Leader of the Pack

by Lynn Richards

  She waited until she heard the roar of the engine before she sat back down at the computer. She had made sure – by distracting him with a kiss – that he hadn’t turned it off. Hoping he didn’t have some unknown security system in place, she started a search of his files. Who was he doing to meet tonight and why?

  Ten minutes later she had her answer or what she thought was her answer. She found her gun and holster and pulled on her down-filled vest. She left a note on the kitchen counter telling him where she was going. She didn’t think he would be back to stop her from searching the first couple of houses. But maybe they would meet up at his “secret” location. Some secret. The man had no security on his computer system.

  Closing the door behind her, she frowned over the lack of any lock. She looked around realizing for the first time how isolated Jared’s cabin really was. There was a gravel road leading out and not much of anything else. Except for trees. Lots and lots of trees.

  The cool autumn air made her shiver and wish for the heavier coat she’d left in her car. A car she had to retrieve sometime today. Right know her biggest obstacle was finding her way out of the woods. Suddenly she knew what Little Red Riding Hood must have felt like. Emily took her thoughts firmly in hand. No more thinking about the supernatural. Everything that had happened in the last few days – the last few hours – was going to be easily explained. She just knew it.

  Taking another deep breath, she started walking. She’d follow the lane, which should take her to a major road, which should lead into town, which should lead to her hotel. And a hot bubble bath. A half hour soaking in jasmine scented water and she’d be a new woman ready to start the search for Rachel again. Even though she had given Jared five addresses, she hadn’t shared the other three she’d discovered. Some of the men on the list had more than one piece of property in their name. Plus several of the women as well. She had no doubt Jared would discover that when he ran his own search on the men and women. And she had the address of his mystery meeting. It was just a matter of when and where Jared would catch her.

  She’d think about her life and her choice of sleeping partners later.

  Much later.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  “Going somewhere?” Emily jumped at the silkily spoken words.

  Jared stood in the shadows of the woods. For a brief instant all she saw were glowing embers where his eyes should be. Then the flame disappeared, replaced by the azure blue she had come to love. “You scared the hell out of me.”

  “Good, you need to be scared. You need to be so badly frightened you piss yourself,” he snapped. He walked forward, all muscular menace. “I told you to stay put.”

  “Technically, you never said those words to me.” Her heart accelerated and her pussy flooded with moisture at the look on his face. He was in a royal snit. She took a step back.

  Jared followed her retreat. “Technically, I shouldn’t have had to tell you. It was understood. I will discipline you later. A female does not disobey her mate.”

  Her butt clenched just thinking about the spanking she had received earlier. Oh, God, she didn’t want to admit it but that had turned her on. A lot.

  “Obey? Now look here, Jared, I am not your property.” Time to cut this alpha male down to size. She was up for a little kink in the bedroom, but did he believe he could actually set forth edicts for her to blindly obey? If so, he had another think coming.

  “Why, I wouldn’t obey you if you were the last man on earth.” She drew another breath, intent on carrying on her tirade when he cut off her words with a kiss. Holding her had still with his hands, he devoured her mouth. He fed images into her mind as he thrust his tongue against hers, warning her that the rough mating of their mouths merely mimicked what he would do to her with his body if she disobeyed again. She swore she could actually felt the smack of his hand and the throb of his cock as he took her. In the ass.

  Emily’s head spun from lack of oxygen. He was relentless as his tongue probed her mouth. He plunged inside as if wanting to deep throat her with his tongue. She remembered the size and feel of him as he held her head captive as he fucked her mouth.

  “That’s it, baby, suck me. Suck me hard.”

  Emily gasped, realizing she’d been feeding Jared the images in her head the same why he’d done last night and just now. Hoping to gain control of herself and the situation, she bit down. Hard.

  Jared yelped like a scalded pup and released her mouth but did not release her. He lifted one hand to his mouth and swore when his fingers came away tinged with blood. Emily saw his canines lengthen and knew it wasn’t a trick of the light from the nearly full moon overhead. “You bit me!” he roared in disbelief.

  “Yes, I did,” Emily agreed smugly. Served the man right. His caveman tactics were not going to work on her, no matter how cute – or well endowed – he happened to be. She was a liberated woman and would not be treated like some sexual chew toy for an overgrown wolf.

  An. Over. Grown. Wolf.

  The ground shifted as the flush of acceptance washed over her. Her world had changed forever. Her conscious mind finally allowed her to admit all that her subconscious had seen and heard in the last twelve hours. The extraordinary speed with which he moved through the forest, the dark flashes of gold in his bright blue eyes. The power. Her body trembled remembering the raw, masculine power as he had taken her, the feel of his teeth on her neck as he’d plunged into her waiting depths.

  She did believe in the things that go bump in the night.

  And damned if she hadn’t slept with a werewolf.

  “This isn’t your ordinary gathering, Emily,” he wiped more blood from his mouth and growled at her again. “You must promise to stay close to me.”

  This was the place Jared was meeting someone. A man named Val, if the information she’d read on his computer had been correct.

  “Really Jared, you have to get over this protective streak. First you throw Shawn against a wall, try to choke him and now you think someone is going to snatch me in the middle of party. Get over yourself. I can take care of myself, remember?” She patted the slight bulge beneath her jacket to remind him of the gun she carried.

  Instantly he was in her face and there was no doubt left that the man had fangs. “Do not test me on this.”

  Emily leaned back, the look in his eyes scaring her, even though she’d never admit as much. But the fear fled surprisingly fast to be replaced by a sudden urge to run her tongue across those pointed tips. Oh, God, she couldn’t even image how they would feel nipping her nipples. Or her clit. She shuddered and almost came. And prayed she hadn’t projected those thoughts.

  “Alright already. I’ll be good.” From her experience with her brothers in blue, she knew when to pick her battles and when to give in. This was a time to back away.

  “If you’re not, I’ll carry you out of there and make damn sure you never disobey me again.” His mouth snapped shut and his teeth clicked together in his anger.

  “Right, wolf boy, like that’s gonna happen,” Emily muttered as she turned toward the house. Giving in didn’t mean she had to be graceful about it.

  A low rumble sounded at her back at her continued defiance.

  The house before them was the complete opposite of the house the night before. Sure it might look scary on a gloomy night since it was set in the depths of the same dark woods, but right now it was party central. Strings of twinkling lights transformed it into a macramé fairy land. There was a suspicious lack of cars in front given the amount of noise pouring from the house.

  As they stepped onto the porch, the front door swung opened with an unspoken invitation. Pulse pounding music blared from unseen speakers. The beat rushed through her veins and the low dull throb started by Jared’s kiss exploded, making her body pulsate with heat.

  As they searched the house room by room, her eyes widened at each new sight. Bodies writhed in a strange blue light and half naked women were penned against the wall, the face of their lovers buried in
their necks as their lower bodies hunched together. In another room, Emily caught a very brief glimpse of dark fur nestled against white, bare flesh before Jared pulled her away. Now that looked interesting.

  “Only if you are very, very good,” Jared whispered in her ear. “In here.” He pushed her into a darkened room and Emily stumbled as her eyes adjusted. Jared, of course, didn’t seem to have the same problem.

  A light flickered on. Behind a desk sat the most beautiful man Emily had ever seen. Now this was a vampire, she thought instantly. Tall, dark and handsome. Not as handsome as Jared, of course. Just different. Jared was earthier. More rugged. This man was sophistication personified.

  “Hello, Jared.” The voice practically dripped elegance.

  “Vladimir.” Jared nodded in greeting.

  “Have you come to sample the wares?” The man rose to his feet and came around the desk, resting casually along the edge. His eyes fastened on Emily. “I don’t recall this stunning beauty, but I’m sure I can find out who she belongs to.”

  “She belongs to me,” Jared growled, his voice a low, menacing warning.

  “Oh, you brought your own.” Pearly white teeth appeared between full lips. “How accommodating. Would you care to share?”

  “I don’t share. Ever.” For once, Emily welcomed Jared’s possessive tendencies. She wouldn’t care to be at the mercy of this man.

  “This is not a social visit. I need some answers. And I need them now.”

  “Of course.” A long hand indicated the red velvet sofa in front of a marble fireplace. “Have a seat.” He sat smoothly on the chair opposite them.

  Emily jumped as the fireplace came to life. “How did that happen?”

  “A press of a button, my dear.” He held up a remote and grinned. “Propane. Now, tell me what I can do for you.”

  “One of my pack is missing.” Jared’s lean hands rested on his knees. “A young woman.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that, but what does that have to do with me? Surely you don’t believe I was involved?” Vladimir looked from one to the other. “I have no need to kidnap women to be my lovers. That’s more your style, I’d image.” He laughed and relaxed against the chair as Jared snarled.

  “I know you didn’t kidnap her,” Jared snapped. “But I think you know who is responsible. And I think you’re protecting him. I’ve been after him for days. He wouldn’t have escaped unless he had help from someone else. Someone like you.”

  “Thank you for the compliment friend, but unfortunately, you are mistaken. I know nothing about this kidnapping.” He rose to his feet to pace the length of the room.

  Jared planted himself in the other man’s path. “Let’s get one thing straight. We are not friends.”

  A sadness floated across the man’s features. “We could have been.”

  Emily saw Jared’s hands clench into fists. “Cut the crap, Val. Tell me what you know about the missing women.”

  Dark brows rose in surprise. “Women? I thought you said only a wolf was missing?”

  “One is mine. The others are human.”

  “I see. That does present a problem. Are you sure it’s one of us?”

  Jared shrugged. He knew the other man meant supernaturals. “As sure as I can be.”

  “One of the women was my friend, Rachel.” Emily jumped into the conversation. She was tired of being treated like the dim-witted female. She could feel the male energy crackling in the air. They were here to find Rachel, not have a testosterone standoff. “Look, I don’t have time for a pissing contest. I need to find Rachel.”

  “She is right. What can I do to help?” Val’s face showed no emotion whatsoever.

  “I have a list of names and properties. I need to know if the men are yours. I also have a list of the women who are missing.” Jared handed Val a print off of the names and properties he had cross-referenced.

  “These are not of my clan, however they are vamps,” the man said after studying the list. “The first thing I need to do is check out this house you spoke of.”

  “I thought Shawn already went back and checked out that house?” Emily asked, moving to stand with the two men. She didn’t have to ask how he’d told the vamp about the house they’d been at this morning. She knew Jared had projected to the man the same way he did with her.

  “He did,” he answered. “But he found nothing. Val can, umm, track better.”

  “Better than a wolf?” she quirked one eyebrow.

  He grinned. “At least better than Shawn.”

  He took her hand and kissed the center of her palm, acknowledging her acceptance of what he was and promising her….

  Well, promising her all sorts of things. She flushed as the x-rated pictures filled her mind.

  “Please, please, I am too young to see such things.” The vampire covered his eyes. “Why don’t you take your lady back to that cave, uh, cabin, you call a home and finish this?” The vampire made his suggestion with a deadpan tone.

  Emily took great delight when a slight twinge of red colored Jared’s cheeks. Her delight faded and she felt the same heat flood her own face. Oh, God, had the vampire read her thoughts? It was bad enough the damn wolves could smell her desire, but the vamps could read her thoughts? She had no doubt Val had only read Jared’s mind because Jared had allowed it. She stole a look beneath her lashes and realized the other man had indeed seen her thoughts when he gave her a sly wink.

  “I’ll go with you,” Jared. “Emily can drive my car home.”

  “Don’t you trust me?” Val’s dark brow quirked.

  “No.” Jared returned his stare.

  Emily sighed. What was it about men? “Do you want me to get out a ruler, boys?”

  Jared growled.

  Val laughing then sobered almost instantly. “If what you say is true, Jared, this is my problem, not yours. You know I will do everything to protect your pack – and the humans – should I find them.”

  For a long moment the men stood face to face, one unstoppable force against another. Finally Jared broke the silence. “You’re right. You deserve the chance to handle this. But make no mistake. If I think you’re trying to protect one of your own, I will come after you. All of you.”

  He left no doubt as to his intention. If the vampire didn’t keep his word, he would destroy him and his without a second thought.

  “Fair enough. I will call when I have more information. I’ll also check out these names and the other houses.” Val lifted his cape from the stool and headed out. Before he left, he sent Jared a long amused look. “Perhaps it is time for Emily to meet your parents. And the pack.”

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  “This is your family? The big, bad pack?” Emily scoffed in disbelief. The bar was so ordinary. A blue haze circled overhead and the warm, yeasty smell of beer permeated the air.

  “Not all of them. Some were unable to be here on such short notice.” Jared bent down and spoke into her ear, the blare of country music making conversation almost impossible. What Emily hadn’t realized yet was that she was the only one in the room having difficulty hearing. Everyone else could hear just fine, including the private conversation between the leader of their pack and his mate.

  “Notice? Is something special going on tonight?” she looked around, but saw nothing special. There wasn’t even a live band on the stage in the corner. The canned music came from a juke box near the dance floor.

  “Yeah, you could say that,” Jared grinned. He took her elbow and made his way through the crowd.

  “So Shawn and Maria are your brother and sister?” Emily couldn’t shake the feeling she was suddenly the center of attention but when she looked, no one was staring.

  Jared shrugged his shoulder. “Yeah, I suppose you could say that. It’s difficult to explain. We are brothers and sisters in the sense that we are all of one species.”

  “And I guess the blonde eyeing you from the bar is your kissing cousin?” she said. A surge of jealousy rushed through her as the woman toasted Ja
red with a frosted beer mug. Emily wanted to jump across the counter and tear out the trashy blonde’s throat. Jared belonged to her.

  Whoa now, she cautioned herself. Just because she’d accepted his crazy tale about being a wolf, didn’t mean she was ready to shack up and start having his puppies. A momentary flare of panic hit her as that possibility became an instant nugget of reality. They had, in no way, shape or form, practiced safe sex.

  Suddenly she pictured herself large and burgeoning with his child, her body cradling new life. They’d have to become creative in their coupling, she mused, picturing herself nine months pregnant and even bigger than she was now. His favorite position would come in handy she thought with a grin, and of course they could always try hers. The one where she straddled his hips as he sat on a straight back chair. His long, hot cock would slide so far up her pussy that –

  Emily’s breath left her body as Jared slammed her against the wall. His eyes darkened and streaks of golden flames appeared.

  “Damn it, woman, you can’t feed me images like that in a crowded room where I can’t do a fucking thing about it.” He lifted her legs and rammed himself against her. The fearsome power of his erection threatened to burst through both sets of their clothing.

  “What are you talking about?” Emily demanded. Instantly the same erotic images she’d had of herself pregnant, naked and in his arms flooded back to her. She gasped and creamed her panties as he added his own fantasies and feelings. “Oh.”

  “Damn right, oh.” Following his lead, she ground her hips against him and tried to ease the pain of her arousal. Jared thrust back, forcing her to ride his hard length. Their breathing turned harsh as they sought relief. Emily spilled over the edge first.

  But a second later, her sex drugged senses cleared. She opened her eyes and saw her worst fear had come true. No one made any attempt to hide the fact that they were watching the couple copulate fully clothed. Emily tried to lift Jared’s head which was buried in the side of her neck.