Wolf Shifter Diaries: Life Fated (Sweet Paranormal Wolf & Fae Fantasy Romance Series Book 1)

by E Hall

  As we lower onto the window seat cushions, she takes both my hands. “I couldn’t explain any of this to you when you were younger. I’m sorry. Until your magic synthesized, the Accords bound me. You see, vampires have a hunger other than for blood. We naturally want to reproduce but Vampires rarely become mothers the traditional way. Unless they mate with a fae slash wolf shifter. You’re special. Of course, I love you but being maternal didn’t come as easily to me as I would’ve liked.

  “My father, Greyson Slade has quite the reputation.”

  “A hybrid between a fae and a wolf. Our love was forbidden, but I’ve always wondered, does that make it less true?”

  “You truly loved him?”

  She nods. “When my pregnancy became known, I went into hiding. They bound your magic and my own until you came of age. However, if I’m not mistaken, you didn’t synthesize suddenly as all magicals do if they haven’t already by the age of eighteen.”

  I shake my head. “I’ve had stirrings, namely when you and Matt were fighting.”

  “I noticed.”

  “My wolf seems to be dominant. As for the vampire, I only sensed it when I bit Amanda while in shifter form. My throat burned, and I had an incredible thirst. But fae?” I shrug.

  She looks me over, in thought. “There’s no knowing because there’s never been a tri-magical in the history of Terra. In Borea, the other realm, sure, but they have their own problems and laws about magicals intermingling.”

  My lips turn down. “Mom, I’m just a girl who’s trying to do the right thing and be brave. I fell in love, but I didn’t ask for this. For violence and fear.”

  She pulls me into another hug. “I know, my sweet girl. I know, and I’m sorry.”

  “What now?” I ask.

  “I thought you might be safe here. Wards protect this house against intrusion. Well, except for me, relations, and lovers.”

  “Lovers, Mom?” I nose wrinkles. I don’t want to hear my mother use that old-fashioned term. “How old are you?”

  She winks. “Not a day over thirty...multiplied by nine.”

  My lower jaw drops. “Is my father still alive?”

  “I believe so. I feel him among us still. Vampires have keen a sense of intuition, sometimes even visions. Granted, I didn’t foresee this. You should know that he’s a complicated man. As I said, our love was forbidden, but I think he liked that. He had a mind of his own and leaned toward the shadow side—as part fae, he was unseelie. This was a long time ago and I have to admit, we were both monsters, but the Accord among magicals subdued us...and brought us you. However, like your father, because you’re hybrid, you exist outside the spell. The monster inside of you isn’t suppressed.”

  I toe the floor with my shoe. Should I be afraid of myself? I try not to think about it. “But he left. Where is he now?”

  She shrugs. “Some say he went into hiding. Others say he became full werewolf. I’ve heard arguments that he disappeared.”

  “From what I understand, fae and shifters don’t just disappear. They’re not ghosts.” I shiver.

  She pulls something out of the bag. “However, he left this.”

  I unfold a piece of silk to reveal a ruby and hold it up to the midday light. It gleams in the light.

  “It’s the Vampire Jewel,” she says. “I’ve always wondered if he’s seeking the others,” she whispers as we stand, mesmerized by the gem.

  “So he was half-fae and half wolf. You said some say he turned into a werewolf?” I think of the man, Richard Dubois killed near the pack territory.

  She nods. “Let’s see. I suppose my vampire genes are vying with the wolf and fae within you just the same as his wolf and fae split him. The Accords subdue night howls, but his father, Alden Johannsson was bitten by a werewolf. Isa, his true love and a fae, gave him an elixir to cure him. Perhaps the curse was somewhere inside. I’d like to think not. But it’s possible.”

  Despite the shiver that wriggles through me, with the ruby in hand, I have the urge to find him. My wolf agrees.

  I’m about to ask my mom about the Klave when my wolf heart thunders in my chest to the beat of paws kicking across rough terrain and getting closer.

  I expect my hackles to lift. Instead, warmth floods me. Corbin is close.

  Chapter 24

  Corbin

  I’ve never had to outrun a werewolf.

  After Kenna took off, under the light of the full moon, hidden behind the clouds, I caught an unusual scent tied to Richard Dubois’ house. Only, instead of growing fainter with time as I waited out Amanda and the Klave who were sure to chase Kenna down, the putrid odor grew stronger. It was wolf with overtones of death and decay.

  I waited, ready to fight, but Amanda and the search party didn’t come. Instead, a light blinked on inside Richard’s house.

  Curious, I investigated and found Amanda inside, seated at a table with Kenna’s leather diary open. A red piece of fabric lay cast aside by her wrist.

  I burst inside, surprising Amanda, grabbed the diary, and then heard a growl.

  Amanda leered a smile. “For an Alpha, you’re pretty dumb, you know that?”

  The stink increased, and the werewolf slinked by the window outside.

  Maybe, but I’m also fast. I shifted in a blink, grabbed the diary between my teeth, and took off. The werewolf chased after me, howling. Amanda followed after shifting. I caught Kenna’s scent and knew they would too, but my heart also drew me to her, and I could keep on the trail more readily.

  Racing across the uneven terrain, the wind howled in my ears. I wanted to summon my betas, but better for them to look after the rest of the pack.

  As dawn approached, the rising sun acted as my ally. The werewolf fell away, likely shifting back into physical form, but that doesn’t mean Amanda would as well. Baker alerted me she’d been the one sending emails to an outside source. I’ll have to deal with that betrayal later.

  Now, I’m nearing Lonsdale Manor and am certain Kenna is inside. I also scent vampire. I’m afraid she synthesized with her inner vamp and is lost to me. My wolf urges me to have hope.

  As I shift back to physical form, scooping up the diary and strip of red fabric, I use it to hide my manly bits.

  When I get to the top of the steps to the house, the door opens.

  A woman’s voice calls. “I’m Jackie, Kenna’s mom, and a trained nurse. I’ve seen it all. Here, put these on—” She looks like she could be Kenna’s sister and thrusts a pair of trousers at me. I wobble on my feet as I pull them on. They’re woolen and itchy, but I’m grateful.

  Having lived at Headquarters for so long, I forgot about the nudity issue when off the property. Note to self, invent something for shifters to use to carry a change of clothing with them.

  “I’m Corbin, Alpha of Pack Hjalmor and Guardians and Warriors Council member.”

  “And Scottish to boot,” Jackie says.

  My heartbeat charges ahead of me as Kenna comes down the stairs. She wears a fitted pair of a jeans and T-shirt. Relief washes through me even though she doesn’t speak.

  “Thank you for looking after my daughter, training her, and for using her as bait to lure the Klave to the fight.” Hostility laces Jackie’s voice at the last part.

  Kenna inhales sharply. “Does that mean you could’ve called it off?” she asks.

  “No, the rules—” I start.

  “Not even as Alpha?” Jackie asks, discerning the truth.

  I shift from foot to foot. “Officially, yes, but I was afraid of the Klave abducting you. I figured if I brought them to us and exposed them, they’d no longer be a threat to you, Kenna.”

  Jackie’s eyes dim and my wolf warns me of the ferocity of mama-vampires, which are probably on par with mama-bears. However, her features shift from all-business to surprise. “And thank you for loving her?” She must have sensed our connection if Kenna didn’t mention anything.

  I nod. “We’re fated mates.”

  “I should’ve realized.” Jackie n
ods, looking carefully between us.

  I pass the diary to Kenna. “I brought you this. Kenna, I’m sorry for everything. For hurting and betraying you.”

  Now, she doesn’t look at me. “Mom, you left me this? And the house. Why?”

  Jackie shakes her head. “I’ve never seen that diary before. The house is another story.”

  “But the diary was on the table in there.” She points.

  Jackie examines it, hovering her hand over the cover. “It’s very old.”

  “Obviously.” Kenna’s brow furrows.

  “I mean, it contains very old magic,” Jackie clarifies. She pools the red piece of fabric in her palm. “This too. I believe it’s part of a fae cloak.”

  “The kind with the hood?” Kenna asks.

  “The original Little Red Riding Hood,” Jackie says, parting the pages of the book. “It’s blank.” Her nose wrinkles, and she hovers her hand over the pages again. “But I can hear the murmur of the words. Not individual passages, mind you, but there are entries.” She leafs through the pages again.

  Kenna shakes her head. “It’s blank, Mom.”

  “No, the words are hidden.”

  Kenna shivers. From somewhere in the house, a door creaks then closes.

  I strain my ears as someone approaches. A young man enters the room.

  “Clove?” Kenna asks.

  Both her mother and I look between her and the newcomer.

  He’s pale and wiry, not tan and sturdy like wolves. His piercing eyes flick to me and then Kenna as though he realizes our connection. If he’s threatened, he doesn’t show it.

  An out-of-place feeling nips and claws at me. My thoughts float and like a balloon, I have to grab them and anchor myself before they get away. He’s fae. They can scramble a wolf’s thoughts with their magic.

  He must be drawing the power from within Kenna to the surface.

  “What are you doing here?” Kenna asks, breaking a heady silence.

  “I live nearby. I thought I saw a light in the window,” Clove says.

  Kenna slips something behind her back. “My mother left me this house.” She gestures to Jackie.

  The woman rakes her eyes over Clove. “I’m Kenna’s mother. And you are?”

  He falters. “I was the last person to see the previous owner who I presume is your father, Kenna, and husband?” he says to Jackie. He adds, “I was young at the time but have had numerous people question me over the years.”

  Unfortunately, I wasn’t one of them. “I’m Corbin, Pack Hjalmor Alpha and Councilman,” I say with authority, not sure whether I trust this guy.

  “I know who you all are.” His tone gives away nothing other than challenges me to figure out who he is.

  “And when you last saw Greyson...” Jackie starts as though the words are painful. Or perhaps she’s afraid of what she’ll hear.

  Clove eyes the red piece of fabric and then the diary that Jackie still holds. I see a flicker of interest. “I’ll tell you what I told everyone else. He was looking for a cloak. That’s all I know. So everything is okay here?” he asks abruptly as though backpedaling with a friendly tone.

  Kenna nods. “My mom brought doughnuts. Do you want one?” She holds open a bag.

  Clove’s eyes widen, but he and Jackie pass.

  I politely help myself to an old-fashioned covered in cinnamon sugar. I get why Kenna likes these things so much. However, something about this situation keeps my wolf on alert, and I don’t think it’s because anyone followed me here. Or if they did, they’re not close yet. I lost the werewolf at dawn. As for Amanda, we’ll see. Still, something about this scenario rubs me the wrong way.

  “Clove, have I seen you around Polaris?” I ask.

  He nods.

  “Did you know Richard Dubois? He died recently.”

  “Tragic,” Clove replies dryly as if he cares little for human lives.

  “You seem like you’re aware of things going on locally, seeing as you thought you saw a light come on in this house during daylight hours. Any word on what happened to him?”

  “Wolf attack as far as I know.”

  “Werewolf is what I heard.” I want to tell Kenna about my encounter with Amanda and the werewolf.

  “You should look into that.” Clove studies Kenna.

  “Oh, I am.” I don’t restrain the edge to my voice.

  Jackie steps closer. “You’re different, aren’t you?” she says to Clove.

  He steps back. “Among other things.”

  Her eyes narrow. “Different like my daughter.”

  “Define different.” Clove almost sounds insulted.

  Kenna clears her throat. “Boy, these doughnuts are delicious. Um, I’d love to continue this little get-together, but I’ve had a long night, haven’t seen my mom in weeks, and yeah. So...” I take it she’s trying to make this less awkward as well as dismissing Clove.

  He starts toward the door then pauses, smoothing the red piece of fabric dangling from Jackie’s hand between his fingers. “This belonged to a cloak. It almost looks like a wolf’s teeth tore it.” He eyes Kenna. “There’s an old legend that fae magic threads certain cloaks. They say if wearing it while singing the cry of the fae under a full moon, a maiden can earn her way into the king’s court.” He exhales through his nose and gazes at Kenna.

  “Fascinating.” Her eyes glaze over.

  “It was nice meeting you, Clove. Will I see you in Polaris?” I ask through tight lips.

  “You can be sure,” he says mildly.

  I hate this guy, but I’m not sure why.

  After he leaves, Kenna turns to me. “You can go too.”

  I lift my eyebrows.

  “Arrogance is not becoming on you.”

  I step closer, speaking only to her as Jackie continues to look at the diary. Drawing the deepest breath, I do what I need to do. What I should’ve done sooner to protect Kenna. “You may not have chosen me, but I choose you. But for now, don’t come back to Headquarters. Stay with your mother. She’ll keep you safe.”

  I sense Jackie’s gaze flash to me.

  Taking Kenna’s hand I squeeze it. “I failed you, Kenna. I’m sorry. I betrayed you then brought you into our world and betrayed you again. You deserve better.”

  “That’s what you came all this way to tell me?” She looks torn between anger and fear. “What do you mean you betrayed me twice?”

  “My wolf’s heart cannot lie to you. But I can. I was supposed to hunt you. Being together is forbidden.”

  “So this is about you keeping your Alpha title?”

  “No, it’s about protecting you. I wanted to draw out the Klave, so I used you as bait at the battle. It was selfish, yes, but only because I feared they were hunting you just as I had done.” It breaks me to do this, but it’s for the best. Either that or turn her over to the Council and risk them destroying her all the same. I failed.

  I hang my head and leave. As I walk away from the house, I sense a vampire join me on the walkway.

  “You’re interesting, Corbin. I know my daughter, and her heart wouldn’t choose falsely, but why are you really doing this? I know you could keep her safe.”

  I turn slowly. “Being together means we must prove our status. I already fought my way to the top. I don’t want to do battle with my fellow wolves again if I don’t have to, and I don’t want to involve someone with as pure a heart as Kenna in fighting.”

  She crosses her arms in front of her chest. “But it’s the wolf way, and the truth is, you already did. My daughter is a fighter, for what’s right. She was born into this world and will have to face what comes. Violence, maybe, but also love, connection. Don’t disregard her.”

  “We’d have to publicly claim each other as mates then we’d be challenged in an Alpha Call-Out.”

  “She can do it. She’s full of power.”

  I shake my head slowly and walk away. Inside, my wolf chases me, trying to coax me to go back to her. For once, I don’t listen.

  And it
feels worse than any scar I’ve ever endured.

  Chapter 25

  Kenna

  My mom comes back inside the house and quickly pastes on a smile. “Listen, we can go home. The summer carnival will come to town soon. It’s our tradition,” she says cheerfully.

  I toe the rug as my mind drifts across the sea. “The craft tables are cool.” It’s cheesy, but I always wanted to sit at a little booth and enthusiastically share something crafty I’d made. In between customers, I’d write pages for my novel.

  “Remember that dog leash leading an invisible dog you got when you were little?” she asks.

  “I named him Bruno.” I almost laugh at the memory.

  “And all the food!” she adds.

  “Fried dough,” I say, feeling slightly cheered up.

  “Kettle corn,” she says.

  “Cotton candy.”

  “Whoopie pies,” we say together.

  “So then home?” she asks.

  I hesitate.

  “I take it that’s a no. I know true love when I see it,” my mom says slowly.

  I sigh, hoping to release all the tension but it lingers, hovering over my heart’s desire.

  “You’ve always taken care of me, sweetie. Let me take care of you for a minute.”

  “A minute?” I ask.

  “Long enough to listen to what I have to say before you go after that wolf.”

  “But last time I saw you, you warned me to stay away from guys.”

  She nods slowly. “True. Fair point. However, this is different. All the guys I dated were not your father.”

  Flickers of curiosity alight in my mind. What were they like? “You were true loves?”

  “It’s complicated.”

  I bite my lip. “Love is complicated.”

  She shakes her head. “No. Love is the purest, simplest and most beautiful thing there is. It’s us people who make it difficult. Trust me on that.”

  “That’s just it. I want trust and security and yes, love.”

  “And you have that. With Corbin,” she says matter of fact.

  “I’m not so sure.”