Guardian Wolf

by Linda O. Johnston

  Grace made herself smile. Shoving her fists into the pockets of her white lab jacket, she looked into her assistant’s blue eyes and raised her chin like Kristine’s.

  “I’m just tired,” she said. “And concerned. We really need to have that conversation with Major Connell about how to…incite the kind of incident we’re here to deal with.” That should be obscure enough if anyone happened to hear it. A couple of other nurses stood outside a patient’s room nearby, though they seemed absorbed in their own conversation.

  “Right. Well, maybe the four of us can convene this evening and call him.”

  Grace shook her head slowly. “He’s trying to set up a time to talk when General Yarrow can participate. And besides…well, tonight isn’t a good time.”

  Kristine regarded her shrewdly, arms crossed. Her aide was about the same height, but Grace had a sudden sense of being smaller and on the defensive.

  “Are you getting together with Dr. Parran?” Kristine asked.

  “For dinner,” Grace admitted.

  “Do you think that’s a good idea?”

  No! her insides screamed, but she couldn’t reveal that to Kristine, nor why. She shrugged noncommittally. “We want to share thoughts about a couple of patients.”

  “I’ll bet. Well, okay. Just let me know what our next step is.”

  “Sure,” Grace said—wishing she knew.

  Simon had suggested a family restaurant for dinner—one with a reputation for being very loud and very crowded.

  Grace had agreed. After all, no matter how high the noise level, neither would need to talk loudly for the other to hear.

  Even so, the atmosphere wasn’t really conducive to having the conversation she knew they each anticipated. So, after they both finished their hamburgers—excellent rare, red meat—she agreed to let him come back to her living quarters. For a while. For a conversation. That was all.

  Grace was glad not to see Kristine when they arrived at the building. Nor, fortunately, was her aide around when Simon and she took Tilly for a brief, brisk walk along the paths of the air-force base. Kristine would undoubtedly get the wrong idea about Simon’s joining her there.

  Interestingly, Tilly seemed to immediately recognize Simon for what he was, sniffing him eagerly, willing to recognize him as alpha when Simon uttered brief commands.

  “Nice dog,” Simon commented as they returned inside, giving Tilly a pat. The dog wagged her tail in a friendly response.

  In her apartment, Grace poured them both beers, then sat on the sofa in her cramped living room across from the rust-colored armchair Simon took. Tilly lay at his feet, causing a momentary irritation in Grace that she immediately quashed. Tilly was simply welcoming a stranger.

  Grace took a sip of the cold, pungent brew as she regarded Simon. She decided to take control of the conversation.

  “We could play games about this all night,” she said. At the amused and suggestive lift of his dark eyebrows, she wished she could take back her words and restate them. Instead, she tamped down her own heated interest and continued, “But I think we should both be honest.” Partly. There were things she still couldn’t say. “As I said, I saw you shifting a few nights ago, too, Simon. It’s always been a sensitive subject between us, one that we never were honest about with one another—before. But here we are. Both of us are shapeshifters. Both of us are werewolves. And, boy, it really feels odd finally admitting that to you.”

  She smiled tentatively, awaiting his response. He couldn’t deny it, but would he embrace the situation or taunt her with it?

  He laughed. “That’s for sure.”

  Grace smiled in relief. “Now that’s out of the way…well, I have a question for you. When I saw you shift, it wasn’t the night of a full moon. How did you do it?” She almost hated to ask, since it gave him tacit permission to ask her, too. But she had to know—even if she couldn’t reveal all in return.

  His expression tightened. He picked up his glass from the coffee table between them and took a swig of beer. “I knew that was coming. I’ll show you mine if you’ll show me yours.”

  It was only fair, Grace knew. But things in this situation weren’t exactly even—or fair.

  “I’m not sure what your circumstances are, Simon. But I know mine are different from yours.” She stared into his curious but suddenly remote golden-brown eyes. “I’m not permitted to tell you anything, but—”

  “That’s convenient.” He shook his head. “Then I guess I’m not ‘permitted’ either.” He paused, then met her gaze directly. “But I’ll bet your position is somehow related to your being a military officer, right?”

  She sucked in her bottom lip. She had always known how smart Simon was. His perception was no less acute now than when they were in undergraduate school. Maybe even more so.

  “Stalemate,” she whispered, knowing he heard the word loudly. “For now. But—” She looked at her watch. It was 1930 hours here. That made it 2230 at Ft. Lukman. Late, yes, but she would be surprised if Drew Connell was asleep. “Let me make a phone call, and then I’ll know if I can say any more.”

  When he didn’t object, she went into her bedroom where she kept the Alpha Force satellite phone. Tilly followed, and Grace shut the door behind them.

  She turned on the aging television across from the queen-size bed where she slept. Simon would probably be able to hear her anyway, so she would have to be careful about what she said—unless she obtained the permission she sought.

  The major answered immediately. “Everything okay, Grace?”

  “Only if you consider my…abilities being found out by another shapeshifter who’s not…with us to be okay.”

  “You’re kidding.”

  “I wish.” Not exactly true. But there would be time enough later to explain the complicated circumstances of Grace’s non-relationship with Simon. “He’s another doctor here at Charles Carder. He can shift outside the full moon, but he won’t tell me how unless I tell him. So…do I have your permission, sir?”

  “Limited,” he snapped. “You obviously can’t tell about the actual covert nature of Alpha Force. Just tell him you have access to a special formula that allows you to shift more or less at will—then be sure to learn the source of his ability. Meantime…one of us in authority needs to talk to this guy, but as you can imagine I’m a little preoccupied. I’ll speak with Patrick, get him on his way there as soon as possible—maybe tomorrow. I was sending him anyway to discuss our plans for setting up the biohazards thieves. You and he together can have another conversation with this guy. Learn more. Maybe even recruit him into Alpha Force. In fact…you can’t tell him what we’re about, but why don’t you sound him out about joining the military to open all sorts of new vistas to him regarding shapeshifting—but keep it general, no details. Got it?”

  “Yes, sir.” That would only convince Simon all the more that his surmises about her military affiliation were true. She would have to be careful about how she phrased things. “I’ll look forward to seeing Patrick.”

  She hung up and turned off the TV. Tilly and she returned to her living room. Simon had made himself at home and had a second beer bottle in front of him. He patted Tilly’s head as they got near him. He looked so domestic. Part of Grace’s life. Someone she wanted to get close to. Touch. Be touched by…

  But that couldn’t happen.

  “So,” he said to Grace, “did your commanding officer give you permission to talk to me?”

  Grace closed her eyes and shook her head slowly. It would make life a lot simpler if Simon were dense or stupid or unaware. But one of the things she loved about him was his intellect and—

  Hell. Had she just suggested to herself that she loved him? No way. Bad idea. Years ago, there’d been that chance. Not now.

  “Apparently you’ve made some good guesses, but I can’t tell you much, at least not yet. Just know that I have access to a special tonic that allows me in some circumstances to shift without a full moon. There are things in the work
s that may allow me to be more forthcoming, but that’s all I can say at the moment…although I think it’s okay to say that, if you’d be interested in joining the military, there would be a lot of benefit to you.”

  “Join the military? You’ve got to be kidding.” His gaze was suddenly cold and incredulous.

  “No,” she said, “I’m not.” She looked at him, trying to hide the sorrow inside her.

  Oh, yes. There was no way she could allow her emotions free rein around Dr. Simon Parran. He apparently disliked the military, which was now an important part of her life. Patrick Worley would probably attempt to recruit Simon—which would likely be impossible.

  “Now it’s your turn,” she continued. “I know you can do whatever you want, including wait till those circumstances I’ve mentioned come to fruition, but I’d love to hear how you’re able to shift without a full moon.”

  “That was my goal way back when, Grace, one reason I went to medical school.” He stood and approached her, edging around Tilly.

  Grace stood, too, waiting for him to draw closer. “Then you figured out a way to control your shifts?”

  “Still working on it. I use the downstairs Charles Carder lab facilities now—that’s one reason I’m on staff at a military hospital. To the powers-that-be, I’m working on some homeopathic remedies to help infectious-disease patients regain strength. But though I’m far from being finished, I’ve developed a formula that lets me shift when the moon isn’t full—and, on a limited basis, lets me keep my human form during a full moon.”

  “Really?” Her excitement at what he said caused Grace to blurt out her surprise. She knew her reaction told him something about her abilities, or lack thereof—and therefore the abilities of the military group to which she belonged.

  But this was huge. Alpha Force’s elixir did not allow control during a full moon, except to help enhance a shifter’s human awareness.

  Grace felt excitement build within her. She knew that Drew and the other Alpha Force researchers wanted to expand their abilities, and this was one aspect of what they were working on.

  They would absolutely want to recruit Simon—or to otherwise obtain access to his research and formula. Would he consider selling it? Working together with Alpha Force without being part of it?

  “It’s true,” he said. “I gather that the stuff you take doesn’t do that.”

  “I wish I could tell you more,” she responded dejectedly. “But I can’t. Not now, at least.”

  Not until she got the go-ahead from Drew, who might give Patrick the okay once he’d been here and spoken with Simon.

  Things would be so much better if Simon changed his mind. Became part of the wonderful, dedicated military unit to which she belonged.

  But she had already experienced Simon’s stubbornness once he made up his mind about something. Like refusing to admit his true nature years ago, despite how close they’d gotten. Maybe because of it. He’d stayed secretive then. If she learned more about it now, would she get him to change his mind?

  “That’s one good reason not to join the military.” Simon regarded her as if he could read the frustration circling her mind. “Too much secrecy.” He sat down again.

  That was ironic, coming from him. “And that from the man who wouldn’t admit he was a shifter way back when. But why wouldn’t you? Every once in a while, you indicated there was something wrong with your family that kept you from talking to anyone, but wouldn’t say what it was, let alone the truth about who you are.”

  He leaned forward in the chair. “If I tell you about my family, will you be honest with me about your military unit and your shifting abilities?”

  “You know that what I can say is limited.”

  “I figured, but I thought I’d ask. Anyway, there’s no reason now not to tell you what happened to my family. Ugly stuff. There were some people who came around. They were from out of town—we never did find out exactly where. They claimed also to be shapeshifters, but they only wanted us to admit that we were. They prided themselves on being hunters of the supposedly supernatural. Some of my relatives were deceived into thinking they were really good guys, shifters like us, and admitted they were shifters, too. Once the creeps were sure, they murdered my aunt and cousin. Of course, thanks to my uncle, they didn’t live long enough to gloat about it.”

  “But the damage was done,” Grace said softly. “In so many ways. I’m really sorry, Simon.” Even talking about it a lot of years later was clearly painful to him. “It explains so much. The admission of being shifters was what cost your family members their lives. It’s totally understandable now why you wouldn’t talk about it with someone else—especially someone like me, who tried so hard to get you to admit it. I’m sorry about that, too. And about—”

  He rose once more and stood in front of her as Tilly moved out of the way, looking down with those delicious golden eyes that she had come to know so well.

  “You didn’t know. I didn’t let you, then. And now… Now it doesn’t matter. We have a lot in common, Grace.” He smiled. “And not only because we’re shifters.”

  There was hunger in his gaze. Lust.

  She had managed to control the embers of desire that always ignited inside when she was with Simon. But now, her passion flared, as if it had suddenly burst into flame.

  Impulsively, she reached up—and was suddenly in Simon’s arms.

  His lips met hers, claiming them. His tongue penetrated her mouth, entering into a sexy duel that made her knees weak.

  Before she could sink, he lifted her into his arms, his mouth not leaving hers.

  “Your phone call was from the bedroom?” he asked.

  “Yes,” she said and pointed generally toward it, eager for the wonders that awaited her there.

  Chapter 14

  Simon stayed the night.

  His presence filled the small unit that was Grace’s Arizona home, especially the small bedroom where the sounds of their lovemaking reverberated against the walls.

  His scent was raw and masculine and hypnotic. His body was hard and skilled. His growls and sexy rumbles were as wild as the most feral natures of each of them.

  Simon’s touch, his taste, his exquisitely intense and erotic lovemaking… Grace’s most delightful memories couldn’t compare with the reality of spending hours in Simon’s embrace, beneath him, surrounding him. Even the sex they had shared briefly only a week or so ago… It had been delicious, but it had been over much too quickly when compared with this captivating, prolonged and extraordinary experience.

  When Grace finally fell asleep, she felt sated. Exhausted. And when daylight arrived, Simon only had to touch her gently before they made love all over again.

  Finally, clearly spent, his breathing gasping into her ear as they lay in a limp bundle wrapped in her bedclothes, Simon muttered, “I’d better go back to my place and shower and change. No fresh clothes here. Yet.”

  The possessive suggestion made Grace grin to herself. She turned to burrow her face against the black and silver hairiness of his hard chest.

  But she felt her expression shift grimly as reality intruded into her mind.

  They had as much in common—more, in many ways—than she had even dreamed of originally.

  They also had barriers between them that might never be overcome. Like her commitment, for so many reasons, to the military. To Alpha Force.

  But this wasn’t the time to talk about that. If nothing else, for the sake of her unit and its success, she had to do all she could to encourage Simon to share the formula he had created to help control his shifting. She felt certain there’d be some give and take, that he could trade some of his secrets for those of Alpha Force—on a limited basis that only her superior officers could determine. He would benefit from the exchange, too.

  She would be his liaison. Would take her lead from Lt. Patrick Worley soon.

  Patrick would also help advise about sending pseudo-sick people here to Charles Carder to flush out the biohazards
thieves.

  And when that was done, when Grace’s mission was over and she returned to Ft. Lukman for her next assignment?

  This wasn’t the time to think about that, either. Instead, she moved her sensitive breasts against Simon’s chest as she reached down for him one more time.

  “Again?” He definitely sounded interested.

  “Again,” she confirmed as his body reacted to her touch.

  Simon stayed long enough to shower—alone, to prevent any further distractions for now, he said. But he gave her one heck of a kiss before he left. One full of promise and temptation.

  When he was gone, Grace hurriedly put on some clothes and took the very patient Tilly out for a walk in the growing morning heat. The dog had stirred frequently during the night but hadn’t interrupted the humans and their strenuous activities on the bed above where she’d slept. Grace praised her now for being such a good girl.

  On their way back into the residential building, Grace stopped as Kristine and Bailey caught up with them. The two dogs sniffed noses in greeting as residents in camo uniforms passed by.

  “So you’re alone now?” Kristine said with a smug smile. She was in casual clothes, and her short, dark hair appeared mussed, as if Bailey and she had been running. “How was your night?”

  Grace closed her eyes briefly. When she opened them, she moved aside to allow a couple more people exiting the building to get by. “And you knew I wasn’t alone how?”

  “I didn’t exactly. But I saw the way Simon and you got together in the second-floor kiddy-wing lounge yesterday. The way you looked at each other told me a lot. And since you didn’t call to bug me yesterday evening, I figured—”

  “It’s not exactly what you think,” Grace said. “Well, it is and it isn’t.” She had been considering what, if anything, to tell her fellow Alpha Force members about Patrick’s impending visit. She might not reveal much to Autumn and Ruby, but her right hand, Kristine, needed to know at least the essentials.