Part 1: Mate's Lore (3 page)

Her
fate, it seemed, was sealed. If she somehow managed to survive the mating, she
would end up barefoot and pregnant. Locked away in this beautiful prison.

No
freaking way.

Chapter 3

Tanya’s
heart pounded in her chest. “Where is he?” That vampire king needed a piece of
her mind. She turned and strode out of the restroom, through the bedroom and
into the hall.

“You
need your rest. Brant is…busy. He wouldn’t want to be disturbed.”

“Well
tough luck for him.” She kept moving, glancing into each of the rooms as she
passed them. Decadence personified, but she would not allow herself to get
drawn in by all of this. She wasn’t some kind of baby making machine and
neither was she a pin cushion. If he thought that she would just agree then he
was mad.

None
of the rooms were occupied so she made for the stairs. The reception, living
area and kitchen were all empty.
Maybe the second wing.
  To the right
was the twin, marble staircase.

“Please
don’t. He’ll be mad.”

Great.
She was getting warmer. Tanya made quick work of the stairs and strode down the
hall. There was a definite noise, just ahead, to the left.

 Not
just a noise, it had been a gasp. Distinctly female.

Tanya
rounded the corner. There were two people on the bed. Tanya clasped the
doorjamb when she realized that the man was Brant. His big stature, broad back,
dark hair.
Definitely him
. His shirt was off. The woman beneath him was
in jeans and a bra, her breasts heaved. His face was at her neck. The woman
moaned.

Her
first instinct was to creep back out. To walk away. But hell…he had brought her
here. Had chosen her as his future mate, yet here he was…drinking from another
woman. The woman in question moaned again. It sounded like she was halfway to
an orgasm. Her slender fingers slid around his neck as her hand tightened on
his bicep.

“No
fucking way.” Tanya was grateful that her voice sounded just as angry as she
felt. His head spun. His dark eyes widened as they landed on her. In one graceful
motion, he leapt, coming to a crouching halt in front of her. Blood on his
lips, fangs extended. Brant pulled himself to his full height.

His
massive chest had a smattering of hair. His biceps bulged as his hands pulled
into fists. If it weren’t for the half naked woman on the bed behind him, she’d
have found him attractive. Much to her irritation her body reacted to him even
though he was a grade A asshole.

“Leave,”
his voice sent fearful shivers rushing through her.

She
took a tentative step back.

“Not
you.”

There
was a distinct sound of rustling as the woman got up and gathered her top.
Instead of leaving, she stepped in next to Brant. Blood dripped from the two
holes on her neck. Leaving no room for error on what they had been doing, or
more precisely what he had been doing to her. Although Tanya had no rights over
this man, she burned with anger. Jealous over a stranger. Frustrated because he
held all the cards.

The
vampire female was tall. So far that seemed a prerequisite. She was slim with
perky breasts. Perfectly straight shoulder length hair encased a startlingly
attractive face. The woman slid her eyes down the length of Tanya’s body. A
smirk quickly took residence on her face.

“I
see you chose a robust specimen.”

Brant
growled. Tanya seethed inside. Just her luck to be chosen by a species where
all the women were toned and athletic. A few extra pounds was hardly something
to be concerned with. Her doctor had assured her that she was perfectly within a
healthy range.

“Leave
now.” His voice was a low rumble that brought goose bumps to her flesh. She
took a small step back again even though she hadn’t meant to.

“Robust,
but timid.”

“Out.”

The
leggy brunette made for the door, turning just before leaving. “Let me know
when you need me again.”

Tanya
had to bite her lip to keep from telling the smug bitch what she could do with
herself. By god, if Brant tried to kiss her, she’d kick the shit out of his
family jewels. She didn’t want to carry his heirs anyway so it would be no loss
to her.

“Asshole.”

“Fair
enough.”

“Is
that all you have to say to me?” Why did she even care so much? It wasn’t like
she was staying or anything.

His
eyes softened. “Please come with me.”

“We
need to talk. I’m not going anywhere with you.”

He
shrugged. “This is Alexandra’s quarters. If you would prefer to stay…”

“Alexandra
as in the…the woman that just left…”

Brant
raised his brows and nodded once.

Tanya
looked around the spacious suite. The fabrics were done in soft lavender and
peach, the four post bed was a glaring reminder of what had just taken place.
She narrowed her eyes at him in what she hoped was a dirty look. “Let’s go.”

Brant
pulled on his shirt and moved to take her hand. “I don’t think so.” She put
both arms behind her back and prayed that the look she was giving him had
daggers attached.

He
held her gaze for a few beats before striding from the room. Tanya had to work
to keep up even though she got the distinct impression that he was moving slower
than usual. They made their way through the house back to the opposite wing,
entering the room directly after hers. Brant closed the door behind her. He
removed the shirt and unsnapped his jeans.

“What
are you doing?”

“I
need to take a shower.”

“Like
hell, we need to talk. You’re not showering while I’m in here,” she sounded
panicked.

“You
are my female, I don’t understand the problem.” He pulled his jeans off. She thanked
God that he left his boxers on. Brant turned and made for the bathroom. Her
eyes lowered as he walked away. It happened without her permission. They
refused to listen because
holy hell
he looked fantastic. The silk
material accentuated
glutes
made of steel.

“I
refuse to mate with you. Find another human if you’re looking for a baby making
factory.” He tensed, then stopped and turned his head to the side.

Tanya
recalled how the female vampire had moaned while he drank from her and her own blood
turned to acid all over again. “Why don’t you just use a surrogate? That way
you and your…little friend can carry on with whatever the hell it was that you
were doing.”

“It
wasn’t sexual.” He carried on walking.

Had
Brant and that hussy been having sex,
maybe not,
but was there something
sexual about him drinking from her,
hell yeah.

There
was a sound of water running and a door closed. Tanya inched her way to the
bathroom entrance.
To hell with it.
She walked in. His back was turned.
Lord, oh lord his ass had been sculpted by the Gods. It almost physically hurt
to turn away.

“I
don’t think that us mating is a good idea. Besides all the other impossible
factors of the situations, I hadn’t planned on having children any time soon.
This just isn’t going to work for me.”

The
water stopped and the door creaked open. She hardly dared to breathe.

“You
can turn around.”

“I’d
rather not.”

“I’m
decent.”

She
turned.  More like totally indecent even though everything was sort of covered.
The big vampire had a white towel wrapped low around his hips. Moisture still
dripped down his magnificent chest. He leaned back on the vanity and crossed
his arms.

“We
will mate. That is not negotiable.”

“So
you are going to force yourself on me?”

His
eyes darkened, “I told you that force would not be necessary.”

So
freaking full of himself. “Not happening bucko, so it would be force.”

He
ground his teeth. “I do understand why you’re so mad.”

“Really?
I highly doubt it.”

“You
think that there is something between Alexandra and myself. Well let me assure
you there isn’t. I already told you it wasn’t sexual.”

“Whatever.”
It may not have been sexual for him, but it sure had been for the female
vampire. Her moan had been in sheer pleasure.

“We
will mate and that is final.”

“Listen
up asshole—”

His
mouth twitched.

“—you
chose me. It wasn’t the other way round. There were a whole lot of willing
ladies that I’m sure would’ve been thrilled to be your…um…queen. I didn’t ask
to be here.” She wagged her finger at him. Tanya knew she was being a bit
childish, but couldn’t seem to help herself. “Then I find out that not only do
I stand a very definite chance of not surviving the mating…” she paused and his
eyes first widened then narrowed and his brow furrowed. “I’m also expected to
give you heirs…as in yesterday? I don’t want to be damaged during the mating. I
kind of like living and I’m not ready to be a mother.”

Brant
shook his head in disgust. “Stephany. She normally would never betray me like
this.”

“Look…”
Now she was worried about the lady vamp. “Please don’t punish her for this.”
She’d never once stopped to consider how this would affect the other woman.

He
raised his brows. “You must think I’m some sort of monster.”

He
said it.

“I
made her tell me.”

Brant
smiled. Out popped those sexy dimples. As much as she hated to admit it, he
looked edible, in a gourmet five star restaurant kind of a way. Good thing she
was on a strict diet.  

“
You
made her tell?” He shook his head in disbelief. His face turned serious. “The
only reason I took blood from Alexandra was so I would be more in control with
you.” He pulled himself upright into his full magnificent glory. By human
standards, Tanya was considered tall for a woman, yet she had to look up as he
took a step towards her.

“Don’t
you dare come near me.”

For
a second his face clouded with…hurt.
No way.
The emotion was gone before
she could be sure.

“I
will be patient. We can take this slow. Let’s get to know each other.” His eyes
became hooded as his gaze dropped to her lips.

“When
you say get to know each other, you’re referring to conversations and…I don’t
know…long walks through the forest or the beach maybe?”

His
eyes glittered and he readjusted the towel at his hips. She looked down at the
smattering of hairs that started at his navel and disappeared under the
material. Her mouth went dry. Damn him, she didn’t want to be this attracted to
the big vampire.

Brant
threw her a lazy smile. “Yes, I most definitely want to learn a lot more about
you. We’ll take long walks, but…we’ll also do other things.”

Tanya
struggled to keep her breathing under control. “What other things?”

“I
want to get to know your body better too.”

“My”—she
swallowed hard—“body?”

His
eyes burned. Her pussy clenched. The thought of having sex with this man was
not nearly as offensive as it should’ve been. Hell, according to her body it
was all systems go.

“No,”
she whispered.

His
eyes softened. “I told you we wouldn’t do anything until you were ready. All
I’m asking is that you give us a chance.”

“Do
I have a choice?”

“Yes.
You have my word that nothing will happen without your permission.”

****

Had
he completely lost his mind?

The
survival of his people depended on them mating successfully and, more
importantly, of them raising potential heirs to the throne. It was his duty as king.

His
race had been divided for one hundred years. A bloody war had already claimed
so many, making them vulnerable to attack from other species.

Having
no future heir would bring chaos and further division. This would lead to the
desecration of his coven and potentially of Zane’s as well. Although he cared
nothing for his birth enemy, the knowledge still burned in his gut. The last
thing he wanted was for his race to become extinct.

Yet,
knowing all this, he still couldn’t force this female to mate with him. Although
‘force’ was not the right word. With one kiss, one touch, he knew he could take
her easily, but he didn’t want to leave her with regrets.

Brant
wanted a willing mate, he wanted more than a relationship. He wanted a
partnership, a family. Deep down he knew he could have that with a female like
Tanya. If that meant patience, he would deal.

“You
have my word Tanya. No mating until we get to know each other and you get to
decide how fast or slow we take this.”

“Fine,
but there will be no…” Her cheeks turned fiery hot.  “Alexandra or any other
women for that matter if we’re going to get to know each other.”

He
should’ve seen this coming. It was the one thing he couldn’t give her.
“Cenwein, for your own good, I can’t agree to that.”