by Abella Ward
But their ace was not something that could be contented – or ignored.
Their ace was a collection of CCTV images, released to them by the police after several days of negotiations and, finally, threats of a lawsuit. They were a little grainy, but in full color, and showed a large red pickup truck stalking and then deliberately hitting the car of one Dr. Keith Duquesne, husband of the Louisiana Clan King’s daughter, and a scientist just a few steps away from discovering the full extent of the Mississippi Clan’s crime.
Two of the photos were particularly interesting because one of them clearly caught the license plate of the truck – and the other the face of the driver.
The truck was registered to the Mississippi Clan King.
The driver was his dhampir nephew.
Upon that reveal, all hell broke loose, and the members of the Mississippi Clan attempted to flee, but the rest of the vampires quickly rounded them up.
As Kendra learned, the vampire justice system could be a little drawn out when it came to presenting evidence, but once they were sure they had convicted the responsible party, the punishment came quickly and brutally.
The final decision was unanimous - the Mississippi Clan was no more. The scheming Clan King and all those suspected of involvement in his revenge plans were executed. The remaining Clan members were to be absorbed into other, bigger clans, to live their lives in peace and free of persecution.
It was not something Kendra wished to see happen again. She knew the wrongdoers had to be punished, but this was a little too much for her to take all at once. Sebastien seemed to understand, and put no pressure on her whatsoever, giving her his quiet presence and support to lean on.
She had to admit, it was a good feeling. Kendra was proud of her strength, but it was nice to know she didn’t have to be strong all the time anymore. She had someone she could rest with and know she would be safe and loved, no matter how strange the way that love came to be was.
With Sebastien at her side, she knew she could survive anything and come out a winner.
Epilogue
Three weeks later, she stood barefoot and dressed in red in the center of the Clan Home back lawn with Sebastien, also barefoot but dressed in dark green, facing each other as they waited for the Clan Priestess to perform the Bonding rite. The elder vampire woman, in elaborate formal robes, suddenly looked at Kendra and proclaimed with a huge smile on her wrinkled face, “You’re pregnant.”
Shocked by the statement, Kendra looked at Sebastien, who seemed just as confused as she was, and then back to the Priestess.
“I beg your pardon?” she asked, and the woman laughed.
“You’re pregnant, child! I can smell the change on you!” The Priestess confirmed her diagnosis, much to the loud joy of everyone present.
Kendra looked at the man who, by the end of this night, would be her husband. He was the only person other than herself who wasn’t cheering, but the smile on his face spoke more of how happy the news made him than all the noise everyone else was making.
“Is she for real?” she asked him, skeptical, and wondering if she’d be criticized for it, but Sebastien just laughed.
“She’s for real,” he confirmed, nodding. “She’s trained to sense such subtle changes. No one else could’ve possibly caught it, not until way longer into the pregnancy.”
Still a little dazed by the revelation, Kendra looked down to her stomach... and then back to the Priestess because a terrifying thought crossed her mind. “The baby... the rite, will it harm it?” she asked, almost frantic, remembering too many stories in which mixing magic and pregnancy resulted in tragedy, but the old woman just smiled and patter her shoulder.
“Don’t worry,” she assured Kendra. “It might be uncomfortable for you, but the baby will be just fine. It’s too small for the rite to affect it. It’s just a cluster of cells waiting to grow into a son or daughter.”
That calmed her well enough, but she still felt an enormous amount of excitement and anxiety mixed together.
A baby.
She was going to have a baby.
She was getting married, doing strange and inexplicable things to her body to make her life as long as her vampire husband’s was, and she was going to have their baby.
If someone had told her all this a month ago, she would’ve had them committed in less than an hour.
Yet it had all happened, and was no less real than the life she was about to leave behind.
Sebastien took her hands in his and smiled that special, warm smiled reserved just for her.
“Ready?” he asked, and Kendra felt her heart overflow with love and hope for the future that lay ahead.
She smiled back and entwined her fingers with his.
“Ready.”
*****
THE END
About Abella Ward
Abella Ward has always dreamed of visiting other planets and being swept off her feet by a hot, bluish alien warlord. When that warlord didn’t come, she started taking pleasure in writing books about her fantasies instead.
Abella loves to write sexy stories about ruthless alpha males. Her books contain three things: hot aliens, steamy romance and lots of action. Nothing else. Oh, and happy endings, of course.
She likes stargazing on her rooftop, treating herself and her curves to the occasional box of ice cream and visiting rock concerts. She lives with her husband (who may not be an alien but could be described as a warlord in his own way) and dog in Arizona.
Please check the author page of Abella Ward for the latest news and releases.
Selected Other Books by Abella Ward
Barbarian's Prisoner
There’s a secret hiding in the dungeon: The hottest alien on the planet has just been locked up… And all you need to do is find the key.
Life isn’t easy on Planet Tirron, especially when the paranoid psychopath of a king happens to be your brother. Luckily for Arana, the new prisoner that her brother has locked up in the dungeons is the most gorgeous guy she’s ever seen.
So when her brother’s paranoia and harsh punishments become unbearable, Arana knows exactly what to do: make a deal with the gorgeous prisoner. If she sets him free, he’ll take her away.
But like most things in life, not all goes according to plan…
And suddenly, Arana’s gone…
Arathor is a trained assassin who fights in the Death Pit during the day and is healed by Arana at night. He knows she’s his mate, but she can never be his. Arana has a gift that she doesn’t know about and that prevents them from ever being together.
But when the King offers Arathor his freedom in return for Arana’s head, Arathor must make a decision.
Will he betray Arana to set himself free?
Will he give up his freedom for the only woman he loves?
Mated to the Dragon Prince
To unleash his Dragon, she must melt his cold heart first . . .
Eyrl is the first Stlozyn male in a thousand years to be heir to the throne of Bronæl. But the government wants him mated first. Eyrl knows one thing for sure: he wants a human. Now, where to find her?
All Lily wants to do is dance. But when she gets badly injured, her one chance is to go to the stars to have it fixed. No problem. All she has to do is sign up for a program to be matched to a dragon. Who happens to be a prince. Oh, and the hottest creature in the universe.
When Eyrl’s beast eyes see Lily, his fires flare. Yes, she’s beautiful, but no, that doesn’t mean he’ll ever love her. What is love anyway? Just another emotion that makes otherwise sane people do stupid things. All she needs to do is marry him and produce babies.
But when Lily is taken from him, Eyrl finds out there’s only one thing that matters to him.
He’ll search for her until she’s back safely in his arms.
Even if it costs him his throne.
Sold to the Barbarian
What is this massive brute going to do with me?
Zon is a ruthless savage, killing for sport. He
knows she is his mate from the moment their eyes meet. So it’s only natural that he buys her. He’s in his “musth”, a time when hormones run rampant. If he doesn’t mate right away, he becomes... unpredictable.
One moment Lisa is working late at the lab and the next the curvaceous scientist is in a vessel going at light speed. And the next? That’s when she’s sold on the auction block to a powerful alien warlord with a penchant for violence.
Is she his slave, his pet or his next meal? Either way, she’s finding herself inexplicably drawn to him.
But danger looms. Another alien wants Lisa for himself and will stop at nothing to get her. When the seemingly cold-hearted warrior jumps to her defense, her attraction to him only intensifies, although she tells herself it’s only sexual.
As the danger swells and her feelings deepen, Lisa finds herself torn between her desire for the fearless warrior and her longing for Earth. When her attackers return, she can only hope Zon will save her again.
And in the midst of the action, another little surprise announces itself and Lisa has to ask herself: is cross species breeding really impossible?
Bought by the Barbarian
His broadsword is his only love. Until he sees her curves.
T’Shav mercenary Ronan doesn’t want love. He wants a woman to take care of his ‘condition’, meaning raging hormones. And the bridal service is going to get him one. So where is the sweet, submissive wife he ordered?
Paramedic Erica Chase is bored to death on her spaceship. Until she and her cousin Bethy are sold to a bridal service. There’s no way she’s going to submit to her new owner. But why does he have to be so mouthwateringly hot?
What’s a gal to do? Just devour the sexy alien? Hell no. He says he’s not touching her until she’s on her knees begging for it. He must be joking.
But Erica needs the hunky alien to find back Bethy. And Ronan has his own mission to complete. Space is a crowded place with enemies at every corner. It’s a good thing Ronan enjoys a bloody fight.
Stuck on the same spaceship, Ronan knows one thing for sure. Anybody who thinks they can lay a finger on his mate and his unborn child will find another thing coming.
What Ronan wants, Ronan gets.
Rescued by the Barbarian
He wore a kilt and nothing else. What does he want from me?
When Veronica Benson wakes up on an alien ship, she knows that life as she knew it is over. She’s always been a fan of alien romance novels and movies, but never dreamed of meeting an alien herself, let alone a totally hunky one.
Chapec can’t believe his luck when he sees the human he’s supposed to escort to the Zon Sanctuary. All curves and softness. Just the sort of woman he'd like to hold all night while they…
But never mind. He’s not looking for a mate. And neither is she. There are secrets that need to be kept at all costs. And a mission to complete.
Can Veronica and Chapec reach the safe haven of the Zon Sanctuary in time? Can they keep their enemies at bay? And most importantly, will they find a way to trust and love each other?
Captured by the Barbarian
I’ve been kidnapped - there’s nowhere to go. I’m stuck on a space ship with an insanely hot alien.
Jada Isles owns a dating agency that connects human women with the sexy T’shav aliens. But when she sees her new client’s D*rito-shaped torso, she decides to meet him herself.
Sildon has only one love in his life: The sword that was left to him by his grandfather. Until he sees Jada. Her femininity, lush curves, thick thighs and full lips drive him insane.
But there’s no time to let her beauty get to his head. Sildon is on a mission. He has to kidnap her for ransom.
All goes according to plan. Until Sildon finds out how strong-willed Jada is. But even though her mind should be focused on escaping, she can’t stop staring at the well-defined “V” below his perfect six-pack.
And soon another challenge presents itself when they come across a baby being sold on the slave market.
Does this mercenary have a heart after all? Can Jada and Sildon contain the heat slowly building up between them? Is he prepared to do the one thing that could destroy everything else?
The Alien's Possession
You are mine, by deed and right. I am lord here. This is my desire.
Scientist Rebecca Fields is perfectly happy studying plants and atmospheres. But her quiet life comes to a crashing end when her spaceship is attacked.
Bound and sold at an auction as a slave, now she must decipher the intentions of the tall gray-skinned alien who bought her.
Vanalik is the General of the planet Helin. All of his subordinates obey him without question. And his new possession, a curvy human, will do the same. He bought her, so she is his to command, and care for.
But Vanalik’s planet is a dangerous place, with competitors and beasts lurking in the shadows. Soon, Rebecca is in more danger than she knows.
Can the man who bought her protect her and win her heart at the same time? Can Rebecca ever truly feel welcomed in a world where she is viewed as a concubine?
The Fairy King's Goddess
“Among the gods, there were once three war sisters with incredible powers. One of them was killed and reincarnated into human form. You're her.”
Nikki has always known she’s different. She’s a changeling, a fairy child, an outsider. Her emerging magic, the ability to 'taste' other people's emotions, only adds to that.
But nothing is what it seems. A mysterious, sexy man claiming to be the fairy king Finvarra arrives, telling Nikki she's an ancient war goddess reincarnated into human form.
Is Finvarra telling the truth? Nikki can’t help but feeling drawn to his tale… and to the man.
When an ancient enemy reemerges determined to get his hands on Nikki, she and Finvarra find themselves face-to-face with the most powerful magic they’ve ever encountered.
There’s only one person who can reopen the gates to the Otherworld.
Nikki has to make a choice.
Or she may die. Again.
Taken by the Alien Dragon
“You are mine, and you will follow my orders”
Virginia Downey is ready to leave Earth and join an alien breeding program. But when her spaceship is attacked by pirates, all seems lost. Especially when Vai, the merciless Ghost Warrior, claims her as his mate.
The frightening mercenary with his rippling muscles almost makes her faint. Especially when her gaze lands at the junction of his thighs…
Alien dragon Vai has only one goal in life. To destroy the scientist Pirræq whose experiments killed his siblings. So when he encounters Virginia, the future mate of Pirræq’s brother, he decides to keep her.
But this stunning human, all curves worthy of love and more, makes him want to mate. No, scratch that: this woman is his mate, whether she likes it or not. And if she doesn’t submit to him, he will punish her.
Back to the mission though. Where is Pirræq? How can Vai destroy her? Before Vai knows it, the tables have been turned. And he has to fight for his own and Virginia’s life.
Is he up to the task?
Taken by Two Alien Kings
What’s better than being paired with a hot alien? Being paired with two hot aliens of course.
Cheryl is the new queen in the Demante System. Purchased from Earth and raised as a temple-virgin, she was selected to rule. She’s about to meet her king, chosen through a series of battles. Only to find that there’s not just one, but two candidates...
Oh my, whom to choose? One is even hotter and more dominant than the other. There’s Bjorn of the house of Leshire, the one everybody expected to claim the queen. And then there’s Maskin, the warrior-slave who is challenging the noble houses. Both are equally ready to punish any disobedience and submit her to their desires.
The task is easy: who gets her pregnant first gets the throne. But who knew there’d be enemies along the way? Enemies that beat her alien kings to hell to have Cheryl fo
r themselves?
Staying alive isn’t easy, but it’s easier than choosing between the two warriors. Right? With the enemy on their heels and time ticking, Cheryl has to make the choice of her life. All she can hope for is that her sexy warriors stay alive long enough to hear her out.
Mated to the Barbarian Heir
He’s harsh, cold and he wants me. And there’s no way I can escape
Prince Darilth has plundered the universe for decades, but still hasn’t found the right woman. Time’s ticking. Unless he finds a mate and produces an heir very soon, he will never be King.
The moment his inner dragon sees Ella, he knows she is his mate. She is the one who can awaken the Draco’s Eye, an ancient stone with healing powers that has been dormant for centuries. What better way to have her than to abduct and claim her?