Free The Marquis' Mystical Witch (BookStrand Publishing Romance) by Rachel McNeely

deep satisfaction. At one level, he understood his father and grandfather. The blood lust pulled strong within, especially as the full moon came close.
    The smell of excitement and fear had Wulf searching the darkness. He spotted the man lying in wait two streets up. Now, the thought sang in his head, go into the alley and change.
    Wulf laughed when he saw his prey try to hide behind a post. A thirst for blood roaring in his head caused Wulf to miss the scent of an approaching woman. A hand on his arm stopped him.
    "Want me to show you a good time tonight, handsome?”
    His body trembled with the effort to focus. Gradually, the red mist dissolved and he found himself looking down on a small young woman. Her brown hair hung limp around her face, and her smile showed two missing front teeth. Wulf mentally shook himself, took a deep breath and tried to cool his hot body. He reached in his pocket and handed her a shilling.
    She pulled his arm toward the dark alley. “Thank ye, gov. Annie will show you a good time.”
    “No." He heard the growl in his voice, and she took a backward step. "Take the money and go. I need to return home.”
    Her stare followed him as he walked to the end of the street and motioned to a lone hackney coach. He needed to remove himself from the temptations of the streets, now .
    Very soon he must leave town. His great-grandfather purchased an estate a few miles outside of London, for just such occasions. When Wulf found himself here near the full moon, the extended forest surrounding his nearby home gave the beast a place to roam.
    He had to leave by tomorrow. Any longer and he'd never be able to control the wolf.

Chapter Five
     
    As soon as they arrived home, Thea went to her bedroom and undressed. She sat on the edge of her bed, brushing her hair and dreading what tomorrow might bring.
    Uncle Rigby intended for her to wed Akers and no one else. The present activities were all for appearance. Her aunt and uncle would relish telling their friends what a good match Thea made, being penniless and all. What an advantageous alliance, considering Akers’ title.
    Thea imagined the betrothal. Tears ran down her cheeks. She didn’t see any way to prevent it, but she must. There was no time for feeling sorry for herself.
    If only Lord Radford would offer for her. The thought popped into her mind as a lone beacon of hope. But no, a marquis did not ask a woman without a dowry to be his wife.
    A soft knock on the door had Thea quickly wiping her tears away. Elvie stepped inside and closed the door.
    “What is it?” Thea asked, concerned to see distress on her sister’s face.
    “I’m not sure, but please stay with me in my room tonight.”
    “Did something frighten you?” Thea rushed to her sister's side.
    “It's not about me. I fear for you.” Elvie reached for Thea’s hand. “Come, there is not much time.”
    Puzzled, but seeing Elvie’s determination, Thea put on her night-robe. They crept along the corridor, hugging the wall, and then dashed across to Elvie’s room. Elvie shut the door and tugged at Thea’s hand, going toward the bedside.
    “It will be like when we were small,” she whispered. “You can pretend to protect me from the night monsters.”
    After they crawled up into the soft bed, Thea pondered Elvie's warning. Was her sister able to foresee the future? Grandmamma Humphrey often did, but only used her gift when people were in danger. Elvie lay curled on her side, stiff and unmoving, staring at the door. Tension hung palpable in the air.
     
    * * * *
     
    A stair creaked. Elvie grabbed Thea’s hand and held on tight. In a minute, they heard steps near Thea’s room and a door opened. Elvie motioned Thea toward the curtains.
    Thea slid out of bed. The cold floor sent a chill thru her body. Moving quickly across the room, she hid behind the yards of heavy window drapes. Elvie turned on her side again, pretending to sleep.
    They’d barely gotten into place when Elvie’s doorknob