“It’s okay,” she said, though worry made her voice quiver, “They didn’t take us but I need for you to wake up. We have to get out of here.”
Growling and the sound of flesh ripping reached my ears. The smell of blood saturated the air as I forced my eyes opened. Aurora helped me to sit up and I was able to see the scene before me.
Blood was splattered here and there. Hair was scattered amongst it. Werewolves fought in broad daylight amongst the humans of the motor park.
“They will see,” I said, alarmed. Still, my voice was groggy.
Aurora shook her head, “They already know.”
I looked at her in shock. Finally, fully conscious, “What?”
“They are humans that Sophia and Gavriel have helped,” she said, pulling me to my feet, “They know and they don’t care. They know we aren’t evil.”
I scanned the park, finding Ion among the wolves but I could not tell who the others were, “Is Marco out there?” I asked, frightened.
Aurora nodded as she pulled me toward the door, “They all are,” she said, obviously worried. I looked toward them again but Aurora faced me, “We have to go inside. If we don’t, they could get hurt because they will be distracted by us.”
I nodded, swallowing down my fear as she opened the door and pulled us through, locking it behind us. A whimper pierced the air and I jumped.
Aurora winced, “Don’t worry,” she whispered, pained, “One of ours isn’t hurt.”
I frowned, “How do you know?”
“The blood bond allows me and Andre to be linked. I would feel it if he was upset over one of ours being hurt just like he could feel that we were in danger,” I nodded, feeling some relief right before it was taken away by another whimper. Aurora blanched.
“Did that whimper come from one of ours?” I asked, feeling my heart in my throat.
She nodded as a tremble worked through her, “It did but I don’t know who. I only know that it wasn‘t Andre.”
I swallowed as the sound of paws running away came to me. A few moments later, a knock sounded at the door, “Aurora, let us in,” Andre yelled through the door, “And hand me two pairs of my clothes.”
“Okay,” she said, going to her bedroom and returning a moment later. Tears slammed into my eyes as I waited for her to open the door. She handed Andre the clothes and a few minutes later, I heard Gavriel say, “I grabbed these off of the line.”
“Okay, Dad,” he said, “Will you grab his feet. Be gentle. They mauled him pretty good.”
I blanched as they carried a familiar figure through the door. All of my breath left my body as the tears finally released and fell down my cheeks, “Daddy,” I whispered as they laid him on the couch.
“I’m okay,” he said, wincing as he looked at me.
I sighed, relieved that he was talking, “You don’t look okay.” I said, frowning.
“It’s just a bite,” he said, forcing a smile, “They’ll bandage it and I’ll be walking you down the aisle tomorrow.”
I nodded though my heart pounded even harder in my chest as I looked up at Andre, “was anyone else hurt?’
He grinned, “Just Emilian,” he said and then, laughed, “Marco tore into him after he attacked Ion. If it wasn’t for Marco, Ion would be much worse off.”
My heart squeezed, “Is Marco okay?”
“Not even a scratch,” he said, smiling, proudly.
I sighed relieved and then, looked at Aurora, “I wish I could thank him.”
“Oh no,” she said, shaking her head, “You can’t see him before the wedding. It‘s bad luck.”
My heart sank as she sighed at the look on my face, “But he can come to the door and you can talk to him through that.”
I smiled, “Thank you.”
She rolled her eyes and walked to the door, “Stand here,” she said, pointing beside the frame and opened the door. She called for Marco as she stepped into the yard. I could hear them talking just before she returned, leaving the door open just a bit.
She pulled me closer to the gap and gave me a stern look, “Don’t open it all the way,” she said, grinning, “It’s not even a full 24 hours before the wedding and we don’t want your marriage cursed.”
“You do realize that’s a superstition?” I asked, rolling my eyes.
She grinned, “We’re werewolves,” she said, laughing as she walked away, “We are a superstition.”
I nodded because she was right and then, rolled my eyes again. I looked at the door, really wishing that I could talk to him face to face. The temptation to open it hit me. The only reason I didn‘t was because I didn‘t want Aurora mad at me.
“Marco,” I said through the door.
“I’m here, Lilly,” he said with concern lacing his voice, “Are you okay?”
“I am,” I said, “Are you?”
“I wasn‘t hurt at all,” he said, sounding relieved, “I promise.”
I swallowed over the lump in my throat, “I wanted to thank you for saving my dad.”
“Lilly, you don’t have to thank me for that,” he said, “I really wish I had gotten there sooner. Is he okay?”
I looked toward the couch where Aurora was threading a needle and winced. He had sat up and was looking skeptically at it, “It looks like he’ll have some stitches but I think he’ll be okay.”
“Good,” he said and then, laughed, “I was so worried about you.”
“I was worried about you too,” I said, placing my hand on the door.
It was silent for a few moments and then, I heard him sigh, “Is it weird that I miss you.”
I grinned, “No,” I whispered, feeling suddenly warm, “I miss you too.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow?” He asked, sounding nervous and my heart nearly melted.
“I’ll be there,” I grinned.
“Good night, Lilly,” he said and then, he was gone.
I turned back to the living room where Ion was smiling at me. I blushed as I ignored his raised brow and went to help Aurora tend to his injuries.
**********
I was exhausted by the time I laid down. Ion still slept on the couch and his wounds had already begun to heal. Even if he was injured, his presence made me feel safer. I realized that it was simply because my daddy was near.
As soon as I was comfortable in my bed, I closed my eyes. Sleep came easier than it ever had and with it came a dream so strange that I could not remember one that matched it.
As it unfolded, I found my mother standing in front of me. We were in the same valley where Aurora and I had met Emilian in the dream. I was shocked because I realized I had barely thought of her since she left. I raised my chin, experiencing pride in her presence when I never had before.
I knew the reason. In less than a week, this new family had truly filled the void that had been in my heart my whole life. Still, upon the first sight of her, I wanted her to see me as they did. I wanted her to see me as worthy.
“Momma,” I whispered and she turned to me. For once, she wasn’t angry. She only looked at the mountain tops above us.
“Lilly,” she said almost kindly as she turned to me. I frowned as I looked into her eyes seeing only peace and the love I had always wanted there, “You have to choose.”
I frowned still studying her, “What are you talking about?”
She pointed into the darkness and I turned to see what she was trying to show me. I blinked in surprise. Both Emil and Marco were walking toward me. Both stared intently at me, paying no heed to each other.
I looked at Marco, feeling my heart swell, “I’ve already chosen,” I said, frowning but she shook her head.
“Not really,” she said and then, surprised me by turning and gently touching my face, “You have to choose fully, Lilly.”
Then, she was gone and so was the dream. I blinked open my eyes, trying to understand the strange dream. I trembled as the meaning eluded me.
Slowly, I got out of the bed, looking out of the window in the room wher
e I slept. It was still dark outside, but I was sure it was early morning. I knew that Aurora was awake. I could hear her in the living room. I swallowed as a deep foreboding hit me. Instead of listening to it, I pushed it away as I listened to my sister.
‘Oh no, Mirella,” she said in a loud whisper, “I told you that you are not doing that to her. I made sure that her wedding wasn’t until noon so she could rest.”
“Rest!” Mirella said as if it were the most absurd thing she had ever heard, “She doesn’t need rest. She needs to be beautiful on her wedding day!’
“Mirella, lower your voice,” Aurora said obviously annoyed, “You’ll wake her.”
“That’s what I’m trying to do,” Mirella said clearly amused, “Besides, I told you this was going to happen. I told you that Andre would let me in. It’s not my fault if you didn’t listen.”
I walked into the living area and they both turned. Aurora glared at Mirella and then, turned back to me, “Oh Lilly,” she said, shaking her head, “I’m so sorry.”
I smiled, “its okay,” I shrugged, “I was already up.”
Mirella pursed her lips with a smug look on her face, “See,” she said, sweeping her hand towards me, “Not everyone wants to sleep late on their wedding day.”
“You better hope you don’t,” Aurora said, grinning, “Because I will make sure that you are up at four in the morning.”
She shrugged, “You wouldn’t get up that early.”
Aurora groaned and Mirella turned back to me with a grin, “Don’t worry,” she said, ignoring Aurora‘s glare, “I’ll do everything. You just sit back and relax.”
“While you do that,” Aurora said, rolling her eyes, “I’m going back to bed.”
Mirella nodded, “Just know that when I’m done with her, you’re next.”
She gave Mirella another glare and then, walked back to her room. Mirella grinned, “She is not a morning person.”
“Yet, you still showed up before daylight this morning,” I said, frowning.
She grinned and then, wiggled her eyebrows, “She’s funny when she’s mad.”
I shook my head and laughed before looking at her, “I’m glad I’m a morning person, otherwise you‘d be dead.”
“I doubt it,” she said and then, rolled her green eyes, “Now just relax and let me do my magic.”
I nodded and allowed Mirella to lead me to the recliner. She smiled as she leaned it back, “Don‘t worry,” she said, grinning, “I promise that you’ll be beautiful and you can sleep while I do your make-up. After all, we don’t need bags under your eyes. You’re getting married today.”
My heart jumped in my chest as I took a deep breath, “Yes, I’m getting married today.”
*********
I must have dozed off because Mirella had to nudge me to get me to open my eyes. Somehow, she had managed to do not only my make-up but hers and Aurora’s too. Aurora was dressed in a soft lavender dress of silk which matched Mirella’s. They both had their hair pulled back in sleek buns. Baby’s breath fanned around the buns.
“Sit up,” Mirella said, picking up the curling iron, “We have to do your hair.”
I sat up straight as Aurora began to gather my hair, pinning it in place. Mirella was beside her curling the strands into thick curls. I saw Aurora begin to pick up baby’s breath and place it here and there. Finally, they stepped back and looked at me.
Aurora nodded her head as tears came to her eyes, “It’s time for the dress.”
“I’ll go get it,” Mirella said, clapping her hands, excited.
A few moments later, she brought a dress bag, zipped to the top. When she took the dress out, I stared at it. It was the same beautiful dress with the chapel train from the dress shop but still, it seemed different knowing that I would be getting married in it. I reached out and touched it gently.
“It’s beautiful,” Aurora said, softly, “It will be beautiful on you.”
I smiled opening my mouth to reply but Mirella interrupted.
“Strip and put these on,” she said, throwing the underwear that I would wear beneath dress at me. My eyes widened and I shook my head. I couldn’t dress in front of them.
“You do realize that we are all girls,” Mirella said and then, rolled her eyes when I shook my head again, “Fine. We’ll close our eyes but you will have to let us see you in your underwear so we can help into your dress.”
I blanched but some coverage was better than none, “Okay,” I said as they closed their eyes. I quickly changed; still feeling oddly exposed even when I was done.
“Alright,” I said, looking down as I fought the need to cover myself.
“Don’t worry,” Aurora said with sympathy in her eyes, “This won’t last that long.”
Aurora pooled my dress on the floor so that I could step into it. Then, she handed me a blue garter and smiled, “It’s something blue,” she said, softly.
I smiled back and then, took it from her as I slipped it up my leg stopping at my thigh. She took my hand and helped me step into the center of the dress. Once there, Aurora and Mirella slipped it up my body and began to tie the corset top. A few moments later, they stepped back and smiled.
“Do I look okay?” I asked shifting uncomfortably.
Aurora smiled and took my hand, “Better than okay,” she said in a reverent whisper, “Come with me.”
She led me to her bedroom and pointed at a full length mirror. I walked over to it with my head down, afraid to look. Everything that my mother had ever told me ran through my head and I shook it away, determined not to think of her words as truth anymore.
Slowly, I raised my eyes. The dress fit perfectly accentuating the curves. I ran my hand down my waist in awe. My eyes rose further to the neckline and I blushed. I had never shown cleavage and even this modest show made me shift. My eyes rose further, to look directly into the reflection of my face and I gasped. There was no doubt that I was beautiful. My hair was pulled upward but curls cascaded down my back, shining and thick. Tears burned my eyes.
“Now, don’t cry,” Aurora said even though a hint of moisture coated her eyes, “You’ll ruin your make-up”
I nodded as she turned and picked my veil up off of the bed and fastened it to my hair so that the gauze and lace lay perfectly around me. I looked back into the mirror as Aurora grabbed my shoes and placed them in front of me. A tremble worked through me and she looked up.
“Is something wrong?” She asked, frowning.
“No,” I whispered, “This is just the first time that I have truly believed that I am beautiful.”
Her smile widened, “Then, never let go of that belief.”
I nodded, “Never again.”
Chapter Ten
Intertwined
I trembled as I stood beside the big double doors of the chapel. Mirella and Aurora were lined up in front of it. I swallowed as Luc and Tamas stood beside them getting ready to walk them down the aisle. I knew Andre was with Marco at the altar doing his duty as his best man and I couldn‘t help but to wonder if one of his duties had been to calm Marco‘s nerves. Surely I wasn’t the only one to feel anxious. I felt Ion shift as he stood beside me grasping my hand, which was hooked into his elbow. He looked at me with tears in his eyes.
“Don’t cry,” I whispered in a trembling voice, “You’ll make me cry.”
“I really can’t help it,” he said, “My little girl has grown up.”
I smiled at him as my heart swelled, “I will always be your little girl.”
He looked down at me and I felt all of the love he had for me, “Yes, you will.”
I opened my mouth to answer but the music began and I straightened as I tried to swallow over my fear, “Please don’t let me pass out,” I said and Ion laughed.
“You won’t,” he said, raising his chin determined, “I promise.”
I nodded and then, took a deep breath as the doors opened. I watched as Mirella and Tamas made their way through the door. A few moments later, Aurora and Lu
c exited. Then, the doors were closed once again. I was nearly hyperventilating as Ion pulled us in front of the door.
“Lilly, don’t worry,” he whispered, “I’m here. I will always be here.”
Somehow, those words calmed me and I was able to breath. I looked up at him, relieved, “Thank you, Daddy.”
His eyes teared up again, “You’re welcome, baby girl.”
I heard the preacher’s voice through the door, “Will everyone stand in honor of the bride?” He asked and then, the doors opened.
Everyone from the park was there. It was overwhelming and I found it difficult to fight the need to run. I looked around the church, seeing the beautiful chandeliers and the stained glass windows which cast light of different colors around the room. The aisle that I stood on was covered in red and the preacher was dressed smartly in a black suit. Mirella and Aurora were standing to the left side of the altar. To the right stood Andre, Luc and Tamas. Finally, I looked toward the center of the aisle, allowing my eyes to run rise until I faced the podium, finding Marco standing in front of it. My breath caught. His long hair had been trimmed and was combed back from his handsome face. His eyes rested on me and his mouth was opened in shock. I almost stopped but then, he smiled and I could not help but to go to him.
Ion kept pace beside me stopping just before reaching him as the preacher asked, “Who gives this woman to this man?”
“I do,” Ion said, choked with emotion.
He stepped in front of me and pulled back my veil. Marco gasped and I met his eyes, terrified that he didn‘t like what he saw.
“You’re beautiful,” he mouthed as if in awe.
Ion kissed my cheek and then, brought me to Marco, placing my hand in his. Ion gave me one last look before sitting in the pew next to Sophia and Gavriel. I turned back to Marco and gasped at the intensity in his eyes. My heart picked up speed as the preacher began to speak again.
“We are gathered here to witness the union of Marco Enrique Brazil and Lillian Nadine Hawker,” The preacher said but he failed to capture my attention. Something about the way Marco was looking at me caused my knees to weaken. I could not pay attention to what the preacher was saying. I was shocked when I realized that he had begun speaking to Marco.
Summoned (The Brazil Werewolf Series) Page 7
