Wolf Shifter Diaries: Lies Tamed (Sweet Paranormal Wolf & Fae Fantasy Romance Series Book 2) E. Hall (best fiction novels of all time .txt) 📖

Kenna’s eyes shade darker gray.

Conversation continues and we don’t move from in front of the hearth for a time. The betas heap on more questions. Some we still can’t answer, but we parse out the sequence of events that brought us here.

Kenna has her mother check out the diary, using her special vamp skills. She confirms it was Isa’s and that her energy seems to be locked with in it. “From what I heard, I wouldn’t be surprised if she tried to sing her way out.”

A clock chimes with the coming dawn. I gaze at Kenna and breathe deep as morning light slowly streams through the windows lining the eastern wall of the house.

Kenna nestles in the crook of my arm as the best minds in the pack continue to talk in low, hushed tones.

We’ll have to form a plan and regroup soon, but for now, rest and each other’s company is a priority.

Jackie dozes at the other end of the sofa. Kenna places a blanket over her mom.

I kiss my mate’s forehead softly. “You’re so kind. So caring. Not a monster at all. Except for the time your vampire power overtook you. That was terrifying.”

She takes my hand. “Come on. I have to show you something.”

We pass through the kitchen. An array of baked goods fill the counter—scones, cinnamon rolls, and more doughnuts.

“Alister has been busy,” I joke.

Kenna helps herself to one of each.

“Is this what you had to show me?” I ask, helping myself to seconds of the scones. The rich dough reminds me of my Scottish roots.

With her mouth full, she shakes her head.

Interested in what she wanted to show me, and before I have thirds, I drag her down the hallway, feeling relief, curiosity, and deep abiding love for my mate.

Chapter 25

Kenna

Hand in hand, Corbin and I pass through the hallway to the painting of my father. A well of sadness at not having known him longer and loss empties me out.

Using fae magic, I light the lanterns on the wall. “I guess I’ll have to find someone other than Clove to teach me to use these powers.”

Corbin grunts, likely not ready to talk about my brother’s betrayal.

We enter the room, filled with relics and the echo of my father and brother, combining to present me with a challenge—find the scepter, break the curse. I know they’re connected, but how?

As we enter, I lean close to a vaguely familiar broken mirror—I think I saw it last time I was here but in another room. Weird. I study my face. A faint bruise by my dark eyes heals over in a flash. I brush my hand over my heart, but there’s no wound where Melchior stabbed me. Peering down my shirt, I only see a faint, silver scar. But the skin is icy. I imagine that reminder of him slaying the vampire within will always be there. I also imagine blood will no longer cause me to thirst.

Corbin and I survey the maps on the wall, connecting imaginary lines between faraway places, islands in the Caribbean to the California coast, and here, seeing how the water connects it all together.

I’m reminded of Corbin and my first visit to Lonsdale when I had no idea what lay ahead. I shiver and the lights flicker.

He plants his hands on my shoulders. “I’m sorry for everything,” he says.

“Apology accepted. I’m willing to give you a second chance.”

His face brightens. “Thank you.”

“But you do realize, if you break my heart again, I will go full magical monster on you. I’ll give a new name to Magical’s Most Wanted.”

He smiles. “I don’t doubt that for a second.”

“So, you’re not going to expose the Klave or use me as a lure to expose my father so you can bring him to the Council?”

“I’m ashamed to say that I tried that to begin with.” He scrubs his hand down his face. “I don’t know what I was thinking.”

“Your Alpha was thinking, which isn’t a bad thing, but remember that whole thing about the heart? Maybe listen to that more often. Or you can trust your butt, I mean gut.”

With a laugh, Corbin settles in a leather chair.

I pick up the book with the illustration of the scepter and pull out a silk bundle. I’d kept it in my backpack, which was in the Jeep. “The real scepter was powerful, but it’s incomplete without the gems. I have the Vampire Jewel.” I open my hand, revealing it to Corbin. “And a gem of my own.” I’m practically giddy as I turn the outside of my hand to face him, revealing the engagement ring with the yellow diamond.

“Does this mean you’ll still marry me?”

I wrap my arms around him. “You are forgiven.”

He sighs with relief as we kiss.

When we part, I say, “Back to business. Remember that whole thing about wolves being so tough? Diamonds are too, right? I think this is what saved me when Melchior stabbed me in the heart. It was almost like he just killed my vampire and the diamond, hanging on a chain under my shirt, deflected the worst of the magic.” My voice is slow and relaxed as I try to figure this out on the spot.

Corbin leans in, studying the diamond ring. “You might be right.”

“The correct answer is, of course, you’re right, babe.”

Corbin repeats the statement with a light laugh.

“I’m serious.” Then I laugh too.

“So, where did your father find the real scepter?”

“After I left in the Jeep, I found him here, searching. Then he left, saying he had to find Jana and confront her for ensorcelling him. I continued looking for it. Alister appeared,