Leader of the Pack by Lynn Richards Page A

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