Wolf's Fall
J. D. Tyler
PRAISE FOR THE
ALPHA PACK NOVELS
Cole’s Redemption
“Tyler delivers once again with the fun fifth installment of her Alpha Pack series featuring sexy psychic Navy SEALs turned wolf shifters. Fast-paced and passionate adventure is a hallmark of Tyler’s writing, and Cole’s story is no exception.”
—RT Book Reviews
Hunter’s Heart
“In the rapid-fire fourth Alpha Pack novel from Tyler (after Black Moon), a psychic wolf shifter meets a wildlife biologist who captures his heart. As the Alpha Pack—a group of former Navy SEALs turned shifters—race against time to catch the killer, Daria and Ryon’s romance turns red-hot, even though they’re fighting to stay alive. An unexpected concluding twist provides a little edge and neatly sets up the next entry in the series.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Fast-paced with a great sense of adventure, as only sexy psychic Navy SEALs turned wolf shifters can provide. The characters have a complexity that brings depth to the story, but the passion between Ryon and Daria makes for a particularly hot read.”
—RT Book Reviews
“Amazing characters, wonderful drama . . . hot and to die for. Make sure you have a cool drink close at hand because Ryon and Daria together are a romance reader’s joy and delight. Final word on this book: Get It Right Now!”
—Dark Faerie Tales
Black Moon
“I loved every single minute of [Black Moon], every event, and every twist. This book was action-packed and smexy-packed. You will fall in love with Kalen if you weren’t already.”
—Under the Covers
“Tyler brings more intense romance and danger to this third entry in the Alpha Pack series. Werewolves and Marines are a heady combination, making the men of the Alpha Pack exciting and passionate. The women in this series are strong enough to stand up to the men without losing their feminine edge, and Mackenzie definitely lives up to the standard.”
—RT Book Reviews
Savage Awakening
“In a genre with werewolves aplenty, Savage Awakening leads the herd with its strong character development and intensity. . . . It’s hard not to fall in love with the Alpha Pack.”
—RT Book Reviews
Primal Law
“With Primal Law, J. D. Tyler has created a whole squad of yummy shifter heroes whom readers will fall head over heels for. . . . I can’t wait for Tyler’s next Alpha Pack adventure!”
—New York Times bestselling author Angela Knight
“Tyler has set up an intriguing premise for her series, which promises plenty of action, treachery, and scorchingly hot sex.”
—RT Book Reviews
“Sizzling and interesting, Primal Law pays homage to Lora Leigh’s Breed series while forging its own paths. The characters are likable, and the work speeds along.”
—Fresh Fiction
“In a genre where the paranormal is intense, J. D. Tyler may just be a force to be reckoned with. The book kept me riveted from start to finish.”
—Night Owl Reviews
Also by J. D. Tyler
Cole’s Redemption
Hunter’s Heart
Black Moon
Savage Awakening
Black Moon (Novella)
Primal Law
SIGNET ECLIPSE
Published by the Penguin Group
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First published by Signet Eclipse, an imprint of New American Library,
a division of Penguin Group (USA) LLC
Copyright © J. D. Tyler, 2014
Excerpt from Cole’s Redemption copyright © J. D. Tyler, 2014
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ISBN 978-0-698-13811-7
PUBLISHER’S NOTE
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Version_1
Contents
Praise
Also by J. D. Tyler
Title page
Copyright page
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Epigraph
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Excerpt from COLE’S REDEMPTION
To my dear friend Tracy Garrett. One of the best days of my life was the day you walked up to me and introduced yourself, taking this shy, new budding author under your wing. Your friendship is a true gift, and I’m so glad we’re making this journey together.
Nick’s story is for you. I love you, my friend.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Special thanks to:
My family, for supporting and encouraging me during every step of my journey.
My agent, Roberta Brown, and my editor, Tracy Bernstein. I’m so grateful for your support and guidance, as always.
My readers. You make my job telling stories worthwhile, and such a joy.
“It’s impossible,” said Pride.
“It’s risky,” said Experience.
“It’s pointless,” said Reason.
“Give it a try,” whispered the Heart.
—Author Unknown
One
Alpha Pack commander Nick Westfall strode from his office and down the main corridor of the compound, his heavy black boots muffled on the carpet.
His hand went to his side, fingers touching briefly on the butt of the firearm tucked into the waistband of his jeans. He pulled his T-shirt down to cover it and kept walking.
I should feel something, shouldn’t I? Fear? Self-loathing? Regret?
Yes, all of those things shredded his guts like razor blades, but not because of what he might be about to do. He wanted to hold on. It wasn’t in his nature to give up, ever. But the storm within battered him from all sides, tidal waves washing over his head again and again until it seemed there was nothing left to do but just let go. Drown.
Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Carter Darrow’s sinister smile splitting his cold face. Day and night, the phantom press of the dead vampire’s body, fangs piercing his skin, unwillingly aroused him all over again.
Worse, he’d begged for it. The nightmare of his time with Darrow never left him. The vampire had broken him down, mind and body, to the lowest common denominator of flesh, blood, and desire. He was nothing but what the creature wanted him to be: enslaved.
Choking off a bitter laugh, he turned a corner and almost mowed down Hammer—aka former Special Agent John Ryder. His best friend and right hand, the one man who’d been with him for years. Endured all sorts of shit with him since their days in the FBI, passing a few years as humans. The one man who would see through Nick’s mask in a
heartbeat if Nick wasn’t careful.
“Where you goin’ in such a hurry?” The big wolf shifter was half teasing, but the easygoing smile met a quick death as he studied Nick’s face. “What’s up?”
“Nothing,” he said casually. “Just going out to the hangar to check on the repairs of that Huey, and then I’m heading over to Sanctuary to see how things are going with the new residents.”
All of that was the truth. He’d just left out his next, possibly final, destination. Still, the huge bald man narrowed his eyes, shifted his stance, clearly communicating that his bullshit detector was fully functioning. They’d been friends too long to miss when something was off with the other.
“I’ll go with you.”
A test. One he’d fail if he refused his friend’s company, and the guy knew it. Shrugging, he said, “Sure.”
Nick could fool most people, but not the former undercover agent whose life had depended on his ability to read the subtle nuances of tone, body language, and facial expression. And he probably knew Nick better than anyone else ever had, even Nick’s own brother.
As they headed for the hangar, a buzz vibrated against Nick’s thigh. Fishing in his front pocket, he pulled out his cell phone and let out a frustrated breath as he saw his brother’s name on the screen. Hell, the guys of the Pack were more his brothers than Damien had ever been.
He should have known. Just when he wanted nothing more than to be left alone, especially by that asshole, he had a couple of minders breathing down his neck. “Fuck off,” he muttered, pushing the button to decline the call. Then he shoved the device back into his pocket.
“You not gonna answer that?”
“Nope. Thought the ‘fuck off’ made it pretty obvious.”
Hammer was unperturbed, sliding on his sunglasses as they stepped outside. “You know he’ll just keep calling back.”
“Yeah, he’s a dick like that.”
“He cares.”
Nick shot him a glare. They had been friends for years, since long before the Pack. The others might suspect that Hammer had known the sad story of Nick’s past all along, but nobody knew for sure and no one had asked in the days since everything had come out.
Hammer had known, almost from the start of their friendship. And he had never told a soul. He was the most loyal, steadfast friend a man could ask for.
Few people knew better what Nick had been through twenty years ago, after making a horrible mistake. He’d used his abilities as a PreCog to change the future, saving his daughter’s life. But his actions had cost his mate her life instead—at Carter Darrow’s hands. Damien had banished Nick from their clan and forced him to leave a then-eleven-year-old Selene behind. He’d lost his daughter, mate, brother, and clan, in one fell swoop. It was that bastard Darrow’s fault—but Damien could have handled things differently. The heartless prick could have supported Nick instead of casting him out.
Which was why Hammer’s pushing Nick to reconcile with his brother completely baffled him. Coming back to the present, he realized he’d stopped to stare at his friend.
“You really want to go there with me?” he asked in a warning tone.
“Just sayin’.” Thankfully, his friend lapsed back into quiet mode until they reached the cavernous hangar, and didn’t bring up the subject of Damien again.
In the driveway outside the building, some of the guys were waxing the SUVs. Correction: most were waxing and two others were goofing off. Jaxon Law, Ryon Hunter, Zander Cole, and Micah Chase were polishing the freshly washed black vehicles to a high shine while Aric Savage and Kalen Black were running around throwing wet, soapy sponges at each other. Nick exchanged an amused look with Hammer and the two of them stopped to watch.
“Gotcha!” Kalen yelled as his missile hit Aric’s chest with a wet splat.
“Yeah? Take this!” The redheaded wolf shifter returned the favor, dipping his sponge into a bucket and then letting it fly, hitting the Sorcerer in the head.
“Oh, yeah? Die, mangy wolf!”
With that, Kalen waved a hand at his own bucket—and the contents shot from it, completely drenching Aric. Who sputtered, cursed, and laughed at the same time.
“You fucker! That’s cheating!” He wiped soap from his eyes and gave Kalen an evil grin. “You’re gonna pay, Magic Man.”
Aric waved a hand at his own bucket, the sudsy water splashing on the concrete as he used his gift of telekinesis to hurl the entire thing at Kalen. Who immediately used his own magic to stop the bucket midair and send it straight back at Aric. Halfway to Aric, the bucket met with equal resistance and hung suspended between them.
“Stalemate,” Kalen said dryly.
“Yeah. All the water’s gone anyway.”
With the ceasing of their power, the bucket fell unceremoniously to the ground with a clatter. Nick rolled his eyes and stepped forward. “Is that all you two idiots have to do today? I’m sure I can find jobs for you. Like cleaning the staff restrooms, for example.”
The words apparently held no real heat, though, from the unrepentant grins he received in response. Aric answered, “Nah, that’s quite all right. I’m sure we can find something to keep ourselves occupied, can’t we, Goth Boy?”
“You bet, Red.” Kalen plucked at his soggy T-shirt.
Hard to imagine that just months ago, those two were at each other’s throats. Now they were horsing around like a couple of teenagers, all smiles. Who knew?
And how far would it set them and the entire team back once Nick was gone?
Nick shook his head to clear that thought. “Anybody know if the Huey’s fixed?”
“The mechanic’s still in there,” Jax said, tossing down his polishing rag. “He was replacing a couple of parts last time I checked.”
“Okay. I’ll go take a look.”
“You ever seen this guy before?”
Nick studied the tattooed shifter, who was rubbing his goatee thoughtfully. “Scott? Just met him earlier today when he interviewed with me. Why?”
“I don’t know, but Tom really loved his job taking care of our vehicles. Guess it just doesn’t sit right that he left without so much as a ‘see ya.’”
“I thought that was weird, too,” Nick admitted. “But Grant confirmed Tom’s departure and vouched for Scott. He seemed competent enough when I spoke with him before.”
“Never mind. I just thought it was strange the way Tom left without a word. That’s all. And in our world, strange isn’t typically a good thing.”
Nick gave a soft laugh. “True. I’ll keep an eye on him.” And how the fuck was he supposed to make good on that when he wasn’t planning on hanging around?
Aric nodded, attitude sober now. “We all will.”
Leaving them to finish the SUVs, Nick strode into the hangar, Hammer still dogging his heels. It was rapidly becoming apparent he wasn’t going to shake his friend anytime soon. Damn. He didn’t know whether to yell or be grateful.
Forcing himself to focus, he crossed the expanse of the hangar to where Scott was working by the nose, grease-covered hands fiddling with some wires. At their approach, the man looked over and turned to greet them, pulling a dirty rag from his front pocket and wiping his hands.
“Hey, there. I think I’ve got her fit to hit the clouds again.”
“Good to know.” Nick studied Scott again, taking closer note than he had during their interview.
Scott Morgan was thirty-one, according to the employee profile Grant had e-mailed to him, and had plenty of experience working on aircraft. He wasn’t overly tall, maybe five-ten or -eleven. Slight build, hands that appeared work roughened, as they should. His brown hair was clean but a little shaggy, falling into dark eyes, and his demeanor was relaxed. His expression was friendly. There wasn’t a single thing the least bit disturbing about the mechanic.
Except that he’d replaced their regular man so suddenly, without warning. Nick was falling down on his job when it took his team members to point out a potential concern. The shame nearly c
onsumed him. He wasn’t doing anyone a favor by remaining here as their leader.
Time for that issue later. Nick gestured to the craft. “So, we can take her for a spin?”
“Absolutely. Whenever you’re ready.” Scott pulled out his cell phone. “In fact, I can call Steven if you need a pilot.”
Steven was one of the Pack’s standby pilots who lived in the nearby town of Cody, Wyoming. He and a couple of others filled in to help out Aric when the team needed more than one pilot to go out on a call. The extra personnel was approved by General Jarrod Grant, and sworn to secrecy involving whatever they might witness on the mission. A must when Nick’s team was made up of wolf shifters—and one panther—with special Psy abilities. Their job entailed battling the world’s most lethal paranormal and human enemies, and anyone from the “outside” had to be trusted implicitly.
“That won’t be necessary,” Aric said, entering the hangar and approaching the group. “I can take everybody.” His long red hair, T-shirt, and shorts were still damp, and he wore flip-flops on his feet. He looked more like he belonged in a rock band than at the controls of a helicopter. But he was a damned good pilot, even from before his time in the military.
“Oh. Okay.” Scott put away his phone. “I can ride along if you all want. Make sure she’s running smooth.”
Aric smiled. “That’s a great idea.”
Nick knew that smile. It was the fake one the Telekinetic/Firestarter gave people he didn’t trust, and Nick wasn’t sure why the man was leveling it at Scott. In fact, his own PreCog abilities hadn’t given him a single vision or even a vibe about the new mechanic. That in itself wasn’t unusual or alarming. It wasn’t like he saw everything. But he trusted Aric’s instincts.
“I agree,” he said. “If she’s still doing anything funny, you can make some adjustments when we get her on the ground.”
The mechanic nodded. “Sounds good.”
Nick didn’t add that even if there was something seriously wrong with the copter, it wasn’t going to crash with Aric on board to set it down safely. Their Psy gifts came in damned handy sometimes.
