ignored, the two finally gave up and shot Emma venomous looks as they passed. As if he washers? As if she was keeping him from them? She was a prisonerâmore or less! âYou can have him, kitties,â she hissed for their ears only. They blanched before scuttling away. She might be a coward against Lore creatures, but with humans she could hold her own in the tabby arena.
Now, how would she fare traveling with a wolf?
*Â Â *Â Â *
Lachlain had watched as Emmaline glided through the lobby, moving too gracefully to truly look human. Heâd been struck by how wealthy and coolly composed she appearedâlike an aristocrat. One would never imagine her timorous nature, because she seemed to have donned a cloak of confidence.
Then sheâd changed.
He didnât know what caused it, but her gaze turned heated. She gave the impression that she needed a manâand heâd responded. Everything in him responded. But others had, too. Though she seemed unconscious of it, her sensual walk and movements lured every male gaze to her. In mid-conversation, they turned and stared, enthralled. Even the women did. Lachlain pinpointed each of their focuses. The women stared at her clothing and shiny hair; the men ogled her breasts, lips, and eyes, their hearts and breaths speeding up at her mesmerizing beauty.
Did each of those fools think heâd be the one to give her what she desired? Fury fired in him. Sheâd told him with a steady gaze that deep down he was a monster. Sheâd been partly correct, and right now that beast wanted to kill every male that dared look at her when he had not claimed her. This was a vulnerable time, and the Instinct was screaming at him to get her awayâ
Realization hit him. Female vampires had always beenborn beautifulâas a defensive and predatory tool. They manipulated with it and used it to kill. This one was at work even now, doing what sheâd been born to do. And heâd been reacting just as sheâd known he would.
When she stood before him, he cast her a black look. She frowned at his expression, visibly swallowed, then said, âIâm going to go with you. And I wonât try to run or escape.â Her voice was silky and seductive, a voice made for wicked murmurs in bed. âIâll help you, but Iâm asking you not to hurt me.â
âI told you Iâd protect you.â
âYou told me the night before that you might kill me.â
His scowl deepened.
âJust please, um, could you try not to?â She looked up at him with those blue eyes that appeared so guileless.
She thought to use her wiles to handle him? To gentle the beast inside him? He couldnât even control itâ
An odd, chill wind blew, batting a curl against her cheek. Her eyes narrowed. A second later, they widened and her hands flew to his chest. He glanced down and saw her shell-pink claws go from curling to straightâlike little daggers.
Sheâd perceived a threat. His eyes scanned the area; he was feeling something, too. But it was fleeting, and his senses werenât as keen as they normally were. Not yet. In any case, a menace of some sort near her wasnât surprising. As a vampire she had many blood enemiesâa fact heâd once applauded. Now he would have to fight them because he would destroy anything that sought to hurt her.
Instead of telling her that, he removed her hands from his chest with an expression of distaste. âIâll bet youâre better off with me than alone out here.â
She nodded, agreeing. âThen can we go?â
When he gave her a tight nod, and drew away from her to go to the passenger side of the car, the valet opened the driverâs door and helped her in. Lachlain cringed at not having assisted her, then grew angered over his chagrin.
After a brief grappling with the door handle, he joined her, sinking into the plush seat. The interior was luxuriousâeven he would know