A Mate for Gideon (The Program Book 2)

by Hartnady, Charlene

  Gideon kept quiet, understanding her need to talk. He just kept stroking her back, listening to what she had to say.

  “I tried to leave him. That was the first time he beat me.” She shuddered and he tightened his arms around her. All he wanted to do was to tuck her in and go and find the bastard. Males like this Liam did not have any honor. He deserved to die. If he’d been a vampire, he would be long fucking dead. Forget being buried, his body would’ve been burned.

  Gideon longed to see the male broken, bleeding, roasting. Hell, he’d toast marshmallows over the heat.

  “I’m sorry…” She wiped away the lone tear that had fallen. “You probably don’t want to hear about all of this. It’s putting a damper on our night together.”

  Gideon shook his head. He reached over and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “We need to deal with what happened. We need to do that together. The only way you are going to be able to put this behind you, and for us to move forward together, is for you to talk about it. As much as you want and as often as you want. I was doing some research today.”

  “You were?” Her eyes brightened, a wobbly smile took residence on her lips and his heart clenched so hard that he was sure he would never recover.

  “Yes, I was. We may need to even get you a human shrink… Psychologist I believe is the correct term. You can maybe even enroll yourself into a talk group with other females who have been through similar experiences. I will stand by your side every step of the way. There was one general consensus in all of the information that I gathered, talking about it is very important in your healing process.”

  Another tear fell and then another and another. She made a choking noise.

  “What is it? I’m so sorry. I’m not trying to make decisions for you.”

  “Be quiet, you silly man…male…vampire…whatever it is that I should call you. I’m crying because I’m happy. Thank you.” She smiled through her tears.

  “You are most welcome. Anything for you.” He clenched his jaw for a few seconds. “Yours…the answer you were searching for is yours.”

  She frowned, looking confused.

  “You asked what it is that you should call me…the correct answer to that question is…yours.” It scared him shitless, but it was true. He prayed that she wasn’t hiding anything from him. Gideon prayed even harder that his kings would understand.

  Chapter 9

  The little female had a decent set of lungs on her and she knew how to use them. She put her hands on her hips and sucked in a deep breath. “Call whoever it is that is in charge. This is completely unacceptable. Read this letter.” She waved a piece of paper under the security guard’s nose.

  The young male looked completely out of his depth. His eyes were wide and his pulse raced. “It doesn’t matter what that paper says. All the females are here and accounted for. My king will have my—”

  “What’s going on here?” Lazarus boomed, preparing for the female to shriek or flinch or something. They all did. This little smidge of a female would probably scream and run away. She was one of the tiniest females he had ever seen.

  “Finally,” she said, as she turned her eyes on him. “I’m hoping you have a brain.” She looked up at the sky. “I pray to god that you will be able to help me.”

  What sort of question was that?

  A brain.

  Did he even answer her?

  He was about to respond in the affirmative when she took a step towards him, having to crane her neck to maintain eye contact. Her fierce, blue gaze remained firmly on him. “Read this.” She thrust the paper into his hand. “Do it now.” She commanded, taking another step towards him.

  He caught a nose-full of her scent. Chili and chocolate. Lazarus found himself leaning slightly forward as his nostrils flared for a second time. Decadent, smooth as silk.

  “Hello…big guy…I’m talking to you.” She actually gave his arm a slap to draw his attention. Beneath all that decadence was a hot firecracker. “Take it. Read it, damn it.” She tapped the documents in his hand.

  With extreme reluctance, Lazarus broke eye contact and looked down at the piece of paper. It was an acceptance letter, for a Miss Alexandra Stone. Wait a minute. This didn’t make sense. It said that Alexandra had been accepted into the program.

  Then it dawned on him. This female was more than likely an imposter. She had somehow gotten her hands on one of the accepted human female’s letters, and here she was now claiming to be that female. She was a sly one.

  “Nice try.” Gideon grunted, giving the letter back to the female.

  “Not you too.” She snorted and even rolled her eyes. “Another brainless idiot.”

  “Excuse me?” Lazarus couldn’t quite believe what he was hearing. No one, not a vampire or otherwise had ever spoken to him like this.

  “Deaf too I see. What does a girl have to do to get some help around here? I want to speak to someone of authority, ideally one of the kings. You two are complete morons.”

  “Well that’s not going to happen.” Lazarus growled, knowing for sure that she would become fearful at the terrifying noise but instead she poked her finger into his chest.

  “Yes”—Poke—“It”—Poke—“Is”—Poke—“I’m done”—Poke—“Waiting”—A really hard poke—“I’m about to seriously lose my patience.” She smiled, looking anything but happy. “You don’t want to see bitch Alex. Bitch Alex will tear you apart and laugh while doing it.”

  “Do you seriously expect us to believe that you are Alexandra Stone?” Lazarus narrowed his eyes at the little female, noticing how her hair that a reddish tinge in the sun and how plump her…

  “Eyes up here, buster. Trust a man to think of sex at a time like this…”

  “I wasn’t thinking about sex…yet, I was checking out your—”

  “Well stop, dammit. I will be forced to burn your eyes out with a hot poker if you put them on my boobs again. Do you hear me?” Without giving him a chance to respond, she dug into the really large bag on her shoulder and pulled out her identity document. “Look at this instead.” She waved it in front of him. “It clearly states that I am Alexandra.” She tapped her chest. Damn fine chest at that.

  The guard let out an exasperated sigh. “It looks like she is who she says she is. Maybe she’s telling the truth.”

  “Yeah.” Lazarus gave her the once over, keeping his eyes narrowed. Small, curvy with long blondish/reddish hair that cascaded down her back. It was wavy. He wondered if her fur patch would be colored the same. His cock twitched at the thought.

  Not right now.

  Fighting the urge to readjust his dick, he looked back up at her face. Her eyes were a bright blue, her lips a deep pink. There was a splatter of light orange freckles across her, cute, little nose. Her skin was pale. It was too soon to end the fun. “And maybe she’s just really good at talking bullshit. I don’t buy it. You thought you could come here dressed like that and think you would get away with it? That we would just let you right in?”

  “Shorts and a t-shirt. What’s wrong with the way I’m dressed?” She raised her brows.

  “Shorts that barely cover your plump ass and a tight shirt that showcases those.” He pointed at her mammary glands, feeling his dick twitch yet again.

  “What did you just say?” She growled. An honest to god growl. From a human.

  Lazarus ignored the urge to throw her over his shoulder and smirked at her instead. “Who’s deaf now? You can take your sexy ass back to the gate, human.”

  “Human?” She shrieked. “Who’s your damned human? My ass and I aren’t going anywhere, thank you. I am Alexandra Stone. It says so right here. You are the one that’s deaf and an idiot.” She waved her ID document at him.

  “That could be fake.” He didn’t know why he was goading her. Maybe because she looked so damned cute with her cheeks all flushed and her eyes blazing. He was really enjoying himself.

  “Do you really think it’s fake?” The guard asked, but Lazarus ignored hi
m.

  “It’s not damn well fake.” She shouted at the guard before turning her stunning fury back on him. “Just because you have big muscles and can growl like a bear doesn’t mean that you can intimidate me.” She put her chest almost flush against his. Her breasts were so close that he could almost feel them. Her delicious scent enveloped him.

  He felt alive and exhilarated for the first time in a long time. This was almost better than sparring. Who was he kidding? It was better. At least with this little firecracker it was. “It’s fake.” He growled, loving the snort of fury she produced.

  “Fine,” the guard growled. “I will escort her out.” He gripped her elbow and pulled her along with him for a few strides.

  Lazarus couldn’t help the deep rumble that erupted at the interruption. He wasn’t done playing with the human.

  The female reacted instantly by yanking her arm away. When the male tried to grab her again, she smashed her elbow into his side. The guard made a grunting noise and lunged for her again, grabbing her against him with both his arms.

  “Leave me”—she yelled—“alone!” She shouted, kicking. She nailed the guard on the shin. The male growled.

  For whatever reason, Lazarus hated the male’s hands on her. Hated her sounds of distress even more.

  “Let her go,” he snarled. When the male didn’t respond, he took ahold of his arm and yanked. “Let her fucking go,” an even louder snarl that had his chest vibrating.

  “Would somebody be so kind as to tell me what the fuck is going on?” King Brant rounded the corner. Gideon was at his side. The male looked stoney faced.

  Thank fuck, the guard released the female. Lazarus pulled her behind him, the urge to protect surged and for no apparent reason. It wouldn’t do to have spilled human blood. The program would be affected. Their very existence could be affected. That must be it.

  “I asked what the fuck was going on? What is this human female doing on vampire territory?” He turned to the guard. “Escort her out.”

  “Wait.” Lazarus growled, he even bared his fangs. The guard had the good sense to look down.

  “Explain and make it quick.” Brant kept his eyes on Lazarus.

  The little female tried to move out from behind him but Lazarus kept ahold of her waist, making sure she stayed put. “This female, Alexandra Stone, has an acceptance letter stating that she is one of the females permitted to take part in the first phase of the program.”

  Brant frowned. “That can’t be.” Then he looked confused. “Her name is familiar though. Let me see the letter.”

  “I thought you didn’t believe me,” she whispered from behind him.

  Lazarus couldn’t help but to smile. “I was teasing you.”

  She made a small snorting noise that he found endearing. Then she gave him a sharp smack on the arm. “Didn’t your mother ever teach you manners?”

  Lazarus had to chuckle. He could hear that she was smiling. It made him grin even wider. Even the smack to his arm had been enjoyable. This female was a treat.

  The paper crinkled in Brant’s hand while he read the document. His frown deepened. His king looked up at the female and then back down at the document, and then back up again. “This looks authentic.”

  “She has an identity document that proves that she is Alexandra Stone. It looks legit.” The female squirmed behind him, so Lazarus released his hold on her.

  “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you morons all along.” She gave the guard, and then Lazarus a really filthy look.

  “Apologies, for whatever reason you were not informed that the program has started. We have twenty five females present, so someone must’ve been called accidentally in your place.” Brant shrugged. “I will have someone escort you out. We could even give you a lift back home.” He raised his brows.

  “Excuse me?” Alexander lifted her finger and pointed it at Brant. “If you think I’m just going to turn around and walk away, you’re delusional.”

  Brant frowned. “I understand that you’re upset, but there is nothing I can do. The males are about to choose who they wish to keep on seeing in the next round. There is no way that any of them would pick you at this late stage of the game. Go back home, we will call you in the next heat.”

  “What the hell is the next heat?” She adjusted the big, clunky purse on her shoulder.

  “Any unmated males will go into the next heat. New human females will then be introduced. I will personally make sure that you are included in that batch. My apologies for any inconvenience. I would be happy to write you out a check if it would make you feel better. Heat two will start in a few weeks time so you will not need to wait very long.”

  “You can’t buy me and I’m not interested in joining the next heat.” She shook her head and her hair flew about her face. “I want to stay.”

  She was a sight to behold and behold her Lazarus did. His eyes slid down to her narrow waist. Alexandra had hips made for holding and an ass that could make a grown man weep. The good news was that they would be tears of joy.

  He didn’t realize that the female had turned around. “Eyes up here…big guy…stay with me. Tell, King Brant, to please let me stay.”

  By the way all of them were looking at him expectantly, Lazarus realized that he had missed something. “What?” He growled.

  “The only way I’m going to let this female into the first heat, at this ridiculously late stage of the game, is if someone were to guarantee that they would choose her to go into the next round.” Brant smiled, his fangs gleamed and his eyes shone. “Do you know of anyone, Lazarus?”

  Lazarus swallowed hard. Fuck!

  The female crossed her arms across her chest. For the first time, worry clouded her features. She licked her lips, before chewing on her bottom lip. “You’re one of them aren’t you? One of the vampires from the program?”

  Lazarus nodded once.

  “Surely we should have her meet with all the males.” Gideon blurted, speaking for the first time. “You never know, maybe one of them would choose her.” Fuck! This was a dilemma.

  Lazarus locked gazes with Gideon, the other male’s eyes were hard. He gave the smallest shake of the head. Gideon wanted Lazarus to choose Jenna so that she could stay in the program until they figured things out.

  “I don’t think she should be allowed in on this round. Period,” Brant growled. “I have a feeling it would cause shit.” He turned his eyes to Lazarus. “According to the feedback I’ve received, you don’t plan on choosing anyone in this heat. Is this true?”

  “He spent the night with a female last night,” Gideon growled. Talk about being put on the spot.

  “Maybe he will choose her. You plan to don’t you?” His eyes were so dark that they looked black. Gideon spoke through clenched teeth.

  “Shit!” Alexandra took a step towards Lazarus. She huffed out a breath. “Sorry I called you an idiot and a moron.” She swallowed hard. “I know you’re not deaf or brainless. I’m really hoping you’re not spineless.”

  What did that have to do with anything?

  “I have a spine.” Lazarus put his hand to his back.

  “Good. Look…” She licked her lips. Her little tongue tracing the full expanse of her lower lip before tracking back up to the top one.

  Motherfuck! This female was stunning.

  “Urm…this is awkward.” She rubbed the toe of her sneaker into the dirt “I don’t mind that you spent the night with another woman. I really don’t. I need you to please guarantee that you’ll choose me though. We get along”—her eyes flashed with panic—“mostly. We could get along.”

  Lazarus folded his arms, looking down at the female. She scented sweet, and looked even sweeter. Problem was, she was far too small. There was just no way.

  “What?” She cocked her head. Defiance placed in her eyes. “You look like you’re sizing me up and finding me lacking.” Her cheeks flushed even darker.

  Then again, maybe? There was only one way to find out. “I have a
condition.”

  “Name it.” She smiled. It transformed her face from sexy as all hell to all out beautiful. Like nothing he had ever seen before.

  Damn!

  Gideon snarled, reminding him that the other two males were still there.

  “What the fuck crawled up your ass?” Brant asked Gideon.

  “Nothing,” the male replied. “I’m fine.”

  “What’s your condition?” The female repeated.

  “Let’s just agree upfront that if you can meet my condition, I’ll choose you to go through to the next round.” He raised his brows.

  “That’s bullshit.” She snorted. “Complete utter bullshit. What if I don’t meet this condition of yours? Surely I need to have some sort of an idea of what I’m up against? What if it’s impossible?”

  “I’m sure you’ll do just fine.” He fucking hoped it would be impossible. “You’re a strong, feisty female, in her prime.”

  “What does that have to do with anything? This is complete bullshit.” She muttered while shaking her head.

  “Fine.” Brant smiled. “You”—he turned to the human—“get to stay for two days but should Lazarus decide not to take you through to the next round, then you are out and forfeit any involvement in the program going forward. Do you agree?”

  Alexandra smiled. “Yes, I do,” she said without hesitation.

  Thank fuck! Excitement coursed through him.

  The punch came out of nowhere. He felt his nose crunch and his bone crack as Gideon’s knuckles made contact with his face. Fuck, but the male could hit. Lazarus staggered back, somehow managing to maintain his footing.

  “Fuck you!” Gideon snarled, his face a mask of rage. The male turned and stormed away.

  Lazarus felt rivulets of blood slide down his face. He refused to feel guilty. The agreement was, that unless he found a female willing to be with him, that he would help out with Jenna. Thing was, he had found a female. It was crazy and unexpected but it was true. Lazarus was taking his chances. He couldn’t wait to discuss his one, very important, condition with the delectable human. Couldn’t fucking wait.