Read Living a Lion: BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (Sleeping Lions - Shifters Prime Book 1) for Free Online Page A

in his other form. His lion gave him the space in his head to make the hard decisions that were needed. You see, he had grown suspicious of Serrif, and no longer trusted him.” Darius walked away, looking old and worn out, twisting the ring on his finger as he carried on with his story.
    “I was supposed to run with him that night. We all knew it was safer not to run alone, the Prime was still wild in many ways.” He shook his head. “I let him down, I wasn’t there and he went alone. I have never forgiven myself for what happened, and it’s why I volunteered to come here to leave my home behind and live here, in the Otherworld, without the chance to ever shift again. Since that night I have never released my lion. That is my penance for not having my leader’s back and giving Serrif the chance to kill Remus and take over the pride.”
    “I still don’t understand,” Kane said quietly.
    “Darius left the Prime with one of Remus’s three children,” Amara said. Darius had walked away to stand looking at the black water at the end of the boat house. “At the time, Serrif declared that they would live by pride law, the law of lions. You and your brothers were not safe. Those loyal to Remus took his children and hid them.”
    “Wait, let me get this straight. I am one of those children. Is that what you are trying to tell me?” Kane asked incredulously. “Because if it is, I don’t believe you. This sounds more like a fairy story than real life.”
    “That’s because you have been brought up this side of the border.” Amara said. “Things are different now. But back then, there was no central law. It was like the Wild West, only with teeth and fangs.”
    “So what happened to my brothers? What happened to my mother?” Kane asked.
    Darius didn’t answer. He simply stared into an abyss filled with guilt, guilt he had long buried, but was now here in front of him, having to be faced.
    “Darius. What happened to the others?” Kane pulled away and went to Darius, making him turn around and face him.
    From the first time Amara had seen these two men, the older Mr. Reinier had been the one in charge, the one who was filled with authority. Now he was a shadow of his former self. And that would not help Kane with what was ahead.
    “Darius told me you were split up so that it would be less likely you would all get found. That way, at least one of you would be able to go back and put things right,” Amara said.
    Kane spun round. “Put things right? In what way? The man should be charged with murder.”
    “There was no proof. He had an alibi, false of course … and he had no motive.”
    “Then how do you know it was him?” Kane asked.“I thought you wanted me to go back and take back what he stole. How can I do that if there is no proof to show a court of law?”
    “I do want you to go back.” Darius came to life now, angry, menacing. “But this is not something that will be resolved in a courtroom. You will have to fight, Kane. Fight with every ounce of your courage. You have not been raised as a Lion, but that part of you is there inside you. Serrif took control of the pride and your father’s business, forcing your mother to marry him to give him legitimacy. He wanted everything that was your father’s. He bent the truth, telling her he could prove she was conspiring against Remus.”
    “Are you sure that the story you told me is true?” Kane asked, and she felt his pain and confusion.
    “Yes. I grew up with your father, and I know he chose his mate, his true mate.”
    “What does that mean?” Kane asked.
    “It means your mother, Leandra, could never do anything to hurt your father.” Darius turned his back again, avoiding their eyes. “But Serrif said he could prove that Remus wasn’t her true mate, and that she was in love with another man.”
    “Who?” Kane asked.
    “Me.” Darius took a shuddering breath. “Unless she did as Serrif told her, he would incriminate us both. It would