Grace of a Wolf by Lenaleia

Chapter 16: Grace: What’s His

Mine.

The world buzzes in my ears, and time seems to slow.

Alpha’s standing now, veins protruding from his neck as he shouts at the Lycan King. Ellie’s yanking on Rafe’s arm, but he isn’t looking at her. He’s looking at me, his blue eyes dark and angry, as if I’ve somehow done something wrong.

My wrists and legs hurt where the rope still bites into my skin; there’s no doubt I’m the king’s captive, not anything he considers precious. And yet there’s my brain, lost and stuttering over his words.

Let me see who dares touch what’s mine.

Me? His?

My eyes return to the Lycan King, the source of this mess. His back is to me as he confronts my pack.

Muscles ripple beneath his shirt, each movement deliberate and controlled. The black ink of his tattoos shifts across his skin; at first, I thought of them as serpentine and slithery, but right now I can see they’re more like soft ropes of shadow caressing his skin. The patterns almost dance, mesmerizing in their fluid grace.

A bead of sweat rolls down Alpha’s temple as sound slowly comes back into focus, no longer buzzing in my ears. "High Alpha! What claim could you possibly have on this human?"

dare demand explanations from me? Tell me, Brax,

demand anything—I only

And who turned the thermostat up to ninety? It’s so

one. Grace and I have been dating for years." Rafe’s voice cuts through the crowd as he strides forward, chin lifted high, every bit the entitled future alpha he was raised to be—but he looks like a child playing hero to

hiss carries even over the murmuring crowd. Perfectly manicured nails dig into his forearm. "You’re making a scene. Think about

once glancing back—his eyes are still locked

me like this." Ellie’s whisper carries the edge of a

storm clouds gathering before lightning strikes. His fingers flex at his sides, and I can’t tear my eyes from the way the shadows seem to

mine?" The king asks, his words more

eyes tear away from me to focus on the alpha of alphas and king

frowns, sweeping a hand in my general direction. "She’s part of our pack, High Alpha. Unmated and unclaimed. If any claim

High Alpha." Brax’s voice carries an edge of desperation beneath his usual authority. "Your words suggest you’ve laid claim without cause. As if she were your..." He swallows hard, then continues without finishing. "Their relationship predates

these damn ropes were no longer holding me here. If I had the chance, I would run—as far and as

It’s dangerous here, and the king is about to

no way I’m

involved with this..." The Lycan King’s lip curls as he regards Rafe. "This pup. But that’s ended now,

head might detach. "Yes, High Alpha. Ended when he found his true mate." He gestures to Ellie, who smiles tightly, her fingers still digging into Rafe’s arm, like talons