Shadow Wolf

SHADOW WOLFPROTECTOR WOLF SHIFTER SERIESBOOK ONE LILLIANA ROSE Shadow Wolf Lilliana Rose Copyright 2023 Lilliana Rose All Rights Reserved ISBN (ebook): 978-0-6454402-5-6 ISBN (Print): 978-0-6454402-6-3 All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental. Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. For my dogs, Kimba and Sprinkles for waiting patiently. CONTENTS BlurbChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 5Chapter 6Chapter 7Chapter 8Chapter 9Chapter 10Chapter 11Chapter 12Chapter 13Chapter 14Chapter 15Chapter 16Chapter 17Chapter 18Chapter 19Chapter 20Chapter 21Chapter 22Chapter 23Chapter 24Chapter 25Chapter 26Chapter 27Chapter 28Chapter 29Chapter 30Chapter 31About the AuthorAcknowledgments BLURB Can a wolf shifter who hates humans and a human who is afraid of dogs work together to save both their asses? If Tamaska wants to advance her career, she must sell the Blood Opal to the highest bidder. But when the precious gem is stolen in front of everyone, her future ends up in jeopardy. The prime suspect? Zodiak, a security guard from Shadow Protection—assigned as a last minute change—and someone Tamaska isn’t keen to trust. Zodiak is adamant about his innocence and believes the culprit is a vampire. He claims he wants to help, but Tamaska isn’t having it…until an effort to recover the stone from a dangerous visit to a nightclub leaves her life hanging in the balance. Now, if she wants to escape she’ll have to accept the shifter’s help…and hope he doesn’t end up killing her chances of getting out alive. CHAPTER 1 Tamaska Tamaska Lane scanned the growing crowd behind the roped-off doorway to the ballroom. She tapped her foot, the sound of her shoe on the polished floor a steady rhythm. Time slipped away quicker than she’d like. Nerves knotted in her stomach, tight enough for her to want to double over, yet she remained upright, head high, abundantly confident. The security she’d employed at the last minute hadn’t arrived. The Blood Opal was too valuable to have on display without protection, and she was beginning to think this might be the event that would break her career instead of making it. “Where the fuck is he?” she grumbled, standing by the tall, rectangular glass cabinet positioned on the stage at the back of the ballroom. Both the cabinet and the stage showcased her skills as a highly sought-after event manager. Fairy lights strung between the high walls connected to the chandelier in the center, adding a touch of magic to the room. Oversized flower arrangements on pedestals along the walls, framed with white material, softened the space. It was inviting, and she hoped it would persuade potential buyers to open their wallets and spend big money. This was the event to be at on Friday night in Sydney, Australia, at the reputable Shangri-La. She clutched her phone in one hand, trying to maintain control in a situation that was about to push her over the edge and into the mother of all meltdowns. One last thing needed to be sorted out before the event started, and time was fast running out. The soft rainbow of colors around the opal’s deep red center reassured her. The priceless Blood Opal sat proudly on a cushion of black velvet, surrounded by tiny LED lights which had been positioned to ensure the gem’s beauty reflected from all angles. And it was beautiful. Almost otherworldly. The glow of the opal drew the eye, even without the lights. With them, it was beyond spectacular. Just like she’d envisaged. Of course, security actually being at the Shangri-La would help with the gem placed so front and center. Tamaska stepped off the stage as nervous energy hummed in her veins. The evening needed to be perfect. Through the far window, she caught sight of the Sydney Harbour Bridge that lit up as the sky darkened. In the window’s reflection, she returned a strand of wayward brown hair to the long, straight ponytail that fell down her back, perfectly aligned. She took in the rest of herself: the gym-toned body, emphasized by leather pants and a loose, see-through shirt that covered the scars on her arms and legs and gave her a chicness. A boldness. An edge. She could blend or stand out, depending on her mood and needs. It gave her a confident edge that she fast wasn’t feeling. Tonight’s reveal was the biggest in the company’s history, with the exclusive Blood Opal going up for sale. As the event manager for OzOpals, responsibility for the event fell entirely on her. Even though she had five team members to help, including her assistant Cory, she needed to push harder than usual to ensure OzOpals received the best price for this rare treasure. So, no pressure. She kept her face smooth and emotionless. Her boss, Carlene, would be watching. Carlene, ready to scrutinize every detail of the night. Carlene, ready to pick every tiny move apart. The boss from hell had given her enough motivation to start her own event management firm. Soon, her reputation would have clients lining up to book her, which was why tonight had to be perfect in every way. At least Carlene wasn't there yet. That was a small miracle because no way Tamaska could explain why there was no security protecting the gem. Acid rose up from her stomach, and she swallowed hard. If the security guard couldn't show up on time, how could he be qualified