Summoned (The Brazil Werewolf Series) by Amanda K. Dudley-Penn

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