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

“Clove, this isn’t how it has to be,” I say.

He shakes his head and counters, “But it does.”

Chapter 22

Corbin

The goblins knock Kenna out after she struggles and then hauls us toward the woods. I cooperated but only because one of us needs to remain conscious, and I’m calling on the entirety of my power to break these restraints.

My wolf is desperate to shift, but the bonds hold fast with a rune to prevent the use of my power.

They toss us on the ground in a clearing. I blink my surroundings into focus. The lavender velvet of dusk filters through the nearly bare branches of the woods.

Kenna’s breath is shallow. My gut wrenches at the thought of her being hurt and me being helpless. Once more, I summon my Alpha, but we can’t get past these bonds or call upon the betas.

I glance at her wrists and ankles, also tied up. She overpowered the Runes of Closure in the shed, perhaps she can do the same now.

Clove paces nearby and his fingers jitter against his leg. I sense a hint of fear emanating from him. I suppose it’s not every day he makes a bargain with the fae king.

Melchior will know that I wasn’t really intending to bring Kenna to him. But he will be pleased finally to have her in custody. I imagine he told Clove she could pay Isa’s debt as a ploy. He’ll want to destroy her, following the Articles of Accord.

I cannot let that happen.

“You want the scepter in exchange for Kenna?” I prop myself up on the ground. “What makes you think the fae king will hand it over to you?” I ask, knowing it’s a fake.

“If you haven’t noticed, I take what I want.”

“Killing Tatiana wasn’t necessary.”

“It was an accident.”

“Compelling Kenna to kill Amanda was cruel.”

“I could easily argue that not doing your Alpha duties and protecting your pack from Amanda was cruel,” Clove counters. “Then again, I did catch you unaware and froze you in place so you wouldn’t be a nuisance and try to stop things.”

I recall feeling suddenly frozen that night, stopped in my tracks. The truth in his comment is like a blow to the chest. I want to argue, but he isn’t wrong. I should’ve contained Amanda. I should be out there stopping the werewolf.

I ask, “Why are you doing this? I thought you said you were going to finish what your father started. Are you leading the Klave?”

Clove laughs. “You really have no idea. I’m giving the fae king exactly what he wants, and I will get exactly what I want.” His voice is brittle like it’s been stripped of something like vigor or potency.

I know all too well that wanting something that you can’t have is draining.

My empathy stops there. “And then what? Do you plan on ruling the realm, controlling magicals, and using humans to your own ends?” I almost don’t want to hear what he has to say.

His answer is silence.

A gale blows through the woods.

My wolf hackles lift. I ache for the shift, to attack, to put an end to this.

“Kenna, wake up,” I whisper. “If we make it through this, I’ll explain, I’ll apologize, I’ll do anything to see that ring back on your finger.”

Beside me, Kenna rouses. Her eyes widen at our new surroundings. The sun dips lower in the sky. Like a swelling wave, something within her surges. The metallic tang of vampire power fills the air. Her wolf scent is faint and the fae energy quiet.

In one bold move, she bursts to her feet. “We will make it.” Her shout is robust, clear, powerful.

She throws the bonds from her wrists and tears them from mine.

My wolf takes over, and in less time than it takes for Kenna to cross the clearing to reach Clove, I’m on all fours.

She surges and dark, hungry energy surrounds her. Sharp teeth appear in her mouth, and her eyes go from stormy gray to black, veined with red.

“The fae king will be well pleased. Seems like your power is officially synthesized.”

Kenna closes the space between them as she launches herself at her brother.

Fae magic slides from his palms.

Kenna must instinctually use a vampire shield, blocking it and sending the trails of blinding light ricocheting toward the woods.

As I blink my surroundings back into focus, Clove sails through the air, smashing against an oak tree with a thwack. At the same time, he casts another blast of fae magic, temporarily freezing Kenna. Her vampire shield must’ve been a onetime deal. At least for now. She’ll have to learn how fully to use her powers so she can call upon them at will.

I bound toward Clove, closing my jaw around his neck and shaking him.

A heavy gust of wind rattles the branches overhead, chilling the air.

Clove’s lips curl into an uncertain smile. “If I’m not mistaken Melchior is coming.”

Trumpeting echoes through the woods, and then the fae king rides into the clearing in his chariot led by giant bullfrogs. I scent autumn leaves and impending loss in the air. It’s nearly the equinox.

Distracted by the sight, Kenna elbows Clove hard and drops him to his knees before clasping his hands behind his back in a solid hold.

Despite my desperate desire to stop this craziness, I’m not sure how other than by sheer force, biting and tearing and destroying.

I shift back into physical form at the fae king’s arrival. Maybe it’s not too late for negotiations.

Holding the iron-tipped scepter, Melchior exits his chariot along with two female fae. The one on his right flank looks ragged with dark, lank hair hanging around her face. Her lips form a thin line. The only