The Chosen Series Box Set: Books 1 - 3

by Charlene Hartnady

  Griffin folded his arms across his chest, a grin on his face. “You just called her your human. There is no way in hell Zane and Brant will let you mate her.”

  “Make no mistake,” the sense of urgency increased, “the female is mine, I will find a way to convince the kings of that.”

  “You may have to first convince her,” Griffin chuckled. “It sounds like some wolf beat you to it.” His grin was impossibly wide and his eyes had narrowed in humor. “It sounds like the beast left quite the impression.”

  Ross hadn’t meant to do it, but rage hot and thick coursed through his veins, making him punch Griffin in the face. He managed to pull back at the last second so no bones broke.

  Griffin’s eyes widened in shock and he brought a hand up to cradle his jaw.

  Ross knew that he should probably apologize but to hell with it. The male should not have goaded him like that.

  “Sheesh!” Griffin shook his head. “You really must care for her.”

  Ross nodded once. “I do.”

  “Good luck then. I won’t tease you again.”

  Ross started to walk away but Griffin cleared his throat, so he turned back. “Is there something else that you want to discuss?”

  Griffin nodded, looking uncertain.

  “I’m listening.” He struggled to keep his voice even.

  “You said I can’t rut the female.”

  Ross narrowed his eyes and he nodded.

  The male stuffed his hands into his pockets. “I would like to ask permission to give her pleasure.”

  Ross locked his jaw. What harm could it do? As long as the male kept his wits about him. “She may not touch you in any way but you are permitted to give her pleasure.”

  The tension eased out of the male. “Can I kiss her?” He winked.

  Ross nodded. “Kiss her, touch her but you are to remain vigilant. That means she keeps her hands and mouth off of you. The only thing she can touch is her lips to yours. Am I clear?”

  Griffin smiled and nodded. “I can live with that.”

  “If your dick goes anywhere near her though then you will hurt. If my female dies because you can’t follow orders, then I will kill you.”

  The male turned pale. “You can rely on me.”

  Chapter 12

  Esral walked into the boardroom, the kings were talking quietly with their backs to the door.

  “I don’t trust them,” Brant said.

  “Don’t forget that they have sworn their fealty, besides I trust King Katar,” Zane replied, his voice deep and sure.

  They were talking about her people.

  “It’s the son I am worried about,” Brant muttered almost to himself.

  What was going on?

  Both males turned to her as she entered. They had the most imposing dark stares that she had ever seen. Their eyes seemed to look right into her.

  It made her heart race and her breathing hitch. It made her knees shake and her hands turn clammy. Xavier put a reassuring hand to her back.

  She realized that, as kings, their natural inherent dominance easily asserted itself over others. A logical explanation. She reminded herself that she had spent many moons in the company of her father and brother, who were both dominant leaders. Even her beloved mother had been a natural leader. As the princess, the same blood ran through her own veins. She was royalty, from strong stock and would not allow the likes of Brant and Zane to bully her.

  Esral squared her shoulders while looking both males in the eyes. She stepped forward, moving away from the male behind her.

  Xavier.

  He was an enigma. He treated her like his naughty sister most of the time, not letting her do anything, kept saying it was too dangerous. Like going for a walk in the forest was dangerous. How was swimming in the lake dangerous? Yet he’d acted like she wanted to throw herself from a tall cliff or something.

  He growled at any males who came too close, but made it quite clear that he wasn’t interested in her himself. The male had asked her out once, but she knew he did so out of duty rather than because he really wanted to, so she’d turned him down.

  By the way he rutted with the female vampires, it was even clearer that he didn’t want her. Her heart clenched painfully. If only there was a way to make him see that she existed. Not as his charge but as a female. All she wanted was for him to notice her. To really see her.

  “Please take a seat,” Brant said, drawing her out of her reverie. The king pulled out a chair for her.

  Esral inclined her head. “Thank you.” She sat down across from the formidable males.

  Zane folded his arms on the table in front of him. His brow was creased, his eyes focused solely on her. “We have a few questions that we need to ask about your species.”

  She nodded once. “I will do my best.” Although Esral was now one of the vampires, accepted amongst these creatures as one of their own, she was still very much an elf and would do anything to protect her people.

  “Good.” Brant glanced at Zane. “Some elves were seen buying meat in Sweetwater.”

  She felt her brow crease and her eyebrows draw together. “That doesn’t make sense. Are you sure they were elven?”

  Zane nodded. “Very sure. Aside from the clear physical attributes,” he pointedly looked at her ears, “you also have a unique, easily recognizable scent.”

  She shook her head. “My kind are vegetarians, they would never consume flesh. It is against everything we hold sacred.”

  Zane sighed, he pinched the bridge of his nose. “This may be so but three elves were seen buying meat in Sweetwater. This is a fact, Esral, I’m not here to argue with you … we just want to get to the bottom of this.” He sighed again. “Do you have any idea why this is?”

  She shook her head, wanting to argue further. It couldn’t be. Surely these males were trying to confuse her. “It doesn’t make any sense,” she muttered. “Even so,” she lifted her chin, “surely the buying of,” her nose wrinkled in disgust, “meat is not a crime.”

  Brant raised his eyebrows. “Well no, but it is very strange.”

  “It was wrong of my brother to ever enter into an alliance with those wolves. It shouldn’t be reason to immediately jump to conclusions though.”

  Brant threw Zane a look that she couldn’t quite interpret. Maybe she should have kept her mouth shut about her brother and the Alpha. “We are still cautious. It will take time to rebuild trust.”

  “But, the elves have retracted the alliance with the wolves and are very serious about a partnership with the vampires. So much so, that my father gave his only daughter as a show of unity. Do you really think they would go against you?” She looked from one male to the other.

  “Leave us.” Brant looked past her at Xavier who stood by the door.

  “What? Why?” Xavier’s familiar low, rumbling voice sounded. It made her blood run faster, hotter.

  “Just do as I say.” Brant sounded almost bored.

  There was first a heavy sigh and then the sound of the door closing as he complied.

  Brant shook his head. “I hope you realize that you have not taken a male, so technically there is no official unity between our two species.”

  Esral felt herself gape but quickly closed her mouth, working hard on keeping her breathing even. “Whose fault is that? I was given to Zane. Little did my father know that he was already promised to another and it’s not like you were available either.” She took in a deep breath. “I was more than willing to do my duty as a princess.”

  Brant smiled. “And I’m sure you still are. In order to show unity between our species, you would need to mate vampire royalty. Take Xavier to your bed and solve this dilemma. There is less likely to ever be a war between our species if you were to mate my brother.”

  Oh, by the sun, the moon, and the earth, her heart-rate went into overdrive. Her chest heaved. There was nothing she could do to stop it. “Your brother has made it very clear that he doesn’t want me. I assure you that the elven species
does not plan on waging any kind of war against the vampires. I have been granted permission to date and mate with whomever I choose, and until my father instructs otherwise that is what I will do.”

  Brant chuckled. It was weird to see such a fierce warrior in the throes of laughter. Even Zane frowned, glancing sideways at the male. He finally stopped laughing enough to talk. “You’re a virgin,” Brant said through a broad smile.

  “Yes, although I don’t see why that fact is so funny to you.” Anger boiled. How dare he?

  Brant shook his head. “No, what I meant was that you lack experience in being able to understand males. Xavier is thoroughly taken with you, princess.”

  She shook her head. This male didn’t spend any time with either of them. How the hell would he know? He wasn’t there when Xavier ignored her. Her guard didn’t so much as look at her bare legs the other day when she purposefully had worn those very short denim shorts. If anything, he went out of his way to ignore her more. At the end of that particular shift, the male even went straight into the arms of another female. She knew, because she could scent her on him the next day. Just as she had scented various feminine scents on him on a regular basis.

  Vampire females were very different to her. Tall, imposing, rivetingly beautiful with their high cheekbones and small, high breasts. Her hands clenched into tight fists in her lap as she thought of her own short stature and petite frame. Esral was as fine-boned as her breasts were plump. She had to suppress a sigh just thinking of how she had caught more than one of the vampires staring at her cleavage. Must be because they thought her oddly shaped. Her teeth were all sharp little points, so she lacked the large fangs that they seemed overly fond of. Xavier was not interested, and of that she was sure.

  She shook her head. “No, he isn’t and I refuse to mate someone who does not want me.”

  “Oh, so you at least admit that you want him?”

  “I will admit nothing of the sort,” she replied too quickly and with too much venom in her voice.

  Brant smiled, looking scarier than if he was scowling. “You have two choices, my dear Esral, either you mate Xavier or start dating.”

  Zane nodded. “Many males have asked you out, yet you refuse them all. What is it that you want?”

  Esral gasped. “How dare you! I don’t have to date anyone.”

  Brant shook his head. “I can’t have Xavier on guard duty over you forever. Though the alternative would be to allow an elven virgin to walk around my castle unescorted, it’s asking for trouble plain and simple.” He sighed. “Your father worked hard to get centuries old Lores changed to allow you and other elven highborn females to date and to choose their own mates. You dishonor him by not at least dating a few males.”

  Was the vampire king right? Should she date other males even if the one she really wanted was unavailable to her?

  She finally nodded. “I will need to think on your words.”

  Brant locked eyes with her. “That is fair, but do not take too much time trying to decide. I don’t want to have to set up another meeting. Don’t force my hand, Esral.”

  Her blood boiled at the injustice, but she pursed her lips, knowing that telling them off wouldn’t help her predicament. It would be better to think things through first. Esral decided to change the subject instead. “I would suggest that you meet with my father to discuss the need for my people to buy meat.” She frowned. “I am sure that your males were mistaken but if it was somehow true, I am sure there is a reasonable explanation.” Although she couldn’t think of any. The only logical thing was that the vampires had it wrong somehow.

  Zane nodded. “You are right, female. It is sound advice.”

  “You may go now,” Brant stated, making no move to stand. “Send Xavier in and wait outside please, princess. He won’t be two minutes.”

  Zane leaned back, folding tree trunk like arms across his massive chest. Heart beating fast, Esral made for the exit. She had much to think about. There were two things she was sure about, there was no way elven folk would purchase dead animals and Xavier did not see her as a sexual being. Maybe she should just go ahead and date one of the other males even though the thought left her cold. If these kings believed they could boss her around though, they had another thing coming.

  Chapter 13

  Elisabeth had finished her salad a half an hour ago, yet Becky still picked at hers. Moving food around with her fork more than actually eating. She hoped to buy herself more time. The best thing would be to kick Ross out. If she ended it here, no one would end up getting hurt. The problem was, she couldn’t make herself do it.

  He stared at her from across the table with the darkest and most intense eyes that she had ever seen. They made her feel like she was the only woman on the entire planet. Ross had to be one of the most attractive males she had ever laid eyes on and he wanted her. Wanted. Her. That waitress at the diner was really pretty with her narrow hips and boobs that would be exactly a handful, which was perfect according to a certain saying. Forget just a coin, the chick’s ass was so tight, Becky was sure you could bounce an entire purse off of it … easily. Yet, instead of interested, Ross had actually looked irritated at the attention.

  Right now, his eyes narrowed in their scrutiny of her. No, ‘wanted’ was the wrong word. He acted more like he needed her … like his very next breath depended solely on her. Becky shivered. Loving and hating the attention in equal measures.

  She could see that he was getting impatient. His jaw locked. Those endless ropes of glorious muscles bunched beneath his tight tank. His fathomless eyes darkened up until she felt like she was drowning in their endless depths.

  Ross shoved himself away from the table and rose with a low growl. So deep that she felt the vibrations to her very core. So deep, her heart skipped a couple of beats, making her feel out of breath.

  “Enough.” Another low growl. “You. Me. That bedroom. Now.” He had gone all caveman on her. Too bad she found it sexy as hell.

  “We have guests.” She managed to somehow still sound calm. It was far from true.

  “They are adults and can take care of themselves.”

  Elisabeth and Griffin had moved to the sofa over five minutes ago and were talking and giggling together.

  “I don’t know if we should leave Elisabeth with—”

  “He won’t rut her,” Ross said under his breath and from between clenched teeth. His eyes softened. “I assure you that your friend is safe. We need to talk.”

  Becky felt panic well. Talking led to bonding which led to an inevitable breakup which she was going to avoid at all costs. She shook her head. “I’ve changed my mind.” She headed towards the bedroom, pulling the t-shirt over her head as she entered. “Let’s just fuck. Talking is overrated.”

  Ross slammed the bedroom door as she turned to face him. The walls shook from the impact. Her whole body shuddered as his feral gaze landed on her breasts. He growled, exposing a set of fangs that would have had a lesser woman cringing. She watched as he warred with himself and finally tore his gaze from her chest, his eyes locked with hers.

  “What are you so afraid of? You said at the eating hall that me being a vampire has something to do with it. I would never hurt you, Becky, you need to know that.”

  “I would hurt you, Ross. You’re really very sweet.” She shook her head.

  His lip twitched. “You won’t hurt me. How could you?” He shook his head. “You are a mere human. So small, so soft and delicate.”

  She couldn’t help but smile. He thought she was small. Instead of fist punching the air like she wanted to do, she folded her arms while watching how his eyes were once again drawn to her boobs. His pupils actually dilated as his gaze turned heated and needy. Her pussy couldn’t help but become a bit wet in response. Okay, it became drenched.

  Ross groaned. “I can scent your need but we must talk.”

  “Well stop looking at my breasts like that. I can’t help getting turned on when you do.”

  “You ne
ed to stop pushing them up and together like that, makes me want to …”

  “Want to what?” It was her turn to sound husky.

  He shook his head and clenched his jaw, his eyes still firmly on her cleavage. His broad chest heaved.

  “Tell me already. What is it that you want to do?”

  “I plan on giving you pleasure, not giving in to a base fantasy that would only serve me.” His eyes were still on her boobs.

  Becky took in a deep breath, knowing that it would push out the twins even more and was rewarded with a frustrated groan. This was fun. She took both breasts in her hands and squeezed them.

  “Fuck,” Ross growled while palming his dick through his jeans once before shoving his hands into his pockets. “Please stop that.”

  She squeezed tighter, sure to keep the twins together and looking at their best. “Just tell me what you want to do to me and I’ll stop.”

  “Fine,” he growled. “I wish to rut you between your mammary glands. I saw it on one of your human sex movies once.” His eyes turned pained as they locked with hers. “You are utter perfection; your breasts would be soft yet warm and welcoming. It is a fantasy that I have had ever since I had the great pleasure of looking upon your exquisite cleavage but when we do rut again, know that it is going to be all about you. I won’t give in to such selfish fantasies.”

  Oh wow!

  Becky would love to see this big warrior lose it between her twins. Just the images his fantasy evoked had her feeling hot and bothered.

  “No, female,” he rumbled, his nostrils flaring.

  Oopsie. Becky suddenly realized that she was rolling her nipples between her fingers. It was with great effort that she forced herself to let go.

  Ross licked his lips and took a step towards her. “You were afraid that you would hurt me, and I have assured you that it is impossible. I would like to rut you now. Take off those pants.” He looked thoughtful for a few seconds. “I will lick you first. Suck on your little nub until—”

  “As much as I would love for you to lick me, there is something I need to clear up first.” She took a deep breath. “When I said I would hurt you, I wasn’t talking about physically. You non-humans form lasting bonds.”