The Chosen Series Box Set: Books 1 - 3

by Charlene Hartnady

  Lance shrugged, feeling his dick fill at the thought of being inside her again. “Get on your hands and knees then, female.”

  She turned, lifting her ass suggestively and looking at him from under her lashes.

  Lance grit his teeth. It really had been far too fucking long. He would make up for it tonight though, inside this female. He would take her so many times that she would beg for him to stop.

  “I suggest you hold on.” Lance said, moving into position behind her.

  Sapphire’s husky laugh turned to a deep moan as he gripped her tits, putting the tip of his cock in line with her dripping pussy.

  Lance sat upright in bed just as the first light of the new day crept in. He pulled the drapes to the side. The sky was still shadowed, it still housed the last few stars that would soon disappear. The first streaks of crimson had just appeared on the horizon.

  Breathtaking. It was his favorite time of day. Quiet. Crisp. A new start, full of opportunity.

  A light snore drew his attention back to the bed. His bed. The female lay draped across his covers. He had to fight the instincts inside him that made him want to ask her to leave. He fought down the emotion. She would wake soon enough.

  Even through his frown, he felt the corners of his mouth pull into a smile. The female had been insatiable. Matching him thrust for thrust. Taking all he had to give and still demanding more. It was him who had finally fallen back onto the soft mattress. Chest heaving, unable to move so much as his pinkie finger. He’d drifted off to sleep before sending her on her way. Thank blood, she wasn’t the type of female that would want more than a casual rut. He might even take her to his bed again if he didn’t find Stephany soon.

  His mate.

  His.

  Not some mangy wolf’s. He would find his female, kill the wolf and bring her back. She would be his whether she liked it or not. This was far from over. Lance did not give up. He was a warrior dammit. The term give up was not a part of his vocabulary. His female was just confused. She had to be. Those wolves had brainwashed her somehow. Once he got her back, he would take his time and convince her that they belonged together. Once the wolf was out the way, he was sure that she would see reason. Lance would save her, he would cut the child from her. She would thank him in the end for saving her life. His mate would see reason in the end, she had to.

  Lance leaned over his desk and switched on his laptop before heading for the bathroom to relieve himself. The laptop had booted up by the time he got back. The female still slept, his eyes tracked the contours of her still naked body.

  His hands almost moved of their own accord, as he had done this so many times before. He logged onto the account, clicking on the cell phone number in question. He started to move away, expecting the attempt to come up blank as it always had in the past. Instead, the number turned red and a loading circle appeared on the screen.

  For a second, he thought that he might be seeing things, but the loading circle kept on turning until a google map appeared with a red flashing tack in the center of it.

  Tanya’s old cell phone was in Sweetwater. That meant that there was a possibility that Stephany was in Sweetwater, or at the very least that someone who would lead him to her was there. Lance threw his head back and roared as adrenaline coursed through his veins.

  Chapter 22

  Stephany wriggled in front of him. She couldn’t seem to get comfortable. Ward eased himself out from behind her, ensuring that the blanket covered her properly before going to fetch the chair. He moved it next to the bed, careful not to make a sound. This way he could keep watch over her from his new vantage point. Hopefully she would be more comfortable on the narrow space if he was out of the way.

  His female had to be feeling exhausted after the long trip yesterday. It hadn’t helped that Becky had woken her up just before midnight to do another check to see if her womb opening was any riper. It was a strange way of describing the entrance to the birthing canal. Like her womb itself was an overripe fruit, ready to burst and expel the infant.

  Her opening was coming along nicely in the words of the human. The female still had no idea how long things would take if left to progress naturally.

  Becky had tried to break Stephany’s water with a sterile non silver instrument that had a hook on the end. His female had gripped his hand in hers, and Ward could hear how her heart raced as the healer had inserted the instrument. Although Becky had tried several times to break the barrier, it had healed immediately after each attempt.

  They had lain awake for the longest time afterwards until, thankfully, his female had drifted back into a restful sleep. The sun had risen over an hour ago, Ward hoped that Stephany would sleep a bit longer. By fur, he knew that she needed it.

  A soft knock sounded on the door. Ward jumped up and quickly opened the door, not wanting to disturb his female. Hopefully her labor would start soon, in which case she would need her strength.

  The little human looked up at him. Ward exited the room and carefully closed the door behind him.

  “Sorry to bother you,” she whispered. “I am going to get some coffee and some breakfast for everyone.”

  “You shouldn’t leave what if…” He tried to keep his voice at a whisper even though panic welled. His female needed her healer here.

  Becky held up a hand. “I will be five minutes away. I can’t send one of your men because they would stick out like a sore thumb.”

  Ward frowned. “What does a thumb have to do with it?” A sound of frustration escaped him.

  “It means that you would be recognized as not being human. You are all much bigger than human males. You would draw attention, which we are trying to avoid,” she whispered.

  “No. You are right.” He ran a hand through his hair.

  “Let me pop out. I’ll get the supplies we need and hopefully a quick shower and a change of clothes.” She looked down at herself and wrinkled her nose. “I promise, I’ll be really quick and you can call if anything changes with Steph. I stay only five minutes away. The coffee shop is on the ground floor of my apartment building.”

  He finally forced himself to nod. “Please hurry.”

  “I will.”

  “Follow me first though, please.” He whispered as softly as his deep voice would allow. The human did as he asked and stayed on his heels as he made his way back to the waiting area. Their backpack was still under one of the chairs where he had left it earlier.

  Ward grabbed it and unzipped it. He removed a wad of cash from the side pocket and handed the human a couple of notes.

  She cocked her head, not accepting the money as he expected. “I’m buying breakfast for five of us not an entire army.”

  “Please take the money. I feel as if I owe you so much more.”

  She shook her head. “Stephany happens to be a friend.”

  “Please take it. The medicines must have cost you money.” He paused, watching her eyes narrow at him. “Besides, we may only be a group of five, but three of us are shifter males. We eat enough for two or three of your males…each.”

  Her stance finally relaxed. “Fine, but this makes us even. Okay?” She took the cash, stuffing it into the purse on her shoulder.

  Ward nodded, he had to smile. “Rushe will have his hands full with you.”

  Her face scrunched up in confusion. “I’m not sure I understand.”

  His smile widened. “You will soon enough. Please get something sweet for my female, she seems to enjoy such foods since becoming pregnant.”

  “Oh my God, you actually glow when you talk about her. You love her very much, don’t you?”

  Ward felt his chest tighten. “Yes, I do. Stephany is everything to me. I would do anything for her.”

  The little female nodded, her eyes glazed. “Maybe one day I’ll find someone who cares even half as much.”

  “You have…will female, of that I have no doubt.” She didn’t know it yet, but she really already had. It wasn’t Ward’s place to discuss it with the h
uman though. Besides, such things had been known to scare non-shifters off. Rushe seemed to want this female, so he would leave it alone.

  “Call me, Becky.” She pouted her full lips at him for several beats.

  He nodded. “Becky.”

  She released a breath, her whole demeanour softened. “They have the most delicious pastries with fruit filling or custard at the coffee shop. Stephany will love them.” Becky smiled.

  Ward felt his whole frame tense at the thought of his female. The urge to go back to her almost overwhelmed him. The need to keep her safe had him clenching his fists. He hated this feeling of helplessness.

  Becky must’ve noticed how worried he was because she added, “I’ll reapply the gel once she has eaten. I’m sure that her labor will start within the next twenty four hours.”

  “This baby is growing fast. I was only gone a few days and her belly doubled in size. I’m worried that twenty four hours will be too long.” He felt his brow crease and his teeth clench. If something happened to his female…

  “The gel seems to be working. You said it yourself, we need to keep our thoughts positive.”

  He nodded. “In that room...yes, we do” He gestured to the closed door. “But out here…I want you to give it to me straight.”

  “I did. As a doctor, it is my duty to be nothing but honest with my patients. Stephany is progressing nicely. She should go into labor sooner rather than later.” She let out a healthy sigh. “All the signs say that labor can happen any time now. The problem is that these things are unpredictable at the best of times. We need to wait it out, I can try to break her water again...”

  He shook his head. “It won’t work. I just wish there was more that I could do.”

  Becky briefly touched his arm. “You are doing great. Keep up the words of encouragement. Be there for her.” The female smiled. “I shouldn’t be saying this because I prefer to stick to facts, but I am quietly confident that Stephany will go into labor soon. That she will be able to give birth to this baby.”

  Ward expelled a breath that he didn’t know he was holding. “I hope you are right. I will go back to my female now.”

  “You have my cell phone number, call me immediately if anything changes.” Her eyes stayed locked with his.

  “I will.”

  She nodded once. “I’ll be back soon.”

  Keys jingled in her right hand as she left the room.

  With the backpack still in his hand, Ward crept back into the room. Stephany lay beneath the blanket just as he had left her. The human was right, his female would be hungry when she woke up, she didn’t seem to want much blood anymore. The thought of blood had his mouth watering, he tramped down on the need. Concentrating instead on the needs of the group. Although he and his males could go without food for extended periods, it would be best if they kept their strength at optimum levels. Just in case.

  Yet, if the vampires knew where they were, they would surely have attacked by now. It was better to be safe than sorry in the end though.

  There was a screeching of tires.

  “Vampires!” Tyler shouted from the front of the building. A loud crash sounded, followed by glass breaking. Ward froze for a micro second. Ice filled his veins just as adrenaline surged. He was out of the room before he knew that he had moved.

  The breaking glass was Tyler, who had launched himself through the front window wanting to get inside before the vampires no doubt. It was important that they show a united front. Already the mild cuts and abrasions, that marred his skin, were healing but his clothes hung in shredded rags. Although his stance was tense and ready, his face was clear of any emotion. “Four SUVs just pulled up.”

  Rushe arrived a moment later, fists clenched, eyes filled with rage. “The only entrance to your female’s room is through this door, we have no other choice but to stand our ground.”

  “Agreed,” Tyler growled.

  The door in question opened behind them. “What’s going on?”

  Ward turned, Stephany’s eyes were wide, both hands securely on her belly. “Your coven is here.” He ushered her back inside the room. “No matter what, I want you to stay in this room. They are here for me and I don’t want you getting hurt in the crossfire.”

  “No, I—”

  How the hell did he make her listen? The kings might be upset with Stephany, but they wouldn’t knowingly harm her. Yet, he knew how easy it would be for her to get hurt during a clash. “Please. Do as I say.”

  “Try and talk with them. I’m sure Brant would—”

  “Do you truly believe that he is here to talk? I don’t understand how the hell they found us. Your friend…”

  Her eyes narrowed. “No…don’t say it. Becky would never.”

  He nodded once. Ward also struggled to believe that the human would do such a thing. There had to be another answer.

  Ward brushed his knuckles across her cheeks and closed the door between them. Her panic stricken face left him feeling ill.

  Tyler rummaged through one of the packs that he and Rushe had carried in, he pulled out an array of weapons. “The bastards are here,” Tyler growled. His voice becoming deeper as his canines distended at the same time as his claws. The male handed each of them a short sword and a knife. The silver blades glinted in the early morning light. Although shifters preferred hand to hand combat, their opponents would be heavily armed. The tight confines of the room would make using long swords and sabres difficult. Which would be more in their favor than the bloodsuckers’. He pushed the knife into the back of his jeans, ready in case he needed it.

  Vampire males streamed in through the broken window just as the door was bashed in. Chairs were flung to the side. There were easily four or five males to each of their one. Their only saving grace was that the space was too small to accommodate all of the bastard vampires at once. In the middle of the throng, surrounded by his royal guard, Brant stepped forward. His cold, hard eyes bore into Ward. His face was set in disapproval. Ward scanned the crowd, there was no sign of the male that believed himself to be Stephany’s mate. The tension inside him eased just a little.

  It was eerie how, aside from shuffling feet, the room was filled with silence.

  “I spoke with the human female,” Brant’s voice boomed. “Stephany is still with child.” The male shook his head, his eyes flashed with what looked like pain for a fraction of a second. “I hope you know that she is going to die and that her blood will be on your hands.”

  “Stop!” Anger bubbled up inside him. “You have no idea what you are talking about. Basing your beliefs on half-truths and presumed facts. The human had better be okay.”

  He snorted. “She is quite fine.”

  “My female needs her.”

  Brant took a small step forward. “Stephany is doomed. She needs a Sentinal to wish her a safe journey to the next life, not a healer.”

  Ward growled. “You have no right to make such a statement.”

  “I have seen vampire females die on the birthing bed. Do not speak to me of truths and facts. I know what the outcome will be, but I’m not here to argue with you wolf.” Brant narrowed his eyes. “I’m here to take you in. You are guilty of breaching my territory twice and for taking a member of my coven without royal permission.”

  “I went of my own free will.” His female spoke from behind him. Her hand touched the small of his back as she stepped forward.

  “Then you are a fool.” Brant snapped, his eyes flashing from Stephany’s face to her distended belly. A look of regret crossed his face briefly before the hard mask of indifference fell back into place.

  Ward growled, low and deep. His chest vibrated from the severity of it. He only just managed to keep himself from rushing forward. He longed to punch the male. To feel his nose crunch or his jaw snap beneath his fist.

  Brant smiled. “No need for that wolf. You are greatly outnumbered. Come willingly or face the consequences.”

  Ward clenched his teeth, his hands were already tight fists,
white knuckled on the hilt of his sword. “My female will go into labor any moment now. I refuse to leave her side. Once the child has been born, then I will come willingly.”

  The male shook his head, looking disgusted. “You can be thankful that I am sparing you the agony of watching her die.”

  Stephany whimpered and Ward felt his resolve snap. “Fuck you! My female will birth a healthy pup.”

  Instead of answering, Brant nodded to the male that flanked his left, keeping his eyes firmly on Ward.

  The male nodded back. “Get them. The Alpha is to be brought in alive!” he shouted, sword hoisted in the air.

  Panic seized him, his female was still behind him and in the line of fire. “Get into the room.” He turned his head back slightly, not taking his eyes off the advancing males. Using his free hand to give her a light push, he prayed that she would do as he asked so that he could concentrate on fighting the males off. His fear lessoned when he heard the door slam closed behind him.

  The wail of a siren grew steadily closer, making the advancing mob freeze.

  “It’s the human peacekeepers. I’ll take care of it,” a deep voice came from outside. It sounded very much like the other bastard king, Zane, but he didn’t have much time to dwell on it because the males began to advance once more.

  “We’ve got this.” Rushe broadened his stance.

  “Totally,” Came Tyler’s answering growl.

  Ward pulled the knife that had been sticking out of the back of his jeans. “We should surrender.” He knew there was little chance that they would survive the coming battle. The vampire king may have told his males to spare Ward, but he had made no such allowances for his pack mates.

  “You should listen to your Alpha,” Brant smirked.

  “Like fuck!” spat Rushe. “My alpha should be here for the birth of his heir.” The male threw his head back and roared, the violent sound had all of the males directly in front of them taking a step back. The crazy bastard launched himself into the astonished vampires with his sword slashing. Both he and Tyler stepped in next to Rushe, careful to stay clear of his blade and razor sharp claws. When Rushe went into berserker mode, he lost some of his ability to think rationally and would just as soon harm one of his own by accident.