Grace of a Wolf by Lenaleia

Chapter 12

Chapter 11: Grace: Rules

Time isn't my friend, so I lay down the ground rules. "Look. I'm trying to get out of here, okay? You can come with me if you want, but no more skulking around in the shadows. And definitely no pouncing on me anymore. If I sprain my ankle, I'm never getting out of here. Got it?"

Not even a flick of his ears to show acknowledgement.

He has to be a shifter, though. There's no way some random, glowing wolf just exists on its own in the wild.

"You're a rogue, right?"

Ear flick.

I guess that's his way of saying yes. "Okay. I don't know why you won't shift, but that's not my business. Either help me or stay out of my way. That's all I'm asking."

No ear flick, or tail wag, or any change in his body language whatsoever.

Fine. Don't answer. Two can play the quiet game.

Turning my attention to my mission, I glance around. Which way was I headed?

East, because I need to head east toward the city. But which way is east? Now that I'm all turned around, I'm not sure. The stars peek through branches above, but their patterns mean nothing to me. That definitely is something we covered in training, and would be helpful to know about now.

My feet crunch over dead leaves as I pick a direction that seems right and start walking. The wolf's massive paw steps behind me pause. A low rumble draws my attention back to him as he winds around me.

He plants himself in my path, blocking the way forward.

"What now?"

His head tilts to the right, ears perked forward.

"That way?"

Another ear flick. Progress.

I change course, following his suggestion. The tension in my shoulders eases as he falls into step beside me. His ethereal glow provides better light than my dying flashlight ever did.

My hand reaches out, brushing over his side. The fur feels softer than I expected, almost silk-like between my fingers. He doesn't pull away.

His presence keeps the worst of my fears at bay, lulling me into comfort.

"I'm heading to Sterling City," I say, breaking the silence after a while. "It's the closest human settlement I know of. Should be about east of pack territory."

east, but I do know it isn't

pace never

Humans don't belong in wolf

under my boot, but I'm no longer paranoid about making

about being human. I lived a normal human life until Alpha took me

swivel

even know how to get a job, or rent

to meet my face, but sharp teeth snag the back of

lets go once I'm back on

"Thanks."

Ear swivel again.

listening. We're

was happy. Only days, really. And yet it feels

I

doesn't

the hell did you bring

—shit.

to Earth's core, taking my blood pressure with it. My knees? Traitorous things, they buckle, causing me to

my arm with a hand that's hard and cold as iron, hauling me upright as

but my brain and body sync back up. My heart starts beating again, even if it is a little too fast and furious, and I curse myself nine ways from Sunday for being so stupid as

course he

Of. Fucking. Course.

Idiot!

I'm busy berating myself, iron-hand-guy

man towering over me. His scowl is enough to shrivel my soul and every last millimeter of my self-worth, and

The nightmare kind.

handsome, too. Because of course he is. All dark

his shirt, intricate designs that shouldn't exist on a shifter's skin. The patterns seem to shift in the

walking ad for some expensive cologne. The kind with half-naked guys on TV. Warm, dark,

I can't name, though it makes my head spin. Or

like thunder, deep and commanding. Each word drips with barely contained violence.

he did, when I was

on my arm tightens, and pain shoots

wish I hadn't. A scar cuts through his left eyebrow. He has a scar under his bottom lip, like

part is really just the lower half of my body coming

danger. Power. Authority. And sex. Lots of

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