Taken by the Alpha Wolf Read online

  Taken by the Alpha Wolf

  by Bonnie Vanak

  Taken by the Alpha Wolf

  Copyright © 2011 by Bonnie Vanak

  All rights reserved.

  Published 2011 by Bonnie Vanak

  Visit www.bonnievanak.com

  Smashwords Edition, License Notes

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  All characters in this book are fiction and figments of the author’s imagination

  Chapter One

  Florida Everglades, 1997

  “There she is.”

  Crouched down, Etienne Robichaux peered through the thick trees at his target. On a narrow path cutting through thick brush of the Florida Everglades, the sleek white wolf nosed through the bay head.

  A thicket of cocoplum, red bay and wax myrtle provided excellent coverage. Overhead the March sun was brilliant and warm, no clouds in the sharp blue sky.

  Perfect day for an abduction.

  Green camouflage pants, an olive T-shirt and jungle boots protected his body against branches and sharp sawgrass. Etienne ran a finger along the bandana covering his light brown hair. Hunkered down beside him also in camouflage, his two younger brothers studied the prey.

  Three Draicon werewolves on recon… for another Draicon wolf. The image would’ve amused him, had the situation been less grim.

  “You sure that’s her?” Alexandre wondered.

  “I know her scent, could pick it up in a garbage chute.” He drew in a deep lungful of the delicate fragrance of fresh raindrops on lilies cutting through the swamp’s more earthy smells.

  Gabriel shook his head. “She may fight you.”

  “Doesn’t matter. The intel said they could come after her at any time.” Etienne’s pulse raced.

  Getting caught in heavy crossfire during the Lebanon op had been nothing compared to hearing that news. Hell he could take all the tight situations threatening his ass when he’d been a U.S. Navy SEAL and retained his usual calm, tight control. None of them compared to the gut-wrenching fear of losing Cindy.

  Before even having her, so to speak.

  “Her father,” Alex began. “You warned him, tried to reason with him?”

  Etienne snorted. “Wouldn’t listen to me. Damnit, it was like talking with a rock. This is the only way. I’m taking control.”

  Alex looked up, his lean face tight.

  “Screw it, mon frere. Go for her,” Alex said, growling.

  Gabriel’s eyes flashed amber, signaling the emergence of his wolf. “Do it.”

  The white wolf loped down the path toward the open plain. Now.

  Bolting out of his cover, Etienne leapt onto the path. He charged and tackled his prey. The white wolf snarled and struggled, but he pinned her down, one hand wrapped around her muzzle. Careful not to hurt her, he kept her subdued by superior strength and weight. Still the wolf fought to be free.

  His brothers raced toward him. Gabriel and Alexandre stood guard at the entrance to the bayhead, their sharp eyes scanning the flat plain of sawgrass. The white wolf twisted suddenly, and nearly escaped. Etienne tightened his grip, smelling fresh panic and animalistic fear as he tussled with her.

  “Cindy, it’s me, Etienne. Shift back.”

  The wolf’s struggles eased, but she did not Change. He tried for the telepathic link they shared as destined mates. All he got was a whining buzz of angry terror.

  Etienne let loose a rich Cajun curse, causing his brothers to turn.

  “She’s not shifting back. You sure that’s her?” Alex asked.

  “Or an escapee from Metro Zoo?” Gabriel added.

  A frustrated growl tore from his throat. “Cindy, c’mon, sweetheart shift back!”

  Beneath his heavy weight, the white wolf panted, her energy expended. Made no damn sense. “Cyn, stop playing games. I’m here to protect you.”

  “I hear the zoo is nice,” Gabriel drawled. “Maybe you could set up housekeeping there.”

  “Shut up.” Etienne partly eased off the now-dusty white wolf, turning her muzzle to face him.

  Blue eyes burned like lasers as the white wolf glared. With a flare of iridescent sparks, a lovely blonde woman replaced the Draicon werewolf. Finally.

  He felt himself melt as he stared into her deep blue eyes. Damn, she was so pretty, such a lady. When she wasn’t a wolf.

  “Etienne?”

  The melodious timbre of her voice stroked his senses. Then her gaze sharpened with fury. “Get off me.”

  Warm female flesh had replaced fur. Etienne felt a surge of hot desire raged as he realized he cupped a soft, round breast.

  His future mate was naked.

  Gabriel stared, his eyes widening.

  “Whoa, okay, if that’s Metro Zoo, I’m changing my zip code. Being locked up can’t be that bad,” he said.

  “Stop looking at her.” Etienne ordered.

  Cindy glared at him. “Your gun is digging into my side.”

  Mindful of the sidearm in his shoulder holster, he eased off and stood so she could clothe herself. Cindy got up, waved her hands.

  Nothing. Still naked.

  He took in an eyeful of slender legs that stretched out like the Seven Mile Bridge in the Keys, and all that silky skin. Blonde hair the color of corn silk swung down past her shoulders. Her oval face was patrician and elegant, her carnation pink lips full and lush.

  Etienne dragged in another breath, averting his eyes. Now was not the time to think about sex. Nope, maybe later, when they were safe and he could remember exactly how her breast felt in his big palm, the nipple tight and peaked…

  He rubbed his chin. “Cyn? The clothes.”

  Something flickered in her gaze. She waved her hands. In an eyeblink, Cindy was dressed in designer jeans, a white blouse with a scalloped neck, expensive sandals, and a string of elegant pearls around her slim neck.

  Blinking, he nodded at her neck. “Pearls? In the swamp?”

  “This is what I always wear. It’s easier.”

  “Let’s go.” He gently snagged her wrist.

  “What is this?” she protested. “Etienne, what’s going on?”

  “It’s your wedding day, chere. I’m taking you home with me to be mated.”

  Cindy’s blue eyes widened. “Is this a proposal? Ever hear of the old-fashioned idea of popping the question?”

  “No time.” He paused, hoping she’d believe him. “Someone’s planning to abduct you. In the next two days.”

  Her mouth twisted. “Original. I’ll give you that much. Let’s see… is it you?”

  “I’m intercepting.” He studied his charge. “Your father’s gotten involved with some bad guys. The Diaz brothers don’t like anyone sharing their sandbox.”

  Her gaze darted to Gabriel, who continued surveying the grassy plain. “Your brother told you this?”

  Gabe had the power of mind-reading. Etienne shook his head. “One of my men, correction, my former men, passed along the intel.”

  Ensign Tyler Harris had gotten it from an undercover FBI agent working on the case of the Diaz brothers. And even though Etienne was officially Navy-free, Harris risked his own hide and called Etienne. His former team were all tight.

  “My father’s been Liony Diaz’s attorney for six years. All Liony cares about is his cancer foundation. What could he want with me?”

  A cold fist punched his chest as he thought of Harris’s report. What Diaz had done to the last female he’d taken, her grayish face frozen in a scream…

  Lots, he thought, studying the lush contours of her body. “You don’t want to know. Liony’s the front man for his brother, Jorge, who operates a Columbian drug cartel. He launders money and when someone gets in his way, he targets a family member to launder as well.”

  “I can protect myself,” she said.

  He didn’t like the doubt shadowing her face, the rapid way her pulse beat. “Can you?” he asked calmly. “Cyn, why are you having trouble shifting?”

  No answer, just a guilty glance away.

  Frustrated, he glanced at his brothers. What he wanted to say wasn’t meant for their ears. He concentrated on her. Using the mind link unique to all Draicon destined mates, he tried communicating with her telepathically.

  I need you, Cyn. I need you with me, at my side because if you ended up like the last victim, I’d die. I’d fucking die. Right now all I can think about is getting you to my home, knowing you’re safe and then getting you naked. I’ve been patient for a year, but hell, each time I’m near you, it takes all my control not to touch you, taste you, claim you… I’m crazy about you, chere. And it’s not just biology.

  But as he hit the send button on that particular telepathic email, all he got back was a static buzz of noise, as if the data connection between them fizzed out. Etienne touched her hand.

  “Cyn? What’s the deal? I can’t read you. You shutting me out?”

  “I’ve had a lot on my mind lately.” She brushed at her pants.

  The jeans were crisp, new and designer, he noted ruefully. Of course. Her wealthy Miami family had wealth and fully embraced the human world.

  Etienne came from a f
amily as rough and wild as the bayou.

  Their worlds were galaxies apart. Yet ever since meeting her at Bourbon Street bar during Mardi Gras last year, Etienne had known Cindy was his mate. They’d shared meals, exchanged letters and phone calls, but she’d balked at commitment. He’d resigned his commission in the Navy, set up a nice little house for her, with plenty of room for all the babies they’d have. And then, because she needed time, he’d given her space. Until now. Until finding out her life was endangered. Then all his protective male Draicon instincts rushed to the surface.

  No way in hell was he leaving here without her.

  “You need to go, Etienne. I can take care of myself.” Challenge sparkled in her gaze. “And my father won’t be pleased if I took off with you.”

  With one hand, Etienne grasped her round chin and lifted her gaze to meet his, fierce and glittering. “You’re my draicara, my destined mate, chere, and what is mine I take, and keep safe.”

  He paused, struggling with his rising temper. “Maybe your father thinks I’m beneath you because of my Cajun roots, but I don’t care. Biology rules.”

  Cindy’s expression softened. “Etienne, I’m not a snob and neither is my father or anyone else in my pack. I don’t want to mate you because I’m not ready.”

  “Get ready, chere. Because we don’t have a choice.”

  She gave a deep sigh, shifting against him. Aware of the warm, soft female flesh pressed against him, he felt an instinctive pull, the thrill of the chase giving way to a sharper, more urgent need.

  “We’ll make it work,” he insisted. “Besides, it’s past time for me to settle down. I need an heir to rule the pack after me.”

  He imagined them conceiving the longed-for heir. He was on top of her, moving slowly, oh so slowly as he watched her eyes filled with dazed pleasure.

  “I want you to have my babies, Cyn,” he whispered, his arms tightening around her. Etienne pressed a soft kiss to the nape of her neck. Needing to touch her, put his claim on her. He’d always been respectful and courteous in the past, but now…

  The urge to mate howled through him. Beneath his pants, his groin tightened. Oh man, if he kept this up, he’d have her on the ground and naked in a minute. He leashed his animal (down boy) and stepped back.

  “I want you too, Etienne.” Her voice was barely a whisper. “But the timing’s really lousy. Just give me another two months.”

  Etienne touched her soft cheek, marveling at the silky texture. “Tell me the real reason, chere. You’ve enjoyed the times we’ve spent together. I want to make you happy. Why are you avoiding this?”

  “You wouldn’t understand.”

  “Try me.”

  She glanced at his brothers, a frown creasing her brow.

  “Gabe, Alex, mon freres, give us a little space.”

  He watched as they strode deeper into the thicket of shrubs and trees, Gabriel tossing a concerned look over his shoulder.

  “Tell me,” he urged.

  Cindy sighed so deeply, her breasts rose and fell. He tried not to notice, pinned his attention to her face, keeping eye contact.

  “I need time to adjust. To your world, Etienne. It’s not like you think…”

  Damn, could this hollow ache in his chest get any worse? “Adjusting to being in a Cajun family, instead a wealthy one?”

  “Stop making assumptions. This is difficult for me to leave. My life is here. I love my family and this is hard on my parents. It’s hard for them to let go.”

  When he’d taken tea, sweet mercy, tea, at their South Beach home a few months ago, he’d seen their glow of affection for their only daughter. It made the afternoon bearable as he’d struggled to balance that ridiculously small china cup in his big hands. They disliked him, but adored Cindy.

  “It has nothing to do with money or privilege…”

  “What then?”

  “I don’t know how to say this.”

  Something warned him to keep his mouth shut. He closed his mouth, tried leashing all his own anger and frustration.

  “Look at me. I’m not what I seem, Etienne.”

  His eyebrows shot up. He gave the contours of her body a long, appreciative look. “A girl?”

  Cindy gave a gurgling laugh and shook her head. “You always make me laugh.”

  Etienne brushed a finger across her cheek. “I want to make you laugh, always. You come first, Cindy. Promise.”

  She looked so sad, he wanted to haul her over his shoulder and spirit her away and spend the next week coaxing a bright smile to her face. Make her laugh again, chase away the shadows haunting her eyes. Then tumble her into bed and spend long hours making love to her, sealing his claim in the flesh.

  Later. He concentrated on her, what she wanted to say to him, what kept her at arms’ length. If not her family’s objections, and his Cajun roots, what then?

  “I’ve lived too long in the human world.” Fire faded from her gaze and she turned, biting the curve of her lower lip. “I’ve made my own life. I can’t adjust to yours.”

  Troubled, he slid a hand over her nape, stroking gently with a thumb, needing to maintain contact with her. “I’ll teach you, Cindy.”

  She shook her head and her slender shoulders slumped. “I need more time.”

  Time. Just what they did not have.

  “I’d like to stay here and have a nice conversation, but we’re burning sunlight. You’re coming home with me, where I can keep you at my side. It’s safer there.”

  Cindy pushed a shaky hand through her long hair. “What about my father? I can’t just leave him. He’s in danger, too. I have to warn him.”

  “Already did. He has to deal on his own. Let’s go.”

  “Etienne, has anyone ever told you how controlling you are? I’m not leaving without my father.”

  As a Navy junior lieutenant, he’d led missions and commanded squads of SEALs into dangerous assignments.

  Far easier to control an enemy operative brandishing an AK-47 than his rebellious mate. He gave her a long, steady look. “Your father is on his own. Now, are you coming or do I have to toss you over my shoulder?”

  “You wouldn’t dare.”

  “Don’t test me,” he said softly.

  “Yo, lover birds.” Gabriel’s low voice came from the trees. “Got company.”

  He stilled, pulling Cindy close. “Diaz brothers?”

  “Nope. Dozen wolves. And a guy leading them...” Alex sounded incredulous. “In a suit. In the swamp. Who does that?”

  A certain wealthy and arrogant Miami lawyer, Etienne thought grimly. He clasped Cindy’s arm and began herding her down the pathway. “We have to leave, now.”

  “I can’t go with you. My father…”

  “Send him an email,” Etienne said.

  “Robichaux. I knew I’d find you sniffing around my daughter.”

  Etienne whirled, instinctively tugging her close. At the bayhead’s entrance stood the very man in question.

  Robert Parker.

  And he wasn’t alone. A dozen Draicon werewolves stood at his side. Lips pulled back into snarls, they bared their very white and very sharp fangs.

  Ready to kill him.

  Chapter Two

  His brothers charged down the path. The shift was fluid and smooth, his brothers transforming at the same time. The two powerful, muscled wolves growled at the intruders, who snarled back.

  “All this, just for me? A touch of overkill, n’est pas, Parker?” Etienne kept a protective hold on Cindy, feeling her tension.

  “Dad, stop this. This is between Etienne and me,” she snapped.

  Stunned, he watched a wolf shift into a patrician woman in a black skirt and a red silk shirt. She swept through them with cool indifference. Her blue eyes icy as Cindy’s were warm, she gave Etienne a disdainful glance. Blonde hair swept back in an elegant chignon, she looked ready for tea at the country club.

  As if she hadn’t been a snarling wolf a minute ago.

  With his silk black suit, crisp white shirt and tie, Cindy’s father resembled a banker, not a blooded Draicon werewolf.

  “A real Alpha stands on his own instead of cowering behind his pack, Parker.”

  “Robichaux. I’m here about my daughter.”

  Suspicious, not ready to lower his guard, Etienne gave a slight nod to his brothers. Alex and Gabriel shifted back, training their hostile gazes on the wolves, who shifted into glowering men.