by E Hall
Corbin eyes the rifle. “Good weather.”
“I’ll say.”
The two go on, discussing the most boring thing ever. The weather. I mean, yeah, it’s almost autumn, and that’s great and all, but who thought it could be discussed for nearly five minutes?
When we go our separate ways, I give Corbin a look. “I didn’t know you took such a keen interest in meteorology.”
He chuckles. “More like hunting activity. Some of the locals know about us and report on things in code. After Richard Dubois was killed, they’ve been wary. Sorry I didn’t introduce you. The less they know about you, the better. That was John Stafford. He’s a good guy. But in so many words, I warned him to be careful. The rifle wouldn’t quite do the trick if he came across the werewolf.”
“It’s not a full moon.”
“No, but curses can lift or shift.”
A chill creeps over me. But Corbin squeezes my hand, warming me all over again. I don’t think the toe-tingling, cheek-heating, butterfly-fluttering sensation of him touching me will ever get old.
We reach the ridge that runs along the upper part of the property, giving us a wide view of the borders, the lake, and the activity below. Several pack members work in one of the gardens and someone else paints a fence.
“You should be proud of what you created here,” I say, admiring how everyone contributes. “It’s like a family.” I try not to allow the left-out feeling sneak into my voice.
When I’m with Corbin, I feel completely included and cared for. It’s the subordinates plus Avril that have me feeling like an outsider.
“Any chores that need doing?” I ask as we near the lodge.
“You already baked muffins this morning. At least five dozen by the pile in the kitchen.”
“I’m surprised there were any left when you got there.” Am I such a pariah the pack won’t eat my muffins?
“Oh, they lasted less than sixty seconds as everyone arrived for breakfast.”
Relief washes through me. Maybe I’ll win them over by baking afterall.
Baker intercepts Corbin, calling him to the den—a private meeting room for the Alpha and beta wolves.
As the head of the pack, Corbin has a lot of responsibilities and I hate to see him go but understand.
He kisses my temple. “See you in a bit.”
A lightning-strike feeling flushes my cheeks when his lips meet my skin. It’s like a bolt from the blue. We’re keeping our fated mate status on the down-low, but I can safely call Corbin my boyfriend even if I can’t call many of the other wolves friends.
I wander into the lodge and back to the kitchen. I have to see for myself if the muffins are gone. All I’ve ever wanted was a big family. I love my mom and all, but she worked a lot, and it was just the two of us. Andi, my best friend through high school, was one of eight kids. They had me over for dinner and sleepovers loads of times, chasing away the loneliness, but it’s come back full force even though I’m in a houseful.
The platter is empty. I check the trash to be sure. My stomach sinks. Someone threw them out. Or by the sound of chatter from the common room, three someones. Why would Corbin lie?
The ceilings in the lodge are high with exposed rough-sawn lumber beams. The windows practically fill the wall, letting in sunlight. A large fieldstone fireplace stands cold in the great room.
Various seating areas fill with members of the pack.
Avril sits with Heather, Harper, and Hannah. I’m surprised she’s not at the den meeting. As she trails me with her sharp, dark-eyed gaze, I feel like I’m wading into shark-infested waters. I force myself not to shiver. There should be a guide with user reports, hazards, and anything that might offer me instruction on how to deal with female wolf shifters.
I suddenly find a painting on the wall of a lighthouse fascinating. I imagine summer afternoons in its shadow, lounging on the beach, and gazing out to sea. At that relaxing vision, my breathing comes easier.
My extra sensitive wolf hearing attunes to the vibe of the room. There are guys playing chess, others taking about chores that need to be done, and then the girls gossiping about...me.
I moved around a few times as a kid and when I got to high school, my mother told me something that stuck with me. She said, “When you enter a room, take the temperature, but be the thermostat.” In other words, don’t let other people’s moods dictate my own.
I force my shoulders to relax, releasing the tension and frustration I feel about being in what feels like no-man’s-land, thousands of miles from home. I make my cheeks lift into a smile.
Nodding at the girls, I call, “Hi, can I sit with you?” It’s admittedly weak but better than talking about the weather like Corbin and John Stafford.
In turn, they measure me up—Avril with her facial piercings, Heather who’s pale and wiry, and Harper, who is tan and sturdy. Hannah stares at her hands.
“I don’t think we’ve all officially met. I’m Kenna Slade.”
A beat passes. I have the urge to rush from the water.
“Slade, huh?” Heather asks. “As in Greyson Slade.”
“Yeah, I guess so,” I answer honestly at the reference to my absentee and controversial father.
“I guess you took his place as Magical’s Most Wanted,” Harper says.
“I didn’t know that was a thing, and I’m certainly not competing for the position. Unless there’s a prize of some sort. Like a lifetime supply of doughnuts or—” My joke falls flat.
“As far as we’re concerned, he may as well be dead so you can take his place,” Avril says.
The words cut the air from the room.
“Lucky for you, you have Corbin on your side, otherwise I have no doubt the Council would already have sent you to the Iron Tower,” Heather adds.
I hadn’t thought much about my father’s legacy simply because I know so little about him, but I never thought it would be filled with so much venom.
Avril snickers. Up close, the others look a little younger than her. Wolves can be old, but fully synthesize with their magic at eighteen and stop aging.
I also hadn’t thought about how Corbin managed to keep the Council off my tail all summer. He’s the Alpha wolf, so maybe he had some leverage. Whatever the case, I’d like to find out...and why my father is such a problem.
“What did Greyson Slade ever do to you?” I ask.
Avril’s expression darkens. She leans closer, so she’s inches from my face. Pulling her hair from her neck, she reveals scars like she once wore a collar. “He’s a monster, and so are you.”
Anger starts to boil inside. If these were shark-infested waters, the temperature would be going up a few degrees. My wolf edges closer to the surface.
“I can’t take responsibility for what Greyson did. But I’m sorry, whatever it was that happened to you.” I get to my feet. “I don’t know what I am, but I know I am not a monster. I wouldn’t do anything like that to hurt you or the rest of the pack.”
I leave the room, trying to shake off the anger and ache. But also not quite believing what I said. I don’t know what I am, and depending on what happens, I’m afraid I won’t be able to hang onto who I am.
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Acknowledgments
Many thanks to you, readers!
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About the Author
E. Hall is the author of *unputdownable* fantasy and paranor
mal romance books. She’s also known for making up words, which kind of goes with the territory. She’s in constant pursuit of wonder, waves, and nachos. When she’s not writing about fae, wolves, and magic, she’s probably writing under her romance pen name...or reading. There is no such thing as too many books.
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P.S. If you have a moment, and enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a starred and/or a written so other readers can find it too and it means a lot to me to read your comments! Click here to review.
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Also by E. Hall
The Court of Crown and Compass Series
Fae of Light and Shadow (prequel)
Fae of the North (book 1)
Fae of the West (book 2)
Fae of the South (book 3)
Fae of the East (book 4)
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RIP Magic Academy Paranormal and Supernatural Prison Series
Law & Disorder (book 1)
Crime & Curses (book 2)
Mayhem & Magic (book 3)
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Wolf Shifter Diaries
Sweet Paranormal Fae & Shifter Fantasy Romance
Life Fated (book 1)
Lies Tamed (book 2)
Loss Hunted (book 3)
Love United (book 4)
