Chosen (Hartnady)

Every hundred years, tradition dictates that all eligible females in Sweetwater assemble for the choosing ceremony. Two vampire kings have separate territories within the surrounding countryside. Both are eager to pick their future brides. What a waste of her freaking time. Tanya is among the many women at the choosing ceremony. As far as she's concerned it's an outdated, sexist event and if it wasn't mandatory she so wouldn't be here. It's not important that the two males are ridiculously rich and handsome. Deep down she knows a plain Jane like her will never be picked by one of the kings anyway. Many of the women in the town square are stunningly beautiful and model thin. Most seem enthusiastic about being a queen even if it means being mated to a blood sucker, which suits her just fine. Imagine her surprise though when King Brant sets his sights firmly on her. Once a vampire king has decided, there's no going back. But her home is in Sweetwater. Being forced to live amongst the vampire species . . . big gulp . . . forced to mate with a vampire . . . is not what she had in mind for herself. Maybe she can convince him to let her go, to pick again. If not, she'll have to find a way to escape his-very muscled and rather delicious-clutches. Contains mature themes.

The arrogant vampire kings have always proclaimed themselves to be the rulers of all the non-humans making war between the species inevitable. In order to win, it is imperative that the shifters steal the chosen human female. The alpha wolf will take her for himself thus weakening the position of the bastard kings. No heirs means no future for the vampires. Something Ward didn't bank on was that the yellow bellied elves would turn tail forcing the wolves to flee or face defeat. In desperation, one of Ward's pack members grabs a female vampire taking her with him to the wolves' hideout deep in the mountains. The alpha is forced to take responsibility of the female until the dust settles . . . there are things that she may not find out about the shifters . . . things that would put them at further disadvantage against the vampires. In a few short days he'll take her back to Sweetwater himself. It soon becomes clear that being in such close proximity to this refined, delicately beautiful creature is pure torture. A few days suddenly feels like a lifetime. How he longs to be able to get under her skin and make her lose a little bit of that ironclad control she's so desperate to hold onto. It doesn't help that some of the shifters want her dead whilst others wouldn't mind taking her for themselves. Shifter females are in short supply. Stephany watches how her estranged mate is struck with arrow after silver tipped arrow while she is dragged away by one of the enemy. Lance falls to his knees, dying from his wounds, just as Stephany is knocked unconscious. After accidentally mating Lance twenty years ago, she has remained celibate ever since. So long that she no longer even craves the touch of another, so long she doesn't even go into heat anymore. Forced to remain at the alphas side, her resolve is sorely tested. Suddenly she's feeling things she shouldn't be feeling, her own body is betraying her in worst of ways. She needs to stay strong. Especially since Ward is a wolf and she a vampire . . . sworn enemies. Contains mature themes.

After one glorious night, Rushe considers the human doctor to be his. His. Damn. It. Unfortunately, he must bide his time before being permitted to pursue Becky. Ross, on the other hand, wastes no time in going after what he wants, namely, one times lush human. The scent of another male on her skin only incites him further to eradicate the shifter from her mind, by whatever means necessary. Take what is mine . . . Becky knows that Rushe has his heart set on finding a mate. Since she made it crystal clear that it won't be her, she's sure he's moved on. On the rebound, even though she won't admit it to herself, it leaves her free to explore her deepest, darkest vampire fantasies. Only, it's not quite as freaking simple as she thought it would be . . . Contains mature themes.

King Katar is gravely ill. Esral must go back to her place of birth, to be at her father's side, during this difficult time. She is relieved when her protector, Xavier, is not permitted to accompany her. It is becoming more difficult to deny her feelings for the vampire prince who clearly feels nothing for her in return. Right now, she must focus on her father's needs and on getting him well again... regardless of what it might cost her in the end. The elven princess is a delicate beauty of the rarest kind. Xavier has the utmost respect for the female and the ideals she holds so dear. A complete innocent, she plans on saving herself for her future mate. If only she knew the kinds of thoughts he had about her, she would never allow herself to be alone with him ever again. May never even speak to him again and he wouldn't blame her. Contains mature themes.

Tanya has just entered the final stage of her pregnancy and excitement is running high. Her mates insist on putting a crap ton of rules and regulations in place to ensure that her and the baby's health are not put into jeopardy. They become more and more overprotective with each passing day and may have gone a little overboard in the process. She loves them but it's freaking irritating. They need to understand that she is not some wilting flower, liable to break at any second. Tanya is a strong woman, capable of handling two dominant, vampire males in their prime. This theory is about to be put to the test along with her patience, which is wearing desperately thin. Especially when all the unmated, vampire females attempt to get the kings to evoke an ancient lore. A lore, which allows the kings to bring temporary, rut partners to their bed while the queen is too ripe with child to accommodate their needs. Like freaking hell she will ever allow that to happen! If Brant and Zane think that they can evoke such a lore and continue to keep breathing, they have another thing coming. Contains mature themes.

Her hands grip the steering wheel and her foot slams down on the brake. There is a god-awful screeching noise as the tires skid across the asphalt. It's too little too late and her vehicle collides with the large, furry beast, with a hard thud. The creature is flung from her vehicle, landing in a mangled, bleeding heap. Jackie can't believe it's even still alive. Despite the danger, her years of veterinary training kick in and she gets to work to try and save its life. Tyler is on his way to Sweetwater. It's the night of the Christmas Festival. More importantly, it's his turn to find a mate. First, he's got to lose his babysitters. The last thing he needs is his two pack mates staring over his shoulder while he tries to win the female of his dreams. That is if he's lucky enough to find her. So focused on escape, he doesn't see the vehicle approaching until it's too late. As he lies on the side of the road, broken and bleeding, he can't help but think that it's such bad luck. Can't help but to feel seriously sorry for himself. That is until he catches a noseful of her scent and feels her soft little hands on him, then he thinks that maybe it's fate... Contains mature themes.

Keto is soon to be crowned. He doesn't feel quite ready even though it's a day he's been working towards his whole life. There are many changes he wants to bring about, all for the betterment of his people. He has a kingdom to run and a council to win over. Elven kings can be voted out of power by their councils. His position is not yet cemented. His first order of business is to choose an elven female. One he can take as a mate. Keto desperately needs heirs. It is expected of him and must happen soon. Why can't he get a certain vampire female out of his head though? It's worse when he sees her again after all these years. She doesn't recognize him and he can't blame her. He's changed so much. So has she and all for the better. Still tall and athletic, but curved in all the right places, and just as feisty as ever. So damned uncivilized and he loves every minute. Find an elven female... do it now... he must keep his focus on a future mate. Keto wants the vampire female one last time though... just once. Then he'll see about a mate... an elven mate. It's not like he has a choice! Contains mature themes.