Tempted (Book 5) The Brazil Werewolf Series

Chapter Three/ Evil Visited

My mother woke me the next morning. Her voice sounded as if it was spoken down a long tunnel before it became clear. I blinked open my eyes trying to push away the remnants of sleep. When my vision cleared. I found that I laid sprawled across my bed with no blankets over me. My arms were thrown across the mattress and my leg hung over the side with my feet touching the floor. My mother raised a brow as she took in my face. That cautious expression that I hated covered her features and I winced as I sat up.

"Did you have another nightmare?" She asked as her brows drew together and her eyes swept over my face. "It looks like you almost tossed and turned until you fell out of bed."

I glanced out the window as my muddle mind cleared. I blinked as the memory of the two wolves came but no trace of them was left to prove they were part of reality and not a dream. Instead, I found that the night had faded, transforming the world from one of darkness and fear to one of beauty so grand it could have featured in a fairytale. The unusual dreams of the night before faded in the light of the day only leaving a haunting trace of them behind.

I took in the view before me. My eyes slid over the spot where the wolves had fought but found nothing but leaf strewn ground before turning to the field and the bonfire pit. I frowned when I found wood stacked near the charred center, ready to build a teepee which would be lit on fire before the party began. Sophia was walking around it, instructing the men who were placing the wood within with graceful movements of her hand. Her wild hair blew away from her face and for a moment, I could sense the animal within her.

"What are they doing?" I asked, frowning as I glanced from them to my mother. She winced and my eyes roamed over her face as she took a deep breath and let it out.

"They are readying the bonfire for your engagement party," she said, raising her chin as if awaiting an argument. "It will be tonight."

My stomach clenched as I stared at her with wide eyes. "Tonight?" I asked, taking a deep, shaky breath. I was told that it would be in a few days but the time had changed to that night...but why? Luca's less than amiable face flashed in my mind followed by the Grey wolves attack on the bus. "Mom, isn't this a bad idea with the Grey wolves out there? A party would tempt them to attack."

"Sophia won't halt her plans," my mother said as her face darkened. "She doesn't believe in living in fear. She views it as weakness."

"Does Luca know?" I asked, swallowing hard. I imagined the anger the change in times would have provoked and shuddered.

She nodded. "I presume he knew before you did since he's the one who asked for it to take place tonight," she said, raising her brows. I blinked in surprise.

"How do you know he was responsible for the time change?" I asked, shaking my head. I didn't understand the rush for our engagement party when it was obvious he didn't want to marry me. Something must have happened to cause his rush to announce our marriage.

"He told me when he came by this morning," she said before she shrugged. She narrowed her eyes. "He was pretty adamant about it."

I rubbed my forehead as I tried to make sense of Luca's decision but found nothing in my memories of him that would help. My mother patted my shoulder.

"You need to get dressed and eat. We have to meet Mirella and Sophia so we can introduce you to other women in the family."

The dream from the night before entered my mind again. The woman with black hair was vivid as she beckoned me. What if I had gone to her? Then, I thought of Mirella's dark, haunted eyes and I shivered.