Lured (The Brazil Werewolf Series Book 4) (4 page)

              A shudder shook through me as hopeless fear settled into my soul.  Inevitably, Eli would take me and even though I fought them, tears caused by Eli’s intentions fell down my cheeks in scalding hot streams.  It hurt to realize that I was almost taken because of my ignorance.  Tamas pulled me closer when my shoulders began to shake as I sobbed.  His hands moved in soothing circles on my back as he let me cry. 

              “I won’t let him take you,” he whispered another promise that wasn’t fair to make him keep, “I swear I won’t.”

              I pulled back and stared into his face astounded that he would still want to be near me, “I don’t know how you can stop it especially since I walked toward him,”  I said, shaking my head, “I don’t understand why I did that.  I was going to get my parents.  I just didn’t.”

              His face darkened and he narrowed his eyes, “I think you were beckoned,” he said, reaching up to wipe the tears from my cheeks, “If you were, you couldn’t have helped it.  I haven’t met anyone who could.”

              I shook my head as I remembered everything.  I didn’t feel the overwhelming need to follow the voice.  I had only followed because I was afraid for Tamas. 

              I shook my head, “I don’t think so.  I followed the voice because it sounded like yours,” I said, frowning as I remembered it all, “I was worried that you were hurt,” More tears flowed as guilt flooded me, “I’m so sorry.  This is my fault.  If Eli had taken me, it would have been because of me and because I was stupid.”

              He stared at me in shock, “You were worried about me?” He asked fighting a smile and then, shook his head as he cupped both of my cheeks in his hands before whispering, “Don’t put yourself in danger because of me…Ever.  You should have realized, I would never call you if I was in danger.  I would call my father or brothers.  Don’t do this again.”

              I blinked back the hurt because he wouldn’t call for me and instead, puffed out my chest.  Why wouldn’t he want my help? 

“Is it because I’m a woman?” I asked taking a step back from him and narrowing my eyes. 

He grinned, “No,” he said and raised his brows, “It’s because you’re a weak little human at the moment and I don’t want you to get hurt playing with wolves.”

I opened my mouth to protest but he pulled me against him causing all arguments to fade.  He stared down into my face studying me as if for the first time. 

“Nadia, you really are beautiful,” he said, causing all of my hurt and anger to dissolve in an instant.  He reached up and ran the back of his fingers down my cheek, “I realize that I’m not supposed to but I think I’m going to kiss you.”

My breath shuddered inward as his lips covered mine.  My heart thudded in my chest as he pulled me closer.  I gasped and his tongue swept inside my mouth.  For one panicked moment, I didn’t know what to do but my lips began to move.  I reached up and tangled both of my hands in his hair as a tremble worked through me.  I had never been kissed and none of my imaginings prepared me for the intensity of it.  He pulled away from me and stared down at me for a few moments with his forehead against mine. 

              “You should go inside,” he said, hoarsely, “We don’t want to ruin the betrothal, do we?”

              I swallowed and then, shook my head, “No, we don’t,” I said, breathless and wanting more. 

              He released me but caressed my cheek again, “Stay inside,” he said in a soft voice, “Do not come outside until dawn and don’t put yourself in danger for anyone including me.”

              I nodded but I realized I was lying.  In a couple of days, I had become infatuated with him.  The kiss had only made it worse as I stepped inside suddenly bereft without him.  I took a deep breath, knowing I would put myself in danger again for any of the Brazils but especially for him. 

**********

              I did not see Tamas the next morning when I woke but the bonfire would be that night.  I would be announced as his future bride.  My stomach twisted as I pondered our marriage and I had to shake away the nervousness.  I glanced up at the clock and sighed as my mother came out of the room. 

“Time passes quicker than you think,” She said as if reading my thoughts. 

I smiled at her not believing her, as she began to cook breakfast but she was right.  The night came quickly along with the scents of burning logs and the sounds of laughter as the bonfire was being set up. 

My mother fussed over my appearance, doing my hair and make-up.  When she was done, I stared into the mirror with wide eyes.  I swallowed as I took in my reflection.  I wasn’t a little girl anymore.  I had become a woman and in an hour or less, everyone would know that I was engaged.  I glanced at my mother who stood behind me and realized that tears filled her eyes.  I turned to her and hugged her tightly as I realized our times like these were coming to an end. 

              “I love you, Nadia,” she said, pulling back before kissing my forehead. 

              “I love you too, Momma,” I whispered as my own tears threatened to fall.

              “Don’t cry,” she said and gave me a large smile, “You’ll mess up your make-up.  We don’t want that to happen.”

              I took a deep breath and nodded as I pushed my tears away, “I’m okay,” I whispered. 

“Nadia,” my father said causing me to jump when he knocked on the door.   

              “Yes,” My mother said and a moment later.   He opened the door glancing from my mother to me.

              “Tamas and Mirella are here,” he said, smiling, “They want to walk Nadia to the bonfire.”

              “Mirella will be with them?” My mother asked, frowning. 

              “Yes,” My father said, grinning, “I’ve already asked.”

              I turned to my mother, “You can go,” she said and I hugged her tightly before turning toward the door where my father still stood. 

              He stepped forward and smiled, “You are beautiful,” he said in a hoarse voice before leaning forward and kissing my forehead. 

              “Thank you, Daddy,” I said, standing on my tip-toes to kiss his cheek. 

              “They’re waiting for you,” he said blinking back tears, “We’ll be there soon.”

              I walked into the living area where Pesha was bouncing around Mirella who was tickling his stomach every time he was within range of her hands.  Pesha saw me and ran to me, hugging me around my legs. 

He gazed up at me, “You’re pretty, Nadia,” he said, grinning wide, “I’ve never seen you pretty.”

I laughed, “Thank you,” I said, hugging him, “I think.” 

He grinned before kissing my cheek and then, running back toward Mirella.  I smiled as I turned toward the kitchen.  The sight of Tamas leaned against the counter caused my heart to pick up speed.

              He was more handsome than I had ever seen him.  His hair was combed back from his gorgeous face.  He was dressed impeccably in a white buttoned up shirt but the first two buttons were undone revealing some of the expanse of his beautifully muscled chest.  He wore jeans that hung off of his hips in a way that made my mouth water.  When I met his eyes, I found that he was studying me in much the same way that I studied him.   I blushed as he leaned up from the counter. 

              Mirella glanced up from her play with Pesha and grinned as she glanced from me to Tamas, “We should get going.”

              I nodded as my mother came out of the bedroom for Pesha.  I gave her another smile before I bid her farewell and walked out into the cool Colorado air. 

The moment we were no longer in the sight of my home, Tamas grabbed my hand.  I stopped and glanced down as I experienced a jolt of awareness. 

              “You don’t mind, do you?” He asked, watching my face. 

              I shook my head, “No,” I said as I faced him, “I don’t.” 

              “I’m glad,” Tamas said, leaning close to whisper in my ear, “It would have broken my heart if you did especially since you let me kiss you.”

              I blushed, “I wouldn’t want to break your heart,” I said, softly.

              Tamas smiled, “I wouldn’t want to break yours either,” he whispered. 

              “Come on!” Mirella said, glancing back and then, rolled her eyes, “Mother is probably pacing and that’s never a good thing.”

              Tamas faced me, “Are you ready to be engaged to me?” He asked searching my face, his eyes dark with worry. 

              I nodded, “I am.”

              “Good because there is no turning back after this,” he said, giving me a gentle tug as we began to walk toward the field where the bonfire blazed in celebration and I walked with the man I was becoming more addicted to by the second.

              Tamas led me into the party with my hand still wrapped in his.  I smiled when Mirella began to dance as soon as she was in the crowd, laughing as she did.  I realized how wonderful her laughter was as it tinkled around us. Tamas pulled me closer to him as he led me to a table where Lilly, Aurora and Mary Jane sat.  Aurora held a beautiful little girl who shared the same silver eyes as her.  Her hair had the same mixture of brown, black and blonde as Tamas.  She was around two years old.  I wondered if this child was the one that would be betrothed to Pesha. 

              Aurora saw my interest in her and smiled, “This is Ruby,” she said, proudly, “She is my daughter.”

              “She’s beautiful,” I said and the little girl smiled up at me as if she appreciated the compliment.  I tilted my head as I studied her wondering if she would become my sister-in-law in the future, “Did my parents approach you about a betrothal?”

              “Yes,” Aurora said, kissing her little girl’s forehead, “It seems our family’s bond will be unbreakable with not one but two marriages.”

              I smiled as I reached forward and caressed the little girl’s cheek, “It already is.”

              “Where is Andre, Luc and Marco?” Tamas asked, grinning, “I want to introduce Nadia to them.” 

Aurora pointed toward the bonfire and Tamas tugged my hand after thanking her.   I waved farewell to the women who I had grown so close to in just a few days.  We moved closer to the bonfire, finding a group of men talking in a circle.

              The first to notice us had the same mixture of brown, black and blonde hair as Tamas but his eyes were shaded caramel brown with striations of sea green.  He was tall and muscular.  He resembled Tamas so much that he gave me a glimpse of what he would look like in a few years. 

              “This is my oldest brother, Andre,” Tamas said, shaking his brother’s hand, “He’s married to Aurora.”

              “I just met your daughter,” I said, smiling, “She’s beautiful.”

              Andre’s chest puffed out proudly, “Yes, she is,” he said, “It’s nice to have you here, Nadia.” 

              “Thank you,” I said as he patted my shoulder. 

              The next man had hair the darkest black imaginable.  He was tall and muscled with a square face and straight nose.  He shared eyes the same striking silver as Gavriel. 

              “I’m Marco,” he said and grinned, “I’m Lilly’s husband.”

              “It’s nice to meet you,” I said, “Your wives are wonderful.”
              “What do you think of mine?” The other man said turning and I gasped.  This had to be Luc, Tamas’ twin.  At first, I could find no differences between them.  It was unsettling until I noticed that Luc was an inch taller.  When his eyes met mine, I saw that they were two shades of green and there was no white within the irises. 

              Luc smiled, “Did I scare you?” He asked, laughing at my expression of shock, “After all, I’ve been cursed to look like him.  So, I would understand the fear that my appearance would cause.”

              “I don’t think you resemble him at all,” I said, grinning. 

              “Because I’m more handsome,” Tamas added as he tugged my hand again, “I’m going to go find the brothers who are nicer than you.”

              “You won’t find nicer than me and I’ll ask Mary Jane who is more handsome,” Luc called after him as Tamas chuckled. 

              “I am more handsome, right?” He asked, raising a brow as I blushed, “You don’t have to answer.  I believe your rising color tells me what you think.”

              “Hey, Bro!” Someone yelled, saving me from his observations and I sighed in relief. 

              My gaze moved upward as I found three more young men.  The youngest was around fifteen with chocolate brown hair that curved around his ears and toward his olive-toned face.  His eyes were wide and silver with long, thick lashes.  He came up to Tamas and fist bumped him before grinning widely. 

              “This is my youngest brother, Stefan,” He said as his little brother surprised me by hugging me in a way that made it seem as if I was a long lost friend who had returned instead of someone he had never met. 

              He pulled back and grinned displaying dimples in each cheek, “Welcome to the family.”

              I grinned, “Thank you.”

              He stood near me as a boy who had the build of a football player came up to us.  His hair was a mixture of chocolate and brown and his eyes were an even deeper brown.  His smile was open and friendly.

              “Hi, I’m Luca,” he said and then, glanced at his brother, “She’s pretty…Too pretty for you.”

              “What are you talking about?” Tamas asked, “I’m gorgeous.  You’re the ugly duckling.  You might want to fix that before your betrothed arrives in a couple of months.”

              An expression of panic reached Luca’s eyes as his face turned a violent shade of scarlet, “Thanks for reminding me,” Luca said. 

              “Thought you needed it,” he said as Luca walked away, grumbling beneath his breath. 

              “What’s wrong with him?” I asked, frowning as I watched him kick the dirt like a petulant child.

              “He’s got a girlfriend,” he said, pointing his chin toward a girl with a too short skirt, “We tried to tell him not to do it but he didn’t listen.  He’s always been that way…Rebellious.  His betrothal will not be an easy one.”

              I bit my bottom lip as I glanced at him, “Did you have a girlfriend?” I asked, afraid of the answer. 

              “Not since I was thirteen,” he said and shrugged, “I didn’t see the point in hurting a girl or getting attached to someone I couldn’t be with.”

              I nodded as I frowned.  I suppose I should have been thankful but I was just sad for him.  He had always been waiting for me…A girl he didn’t know if he could love.  I glanced up at him as he shifted, nervous.

              “What about you?” He asked, frowning, “Have you ever had a boyfriend?”

              I shook my head, “If a boy had even said hello, my parents would have made me run in the other direction.”

              His hand tightened around mine and his smile widened.  I wondered at the change in his mood.  His grin only widened more as a man with long black hair and silver eyes walked toward us.  He smiled and I instantly felt safe.

              “Hi, Nadia,” he said, warmly, “Lilly and Aurora have told me so much about you.  I’m Ion.” 

              My eyes widened, pleased to meet the man who had taken the place of Emilian as Lilly and Aurora’s father, “I’ve heard so much about you too.  It is wonderful to meet you,” I said, with immediate affection for him.

              He grinned, “I hope what you were told was all good.”

              “It was,” I said and he laughed as he gazed at Tamas, “Your parents are looking for you.  You better get to them before Sophia explodes.”

              “I will,” Tamas said, glancing around, “I just want to introduce her to Garridan first.  Have you seen him?”

              Ion pointed to the bonfire where some men were throwing more wood into the flames causing it to shoot up higher and higher into the night sky.  We moved toward them until we found a man with long black hair.  He turned to us displaying a handsome face.  He had bright silver eyes but there were so much torture within them that my heart clenched. 

              “Garridan, this is my betrothed, Nadia,” Tamas said, smiling. 

              Garridan smiled as he reached out his hand.  I took it and he shook it in a firm grasp, “It’s nice to meet you, Nadia,” he said in a deep voice.

              “It’s nice to meet you too,” I said, smiling, “I’ve heard so much about you.”

              Garridan winced, “I’m sure not all of it was pleasant,” he said.

              “It was pleasant.  You saved Aurora,” I said, smiling, “That was admirable.  You came here and you broke away from an alpha that made you do horrible things…So, I’ve only heard things that made me respect you.”

              Garridan smiled, relieved and this time it reached his eyes, “Thank you.”

              I nodded as Sophia called for us over the crowd.  I turned toward her and she smiled relieved, “I was beginning to think you two ran off.”

              “If you want us to elope, we can do that,” Tamas said, grinning.  Sophia’s eyes narrowed. 

              “That’s not funny,” she said and then, glanced around, finding Gavriel, “It’s time to announce your engagement.”

              Tamas grinned as he leaned toward me and tightened his hand around mine, “Time to be bound to me for all eternity,” he said with raised brows. 

              “Oh the horror,” I said as he chuckled and pulled me toward his parents so that I would be announced as his future bride.

**********

We stood in front of the bonfire with our parents.  Pesha clung to me peeking around my legs every few moments at the crowd.  Gavriel raised his glass as the roar of voices vanished in a gradual descent into silence.  His voice boomed over them with jolly clarity. 

              “Tonight we have once again joined for a joyous occasion,” Gavriel said, turning to me and Tamas, “Our fourth son will marry the gorgeous Nadia who is the daughter of our dear friends Sidney and Lila Scarrett.  This will join our families together.”

              He winked at me and I blushed as he continued, “We welcome you, Nadia.  You are our daughter by marriage and in our family that means you have our love and protection.”

              I opened my mouth to thank him but I was interrupted by the long, howl of a wolf.  Tamas’ hand tightened around mine causing pain to shoot up my arm.  He glanced at me and loosened his grip as he pulled me to him wrapping his arm protectively around me.  He stared into my face. 

              “Stay near me,” he said, pulling me even closer to him, “Don’t let go of my hand.”

              I nodded as the howls surrounded us getting louder and louder.  A woman who resembled Aurora stepped into the field with a smirk on her face.  Her eyes searched the area until they landed on Sophia and Gavriel. 

              “You aren’t welcome here, Eva,” Sophia said, meeting her gaze unafraid but I was terrified.  There was something about this woman that screamed danger.  She reminded me of a cobra who was dancing around her prey about to strike. 

              “Who is she?” I whispered to Tamas as I moved myself and Pesha closer to him. 

              “She’s Emilian’s sister,” he said through gritted teeth, “Her name is Eva Grey.”

              My eyes widened.  I suppose that explained her resemblance to Aurora.  I turned back to her, studying her face as she laughed.  She searched the crowd again and her eyes landed on Ion. 

              “Hello, big brother,” she said, grinning widely and I inhaled with a sharpness that hurt my chest. 

              “Brother?” I whispered, confused.

              “Ion is both Emilian and Eva’s half-brother,” He said, frowning, “He’s the oldest and turned away from being alpha of the Grey wolves when his father died because of how evil they are.  He chose to be in our family.”

              I turned back to Ion who was standing in front of Lilly and Aurora with their husbands, protecting them.  He was their uncle but had become their father figure.  Still, it explained his protective nature over them and why he had given up so much to protect Lilly.

              Ion stared at Eva with nothing but hatred in his eyes.  I wondered what she had done for such a kind and caring man to hate her so much especially since she was his blood. 

              “I suppose I should thank you for giving up your spot as alpha,” she said with a crooked grin, “Our pack wouldn’t do so well with someone as weak as you.” 

              For the first time, it seemed as if he would speak to her but she moved on to Garridan before he could.  She gave a sensual grin as she traced one sharp pointed fingertip across his jaw.  Garridan’s eyes narrowed and I had the distinct idea that he wanted to kill her. 

              Instead, Garridan tightened his hold on Mirella who stood behind him, trying to peek around his shoulder.  Eva noticed her and her smile became malicious. 

              “Protecting a Brazil dog,” she hissed through her teeth, “What has happened to you Garridan?”

              “I came to my senses,” he said as his face flushed a deep red.  A muscle twitched beneath his eye and I sensed his wolf close. 

              She scoffed before giving him that sensual smile again, “You don’t miss us,” she said and pursed her lips as she purred, “You don’t miss me?”

              “He wouldn’t miss a whore,” Mirella said from behind him. 

              “Mirella,” Garridan said through clenched teeth, “Don’t say another word.” 

              Eva’s silver eyes narrowed, “Someone should teach her manners,” she said and laughed, “Perhaps I’ll have the chance to do that one day.”