Beckoned (The Brazil Werewolf Series) (7 page)

Slowly, I rose and went to the bathroom that was connected to my bedroom with thoughts of Andre in my head and though I tried to push them away, the image of his crooked grin and beautiful eyes, kept reappearing and demanding my attention. I took a quick shower disturbed by the flipping in my stomach before dressing in a dark blue sundress. I walked into the living area feeling much more awake and much more confused though I was no less hungry.

I quickly made my way to the kitchen but stopped as I entered the living area of my home. I blinked as I took in the scene. Instead of my mother’s familiar presence, Andre sat in the chair, leaned back asleep. His head was turned to the side, showing the profile of his face. His hair was in disarray and rested gently on his cheek. His eyes were closed and his lashes cast long spikey shadows beneath his eyes. His full lips rested in a pout. As I stared at him, I could almost imagine what he had looked like as a boy and I smiled softly at the image, wondering if all men seemed so vulnerable when they slept.

A noise from the kitchen made me jump and I looked up to see my mother cooking. She grinned at me as if she held a great secret. I blushed embarrassed that I had just been caught studying Andre while he slept.

“Are you hungry?” She asked with that smile still fixed on her face.

“Famished,” I said, trying to hide my embarrassment by going to the table and sitting down and staring at my hands.

“Well, breakfast will be ready in about five minutes,” she said, softly.

It was quiet for a few moments and my eyes drifted back to Andre. I frowned as concern twisted through me. I couldn’t help but to wonder when he had finally fell asleep. It couldn’t have been long before I had woke up.

I turned back to my mother with wide eyes, “Is he okay?” I asked, pointing my chin toward Andre.

“He’s just tired,” she said, smiling at my concern. I was sure that she was reading more into it than she should, “The poor boy was up all night.”

“I know,” I said as guilt once again made its presence known. I shook it away, hoping nothing had happened. It bothered me to think that anyone would have been in danger for me. I looked at her swallowing hard, “Did my father come?”

My mother closed her eyes and nodded her head as her smile faded, “Yes. Shortly after Andre found you sleepwalking.”

I swallowed hard as I looked back at Andre, hoping that he had not been hurt. I seen no injuries and I sighed in relief. Still, I wasn’t sure that there had been no trouble.

“There wasn’t a fight?” I asked, searching Andre’s face again, anxiously and then, turned back to my mother.

“No,” she said as her smile returned, “No fight…no one was hurt.”

I glanced at him again, feeling horrible that he’d stayed awake for me and feeling even worse that he had faced my father, “It’s not right that he feels the need to do this.”

My mother looked at me, confused. She put down the spatula that she had been using to turn the bacon and then, turned fully to me blinking rapidly, “Why?” She asked, tilting her head to the side and pursing her lips, “He’s your fiance.”

I looked at him again as a deep sadness flowed through me and settled into my soul, “He’s forced to feel this way. He’s only protective because it’s viewed as honorable. He‘s afraid of being disowned.”

My mother grinned as she shook her head and picked the spatula up off the stove top. She began to flip the bacon again before saying, “I doubt that’s the only reason.”

I frowned as I sat at the little dining table. I glanced at Andre and then, back at my mother. She couldn’t honestly believe that Andre loved me. We barely knew each other. As a matter of fact, our first meeting had been just the morning before and it hadn’t gone very well. I opened my mouth to argue with my mother but I heard Andre move and I stiffened. This was definitely not a conversation that I wanted to have in front of him.

Slowly, I looked over at the chair where he had been sleeping, meeting his glazed eyes.

“You’re okay,” he said relieved.

My frown deepened as I looked at him. True concern marked his face. I looked at my mother and she raised her brows. I shook my head quickly in denial and looked back at him.

“I’m fine,” I whispered after a moment. Dark rings were beneath his eyes and he yawned widely. I felt guilt twist through me again as I said, “But you look tired. You should sleep.”

He smiled and then, shrugged as he stood, “I’ll be okay,” he said, “Besides, I’ll have plenty of time to sleep while you are with our mothers at the dress makers.”

My eyes widened, “Dress makers?’

He gave me a crooked grin and shrugged, “For your wedding dress,” he said as if it wasn‘t such a big deal and we weren‘t being forced to marry. Then, his grin widened, “Oh and my sister will be there. She’s graciously offered to be your maiden of honor.”

I closed my eyes as a tremble shook me. I wished that I could be like Andre and act like it didn‘t matter that we were being forced into marriage.

I took a deep breath and looked at him. Well…At least, I was pretty sure that he didn’t hate me anymore. Maybe it wouldn’t be as horrible as I thought it would be.

**********

I couldn’t think of worst torture than shopping for my wedding dress. Sophia and my mother were constantly bickering over which dress looked the best on me. So far there had only been one dress that they seemed to agree on. The only thing that gave me any amusement was Andre’s sister, Mirella. We had become fast friends though I really don’t think that I would have had much of a choice. She was one of those aggressive people that didn’t take no for an answer. Still, I had to admit that it was nice to have a friend. I hadn’t really had one before because I was usually in and out of people’s lives before they had even realized I was there. So, Mirella’s friendship was a new and pleasing experience.

She chatted non-stop as I continued to try on every dress Sophia or my mother suggested. As it turned out, that was nearly every dress in the store.

My day darkened further as I was standing before them modeling one of the dresses when I stiffened in alarm because Sophia seemed upset there would not be enough time to have a dress made. I looked at her puzzled, wondering when my wedding was to take place. They couldn’t expect me to marry Andre so quickly, could they?

“What do you mean we won‘t have enough time to have a dress made?” I asked frowning. My stomach had begun to flip in alarm. My hands gripped the lace on the dress and I had to stop myself from twisting it.

“You will be married in three days,” Sophia said and when my eyes widened, she narrowed hers at my mother, “Honestly, Fiona, you need to get into the habit of telling Aurora what is happening. The girl should at least know when she is to be married.”

My mother shrugged and then, smiled at me ashamed, “She’s been so angry,” she said, crossing her arms across her stomach.

I frowned becoming defensive. That wasn’t true. I hadn’t been angry since the night before at the bonfire and that was only as we arrived. When I seen how protective Andre was, I had found my aversion to marrying him had lessened. After all, he did protect me from my father.

I stiffened with the thought. My chest tightened as I realized that I was using him to keep me safe. I looked at my mother and Sophia. I was no better than they were. I nearly groaned with the thought.

My mother handed me another dress and I swallowed over the bitter feeling that had entered me. I fingered the lace, wondering how I could do this to Andre. It wasn’t fair.

My mother looked at me suspiciously, tilting her head so that she could see my downcast face, “Don’t you like the dress?“

I stared at her for a moment, knowing that no matter what I said she would still insist that I marry him. Worse, I knew that nothing had changed. Neither Andre or I had a choice. I sighed closing my eyes, “No, Momma. It’s fine,” I said as my shoulders hunched forward.

I turned from her and walked toward the dressing room with tears beginning to burn my eyes. My heart felt like a rock in my chest. There was no hope for Andre…or me. I had to do this. I sighed, pushing the tears away. They would do me no good. They would only make matters worse.

Reluctantly, I stepped into a stall in the dressing room. It was only slightly bigger than the ones found in the public restrooms of restraunts. I walked across the small area and hung the dress on a hook on the far wall. My hand was still gripping the hanger when the click of the door closing sounded loudly behind me. I was not alone.

I tensed as instict told me that the person in the dressing room with me was not my mother or Sophia…or Mirella. This person was a stranger…dangerous in a way that made the hair on the nape of my neck stand up.

I swallowed as I turned and faced a man who was slightly older than Andre. His face was handsome but hard…and oh yes…he was definitely dangerous. Everything about him told me that.

He crossed his arms over his chest, causing his muscles to flex beneath his black t-shirt. He smiled then, flashing perfectly white teeth and I trembled as I moved as far away from him as I could. He smiled again as his eyes raked over me in a way that frightened me. It made me wonder if my mother’s fate was about to be my own.

Fear engulfed me. I opened my mouth to scream but he shook his head causing his long black hair to swing around his treacherous but handsome face,

“I wouldn’t,” he said darkly, “Unless you want the other ladies to be hurt,” he raised one thick brow, “You don’t want that, do you?”

I raised my chin defiantly, “Who are you?”

“My name is Garridan,” he said, stepping forward, “I am the one your father chose for you.”

I flinched as his words sank into my mind. Anger and fear shot down my spine both hot and cold in intensity.

“And you’re here to force me to be with you,” I said, finally looking into his eyes. I jumped when I seen they were the same silver as mine.

I shook my head back and forth quickly. I refused to let him take me. I refused to go willingly.

“I will force you, if I have to, Aurora,” he said with his handsome face suffused in anger.

My eyes darted to the door, “I won’t go with you,” I said and then, yelped as I side-stepped his lunge. I ran for the door, opening it just as he grabbed my arm, turning me toward him.

My knee rose hitting him in the groin. A second later he was bending over, groaning in pain. I ran out of the dressing room and nearly ran over Sophia in my haste to get away from Garridan.

“Aurora, what’s wrong?” She asked grasping both of my shoulders as she looked into my terrified face.

My chest seized as I struggled to tell her what had happened, “Garridan…the man my father chose for me…tried to take me,” I gasped out, “H-He’s in the dressing room.”

Sophia’s eyes widened as she pulled me to the front of the store. She quickly told my mother and Mirella that we had to leave and thanked the clerk before pulling us out onto the street where her car waited.

We got in and Sophia quickly started the car, pulling away. I looked back as we drove down the road, Garridan exited the store. He stood on the sidewalk staring at our car with red hot fury marking his face but something else was there too. I trembled uncontrollably as I realized what it was. He was determined to take me. Worse, I didn’t know if anyone could stop him.

Chapter Six

Freedom

When we arrived at the motor home park, I was forced to stay outside of my home while Sophia, my mother and Gavriel went inside. They had locked me out to discuss what had happened to me…and what they would do. Mirella went to fetch Andre and I was left to pace back in forth in front of my home alone, wondering what was the point of bringing Andre here if he would not be allowed in either. Tears burned my eyes. Why were they keeping us out? This was my life…and Andre’s…not theirs.

“Are you okay?” Andre asked breaking through my angry thoughts and halting me in my frenzied pacing.

I turned losing my anger instantly. Instead, my mouth dropped open in shock as I seen him. He was walking toward me with a dark look on his face. His white shirt was unbuttoned showing his muscled chest and rippling abs. He wore jeans that hung low on his hips and dark work boots covered his feet.

I blinked, closing my mouth thinking that he seemed more dangerous…especially to me. My heart began to beat quickly as he stepped closer and closer. Heat swam in my face and I had to force myself to breathe.

He stopped in front of me, narrowing his beautiful eyes as he stared into my face, “Aurora, are you okay?” His eyes were dark fire as he asked the question again and I could not ignore it this time.

“Yes,” I whispered, feeling as if my throat were coated in something thick.

His face darkened as he peered into my eyes. He stepped even closer to me. His woodsy male scent surrounded me…swamping me. My heart began to beat quickly…pounding so hard that I could hear it in my ears as I looked up at him.

“You aren’t to be alone anymore,” he said abruptly as he grabbed my cheeks and then, examined my face before stepping back to look over the rest of my body.

“What?” I asked as the heat cooled. My eyes widened, truly angered that he was treating me in the same way our parents were. How dare he order me around. How dare he treat me that way.

“Aurora, you were almost kidnapped,” he said sensing my anger and matching it. His eyes flashed as his face darkened another degree.

“And I got away without your help,” I said, narrowing my eyes and thrusting out my chin, “What does it matter to you anyway?”

Andre’s inhaled sharply as if insulted, “I’m your fiance.”

“By force!” I yelled, baring my teeth. I could feel the heat of my anger rise in my face as I stared at him.

“It doesn’t matter!” He yelled back, “You’re still my responsibility.”