Free Enticed (The Brazil Werewolf Series Book 3) by Amanda K. Dudley-Penn

he tried to kidnap me,” she said and then, raised her brows as she glanced at Sophia, “You should have hit him harder.”
                  “It still would have been worth the danger to go shopping,” Mirella pouted, “When I get married, you three better be prepared.  We are going to shop and shop and shop.”
                  Sophia smiled as she listened to our banter though she studied me carefully.  It took everything in me not to shift beneath her gaze.  She raised her eyebrow and then, pressed her lips together, “Let me help you out of your dress,” She said and though I didn’t want to, I nodded and walked to Lilly’s bedroom to change.  Sophia followed, closing the door behind her.
                  She raised her eyebrows as she turned to me taking in every aspect of my face.  Her lips were pressed together as she stepped in front of me and gazed into my eyes.  She reached forward as she smoothed my hair, “The bond has been hard on you,” she said giving me a sad smile, “I was worried that it would be.  Still, I am thankful for what you did for my son.”
                  The strain must have shown more than I had thought.  I blew a breath out from between my lips, wanting to cry.  Instead, I nodded, “It has,” I said, forcing my chin up, “But I am handling it.”
                  “Luc is having the same troubles,” she said, patting my cheek, “He’s not sleeping much and when he does, he calls out for you.  Thankfully, the worst part of it will be over soon.”
                  I frowned as I tilted my head, “Why do you think that?” I asked, trying to make sense of her words.
                  She shrugged, “You’ll be married,” she said and then, glanced over at me while she shifted, “Then, it will be okay to give into the bond.  You won’t have to feel guilty.”
                  My eyes widened at the meaning behind those words, “What if I’m not ready?” I asked, swallowing hard, “What if I don’t want to give into the bond yet?”
                  She gave me a sad smile, “The bond won’t allow you to wait long.  Whether you are ready or not, it will become too much to resist,” she said as she twisted her hands in front of her, “Lilly and Marco went through the blood bond the night of their wedding.  They gave in within two weeks.  I gave in within two days. You might be able to wait longer than the two of us, but probably not much longer.”
                  I blinked in shock, “You and Gavriel blood bonded before you were intimate?” I asked.
                  Sophia gave a short laugh, “We hated each other.  We were forced into marriage and we blamed that on one another,” She said and smiled, “Then, we were attacked and changed.  Gavriel was forced to defend me from the one who changed us.  I began to see him as my protector and friend.  One night he was wounded trying to save me.  I took the chance to return the favor of his protection and bonded with him…Much the same way you did with Luc.  In that moment, I realized it was more than just a return of a favor.  I was in love.  Two days later, I gave into the blood bond and mated with him.  Of course, he loved me too but it took a while for him to tell me.”
                  I shifted, “But unlike you I don’t know how I feel about Luc yet,” I said and then, frowned as I forced my gaze to find hers, “I certainly have no idea how he feels about me.”
                  Sophia scoffed, “That’s too bad,” she said giving me a crooked grin, “Because everyone else does.  It took a lot of affection to save him especially when you knew you’d be bound to him for the rest of your life.  As for how Luc feels, he has shown that he was smitten from the moment you fell into his arms.”
                  I opened my