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I tore my eyes from her naked, restless body and strode from the room.

CHAPTER 6

Iris

My body ached everywhere, and my eyes were heavy. I tried to open them, but my lids weren’t cooperating.

Something wasn’t right—

Then it all came rushing back—the mother, the forest, the demons. Nia. My eyes snapped open, and my gaze shot around the room. Where the hell was I?

I struggled to sit up and couldn’t. I was naked and in a massive wooden bed, dwarfed in an equally large room made of stone. Nia whined against my leg, and I sighed with relief and buried my fingers in her fur. Through the windows, I could see it was still dark outside. I scanned the room again, it was washed in golden light from the wall sconces and the fire blazing on the other side of the room, making it feel ominous and warm all at the same time.

“Finally,” someone said. “I’ve been waiting for you to wake up forever.”

I spun around.

A girl sat by the bed, staring at me with big brown eyes.

“Where are we?”

“The alpha’s keep, in his quarters,” the girl said, eyes narrowing.

“The alpha?” But I knew, didn’t I? She was a wolf, I could recognize it easily now with my magic. And there was only one pack in the area.

Silver Claw.

“You’re in Draven’s room, witch,” she said, telling me what I already knew. Her face screwed up. “Are you guys, like…doing it?”

I cursed.

I would say the night couldn’t get much worse, but I was alive, so that wasn’t true. But this wasn’t exactly a freaking wonderful development either.

Draven had rescued us. Of course, I was thankful. But now, I was indebted to an insane male who hated my guts. And I owed him big.

“Was it your alpha who brought me here?” I asked, desperately hoping for another answer than the one I knew deep down to be true.

“He carried you for over an hour.” She stood and crossed her arms. “He asked me to guard you. I’m one of his warriors, so I wouldn’t try anything if I were you.”

I fought my smile. I guessed she was no more than twelve years old. “I promise. But I’m not sure why you think I’d try anything? I’m grateful to your alpha for rescuing me.”

“You can go, Ebs,” a deep, growly voice said from the other side of the room.

My stomach plummeted, and I turned to the now open bedroom door. Draven stood there with his arms crossed over his wide chest, tall and lean and impossibly handsome, even with a scowl on his face.

“Are you sure?” the girl asked. “You might need me again.”

Draven scowled harder. “Your mom has supper waiting for you. And I told you to stay out of this room, to come and get me as soon as she wakes, remember?”

“Fine. Sorry,” she grumbled, patted Nia, and walked out.

The pissed-off alpha closed the door behind her, closing us in together. “Still as cunning and manipulative as always, I see.”

Still dazed from what happened out in that forest, I’d momentarily forgotten he believed I was Selene. I struggled to sit up again, but I still didn’t have the strength. My skin felt clammy and hot and tight. “We need to talk,” I said.

“No.” He prowled toward me. “You need to listen.”

I had no choice but to shut my mouth and wait for him to lay whatever accusations he had on me. I couldn’t exactly make my argument and defend myself if I didn’t know what my…Selene’s crimes were.