Loyal Leopard by Sammie Joyce

Rachel knows she can do so much more – she can be an effective Protector, but she’ll have to overcome the prejudice on the council to be the first woman shifter to join the elite group. Proving her worth will be no easy task.
Antonio takes three things in life seriously. His position on the Protector team, loyalty to his shifter family, and avoiding distractions. Oh, and Rachel. They’re best friends and there’s no way he’d ever sacrifice their friendship for anything.
And Rachel is a loose cannon. Sure she’s the strongest woman he’s ever known, but that doesn’t give her the qualities required to be a Protector. As more trouble in the community simmers and threatens to boil over, he needs to stay focused anyway.
As Rachel pushes her agenda she feels his resistance and her resentment festers even though she feels more for him than she should. They’re just friends, but it feels like more.
Antonio has known for a while that he’s in love with her and he can’t bear the thought of her risking her life as a Protector. Can he support her need to protect or will his fear take over? And if he doesn’t support her, will he lose her completely?