony and are then unable to make any other pregnant? Bullshit!”

  Her brow furrowed. “If that is true, then why did you try and take the chosen human female?”

  He shrugged his big shoulders. “Obviously the kings believe it. That is what counts.”

  “Are you claiming that a human female mated to any male vampire would become stronger because just as in the case with shifter and human matings, the male would pass on some of his traits to her?”

  He nodded. “That is exactly what I am claiming, but we can chat some more about this later.” He put his head in the crook of her neck and inhaled, making a sound of enjoyment. “You are mine, Stephany. That idiot male has no claim on you.” He thrust up from below her, rubbing his jean clad erection against her. “I feel an urgent need to mark you.” His voice was a low rumble. “To pass on some of my genetic material to you. I think you’d be really cute with a tail.”

  “Hey.” She giggled while leaning in. Ward deepened the kiss, devouring her mouth. He stood in one easy motion, carrying her like she weighed nothing. Stephany wrapped her legs around him.

  Carefully placing her on the bed, he stood while unsnapping his jeans. His gaze traced the contours of her body. “Take that off.” He gestured to her shirt while peeling his jeans down his long legs in one easy motion.

  Ward growled as her shirt went over her head, his eyes firmly on her much larger breasts. “Open your thighs for me, sweetheart.” Another low, throaty growl sounded as she did as he asked.

  Ward grit his teeth, his thick cock jutted from his body. “So wet.” His nostrils flared. His eyes slid back up her body, locking with hers. They smoldered with more than just lust. Intense emotion like nothing she had ever seen before. His jaw clenched and his throat worked as he covered her body with his much bigger, much harder one. Her breasts mashed against his chest, the hairs abrading her sensitive nipples. His eyes danced about her face. He kissed her softly before pulling away enough to allow his hand to fit between them. Ward cupped her breast, squeezing her flesh before raking a thumb across her sensitive nub. Her breathing hitched. His hand trailed lower, down her belly which quivered from his touch. His whole hand circled her mound as he dipped a finger into her pussy. She moaned, the sound turning into an all-out cry as he used the same finger to zone in on her clit. Using fast, deft strokes, he had her panting in seconds. Her nipples tightened and need coiled inside her. The build happened quickly.

  “Ward I…I…I’m going to…”

  He kissed her again, wrapping his hand around her thigh, which he pulled up so that she straddled him more firmly. “Let me know if I hurt you in any way.” He glanced between their bodies, his eyes first on her belly before dipping down to where his cock rested against her pussy. Ward pulled back until the head of his dick was at her opening. With infinite, maddening care, he pushed into her. He made a small grunting noise as he reached the hilt. Stephany looked up at him, his eyes were closed and his jaw was slack. So handsome. She knew he was hers even though she didn’t deserve him.

  Not when she considered Lance to still be her mate.

  She cupped his jaw, feeling his stubble catch. Ward opened his beautiful eyes, his lids still hooded. Their bright green depths locking with hers. He threw her a lopsided grin. It was tight with pent up desire, though his face turned very serious as he moved to kiss her. Using deep, slow strokes, he made love to her. He didn’t touch her again with his hands. Didn’t have to since his body rubbed against hers with a delicious friction that threatened to take her breath away.

  Her breasts felt heavy, her nipples tight, her clit throbbed. Once he found that spot inside her, he made sure to hit it every time, keeping the rhythm slow and deep. Her skin felt overly tight. The coiling sensation happened slowly, yet it somehow felt so much more intense. Ward kissed her, their mouths mimicking their bodies. She hovered on the edge of release for the longest time, enjoying the closeness. Stephany could feel that his canines had lengthened as they banged against her own fangs. Ward broke the kiss on a low growl that vibrated against her.

  He nuzzled into her neck, placing a soft kiss on the sensitive patch just below her ear. He was going to bite her. Excitement coursed through her. It was on that thought that her orgasm hit. The hard wave of unexpected release hit her hard. She cried out, feeling her own fangs extend almost to the point of exquisite pain.

  Hot bursts erupted inside her and Ward jerked, making a grunting noise. Instinct took over as she sank her fangs into his neck. Ward roared, a deafening sound that had her ears ringing. He continued to move in uneven jerking movements. Deep and hard. Her pleasure intensified as his cock swelled. Finally, his movements slowed until he eventually stopped. Ward groaned as she retracted her fangs, he inhaled deeply against her skin while making noises of rapture.

  “You smell amazing. I want you again.” His dick twitched inside her.

  “We can if you want...”

  He moved back so that he could look her in the eye and shook his head. “You need your rest, but know that we are going to do this again in the morning before I have to go and prepare our new home.”

  She nodded. He smiled, pulling her against him so that her back was firmly against his chest. This was how he held her the whole night, his hand wrapped possessively around her belly.

  True to his word, they made love again in the morning, this time though he took her from behind, his finger firmly on her clit. It embarrassed her that she came in less than a minute without any foreplay. By the time Ward allowed himself his own release, she came a second time and it was even more powerful than the first.

  Stephany managed to keep a
rein on her foul mouth, not calling him a single bad name during sex, but only because Ward hadn’t bitten her once. He sniffed at her, kissed her neck, but never so much as nipped at her.

  Maybe claiming and mating weren’t the same thing. He considered her his but not as mates, which was weird considering the discussion that they had had. He didn’t consider her to be mated to Lance so that couldn’t be the problem.

  They probably just needed time.

  Chapter 19

  They moved into the bigger cabin the next day. Just like all the other family units. It was just down the road from the one they had had before. Much to her delight, their new home had solar power so no more having to light a fire for hot water. There was a living and dining area. The two bedrooms were separate and there was a well-appointed kitchen. Still very rustic, but comfortable.

  Ward had organized a bassinet for their bedroom and a crib for the second bedroom, which they were slowly turning into a nursery. Stephany was in awe over how quickly the time had passed. Two weeks since coming to the shifter village and in the blink of an eye. By now, she had washed all of the baby clothes and was busy folding the tiny baby outfits. They were made for premature human babies. Ward had told her that they would be too big for the little one. She held up one of the garments. It was so small, she couldn’t imagine having to fold up the sleeves.

  Her belly had grown much bigger. It was swollen enough that her belly button had popped out a little bit. Her breasts were much bigger as well. Her nipples were dark and also looked swollen. Every time she heard a baby cry, they leaked. It was amazing how the female body prepared itself, everything geared towards the birth.

  True to his word, Ward had taken her to meet Jessy the next day. They had become friends. The human female had told her everything about her own birth and what to expect. Although little Ross was six weeks old, he was still so very tiny. According to Jessy, he had grown a lot since he was born. She couldn’t imagine an even smaller baby. Maybe she would be able to birth their son without any complications after all.