Protector Wolf
What Happens Under a Full Moon…When naturalist Maya Everton travels to Washington State, she is nearly attacked by a pack of wolves – until another wolf arrives to drive them off. Later, she sees Lieutenant Ryan Blaiddinger shifting and realises he is her mysterious protector. Ryan is a member of the elite unit of shapeshifters known as Alpha Force, whose mission is at cross-purposes with hers…But as news of attacks spreads in the small community, the scientist and soldier unite to protect area wolves from locals who will stop at nothing to decimate the perceived threat. And close together in the moonlit woods, Maya and Ryan may not be able to resist their own natural instincts…
Читать Protector Wolf онлайн беплатно
What Happens Under a Full Moon...
When naturalist Maya Everton travels to Washington State, she is nearly attacked by a pack of wolvesâuntil another wolf arrives to drive them off. Later, she discovers Lieutenant Ryan Blaiddinger shifting and realizes he is her mysterious protector. Ryan is a member of the elite unit of shapeshifters known as Alpha Force, whose mission is at cross-purposes with hers...
But as news of the attacks spreads in the small community, the scientist and soldier unite to protect area wolves from locals who will stop at nothing to decimate the perceived threat. And close together in the moonlit woods, they may not be able to resist their own natural instincts...
âSo when are you going to explain everything to me?â
Ryan said nothing for a long minute, although he did take her arm to help balance her. A real gentleman.
A wolf in manâs clothingâcasual, ordinary-looking clothing, right down to his own athletic shoes.
A wolfâ¦
âThereâs not much to explain,â he said. âYou saw me. Iâm a shapeshifter who changes into a wolf sometimes.â
âThen it was real, not some kind of hypnosis or mind control?â Although even if it had been, sheâd have no idea why heâd have done it to her.
âNo, it was real.â
She slipped a little on some leaves beneath her feet, possibly because of the distraction and unease his words caused within her. He caught her, and she was very aware of his touch.
A humanâs touch.
But stillâ¦
LINDA O. JOHNSTON loves to write. While honing her writing skills, she worked in advertising and public relations, then became a lawyerâ¦and enjoyed writing contracts. Lindaâs first published fiction appeared in Ellery Queenâs Mystery Magazine and won a Robert L. Fish Memorial Award for Best First Mystery Short Story of the Year. Linda now spends most of her time creating memorable tales of paranormal romance, romantic suspense and mystery. Visit her on the web at www.lindaojohnston.com.
Protector Wolf is dedicated to wolves of all kinds, as well as people who love and protect wildlife. And like my other Alpha Force Nocturnes, Protector Wolf is also dedicated to shapeshifters and the readers who love them.
Plus, despite this being repetitious, again my special thanks to my wonderful agent, Paige Wheeler of Creative Media Agency, and to my delightful Harlequin editor, Allison Lyons. Theyâre so great in helping to keep the stories of Alpha Force an ongoing miniseries. Protector Wolf is number eight!
And, as always, thanks to my amazing husband, Fred, whom I acknowledge in each of my books because he inspires me. My hero!
Contents
Lieutenant Ryan Blaiddinger strode quickly down the sidewalk.
Beside him were his dog, Rocky, and his aide, Staff Sergeant Piers Janus. The two soldiers were dressed in civilian clothingânice slacks and button-down shirts. They were here in Fritts Corner, Washington, undercover.
According to the map on Piersâs phone, the park they sought was only a block away. Ryan scoped out the whole streetâfairly narrow, considering it was the quaint townâs main avenue. Some of the buildings appeared to have been constructed more than a century ago, with spires, decorative windows and wide porches that led into restaurants and other retail establishments.
âWeâre almost there,â Piers said, staring at the phone in his hand. Piers was short and a bit stocky, and despite his being in his early twenties his blondish hair had begun to thin. But he was a damned good helperâin many respects.
Piers held Rockyâs leash, and the dog bounded along with him.
The dog with thick brown-and-black fur who resembled a wolf.
A wolf who looked a lot like Ryan...when he was in shifted form.
The air was brisk but dry on this Thursday afternoon in September. Cars drove by in both directions, with no hint of any traffic jam in this small town. People passed by as well, and a few headed in the same direction they did.
Interesting that on the day of their arrival a public meeting was scheduled about the very topic theyâd come to check out.
But maybe it wasnât too surprising. After all, though there had been sightings of wild wolves for years in various areas of Washington State, even identification of some small packs, the latest new sightings had been right around here, in this area southeast of Tacoma.
And when Ryan, sounding as offhand as he could, mentioned wolf sightings to their hotelâs receptionist a short while ago when they checked in, she had immediately perked up and told him that a naturalist had just come to town and was going to talk on that very topic in less than an hour.
