Wolf Shifter Diaries: Lies Tamed (Sweet Paranormal Wolf & Fae Fantasy Romance Series Book 2) by E. Hall (books for men to read TXT) 📗

He nods. “I understand the importance of family and what it feels like not to have one. That’s why I run the pack the way I do. Trust me, not all Alphas are like me. The pack will accept you as Alpha. The problem is—” He falters and his face falls into shadow as a group of puffy clouds cover the sun. “When we love, loss becomes greater.”

I lace my fingers around his as we loop the path that wraps around the placid water of the lake.

“But it’s worse not to love.”

“No, there is something worse than that.” Corbin chucks a flat, round rock toward the water. It lands, skips, lands, skips. He picks up another and another, causing ripple after ripple.

I suddenly worry he lost a previous mate or girlfriend. My thoughts float to Amanda. No, he didn’t seem attached to her. Someone else?

“Because we’re true mates, once you’re recognized as Alpha, there will be an Alpha Call-Out.”

“A fight like the Mate Call-Out?” I waggle my finger back and forth. “Between us?”

“No, against us.” Corbin’s words are clipped. “Once an Alpha, there are very few instances that would remove me from my role. One is the addition of an Alpha.”

“So we’d have to fight for you to keep your role.”

He nods.

“I can train. I’m strong, Corbin. I wouldn’t have an Alpha wolf inside if I wasn’t, right?” It’s like everything is caving in, going dark.

“It’s not that. I believe in you.” His voice fades. “It’s—”

The sun bakes its way through the clouds, sprinkling the water with flecks of gold that remind me of Corbin’s eyes. One moment the world feels like slate gray nothingness and then the sun changes everything. The trouble is, it’ll change again.

“Whatever it is, it’s okay. You can tell me,” I say bravely.

“We protect humans because they were here first, at least in this realm. The story goes that the first man that became wolf went on a hike on the mountain and never came back. They never found him. Then another and another left, presumably forming the first pack.”

“Were they bitten and turned?”

He nods. “We used to be savage, violent. All of us, including me.” He lets out a strangled breath. “As you know, I grew up in Scotland. My father was a lone wolf, and I grew up among humans. I had a best friend—Logan Harris. I never explicitly said I was a shifter, but he had a vague awareness. One night, we were returning to our village on horseback. A terrible storm kicked up. His horse spooked. Threw him. I rushed to his aid and realized a sharp stick had impaled him. He was going to die there in my arms.”

My stomach feels queasy even at the thought of blood.

“I didn’t think. I bit him. I turned my best friend into a beast like me.”

“To save his life,” say.

“At first he was upset, but soon understood I did what I thought was best. Things were never the same between us though. We went our separate ways. When I went to Concordia, I found him, his pack, and his mate. His fated mate. They were Alphas in this region.”

My breathing slows as I begin to understand.

“My Alpha emerged in their presence. I was fated to be the wolf who engaged them in the Alpha Call-Out.”

“You won.” He had to kill his best friend.

“He was like a brother to me.” Corbin’s voice tightens.

The story and sorrow drift between us as the wind picks up.

“I betrayed him. I reluctantly became Alpha and vowed to end our violence. That made me particularly suited for the Council. My priority is to protect and not harm.

I smooth my hand down his massive arm. “I’m sorry, Corbin.”

He sniffs. “Yeah. It’s the way of things. We don’t ask for it. I wouldn’t want that for you, Kenna.”

“What happened to his Alpha mate?”

“She moved on, I suppose. I’m not sure. But I can only imagine her heart was broken.”

“That’s tragic, Corbin, but that’s not our fate. My wolf wants to be with your pack. I want it.”

“What about your fae and vampire?”

“They don’t have a say. My wolf is the strongest of the three forms of magic within me.” I speak with confidence even though it’s just a hope.

The corner of Corbin’s lift lips. “That’s because we’re superior.”

I laugh lightly and lean into him. “I want to be part of the pack. Whether fate or something else drew me here, it also drew out my wolf. I prefer her energy to the vamps’ and fae. I’m certain this is what I want. Just as I feel her part of me, I know this is the right decision. I want to be in your pack. I want you to be my Alpha.”

“Then you can officially pledge yourself to the pack and accept me as your Alpha tonight. We’ll have the ceremony. When you do, you’ll reveal your place in the pack and they’ll become your family.”

I nod. “I won’t visit Lonsdale today after all, but soon I need to find my father and get answers.” I didn’t realize I was holding my breath, but I finally exhale.

Chapter 6

Corbin

Lost in thought, I pile up wood for the bonfire and declaration ceremony. Soon, Kenna will choose us as her pack, and she’ll reveal her Alpha wolf.

I’ve never told anyone about Logan. Recalling the memories is painful, but I shove them away. I have to focus on protecting Kenna and my pack. I don’t know when or who, but as soon as her wolf status is revealed and we bond, there will be an Alpha Call-Out. The idea of anything