Brant strapped the last of the weapons to his back. A long samurai sword capable of doing much damage. He pulled on a leather jacket and started running in the direction that Stephany had been taken. He could scent the group of both covens’ best warriors on her trail.

It was indeed a wolf that had her. Damn it to hell. He could smell its musty animal scent. Wolves were much faster than elves. He picked up the pace some more. Xavier’s breaths came in ragged pants next to him.

“Are you sure you are sufficiently healed brother?” he glanced in Xavier’s direction.

“Yes, my lord. Yet, I think I should stay and protect your female. Hells, I think you should stay with your female for far more important reasons.”

“We have had this conversation.”

“She is in heat, my lord.”

“I had noticed. Zane will stay with her.” It almost physically hurt to say the words.

“It increases his chances of impregnating her each time they rut.”

“I know that,” Brant ground out.

“For the future of our coven, you should return.”

“She can’t take it.”

“Tanya is a strong human.” Xavier didn’t turn his head when he spoke.

“She is an unmated human female. Next time will be different. Right now one of us is too much for her. Let alone both.”

“There may not be a next time, my lord.”

“If she has Zane’s child,” he paused trying to compose himself. Brant shook his head, “You know what? I do not believe that she will fall pregnant. Human women are more fertile, yet it can still take months. If by some small chance she is pregnant and the child is Zane’s”—It killed him to say the words—“I will make sure that I impregnate her as soon as she is fertile again.”

“That could be years.”

“I am a patient man.” He pumped his fists, willing his legs to go faster.

“You love her.”

“I don’t know, maybe.”

“You fucking love her.”

Brant rolled his eyes, “Yes. I do.”

“Fucking kill me if I ever fall in love.”

Brant turned to face his brother, slowing down for a few beats. “I will.” He laughed. “It isn’t what I thought it would be. Not at all what I expected.”

“Three’s a crowd and all that.”

“Yeah. It’s weird though. I hate Zane, yet I am turned on when I have to watch them fuck even though I detest that another male is touching my female. It’s a nightmare.”

“Too much information brother.” Xavier held up a hand.

“I need help with this. I don’t have much experience in this type of situation.”

“Fine.”

“He’s not as bad as what I thought. I think he really cares for Tanya. Might even love her.”

Xavier tripped. “You’re shitting me.”

Brant slowed down while his brother regained his footing. “I hate sharing her. It kills me, but at the same time I am turned on by watching them. What the hell is wrong with me?”

“I don’t have the answer. I have shared a few females before but none I felt strongly about. If it helps any, I enjoyed watching them being fucked too. It is an erotic sight, like a live action porno. One of the biggest perks about going second is a fully lubed pussy.”

Brant choked out a laugh. “Really? Who’s giving too much information now?” They jogged in silence for a few beats. “You’ve never felt anything more for a female?”

“No. I’ve liked a few and lusted after many, but nothing a good rut wouldn’t cure.” Xavier turned his grey eyes on him.

“You’re lucky brother. Love sucks.” He sighed. They continued along the trail, the scent of their comrades growing stronger with each footfall.

Damn it all to hell, he may’ve been turned on watching them rut but he had hated watching them kiss. The sight had been enough to bring his blood to a boiling point. If Xavier hadn’t arrived when he had, Brant would’ve intervened and would only have been satisfied once Zane’s lips were smashed to a bloody pulp.

Even though his fists still itched to punch the bastard, he felt a pang of guilt at not setting the record straight about Zane wanting to choose Tanya at the ceremony. He had been about to rectify the situation when their female had started the whole kissing thing.

Their female.

The need to hit something returned, so he picked up the pace.

Right now he had to focus on the task at hand. There was no doubt in his mind that Stephany would survive this, but the sooner he had her back the better. He had grown up with the female, she was an important part of his royal staff and Tanya had grown to like her. By blood, he considered her to be a close friend.

Brant spotted the team of males converged ahead at the banks of Sweetwater River. As he ran towards them a ridiculous image hit him, so out of place at that moment that it had him stumbling for a micro second. He pictured Zane and Tanya rutting. Not being there drove him insane, he used the image to push himself faster and to fuel his resolve to bring Stephany back.

 

****

 

“I thought that you said you wouldn’t leave me again.” Tanya knew she sounded like a whining child, but she couldn’t help herself. Stephany was gone God only knew where. Brant had left, putting himself in the line of fire and now Zane wanted to leave her too. She was scared, confused, really upset and didn’t want to add lonely to the list.

Zane put a hand to the small of her back, pulling her against him. “You will be safe. York and Griffin have been assigned to protect you. I need to check on Lance and the rest of the wounded. I also want to check in with the hunting party.”

“Brant,” even saying his name brought fresh tears to her eyes.

“Yeah.” He took a hold of her chin. “I told you it would work out, at least we won’t have to fight to the death anymore.”

“It could still happen.”

Zane pursed his lips, causing her heart to skip several beats. “Charlotte will be here soon. She can keep you company.” He chuckled when he caught the look on her face. “Don’t tell me you’re still mad at her for offering to rut with me.”

“Why the hell is that funny?” She found herself smiling which irritated her even more because the thought of half-naked Charlotte made her want to hit something. “She’s so freaking sexy and one of the biggest hussies alive.”

Zane tensed, his eyes narrowed and his face took on a stern edge. “You are sexy.” His eyes tracked the length of her body heating with every second. “With hips made for holding. Legs designed to straddle a male’s hips.” He made a strangled noise “Breasts that fill my hands, and I have big hands.” His eyes darkened. “That makes them just right. Not too big. Just right.” He rumbled, his voice heating her from the inside. “Your mouth is soft, your teeth blunt…”

“Wait a minute…” She held up a hand. “You find my blunt teeth sexy?”

Zane gave her a goofy grin. She would’ve bet cold hard cash a few days ago that she’d never see the like grace his face. Her heart clenched at the thought that she had put the smile there.

He leaned in a little closer, “Your blunt teeth felt so good against my shaft when you did that thing with your mouth.”

“It’s called a blowjob and if you stay…” She put her hand on his crotch finding a huge erection.

Zane hissed and moved away from her touch. “Don’t tempt me female. I can’t. Your mouth would not be enough, I would need more.” His eyes hooded. “Because the best part of all is that your pussy is so tight.” He all out growled, so low and deep that her insides did a flip flop. “I don’t know if it’s a human thing.” He advanced on her, pushing her up against the wall, caging her in with his big body. “It almost hurts to be inside of you.”

“I hope it’s a good pain.” She goaded knowing the answer.

“The best. The way your pussy walls clench around me when you come.” His eyes were glowing, his erection hard against her tummy.

“Maybe we could…” She licked her lips feeling more excited by the second. Her clothes felt heavy and scratchy against her skin.

“No, Ysnaar, as tempted as I am to bury myself in you…” He took a deep breath. “I need to go and you need some rest.” Although he stared at her lips, he kissed her forehead instead. “I won’t be long.” Coming from Zane, the gesture was so sweet. It threatened to start up her crying all over again.

Charlotte arrived two minutes after Zane left. Tanya watched her enter from her curled up position on the bed. The vampire wore a long summer dress. It wasn’t a particularly flattering cut or color, yet the vampire still looked ravishing.

“Hey.” She smiled looking genuinely pleased to see Tanya. As she walked up to the bed she stopped, wrinkled her nose and took a step back. “Yucky.”

“What is it?”

“You need a serious shower. I’m afraid that crusty old blood, sweat and semen do not smell good together and in this case loads of semen.” Her nose twitched again. “Oh my God, you’re in heat. On second thought let’s get some pillows under your feet.” She walked over and tried to prop some of the throw pillows under Tanya’s legs.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“I’ve heard that human women are ultra-fertile. Do you feel any different yet?” Her face was lit up in sheer excitement. Charlotte adjusted the blanket around her feet, tucking it in at the edges.

Part of her wanted to slap the other woman’s hands away while the rest of her wanted to feel some excitement right along with her. All she really felt was pressure and just as in everything else, she felt torn. She wanted to give her vampire kings heirs and to be a mommy, but she wasn’t sure that she was ready. At twenty seven she was older than what she thought she would be when she had her first child. She tried to stand.

“Don’t you dare move. I’ll have some food and drink sent up. You rest.”

“I’m perfectly fine.” She tried to sit up, but Charlotte gently pushed her back down.

“You are so lucky. My hips are too narrow for childbirth.”

Tanya had to fight to keep her eyes from rolling.

“I was sterilized when I became sexually active. Not the nicest procedure.”

She felt sorry for the female. “Why couldn’t you have a C-section?”

Charlotte laughed. “We heal too quickly and using a silver blade would kill the unborn child. We have tried various methods but none have been successful. There are a few that can bear young but even then, normally only one child. Sometimes, if they are truly gifted then two children are born to a mated couple during their fertile period. Considering only nine percent of all mated vampire couples reproduce though, our population is in a steady decline.”

“That’s nuts.”

“You will be expected to bear many young.” Charlotte pulled a blond strand behind her ear and grinned broadly like she had just told her all her wildest dreams would come true.

“Excuse me? Did I hear you correctly?”

Charlotte nodded, her blond locks bounced with the rhythm. “Hopefully, one every two years as long as you are fertile.” She beamed.

“No freaking way.”

Charlotte turned pale, her hand went to her throat. “Our species is on the decline. It would be your duty as our queen. The previous queens failed us. Not you too.” She grabbed Tanya’s hand and squeezed. “Please.”

“There has to be another way. Why can’t some of your men mate with humans?”

Charlotte giggled. “Our males are too strong. They are too ferocious in bed. They have sexual appetites no human could match. You must’ve realized that by now.”

“What are you trying to say? I am a human unless you didn’t notice.”

Charlotte shrugged, suddenly finding non-existent pieces of lint on her dress. “I noticed,” she mumbled.

“Are you saying that I won’t be able to please Zane?”

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything. Me and my big mouth.” Her blue eyes flashed up for a brief second before looking for more lint.

“No way. Don’t you dare play that card. Out with it.”

“Rumor has it that you are to mate both kings and from the scent of you...” She looked up from under her long, thick lashes.

“Yes. It’s true.” Tanya was fast losing patience.

Charlotte finally lifted her eyes, they were filled with…pity. “You can’t possibly satisfy them both. I doubt a human could satisfy even one of our vampire males.”

“Bullshit I can’t. I’m supposed to get stronger or something once we’re mated.”

Charlotte smiled and nodded. “Oh yes, I had forgotten about that. It only happens with royalty so it is the major reason why humans don’t mix well with our males. You may get stronger but not strong enough to handle two males. I’m sorry, Tanya. Maybe if you chose one or two females to assist you. I would be willing—”

“No!” She responded a little louder than she had intended. “I don’t need any help, thanks for offering.”

“Sex is a bodily function just as any other. Whether drinking, eating or breathing. It would not mean that your males didn’t care for you.”

“Stop, Charlotte. I will satisfy my males on my own.”

“If you change your mind,” Charlotte lifted her eyebrows.

“I won’t.” She thankfully sounded way more confident than what she felt. Her whole body ached. What if it took days to recover? Would one or both kings seek out one of the vampire females during that time? No freaking way. She wouldn’t accept it and they both knew it. Her males had hands and could take care of themselves.

“I heard one of Brant’s coven was abducted.”

“Yes. Stephany.”

Charlotte gasped. “Oh my God, no wonder Lance almost died trying to rescue her.”

“You know about the whole…situation?”

“Although they managed to keep it a secret for many years, these days everybody knows that they are mated. Lance is crazy about her.”

Tanya’s heart sped up. “Strange way to show it. He’s been sleeping with anything in a dress.”

Charlotte’s eyes turned serious. “You must be mistaken. He might rut with quite a number of our females, but he never sleeps with them.”

Tanya had to giggle. “Sleeping is a human term for rutting.”

Charlotte cocked her head to the side. “Strange word to use. I told you it’s a bodily function like any other. A close friend of mine was highly compatible with Lance. They used to rut often.” Too much info. She felt like telling Charlotte to shut it. “He called out Stephany’s name once though, right at that moment. Let me just tell you”—Charlotte paused—“this vampire friend of mine was pissed. She’d kind of been hoping all along that she and Lance might hook up. Informally of course since he is already mated to Stephany. Lance never rutted with her again. He’s a rut only kind of guy and never sticks around for small talk.”

“Wow.” She felt a little like a school girl talking behind her hand on the playground.

“Yup. I think he wants Stephany even if he won’t admit it.”

“I really hope Brant gets her back. I only hope that alpha doesn’t try anything with her while he has her though.”

“Nah, I wouldn’t worry about him forcing himself on her if that’s your worry. Wolves and vampires have never been overly fond of one another. He might kill her though.”

Tanya gasped into her hand, feeling her eyes prick with tears. “They wouldn’t.” She knew as she said the words that non humans were ruthless. “They must’ve taken her for a reason. We’ll give them whatever they want for her safe return.”

“That is not for you to decide. If their demands were to put you or our coven in jeopardy…” She shook her head.

“I don’t understand all of this.”

“We’re in the middle of a war. There isn’t much to understand. Thankfully the covens have joined forces, once again the vampire species will be a force to reckon with and that’s all thanks to you.” Charlotte squeezed her hand. “I am here for you human. I will help you in any way, whether to run your bath, give you a massage…I have heard that a woman’s back can ache during pregnancy.”

“Hold up. I may not be pregnant, in fact chances are good that I’m not.”

“You humans are like breeding machines. I am sure you are with child.”

“Stop, Charlotte. You’ll jinx me.” She found herself laughing despite her worries.

“Rubbish. Vampires don’t believe in superstitions. It would be so amazing to have the sound of a child’s laughter grace our court. Chubby cheeks and sweet innocence. You will let me hold him?”

“Or her.”

Charlotte narrowed her eyes. “Or her. A pretty little girl with Zane’s dark eyes,” she sighed.

“Or Brant’s.”

“Oh no…Zane will sire the first child. I would be willing to bet on it.” Charlotte’s eyes had widened to the size of small plates.

“Again with the bets. Let’s first wait to find out if I’m pregnant.”

“I’ll bet that you are.”

“Stop already. Let’s wait and see. How long before we know?” She flinched at the desperate tone in her voice. All this excitement was catching. Hopefully it wouldn’t be too long before she had an answer.

“Can be as soon as twenty four hours, but certainly within the next three days. You’ll get thirsty except nothing you drink will quench your thirst.”

Tanya felt her stomach turn. “I forgot about that. I’ll want blood.”

Charlotte laughed. “It’s not as bad as what you think, in fact, you’ll crave it and will enjoy drinking from the kings. Don’t pull such an ugly face.” She laughed again.

“I just can’t imagine it.”

“It’s great. The sex is phenomenal when both of you drink from each other as well. Hopefully you will continue to crave blood after you have had the baby.”

“I’m going to take a nap now. Maybe you can come back in an hour or two.” All this talk of drinking blood made her feel a little queasy, and frankly she just needed some time alone. Charlotte was sweet in a backward way, but she didn’t feel like keeping a brave face. What she needed was a shower and some sleep.

Charlotte smiled warmly. “That would be good for the baby.”

“Stop.”

“Sorry,” she winced. “Just remember, I am here for you. If you change your mind about helping out with…”

“I won’t.” She tried not to sound like too much of a bitch because the infuriating woman really was just trying to be helpful.

“Eat something first.”

Go away.

“I’m really tired.”

Charlotte narrowed her eyes. “Fine, but I’ll be back in an hour or two to check on you. I’ll bring food.”

Tanya nodded. Charlotte grabbed a second blanket from the foot of the bed and tucked her in. If she really was pregnant—her heart rate increased at the thought—she wasn’t sure she could handle twelve whole months of being coddled like this.

Once Charlotte had left the room, she put a hand to her belly. A baby. A tiny little person who would be her responsibility. To raise, to love…she found that she didn’t mind the idea anymore really. In fact, she was starting to wish it was true. One little piece of hope amongst all this chaos.