Linda Johnston - Canadian Wolf

When their mouths met, the whole idea of conducting research on her own to avoid him flew from her mind, even as she pulled him even closer.

His hardness against her was irresistible. “Owen,” she whispered against his mouth.

“Good thing we’re in your bedroom,” he said hoarsely. “Or was this why you came in here?”

Despite herself, she laughed a little without pulling back very far. “Believe me, I came in here to avoid this.”

“Nope, I don’t believe you.” He softened his words by deepening the kiss.

Selena moaned against him, even as her most sensitive body parts warmed and tingled in anticipation.

But though she still reveled in her memories of the last time despite recognizing what a bad idea it had been, having sex with Owen again would be an even worse idea…and it was absolutely foolish to even contemplate it here.

LINDA O. JOHNSTONloves to write. While honing her writing skills, she worked in advertising and public relations, then became a lawyer…and enjoyed writing contracts. Linda’s first published fiction appeared in Ellery Queen’s 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 www.lindaojohnston.com.

Canadian Wolf

Linda O. Johnston

www.millsandboon.co.uk

My special thanks to my wonderful agent Paige Wheeler of Creative Media Agency, and to my delightful Harlequin editor, Allison Lyons, who have been so fantastic in helping to keep the stories of Alpha Force an ongoing miniseries.

Thanks, too, to writers Leslie Knowles and Ann Finnin, who read my manuscript and gave me some great revision ideas.

And as always, thanks to my amazing husband, Fred, whom I always acknowledge in each of my books because he inspires me.

Like my other Alpha Force Nocturne™ books, Canadian Wolf is dedicated to shape-shifters and the readers who love them.

Contents

Cover

Introduction She didn’t even think about resisting… When their mouths met, the whole idea of conducting research on her own to avoid him flew from her mind, even as she pulled him even closer. His hardness against her was irresistible. “Owen,” she whispered against his mouth. “Good thing we’re in your bedroom,” he said hoarsely. “Or was this why you came in here?” Despite herself, she laughed a little without pulling back very far. “Believe me, I came in here to avoid this.” “Nope, I don’t believe you.” He softened his words by deepening the kiss. Selena moaned against him, even as her most sensitive body parts warmed and tingled in anticipation. But though she still reveled in her memories of the last time despite recognizing what a bad idea it had been, having sex with Owen again would be an even worse idea…and it was absolutely foolish to even contemplate it here.

About the Author LINDA O. JOHNSTON loves to write. While honing her writing skills, she worked in advertising and public relations, then became a lawyer…and enjoyed writing contracts. Linda’s first published fiction appeared in Ellery Queen’s 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 www.lindaojohnston.com .

Title Page Canadian Wolf Linda O. Johnston www.millsandboon.co.uk

Dedication My special thanks to my wonderful agent Paige Wheeler of Creative Media Agency, and to my delightful Harlequin editor, Allison Lyons, who have been so fantastic in helping to keep the stories of Alpha Force an ongoing miniseries. Thanks, too, to writers Leslie Knowles and Ann Finnin, who read my manuscript and gave me some great revision ideas. And as always, thanks to my amazing husband, Fred, whom I always acknowledge in each of my books because he inspires me. Like my other Alpha Force Nocturne™ books, Canadian Wolf is dedicated to shape-shifters and the readers who love them.

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Extract

Copyright

Chapter 1

“I’m still so jazzed!” said Lieutenant Rainey Jessop, clasping her hands under her chin. “Working with Mounties. This’ll be so much fun!”

Lieutenant Selena Jennay sent a wry smile toward her aide. Rainey had been excited from the moment the two of them had first been given this assignment—yesterday. As for herself, she was skeptical. She’d reserve judgment until she better understood the players in this new mission.

She took a seat across from her aide at the table in the small meeting room with gray wallpapered walls, the secluded area to which they’d been shown after arriving at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s northwest Vancouver facility. Her cover dog, Lupe, a canine who resembled a mix between a wolf and a husky, lay beside her.

She glanced at Rainey. “Do you think it’s more fun than working with shapeshifters?”

Rainey looked momentarily shocked, a rare occurrence for the outgoing and chatty young woman. “Hardly. But I’m going to get to work with both Mounties and shapeshifters. Amazing!” She paused, and her smile morphed into a frown as two men in white shirts and blue pants walked into the room. “Although I’d hoped that we’d get to work with Mounties in their gorgeous dress uniforms and tall hats,” she added under her breath.

Selena and Rainey rose to meet the men, smoothing down the camo uniforms of Alpha Force, the highly covert US military unit to which they belonged. Selena’s light brown hair and Rainey’s darker brunette locks were both pulled back tightly into clips.

“Good morning,” said the first man to enter. He appeared middle-aged and had short white hair. Walking around the oval wooden table to where Selena and Rainey now stood, he held out a veined, long-fingered hand. “I’m Anthony Creay, deputy commissioner of the RCMP’s general policing services.”

Then he was the head of the group who’d contacted Alpha Force, Selena reasoned. “Hello, sir,” she said, shaking his hand. She introduced both Rainey and herself. Then she let her gaze drift to the other man.

“Sergeant Major Owen Dewirter,” he said, proffering his hand for a shake, too. “Also with general policing services.”

And most likely the man with whom they’d be working over the next few weeks, Selena figured. The other guy was his superior officer and probably just wanted to make sure things got started well.

“Which one of you is the shapeshifter?” Owen asked. The sergeant major had a distinctively handsome face, with brilliant blue eyes beneath strong brows that matched his short, wavy black hair. His nose was aquiline, his chin broad with just a hint of a beard shadow.

Yet judging by his unreadable expression, Selena had the impression that he wasn’t overly fond of shifters. Did he even believe in them? That wasn’t clear, at least not yet.

“That would be me,” she said in as mild a tone as she could muster, considering her initial bout of irritation. She could be wrong. She didn’t know the guy, let alone how RCMP members thought or acted. He might be attempting to impress his superior officer by remaining emotionless.