The Chosen Series Box Set: Books 1 - 3

by Charlene Hartnady

  “Please, Lance, for once, please just do as I ask...turn around and walk away…I beg you.” Her voice sounded shrill. Afraid. His canines sharpened further. Anger boiled inside him, his female should not have to beg for anything, should not have to feel fear.

  “I’m not going anywhere.” The male growled. “You are mine.”

  That was it, the last hold he had on his willpower broke. Ward snarled as he tackled the other male, almost knocking him from his feet. Before he could retaliate, he grabbed ahold of the arm that held the knife and head butted the male. There was a sickening crunch. While the male was on the back foot, he punched him in the stomach. The male staggered backwards, falling on his ass with a grunt.

  “The female is mine,” Ward snarled. He would kill this male if he had to. “You would do well to remember that.”

  The intruder spat out a mouthful of blood, his eyes locking with Ward. The bastard had the audacity to laugh as he got back to his feet. “Fuck you, wolf! Yours?” he chuckled humorlessly. “I think not.” He spat. “She is my mate. Mine.” He growled.

  Ward felt his blood turn to ice, his heart almost gave in. Without thinking, he turned away. Stephany clutched the sheet to her chest, her eyes wide, pleading. In that instant he knew it was true. Stephany had lied to him. His female…no not his…she belonged to this male.

  Searing pain blossomed in his chest. For a second he attested it to the betrayal. Then something warm and wet ran down his stomach, falling on his feet. Ward took a step back, struggling to keep his footing. Stephany screamed, clutching a hand to her mouth. He looked down, the long broad blade was buried deep in his chest.

  The male clasped the hilt and gave a yank, pulling the sabre free. Stephany screamed louder. No, not louder, she had moved closer putting herself between him and the male.

  “Nooooo!” She continued to scream. Ward looked down as blood gushed from the wound in his gaping chest.

  “If he doesn’t die, I will ensure that he is put to death,” Lance snarled. His eyes fixed on Ward.

  “Don’t go near him.” Stephany hissed at Lance. She’d gone from feeling indifference to feeling pity, now all she could muster was hate for this male in front of her.

  “What the hell is going on…” She recognized Zane’s voice as he approached. He drew in a deep ragged breath as he laid eyes on Ward. There was a crash behind her. She turned to find Ward on his back. He tried to find purchase, his hands scraping the floor, his eyes wide.

  “Lie still.” Her voice a sob as she watched his blood pump from his chest.

  “You used a silver blade? You bastard.” She locked eyes with Lance, who grit his teeth. Tears tracked down her cheeks. It was pointless to try and stop them. Chances were good that Ward would not make it.

  Turning back to Ward, she noticed with horror that his face was ashen. He coughed and blood bubbled on his lips. Stephany sobbed.

  “Wolf scum deserves to die,” Lance snarled. “He’s lucky I removed the blade. I find myself hoping he survives for the execution.”

  “I hate you!” She screamed, using the sheet to staunch the flow of blood. Not caring if the whole coven saw her naked.

  “What the hell happened here?” Brant said as he walked into her room. Her king looked at them each in turn, thankfully ignoring her nakedness.

  “What does it look like? My mate rutted with that piece of shit.” Lance let out a god awful growl. “A fucking wolf. A Gods be damned animal. I insist he be put to death.” The male drew himself up to his full height. “In fact…I will finish him now.”

  Stephany used her body to shield Ward. “You will have to go through me first.”

  “Don’t tempt me female,” Lance snarled. “Move away…” His eyes were wild, almost feverish. He grit his teeth. “I don’t wish to hurt you, Stephany.”

  “Do as he says,” Ward whispered from behind her. His breath coming in short pants. “Stay. Safe.” He hissed. Even after all that had passed, he still put her first.

  “You will have to kill me to get to him.” She said, a feeling of calm descended over her.

  “No.” Ward whispered, racked by another terrible cough.

  “I said not to tempt me,” Lance said. “You will watch me kill this wolf and then you will accept me as your mate once and for all.”

  “Never,” Stephany hissed, her lips curled. “I will kill you, I swear to God, Lance. If Ward doesn’t make it, I will find a way to slit your throat.”

  A loud feminine gasp sounded from behind Brant.

  “Go back to our room female,” Zane growled.

  Stephany couldn’t take her eyes off Lance as he took another step closer. “Female”—he snarled—“Move”—a low menacing growl.

  “Fuck you!” she snarled back. Her nails had extended and her fangs throbbed with the need to tear his flesh. To rip out his bastard throat. She knew that she wouldn’t make it anywhere near Lance, but it didn’t stop her body from reacting to the adrenaline that coursed through her veins.

  “Fuck?” he growled. “Oh, you will female,” Lance’s cold eyes narrowed as he spoke. “You are my mate after all.”

  Her stomach rolled with nausea. “I would rather die than let you touch me.”

  “I told you not to keep tempting me, Stephany.” He said her name like it was distasteful. Lance looked up at the ceiling and for second it looked like he might be reconsidering, then he sighed. “You and I both know that I am more than capable of physically removing you, so why don’t you just save me the hassle.”

  “Stop him!” Tanya screamed.

  “Go back to our room.” Brant said, his voice calm and coercing. It was almost comical given the setting. “Let us handle this.”

  “We don’t want you hurt,” Zane growled.

  “Help her, you big idiots. Lance has lost his freaking mind!” Tanya shrieked. “What’s wrong with the two of you?”

  “I will take her back.” Brant sighed. “You help him.” Whether the him Brant was referring to was Lance or Ward, Stephany could not say. There wasn’t much that she could do against a male vampire, but she could and would do her best to keep Ward safe.

  “Can I assist, my lord?” It was York, from somewhere in the hallway.

  “Take our human back to our tower and keep her there,” Zane growled.

  Lance took another step towards them. Stephany hissed, preparing to fight.

  “Let go of me, York!” Tanya yelled. “Get your filthy hands off me!” she screeched.

  “Filthy…?” York sounded confused. “You must be mistaken, I bathed before starting my shift.”

  “Let go!” Tanya screamed. “Zane…Brant…no! I swear I will make your lives a living freaking hell. You will never rut me again. NEVER!!”

  Brant sighed. “Take her.”

  Zane growled low and deep. “Go.”

  Stephany could hear Tanya scream the whole length of the hallway. Just as she suspected, the noise brought many of the king’s guard running. They assembled in the hallway at Brant’s bidding.

  If only she had some sort of weapon. If only she could get them to a small area with a single entrance to defend, like the bathroom. She glanced in that direction. The only thing standing in her way was a pissed bastard of a vampire with a bloody sabre in his hand and death in his eyes.

  “Put down the blade,” Zane said, sounding almost bored.

  “This male slighted me by rutting with my female,” Lance snarled. “I insist that he be put to death.” He took another step closer, putting him at her feet. Lance waved the sabre as he spoke and a drop of blood splattered on her leg.

  Her heart rate kicked up a few notches. Stephany ground her teeth in frustration. “You can put him to death, but I insist that all the females you rutted with are put to death as well.”

  Zane choked out a laugh. “The female makes a good point, Lance. Put down the blade.”

  Lance’s face turned red and his jaw worked. He pointed the knife towards her chest, turning his eyes back to the kings. “Th
at wolf breached your castle. Is on our soil without permission. Has slighted you both and hasn’t attempted to seek redemption.” Lance glanced at both kings. “I would like the honor of finishing him. An example needs to be made.”

  The silence that followed had her hands turning damp, had her mouth turning dry.

  “You are right,” Brant said.

  Stephany gasped, turning her head slightly so that she could look her king in the eye. He looked pained. Icy fear filled her veins. Would Brant stand back and watch Ward be gutted?

  “But not like this. The wolf should be granted permission to speak first,” Brant said. “Stephany has been in my service for many years. I at least owe her that much.”

  Lance growled in frustration. “Hear him speak? With all due respect, my lord, but have you lost your mind?”

  Brant snarled. “You are working on my last nerve. Close your mouth while you’re still ahead. The wolf is in deep shit, but I will not watch you kill a helpless male. There is a good chance that he won’t make it as it is.”

  A sob was torn from her throat as Brant confirmed her worst fears.

  “Call for a healer. Have a cot sent to one of the dungeons.” Brant’s voice had turned low and commanding.

  “No…he is hurt. He can’t be sent to the dungeon,” she said. Appalled at the thought of Ward behind silver bars.

  “Lance is right, he has slighted us. He deserves to be punished.” Cold and calculated. “Be thankful that I have decided to spare him.” Brant added, “For now at least.”

  “Fuck that!” Lance snarled. He lunged for her, his hand wrapped around her wrist as he yanked her away from Ward. “He will die now!”

  Stephany watched in horror as the blade came down in an arc towards his already bloody chest.

  “Nooooo!” She screamed, throwing herself in the line of fire. The blade would most likely cut through them both.

  Thank blood, vampires possessed an uncanny speed because Zane tackled Lance before the blade could find its mark. Zane punched him in the face until he submitted. When Zane finally stood, towering over Lance, the male she refused to think of as her mate lay in a moaning heap on the floor. His hands covering his bloody face. Served him right.

  “He can go in a cell too,” Zane growled. “Freaking needs to seriously learn some respect.” The king kicked Lance mercilessly until Stephany heard a rib crack under the assault. “I can’t fucking stand insolence.” The king stated as he walked away from the now motionless male.

  Stephany moved back to Ward’s side, pushing the sheet onto his still bleeding wound. Ward moaned.

  “Please, don’t put him in the dungeon. I beg you.” She locked eyes with Brant.

  The male shook his head. “Don’t even try it, Steph.” He grit his teeth, his mouth a thin white line. He made his way to the closet where he grabbed the first item of clothing he found, a black evening gown. Brant shook his head, dropping the gown onto Stephany’s lap. “The wolf should never have breached the castle. Come here without permission.” He growled, his eyes glowing. “What the fuck were you thinking allowing this male to rut you on our soil? I can’t believe you didn’t know that Lance checks on you all the time. He was bound to hear the two of you or scent the wolf.”

  “Who I choose to rut is none of your business. And no, I didn’t know Lance was stalking me.” She pulled the dress over her head and down her body. Not the best attire, but at least she was covered.

  “It is when it happens under this roof. On my soil,” he growled. Brant turned to face the door. “Griffin and Morgan.” The males entered, their eyes widened as they landed on Ward. Both their nostrils flared simultaneously and deep frowns appeared. Griffin was the first to look her way. Morgan kept his eyes on Brant.

  Stephany kept the pressure on Ward’s wound, ignoring the males. She didn’t give a bat squeak what they thought of her.

  Brant’s cell phone rang. “Yeah,” a pause. “Good,” he ended the call. “Take the male to the dungeon. A healer is already there.”

  “Please, let me go with him.”

  “No.” His eyes were narrowed, she’d never seen him this angry. At least, not at her. It wouldn’t help to argue. She’d seen many try and fail over the years. When Brant made up his mind about something, there was no stopping him.

  It was still difficult to allow the males to approach though. When Griffin put his hands on Ward, she felt her lip curl and her chest began to vibrate in a low growl.

  “Get a grip, Stephany,” Brant said. “You’re even starting to sound like one of them.” His eyes were on Ward.

  Morgan yanked a blanket off the bed and they carefully wrapped him in it. Griffin and Morgan hoisted Ward up with some effort.

  “Be careful with him.” She instructed, being sure to look both males in the eyes.

  “We will.” Griffin’s eyes were filled with sympathy. “The sooner we get him to the healer the better.”

  “Thank you.” Her hands shook, so she folded her arms.

  Brant closed the door, sealing the two of them in her room. “What the fuck was that about?”

  Stephany grit her teeth, squaring her shoulders as she faced her king. “I inadvertently asked him to come. He planned on meeting with the two of you but wanted to see me first.”

  “The wolf should’ve asked for permission before entering our territory. You had no right to call him here. Tanya mentioned something, but I never officially gave my permission.” he sighed. “This is a fucking mess.”

  Her hand moved to her belly. “I had every right to call him at a time like this. Lance had no right entering my room. Like a coward, he waited until Ward’s eyes were averted before stabbing him with that sword. The male has no honor.”

  Brant’s eyes softened. “You should’ve informed me the moment he arrived. It puts me in a predicament.”

  “I have feelings for the male.” Her voice cracked, so she cleared her throat.

  Brant made a noise of frustration, running a hand through his hair. “It doesn’t change anything, Stephany. The wolf will need to speak for himself. He will need to pay a penalty for consorting with the elves against us and for breaching this castle without royal permission.” Brant beat his chest with one hand.

  “I told you that he came at my bidding.”

  Brant shrugged. “You know better. It just means I should punish you too.”

  “You wouldn’t dare.”

  He shook his head. “I think you have punished yourself enough already.” He glanced at her stomach, which she clutched instinctively. “The procedure will take place tomorrow as planned.”

  Her eyes narrowed in horror. “I can’t possibly—”

  “You will. This whole fiasco needs to stop. The wolf must go back to his own kind and you need to…move on.”

  “By move on you had better not be talking about Lance, because if I ever see the male again it will be too soon.” Her hands curled into fists at her sides.

  “I would never force you to be with someone.”

  “But you would forbid me.”

  Brant sighed. “Everything I do is for the better of our species. It is mine and Zane’s jobs to keep the covens safe. It is why the wolf must pay and why you must stay away from him. I do not want our species to mix. What signal would that send to the rest of the coven? We are having a tough enough time as it is with keeping our males away from the humans. There is nothing I can do about Esral, but inter species relationships are asking for trouble. We are too good to be diluting our blood with those beasts.” He shook his head. “I won’t have it.” He swallowed hard, his eyes softening and turning more of a chocolate shade than the black that they had been up until moments ago. “Promise me that you will have the procedure, that you will let the wolf walk away and be done with this madness? In return I will spare your wolf. I will ensure that his penalty is minor, that he is let off easily.”

  She put up her hand, intent on arguing.

  “Don’t.” Brant’s eyes narrowed. She knew him well, but
the opposite was also true. “That is my ultimatum. Think on it. I will want your answer at sunup. You cannot birth this child. If the wolf has tried to convince you otherwise, he is wrong. You know it and I know it.”

  Stephany had to look away. There were some choice expletives on the tip of her tongue. It would make her feel better to tell Brant exactly what she thought of him, but that wouldn’t help things. In fact, it would make them infinitely worse.

  His phone rang.

  “Yeah.” A pause, “Good. I’ll be right there.” Brant ended the call, shoving the phone into his pocket. It was only now that she noticed that he was shirtless and barefoot. “Your wolf is awake. The blade was only silver plated, so not only will he make it but he should be healed enough to be on his way by morning.”

  Stephany clutched a hand to her mouth, but a small sob still managed to escape.

  Brant narrowed his eyes. “Get yourself together. I’ve never seen you like this and quite frankly it’s unnerving. You’ll get over the wolf.” It was a command more than a statement.

  “You might be able to tell me what I can and can’t do, but you can’t tell me what I can and can’t feel or how to act. I’m disappointed in you, Brant. I have always seen you as fair and just.” She paused, watching his eyes turn a new moon shade of black. “I was wrong. You’re just as big of a bully as Zane is.”

  “Don’t you dare talk to your king that way!”

  “Someone has to tell you. I’m sure your female will agree.” Stephany knew it was a low blow, but she didn’t care. She was beginning to think that Ward wasn’t completely wrong in his assessment of the kings.

  “Yeah,” he sighed. “I’m in for a ton of grovelling. Good thing Zane still has those diamonds he procured before we mated Tanya.” He seemed to snap out of his reverie. “I’m going to go now before you say something I can’t un-hear. I like you, Stephany. I respect you. I want to talk further about this, but only once you are calm. I don’t like this view point you have taken on me or the way you are looking at me now. I value your opinion. I know it may not seem like it right now, but I want what is best for you.”