Grace of a Wolf by Lenaleia

Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Grace: Awakening to Pursuit

As a human, I should be miles away from any large shifter event. Especially the annual Mate Hunt.

A hunt for mates. Doesn't that sound barbaric? Yeah, it's as bad as it sounds.

Several packs in the area gather as their newly minted adult wolves shift. Females are let into the woods first and are given an hour's head start, just before sundown. Then it's time for the males, ostensibly thrown out to hunt down the scent of their fated (or chosen) mates.

It isn't an event for the faint of heart, and it's definitely no place for someone who can't shift. So why the fuck am I here, running my little human heart out, chased by what sounds like an entire pack of wolves?

Great question. I don't know, either.

Alpha warned me to stay home with all the windows and doors locked, saying you can never trust a hormonal wolf during the Hunt. And that's exactly what I did, because I've seen and heard of too many horror stories to want anything to do with a night like tonight.

But somehow, I opened my eyes to a canopy of trees over my head, half blocking out the light of the full moon. To near-freezing winds brushing against my half-naked skin. To the sound of howling, near and far.

And an unfamiliar, unsettling crunch to my left.

As soon as my brain function caught up to the situation, I got up and ran. Maybe not the smartest thing—I had no idea where I was running to—but every inch of my body was screaming danger, and there was zero percent of me interested in learning the origins of that suspicious sound.

And now I'm here.

Surrounded by howls fueled by the thrill of the hunt.

Feet bleeding. Lungs freezing.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

The distinct terror of being hunted has my blood cold and sluggish in my veins, even as my heart pounds erratically. Or maybe it's the fall chill. We're only a couple degrees above freezing tonight, and however I got here—my clothes were compromised in the process.

Bra and underwear. At least I have those.

No shoes, of course.

My skin's riddled with goosebumps and branches whip at my skin, leaving marks and scratches I'm sure I'll regret later. Unlike the pack I've been adopted into, I have no innate talent at maneuvering in the wild. My feet pound against leaves, probably leaving an easy trail to follow. But is standing around any better? Uh, probably not.

Then again, running just triggers their prey drive—

Fuck. I have no fucking clue, so I keep running.

My breath is ragged, choppy. Each gulp of air is like icicles stabbing into my lungs.

Alpha—the man who more or less adopted me six years ago—is going to be furious. But later fury doesn't help me in the moment. I learned that lesson a long time ago. Not everyone's willing to have a human around a wolf pack, and a few of them are willing to show me their displeasure in private.

This might be one of those times.

Super not my idea of fun.

My foot catches on something, sending pain straight through my ankle.

The world spins, and my face slams against the ground before I can break my fall. Dirt and blood fill my mouth; I'm surrounded in twigs and dead leaves.

I cough and sputter, trying to clear my airway. My arms shake as I push myself up, spitting out clumps of earth.

"Shit," I hiss, pain shooting through my ankle as I attempt to stand. It buckles, and I collapse again.

sends my heart into overdrive. I freeze, terror gripping me as a slender gray wolf bursts into view. It skids to a halt, panting heavily. Golden eyes

recognition dawning. "Andrew?" Could it

stands before me, naked and scowling. "What the

indifferent to

I stammer, struggling to my feet. "I

joining, of course—though no wolf has a choice. It's a required event once you're

at the mention of my boyfriend—his

shouldn't be here," he growls.

Andrew, what's

past, a familiar gray form and a smaller red one. My breath catches as I recognize Raphael's wolf. But something's wrong. He's nuzzling the red wolf, playful

rigid. In an instant—faster than Andrew, thanks to

you doing here?" he snarls, his voice harsh

aback by

red wolf shifts then, taking little longer than Rafe. She must be

For some reason...

that knowledge makes

the most beautiful girl I've ever seen. Long black hair frames an absofuckinglutely flawless face. Not a single freckle, or pimple, or anything. Just smooth, glass skin. Her green eyes are sharp and gorgeous, impossibly

am I kidding? It isn't veiled

purrs,

Mate? Who? Him?

That's Rafe.

way his jaw clenches and he avoids my gaze, that's exactly who she's talking

My boyfriend. Her mate.

practically naked in a forest full of

that tonight

boyfriend?—doesn't look at the new girl. His mate. Fuck, I suddenly hate that

Is it guilt? "No one," he says flatly. "She's no one important. Just a

stumble back, unable to process what I'm hearing. This can't be real. It has to be some kind

I whisper,

looks away, jaw clenched. "You need

"But—"

roars,

herself against Raphael's side. "You heard him, little human. Run along now. The Mate Hunt is no place for a little

shifts uncomfortably. "Grace, I'll escort you

to the

protests, and he

I'll be right back." So gentle. So sweet. The same

change

about mating bonds. I've been living among wolf shifters for six years. But

to be on

My other half.

my arm in a rough grip, like a fucking stranger. Worse than a stranger. Like someone who doesn't give

to pull my arm out of his

stop! You're

releases me abruptly, as if burned. For a moment, I see a flicker of the boy I love

any idea how dangerous it is

know how I got here! I woke up in the woods,

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