Tempted (Book 5) The Brazil Werewolf Series

Chapter Five/ Blood Bonded

Luca stepped toward me and pulled me behind him with a jerk of his hand. The wolves moved closer, and he glanced at his mother as if waiting for instructions. Sophia's eyes widened as she searched for the direction the howls were coming from. Her gaze landed on the edge of the forest beyond the field, narrowing as she peered into the darkness. I turned toward the forest and squinted my eyes as the wolves moved from the darkness into the light cast from the bonfire.

"Oh my God," I said as wolves and those near transition moved toward us. Their faces were familiar and I gasped as I realized why. "I've seen them before." My voice shook as I spoke to Luca. "They didn't kill the ones they attacked on the bus. They changed them."

Sophia's gaze moved to me as the horror of the revelation reached her eyes. "Luca take her to Garridan's home," she said. Her voice shook taking away the rich, sultry edge of it. "It's closest. We'll be right behind you. I have to save our family. I have to try."

Luca nodded as he grabbed my hand. His eyes darkened as he stared into my eyes. "Run as fast as you can," he said with his face somber. "Remember what I said would happen if they catch you. I wasn't lying. If they catch up to us, run. I won't let them take you. If I need to, I'll carry you."

I swallowed as I glanced at the approaching wolves. "I can manage," I said but my voice shook betraying my fear. Still, I raised my chin. "I outran them for three days. I can make it to Garridan's motor home."

"Are you sure?" He asked, frowning as he searched the crowd for his family who were already moving away from the Grey wolves.

"I am," I whispered.

He nodded as he turned and ran. He held onto my hand, pulling me along behind him. I caught a glimpse of Nadia helping Lilly as we passed. I wanted to stop and help but Luca shook his head.

"They are going to the same place we are," he said, urging me forward. "The best way to help them is make sure that we are there waiting for them."

I nodded unable to speak. My breath moved in and out of my lungs in a rush as we entered the first row of motor homes. Luca stopped in front of a large white home and pulled keys from his pocket. He moved from me long enough to open the door. I glanced behind me finding my mother and father.

"Mirella and Garridan are on their way," My mother said. "Go inside, Claire. We're going back for Lilly and Nadia."

My mother narrowed her eyes at me as I hesitated. "Claire, we will be right back," she said, raising her eyebrow. "I promise."

Taking a deep breath, I moved inside as Luca locked the door behind us. I frowned. "How is everyone going to get in?" I asked, panicked.

Luca glanced out of the window and then, glanced at the door. "They'll knock or they have keys," he said as he turned to stare at me for a moment. "Have you transitioned yet?"

I shook my head. "No," I said, helpless. My heart sank as I realized that I couldn't help them as a human.

"If I need to I will transition," he said, raising his chin. "If I do, stay out of my way. I will do what I need to do to protect you but I'm still not in full control when I change."

I nodded but jumped as the doorknob rattled before swinging open. Mirella stepped into the room followed by Garridan. He held the door open as Lilly and Nadia stepped in followed by Mary Jane and Aurora holding a little girl of about four. Lilly fell into the recliner as her breath rasped in and out of her. My mother and father stepped inside and closed the door.

Howls erupted outside of the home becoming louder and louder before coming to an abrupt stop. The scent of blood coated the air, and we held our breaths until a knock sounded at the door. A man named Ian and my mother's friend, Fiona came in. They were directing Luca's older brothers, Luc, Tamas, Marco and Andre as they carried two of the injured between them. Blood dripped on the floor as they laid them on the carpet next to each other.

I blinked in shock as Mirella moved forward. Tears flowed down her face as her mouth opened in a silent scream. Her gaze had landed on her parents lying in their own blood.

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My breath caught in my throat as I stared at Sophia and Gavriel trying to convince myself that their injuries weren't real. I took a step forward with my eyes trained on Gavriel's chest waiting for it to rise and fall but it remained still as blood continued to pool beneath him. I swallowed over the bile in my throat as my eyes traveled downward. His stomach bore a jagged gash revealing the contents in a bloody mess.

My eyes moved to Sophia and though her beautiful eyes remained closed, her breaths were present. Four gashes sliced her chest and though she was not laid open like Gavriel, blood flowed from her injuries more freely than his did. Luca stepped forward with Mirella close behind him. Tears rested in his eyes. Bo entered with Stefan but as soon as they entered, their eyes lowered to the floor. Stefan shook his head as if trying to dispel the image in front of him and Bo gasped.

Garridan moved toward Gavriel and knelt before he pressed his hand against his neck. His shoulders slumped forward as he took in a ragged breath and a sob released from his throat.

"He can't be—" Mirella said on a sob unable to finish her sentence.

"I'm sorry," Garridan whispered rising to his feet before pulling her into his arms to cry. He kissed the top of her head as her pain became his. My long held breath rushed from me as my eyes widened and I stared at Mirella tempted to move forward to offer her comfort but I realized I had no comfort to give. After all, what could I do when she had lost her father. There was nothing that anyone could say or do.

"Mirella," her name caused me to jump as it carried across the room in a hoarse whisper. "Don't cry, Darling...Please don't cry."

Everyone turned toward Sophia as Mirella moved away from Garridan toward her mother. "Momma," she cried as she knelt beside her. Her bottom lip quivered as she begged. "Please don't leave me. Please. Please. Stay with me."

Sophia reached up and caressed her face. "I will always be with you," she whispered. "But I won't live...not without your father. I won't heal. We blood bonded in our youth and I have never loved another...There is no hope for me...You must be strong...You must be strong for me."

Mirella laid her head on her mother's chest as Gavriel leaned down to take her away but Sophia grabbed his hand. She pulled him toward her until she could turn to whisper something in his ear that only he could hear. His face darkened as he stared down at her. A tear released from his eye.

"I swear to you that I will," Garridan said keeping his gaze on her as he spoke the words, leaving us to wonder what she had made him promise.

Sophia's eyes drooped closed for a moment before she forced them open and glanced around the room at her children and their spouses. "I am so proud of all of you...I love you so much and I will miss you more than you can imagine," she said as her voice weakened further. Then, she turned to Luca. "Promise me that you will take care of Claire. Make me and your father proud...Be a good husband to her."

My eyes widened as he sobbed. "I will, mother," he said as his body shook but his next words were strong and clear. "I swear to you I will."

Her eyes moved to me. "Help him," she said as her voice faded to a mere whisper. She trembled as her watery gaze met mine. "Help him through his grief."

I nodded though I didn't know how I would keep that promise, I would try even if we never married. I would be his friend. "I will."

She nodded once as her eyes fell closed and her breaths ceased to come as Sophia joined Gavriel once more but this time in death.