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

He doesn’t answer but tilts his head and flips the pages. His hand moves through mine, and I shiver. “The words that used to fill these pages are worth looking for.” He steps back as though afraid he offended me. “Miss, I’m sorry. I assure you, I never read it, but I cannot help noticing certain things.”

“Alister, it’s okay. I don’t blame you. I should check out the other books while I’m here.”

“The library is wonderful. I’ve read every book in it. Ten times at least.”

“I could bring you some new ones.”

He bobs his head. “That would be delightful.”

I scent wolf and in less than a minute, Corbin stumbles into the kitchen. He yawns and then smiles at me.

“Good morning,” I say.

He pecks me on the cheek. I want him to wrap me in his arms like he did last night, but once more, he maintains space between us. Maybe it’s a wolf thing? I’d like to think not. I don’t think I can get used to the hot and cold. On and off. Affectionate and distant.

I turn my attention back to Alister. “You knew Greyson well. If you were him and became a hollow ghost, why? What was he seeking? Where might he be?”

Alister goes over numerous options, including an encounter with an evil monkey named Dodge, a trip to Thailand that landed him in prison, and how much he loved my mother and wanted her back.

“In other words, my father was an adventurous romantic.”

Alister nods. “Oh, and he loved the ocean. I think he missed his calling as a pirate or a beach bum.” The ghost winks. I think. Can ghosts wink?

“And he’s not here?”

“Sadly, no. Master Clove has turned over every corner of this house.”

“Ironic, since it isn’t his,” I grumble. “Did Greyson have any other residences?”

“Not that I know of, however, he was fond of Mexico, if I recall. They went there on their honeymoon.”

It’s then I know the exact question to ask my mother, which might help me find my father...if he wants to be found.

Corbin and I spend the remainder of the morning formulating a plan.

Clove appears, looking dismal and exhausted.

Alister offers him a blueberry muffin. He takes a bite.

“I have to talk to my mom. Then we’re heading to Intherness. Want to come?” I ask my fae brother.

“I’d better not. If Greyson didn’t want me to find him, he might not reveal himself to you.” The words are clipped.

“Fair point. In that case, I’ll be in touch. Thanks for your help. Maybe when I get back, you can help me with my fae magic.”

“Sure thing. I hope you find him, Kenna.” His tone is low, grave, and not what I’d expect a son to sound like at the prospect of being reunited with his dad. Then again, if his mother’s treatment of him is any indication, fae are different.

“And if I find him—?” I ask, wondering if he has a message he’d like me to pass along.

“Let our father know that I’m going to finish what he started,” Clove says.

“And that is—?” Corbin asks.

Clove’s lips peel back in a leer. “I’d venture that would be dangerous information to tell a Council member.” He sweeps from the room without another word.

My wolf’s hackles lift.

Corbin’s expression sharpens.

Hurrying after Clove, I call, “Why did you show us the empty scepter box?” There are about ten other questions gridlocked on my tongue, but that was the one that slipped out.

But he’s gone. I turn back to Corbin with a plea in my expression.

“Because he wants the missing Vampire Jewel along with the others,” my Alpha says, answering the question my brother did not.

Chapter 12

Corbin

Kenna paces, once more clearing a path in the dust on the wooden floor in front of the window in the old Victorian manor in Cardington.

I want to invite her into my arms, to settle and comfort her after everything she learned, namely that her father is a ghost and her brother is Clove.

However, ghost or not, if we find her father, I can’t let him use our relationship as leverage. In the last twenty-four hours, I’ve had to remind myself repeatedly of that. Greyson has a reputation for being wicked, cruel, and relentless. I know he’d manipulate this situation to his advantage.

“I have a plan. I need to talk to my mother, which would be a cinch, but Amanda broke my phone. For all its advancements, mobile phone technology is sorely lacking in Concordia.”

“We’ll head back to HQ, make the call, and then go from there.”

Kenna bites the inside of her cheek and nods. “Alister?” she calls.

The gust of cool air enters the room ahead of the ghost butler. He appears in a wavy haze of light. I knew ghosts were real, but have only seen a couple. It’s rare for a magical to become one because the Sea of Dreams is preferable. It’s even less common for a magical to trade their life to become a hollow ghost. That makes me wonder about Greyson Slade’s diabolical intentions.

“I wish you could come with us, but we’re going to try to find Greyson,” Kenna tells the ghost.

Alister wears a sad smile. “He always wanted a large family. Too bad the Accords were created.”

I stiffen. “It keeps magicals from destroying the realm and humanity.”

Alister merely hums in reply, busily brushing a tabletop with a feather duster that’s the same immaterial ghost-glimmer as he is.

Kenna pauses at the front door. “Thanks for your help.”

But the ghost is gone.

During the drive back to Polaris, Kenna asks many questions—why did Clove share the empty scepter box? What does he want with the Vampire Jewel? What did he mean he would finish