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.

hand against his flank, I whisper, "You need to go. They're all going to come for

The sound reverberates through my chest, a primal force that steals the breath from my lungs. Even Andrew, cocky and aggressive moments ago,

the last echoes fade, an

from every direction. The predatory sounds have goosebumps erupting, as if they weren't already pimpling my skin, and I shudder even

gleaming fangs as he

but I'm somehow caught in

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

and nimble. They tumble across the forest floor. Andrew occasionally escapes the strange wolf's jaws, darting

the defense, even to someone like me, who's rarely seen a true wolf fight. I'm not

I can see the moment the tide turns. My protector's jaws close

me, but he's still Rafe's best friend. Still someone I've

yelps of pain fade into the distance as he

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

hear them drawing closer, their howls growing louder

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 as

My palm connects with his hindquarters in a resounding smack that startles us both. "Go!" I yell,

has me cringing, preparing for retaliation. But there's no time for regrets. "They're coming. All of

raised as he inspects me. A wolf's gaze is intense, but this time I almost feel like prostrating myself to the ground and lifting

presence to him that