by Unknown
“Please stop crying.” He spoke softly, his eyes still trained on the door.
“I wish I could,” she sniffed. “I don’t cry. I don’t ever cry.” Even as she said the mantra, her tears came faster.
Ward moved towards her and she flinched. “I told you that I would never hurt you and I meant that.” His voice was deep and soothing. “Hey”—he brushed a hair from her face and cupped her chin—“I am sorry that I said those things. I didn’t mean them.”
She shrugged him off. “You did, Ward, but at least you were finally male enough to voice what you have been holding inside.”
He looked away and then back at her. “I’m still sorry. I could’ve worded it differently. Rushe is right, I said those things to hurt you.” He rubbed a hand behind his neck, squeezing for a few beats. “I wanted you to feel the pain that I have felt. The pain that I still feel.” His eyes clouded. “It was wrong of me.”
“You need to know that I hate Lance. I hate my mate.”
“That male is not your mate,” Ward growled.
“Just because you say he isn’t, doesn’t make it so.” She tried to keep her voice even. “I don’t want him, but that doesn’t change things. Lance is my mate.”
Ward snarled. The sound terrifying. Even though she knew he would never hurt her, goose bumps rose on her arms.
The door opened and Rushe put his head around the jamb, his eyes on Ward. “Please calm down. I really think you need to jog or hunt or something.”
“Fuck off, Rushe. I am losing my patience with you.” Ward didn’t take his eyes off her.
“I know. I’m sorry, but I won’t leave Stephany until you calm down. You can beat me if it will help you to calm down.”
Her heart bled for the sweet wolf. She really did have to try and find him a mate. He may be a little rough around the edges, but he so deserved a female of his own.
Ward sighed loudly, hooking his thumbs into his jeans. “Have I ever hurt anyone before?”
Rushe lifted his eyebrows.
“You know what I mean. Have I ever hurt a female?” Ward spoke quickly, frustration etched in every word.
Rushe shook his head. “No you haven’t, but you have never felt this strongly about a female before either. I have never seen you this emotional.”
Ward scrubbed a hand over his face, he made a sound of frustration. “All the more reason why I would never hurt my female. I think I’ve got this now, Rushe. Thank you.”
The other male shook his head and crossed his arms.
Ward grit his teeth. “Either you leave or I’m leaving. As much as I would love to beat you, you have my female’s best interests at heart and I can’t make you bleed because of that, but three is a crowd, Rushe. I don’t have much patience left and I don’t want to hurt you.” When the other male narrowed his eyes in answer, Ward added, “Please.”
“I appreciate your help and concern, but we” —Stephany gestured between Ward and herself—“really need to talk. Ward has every right to be angry.” She locked eyes with Ward.
“You won’t hurt her?”
Ward shook his head. “Never.” His eyes stayed on hers.
“I’m not just talking physically.”
“I might snarl and growl. I may even raise my voice, but I promise not to hurt her in any way.”
Rushe kept his eyes locked on Ward for a few beats before dropping his gaze to the ground and backing out of the room.
“I think that male might be a little bit in love with you.” Ward gave her a tight smile and the ache in her heart eased just a little.
The door cracked open. “I will take her if you’re not careful.”
Ward snarled, kicking the door closed with such force that the wood cracked. He turned, his body pumped and glistening. His eyes the brightest, most beautiful green. They softened as they landed on her. “If he comes in here one more time, I will not be able to stop myself from pummelling him. I know that you would hate to see him hurt, so please prepare yourself. Know that I don’t want to do it, but he will force my hand.” Ward glanced towards the door before turning his intense gaze back on her. “Be honest with me, Stephany…do you want Lance as a mate?”
Narrowing her eyes, she shook her head. “I already told you that I didn’t.”
“Then he isn’t your mate. I will explain why a little later. Right now, I really need you to stop referring to him as such.” He took a deep breath. “I am feeling very possessive of you at the moment. With my scent on you. Knowing about the pup. My instincts are riding me hard.”
“What instincts?”
He gave a humourless laugh. “To take you. Hard. To mark you with my seed over and over again. To bite you until I scar your neck so that all may know that you are mine.”
“They know.” She said, feeling herself grow wet just listening to him talk like that.
“They may know, but do you?” His nostrils flared, his eyes dropped to the juncture at her thighs. “Don’t.”
“Don’t what?”
He sniffed, letting out a rugged breath. “I will rut you, Stephany, until you scream my name, until you tell me that you are mine.”
“Stop talking like that, I can’t help my body’s reaction to your words.”
He grit his teeth. “I need to know why you never mentioned that male to me. Not once.” He took a deep breath, his chest expanded for a few beats before he finally released the air. “I didn’t scent another male on you when Hayden took you that day, and I believed you when you said it had been a very long time since you rutted with someone. What I don’t understand is why you would lie about not having a mate when you clearly believe that you do.”
She shook her head, wrapping her arms around herself. “I never lied. I watched the elven archers take Lance down. His entire chest was peppered with silver tipped arrows. It is a miracle that he survived.”
“You thought him dead?”
“Yes.” She tilted her chin and pursed her lips.
Ward looked thoughtful for a few seconds. “Hayden mentioned a male that died trying to save you. It was one of the reasons he had ultimately decided to take you. If the royal guard was willing to die for you, then he knew you must be important. That was this male?…Lance.” He spat his name out like a curse.
“Yes. We accidentally mated many years ago.” She shrugged. “We have never lived together as mates.”
“The male seems to think that you should be together now. Why? Did you reconnect when you returned?” His eyes narrowed, his whole body tightened. “Is he the reason you grew your hair? Why you refused to stay with me in the first place?”
“Jealous much?” Anger coursed through her veins.
“You carry my pup, that makes you mine. I told you I am feeling possessive.” He crossed his arms over his massive chest.
“Excuses, Ward. It doesn’t give you permission to act like a jerk. I am not a possession.”
His eyes softened and he took a step towards her. “You’re right. I guess I’m not very good at this. I’ve never been jealous before.” He turned his eyes to the floor for a few seconds before lifting them. “I do not know how to handle the emotion.”
“Lance is deluded. I don’t know why he suddenly feels that he owns me.” She paused while Ward growled. “He tried hard to…connect with me…once I returned, but I have not been able to think of anyone but you.” It was her turn to look away, unable to hold his intense gaze. “You are the reason I grew my hair.” Heat infused her cheeks.
He reached out and touched a wayward strand. “Beautiful, soft and silky. Perfect for fisting while I am inside of you.”
Another pang of arousal coursed through her. “We’re not done talking,” she said, catching his hooded stare and flared nostrils.
“Why did that idiot male not claim you after he mated you?”
She shrugged. “We were from different covens. The kings were birth enemies.” She let out a sigh. “Our covens were at war.”
“Bullshit, if the male wanted yo
u then he would’ve taken you regardless of the consequences.”
Stephany smiled. “Our mating was by accident. Lance and I don’t belong together. He will come to realize that. The male rutted so many females over the years…it was clear he was never really interested in me.”
“I don’t like the male. He is a colossal idiot.”
She laughed. “And putting a sabre into your chest may have clouded your judgement.”
Ward’s eyes hardened. “He got lucky. It won’t happen again. Why have you not taken any males to your bed over the years? It wasn’t because you were pining for Lance.”
She shook her head so hard that her hair flew about her face. “Lance had nothing to do with it. I told you that I was deemed physically unable to birth children.” A well of emotion clawed its way up inside of her. “I should’ve undergone a surgical procedure to prevent pregnancy. I’ve always wanted a baby though, Ward. I’ve always wanted this.” She put her hand over the slight swell of her belly. “The reason I never sought a male was because I would’ve had to go under the knife. I guess I couldn’t bear the thought of it. Subconsciously I knew that if I abstained I would be left alone.”
Ward put his hand over hers. “You can birth this baby, Stephany.”
She shook her head, her eyes pricked. “My mother died birthing me.” She took a deep breath, fighting for control. “I should’ve died too. I’m already showing. This baby will be very big.” She looked down at where their hands met.
His hand moved over her protruding belly. It would soon be clear to all that she was pregnant just by looking at her.
He frowned. “I am an alpha, my pup will be big.”
Stephany shook her head, squeezing her eyes shut. It looked like her worst fears would become a reality.
“As for you being too big too soon”—he lifted her chin, forcing her to look at him—“You are already in the final trimester. Two more weeks and this pup could come. That’s where I was—”
“Two weeks?” she gasped.
He nodded, removing his hand. “Females are pregnant between ten and twelve weeks. We need to prepare. Tomorrow we’ll move into a bigger cabin. Rushe can take this one since he will be eligible to find a mate soon.”
A yell of excitement erupted from outside the cabin.
Ward rolled his eyes. “Please excuse me for a second.” He touched her arm lightly.
“Please don’t hurt him.” Stephany gripped Ward by the bicep, her hand only making it halfway around the impressive muscle.
“I’m hoping he’ll be far away by the time I make it outside.” Ward projected his voice while throwing Stephany a half smile.
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.”