Taken by the Alpha Wolf

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…