Tempting Destiny

by Sela Croft

  TEMPTING DESTINY

  By

  Sela Croft

  Table of Contents

  TEMPTING DESTINY

  Chapter 1A

  Chapter 1 – Mirela

  Chapter 2 – Draven

  Chapter 3 – Mirela

  Chapter 4 – Mirela

  Chapter 5 – Mirela

  Chapter 6 – Mirela

  Chapter 7 – Mirela

  Chapter 8 – Mirela

  Chapter 9 – Mirela

  Chapter 10 – Draven

  Chapter 11 – Mirela

  Chapter 12 – Mirela

  Chapter 13 – Draven

  Chapter 14 – Mirela

  Chapter 15 – Mirela

  Chapter 16 – Draven

  Chapter 17 – Draven

  Chapter 18 – Mirela

  Chapter 19 – Mirela

  Chapter 20 – Mirela

  Chapter 21 – Draven

  Chapter 22 – Calina

  Chapter 23 – Mirela

  Chapter 24 – Mirela

  Chapter 25 – Mirela

  Chapter 26 – Draven

  Chapter 27 – Mirela

  Chapter 28 – Mirela

  Chapter 29 – Draven

  Chapter 30 – Mirela

  Chapter 31 – Mirela

  Chapter 32 – Selene

  Chapter 33 – Calina

  Chapter 34 – Mirela

  Chapter 35 – Draven

  Chapter 36 – Selene

  Chapter 37 – Mirela

  Chapter 38 – Mirela

  Chapter 39 – Draven

  Chapter 40 - Selene

  Chapter 41 - Calina

  Chapter 42 - Selene

  Chapter 43 – Mirela

  Chapter 44 – Calina

  Chapter 45 - Selene

  Chapter 46 – Draven

  Chapter 47 – Mirela

  Chapter 48 – Mirela

  Chapter 49 – Draven

  Chapter 50 – Calina

  Chapter 51 – Calina

  Chapter 52 - Selene

  Chapter 53 - Selene

  Chapter 54 – Calina

  Chapter 55 – Selene

  Chapter 56 – Draven

  Chapter 57 – Calina

  Chapter 58 – Selene

  Chapter 59 – Mirela

  Chapter 60 – Draven

  Chapter 61 – Silvain

  Chapter 62 – Selene

  Chapter 63 – Silvain

  Chapter 64 – Silvain

  Chapter 65 – Silvain

  Chapter 66 – Draven

  Chapter 67 – Mirela

  Chapter 68 – Draven

  Chapter 69 – Mirela

  Chapter 70 – Mirela

  Chapter 71 – Draven

  Chapter 72 – Mirela

  Chapter 73 – Mirela

  Chapter 74 – Mirela

  Chapter 75 – Draven

  Chapter 76 – Draven

  Chapter 77 – Epilogue

  CHAPTER 1A

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  I hope you enjoy Tempting Destiny!

  Sela Croft

  Note to Reader: Tempting Destiny was previously published as a series: Moon Tide/Blood Oath/Noble Guardian/Eternal Sanctuary – and was available as a bundle: Immortal Prophecy: Complete Series. The novel Tempting Destiny includes the entire story that was originally published. There have been no changes to the narrative.

  CHAPTER 1 – MIRELA

  A vampire had stolen my heart. He appeared to be a high school senior—but I’d discovered the truth. I would walk to the ends of the earth and beyond to be with Draven Petrovic. Some might accuse that I’d romanticized the relationship. But I’d argue that it was my destiny to be with him.

  I hadn’t shared this knowledge with anyone else, even my friend Lana Clark. We’d been close since elementary school, yet I dared not assume that she’d understand—or even believe me. If I hadn’t heard the things I’d heard and seen the things I’d seen, then I wouldn’t believe it either.

  “Mirela Godwin.”

  I snapped out of my reverie, my cheeks warming at being the center of attention. Being a quiet, studious type, I preferred to avoid having the focus on me. But then, I should have been paying attention in geography class.

  My teacher stepped close to my desk. “Unless you can tell me that you have something more important to do, I suggest you listen and stop looking out the window.”

  It wasn’t the first time I’d been admonished for daydreaming, either by an instructor or my own mother. I had a tendency to drift away and get lost in my own imaginings. Often my thoughts held more interest than the reality before me.

  “We are reviewing the material for the upcoming test. And your score will weigh significantly on your grade for this class.”

  I stared at my notes, forcing myself to hear what the teacher was saying. I’d already prepared for the exam, but it wasn’t smart to point that out. My best option, after being called out, was to pretend to absorb the lecture.

  Yet I couldn’t help anticipating the future. It was my senior year and graduation wasn’t far off. The month of May had been quite the adventure, and there was more to come. Parties, events, and picnics proliferated. Lana fancied herself as my social coordinator, so she didn’t lack for suggestions on what to do.

  Best of all was Draven, who had moved to Rainier at the start of the school year. But he was no longer the new guy at school. The initial stir that he’d caused had died down. Since he was gorgeous, it was impossible to go unnoticed.

  Yet Draven had chosen me over the other girls in my class. My rivals stared and gossiped, but no effort to lure him away had any effect. It seemed that he’d made up his mind, so was blind to any other female. That part suited me fine.

  At the cusp of my life, I reflected on what had been and what I had to look forward to. All my life, I’d lived in Rainier with my mother. I didn’t complain about the lush Washington forests that surrounded the town, or the lovely Victorian-style home where I resided with my mother.

  But I longed for thrills and expected college to provide them. Yet, in my senior year, fate had seen fit to bring Draven into my life, and he’d provided all the excitement I could have asked for. With enough brainpower directed toward my teacher—in case he tried to catch me off guard—I let the other part of my mind focus on Draven and the path before us.

  When the bell rang, I shuffled out of class in a group, so the teacher wouldn’t call me aside. I didn’t need notes sent to my mother. I’d recently gotten back in her good graces and didn’t want to mess that up, as there was a lot at stake.

  Lana was on the lawn talking with a couple of friends. She spotted me and broke away. “Are we meeting for lunch later?”

  I shook my head. “I can’t. I have other plans.” Then I smiled.

  “Draven?”

  “He promised that he will have me back in time for class.”

  “Famous last words,” Lana said, then pointed her finger at me. “You can’t afford to get in trouble with your mother again. There are too many events in these last few weeks. You cannot miss them.”

  “It will be fine. She’s kind of forgotten about forbidding me to see Draven.”

  “Yeah, well…be sure you don’t remind her.” Lana dragged her fingers through her purple-tipped hair to fluff it out. She’d gotten the pixie cut for senior year to look more mature. She’d chosen purple, because it made her hazel-brown eyes stand out.

  Lana thought about things like that, just like she always had parties and boys on her agenda. I just let my long, dark hair hang in natural waves, as it defied styling. And I preferred reading books over
talking to others, any day. Unless it was Draven, of course.

  “Speaking of your mother…” Lana grinned. “There’s a picnic coming up, and we could use a food contribution. She has that amazing garden, and gives out baskets of stuff anyway. I’m sure that she’ll want to chip in.”

  “I can ask her.”

  “I know the school paper editor, so I’ll ask him to acknowledge her…put her name in the paper. Parents get a kick out of that sort of thing. There will be a list of events and senior news. It can say: Senior Picnic – food provided by Jeanne Godwin.”

  I laughed. “Honestly, I don’t think she cares. If we don’t give stuff away, it goes bad. She likes to share with the neighbors, so I’m sure it will be fine.”

  Lana started walking toward class, so I followed. “Before you go, I need a favor,” I said.

  “Yeah, sure.”

  “Tomorrow at drama club, you have to cover for me. Draven is taking me for a ride in his car. You have to pretend that I was with you at the meeting.”

  Lana frowned. “How am I supposed to do that?”

  “If my mother can’t reach me, she’ll call you. Say I’m in conference with a teacher or something.”

  “And what about at the meeting?”

  “There’s no rehearsal, so just say I’ll be there shortly—if anyone asks.” I turned to go to my class. “I probably won’t be missed, but…just in case.”

  At lunch, I went to the parking lot and spotted Draven in the far corner. It was a treat to ride in his metallic gray convertible. The sporty BMW was classier than any car I’d been in. It raced over the back roads and hugged the corners.

  Its best feature was its driver. Draven was a hunk: six feet tall, muscular, dark, shaggy hair. And killer eyes. His deep blue gaze turned me into jelly. But it was more than all of that.

  He was charming, if moody. As I walked toward the car, he came to meet me. “Mirela…I was afraid you wouldn’t be able to get away.”

  “Not a chance.” I motioned toward the car. “I have an opportunity to ride in this beauty, so I’m not about to miss it.” I held up my backpack. “I even brought lunch.”

  Draven’s eyes sparkled, and he took my hand. At the car, he opened my door, like the perfect gentleman. He seemed more mature than the other boys in my class. After he took the driver’s seat, he revved the engine, sending a thrill through me.

  It was enough just to sit beside Draven, especially in the expensive leather seats. I leaned my head back and watched the trees fly by. It was like racing off to another realm, one where high school and restrictions didn’t exist.

  I nibbled at the sandwich I’d brought. Draven had declined to share lunch with me, which was no surprise. He didn’t seem to require food, so must have obtained sustenance in another way. I didn’t ask about that, and he didn’t offer to explain.

  After a bit, Draven pulled off the road to take the opportunity to look at the scenery—and to talk. I cherished the private moments we had, as they were too rare. I took in a deep breath and looked over. “You never told me how you got this car. Does your family have money?”

  “Enough.”

  “More than that. This is expensive.” I hesitated, wondering how much he’d tell me. “Where is your family?”

  “My mother passed away, long ago. I have a sister, plus cousins and other relatives. And my father…let’s just say that we disagree on some issues.”

  “Do you see him?”

  “I haven’t for a while, which no doubt irritates him.” Draven reached for my hand. “I find you much more interesting to talk about.”

  “You know I live with my mother. I don’t know my father at all. He wasn’t around,” I said. “And I am my mother’s only child. I have a couple of half-sisters someplace, but I don’t see them…haven’t since I was a toddler.”

  Draven looked at me, seeming to understand more than I was comfortable with.

  “Why do I get the feeling that you knew all of that…and more?”

  “You mean a lot to me,” Draven said. “I made it my business to know about you.”

  I furrowed my brow. “You’re a strange one. I know so little about you.” I sighed. “I don’t know where you’re from, or how you—”

  Draven put his fingertips to my lips. “It’s better if you don’t know. I’ve placed you in enough danger already.”

  “If you mean my mother, she will—”

  “No, not her.” Draven’s expression turned dark. “But I swear that I’ll protect you.”

  That was the thing about Draven. He talked in riddles. I couldn’t get him to answer me straight. He was one big mystery, handsome though he was.

  “What are you going to protect me from?” I stared at Draven for so long that I thought he wasn’t going to answer.

  “Dangers that you have no idea exist.” He started up the car. “We better get you back in time for class.”

  His answer was no answer at all. It could mean anything. Yet I had the feeling that he had something specific in mind, even though he didn’t want to tell me. Just like he hadn’t told me how he’d become a vampire, or the other world he claimed existed.

  “Someday, you’re going to have to stop hiding things from me.”

  Draven kept his eyes on the road. “Yes…someday.”

  The next day after school didn’t come soon enough. But I’d suppressed my excitement, as my mother might have caught on that something was up. Draven and I had to be clever to stay under the radar. She’d made seeing him off-limits and couldn’t be reasoned with. He would sully my purity or some such thing.

  All my mother knew was that Draven rented a room with the Thompsons, a family she didn’t know well. He was a heartthrob, and rumors had circulated like wildfire after his arrival in our community. I’d made the mistake of letting him drive me home once. That hadn’t been wise, and my mother had made Draven forbidden territory.

  Thus, we had to resort to secrecy.

  Draven was in the parking lot early. I ducked out as soon as I was able. At best, my cover story was good for three hours. That should be enough time. He was taking me to the Enchanted Olympic Forest. “As a child, I thought the forest was really enchanted,” I said. “My mother didn’t have the heart to tell me otherwise. But I eventually realized that it was just a name.”

  “There must be a reason it’s called enchanted.”

  “Oh, it does live up to its name…you’ll see.” I smiled. “I’ve been there plenty of times. It’s like entering a fjord in Norway or something, with steep cliffs and water falling down everywhere. It seems like there are a thousand waterfalls, even though that’s an exaggeration.”

  “I can’t wait,” Draven said. “We might have to come back another time, so we can hike.”

  “We should, but at least you’ll get to see it.”

  The drive was pleasant, and I didn’t feel the need to fill the silence with talking. Draven was someone I was comfortable with, despite the quiet. He brought me peace, even though he’d swear that he did the opposite.

  Eventually, I spotted the rainforest up ahead. It was unique. The thick trees were a jewel-like teal green, rising high toward the sky, as if they might reach Mount Olympus. “Follow the road and we’ll find a place to park,” I said. “The enchanted forest is on the west edge of the park by Lake Quinault.”

  Draven found a place to park, and I got out to stand beside him. The dense forest was magical, an isolated corner of the world. There was one thing I didn’t want to miss. “Here, this way,” I said, and took Draven’s hand.

  We wove through giant ferns, then passed under huge, old-growth cedar and fir trees. Through breaks in the foliage, I pointed at the mountain peaks, rising high above the pristine valley below. The Enchanted Valley sat quietly under the shadow of the Olympic Mountains.

  But my destination was farther. I led Draven to a wooden fairy-tale bridge over the Quinault River. We held hands and stepped across it, peering down. The bridge crossed a narrow, picturesque gorge lin
ed with maidenhair ferns. “Isn’t it amazing?”

  “Yes, it is,” Draven said, and put his arm around me. “But what’s truly amazing is you.” He leaned down and kissed me, lingering. He closed his eyes, then raked his fingertips along my neck, making me shiver with pleasure.

  I wouldn’t forget that moment, deep in the forest, in the arms of nature with the man I loved. I was no longer a child, no longer the youth I’d once been. I was a woman, blossoming and reaching for her future. The kiss sealed our bond, never to be broken.

  As we strolled back the car, I felt different. Something had shifted, and my life had changed. I didn’t say anything to Draven, but I could see in his eyes that he felt it too. Even though he’d ended the kiss too soon.

  But he often did that, claiming that I was irresistible. He spoke of my scent, of craving me. What woman wouldn’t be flattered? I wasn’t naïve. I’d read plenty and knew that vampires drank blood. But he didn’t bring it up and seemed able to resist.

  It made me wonder what I would do if he attempted to drink from my vein. But I was satisfied with the kiss, as he seemed to be. I cautioned myself not to give in to temptation. Yet I had little reservation about offering myself to him completely.

  But there was plenty of time. It was best to enjoy each moment and not rush things. That was what I tried to convince myself. Yet I was curious and wanted more. If I let go of restraint, then I might be incapable of stopping. I was prone to indulge, and Draven held the greatest allure.

  CHAPTER 2 – DRAVEN

  Mirela’s kiss was potent, much more than she guessed. My lips tingled, and with my eyes closed I rested my fingertips against the delicate skin of her neck. Tempting…so very tempting.

  I breathed in the scent of her blood, tortured by being so close yet denying myself the pleasure. My veins burned for want of her, and my fangs ached with need for her. She knew what I was, but she didn’t understand the implications.

  My strength could damage her beyond recovery. And my kiss, fully given, would bruise her lips. Needy and desiring more, she would be vulnerable to all I wanted from her. My fangs began to extend, readying for the treat.