Leader of the Pack Read Online Free PDF Page A

extreme control had to be exerted not to hurt one’s partner. Especially if that partner was human.
    “ We’re sorry we’ve intruded upon you at this special time,” Maria said. “I’m glad you found your mate at last. You’re a wonderful leader, Jared. You deserve be happy.”
    Jared knew her words were sincere. They were friends from whelping days and he knew she supported him wholeheartedly as leader of the pack. Unlike the days of old, the pack elected the alpha male. There were no more fights to the death. Not that Jared wouldn’t give his life for his pack. He protected them every day by working with the bureau. He needed to know what the world knew about supernatural beings and what better way to have inside information than working with the government. He would kill without hesitation to protect one of his. Just as he knew his pack members would fight to defend him and his as well.
    “ You had no way of knowing. Hell, it came out of the blue. One minute I was on my way to kill a vamp and the next she was there. She knocked me to my knees. I smelled her before I saw and I knew. I just knew.” A huge, silly grin split his face.
    “ Can we cut this sentimental crap?” Shawn asked his tone low. “We want to know what happened. Did you find the murdering bastard? We need to wipe them all off the face of the earth!”
    “ Not all vampires are evil, Shawn.” Maria’s blue eyes were sad, filled with deep, dark secrets.
    “ I’m sorry, Maria.” The other wolf sighed, genuine sorrow in his voice.
    Everyone knew Maria and a vampire had hooked up a little over a year ago and their affair had been hot and heavy until the bitter end. One day they were talking happily-forever-after and the next he had disappeared. Jared had tried to find him but had not been successful. There had been no rumors of his death, no trail to his lair. The vamp had simply vanished into thin air.
    “ Does she know?” Maria asked.
    Did Emily know he was a wolf? He shook his head. “No. But she knows something is different. That I’m different.”
    Maria’s smile was full of empathy. If anyone knew the difficulties two different cultures faced, she did. Even with two supernatural beings, she and Cord had encountered their share of bigotry and unacceptance. Sometimes Jared thought the vampire had left to protect Maria from the inevitable backlash as their two worlds collided. He wasn’t too sure he wouldn’t have done the same thing in the other man’s shoes. He’d do anything to protect Emily.
    “ Well, this vamp, whoever it is, is off the charts evil.” Jared went to the kitchen to finish breakfast. So much for the sexy romantic breakfast he’d had in mind with Emily. He now had two uninvited breakfast guests. He’d managed to cook everything before Emily had come downstairs. Now he dumped the biscuits into a basket and scooped the scrambled eggs into a serving platter.
    “ Just don’t stand there, Shawn,” he ordered. “Make yourself useful and get out some butter and jam.” The other man scowled but obeyed.
    “ Maria, would you mind pouring some coffee and juice for everyone?” he asked. He knew Shawn had noticed the difference in his tone when he emitted a low growl. Sometimes it was fun to be the Alpha.
    The three had just finished putting the final touches on the meal when Emily came back downstairs. She was dressed in her black jeans and had managed to find one of his t-shirts. It was one of his oldest, washed out and faded. On her it looked adorable. She’d tied the bottom in a knot just below her hips and the stretched out neck slid from one shoulder, revealing the strap of her bra and her smooth creamy white skin. And his mark. If his beast had been a cat, he would have been purring with satisfaction.
    “ Come sit down, baby,” he pulled out a barstool. As she took her seat he caressed her neck, his thumb strumming the bite on her neck.
    He made sure she had everything she needed before he took the stool