Tempted (Book 5) The Brazil Werewolf Series

Chapter One/Ashes

I walked with my head down, staring at my feet. It was something I never did but exhaustion from the events of the past few days drained me. I couldn't make my foggy mind come up with a good reason to raise my head even if my pride was at stake. My body tensed as the howl of a wolf sounded behind me and I felt a gentle hand nudge me forward.

I raised my head enough to meet Bo's kind eyes before another howl caused me to jump, "We're almost there," he said in a soft voice before patting my shoulder, "We won't let them hurt you."

I glanced toward Luca before raising a skeptical brow. His eyes followed the path mine made before glancing at me and shifting on his feet. I gave him a tired smile as I stepped forward careful not to trip on the branches in front of me.

"Are my parents all right?" I asked attempting to change the subject and trained my gaze back on the ground in front of me.

"They are," he said with a relieved sigh, "Though they are worried about you. I'm sure they'll be glad to see you safe."

My mouth opened so I could reply but Luca cut me off, "Are the two of you going to continue to talk and let the Grey wolves catch up or are we going home?"

I flinched at the harshness in his voice and raised my eyes to his. The fury in his face mad me cringe but Bo patted my shoulder with his hand and stepped forward. His eyes narrowed on his brother.

"Quit being such a dick, Luca," he said as I lowered my head to walk in silence again. No one spoke for a few minutes as I followed behind them finally coming to a trail. The scent of Sophia's scarf surrounded me and I relaxed as I moved a little faster. I didn't realize how much faster until I slammed into Luca's back.

I stumbled and would have tripped if my upper arms weren't grabbed in the vice grip of two muscular hands. Raising my eyes, I opened my lips to murmur a thank you but my heart tripped when I stared into the cold, angry eyes of my betrothed.

"Do you want them to rape you?" He asked in an icy voice causing darkness to bleed around the edges of my vision, "because that is what will happen if the Grey wolves catch you."

I blinked trying to push away the terror that entered my mind. A tremble shook through me but I forced a ragged breath through my lips.

"Luca!" Bo said, rushing to my side. "She didn't ask for this. You need to remember that."

Luca narrowed his eyes and released me with a suddenness that would have caused me to fall if Bo had not steadied me. I gazed up at Luca with tears burning my eyes but I blinked them back. I would be damned if he would see me cry.

"Neither did I," he said as his nostrils flared, "but now she's my responsibility."

Red hot anger flooded through me at his words and I straightened, "You know, Bo is right," I said taking a step toward him as my face flamed, "I didn't ask for this. If I had, I would have chosen someone who was nicer and just so you're informed, I can take care of myself, asshole."

Bo stifled a laugh behind me as I moved past him with my head raised. The crunch of leaves told me that Bo was following and I would have though Luca had stayed behind if I didn't sense his stare full of anger and hatred boring into the back of my head.

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I followed Sophia's scent until the forest ended at a field. My brows scrunched together as my gaze landed on a bonfire pit in the middle. Lights surrounded the area though many no longer worked. Picnic tables sat around the bonfire pit but they had the aura of abandonment.