Leader of the Pack Read Free Page A

concentrate on making some tough decisions about the pack’s future.
    When her father had gotten ill a
year ago, she’d taken over day-to-day business for the pack’s home, the
incorporated town of Whitewolf , Colorado. The first Whitewolf pack leader founded the town in the 1870s. Yohana wanted to bring more tourism dollars to town.
Because they had some gorgeous old houses and buildings on Main Street, the
town was a picture postcard in winter. The previous year, Yohana had organized a celebration the second weekend of December that had drawn
people from all over the state. Most of the pack members were artisans of some
sort and owned their own businesses. The December Christmas celebration made
them a lot of money. She needed complete focus on details for this year and
generate even more publicity. Damn, her gut was in knots because the
celebration was coming up within a couple of months. Unfortunately, this Mate
business was getting in her way.
    Yohana shuddered as she thought of anyone else taking over her pack. At the last city council meeting, one of the council members talked about
luring some big discount store into town, which was the last thing they needed. Yohana was more than willing to shop at a discount
stores when she went to Denver, but she’d be damned if she’d let retailers like
that into their town to drive down prices and wages for everyone. The town
needed to stay quaint to make money. She lifted her chin as she studied her
reflection. Tonight had to go well. She needed a Mate. Soon.
    * * * * *
    Per looked at the gold watch on his
wrist. He was half an hour late. Damn it! Would she still be there? If not, he
got what he deserved. It was typical of his romantic life lately, not that this
was romance… Yet, how many females had he kept waiting or stood up due to work?
He couldn’t even keep count. It was a good argument for having a Mate who would
understand he had other commitments.
    He sighed. Per had been with his
last patient of the day when he realized the time and had not been able to call Yohana . He was lucky things had gone well, or he
might still be there.
    Per parked in the packed parking lot
of Il Lupo Nero. He eased out of the car, stretching
to crack his back. He’d been up early for a long, involved abdominal surgery.
Then he’d had a full day of patients at the Frieze Surgical Medicine Practice.
Finally, he’d been called in on a consult. What a day. Per adjusted his black
suit and red tie then headed for the door. He barely noticed the people
waiting, instead moving directly to the host. He got evil looks from men and
come-on looks from women, but ignored both.
    “My name is Dr. Per Goldwolf . I’m meeting Yohana Whitewolf for dinner. Is she still here?” His voice
was quiet, but loud enough to draw the attention of the man doling out the
coveted seats.
    “Yes, she is. Let me escort you to
the table.” The dark-haired man eyed him briefly, grabbed a menu, motioning for
him to follow. Per took a deep breath, preparing to make a profuse apology. If
he had to grovel, he would. Per needed a Mate before the reception this
weekend.
    Serena sent him the female’s profile
and a face shot yesterday. Per was impressed in spite of himself. Yohana was attractive without being a beauty. Her face was
very strong. She looked like a capable female, not a demanding whiner. Tonight
was the acid test, though. If she could take him being late for their first
meeting, she might be able to act as his Mate.
    Per blinked as he approached the
table behind the maître d’. He’d always been a leg man, but damn she possessed
a fine pair of breasts. He shifted slightly, feeling his cock stir at the sight
of her. Shit.
    Yohana was reading a book while she absently dipped some bread
into olive oil. She looked up when they stopped at her table, her brows rose
inquiringly until she caught sight of Per. She set the bread down, turned her
book over to preserve her place and wiped her hands together to get