Grace of a Wolf by Lenaleia

Chapter 3: Grace: Protector

Chapter 3: Grace: Protector

The wind steals every bit of the warmth the strange wolf had gathered, and I crouch behind a tree to block the worst of it.

A slinking shadow skulks forward, slowly coalescing out of the abstract darkness of the forest.

Andrew.

His lithe wolf body slinks forward, lips curled back in a snarl.

My mysterious protector tenses, fur bristling along its spine. Another low, menacing growl rumbles through its chest.

Andrew's head snaps back, releasing a bone-chilling howl that echoes through the forest. Answering calls rise from all directions. I know those sounds. The pack is coming.

Whoever my furry furnace is, he isn't known to the pack. Which means he's an intruder—which means...

The massive wolf at my side snarls, snapping its jaws at the air between itself and Andrew. A clear warning for him to keep his distance.

"Shit." My soft whisper is enough for my protector's ears to swivel in my direction, and I press myself against the tree trunk, hoping I don't get in its way. No, not it. Him, I think.

His identity might be a mystery, but he still kept me warm and safe, at least for the last few hours. I don't want him hurt.

need to go. They're all

my chest,

the last echoes fade, an eerie silence descends

howls erupt from every direction. The predatory sounds have goosebumps erupting, as

recovers quickly, circling us with renewed aggression. His lips curl back, exposing gleaming fangs as he snarls. My protector responds in kind, hackles raised and muscles

but I'm somehow caught in the crossfire all

least for me. Some signal I don't recognize has them both darting forward in a whirlwind of

tumble across the forest floor. Andrew

on the defense, even to someone like me, who's rarely seen a true wolf fight. I'm not often around when the betas fight with each

tide turns. My protector's jaws close

knife. Andrew might hate me, but he's still Rafe's best friend. Still someone I've grown

His yelps of pain fade into the distance as

only for a second. Reality slaps into me as my protector stands tall and arrogant, watching Andrew's pathetic

closer, their howls growing louder

mysterious protector turns back to me, his storm-sky eyes gleaming with what almost looks like satisfaction. But there's no time for that now. He needs to leave, to get as far away from here

both. "Go!" I yell,

sleek movement that has me cringing, preparing for retaliation. But there's no time for regrets. "They're coming. All of them. You need to keep yourself

as he inspects me. A wolf's gaze is intense, but this time I

him