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

me every time I fell asleep, but I was also a wolf. As strange as the dreams were, I usually wake with a content feeling as my inner wolf has grown in prominence.

However, the dream I just had left me feeling the opposite—confused and deserted. Instead of frolicking and playing among the wildflowers, the wolf walked away.

The image of Corbin pulling away in the Jeep earlier lands in my mind with a thud. The dream feelings and my waking life ones merge, tightening my chest. My breath comes short and sweat dapples my hairline.

I open the window, desperate for a breath of the brisk air. The full moon wanes as low-hanging clouds back up against the jagged silhouettes of the mountains in the distance. A putrid smell assaults my nose. I peer into the bleak night.

Despite how lately I’ve had what I call premature hot flashes, I shiver. I snug on Corbin’s hoodie that lays discarded on the chair. As it drops over my face, I inhale the wolfy, woodsy scent. For the tenth time, I wonder where he rushed off to and why he didn’t say goodbye.

I have a lot to learn about the wolf world and his Alpha role. If I accept a position in the pack—if they accept me—I’ll have to get a crash course in what being Alpha means.

The tall grass shushes in the light breeze. A figure appears, ambling toward me.

I stiffen and draw my wolf close.

Amanda comes into focus. Her stringy, purple hair hangs lank around her thick eyebrows. Dark smudges fill in the space beneath her narrowed eyes, suggesting he hasn’t slept.

“Kenna, funny to find you still here, considering the Alpha Guardians and Warriors Council had a summit tonight. I thought for sure you’d be run through with a flaming sword of iron and silver. But I see your head is still on your shoulders. Likely, not for much longer,” she says in a monotone.

I push against the goosebumps that pebble across my skin. Is that where Corbin went? Why didn’t he tell me? Her attempt at making me uncomfortable works, but I won’t let her know she got under my skin.

“Funny? No, I’d say this situation is problematic, considering you were the one banished from pack lands.” I don’t even want to think about why she was approaching my window.

She shakes her head. “No, this was my home first. You’re the problem, the invader.”

“Are you upset you didn’t win the Mate Call-Out?” I ask.

“I would’ve won if you didn’t run off and dare I say, cry wolf. Oh, boo hoo, poor Kenna can’t handle a little blood.” She extends her bare arm and without hesitating slices a gash across her skin. She angles the wound at me.

My stomach flip flops the way it always has when I see blood. The longing and thirst disgusts me.

I close off my senses and gaze at the top of Amanda’s head—anywhere but at the blood. I force myself not to breathe, not to entertain the way it summons the vampire within.

A menacing laugh escapes Amanda’s lips. She steps closer. Her hair, her eyes, everything about her is wild, unhinged. “It’s probably better I rid myself of this place when I did. Soon, it will be crawling with the police.”

I cross my arms in front of my chest. “Why’s that?”

“They’ll want to question the witnesses of course. They’ll wonder if the victims hit their heads while hiking or if a tree fell. But they’ll figure out the truth.”

I disguise my shudder by leaning against the windowsill.

“When they find the bodies, there will be bruises, cuts, abrasions. On some, there will be bites. On others none. Some will go missing entirely. They’ll wonder was if it’s a rogue wolf. Corbin won’t like that. But then the vamps and fae will get involved. You should’ve gone quietly when you could, Kenna. From where I stand, it’ll all be over soon. You will just be a memory. A bad dream. Have any of those lately?” She laughs and then in a blink, she disappears.

I should call for the betas. The static of my wolf shifter magic fills my ears. My wolf wants to handle this herself. The other elements of magic within me fight for freedom.

The shift begins as my bedroom door flies open. Inga and Claude stand there, also mid-shift. “What’s going on? We heard—”

I glance at the window. “Amanda.”

Their eyes widen.

We all return to our physical forms.

“One minute she was there. Then poof. Gone.” I explain what else she said.

The betas exchange a rumpled look of concern.

“I should’ve called for you right away. I’m sorry. That was stupid.”

“No, you should’ve called for Corbin,” Inga says.

“He’s not here—” I start.

Then my senses are on alert. They melt with relief. Corbin’s massive and muscled frame fills the doorway. In a few quick strides, I fall into his arms.

However, instead of a warm hug, his embrace is stiff. He brushes past me and to the window, before tucking through and shifting then disappearing into the night.

Fog sweeps in. I lose track of him. I’m about to shift, but Inga’s hand rests on my arm.

“He was at the summit and probably has a lot on his mind. Get some rest. We’ll find out more in the morning.”

I want to argue, but don’t yet dare assert my Alpha. Not until it’s official, which begs the question, why isn’t it? Why haven’t I committed to the pack? Sealed with my true mate?

Claude and Inga say goodnight. When I hear them disappear into their rooms, I dig in my backpack. I need a midnight snack. I’m searching for a Hershey’s chocolate kiss that I stashed ages ago when I hear a peculiar sound that’s almost like a humming. It’s not a heater or fan or anything mechanical.

I