The Chosen Series Box Set: Books 1 - 3

by Charlene Hartnady

  Not a fuck. It couldn’t be.

  Brant growled low and deep.

  Just as with Rushe, the vampire king would be able to scent Becky on this male’s skin. Sweet honeysuckle. His female. His first instinct should have been to launch himself at the male. If it came to it, to kill him in order to claim his female. The problem was that this was the male who had saved his life during the fight between the two species. He recognized his face. It had been chaos, so Rushe had not been able to lock onto the male’s scent, but he would never forget his face. There was no doubt in his mind. This complicated things. He owed his life to this male in front of him. Which meant that while he would still fight him, he couldn’t kill the vampire. It put him on the back foot, especially since the other male had no such obligations and could kill him.

  “You,” Ross growled. “You are the one she rutted? I could scent a wolf on her but didn’t realize it was—”

  “What is the meaning of this?” Brant demanded, his whole body was tense. His nostrils flared as he continued to suck in air.

  Ross grit his teeth, his jaw ticked.

  “You rutted a human?” A vicious snarl erupted from the king, whose face contorted in rage. “It is not permitted.”

  “Remember what I said,” Zane said as he faced the other king. “Just for the record, I—”

  Brant punched Ross square in the jaw. Although the male took up a fighting stance, he never hit back. Brant hit him again and Ross was forced to take a step back.

  “A human?” Brant snarled, punching him again. This time Ross was knocked onto his knees. The male kept his head bowed for a few beats before standing back up.

  It was such an unfair clash since it was clear that Ross had decided not to fight back. Rushe admired the vampire’s bravery. He could have rolled himself up into a ball and begged but had evidently decided to take it.

  “I gave him permission,” Zane said for a second time. “Brant!” he shouted, but the king either didn’t hear what he said or chose to ignore it.

  King Brant looked enraged. His teeth were set in a grimace, his neck muscles were corded. Surely he had hit the male enough. His point had been made. When Brant punched the male again, Rushe’s hackles rose. Red, hot rage boiled inside of him.

  All he had wanted, was to see the vampire’s life-blood drain from his body. He wanted nothing more than to feel bone crack, to see the male suffer. Yet, this wasn’t right. The king was clearly dominant over him. Brant would be the victor no matter the circumstances. The only chance for Ross was to remain submissive until, hopefully, the king punched away his anger.

  But Brant clearly had no such honor. Ross’ head snapped back on the next punch. Rushe heard something crack. By now the male’s face was a bloody mess.

  Zane stepped up to Brant. “Stop!” he snarled. Rushe could see that the male didn’t plan on letting up any time soon.

  “This isn’t right,” Rushe growled, putting himself in front of Ross.

  “Move, wolf.” Brant had death in his eyes.

  “No,” Rushe’s voice came out in a deep rumble. He had to work hard to keep a rein on his wolf. If the beast broke free, he would turn into a deadly killing machine. Potentially capable of slaughtering a dominant male, even such as the one in front of him. Rushe had never fully tested his beast so was unsure of its full capabilities. One thing he knew for sure, if he somehow seriously harmed the vampire king he would cause untold shit for his kind.

  “One last chance.” Brant swung as he spoke, showing himself for the dickhead he was. Rushe deflected the punch, itching to hit back.

  “Stop!” Rushe shouted. “Hear him out.”

  Brant swung again. Even though Rushe tried to avoid the blow, it still caught him high on the jaw. The male could hit. His ear immediately started ringing and the area of impact flared with pain. He didn’t allow it to detract from his focus. When Brant swung again, he ducked. Unfortunately the male took the opportunity to knee him in the face. The unexpected force from the collision had him reeling and he fell to one knee, feeling dazed. He so longed to let his wolf loose on this son of a bitch but he somehow managed to hold back.

  A sound of confusion escaped him when the vampire male, Ross, moved in front of him. Putting himself back in the line of fire as he pleaded, “Please, my lord.”

  Brant pulled back, his fist intent on thrashing the male again but Zane finally stepped in and grabbed his arm. “I gave you plenty of opportunity to find control.”

  Brant tried to pull his arm free. “Let go,” he bit out. “This male needs to be taught a lesson.”

  “Stop for just a second and listen to me.” Zane sounded calm, yet deadly at the same time. This was a male Rushe would think twice about facing.

  Brant let out a deep breath. “Talk quick and then either you deliver the punishment or I will. This type of behavior will be the downfall of our coven.”

  “I gave Ross permission to seek out the human.”

  Brant cursed. A whole string of expletives, many of them new to Rushe.

  “Are you finished?” Zane asked.

  Brant laughed. The sound, cold and empty. “This just means that you can go on the pole next to Ross. Ten cuts for giving him permission. Another ten for doing so behind my back. What the fuck were you thinking?”

  “Let’s have this conversation in private.” Zane clenched his jaw.

  Brant was breathing hard, his chest heaved from the exertion. The male looked seriously pissed. For a second, Rushe was sure he would launch himself at Ross. Finally, some of the tension drained from him. “Fine.” He turned to York and the other male. “Take these two to the dungeon.”

  “Is that really necessary?” Zane asked.

  “Yes,” Brant growled. “If it were up to me, you would join them.”

  Zane chuckled, causing Brant to tense back up.

  “Thank fuck it’s not up to you then,” Zane said, still smiling.

  “Don’t push me, Zane. You’re walking a fine line.”

  The guards walked up to them. “Do I need to restrain you?” York asked while clasping Rushe’s shoulder.

  Rushe shook his head.

  “Let’s go.” York gestured in the direction of the castle.

  “Since these two are clearly rutting the same female, and love each other so much,” Brant looked Rushe and then Ross in the eye, “you can put them in the same cell.” Brant glanced at York as he gave the command. His mouth was set in a grim line.

  As they turned and walked towards the castle, Rushe heard Zane speaking to Brant. “Let’s go and talk about this. It’ll give you a chance to calm down. Then, I would suggest that you act in a fair manner.”

  “This is fucking unacceptable. Fair would mean fifty lashes with silver-infused leather.”

  “It could kill Ross.”

  “I don’t give a damn,” Brant snarled.

  “He had my permission,” Zane growled. “I won’t allow you to lash him.”

  “This is your fucking fault. You do realize that we need to contact the Alpha?”

  The great castle doors closed behind him, drowning out the rest of the conversation. Rushe squeezed his eyes shut for a second or two. Ward was going to be pissed. They were trying to keep their interactions with human females a secret. Judging by how they had treated one of their own, the vampire kings would not approve. This could cause major shit.

  Chapter 17

  Becky parked alongside the castle. Tall stone walls loomed. The four towers were not all visible from this angle. This included the north tower.

  There was a light tap on her window. A large, hulking vampire leaned down, staring at her through the glass. “Please step out of the vehicle.”

  She held up a hand. He could freaking wait. It was dangerous to phone and drive, so Becky had waited until she got there to call Tanya. She had seen numerous accidents caused by cellphone use while operating a moving vehicle.

  Becky quickly dialed her best friend.

  “Tell me all about it, slu
t,” Tanya said. “I am all alone right now and all ears.”

  “I’m outside.”

  “What?” Tanya’s voice turned high-pitched.

  “I’m outside your vampire freaking castle. Please get your pampered ass down here— Oh shit!” She looked around her.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “There are about five vampire beefcakes now surrounding my car and I arrived not one minute ago.” Becky tried hard to keep her voice even.

  Becky could hear that her friend was already moving since the phone sounded like it was being jostled and her breathing picked up. “I’m on my way. Tell them that you are my guest. Give me a few minutes.” She disconnected the call.

  “Female,” it was the same vampire who addressed her earlier, “please get out of the vehicle.”

  “I recognize her,” one of the others spoke. “This is the queen’s friend.” He frowned. “She does not have permission to be here.” He glanced at the male who had knocked on her window. “Do you know anything about this?”

  “No, but I did just overhear her conversation with the queen, who is on her way as we speak.” He looked at Becky. “I will escort you to the entrance hall.”

  Becky stepped out of the vehicle. The closest male’s nostrils flared. “You rutted a vampire,” his eyes narrowed, “and a wolf.” He added the last while grimacing.

  The remaining males closed the distance to her in quick, lithe strides, all of them made sniffing noises. One of the males actually bent down, taking a deep inhalation.

  “Excuse me.” She tried to keep her voice even. “Stop that! Please,” she added when the same male leaned a little close to her private parts for a second, deep sniff.

  The male growled. “The vampire had her recently, they rutted more than once and she enjoyed it greatly.” His eyes heated while landing on her breasts.

  “It’s none of your business,” Becky spoke with authority that she didn’t feel. “Tanya … your queen is waiting to see me.”

  That seemed to bring them back. The males moved out of her personal space.

  “Did you get permission to rut with non-humans?” the male to her left asked, a grin on his face. “Are we permitted to rut you, human? I would be very interested in—”

  “Stop!” She held up a hand. “No freaking way. Not happening.” She reminded herself that these males were still primal, they still acted mostly on instinct. “Your kings would have your balls if you laid even a pinky finger on me.”

  He pulled a face, looking irritated, even shook his head while sighing. “Pity. I will have to seek permission.” Then he shrugged and started walking towards the castle. She had to take quick long strides to keep up. The others followed.

  Becky let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding.

  “Next time,” another male said as he fell in beside her, “contact our queen before you come through to the castle. It would be safer that way.”

  “It’s not like you guys would have hurt me.”

  The male kept his eyes straight ahead and didn’t say anything.

  “Would you?” she added, sounding a little afraid.

  “It is our duty to keep the castle safe, and with the queen being pregnant we are on high alert.” He glanced her way, his jaw set. “Your scent is alluring and you recently rutted a vampire male and a wolf. It could be misinterpreted.”

  “I understand … I think.” Becky took a deep breath, trying hard to fight the panic growing inside her. “You wouldn’t know anything about a wolf would you?”

  His eyes narrowed as they flashed her way. “What do you know about the wolf?”

  “The wolf … so he is here?”

  The big male nodded once. “Yes.”

  She bit down on her lip. “Please tell me he’s okay and that he didn’t do anything foolish.” There was a part of her that was concerned for Ross as well, yet she didn’t really believe that Rushe would be able to hurt the vampire. Not on his own territory. She doubted the vampires would allow it. No, Rushe was who she feared for in this moment.

  The big male shrugged. “I don’t know what happened, we were sent away. The wolf was demanding to speak with … one of us …” It seemed like he wanted to add something but he stopped, thinking better of it.

  “Ross,” she whispered under her breath.

  “Yes. What do you know of it?” His voice deepened.

  “What happened?” She tried not to sound too desperate.

  The male shrugged. “Zane sent us away when he called for Ross. There is more that you are not telling me. Is Ross the vampire you rutted?” He grinned, telling her that he knew the answer already.

  He looked up the stairs to the large double doors.

  “Becky,” her friend said from the castle entrance. Becky raced up the stairs and flew into Tanya’s arms, feeling the soft curve of her pregnant belly.

  “You’re showing.”

  Tanya beamed, rubbing a hand over her slightly distended stomach. “I haven’t felt the baby kick yet though.”

  “It shouldn’t be long now.”

  Her friend smiled. “I hope not. I’ve never been the most patient person.”

  “Tell me about it.” Becky rolled her eyes at Tanya.

  Her friend took her hands. “Now, I’m really happy to see you but what are you doing here? I get the feeling that this is more than a friendly visit with your BFF.”

  Becky chewed on her lip.

  “Let’s go inside.” Tanya pulled her through the grandiose, double doors that led into the castle.

  Becky gasped as she entered the entrance hall.

  “I know.” Tanya shook her head. “Brant has spent a lot of time redecorating what he used to refer to as this shithole. We’re supposed to be building a neutral castle since this is technically Zane’s but so far all that has happened is this.

  Becky looked around the opulent space. Rich fabrics, plush woolen carpets, gleaming wooden floors and crystal chandeliers. She forced herself to shut her mouth. It had been livable before, now it was just plain extravagant.

  “What’s going on?” Tanya squeezed her hand. “I can scent that you recently had sex.”

  Becky rolled her eyes. “Not you too.”

  Tanya laughed. “I am a little bit vampire after mating Brant and Zane, so yeah, I can scent that you had sex not so long ago. Based on our conversation I’m sure it was with Ross, but my sense of smell is not strong enough to be able to tell.”

  “Based on how clueless you are sounding at this moment, I’m going to assume that you don’t know anything about Rushe being on vampire territory.”

  Tanya’s eyes widened. “The wolf is here?”

  Becky nodded. “He said he was coming to fight Ross for me. He is apparently claiming me.” She had to fight not to roll her eyes. “So freaking stupid.” Fear coursed through her and she hugged her arms around herself. She would never forgive herself if anything happened to him.

  “I thought he was going to find a mate? That he had moved on. Why the change of heart?”

  “Look, it’s not like we had a major conversation about it. The short version,” Becky paused, “he has decided that I’m going to be his mate.” She shook her head, reminded of how distraught Rushe had looked. “He could scent that I had just fucked Ross. I hadn’t even taken a shower yet. God, Tan, he was so sweet about it. He told me it wasn’t my fault, that I wasn’t bound to him. That I hadn’t made any promises. He essentially said that my jumping straight into the sack with another male was perfectly okay. My slutty behavior might just cost him his life.”

  “Okay. You need to know that non-humans view sex differently. Oh no …” Tanya added when Becky felt her lip quiver. Her friend held up a hand. “Don’t cry just yet, let me call Zane and find out what the hell is going on.”

  Tanya put her phone to her ear, clasping a hand around Becky’s waist. “Yes, I know you’re in the middle of something. That something wouldn’t happen to be a wolf at the castle, would it?”

  She p
aused, listening.

  “Becky is here. What is going on, please?” Tanya tapped her foot.

  Another long silence.

  “Why did you have to send them there?” A pause. “Seriously!” She all out laughed. “A vampire and a wolf protecting one another, I never would have believed it possible.”

  Tanya turned serious. “Becky wants to see them.” Her friend’s face turned a lighter shade of red and her eyes flashed with anger. “She has every freaking right.” She listened for a few seconds. “I don’t give a flying fuck what Brant says. Tell me this,” she smiled deviously, “what do you think, Zane?”

  The smile turned downright wicked. “That’s what I thought. So, you think she can see them and Brant says she can’t. That means it becomes my vote and I say yes. The end. Goodbye.”

  “Do I even want to know?” Becky asked as Tanya tucked away her phone.

  “Your boys are in the dungeon.”

  “What?” Why the hell was she so surprised? Those asshole kings were ruthless sons of bitches.

  “Thrown in a cell together.” Tanya slid a fingertip into her mouth, her teeth closed over a manicured nail.

  “Please tell me that you’re joking.” Becky’s body temperature felt like it had dropped a few degrees. “They can’t be in a cell together.”

  Tanya smiled. “I’m not joking. They apparently defended each other against Brant, so I’m sure they won’t be killing each other just yet.” Tanya shook her head. “And to think, I was close to forgiving Brant for being such a dick about Steph and Ward. How can someone be so loving, tender, funny … downright wonderful to me, but such a colossal dick to everyone else around him?” She sighed. “I love him so freaking much. He and Zane were getting along so well.” She moaned. “The sex was off the charts. Three is way more fun.”

  “I don’t know. I loved being with non-humans but surely three is a crowd?”

  Tanya winked. “You only say that because you’ve never had a guy go down on you while being fucked by another.”

  Becky gasped. “They do that? I can’t imagine them doing that. Is it even possible?”