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

a sharp bark, jumps to his feet, and then takes off. The idea is for me to chase him. But soon, I’m not sure who’s chasing who as we race on the trails.

Suddenly, I catch the scent of a human. Distracted and slightly panicked, I lose my footing, shift, and tumble down an incline. Fortunately, at the bottom is one of many stashes of clothing. Every day, it’s someone’s duty to replenish the supply. I’ve gotten used to wearing random T-shirts, shorts, and leggings that don’t belong to me.

Corbin must’ve caught the scent too because he strides toward me wearing a pair of black work pants and a blue T-shirt.

Taking my hand, a thrill at his touch shoots through me. My cheeks tint pink. We walk along the trail, both keeping alert.

From a bend in the path, a man with a thick beard and gentle eyes appears. He carries a rifle. “Nice day, Corbin.”

Corbin eyes the rifle. “Good weather.”

“I’ll say.”

The two go on, discussing the most boring thing ever. The weather. I mean, yeah, it’s almost autumn, and that’s great and all, but who thought it could be discussed for nearly five minutes?

When we go our separate ways, I give Corbin a look. “I didn’t know you took such a keen interest in meteorology.”

He chuckles. “More like hunting activity. Some of the locals know about us and report on things in code. After Richard Dubois was killed, they’ve been wary. Sorry I didn’t introduce you. The less they know about you, the better. That was John Stafford. He’s a good guy. But in so many words, I warned him to be careful. The rifle wouldn’t quite do the trick if he came across the werewolf.”

“It’s not a full moon.”

“No, but curses can lift or shift.”

A chill creeps over me. But Corbin squeezes my hand, warming me all over again. I don’t think the toe-tingling, cheek-heating, butterfly-fluttering sensation of him touching me will ever get old.

We reach the ridge that runs along the upper part of the property, giving us a wide view of the borders, the lake, and the activity below. Several pack members work in one of the gardens and someone else paints a fence.

“You should be proud of what you created here,” I say, admiring how everyone contributes. “It’s like a family.” I try not to allow the left-out feeling sneak into my voice.

When I’m with Corbin, I feel completely included and cared for. It’s the subordinates plus Avril that have me feeling like an outsider.

“Any chores that need doing?” I ask as we near the lodge.

“You already baked muffins this morning. At least five dozen by the looks of the pile in the kitchen.”

“I’m surprised there were any left when you got there.” Am I such a pariah the pack won’t eat my muffins?

“Oh, they lasted less than sixty seconds as everyone arrived for breakfast.”

Relief washes through me. Maybe I’ll win them over by baking.

Baker intercepts Corbin, calling him to the den—a private meeting room for the Alpha and beta wolves.

As the head of the pack, Corbin has a lot of responsibilities and I hate to see him go but understand.

He kisses my temple. “See you in a bit.”

A lightning-strike feeling flushes my cheeks when his lips meet my skin. It’s like a bolt from the blue. We’re keeping our fated mate status on the down-low, but I can safely call Corbin my boyfriend even if I can’t call many of the other wolves friends.

I wander into the lodge and back to the kitchen. I have to see for myself if the muffins are gone. All I’ve ever wanted was a big family. I love my mom and all, but she worked a lot, and it was just the two of us. Andi, my best friend through high school, was one of eight kids. They had me over for dinner and sleepovers loads of times, chasing away the loneliness, but it’s come back full force even though I’m in a houseful.

The platter is empty. I check the trash to be sure. My stomach sinks. Someone threw them out. Or by the sound of chatter from the common room, three someones. Why would Corbin lie?

The ceilings in the lodge are high with exposed rough-sawn lumber beams. The windows practically fill the wall, letting in sunlight. A large fieldstone fireplace stands cold in the great room.

Various seating areas fill with members of the pack.

Avril sits with Heather, Harper, and Hannah. I’m surprised she’s not at the den meeting. As she trails me with her sharp, dark-eyed gaze, I feel like I’m wading into shark-infested waters. I force myself not to shiver. There should be a guide with user reports, hazards, and anything that might offer me instruction on how to deal with female wolf shifters.

I suddenly find a painting on the wall of a lighthouse fascinating. I imagine summer afternoons in its shadow, lounging on the beach, and gazing out to sea. At that relaxing vision, my breathing comes easier.

My extra sensitive wolf hearing attunes to the vibe of the room. There are guys playing chess, others taking about chores that need to be done, and then the girls gossiping about...me.

I moved around a few times as a kid and when I got to high school, my mother told me something that stuck with me. She said, “When you enter a room, take the temperature, but be the thermostat.” In other words, don’t let other people’s moods dictate my own.

I force my shoulders to relax, releasing the tension and frustration I feel about being in what feels like no-man’s-land, thousands of miles from home. I make my cheeks lift into a smile.

Nodding at the girls, I call, “Hi, can I sit with you?” It’s admittedly weak but better than talking about the weather like Corbin