Gone with the Wolf - By Kristin Miller Page 0,34

like us?”

“Your brother? Completed the bond?” Confused as hell and rattled to the core, Emelia tried to stay strong, fighting against her natural reaction to shake like a leaf. She downright refused to play the part of a victim. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Why hasn’t he at least bitten you and started the transition? It’s a shame to leave you so weak and vulnerable.”

“Bitten me?” Emelia felt like she’d been warped into the twilight zone. This guy truly was a monster. “Keep your teeth away from me.”

“He hasn’t told you a thing, has he? It’s a shame to leave you in the dark, especially since you’re his Luminary.” The stranger tsk’d his tongue against his blindingly white teeth. “You see, if I bit you right here”—his cold fingers brushed against her neck—“you’d start the transition process.”

Emelia’s breath hitched as his nails dug into her skin. He was a madman. Certifiably insane. She should scream. She should knee him in the crotch and run. Emelia’s arms and legs grew heavy, frozen from fear.

“If I bit you in the exact same place, or left you with one only one bite, you’d die a long, painful death. But if I bit you on a second pulse point, right here for example”—his hand brushed Emelia’s inner thigh through her gown—“you’d finish the transition and become one of us. But you won’t get the chance to experience that kind of power rushing through your veins. I’ve got far greater plans for you than that.”

Oh, God.

“You’re going to be my ticket to ruling the pack I was always meant to rule. I was born first, damn it, the title was rightfully mine. But it’s no matter now. Thanks to you, I’m getting everything.” Bending down, the stranger inhaled deeply, then moaned. “Your fear smells so damn good. I could keep you here all day.”

“I don’t know anything about a bite or a transition or what you want from Drake. Let me go.” Emelia wriggled against him, but it was no use. He was too large, too strong, and was holding her too tightly. The more she struggled, the more he pressed against her. “I think you have me confused with someone else. I’m not worth anything to Drake.”

He laughed and brushed a rough hand down her cheek. “So beautiful, so naive. Too bad we can’t stick around longer. I’d love to strip that innocent look off your face right along with this dress, but I can sense that some of his pups are on their way.” As he removed his knee from between Emelia’s thighs, his dark eyes glazed over. “Meet me at the corner. Ten seconds.” His tone changed into something slithery and dark. He wasn’t talking to her…but to whom, then?

“I’m not going anywhere with you.”

“Oh, you’re coming. Whether you’re unconscious or not is up to you.” His fingers gouged into the back of her neck like she was a disobedient dog as he dragged her toward the street. Emelia tugged against him, skidding her heels over the concrete. A black Suburban screeched to a stop at the corner and the rear passenger door kicked open. Two shadowed forms lurked inside.

Oh, hell no.

She fought against him harder, tried to rip his fingers off her neck, tugging and pulling at his arm. She tried to trip him, tangling her legs in his. Still, he dragged her as if she weighed nothing.

“Don’t make me knock you out.” He snatched the mound of hair on her head and pulled.

Emelia yelped, both hands flying to her head as he jerked her along. There wasn’t much time. She’d taken enough self-defense classes to know that once she got in the SUV, she was good as dead.

Thinking fast, Emelia craned her neck around and yelled, “Drake!” as if she saw him coming.

It was enough to make the stranger turn. Emelia took the opening and kneed him in the crotch. He hit the ground, choking on air. She bolted. Through the trees. Across the grass. Her heels sunk in, slowing her pace, so she ripped them off.

“Help!” City hall was close, its pillars towering over her. They had to have a side door. “Somebody help me!”

Something slammed into Emelia from behind. She tripped, landing face-first in the wet grass. Piercing pain shot through her nose, making her eyes water and her temples throb. She flipped over, gasping as she stared into a pair of onyx-black, pissed-off wolf eyes. Emelia trembled, her breath pushing past her lips staccato and cold.

The