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PROLOGUE
Draven
Salem, Massachusetts, 1692
I scented the night air. Cottage fires, roasting meats and freshly baked bread traveled on the breeze from the nearby village. Still no sign of Selene.
Her mother had been accused of witchcraft and would most certainly be found guilty at dawn. Selene was risking much coming to me now, but plans must be made, and time was not on our side.
One of my warriors howled from the shadows.
She approached.
Relief filled me, when finally, her light tread reached me as she made her way through the woods. My wolf chuffed with pleasure. No, I hadn’t yet felt the mating call for the beautiful witch, but it was only a matter of time. I would never want another the way I yearned for the sweet and delicate female.
She broke through the tree line, candle in hand, her chestnut hair shining in the moonlight, her blue eyes bright—and as always, her familiar, a sleek white cat, slinked along at her feet among the folds of her gray linen gown.
I strode to meet her. “I was afraid you wouldn’t come.”
“I almost did not. The magistrate posted a guard at our door, but a sleeping draft in his ale easily remedied that.”
My female was sweet but also cunning.
I grinned and cupped her cheek, the intricate markings that had appeared a week ago, stark against her pale skin. I didn’t know what it meant, something to do with her coven, but it was just another reason for the humans in her village to turn against her family. “Your family will be safe with my pack. I promise I won’t allow anyone to harm you.”
She pressed her soft curves against me, and I pulled her closer when I felt her tremble.
Selene looked up at me. “Thank you, Draven. Without you, we would all surely hang.”
My stomach turned over at the thought of losing her, which was why my pack mates, six of my finest warriors, hid among the shadows, keeping watch.
The sound of another approaching, making their way through the woods, put me on alert. I pulled her behind me.
“You have nothing to fear, ’tis only Charity,” she said.
I watched as Selene’s sister approached. The female’s beauty was otherworldly. A raven sat perched on her shoulder, her familiar, its silky black feathers the same color as Charity’s hair, and when she smiled at me, my hackles lifted. My wolf didn’t trust this female, but I had ignored the feeling, afraid if I refused to help Charity as well, I might lose my Selene.
“Leave now,” Charity said to her sister.
“Why must I leave?” Selene asked, a frown upon her face.
Charity’s eyes sharpened. “I told you why.”
“She will stay.” I tightened my hold on Selene’s hand. “We must make haste.” Once they were safe with my pack, I would free their mother and leave this place.
“Go, Selene. Now,” Charity said, her voice harder. “The longer you tarry, the more danger our mother is in.”
Selene looked up at me. “I must strengthen our wards. Charity will hear your plans.”
I studied her beautiful, pleading blue eyes. “And only you can do this?”
“Yes,” she said, placing her hand on my chest.
My heart thumped below her palm. I nodded, unable to deny her anything. She smiled, scooped up her familiar, and walked away into the darkness of the woods.
“I have something for you, wolf,” Charity said, drawing my gaze back to her. She strode forward, swaying her hips and pursing her full red lips.
“You have nothing that I want.” Unease pulsed through me.
