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

I can’t think about the disappointment I feel in him right now at how aggressive he’s being. I’m glad not to be wearing the engagement ring. Worry that he deceived me again burdens my mind. How are we supposed to be in a relationship or a family if I can’t trust him? How is he the person I call my true mate if he’s acting this way?

Greyson turns to Corbin. “I assure you, I’m no threat. At least not physically. I’m a hollow ghost.”

“All the more reason not to trust you. You must have been pretty desperate to make that trade.”

“I think of it as a sacrifice.” He doesn’t hang his head as if he’s not ashamed of his choices. “As you know, your mother and I broke some rules. Call me a rebel, fine. But I don’t accept them. Why was the intermingling of magicals forbidden?”

Corbin scoffs. “Because if different magicals come together, they’ll create monsters.”

I level him with a glare. “Really? You think so?”

“There’s too much unknown.” Corbin’s nostrils flare.

“I agree, but what is the unknown other than a new frontier?” Greyson says.

“Spoken like a madman,” Corbin says.

“Did you come here to argue or to help me?” I ask my mate sharply.

His eyes narrow.

What feels like a sharp spike of betrayal pricks my chest. “Wait. You didn’t come here to help me.”

“I came here to make things right. To call Greyson Slade to account for his crimes.”

“Corbin,” I gasp. “How could you?” I was hoping his earlier comment came from shock, fear, his Alpha. But he’s serious.

“I’m sorry, Kenna. My Alpha duties are critical.”

I feel like my insides are being cut, crushed, and battered all at the same time. I cannot believe what I’m hearing from Corbin. The man I love.

I want nothing more than to run away, scream, cry, but maybe we’re not entirely different. That same sense that connected with my father keeps me rooted to doing what I think is the right thing.

Seeing Greyson is like that feeling when you look at an old photograph and remember being there or doing the thing pictured even though you hadn’t thought about it in years. Another part of me is freaking out, but there’s no time for that because at last, my dad is here, talking to me.

Chapter 18

Corbin

I cannot think about how much I’ve hurt Kenna. Rather, I focus on how many people, mates, and magicals Greyson has destroyed.

Seeing him causes my Alpha to shake with rage. I want to shake Greyson and tear him to bits, but he’s immaterial, a ghost.

Kenna levels me with a glare, sensing my anger, feeling the sting of my betrayal.

“You lied to me. I don’t accept your pithy I’m sorry, but I will ask you to listen to what my father has to say. If you find his story unsatisfactory, fine, bring him to the Council. Lock me up while you’re at it because if you recall, I’m Magical’s Most Wanted.” She practically spits the words with disdain.

“I’ll tell you as much as I can, but not here. As a hollow ghost, I am bound to the trade I made. However, we’re allowed one boon, if you will. We’re able to leave a connection open to one person in the living world. Like getting to make one phone call from jail. But they’ll soon be seeking me.”

“You chose me as your one call?” Kenna asks.

Greyson nods. “My biggest regret was not fighting harder to stay with you and your mother.”

“What about Clove?” I ask.

“Who?” Greyson’s pale eyebrows lift. He looks genuinely unsure.

“My brother. Your son.”

“Your mother had another child?” His gaze softens.

“No, you did. With a fae. Jana, I think?” Kenna says.

Greyson’s expression falls. If he could pale, he would’ve. “No, no. That’s not possible.” Then his eyes widen. “She ensorcelled me.”

“Likely story,” I mutter.

“This is much bigger than I thought.” Greyson paces much like Kenna does when she’s upset.

I hate the similarity. I despise him for all the wrong he’s done, and the way he’s trying to conceal or deny it.

Not wasting any more time, Kenna gets in the driver’s seat of the van and her father follows. I get in the back so I can keep an eye on him. There’s no telling what kind of magic he’s capable of or what he might do once we’re clear of Bahia Magia.

I’ll let them have their reunion, then he’s going straight to the Council and likely the Iron Tower if he’s not put to death first.

I’m hardly listening to his story, not at all interested in his lies.

But when Kenna speaks, I listen. Rather, my wolf does. He can’t help himself.

“What’s it like being a hybrid magical?” Kenna asks.

“It’s the only thing I’ve ever known. But when I was younger, sometimes it felt like I existed in two pieces. Torn. But then after my mother disappeared and my father—” He shakes his head. “I became fascinated by it. I wanted to explore how the two forms of magic came together in my being.”

We bump over the rutted road after exiting Bahia Magia.

“I was on a quest to find others like me.”

“No, you were bent on creating an army and using your power against us,” I say from the backseat, keeping my wolf close to the surface now that we’re outside the resort.

Greyson turns to me. “The truth and what’s taught or perceived can vary widely.”

I grunt.

Greyson lets out a long breath. “Let me explain something. Long ago, the fae were benevolent creatures. When they encountered a human, they’d grant them a boon, a gift if you will. The idea was that they acted as guardians of the people.”

“Historically,