Wolf Shifter Diaries: Lies Tamed (Sweet Paranormal Wolf & Fae Fantasy Romance Series Book 2) by E. Hall (13 inch ebook reader .TXT) 📕

He gazes toward the window as though trying to parse it out.

A loud knock comes from the door. Claude, Inga, and a few subordinates fill the entry. “Officials are here.”

Trigg stifles a laugh. “And a few young lone wolves.”

Corbin lifts an eyebrow.

“They’re looking for a certain female Alpha,” Trigg adds. “Back in the day they were called suitors.”

I shift uncomfortably in the chair.

The others barely conceal smiles and chuckles.

“It’s common for lesser wolves to pursue a new Alpha female. There aren’t that many of them,” Inga says as if it’s no big deal.

“I’m not interested,” I say careful not to insult the wolves in case it’s some kind of custom.

“Are the officials here about Amanda?” Corbin asks stiffly.

“No, there’s another casualty,” Inga says.

Claude’s attention lands on me. “That was intense, Kenna. I won’t sneak up on you in a dark forest.”

I try to laugh at the joke but can hardly bring a smile to my lips. “Are the police here to arrest me? I want to rewind, go back, and find out why Amanda was trying to kill me,” I blurt before my throat tightens.

“Let that sink in, Kenna. She was trying to kill you.” Corbin’s Scottish accent kicks the words toward me, hitting me hard with reality.

My head drops back against the chair. My voice barely rises above a whisper when I speak again. “What I did was inexcusable, but it was defense. A supernatural response to someone trying to kill me for the fourth? Fifth time? My wolf didn’t want to take it that far. Of all the magic within me, she seems the most humane, the most compassionate. But for some reason, the fae shook loose.” Tears dampen my eyes.

Corbin’s thumb brushes across my cheek. “I will take care of this.” He gets up to leave.

In the presence of the other wolves, my Alpha leads me to my feet. “I’m coming with you.”

“Technically, I can’t argue, but don’t you want to rest?” His eyes are only for me, pleading, tender, understanding.

But my inner fire won’t be drenched. “No, I’m also Alpha of this pack. I know I have a lot to learn—” I glance at the others. “But I have a responsibility to them too.”

We walk to the lodge and a police cruiser sits in the driveway.

The others fill us in. “There was Richard Dubois, the young man who washed up along the river, and now a hunter,” Claude says.

I recall the guys at the bakery.

“You know something like this has always been my worst nightmare,” Inga adds.

“We need to stop it,” a subordinate says.

“Some of the wolves are worried. They’re talking about leaving the pack so they’re not targeted by officials.”

An uneasy silence plays between us.

Corbin flashes me a brief, but withering look. I take it to be the plight of the Alpha. It’s not our role to keep everyone happy, but it is to keep them safe. Having a powerful pack can’t easy, especially when there’s trouble.

Nonetheless, whatever is happening goes beyond our pack. People with families and lives are gone. It hits me with a kind of sadness I’ve become too familiar with.

Corbin must feel the same way because he scrubs his hand through his brown hair. “If they ask you questions, answer. Otherwise, I’ll do the talking.”

I’m not sure how it works Alpha to Alpha, but I’ll definitely let him take the lead since I’m way out of my depth. I came because I want to know what’s going on, protect the pack if need be, or turn myself in if that’s why the officials are here.

Eyes trail me as I enter the building. The light is low in the entryway but bright in the kitchen where everyone gathers. Their eyes trail me as though torn between my pledge to the pack and the strangeness of what they witnessed in the woods.

The magic that pulses in my veins almost makes me feel like I do truly belong or at least not like I don’t. It’s a fine distinction, but I’ll show up now, bake them blueberry muffins later, and prove myself no matter what it takes.

The scents of grilled veggies and meat, taco fixings, garlicky hot sauce, melty cheese, and spicy salsa almost, but don’t quite, distract me from the smell of the human officials seated at the table, digging into our feast.

“This isn’t what I expected,” I say, confused.

Corbin winks and hands me a dinner plate. “Dish up.” He eyes the doorway where several subordinates sternly turn away guys. They’re lined up along the path. Suitors?

My eyes must bug out of my head. I hardly had so much as an invitation to prom. But my heart beats for none other than my fated mate. Still, it’s odd.

Corbin cuts them a glare and a growl.

“For the record, I’m not interested in anyone but you,” I tell Corbin.

My Alpha smiles and drags me against him. “Good. I’ll make sure they get lost.” His eyes narrow and his jaw ticks...and I kind of like it.

Chapter 8

Corbin

It’s not uncommon for the officials to pop in, find us feasting, and join the meal. I imagine it’s an unexpected sight for Kenna who was expecting the officers to come down hard, interrogate us, and send us all to jail.

For better or worse, they know about the pack and our role. We look after the land, the visitors, and each other.

I ignore Kenna’s suitors. For now.

“Hi, Clint,” I say as I take a seat beside the chief officer who has a full head of salt and pepper hair and a very full beard to match.

“I was hoping for that delicious meatloaf we had last time, but this isn’t bad,” he says around a mouthful.

“How