2#Stolen by the Alpha Wolf: Shifter Romance (Deliberate Theft) by Charlene Hartnady Page B

trust him. He said if I went with him
and still decided to end the pregnancy that he would bring me back.”
    “You
believed him?”
    Stephany
felt the tears roll down her cheeks. “I did. I think that he really believed he
had the answer, but how could he possibly? I would be an idiot to allow myself
to feel that kind of hope.” Problem was, she had been an idiot.
    “What
if he does have the answer?” Tanya looked thoughtful. “Are you in love with the
alpha?” Tanya looked her straight in the eyes.
    “Look,
whatever crazy plan you’re hatching, stop now.”
    “Answer
me,” Tanya pressed.
    “It
doesn’t matter. Ward won’t speak to me again. Anything we might’ve had is over.
I am a mated female, whether I like it or not. It doesn’t matter that I hate my
mate.” She wiped away the tears and sniffled hard.
    “It
matters a lot.” When Stephany didn’t answer, Tanya pouted her lips for a few
beats. “Fine!” she huffed. “I’ll answer for you. You have major feelings for
Ward. You want this child.”
    “I
can’t give birth. I can’t. It doesn’t matter what Ward shows me…it won’t change
a thing. Unless they have a magic wand to make my pelvis bigger…” Stephany
shook her head.
    “You
have to try, Steph. I don’t want you living with regret.”
    “What
are you planning?” Stephany felt her heart rate kick up a few notches. “Please
don’t do anything silly. Don’t get yourself into trouble or put yourself in
danger.” She grabbed Tanya’s hand. “Just drop it okay.”
    Tanya
narrowed her eyes. “I won’t drop it. You mean too much to me.”
    “You
must, and you will, or I’ll call Brant.” Stephany reached for the phone on her
side table.
    “Fine,”
Tanya huffed. “I just wish you’d let me help you.” Frustration was edged into
every word, which Stephany ignored for the good of her friend.
    “You
have helped me. Stay out of it and keep safe.”
    Tanya
threw her arms around Stephany in a hard hug. “I will, Steph. I promise, I
will. I just wish I could say the same for you since this whole thing is eating
you alive.”

Cha pter
7
     
    His
chest was on fire. The closing wound still oozed blood. His breath came in
pants, nausea rolled through him, causing him to dry heave. He felt his wound
rip open again. The intensity of the pain caused another pang of nausea. He
grit his teeth to stave off his body’s reaction, fighting to stay as still as
possible. Sweat rolled off his brow. How could it be so hot and yet so cold and
all at once? His teeth clattered, just as his blood ignited.
    An
elderly female that smelled of vampire approached the cot. Her brow was creased
and her lips were a thin white line.
    “Drink
this.” She pressed a cup to his lips.
    He
hesitated.
    She
sighed heavily. “If we wanted you dead, you would be already.”
    This
time when he hesitated it was because he was experiencing another grueling pang
of nausea. His stomach clenched and he growled as the edges of his wound pulled
painfully.
    “Stubborn
wolf.” She tsked . “It will help against the pain and the nausea.
Hopefully you will be able to sleep, which will help you to heal quicker.”
    The
female held the cup to his lips again and this time he drank. The liquid tasted
of spinach, there was a peppery undertone. Ward drained the entire cup, gagging
painfully as he finished. Thankfully the liquid stayed down.
    Placing
a chair beside the bed, the elderly female sat next to him. A bowl of steaming,
fragrant water sat on her lap. Using careful strokes, she cleaned his chest and
wound. It stung like a bitch, but he knew that she was only trying to help him.
A clean wound healed quicker. Also, allowing the wound to first bleed and then
to clean it helped to remove any lingering silver residue. He was damned lucky
to still be breathing. Ward had never allowed himself to be blindsided like
that before. That cowardly dickhead vampire had waited till his eyes were
turned before stabbing him in the chest.