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

by E Hall

  I cannot help the smile that spreads across my face, that lights my eyes, and warms my heart. The sight of him as a powerful wolf awakens something in me.

  I extend my hand slowly, letting it hover in the air between us to get his permission. He lifts his muzzle slightly, nudging my palm on top. The fur is thick, coarse, yet soft if that’s possible. Beneath it, I sense an immense amount of strength, pulsing, flexing, itching to run.

  “Go,” I whisper. “Let me watch you run.”

  He doesn’t trot away. Instead, he moves closer. We’re eye to eye, and he nudges me again, prodding my shoulder, then my side.

  “Are you tickling me?” I ask around a giggle.

  The warmth swells within, pressing against my bones along with something other than blood flooding my veins. He wants me to shift.

  Sadness crests as my delight fades. “I can’t,” I whisper.

  He doesn’t pull his copper gaze from me as if urging me, telling me that I can.

  My ears fill with static that extends throughout my inner landscape, and then Corbin’s voice, inside my head, says, You can.

  I stagger slightly. “Can I hear you inside my head?”

  The wolf nods. Try to shift.

  I want to say how? but I’ve asked enough questions. I close my eyes, exploring my inner terrain, the pressure in my bones, the coursing in my blood, and the urge to give in.

  I hold my breath, begging for it to happen, for release.

  But after several painfully long and disappointing moments, I still have two feet on the ground. I’m still in physical form.

  As swift as he’d shifted, Corbin is a man again. He tugs up his pants.

  I rush over with his shirt. “That was amazing.” I feel almost silly, like a groupie for a famous band, but can’t help my overflowing excitement. I open my arms slightly to hug him and then close them, because he doesn’t seem like the touchy-feely type. At least when he’s not a wolf.

  “Why didn’t you run?” I ask.

  “Because you didn’t shift.” His abs disappear under his shirt, and he walks back toward the house. Is he disappointed? Dismissing me?

  I almost feel like pouting. “I’m not entirely wolf. Remember? I’m fae and a vampire too.” My tone is overly defensive. But I don’t have to prove anything to him. The heat of anger replaces my frown.

  “My wolf believes you can shift,” Corbin says.

  “Would your wolf also say that I’m an abomination? Despite what your wolf might say, I know what you think of me, Corbin.”

  With his back turned as he walks away, he flinches slightly then calls over his shoulder, “Your parents broke the rules, but you’re not an abomination.” It’s like he forces the words from his tongue.

  “My mom said they were in love. Is that so bad?”

  “Love is dangerous,” he growls.

  “No, Corbin. Love is beautiful. This last week was full of last times.” I mention a few. “Witnessing you shift is another. The moment before was the last time I clung to the hope that the world was normal.”

  “And now?” he asks, pausing on the path.

  “Now—” I can’t say it. I’ll have to write in my diary later. “Now, it’s different.”

  He steps in front of me, and then cradles my head in his rough hands, gazing deeply into my eyes. “Different is okay.”

  My surroundings seem to dim and the light transfers within, like I’m the one glowing.

  Corbin’s eyes drift from mine to my lips.

  My breath catches in my throat.

  Just then a wolf howls.

  He drops his hands.

  I stagger back.

  “We should head inside. The patrols are out. Don’t want to alarm them.”

  I expect him to say goodnight when we get inside, but Corbin follows me to my room.

  The diary I found at Lonsdale, tied with a red piece of fabric, sits on the table next to my bed. Strangely, it’s old and worn yet blank inside. The end of the red stretch of fabric rests on the leather cover like a question mark.

  “You can go to sleep. Don’t mind me. I’m taking an extra precaution tonight.” He settles in a chair by the window and facing the door.

  I arch an eyebrow. “You’re staying in here? I thought you said there are patrols.”

  “After what happened earlier, I don’t want to take any risks.”

  I wonder which thing he’s referring to. Me being accosted outside the bookstore or our almost-kiss. That’s what it was, right?

  I bring my diary to the bathroom while I wash up. I have to get my thoughts out. Perched on the edge of the counter, I write, Dear diary, I have a crush on a wolf.

  From the other side of the door, Corbin clears his throat.

  I wish this diary had a lock and key because even though he denies his emotions, I have a feeling he knows how I feel.

  Chapter 14

  Corbin

  I shouldn’t have shifted in front of Kenna. My wolf connected to her, which is phase one. Now we’ll bond. There’s no going back now. I cannot ignore my wolf’s heart. But I can try. I can also protect her, namely from myself.

  I’m an Alpha. With that, comes responsibilities. If I were to form a seal with my fated mate, there will be fighting to maintain my dominant position. We’d only succeed if she’s also an Alpha. Given the fact that she’s torn between three types of magicals within, that’s unlikely.

  Arguing with my inner wolf, I also feel like I’m forcing this life on her, but if we’re fated mates, she must feel the same. Right?

  When we were outside on the ridge, her eyes sparkled under the starlight. The look she gave me and the warmth coming from her even though it was cold out, pushed my wolf in favor of our connection.

  While I keep watch over Kenna as she sleeps, I think all this through, as well as wondering who among the wolves is the weak link. Who betrayed us and defected to the Klave? It couldn’t be anyone from Pack Hjalmor. They’re all too loyal. I know of most of the other wolves in Concordia and beyond. I scroll through them in my mind. I will find out who tried to attack Kenna.

  As night recedes and dawn opens with clouds, from the bed, Kenna howls. It breaks off as abruptly as it began. She gasps for air, shooting up to sitting.

  I rush over as she wipes sweat from her forehead.

  “Are you okay?”

  She fans herself and tugs off the blankets. “I’m hot.”

  I press my hand to her forehead. She’s burning up.

  Dread slithers in my belly. I silently wage an inner battle as I figure out what just happened. She hasn’t synthesized. Since she’s a tri-magical, that must mean she’s divided into three parts and has to select one dominant form. However, my wolf summoned her wolf. She’s not ready. She has to pick this life willingly. As much as my wolf wants her, considering her circumstances, it must be her choice.

  The Alpha in me orders my wolf to stand down as I throw open the window, letting in the fresh air. I wage an internal battle.

  Kenna hurries beside me, breathing in big gulps.

  Without thinking, I take her arm, steadying her. A jolt shoots through me, satisfying my wolf. I force myself not to growl. She’s not a full wolf. Rather, she’s hybrid, breaking all the rules as we know them. She may not be fated to my wolf in the same way I am to her.

  Her gaze lands on me and her expression drops. “What’s wrong?”

  My brow furrows, then I remember she senses my emotions. “Just worried about you.”

  Her eyebrow arches. “I find that hard to believe.”

  My hand is still on her arm, and she cups her palm over it, gripping tightly, and then leads me over to the edge of the bed where we both sit down.

  Inga rushes in. “Is everything okay? I heard a howl.” A smile plays across her face as she notices how close we’re sitting, and that Kenna still holds my hand.

  It’s almost a death grip, like she’s afraid to let go, which is saying something since as Alpha, I’m pretty dang tough.

 
Kenna shutters a breath. “For years, on the full moon, I’ve had the same dream. Ever since coming here, I’ve had it every time I fall asleep even when the moon is elsewhere along its cycle. Only, last night, it continued, and instead of just being visited by a wolf—” Her eyes flick to mine. “I attacked him.”

  “Being close to so many of us might draw on your inner wolf,” Inga says, cutting a curious glance at me.

  I don’t dare say that my wolf was probably badgering her wolf, and she was telling him to back off. Still, Kenna doesn’t release my hand. Somehow it becomes more comfortable, familiar. Yet, the fact that her inner wolf attacked, tells me she isn’t truly interested. She just needs reassurance right now.

  “Have you been here all night?” Inga asks me.

  I nod.

  “Why don’t you go grab breakfast. We’ll be there in a few minutes,” Inga says.

  Kenna doesn’t release my hand, but I pull away, not wanting to force her into anything.

  I leave and don’t glance over my shoulder, but feel Kenna’s eyes trailing me.

  Upon Inga’s suggestion, I go to the kitchen to get some food. The resident shifters have a cooking rotation and take turns. The scent of huevos rancheros tells me Carmen and Juan Pablo are in charge this morning. They’re fated mates. Should I ask them about it? However, they’re both full wolves. Kenna and I are mutts. Not only that but as Alpha and her as the MMW our love is forbidden. She’s the child of Greyson Slade—lawbreaker extraordinaire.

  My wolf is hungry, but not for food. He wants to run with Kenna. I scarf down breakfast anyway, and then head out to the pavilion, stacked with wood. I grab a maul and start hacking. I split log after log until sweat beads on my forehead. This proves to blow off my angst better than rock climbing.

  Trigg works on a chainsaw carving of an owl nearby. The splintering of oak along with the buzz of the chainsaw drowns out my thoughts for the rest of the morning.

  At lunchtime, I find Inga and Camilla leaning in close, whispering with Kenna. After not seeing her all morning, my stubborn heart skips a beat in my chest.

  I jut my chin as I pass Kenna. “Training in an hour.” I settle at the other end of the long, wooden farm table we made years ago for pack meals. It easily seats thirty. That gives Kenna and me plenty of distance. My wolf snarls at me for being such a jerk.

  I snarl back, then head to the den to see if Baker has any intel on the rogue wolf working for the Klave.

  “Nothing yet,” Baker says, tapping a few keys on the laptop. “All our wolves are clean, as far as I can see. I’ve put out contacts with some of the other packs. No word back yet.”

  I wrap my knuckles on the table.

  “Kenna found a long hair on her jacket. Thought maybe it was from the attacker. So possibly female.”

  “That narrows it down considerably.”

  “I said possibly. Thanks for getting started looking into it though. We have to make sure it doesn’t happen a third time.”

  “So you think it was the same person?”

  “I only got a glimpse each time, but it smelled like it.”

  “So you caught the scent?”

  “Not exactly. It was masked. Possibly a fig.” I scrub my hand through my hair.

  “That’s grim magic. You mentioned Tatiana visited recently, but I don’t sense her presence.”

  “I’m heading to the training grounds. Keep at it. Thanks,” I say and hurry outside. I need to think this through.

  The sun peeks out from behind the clouds and I take a deep breath, trying to draw in the wide-open space of my surroundings as Kenna comes up the path along with some of my betas and other wolves lower in rank.

  She’s wearing fitted leggings and a tank top with her hair pulled back in a high ponytail.

  The other wolves partner off for training, and I approach Kenna.

  “Hey.” She seems shy.

  “Are you ready for this?” I ask.

  She glances at the rock wall, the ropes course, and the trails leading toward the forest. “I don’t think you’ll like my answer. Instead, I’ll ask a question that makes me feel brave. What first?”

  “I appreciate your candor. This life isn’t easy. It’s right of you to have trepidation.” I lean against the fence. “First, tell me something about yourself.”

  “Wait? What?” she asks. “I’d psyched myself up. I thought we would get sweaty.”

  “I have to get to know you first. Get into your mind.”

  “Corbin, I think you’re already there,” she says simply.

  “I need to know what makes you tick.”

  “So you can kick my butt?”

  I wag my finger. “You’re quick. Pretty much. Wolves operate on instinct, but your mind will always be there, unlike a regular wolf or wild animal. It’s important to unify the two.” My wolf chuckles at the irony.

  “But if I were in an actual battle, would we be chatting about French fries and romance novels?”

  “Is that your thing?”

  She cocks an eyebrow. “Maybe. What about you?”

  “I like French fries. Romance novels, not so much. Keep going. Tell me three more things.”

  “How about two truths and one lie? I love cherry Chapstick, doughnuts, and am allergic to crayons.”

  “Too easy. The crayons are the lie.”

  “Ah, so you were paying attention.”

  I cross my arms in front of my chest. How could I not? She’s a knockout. Stunning. Her appearance, her honest, and bravery.

  “Okay, I play piano, softball, and cricket.”

  “The last one is the lie again.”

  “You got it right again. So this will help me how?”

  I shift into my wolf and lunge.

  Chapter 15

  Kenna

  In a blink, Corbin shifts. He pounces on me, knocking me to the ground. My instinct is to defend myself, but to my surprise, the wolf with copper eyes makes a gruffing sound and then licks my face.

  The embers in my chest flame to life as if drawn to his wolf, filling me with something I cannot name. Hope? Passion? Like meeting a puppy for the first time?

  I giggle, wriggling on the ground. His fur is warm and soft. I feel like I could cuddle this wolf. Like my wolf wants to come out to play. A smile blooms on my face as he continues to nuzzle me. Is that what this is? Wolf play?

  Who knew Corbin, who’s supremely cocky and broody, would have an inner wolf who’s the opposite. Then again, he’s Alpha wolf, and I doubt he earned that position by being affectionate to the others in the pack.

  While I’m still in a state of surprise, Corbin swiftly shifts back to his human form with his arms braced on either side of my head, and with his body angled over me. His brown hair is messy as he leans over, shielding me from the sun at his back.

  Our eyes meet. His mouth parts slightly as though wondering what just happened. My gaze drifts to the soft fullness of his lips. I can feel his minty breath on my cheek.

  There’s hunger and quiet and curiosity all at once.

  “Is this part of the training?” My voice rasps, wrapped in the moment.

  Corbin clears his throat. He rocks back on his feet and extends his hand to help me up. Like this morning when I woke up and held his hand, I feel a little lurch inside.

  “No, let’s get down to business.” His tone is even, his focus on the fence at my back.

  Confused, I tuck my hands in my back pockets.

  A surge of energy, like wind knocks me back. I scramble to keep my footing.

  Corbin chuckles low.

  “Did you do that?” Accusation spikes my voice. “Can wolves do that?”

  “Alpha power. I can summon elements. As fae, you likely can manipulate the environment.”

  “But we’re focusing on my wolf. I have a wolf, right?”

  Corbin lets out a long breath. “I’m afraid you do.”

  I squint, confused about where he’s coming from. “Okay, show me what to do.”

  “Despite h
ow much you trust or like someone, don’t let them lull you into complacency with talk of French fries, romance novels, or softball. Always keep your hands ready,” Corbin says, circling me slowly. “Use an engaged stance. Muscles active. The first shift is the most challenging, but once your body gets the hang of it, it’s like riding a bike.”

  “I don’t know how to ride a bike, or swim, or surf.”

  “Seriously?”

  I toss my head back and laugh. “Two truths and one lie, baby. Let’s do this.”

  He smirks. “A few more things for you to know. After shifting the first time, you might feel especially hungry. In the past, this compelled you to hunt. We no longer consume human flesh so, we’ll make sure you get some grub in the kitchen afterward.”

  “You make it sound so appealing.”

  “Okay, doughnuts from the bakery.”

  “Now, you’re talking.” I smile, once more surprised that he was paying attention. The little spark in my chest kindles again. Now is not the time. He might pounce.

  “Don’t get distracted,” he reminds me as if on cue.

  Difficult with him as my teacher.

  His mouth draws upward, just short of a smile.

  “Are wolves psychic?”

  “No, but we’re deeply attuned to each other. We can sense fear, excitement, desire.”

  I grunt. Great.

  He snaps his fingers. “Pay attention. Don’t get unfocused. I can sense that too. Wolves generally have one weakness. Silver. Before we formed the Council, they also were natural enemies of the fae and vampires. All three hated each other. We’re working on becoming better allies.”

  “And humans?”

  “They misunderstand us, but we have a biological advantage, which leads me to our strengths. Our senses are acute. We’re hyper-aware. The typical dog has millions more scent receptors in their nose than a human. As shifter wolves, we have millions more still and can readily identify scents, where they came from, how long they’ve been there, and so on. Our teeth contain a toxin to subdue our quarry. Night sight is highly developed. We can run significant distances without rest, a benefit for warriors like us, but is also our favorite pastime.”