Beckoned (The Brazil Werewolf Series) (10 page)

“Did I do good?” Mirella asked and I turned to her quickly, causing the bottom of my gown to swish around me. I nodded, feeling like a princess.

“I-I‘m beautiful,” I said, still stunned at my reflection, “I didn’t even know that I could look like that.”

Mirella grinned widely, “Really?”

“Really,” I said, feeling my stomach flip, “And just so you know, I apologize.”

She grinned and I looked back at the mirror, taking in my reflection again.

I wonder what Andre will think of me,
I thought and then, frowned. Where had that come from? No matter how beautiful I was, what he thought did not matter. Still, I wondered why I had thought of his reaction at all. I shifted as the only reason I could think of came to me but I pushed it away, nervous enough already.

Mirella’s voice broke through my thoughts, “I’m glad that you like it and hopefully, Andre will too,” She grinned, mischievously, “Thankfully, we don’t have to wait too long.”

I looked at her dumbfounded, “And why is that?”

“Because it’s time to go to the church,” she said, grinning, “Get your shoes on. The limo is waiting.”

I took a deep breath as my stomach began to flip again. I was about to get married.

**********

Everything was surreal as I stood within the lobby of the church that Sophia had commissioned. The arched double doors opened in front of me as my flower girls and bridesmaids made their way out of the doors and down the aisle. Mirella looked back at me as her turn came and grinned just before exiting with Marc. I trembled as I grasped Gavriel’s arm, waiting just out of sight beside the huge double doors.

“It’s okay,” Gavriel whispered, smiling as his grip on my hand tightened, “It isn’t as bad as it seems at first. It gets much…much better.”

I frowned and then, smiled, “Was it horrible at first with Sophia?”

He laughed, “Yes, she hated me or so I thought, but then, we became friends and then, we fell in love.”

“You really do love each other, don’t you?” I asked, looking up into his face.

His eyes softened, “I love her with everything in me,” he said, looking down at me, smiling, “She makes me a better man.”

I was still studying him as he led me to stand in front of the double doors. Someone had closed them. I could hear the preacher’s booming voice reach through the door.

“Everyone please stand for the arrival of the bride,” he said, jovially.

I heard the rustle of clothing and then, the doors were opened. Gasps filled the air and I turned my attention to the chapel. I held my breath when I seen that every single person from the motor home park stood within…with the exception of Katie Ward. I blushed, feeling self-conscience under their stares.

It seemed that we stood in the entrance to the chapel forever, allowing everyone to take their fill. I began to tremble even worse and Gavriel tightened his hand on mine in support. I blinked, looking upward to escape all of the eyes turned to me. I glanced at the stained glass windows that lined both side walls as we stood in front of our guests. Three large chrystal chandeliers hung across the ceiling, glittering in the lights. Slowly, my gaze moved straight in front of me, past the guests to the preacher who stood behind a polished oak podium. My bridesmaids and flower girls and Andre’s man of honor and groomsmen made a semicircle along the front. Finally, my eyes landed on Andre standing at an angle at the right side of the alter.

He stood straight and proud, seeming unaffected about the true reason for this marriage. A black tuxedo fit perfectly to his muscular frame. I glanced upwards seeing that his hair was combed back exposing his beautifully, handsome face. He looked into my eyes and gave me one of his half grins that caused my heart to pound hard within my chest.

The music began, causing my knees to tremble. I swallowed hard, wondering if I would make it down the red carpeted aisle.

“Start walking, Aurora,” Gavriel whispered and as if he held power over my movements my feet slowly began to move. I felt my chest rising and falling rapidly in tune with my breaths as I kept my eyes on Andre‘s face. Somehow, just focusing on him helped me make it down the aisle.

I took a deep breath and blew it out slowly as I reached him. Andre smiled gently as he watched me. To anyone watching, he would seem like a man in love. Slowly, Gavriel took my veil and threw it behind me, exposing my face. I heard a gasp from Andre and looked at him panicked.
I must look hideous.

Gavriel leaned forward and kissed my cheek blocking my view of Andre, before taking my hand and gently placing it in Andre’s. He then went to take his seat next to his wife in the first pew. I was left to stand in front of the guests with my groom.

Slowly, I looked up and met his gaze again and he smiled gently, “It’s okay,” he whispered and then, his voice droppeed lower, “By the way you look beautiful.”

“Thank you,” I whispered, blushing. Maybe I didn’t look bad after all.

“Will everyone take their seats please?” The preacher said in such a way that it resonated through my soul.

We turned slowly to face the preacher who smiled very graciously at our guests. “We are gathered here to be witnesses of the union of Andre Gavriel Brazil and Aurora Marie Anderson,” The preacher said as I looked up into Andre’s face. He was listening as the preacher spoke about love and how it bound the marriage making it unbreakable. His eyes widened as I began to tremble. Were we doing something wrong by not marrying for love? Even Adam and Eve had loved each other, hadn’t they? I shifted uneasily and Andre gripped my hand tighter in his as the preacher turned to him.

“Do you Andre Gavriel Brazil take Aurora Marie Anderson to be your wife?” He asked, smiling.

“I do,” Andre said, and my eyes widened as my palms began to sweat.

The preacher turned to me and I had to force myself to breathe, “Do you Aurora Marie Anderson take Andre Gavriel Brazil to be your husband?”

A lump settled in my throat and I felt Andre’s hand tighten even more on mine. A tremble shook me as I took a deep breath and looked up at Andre. I blinked in shock as I seen his lips mouth one word over and over…please. For some reason, that one word made everything okay.

“I do,” I said, softly. Andre sighed in relief as did most of the congregation.

The preacher nearly sagged against the podium as he turned back to Andre, “Andre, do you have the ring?”

Marc stepped forward and handed Andre the simple golden band that I would wear for the rest of my life. Andre looked into my eyes, taking a deep breath as he began to repeat the vows, “I, Andre Gavriel Brazil, take you, Aurora Marie Anderson, to be my wife, to love, honor and cherish, for richer or for poorer, through sickness and in health, in happiness and in sadness for as long as we both shall live.”

I frowned. For a moment, his face had filled with emotion and the vows had seemed real…as if he had meant them. I swallowed, feeling so much emotion, tears nearly rose to my eyes. I looked at Andre blinking back the tears, confused.

“Aurora, the ring for Andre?” The preacher asked breaking through my thoughts. Mirella stepped forward and handed me the ring with a small smile.

I swallowed as I slipped the simple gold band onto Andre’s finger repeating after the preacher as I did so. I looked up into Andre‘s eyes, feeling as if with each word spoken, I had bound every part of myself to him. He smiled crookedly as the preacher looked toward him and nodded his head.

“Andre, you may kiss your bride,” the preacher said, looking at Andre in approval.

My eyes widened but a moment later Andre had pulled me to him. I gasped as he caressed my cheek and gently pressed his lips to mine. I leaned into the kiss as it stretched and stretched. My heart clenched and my stomach flipped pleasantly as applause broke out in the chapel. Slowly, he pulled away from me, looking almost puzzled. I blushed. I had just had my first kiss in front of a room full of people. I glanced out into the crowd, meeting my mother’s tear filled eyes.

The preacher‘s voice rang out one more time, “I would like to announce Mr. and Mrs. Brazil,” he said, happily.

I blinked, still dazed by my first kiss. Slowly, I began to realize what that kiss truly meant. Not only had it been the first but it was also the one that bound me in marriage to Andre forever.

Chapter Nine

Wedding Night

I sat in the limosene, alone with Andre. My hands were clasped tightly on my lap in front of me as we began to move toward the hotel where the reception would be held. I shifted in my seat as I bit my bottom lip.

I didn’t know why I was so shy with him. Perhaps, it was only because I had just received my first kiss from him…or maybe it was because I was still not used to his presence. Either way, it left us in total silence.

I looked down at my hands trying to find something to say but found nothing. Finally, Andre‘s rich, beautiful laughter sounded throughout the limo. I narrowed my eyes, confused and worried.

“What are you laughing about?“ I asked, tilting my head to the side.

It took a moment before he answered. When he did he was nearly breathless, “You scared me for a moment when you didn’t say I do right away,” He said laughing, “I thought that you were going to run.”

I bit my lip, chewing it for a moment before I whispered, “For a moment, I thought about it.”

Andre’s laughter died as he studied me. It was obvious that thought bothered him. He looked at me as if pained, “Why?”

I shifted uncomfortably. That look twisted my insides and made me feel instantly guilty for nearly leaving him at the altar, “The preacher was talking about love and how it bound the marriage. I just wondered if what we’re doing is wrong…you know marrying without love. Even Adam and Eve loved each other.”

His eyes darkened and he tilted his head, studying me, “What changed your mind?”

“You,” I said and he blinked at me rapidly, confused, “You were mouthing the word please over and over again and somehow, it helped me. It didn‘t feel so wrong anymore.”

He smiled, relieved, “I’m glad it did help you,” he said, sighing, “Otherwise, I would not be on good terms with my family and neither would you for that matter. They would probably have shipped you to Garridan and paid for your wedding to him.”

I winced and he looked immediately apologetic, “Listen, I know what happened last night with him. He shouldn’t come for you anymore…I mean now that we‘re married. Your father doesn‘t have a claim now and neither does Garridan.”

I frowned as I thought of my father. Even though Garridan wouldn’t have been able to make an appearance after the wolf attacked him, my father still could have come. It was odd that he hadn’t.

“I’m actually surprised that he didn’t try to ruin the wedding,” I whispered.

“He wouldn’t do that after that wolf attacked Garridan,” he said with a grin, “Our marriage was safe from him. Besides, we hid the location from your father’s family pretty well.”

I smiled again and looked out of the window as the silence stretched again, “Aurora,” Andre said and I turned to see him shifting uncomfortably. I raised my brow. His face reddened, “I heard what Katie did yesterday too.”

“Oh,” I said becoming rigid in my seat.

Andre reached forward and grabbed my hand, rubbing his thumb in circles over the top, “I don’t want you to think that I would make a fool of you that way. Katie lied. I haven’t seen her since I told her that I was marrying you,” he scrubbed his hand down his face and looked at me ashamed, “She didn’t take it very well and I’m sorry that she took it out on you.”

I took a deep breath and then, released it, relieved more than I wanted to admit. I smiled at him and then, shrugged, “Thank you.”

“No problem,” he laughed, “It’s what husbands are supposed to do.”

“Even ones forced to marry their brides?” I asked, laughing.
“Yes,” he said as the limosene came to a stop, “Now, I have another duty.”

I frowned, “What’s that?”

He grinned, “I have to dance with my wife at our reception.” He gave me a lopsided grin. For some reason, my stomach flipped at the sight. My heart pounded hard as he helped me from the limosine and into the hotel where our reception awaited.

***********

The reception had seemed to last forever. There were too many people to hug, too many gifts and good wishes and too much dancing. Finally, Andre and I were able to leave. Exhaustion swamped me and I fell asleep, leaning against Andre’s shoulder in the limosene.

I did not wake again until I felt him lift me. My eyes flew open as I wrapped my arms around his neck to keep from falling.

“What are you doing?“ I asked, alarmed as I gripped his neck tighter, pulling myself closer to him.

He grinned, “I’m carrying my wife across the threshold.”

I laughed, nervously, “Andre, you don’t have to do that,” I whispered into his shoulder, embarrassed, “We both know that our marriage was arranged.”

He grinned, looking down at me with his eyes sparkling, “Let me have a little fun, okay?”

“Okay,” I said, blushing fiercely.

I laughed at him as he stumbled to find his keys. He grinned when he finally found them and then, stuck them in the lock. A moment later the door swung open and he walked in. I laughed again, shaking my head.

“See, you’re already laughing at me,” He said lowering me gently to the floor.

He turned on the light and I blinked as my eyes adjusted. Finally, my vision cleared and I was left standing with my mouth opened in shock.

I took in a motor home which was much more modern that my mother’s home. A more spacious living area stretched before me. Couches decorated in white leather, sat along the sides. I looked up to see a flat screen television imbedded in the wood above the driver and passenger seats. A dining room table sat beside the couch surrounded by booth seats also done in white leather. Across the way from the dining table was the sink, stove and refridgerator all lined along the long brown marble counter.