Visionary Wolf. Linda Johnston O.

Rosa off at the vet clinic, Liam had promised a visit to his family in town—his brother, Chuck, and sister-in-law, Carleen. They had moved from Minnesota to Mary Glen just a few months ago and bought an existing restaurant that was a franchise for the Fastest Foods chain, planning to stay here a while.

      That was the result of Liam learning about a possible experiment that would involve allowing limited individuals related to Alpha Force team members to occasionally use the elixir on nights of a full moon, with results to be examined by the unit. Those people had to be shifters, close in both relationship and distance, although if all went well, the program might be expanded.

      Liam’s family were shifters like him, and were eager to have more access to the elixir. That’s why they had considered their move here worth it, even if they wound up only being closer to Liam. But of course they hoped things went better than that—and they had, at least somewhat. His family members had been allowed to use the elixir once now, during this most recent full moon, as part of the experiment. And more? That remained to be seen, but the ongoing experiment might help.

      Liam had received a text message from Chuck a short while ago, as he waited for Rosa. He hadn’t seen his family since their shift last night, nor had he had a chance to speak with the Alpha Force member who’d acted as their temporary aide for the occasion, Sergeant Kristine Parran. Though he’d talked to them briefly on his way downtown before, and they’d sounded thrilled, he wanted to know more about how it all went, and apparently they wanted to talk to him, too. But he couldn’t stay long at the restaurant.

      So first he’d take Rosa back to the veterinary hospital and dash in with her to see how Drew was doing. Then he’d stop to see family—quickly.

      And finally, he would fulfill his obligation—and do what he really wanted to. He’d hurry back here to get on the computer at last.

      As Liam pulled his car past the base’s front gate and onto the road secluded by trees, Rosa took her phone from her purse and looked at it. “I was hoping to get a call right away saying they’d figured out how to help Drew.”

      “That would be a nice thing.” He looked at her briefly and nodded. And had an idea.

      He could easily drive past the restaurant on the way to the clinic. That would give him a great excuse to keep his visit quick. He trusted Denny, but the aide was too new at this to fully accomplish what Liam needed to do. If he stopped with Rosa to buy a fast-food burger and coffee—and ask in more detail how his family had enjoyed last night—he could leave quickly to return Rosa to her clinic.

      Besides, he would get to stay in her presence just a little longer. That wasn’t important, of course—no matter how much he knew he’d enjoy it. But the idea seemed to work well in all ways.

      “I’d like to stop to pick up a meal to go, from the Fastest Foods shop,” he told Rosa. “My treat, if you’d like anything.”

      The look she shot at him was one of surprise. “Good idea,” she said. “You don’t have to treat, but I’ll pick up a few things for the clinic staff...and also get Drew a burger to help keep his spirits up.”

      “Good idea,” he said in turn. “We’ll be there soon.” Then he had to ask. “Did you get a sense that my superior officers knew what they were doing when it came to analyzing Drew’s blood and determining if that had anything to do with his non-shifting?”

      “I liked those guys,” she hedged. “And I’m hopeful...but not sure. I just wish there was more I could do.”

      He hated to hear the sad tone in her voice, and to see the dejection in her expression when he managed another glance toward her.

      “I’ve got a feeling,” he said to cheer her up, “that there is more you can do, and you’ll figure it out.”

      He looked at her again briefly as she shifted in her seat. “Really? I can’t make any promises, but I sure hope you’re right.”

      Me, too, he thought, then made the turn from the woodsy road into town.

      And if she figured it out—well, that would give him a good excuse to kiss those now happily smiling lips of hers in thanks.

       Chapter 5

      “There we are.” From the driver’s seat beside Rosa, Liam pointed just ahead along one of the town’s main streets. Sure enough, a familiar large neon sign that resembled those in lots of other locations jutted over the sidewalk: Fastest Foods.

      “Yes,” Rosa agreed, trying to sound excited. And to her surprise, she was—a little.

      A stop for a meal?

      After all that had gone on today, Rosa wasn’t really hungry, but the stop would give her a little more time in Liam’s presence. Despite being in the same places a lot that day, they really hadn’t spent much time together.

      On the other hand, she barely knew the guy. Plus he happened to be a shifter. Not that she disliked shifters.

      Quite the contrary...but she certainly couldn’t be attracted to one, no matter how caring and sympathetic he happened to be about his commanding officer’s medical—or whatever—problem.

      The restaurant stood alone in the middle of a sizable parking lot that also had a drive-through line. “Are we going to go through there?” Rosa pointed toward the stream of cars slowly inching forward.

      “No, we’ll go inside, though we’ll order takeout.”

      He fortunately found a parking spot right away in the busy lot and opened his door. Rosa opened hers, too, and hopped out. “I assume you’ll roll down the back windows a bit for Chase,” she said, looking into the back seat at the wolflike dog, who was now sitting up, panting a bit. Fortunately, the outside air was cool.

      “No need,” Liam said. “He’ll come in with us.”

      “Into the restaurant? Is that allowed?”

      “Of course. He’s a soldier dog—and he’s also kind of my service dog.” Liam’s grin, as he stood beside her near the car on the black paved surface of the lot, seemed proud.

      “Oh. Okay.” Rosa loved dogs, and other animals, enough that she wished they were all allowed into all restaurants and other places that served people.

      Of course, shapeshifters were allowed anywhere—as long as they were in human form, as Liam was now.

      And Rosa realized it was okay to bring Chase, too, when they walked in the door of the crowded, noisy restaurant and Liam was greeted right away by the people who seemed in charge.

      A guy who’d been behind the service counter came out the door beside it and hustled toward Liam. They shook hands, then hugged each other. Was he a relative? The guy was about Liam’s height, with similarly dark hair and angular features. He wasn’t in a camo uniform, of course, but a blue denim shirt and jeans, with a white apron on top.

      He looked down then and grinned at Chase, leashed beside Liam. “Can’t pet him, bro, though I know he’s family. You know that’s why we keep our Louper out back, too, when he’s here.”

      “Right. Not sanitary when you’re on duty. But let me introduce you to someone.” Liam turned toward Rosa and gestured for her to join them.

      As she did, a woman who’d been cleaning tables in the busy place dashed over. She was dressed similarly to the man who’d hugged Liam. She was slender, with long, silver-blond hair pulled into a clip at the back of her head, a very attractive woman—who also hugged Liam.

      Rosa knew she shouldn’t feel jealous about that—especially when she looked down and saw a ring on the woman’s finger.

      “So good to see you, Liam,” the woman said.

      “I’ll say,” said the man.

      Liam