Protector Wolf: Black Mesa Wolves, #6

By J.K. Harper

Book 6 of the Black Mesa Wolves series by USA TODAY bestselling author J.K. Harper!

"I LOVED how this story plays out. Two broken lost souls find each other and have a beautiful family together."

As a new Guardian for the Black Mesa Wolf Pack, Jace Canagan has one shot left at creating a good life for himself. Years ago, his childhood was abruptly shattered by unspeakable violence. He let bitterness and anger chase away all those who tried to save him from himself. Ten long, soul-seeking years later, he's now finally created both purpose and balance in his life. Although the old pain still won't let him get close to anybody, he's an essential part of a pack again. Nothing will keep him from blowing his last chance at a fresh start.

Nothing, that is, except meeting the mate he never expected to have...or want.

Single mother Caitlin Rendall is strong and self-assured. She had to be, when the father of her twin pups abandoned his young family. Wary of men and ferociously vigilant about her children's safety, she doesn't need any man's help. Why should she, when she's done just fine all on her own? But her entire world is shaken when she meets Jace--because the unbearably sexy, just as fiercely independent man is her mate.

He's her one shot at having her own protector wolf...if only she can allow her heart to lead the way.

To the reader: This story is filled with hawt times, sexy romance, and the secret world of wolf shifters. If you love shifters, small towns, and the power of wild love to always triumph in the end, this book is for you.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sable Moon Books
• Release date: Jan 10, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386958765

Book preview

1

Jace Canagan narrowed his eyes as he sized up the competition. Although his stance remained casual, every part of his body was ready to pounce at the slightest provocation. They weren't going to get the drop on him again. No way, no how. Oh, sure, he didn't really know these wolves anymore. He didn't know their ways, their secret little signals to one another that would silently encourage them to gang up on him and gain the advantage. But it didn't matter. Jace Canagan had learned a hell of a lot in his years away from the Black Mesa Wolf Pack. And they were about to get the surprise of their lives.

The brisk spring breeze rustled through the pines at the far end of the grounds they stood on. The wild scents of the forest just behind the pack den, shivering into his nose and rousing his already keenly focused wolf even more, called to Jace. His wolf really wanted to hunt tonight. Yes, he promised, not taking his eyes off the shifters in front of him. It'll be good to hunt later.

I'm sensing some hesitation over there, kids, he drawled out loud, keeping his voice as casual and relaxed as his body. Closing in on thirty, he was barely older than they were. However, using faint insults was a calculated part of this standoff. Not quite as easy as you thought it would be to take me down, was it?

One of the female wolves staring back at him narrowed her own eyes as she cocked her head just slightly to the side, regarding him with the assessing look of a wolf sizing up its opponent. I think you've left me with a bruise, Jace, Lily Bardou said in an arch tone.

Her tall mate, standing beside her, shot a forbidding glare at Jace as he folded his arms more tightly across his massive chest. His naturally protective attitude toward his mate was obvious, even though she outranked him in the pack's Guardian hierarchy. In fact, Lily lightly stepped on her mate's foot, ordering him to stand down with her not-so-subtle gesture.

Jace kept his smile at that move to himself. Even though the spirited wolf facing him might be the lead Guardian for the pack, and was flanked by her fellow Guardians in a forceful display of support, Jace was about to show them all that he could still teach her a thing or two. They weren't pups anymore. None of the wolves here could think of him as a youngster any longer. A wayward, stupid, headlong pup whose poor words and even more regrettable decisions probably left them all with certain opinions of him based on their long-ago impressions.

No, Jace had learned an awful lot in his time away from the pack, under the tutelage of a Zen-like martial arts master. One of the most important lessons had been patience. The ability to wait, to hide the sharp analytics of his mind that he used to quickly gauge each and every situation that faced him. Not a single wolf here would be able to anticipate his next move.

Well. He slid a quick glance at the pack alpha, who stood quietly behind the Guardians as he watched everything in that eerie, all-seeing way of his. Flicking his glance back toward the lead Guardian, Jace shook off the thought that Alpha Channing Bardou could read his mind and knew exactly what he planned next. He was just flashing back to his childhood, when he been ordered to the very same alpha's office to be reprimanded for his impetuous behavior more times than anyone else in the pack. Except perhaps for the alpha's youngest son and Jace's onetime best friend, Caleb. Between the two of them, he was pretty sure they'd kept the alpha quite busy with the inconsequential business of seemingly endless discipline during their formative years.

Until he made the stupidest mistake of his life by renouncing the pack that had raised him, proving he hadn't learned a damned thing from all his childhood punishments.

So? The light challenge came from the dark wolf on redheaded Lily's left. Her brother Tate, who despite his generally easy-going nature was as highly trained and lethal a Guardian as any of the others. We're waiting for your famous moves, Jace. Show us what you've got there. He cracked his knuckles in a show of intimidation. It would work better if he could keep the grin off his face, but that was Tate. Always laughing.

Even so, Jace felt a slight niggle of irritation as they tried to rile him. He kept his breathing steady and even. They were just trying to throw him off his game. Trying to see if he was still the over-reactive, brawling idiot he'd been as a pup.

Fine. He'd show them exactly what he'd learned during his years away.

I doubt he— Lily's voice choked off into a startled gasp as Jace propelled himself across the ground at them, moving so quickly he knew they hadn't even seen him launch.

Time splintered into a million little pieces as a free-for-all broke out on the training grounds at the back of the den. Jace dove for Lily's knees, slicing his arm out hard to sneak behind her legs and yank her off her feet before her gasp could fully leave her mouth. Her mate, Kieran, roared his disapproval as he flung himself at Jace. Tate, his dark eyes flashing with something that Jace suspected was laughter, burst in and managed to grab Jace's left shoulder, shoving him slightly off balance. Quicker than thought, Jace tumbled and rolled, easily getting away to spring back to his feet. He left Tate sprawled in the dust, spitting out dirt from between his teeth.

You low-down, fiendish, sneaky— Lily began, although her tone was far more admiring than censorious.

Gotcha! Kieran had somehow gotten behind Jace. He hooked his foot behind Jace's in a move similar to the one that had taken down his mate. Yanking hard, he managed to unbalance Jace yet again.

Well, then. Time to pull out the really big guns. Drawing on the calm, focused center of his training, Jace flipped himself in a backward somersault that soared over everyone's heads, catapulting away from the other wolves and their suddenly startled faces. Although he didn't spare a glance for the alpha, who still stood quietly behind everyone else as he watched, Jace suspected if he looked over, he might see the slightest hint of respect in the older man's eyes.

Yes, Jace had picked up a trick or two during his years away. He was a force to be reckoned with now. He was a damn good addition to the Guardians of the Black Mesa Wolf Pack.

The sudden silence that dropped over them, punctuated only by the gasps for air and heavy breathing as everyone tried to regain their composure, was music to Jace's ears. A-ha. He finally had their attention. And their attention clearly was impressed. It felt good. He'd worked hard to be considered for this kind of a chance. Nothing but nothing would make him ruin it again.

Jace raised his eyebrows, starting to smile as he opened his mouth to speak. Before he could, a sudden commotion burst out behind him. In that split second, both Kieran's and Lily's faces changed from their somewhat grudging astonishment at his moves to genuine alarm. Tate yelled, Watch out! even as Jace started to turn around to face whatever unknown danger approached him from behind.

Too late. Something small, sturdy, fuzzy, and growling with ferocious intensity hurtled into him, knocking him right off his feet. Make that two somethings. He slammed onto the ground, his breath almost whooshing out of his lungs, although his training saved him from that happening. Furious little yips and howls assaulted his ears, along with loud shouts from all the adults present. He flipped around, his wolf clawing at his mind and howling to be set free, as he tried to see what the hell was attacking him.

Liam! Briana! Stop that right this instant, do you hear me? a woman called out, her voice low and commanding.

Every single molecule that made up Jace's world stopped short at the sound of her voice. Time itself seemed to halt. The individual little hairs on his body lifted as he and his wolf were snared by a scent that whispered down into his very bones.

Mine, his wolf murmured.

The appalled female voice snapping out her order was clearly upset, yet also collected. The little hellions attacking Jace's feet and legs didn't seem to hear her, however. A sharp set of tiny teeth pierced right through his jeans into his flesh. His focus on the alluring voice sharply broken, Jace hollered in pained startlement. A choice bad word roared out of his mouth.

Then he looked down and finally saw what was attacking him. Oops. No, not at all a good word to be heard by two very young, apparently very ferocious little wolf pups.

Silence descended on the entire group as the two little devils retreated from him in a tumble of fur and suddenly wide eyes at his crass language. Jace regarded them in sheer astonishment as they stared right back at him, their ears pricked up in shock and interest, although their cute little tails drooped behind them.

Cute? Really?

As they huddled together, he could immediately see that they were twins. One a boy, one a girl. The bright green eyes so common to pups until they