Enticed (The Brazil Werewolf Series Book 3) (6 page)

              Sleep did not come easy that night.  My mind wouldn’t stop returning to Luc as I tossed and turned.  Sweat poured from me as I tried not to think of his hands or his lips on me.  I nearly screamed in frustration and more than once I had the irrational need to find him and do all of the things my mind conjured.  Only when the exhaustion became so great that I wasn’t able to keep my eyes open did I fall into slumber.

              The dream I found myself in would only disturb me more than I was before I closed my eyes.  I found myself on the side of a mountain on the rocky slope.  Snow capped the tops, glowing in the moonlight. A chilled breeze blew around me, causing me to shiver.

Every member of the Brazil family stood around me as if protecting me against an unseen force.  I blinked and in that short time, their human forms disappeared to be replaced by large, beautiful wolves.  Only one human remained among them…Luc. 

              He raised his eyebrows as he stared down into my face, “Have you chosen me?” He asked with a frown.  I stared at him as I nodded.

              “We’re bonded,” I whispered as confusion swamped me. 

              “That doesn’t mean that you chose me,” he said with his face cloaked in sadness.  I frowned as a tear fell down his cheek. 

              “Do you want me to?” I asked, staring into his eyes suddenly desperate to know the answer, “Do you want me to choose you?” 

              “It doesn’t matter what I want,” he said as he caressed my cheek and gazed into my eyes almost as if he adored me, “You are the one who has the power.  You are the one who chooses.”

              A howl broke through the air and I turned with the hair on my arms rising, warning me of danger.  I saw another family of wolves standing one hundred feet from me.  One human remained within their midst staring at me coldly and he offered nothing but death.  I narrowed my eyes at him as anger suddenly burned through my soul.  I whispered his name wishing him a death like he had bestowed on my parents. 

              “Eli,” I said through my teeth and took a step forward. 

              Luc leaned forward and whispered in my ear, “You need to choose quickly,” he said as his breath caressed my cheek, “Before he devours us both.  Then, it will be too late.” 

              I glanced toward Luc but he was gone.  I turned back to Eli.  An evil grin lit his face elongating until it grew into the snout of a wolf.  I trembled as he shifted fully.  I no longer thought of his death.  I only wanted to get away from him and save my life.  I tried to turn but my feet refused to obey.  No matter how much I tried, I couldn’t move.  A growl broke through the air as Eli began to run quickly.  His eyes were set upon me and I realized that he would kill me if he reached me.  I opened my mouth to scream as he jumped and was just able to stop the sound as I sat up in bed.    Sweat poured off of me and I trembled as I tried unsuccessfully to push the images away.

**********

              I trembled as my mind conjured images of Eli’s teeth opened for attack.  I swallowed realizing that my nightmare wasn’t like a normal one where the monster wasn’t real.  My monster was very real and my dream could come true.  Eli
was
a werewolf and I had yet to transition.  I wouldn’t be able to protect myself at all until that happened. 

I took a deep breath, trying to calm as I wished that I had someone near to comfort me.  A tear fell from my eye as I thought of my parents. They had always calmed me when I was frightened but I didn’t have them anymore.  I only had Lilly and Marco and I wasn’t comfortable enough to ask them.  Another tear fell as I pulled my knees to my chest and trembled as I listened to the sounds of the night.    

“Come to me,”
Luc’s voice whispered through my mind and I straightened.  My eyes widened as his voice sank into my soul.  Instantly, the fear from the dream faded and I was comforted by his voice. 

              I stood and took a step as the need to be in his presence swamped me.  I swallowed as I glanced around before stepping out of the room I was in to move into the living room.  My brows drew together as I narrowed my eyes, searching the shadows of the room but I did not find him.  I frowned as I wondered if I had begun to hear things.  I shook my head.  I was sure that he had called from that room.  I sighed wondering if I had lost my mind and turned to go back to bed. 

             
“Mary Jane, come to me,”
He whispered again, causing me to pause.  My heart thumped against my ribs as desire slammed through me. I trembled as I suppressed a moan.  Slowly, I walked to the door of the motor home.  Though I tried to talk myself out of turning the doorknob, I couldn’t resist his voice.  I couldn’t resist him. 

              I opened the door and stepped through, closing it behind me.  I walked down from the side step onto the cool grass as I narrowed my eyes, peering into the darkness.  I swallowed trying to push away the irrational need which was slowly drowning me and took a deep breath.  I took a step allowing my instinct to lead me to Luc. 

              I moved down the long body of the mobile home skimming my hand along the side as I walked to a clump of trees.  My body shook with desire as I sensed him close.  I moved to the middle of the trees but still did not find him. 

I sighed and shook my head realizing the insanity of what I had just done.  I swallowed as I knew with a certainty that I had put myself in danger.  Eli may be out there.  He may be waiting to take me.  Fear slid down my back and I turned intending to run back to the motor home but the instant I did, I was pushed against the rough bark of the tree behind me.

I opened my mouth to scream but a finger covered my lips.  I looked up just in time to see Luc’s eyes hungry and dark within the night before he grasped my hands and placed them above my head.  His lips slammed into mine a moment later. 

              The previous fear and desire mingled together, causing my head to swim.  My heart beat hard against my ribs as he took my bottom lip between his teeth and tugged.  I moaned and finally, he released my hands so that I was able to tangle them in his hair. 

              His lips left mine to trail down my jaw to my ear as he whispered, “I need you, Mary Jane.  I’m going to go insane without you.”

              I gasped as he kissed me again and he took the opportunity to twist his tongue around mine.  A tremble shook me as his hand moved slowly down my body to grasp my knee and hook it around his waist.  I felt the evidence of his arousal as he ground against me.  Want and need enveloped me as I cried out.  I didn’t care about the consequences. 

              “Shhh! Baby,” he whispered as he bit my lobe.  His hands were beneath my gown as his fingers moved closer and closer to my womanhood.  I wanted him.  I needed him but in that moment, I also feared him. 

              He paused as he pulled away from me.  His eyes were beginning to clear of the passion, “You’re afraid of me,” he whispered, shaking his head, “I don’t want you to be frightened.” 

              I licked my lips.  I didn’t know what to say.  The guilt of the encounter was beginning to sink into my soul, “I’m a virgin,” I whispered in a trembling voice, “I am waiting until marriage.”

              He backed away with a groan.  His jaw was clenched as he glanced at me.  My heart stuttered before returning to its normal beat.

              “I thought this was a dream,” he said with a tremble.  He covered his face before glancing up at me, “I wouldn’t have done this otherwise.  I swear to you, I wouldn’t.”

              “It’s because of the bond, isn’t it?” I asked, biting my bottom lip.

              He followed the motion as his eyes heated.  He pulled his gaze from my lips and forced them to my eyes before giving a stiff nod.  He took a breath and came to me.  Slowly, he reached forward and caressed my cheek.  Instantly, my body responded, “It is,” he said, sadly, “It’s the reason why I’m here.  It’s the reason you came to me when I summoned you.”

              I closed my eyes and released a shuddering breath.  My hands shook as I glanced up at him, “What do we do?” I asked. 

              “We do the hardest thing that we have ever done.  You will go back inside and we will make sure that you keep your purity at least until our wedding night,” he said, leaning over and kissing my forehead. 

              I nodded as I backed away.  It was physically painful to do so.  His voice reached me once more as I reached the door, “I can’t promise anything after that,” he said, “I’m sorry but I can’t.” 

              I didn’t look at him but I could hear the pain in his voice.  My heart clenched as I forced myself to enter the mobile home.  I tried to sleep but could not because his words echoed through my mind causing images that I had never entertained before coming to Timbly Mountain to dance through my head.

              It was the morning before our wedding and I was trying to ignore the fact that I hadn’t slept…again.  Luc lingered in my mind and I couldn’t seem to shake him from my thoughts for even a moment.  Instead, I had to pretend that my attention was on the other things before me. 

I tried on my mother’s dress with the women of the family before I was to go to my bridal shower. I was happy to find that it fit perfectly and Sophia wouldn’t have to do any last minute sewing.   Even though Mirella and Lilly pouted, I was relieved.   Their pouting became whining when Sophia brought out the shoes she had bought to go with the dress.

              “We’re not even going shoe shopping?” Mirella groaned and rolled her eyes before gazing at me with a raised brow, “No offense but you are taking all of the fun out of your wedding, Mary Jane.”

              Aurora grinned, widely as she put her clasped her hands over her heart, “Don’t worry,” She said with a laugh, “You’ve made me happy.  I hate shopping…with a passion.”

              I grinned at her, “I’ve heard,” I said as she pursed her lips before narrowing her eyes at first, Mirella and then, her sister.

              “Besides, we always seem to have the bad luck of nearly becoming kidnapped when we shop for wedding dresses,” Aurora said and then, turned to me, “Garridan tried to kidnap me and got a good kick to his manhood during my trip to the dress shop.”

              Lilly’s eyes widened, “Yes and Eli got a headache from the vase Sophia wielded when he tried to kidnap me,” she said and then, raised her brows as she glanced at Sophia, “You should have hit him harder.”

              “It still would have been worth the danger to go shopping,” Mirella pouted, “When I get married, you three better be prepared.  We are going to shop and shop and shop.”

              Sophia smiled as she listened to our banter though she studied me carefully.  It took everything in me not to shift beneath her gaze.  She raised her eyebrow and then, pressed her lips together, “Let me help you out of your dress,” She said and though I didn’t want to, I nodded and walked to Lilly’s bedroom to change.  Sophia followed, closing the door behind her.

              She raised her eyebrows as she turned to me taking in every aspect of my face.  Her lips were pressed together as she stepped in front of me and gazed into my eyes.  She reached forward as she smoothed my hair, “The bond has been hard on you,” she said giving me a sad smile, “I was worried that it would be.  Still, I am thankful for what you did for my son.”

              The strain must have shown more than I had thought.  I blew a breath out from between my lips, wanting to cry.  Instead, I nodded, “It has,” I said, forcing my chin up, “But I am handling it.”

              “Luc is having the same troubles,” she said, patting my cheek, “He’s not sleeping much and when he does, he calls out for you.  Thankfully, the worst part of it will be over soon.”

              I frowned as I tilted my head, “Why do you think that?” I asked, trying to make sense of her words.

              She shrugged, “You’ll be married,” she said and then, glanced over at me while she shifted, “Then, it will be okay to give into the bond.  You won’t have to feel guilty.”

              My eyes widened at the meaning behind those words, “What if I’m not ready?” I asked, swallowing hard, “What if I don’t want to give into the bond yet?”

              She gave me a sad smile, “The bond won’t allow you to wait long.  Whether you are ready or not, it will become too much to resist,” she said as she twisted her hands in front of her, “Lilly and Marco went through the blood bond the night of their wedding.  They gave in within two weeks.  I gave in within two days. You might be able to wait longer than the two of us, but probably not much longer.”

              I blinked in shock, “You and Gavriel blood bonded before you were intimate?” I asked.

              Sophia gave a short laugh, “We hated each other.  We were forced into marriage and we blamed that on one another,” She said and smiled, “Then, we were attacked and changed.  Gavriel was forced to defend me from the one who changed us.  I began to see him as my protector and friend.  One night he was wounded trying to save me.  I took the chance to return the favor of his protection and bonded with him…Much the same way you did with Luc.  In that moment, I realized it was more than just a return of a favor.  I was in love.  Two days later, I gave into the blood bond and mated with him.  Of course, he loved me too but it took a while for him to tell me.”

              I shifted, “But unlike you I don’t know how I feel about Luc yet,” I said and then, frowned as I forced my gaze to find hers, “I certainly have no idea how he feels about me.”

              Sophia scoffed, “That’s too bad,” she said giving me a crooked grin, “Because everyone else does.  It took a lot of affection to save him especially when you knew you’d be bound to him for the rest of your life.  As for how Luc feels, he has shown that he was smitten from the moment you fell into his arms.”

              I opened my mouth to say something but I couldn’t find a way to dispute what she said.  Her grin widened, “Turn around and let me help you get out of your dress so you can get ready for your bridal shower,” she said, clearly amused at my reaction to her story.

              I turned allowing her to unbutton the dress.  My mind whirled with every word Sophia had spoken and I couldn’t help but to wonder if my motivation behind the blood bond had been more than the fact that I didn’t want him to die.

**********

              I was surprised to find Luc standing casually at the entrance to the field where the bonfire pit was because I had always believed that a bridal shower was for women only.  One peek at Sophia and I realized that I had been right. She narrowed her eyes as she swept her gaze over him and crossed her arms.

              “What are you doing here?” She asked with a raised brow.  Her cheeks turned pink in frustration. 

              Luc smirked before glancing at me obviously amused with his mother’s reaction.  Still, he answered her in a quick, serious voice, “I know Eli’s habits,” he said, raising his chin, “There is no way that I will allow Mary Jane to be here without me.”

              I frowned as I stared into Luc’s face as a warning whispered through me, “What do you mean?” I asked as I glanced around nervously.  The hair on the nape of my neck raised to attention as I imagined being watched. 

              “Eli may show up here,” Sophia said through clenched teeth as she stared at her son, “Emilian and Eli showed up at Lilly’s bridal shower.  Essentially, Luc is afraid history will repeat itself.”

              I blinked and then, shook my head before gazing up at Luc with wide eyes.  I trembled at the thought of Eli anywhere near him, “It’s more likely that he’ll harm you,” I said surprised at the fear that thought caused, “Are you trying to get hit with an arrow again?”  

              His lips twitched and he raised his brows, “No,” he said with a grin, “I just want to be here in case you do.”

              “What if it’s not me?” I asked, frowning, “After all, he was aiming for you last time and he didn’t miss.”

              His grin widened as he caressed my cheek, “If I do get shot again, you’ll save me, right?” He said, stepping close to me.   

              I rolled my eyes, “Maybe,” I said, shaking my head, “I haven’t decided if I like you yet.”

              He chuckled, “Well, I guess it’s a good thing that you’ll die if I do,” he said, sliding his hand into mine before leaning a bit closer, “But regardless I’m pretty sure you’ll miss me and not just because of the bond.”

              His breath touched my ear and I straightened as desire slammed through me.  My eyes slid to him, finding him with the grin of a Cheshire cat.  My breathing quickened.  I pursed my lips as I gazed forward determined not to let him see how he affected me. 

              We reached the benches and I sat down, releasing his hand, “Are you alright?” He asked, raising his brow as he took the seat beside me, “You seem flustered.”

              “Yes,” I said through clenched teeth as I shifted, “I’m fine.”

              “I was just wondering,” he said with a twinkle in his eye as he whispered in my ear, “Because you seem a bit out of breath.”

              A blush rose over my cheeks and he chuckled again as he caressed my cheek, “Now, that is what I like to see.” 

I narrowed my eyes, refusing to speak to him as the people of the motor home park began to be introduced to me.  Again this seemed endless but at least it gave me time to recover from Luc’s teasing.  Finally, the parade of people ended and only Sophia remained with us.  It was obvious that she was still upset with Luc for showing up by the way her lips were pressed together so tightly they were white from the strain. 

              “Shouldn’t you be getting ready for your bachelor party?” She asked with a pinched expression. 

              “They won’t start the party without me,” he said with a shrug, “That’s the wonderful thing about it being thrown for me.”

              She groaned and then, shook her head and walked away.  I raised my brows, “You shouldn’t make your mother mad,” I said, pursing my lips.

              He laughed, “What’s she going to do…Spank me?”

              I nearly laughed at that image, “You probably need one.”

              His eyebrow rose and he grinned wickedly, “Well, perhaps you should take care of that.”

              My eyes widened as I felt the color rise in my face.  I couldn’t formulate an answer as he grinned at my reaction.  Thankfully, I didn’t have to because Sophia announced that it was time to open the presents. 

              “Choose the one you would like to open first,” Sophia said smiling widely as she swept her hand toward the table with gifts covering every inch of it. 

              I stood and walked around the table thankful that Luc didn’t follow me.  I needed a moment where his presence didn’t swamp me and I wasn’t blushing or thinking wicked thoughts.  I took slow and measured steps around the table before a small package caught my eye.  It was wrapped in scarlet paper, standing out from the pastel wrapped gifts around it.   It sat on the very edge of the table.  I picked it up and turned it this way and that as I tried to imagine what was in it. 

              “Who is it from?” Sophia asked, tilting her head as she studied the small present. 

              I glanced back at the table for a card, “I don’t know,” I said, frowning as I touched the spot where the gift had rested, “There is no card.  Maybe, it’s written on something inside.”

              “Well, open it,” Mirella said, suddenly curious. 

              I shrugged as I slowly peeled the wrap from it to reveal a small jewelry box the color of ivory.  It was beautiful but simple with a little gold clasp on the front and a rounded top.  I thumbed the clasp releasing the lid from the base.  A golden chain sat in the middle covering the entire bottom.  I pulled the chain up until it was released from the box.  Two rings dangled from the center of the chain.  I blinked and took a sharp breath as I recognized the rings.  I swallowed hard as the jewelry box fell from my hand and a small strangled sound broke from my throat.  I blinked as my eyes began to heat from unexpected tears. 

              “What is it?” Luc asked alarmed as he stood and stepped toward me.  I raised my eyes to his as my hand began to shake. 

              “The rings,” I whispered as I began to tremble, “They are my parent’s wedding rings.  They were wearing them when they died.”