Guardian of the Wolf
by L. Shannon
Shortly after starting a branch of the family business dedicated to personal protection, fun loving Romach finds himself pulled into a dangerous murder plot. His job is to protect a young starlet named Brianna from a quickly tightening net of intrigue where even the good guys are suspected of being traitors. Romach shows that he can do his part to keep the world safe even while keeping it entertained.
Excerpt:
"Happy Birthday Romie. Check out what I got for you!"
The ‘what’ was a client. Or at least Romach Pazulf thought she was. She was also the girl of his dreams. She stormed into the room brushing past Molach without another look. Her medium brown hair swished thickly against her shoulders as she nearly hit Molach with the swiftly closing door. Her dress was styled to the perfect early century detective heroine even including the suit, hat and short veil.
"Look I don’t know what that comment was all about but if you are not serious, I have absolutely no time for you."
"I’m serious." Perhaps an overstatement... or outright lie. He was very rarely serious. But he would say anything to keep her here with him even a moment more. "What can I help you with?"
"I was referred to you by a friend. He told me that your agency could protect me from any danger."
"Maybe not every single possible one, but yes I can from most. Who sent you?"
"Reulton. He said you know him well." Romach made a note to thank Reulton profusely as soon as possible.
"Yes. We grew up together."
"So you grew up where?"
So she was going to test him. She would start off with a hard question. What would Reulton have told her? Considering they shared four hundred years of history, the answer could vary depending on what would make the rogue singer seem most human.
"I don’t know that I have any reason to stay. If you can’t answer such a simple question then I have come the wrong place." She turned back to the door.
"I would have answered more quickly if you had chosen a simple question. But instead you ask for a history report, which is not a subject I am good at."
She sat in the chair in front of his cluttered desk, fidgeting to smooth out her skirt before meeting his eyes. "I’m sorry. I just wanted to know that Reulton really does know you well enough to vouch for you. I.. I really need someone I can trust."
"Fair enough." She let out a sigh which rustled the button down blouse of her suit across her chest. She cleared her throat drawing his attention to her arched brow expression. So she was used to being admired. "Ah, the question?"
"Yes, please. I would like to know your relationship with Reulton."
"We grew up as brothers. Both our parents were killed and we were raised together. We were born in Ireland, moved to Wales then to America. We have been here since." She had beautiful sea green eyes. "What more would you like to know? The first car he drove? His first girlfriend?"
"How did your parents die?"
"A hate crime that claimed many lives." It had become the typical answer that was truth and yet misleading. Being from Ireland and mentioning hate crimes would suggest something that was believable and inaccurate. But for some reason he wanted to tell her the truth. He wanted to tell her that humans had killed his family for being different, for being werewolves. "So what brings you to my desk today?"
"I need protection. I have been getting threats, and I believe them to be for real."
