by Unknown
Ward laughed. “No, the changes are much more subtle.”
“Oh, God! Will I start panting? Drooling?”
He reached over and pulled her onto his lap. His erection hard underneath her butt. “Panting? Drooling?” he raised his eyebrows. “That can be arranged.” Ward palmed her breast, gently pinching her nipple.
She moaned.
Removing his hand, he slid it around her back, his eyes turning serious. “The lores are not based on scientific fact. They are mainly grounded in tradition and are sometimes wrong, Stephany. Do you see now that no bond exists between you and that male? He has no hold on you.”
She put her hands on his shoulders. “I don’t want to be mated to him, but according to my coven, to Lance himself, he and I are mated.”
His jaw locked and his eyes darkened. “You are with the shifters now, not the vampires. You have not rutted with that male for many years. No bond exists,” he growled.
“I still don’t fully understand. I am told that Zane himself had a favorite female that he used to rut with and often. Why did he not become…bonded…with her?”
He shrugged. “They could have not of had an exclusive relationship. One or both had to have rutted others, preventing a genetic bond from forming. The bond happens quicker and runs deeper if the couple love one another as well.”
She nodded. “Yeah. They both regularly took others to their beds.”
Ward smiled. “There you have it then.”
“It’s all so complicated,” she huffed. Wanting what he said to be true.
“Not really.” Ward tightened his hold on her. “If two people have strong feelings for one another then they will spend a lot of time together and will rut often, slowly imprinting on one another until an unbreakable bond is formed. In the cases of the humans, they will age much slower, become stronger. Their senses are heightened.”
Stephany scratched her forehead. “Wait a minute, that’s what happens with the chosen human female.”
Ward laughed, shaking his head. “Your kings don’t have a clue. You really believe it would only happen to the chosen female? The same principle would apply whether it was with one of the kings or with a regular vampire male.”
“Can’t be.”
“I told you that some of the lores are flawed. Based on traditions not fact. It is the same with our lores. Our ancestors did not want us diluting our blood with humans and other species. There are various bogus lores that try and prevent this.” He raised his eyebrows. “That a human female would not survive being rutted by a shifter male. That offspring of a cross shifter paring would result in a runt being born with the weakest characteristics of each clan. That the child would be an abomination.” He made a sound of frustration. “All a load of bull. Just like the one that says your kings would be unable to impregnate any other human female. They choose a female at a ceremony and are then unable to make any other pregnant? Bullshit!”
Her brow furrowed. “If that is true, then why did you try and take the chosen human female?”
He shrugged his big shoulders. “Obviously the kings believe it. That is what counts.”
“Are you claiming that a human female mated to any male vampire would become stronger because just as in the case with shifter and human matings, the male would pass on some of his traits to her?”
He nodded. “That is exactly what I am claiming, but we can chat some more about this later.” He put his head in the crook of her neck and inhaled, making a sound of enjoyment. “You are mine, Stephany. That idiot male has no claim on you.” He thrust up from below her, rubbing his jean clad erection against her. “I feel an urgent need to mark you.” His voice was a low rumble. “To pass on some of my genetic material to you. I think you’d be really cute with a tail.”
“Hey.” She giggled while leaning in. Ward deepened the kiss, devouring her mouth. He stood in one easy motion, carrying her like she weighed nothing. Stephany wrapped her legs around him.
Carefully placing her on the bed, he stood while unsnapping his jeans. His gaze traced the contours of her body. “Take that off.” He gestured to her shirt while peeling his jeans down his long legs in one easy motion.
Ward growled as her shirt went over her head, his eyes firmly on her much larger breasts. “Open your thighs for me, sweetheart.” Another low, throaty growl sounded as she did as he asked.
Ward grit his teeth, his thick cock jutted from his body. “So wet.” His nostrils flared. His eyes slid back up her body, locking with hers. They smoldered with more than just lust. Intense emotion like nothing she had ever seen before. His jaw clenched and his throat worked as he covered her body with his much bigger, much harder one. Her breasts mashed against his chest, the hairs abrading her sensitive nipples. His eyes danced about her face. He kissed her softly before pulling away enough to allow his hand to fit between them. Ward cupped her breast, squeezing her flesh before raking a thumb across her sensitive nub. Her breathing hitched. His hand trailed lower, down her belly which quivered from his touch. His whole hand circled her mound as he dipped a finger into her pussy. She moaned, the sound turning into an all-out cry as he used the same finger to zone in on her clit. Using fast, deft strokes, he had her panting in seconds. Her nipples tightened and need coiled inside her. The build happened quickly.
“Ward I…I…I’m going to…”
He kissed her again, wrapping his hand around her thigh, which he pulled up so that she straddled him more firmly. “Let me know if I hurt you in any way.” He glanced between their bodies, his eyes first on her belly before dipping down to where his cock rested against her pussy. Ward pulled back until the head of his dick was at her opening. With infinite, maddening care, he pushed into her. He made a small grunting noise as he reached the hilt. Stephany looked up at him, his eyes were closed and his jaw was slack. So handsome. She knew he was hers even though she didn’t deserve him.
Not when she considered Lance to still be her mate.
She cupped his jaw, feeling his stubble catch. Ward opened his beautiful eyes, his lids still hooded. Their bright green depths locking with hers. He threw her a lopsided grin. It was tight with pent up desire, though his face turned very serious as he moved to kiss her. Using deep, slow strokes, he made love to her. He didn’t touch her again with his hands. Didn’t have to since his body rubbed against hers with a delicious friction that threatened to take her breath away.
Her breasts felt heavy, her nipples tight, her clit throbbed. Once he found that spot inside her, he made sure to hit it every time, keeping the rhythm slow and deep. Her skin felt overly tight. The coiling sensation happened slowly, yet it somehow felt so much more intense. Ward kissed her, their mouths mimicking their bodies. She hovered on the edge of release for the longest time, enjoying the closeness. Stephany could feel that his canines had lengthened as they banged against her own fangs. Ward broke the kiss on a low growl that vibrated against her.
He nuzzled into her neck, placing a soft kiss on the sensitive patch just below her ear. He was going to bite her. Excitement coursed through her. It was on that thought that her orgasm hit. The hard wave of unexpected release hit her hard. She cried out, feeling her own fangs extend almost to the point of exquisite pain.
Hot bursts erupted inside her and Ward jerked, making a grunting noise. Instinct took over as she sank her fangs into his neck. Ward roared, a deafening sound that had her ears ringing. He continued to move in uneven jerking movements. Deep and hard. Her pleasure intensified as his cock swelled. Finally, his movements slowed until he eventually stopped. Ward groaned as she retracted her fangs, he inhaled deeply against her skin while making noises of rapture.
“You smell amazing. I want you again.” His dick twitched inside her.
“We can if you want...”
He moved back so that he could look her in the eye and shook his head. “You need your rest, but know that we are going to do this again in the morning before I have to go and prepare our new home.”
She nodd
ed. He smiled, pulling her against him so that her back was firmly against his chest. This was how he held her the whole night, his hand wrapped possessively around her belly.
True to his word, they made love again in the morning, this time though he took her from behind, his finger firmly on her clit. It embarrassed her that she came in less than a minute without any foreplay. By the time Ward allowed himself his own release, she came a second time and it was even more powerful than the first.
Stephany managed to keep a rein on her foul mouth, not calling him a single bad name during sex, but only because Ward hadn’t bitten her once. He sniffed at her, kissed her neck, but never so much as nipped at her.
Maybe claiming and mating weren’t the same thing. He considered her his but not as mates, which was weird considering the discussion that they had had. He didn’t consider her to be mated to Lance so that couldn’t be the problem.
They probably just needed time.
Chapter 6
They moved into the bigger cabin the next day. Just like all the other family units. It was just down the road from the one they had had before. Much to her delight, their new home had solar power so no more having to light a fire for hot water. There was a living and dining area. The two bedrooms were separate and there was a well-appointed kitchen. Still very rustic, but comfortable.
Ward had organized a bassinet for their bedroom and a crib for the second bedroom, which they were slowly turning into a nursery. Stephany was in awe over how quickly the time had passed. Two weeks since coming to the shifter village and in the blink of an eye. By now, she had washed all of the baby clothes and was busy folding the tiny baby outfits. They were made for premature human babies. Ward had told her that they would be too big for the little one. She held up one of the garments. It was so small, she couldn’t imagine having to fold up the sleeves.
Her belly had grown much bigger. It was swollen enough that her belly button had popped out a little bit. Her breasts were much bigger as well. Her nipples were dark and also looked swollen. Every time she heard a baby cry, they leaked. It was amazing how the female body prepared itself, everything geared towards the birth.
True to his word, Ward had taken her to meet Jessy the next day. They had become friends. The human female had told her everything about her own birth and what to expect. Although little Ross was six weeks old, he was still so very tiny. According to Jessy, he had grown a lot since he was born. She couldn’t imagine an even smaller baby. Maybe she would be able to birth their son without any complications after all.
There was a loud cry from outside. Definitely a young child. Her protective instincts were on high alert and she found herself reacting and heading outside. A small boy rolled around holding his knee. Blood seeped through his clenched fingers. She recognized the boy as one of Angela’s children. She knew the female would not like her touching the youngster. The boy whimpered, his face pale. Stephany could hear his heart race at a mile a minute. It would take a few minutes for the wound to heal. In the meantime, it would hurt terribly. She could remember hurting herself once as a young girl. Although she knew of her healing capabilities, she was too young to really understand. From the sheer terror edged on his little face, this one didn’t realize that he would soon be healed either. Stephany looked around to see if Angela was close, wishing to avoid a conflict if possible.
Cradling her belly, she carefully dropped to her haunches beside him. “Let me see.”
The boy shook his head, his lip wobbled. “Momma doesn’t like you and I’m not allowed to talk to you.” The air in his lungs hitched as he tried to catch his breath.
“Am I allowed to talk to you then?”
He shrugged.
“My name is Stephany.”
“You’re a vampire.” His eyes widened.
“Yes, I am.”
He seemed to forget all about not being allowed to talk to her. “You drink b-blood,” he said. “Mamma says you will want to drink my blood.” He glanced down at the blood seeping between his fingers and clasped the wound while sucking in a deep breath.
She smiled at him. “I won’t drink your blood.” When his eyes stayed large and unwavering, she added. “I promise you.”
He blinked a few times. “Will you drink Ward’s blood then?”
For a second she contemplated lying. “Yes, I do drink Ward’s blood, but I won’t take from anyone else.”
“Does it hurt?” His blue orbs grew solemn.
She smiled and shook her head. “No, it doesn’t.”
“Daddy also bites momma sometimes. I’ve seen the marks. I think that she likes it. Maybe you are not so different from us shifters after all.”
She shook her head, her smile growing wider by the second.
The little boy’s eyes twinkled. “One day when I grow up, I’m going to be just like my daddy and just as strong as Ward. I can’t wait to find out what the color of my wolf is. I sometimes feel him inside me, but most days he is sleeping. Is Ward your mate?” His big blue eyes stayed on her, blinking every so often.
How did she answer that? She carried his pup, lived with him, missed him when he left her for any period of time, feared for him if he left the village. According to the vampire lores, she was mated to Lance but more and more, she felt like Ward was her true mate.
“Get away from my boy.” Angela stomped towards them. “What have you done? I said to get away from him, vampire.” With some effort, Stephany rose to her feet, putting some space between herself and the child.
“I fell, momma,” the boy said. “I hurt my knee.” He pulled his hand away, gasping when he noticed that the wound was no longer there.
“Let’s get you cleaned up.” Her voice softened. “I’ve told you not to run off like that, Sebastian. You’re only four.”
“Nearly five.” He shouted bouncing to his feet.
“Nearly five,” she said. Angela’s back was to her, but she could hear the smile in the female’s voice.
“I like the vampire, momma. She’s nice.”
“Let’s get you home.” The human’s voice hardened up.
“Okay,” he said, turning his head towards her. “Goodbye, Stephany.”
“Bye, Sebastian.” She waved at him, her smile died when Angela turned to glare at her.
“You don’t have to worry, she doesn’t want our blood, momma.” His little hands folded around the human’s neck.
The female’s eyes hardened up a whole lot more, her meaning clear. She walked away, Sebastian’s little legs wrapped around her middle.
“Don’t listen to her.” Patricia walked up from behind Stephany. Her blond hair blew about her face in the light breeze. “It takes a bit for her to warm up to new people. She only recently started talking to me and I’ve been here for two months now.”
Stephany shrugged. “You can’t win them all. I don’t like her telling the children that I will drink their blood if they come near me though. She doesn’t have to like me, but she also shouldn’t go around spreading untruths.”
Patricia smiled. “She doesn’t know any better.”
“That’s no excuse. Her son was petrified when he first saw me. Now I understand why the village children run a mile when they see me coming.”
“I must admit that I was a bit afraid of you when I first met you as well.” Patricia reached out and touched her arm. “I’m really sorry.”
Stephany shook her head, rolling her eyes. “Don’t worry about it. Drinking from someone is an intimate act. When done between lovers it is akin to the rutting itself. Between friends it is like the sharing of a secret. The taking of blood is always done behind closed doors.”
“So you only take from Ward then?”
Stephany nodded, her eyes must have clouded or something because Patricia cocked her head. “What is it? Looks like I struck a nerve or something.”
“I don’t really know what’s happening with us, where we stand with one another.”
Patricia looked around them. “Let’s
go inside. You can make me some tea.”
Stephany nodded. They walked together, Stephany put a kettle on the stove, mimicking how Ward had made his own tea on countless occasions. Both the humans and the wolves seemed to enjoy drinking the hot substance. Since her craving for blood had diminished, she preferred the cool mountain water and poured a glass for herself.
Patricia leaned up against the counter, folding her arms across her chest. “Ward seems completely taken with you. I can attest that when a shifter claims a female he imprints on her and doesn’t want another.” Patricia paused for half a beat. “They are nothing like human men. He wouldn’t cheat on you, would want no other female. I’m not sure if vampire males are the same.”
“Yes, vampires are exactly the same.” Stephany put a hand to her belly, feeling the little one squirm inside. There had been a lot less kicking over the last few days and a lot more pushing movements. She tried not to focus on the growing panic at the thought of the pending birth. The little one could come any day now. “Do you know if claiming and mating are the same thing?”
“They are the same thing.” Patricia smiled. “You are considered his mate to his pack as well as to the rest of the clans.”
“Does Ward consider me to be his mate?”
She answered immediately. “Yes, he does.” The kettle whistled and Stephany switched off the gas. Patricia helped herself to a teabag out of the canister, putting it into the mug on the counter. Next, the human poured water into the cup.
“I don’t understand why you would even need to ask. Has anything happened?”
“More like what doesn’t happen.” When Patricia frowned, she added. “He doesn’t bite me.” Stephany fidgeted with the zipper on her sweater. “I know that biting is normal between mates.”
“Never?” Patricia’s blue eyes looked thoughtful for a second or two. “Does he at least nip at you?”
She shook her head.
The female chewed on her lip. “That’s not right. Eliot has started to nip at me. He says that he can’t wait to bite me for real. I have noticed that he is finding it more and more difficult to control the urge. You are right, biting is normal, even though I am human I still get the urge to bite him as well.” Patricia removed the bag. She added sugar and stirred. “I am sure that when he mates me, I will bite him back.”