2#Stolen by the Alpha Wolf: Shifter Romance (Deliberate Theft)

by Hartnady, Charlene

  “Quit stalling and spit it out already,” Tanya said.

  “Fine.” Stephany threaded her fingers together. “It would probably be better if I showed you. I’m a little freaked out. I need you to promise to keep this between us.”

  “Of course. You know you can trust me right?” Her eyes widened and her brows lifted.

  “I know.” Stephany nodded once. What choice did she have? Stephany undid the catch on her jacket, pulling it off her shoulders. Next, she unbuttoned her blouse while glancing in Tanya’s direction. Her friend’s brow had pulled into a deep frown. One quick flick and the clasp on her bra unsnapped. She’d taken to wearing the human contraptions on occasion before. Ever since the wolf, Sawyer, had tried to…do stuff with her though, she’d taken to wearing them all the time. That bra had saved her humility big time.

  “Sheesh”—Tanya’s eyes bugged out—“you have really big boobs…for a vampire.”

  Stephany cupped her breasts, as she had done several times already that day. They definitely felt fuller, almost too big for her hands. Her bra had been digging into her lately in the most uncomfortable way.

  “Okay, so you have really great breasts. Why you needed to show them to me is a little peculiar though.” She sighed, “What’s really going on?”

  Stephany took a deep breath. “What is your take on this?” Stephany gave her nipple a squeeze and the same white stuff from earlier oozed out. “I think they might be infected.”

  “No way… You aren’t… Don’t kid around at a time like this,” Tanya clapped a hand over her mouth, her eyes wide in her head. “Are you?”

  Stephany didn’t know what to say, could only frown back at her friend.

  Tanya shrieked. “Oh my god! You are, aren’t you?”

  “I am what?” What the heck was wrong with Tanya? She narrowed her eyes at the human, who seemed to have gone quite mad.

  Tanya shook her head, looking amused. “Have you had sex?”

  Although posed as a question, Tanya had been stating a fact. It was just as she had thought, there was something terribly wrong with her. Thank the Gods that Tanya knew what that problem was. Her friend could hopefully help her now. “What’s wrong with me?” she whispered. Her voice shook almost as badly as her hands. “Why are you acting so weird? It’s bad isn’t it?”

  Tanya burst out laughing, stopping almost as soon as she had started. Her so called friend cleared her throat and visibly pulled herself together. “Nothing is wrong with you. I really thought you had been avoiding Lance. You must’ve had sex with him soon after you came back though. Like the very same freaking day. How could you not have confided in me?” Tanya smiled, taking her hand and giving it a squeeze. “You’re pregnant honey. Leaking breasts is a sign of pregnancy. I can’t believe you didn’t know that.”

  Stephany felt the blood rush from her body. “No…I can’t be. I never went into heat. No…”

  “Have you noticed any other changes? Are you struggling to fit into your clothes?”

  “Now that you mention it, but I thought it was because I’ve been eating a lot more than usual.”

  “I don’t blame you. Blood has become my new fave…can’t get enough of it.”

  Stephany was talking about solid food, but she wasn’t about to tell Tanya that. She suddenly had a craving for bread and jam…

  Craving!

  Oh gods. No. No way! It wasn’t possible. She hadn’t gone into heat for so many years that she was sure her body wasn’t capable anymore. Yet, if she looked at all the facts…tight clothes, over emotional—which she’d blamed on her broken heart—leaking mammary glands. Bigger mammary glands. Wait a minute.

  “I still don’t understand why my breasts are leaking white stuff. What is it?” Stephany squeezed her nipple again and more of the white stuff beaded.

  Tanya looked at her, her face a mask of confusion. “Why would you ask that?” Then she nodded in a knowing fashion as if she had figured something out. “You may not know this, Steph, but you will feed your baby with your breasts once you’ve given birth?” Then she frowned. “Surely vampires breastfeed?” She muttered almost to herself.

  “Don’t be silly, of course we breastfeed. Our breasts may fill, but they fill with blood.” Almost the second the words were out, she regretted them. Stephany cringed, waiting for the onslaught.

  “Blood. Really?” Tanya cupped her own ridiculously big mammary glands. It was a wonder the female could even walk upright with those mammoth things on her chest. Especially since she was so small and weak. They had grown even larger since she fell pregnant. Something the kings were obviously enjoying.

  “Yes,” Stephany nodded. “Once the baby is born, you will feed him or her from your breasts on a blood only diet for the first year or so. At that point, the child will start to try and drink from your vein, may even bite on your breasts, he or she will eventually start to eat the odd bit of solid food.”

  She chewed on her lip for a few beats. “My breasts will fill with blood?”

  “Yes.”

  “Oh.” Tanya sighed, eyes up in thought. “Oh god. It’s going to be really hard to keep Zane and Brant from helping themselves whenever they feel like it. There’ll be nothing left for the baby.” Tanya looked thoughtful.

  “I wouldn’t worry, there will be plenty to go around. I need to warn you though that you’ll be really thirsty.”

  “It’s going to be all fun and games, especially if it’s a boy. I’ll have three demanding men in my life.” Tanya smiled wistfully while rubbing her hand over her belly, which still looked exactly the same. Scrunching her eyes, her hand froze in mid rub. “Wait a minute.”

  Stephany held her breath.

  “Why are your breasts leaking already?” she shook her head.

  “I don’t think I’m pregnant.” It wasn’t possible. Maybe there were one or two…sort of…signs, but it wasn’t possible. She hadn’t come into heat, so she couldn’t be pregnant.

  “Give me another explanation then.”

  Stephany tried hard to think of something on the spot. She shrugged. “I’m sick.”

  “You called me here to ask my opinion on why your breasts are leaking. I think you are preggers. Now tell me about the sex. Was it good? How did Lance manage to convince you? How the hell have you guys kept it a secret?” She nodded her head knowingly and giggled almost slyly. “I can tell I hit a nerve. You definitely had sex. Now spit it out or I’ll go and ask Lance.” Tanya practically bounced on her chair. Her eyes wide, the excitement palpable.

  Stephany’s heart sped up. “Don’t you dare. I don’t want anyone to know about this.”

  Tanya’s brow creased. She stopped bouncing and she put her hands up. “Wait just a freaking minute, let’s go back to my question…why are your breasts leaking and mine aren’t? You’ve only been acting weird since you got back from the wolves, so you probably had sex soon after your return which means I’m further along and mine aren’t leaking yet.” She pulled her robe open exposing one large, rounded, ultra-plump globe. Mimicking Stephany’s own action earlier, her friend squeezed on her nipple. “See, not a drop of blood in sight.” She frowned. “Why are your boobs leaking milk and not blood?” Tanya shook her head, dark chocolate locks flying about her face. Then her eyes widened and she visibly paled. Inhaling sharply, Tanya tugged her robe closed and clasped her hands to her mouth. “Maybe there is something wrong. We need to get you to one of the healers. You had sex, you have leaking breasts but not with the usual blood. I’ll have Zane call Lance.” Tanya pulled out her cell phone. “I’m sure you’ll want him with you since the two of you are back together and all.”

  “I rutted with a shifter,” Stephany blurted. She couldn’t have Tanya call the kings right now and if Lance found out…oh gods, this was a nightmare.

  “Oh my freaking god…What did those wolves do to you? You poor, poor thing.” Tanya sobbed, a tear tracked down her cheek.

  Stephany completely froze when Tanya threw herself at her, cradling Step
hany to her breast like a child. “You were celibate, which means”—she made a tortured sound—“they raped you, didn’t they? You’re pregnant with a…a…wolf.” Her friend was racked with terrible sobs. “Oh, what you must have gone through. What you are going through even now.” She pulled away, her face red and tear soaked. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Then she grit her teeth and shook her head really slowly. “Don’t worry, Stephany. We will make them pay. Those mangy freaking beasts will wish that they were never born.”

  “Wait. You have it all wrong.” Stephany pulled away. She couldn’t bear to see the pain and anguish in Tanya’s eyes. “I wasn’t raped. It was consensual.”

  “Rubbish!” Tanya squeezed Stephany’s knee. Sniffling, Tanya continued. “You’ve been through a traumatic experience. It’s not uncommon for victims to want to protect their attackers. To even empathize with them.”

  Stephany looked her friend straight on. “I wasn’t raped, Tanya.”

  “Bull. Shit—”

  Stephany cut her off, not wanting to hear another word. “Please don’t patronize me. I was not raped. I fell in love, okay? I know I wasn’t with the alpha for long, but I fell in love. We couldn’t get enough of each other and I miss him every day.”

  Tanya’s mouth dropped open, her eyes bugged out of her skull. She made a squeaking noise when she tried to talk.

  “It just happened. He is really amazing. A really good male and I think he fell for me just as hard.”

  Tanya took a deep breath. “You can’t be talking about the alpha wolf. The male that wanted to kidnap and rape me so that I wouldn’t be eligible to become a vampire mate, leaving the covens without any heirs.”

  “His name is Ward,” Stephany half whispered.

  “Did I mention the part about raping me?” Tanya clenched her fists. “Mating me against my will?”

  “Ward would never have raped you…never.” Stephany held her friend’s gaze, determined to clear Ward’s name.

  Tanya’s brown eyes were wide. “Why did he send his wolves? The way he looked at me that day from across the fence was with such hatred. Like he wanted to hurt me.” She shuddered.

  Stephany pulled a lock of hair behind her ear. “It wasn’t directed at you. He has a bit of a problem with the kings…it’s not something I want to get into right now. Trust me please when I tell you that he is not the type of male that would have hurt you in any way.”

  “He wanted to kidnap me…it’s the whole reason you were taken in the first place. The alpha had you kidnapped when he couldn’t get to me. You’ve lost your mind, Stephany. How could you rut with an evil monster like that?” Her eyes had narrowed and her brow was creased.

  “He isn’t evil or a monster. I was kidnapped by accident, I wish you would listen to me. You know me, Tanya. Do you truly believe that I would be with a male after all this time if he was the way that you are describing?”

  Tanya didn’t respond.

  “Answer me.”

  Tanya’s stance softened. She breathed out softly. “I don’t know.”

  “Ward is a good male. One of the best I have ever met. I didn’t know him for long, but I can safely say that he would never have done those things. He is sorry that he joined with the elves. Sorry he trusted them at all.”

  Tanya looked thoughtful for a second. “That can’t be.” She shook her head. “Brant and Zane mentioned that King Katar had said that he should never have trusted the wolves. He blames them. Stated this was all their plan in the first place.”

  “I believe Ward.”

  “Oh my, you are smitten. It is affecting your ability to think rationally.”

  Stephany had grown to love Tanya. She was full of life, enormous fun, a great friend, she could be trusted with a secret, but even though she was world wise, she could also be really naïve. Right now, Stephany felt like giving her a good, hard shake. Instead, she took a deep breath. “You’re right.” She paused, “I am smitten, but I am also still very capable of rational thought. I haven’t seen Ward in two months. Don’t you think some of the fog would’ve lifted by now?” Tanya inhaled, intent on answering, but Stephany didn’t give her a chance. “Ward specifically said that he trusted someone on the side of the elves. He was definitely talking about a specific person. That person talked him into the whole fiasco and then betrayed him by backing out. Ward had no reason to lie. I believed him. He was…is a good male, I fell for him. Hard.” The last part came out in a whisper. It was difficult to admit these feelings.

  Her friend nodded. “Oh, honey.” Tanya squeezed her arm. “Are you going to tell him about the baby?”

  Stephany felt her blood turn to ice. A heavy weight settled on her heart. She shook her head. “No. I will need to tell Brant…”

  “That’s fine, hun. You know that we are all here for you. The coven might be a little shocked at first, but they will get over themselves. The child will be welcomed.” Her eyes widened and her eyebrows raised. “I just realized. We’ll be pregnant together and raise our children together!”

  Stephany put a rein on her own emotions. If she started crying now, she might never stop. “No, we won’t. I am not physically able to birth a child.”

  “There must be some way. Surely…” Tanya turned pale. “What are you saying?”

  “My pelvis is too narrow, my hips too close together. I have been advised that I would never be able to birth a child. My own mother died while birthing me. It is a miracle that I survived, and that was only because of the quick thinking of the birthing mother who cut me from her womb, using a silver blade, while my mother took her last breath. Most infants die from the silver that poisons the mother’s blood. I somehow managed to survive its affects. Like I said earlier, it is a miracle.” Stephany swallowed hard, watching tears roll down Tanya’s cheeks. Crying could be infectious, she needed to work harder to keep herself under control. It wouldn’t do to fall apart.

  “I’m so sorry, Steph. I never knew. I’m a terrible friend. What happens now?”

  “I need you to help me inform the kings. They will take it badly.”

  Tanya’s lip wobbled. “Are you going to die?” She started crying again, using her hand to wipe away the falling tears.

  “No.” Part of her wished that she could. Deep down inside, she had wished to fall in love and to have a family. To feel her womb quicken with life. To birth a child that would fill her days with happiness and laughter. She took a deep breath. “We need to inform the kings because they are the only ones that are able to give permission to perform an abortion.” Her voice hitched at the last word. A fist clenched her heart. What choice did she have? It was that or sure death for both her and the child.

  “No. You can’t.” Tanya looked at her with eyes filled with horror.

  “I don’t have a choice. Do you think I want to destroy this child?” Her voice was high pitched, so she paused for a few beats before continuing. “If I allow this pregnancy to proceed, then there is a very good chance that I would end up dead. The child would have even less chance of survival. Even if I chose to give my own life for that of the child, there is no guarantee. Odds based on previous statistics are that both of us would die. A C-section with a silver blade is the only way and silver for new-borns is like the kiss of death. Like I said earlier, it is a miracle that I survived my own birth.”

  “What if they used a regular knife? Why does it have to be silver? There has to be a way.”

  “Don’t you think we haven’t tried everything? Our species is slowly dying.”

  Tears kept falling down Tanya’s cheeks. “I don’t understand.”

  “We heal too quickly. Even if a device is used to hold the wound open, we heal around it. Silver keeps the wound from healing but it poisons the blood and because of that the infant perishes.”

  “Natural birth is the only way?” Tanya sniffed holding a wad of tissues to her nose.

  Stephany nodded. “Which is not an option for me. The most likely ending will be death for this child. I ha
ve no other choice but to terminate.”

  “I’m so sorry, Stephany. I can’t imagine.” Again she unconsciously clutched her belly in a protective manner. “Know that I am here for you. I’ll hold your hand through everything. If there is anything you need, any time, you tell me.” She blew her nose into the tissues.

  Stephany nodded. “Like I said earlier. I want you there when I tell the kings. I am nervous about their reaction, especially Brant’s.”

  “You tell me when you are ready. I’ll arrange everything.” Tanya gave her a tight smile. Her eyes were red rimmed and her nose was running.

  “It needs to be soon. I was thinking tomorrow morning. Although there is still time, I want to have the procedure within the next day or two.”

  Tanya nodded. “No problem. I will book the boardroom.”

  “No.” It came out a little harshly. “I would prefer it if I could come through to your tower. I worry about someone overhearing. This stays between the four of us.”

  “You know you can trust me.”

  “I know.” Stephany tried to smile, but it only made her hurt more inside.

  “Let me run you a nice bath. The baths you ran for me always helped soothe me whenever I was going through a tough time with Brant and Zane.” She squeezed Stephany’s arm. “Let me do the same for you.”

  “No…” Stephany shook her head. “Don’t be silly. I’ll be fine.”

  “Bull.” Tanya stood and made her way to the bathroom. “You are going to let me take care of you for a change.” She glanced back. “If there is anything you need, you just ask.” Her friend disappeared into the bathroom. There was a sound of water running. Within a few minutes, Tanya put her head around the door jamb. “Your bath is ready.”

  Stephany scented lavender. “Okay, thank you.” Stephany stood and waited to let Tanya out.

  “Hello! I said the bath was ready.”

  “You don’t have to stay.” Stephany had hoped for a little alone time. She needed to come to terms with…her pregnancy. No, not her pregnancy, her pending abortion.

  “You need to talk some more. I don’t want you to be alone at a time like this. I’ll stay for a bit.” The human was only trying to help.