Read #6 Chosen by the Vampire Kings: BBW Romance (Part 6: New Moon) Online
Authors: Charlene Hartnady
#6 Chosen by the Vampire Kings: BBW Romance (Part 6: New Moon)
New Moon
Chosen by the Vampire Kings
Part 6
By
Charlene Hartnady
Copyright © December 2014, Charlene
Hartnady
Cover Art by Melody Simmons
Copy Edited by Kimberly Reichmann
Produced in South Africa
Published by Charlene Hartnady
PO BOX 456, Melrose Arch,
Johannesburg, South Africa, 2176
New Moon is a work of fiction and
characters, events and dialogue found within are of the author’s imagination
and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or
persons, either living or deceased, is purely coincidental.
With the exception of quotes used in
reviews no part of this book may be reproduced or shared in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including but not limited to digital copying,
file sharing, audio recording, email and printing without prior consent in
writing from the author
Dedication:
Part 6
Brant
stared at Tanya’s retreating back. Her posture was stiff, her movements jerky.
She made the tiniest little sob as she yanked the car door open.
He
pulled out his phone and speed dialed Xavier, who answered immediately. “Get
your ass over here. I need you to drive Tanya back to the castle.” His brother
tried to argue but he cut him off. “Bring Griffin. Do it now.”
Tanya
exited the vehicle, obviously realizing that the key was not in the ignition. Not
ten seconds after he ended the call, Xavier arrived with Griffin in tow. His
brother helped Tanya into the back of the vehicle. It wasn’t lost on Brant how
Xavier threw him a questioning look, he chose to ignore it.
Fisting
his hands at his sides for a few beats, Brant jammed them in his pockets.
Everything in him screamed for him to go after her.
Stop.
Her.
Even
if it meant locking Tanya in the cabin. Making her his at any cost. If his
mother could read his thoughts, she would turn over in her grave. He had been
raised better than that. He wasn’t some caveman that would keep a female against
her will.
“This
is all your fault.” Zane moved in next to him, his eyes on the retreating
vehicle.
“How
do you figure that?” There was no fight left in him. Numbness filled the space
that used to contain his heart.
Zane
cursed, pretty much summing up the whole situation, then he growled, “We really
fucked up.”
“Yeah
we did but it wouldn’t have worked, you know that and I know that.” Brant shook
his head.
“We
should’ve discussed this before the ceremony. Should’ve included our female.
Tried to make her understand.” Zane cursed again, digging the toe of his boot into
the dirt. “We should’ve known that she wouldn’t have agreed.”
Brant
turned to the other male who still faced the area where the vehicle had
disappeared from. “Humans don’t seem to understand the vampire way. It was my
fault in the first place for agreeing to this whole pony show.”
Zane
turned hard eyes on him. “We could sit here and cry like a bunch of pussies,
but frankly I would prefer that we start planning how to get our female back.”
“You
heard Tanya, she won’t allow us to fight for her. Wouldn’t take the winner as a
mate anyway.”
“We
need to do something though. I agree that the current setup isn’t ideal but at
least we had our human. Sharing is better than nothing.”
“I
refuse to share.” Brant snarled, knowing that he was being unrealistic but unable
to stop himself.
Zane
chuckled. Thankfully Brant’s hands were still in his pockets or he would have
punched the asshole for sure.
“The
way I see it, we have two choices, we share the female or we lose her. Which
would you prefer?” His voice was low, his eyes dared Brant to argue.
“I
would prefer for you to concede. I will rule with Tanya at my side.” The words
sounded ridiculous to his own ears and he knew full well that his request would
never be accepted, but he had to try anyway.
Brant
was rewarded with another slow chuckle. “I didn’t realize that you were such a
fucking comedian. I would ask the same but prefer not to waste my breath.”
They
both stood in an uncomfortable silence.
“My
only fear is that it may be too late. Even if you were to agree to go back to
the
pony show
,” Zane threw his own words at him, “she may not accept us
back.”
“Tanya
said that she cares for us. I don’t believe she could turn her back and walk
away. She will soon realize that she’s made a mistake.” Brant refused to
believe that they had lost their precious female. Tanya would change her mind
about leaving them. She had to.
“She
is stronger than what we have given her credit for. Our female may care for us,
but we hurt her…” Zane looked up to the dark night sky. For a second Brant
swore he saw the other male’s eyes shine with what looked like unshed tears.
No
way.
When
Zane looked him in the eye again, the glint was gone. A hard edge had taken its
place. Maybe he had imagined it? It was the most likely explanation because a
bastard like Zane wasn’t capable of such strong emotions.
“Tanya
has made up her mind about leaving us and about raising the child on her own.
It is going to take a team effort to sway her,” Zane continued while narrowing
his eyes. “I realize that we are too dominant to ever see eye to eye but unless
we can at least show a semblance of solidarity, we are screwed. We can figure
it out once we have her back.”
“I
don’t need
you
to win my female back.” Brant knew he was being a dick
but there was no fucking way he would pair up with the likes of Zane. He would
talk Tanya around. Talk her into accepting him - and him alone – as her mate.
Even as he thought the words, he knew they would never fly but he had to try. “I’m
going after her.”
“No,”
Zane growled.
“You
don’t get to tell me what I can and can’t do.” He narrowed his eyes at the
other male. “If I want to go after my female, I will.”
“You
would be making a mistake. Emotions are high. The pull of the new moon will
make us volatile.”
“I
said that
I
would go after her.
You
are not invited.” Again he
knew he was being a dick.
“Our
female wants us both. You are welcome to try on your own, but I can tell you
right now that you will not succeed. You may even make things worse.” Zane made
a noise of frustration. “Believe me, I would like nothing more than to drag her
back, lock her up if I have to, but it would never work in the long run. If we
say what she wants to hear and talk her into staying, then it will just end up
falling apart when you and I go after each other again. We both know that
future battles are inevitable.”
Brant
grunted in acknowledgement. Zane, on his knees, was something he looked forward
to seeing. The thought of Zane bleeding almost brought a smile to his lips.
Brant cursed. “You’re right.”
“Give
her time to calm down.” The male scrubbed a hand over his face. “Let’s meet at
sun up. We’re about to embark on the fight of our lives.”
Brant
nodded.
“The
war to win our female back. Like any battle, strategy and unity is what is
needed even amongst birth enemies.”
Brant
locked eyes with Zane for the longest time. It wouldn’t be easy, in fact he’d
go so far as to say that working together with Zane would be something akin to
torture but he would do it. Brant would tramp down on his need to take action
right now and focus on winning his female back no matter the sacrifice. His
human was worth it.
****
Tanya
cried the whole way back to the castle. Xavier threw her questioning looks in
the rear-view mirror, but there was no way in hell she was going to discuss
this with him or anyone else but her best friend. She just prayed that Becky
hadn’t left yet. They could be taken back to Sweetwater together. Fresh tears
cascaded down her cheeks. She felt it was ridiculous how much her tear ducts had
been worked ever since that fateful day of the choosing.
How
bizarre, in less than two weeks she’d turned into a broken hearted, single
mother. Well, worse things had happened to others and she would deal. There was
no way she would live out the rest of her life as a possession being shunted
from one male to the other, caught between their pissing contests. Even worse, there
was no way she would watch one tear the other apart.
Once
back at the castle, she headed straight for her suite. “Please find out if
Becky is still here.” She turned to Griffin as they were about to ascend the
staircase.
The
male inclined his head. “Yes, my lady.”
“Don’t
call me that!” she snapped a little too harshly.
He
inclined his head a second time, “Sorry, my…” He pursed his lips, nodded and turned
and strode down the hall.
“Are
you okay?” Xavier finally asked.
A
tear tracked down her face. She shook her head. “No, I’m not.” Tanya forced her
legs to carry her up the long winding staircase. Once inside her room, her
first inclination was to throw herself on the bed and let the tears rip. Let
all her emotions out, but there was no time. Her vampire kings would be here
soon to try and talk her into staying. Quite frankly she just didn’t have the
energy right now.
She
was mostly worried that they just might be able to talk her into giving them a
second chance. Unfortunately for her, she loved them. If they promised her that
they would behave, if they said all the things she needed to hear, she might
just do something stupid like actually believe them.
“Becky
left already,” a familiar voice said. Tanya turned to find Stephany smiling at
her from the doorway.
“Oh
my God, it’s you. Oh, Stephany.” To her irritation, more tears managed to
escape. At this rate she might die from dehydration. She ran to the female and
threw herself into her arms. Like she’d done on previous occasions, Stephany held
her while running a hand up and down her back in firm strokes. The action helped
to soothe her. The tears finally stopped.
“Why
are you not with Zane and Brant? You should be completing the ceremony. By sunup
the new moon will be over.” Stephany released her.
Tanya
took in her big blue eyes. Her short blond hair. She was the same Stephany she
remembered, only there were dark rings under her eyes and her face looked sad
somehow. “Are you okay? Did the wolves hurt you in any way?”
A
definite look of sorrow flashed across her face. So quick that if Tanya had
blinked she would’ve missed it. “What is it? Tell me right now?”
Stephany
shook her head. “They were rude. I’m sure you’ve heard that our species don’t
get along, but I am unharmed.” She paused before continuing, “I’m glad to be
back.” The funny thing was that she looked anything but glad.
“Are
you sure? I feel like there is something you aren’t telling me.” She watched
closely for any sign of emotion but when Stephany smiled, it looked genuine.
Maybe Tanya was just reading into things because of her own situation?
“I’m
fine.” Her friend took her hand. “Let’s sit, I want you to tell me what’s going
on.”
“I
can’t, I need to pack.” Tanya tried to pull away, but Stephany’s grip
tightened.
“Five
minutes won’t matter either way.”
“They
will if Zane and Brant are on their way here.” She heard her voice catch as she
spoke their names.
Stephany
nodded once and followed her to the closet. Grabbing a bag from the bottom
shelf, Tanya rummaged through the many items trying to find the ones that she’d
arrived in and finally gave up. Technically, none of this stuff was hers. She
didn’t want any of it either. She turned to face Stephany and swallowed hard.
All the events of earlier seemed stuck in her throat. Where did she even start?
Stephany
kept silent, her eyes on Tanya. After a deep breath, she relayed the events of
the last week. The blond vampire gasped and hugged Tanya when she heard the
news about the pregnancy. Stephany’s eyes turned stormy though as Tanya relayed
what had happened after the ceremony. She felt her own anger build inside her
again as she relived the events.
“You’re
right to be mad,” Stephany shook her head as she spoke. “Of all the pig headed
male things to do. I can’t believe”—she took a deep breath—“You were right to
leave them there and you shouldn’t complete the ceremony at this point, but I
think leaving is a mistake. You belong with us, you’re one of us. You carry a
vampire child. You do realize that your thirst will not diminish?”
“Shit.”
How could she have been so stupid as to forget something so important? “I have
to go. They made it clear that they will never be able to mate me together.
They are too dominant and would eventually end up fighting. What happened was
inevitable. I guess I should be happy it happened now and not after the mating,
or once I had invested more of myself than I already have.” Even as she spoke
the words, Tanya knew that she was already in hook, line and sinker. “I’ll make
a plan when it comes to needing blood. I’m sure Becky will agree…”
“Most
humans are squeamish when it comes to that sort of thing.”
“But,
I let Brant and Zane drink from me—”
“You
are not most humans…you are special. I still think that you should stay, move
in with me for a while.” Stephany took her hand. Her skin was cool.
“I
can’t. I need to cut myself off from this, from them.”
“You
can still work this out.” The vampire’s eyes pleaded.
Tanya
shook her head. She grit her teeth and straightened her back. “I wish that
things had turned out differently, but one of them will eventually kill the
other. It would break my heart.” An irritating tear tracked down her cheek. “I
won’t keep the child from them. I will stay in Sweetwater. The covens will have
their heir.” If the child turned out to be female, then the covens had a
hundred years to resign themselves to the fact that a woman would rule them. She
felt many of the sexist outdated traditions needed to change anyway.