Grace of a Wolf by Lenaleia

Chapter 21: Caine: You’re an Idiot

CAINE

Even without being manifested, I can feel my wolf staring holes into my head.

You’re an idiot, Fenris observes for the twentieth time today.

Ignoring him, I nudge a plate closer to the empty seat across from me. The table is covered in a feast; plates of scrambled eggs, bacon, ham, biscuits, scones...

This pack runs well enough, and it’s objectively a loss to have murdered its Alpha last night. While Jack-Eye hasn’t spoken to me about my sudden decision, I know it’s going to be a headache when we get back to our territory. Once news reaches the other packs, protests will come to the throne. Other packs will even send envoys.

There’s no way to sugarcoat an act of war, even for the Lycan King. If I want to keep the peace I’ve forced onto our people, I can’t go around killing Alphas—but his treatment of her...

Was it much better than yours? Fenris asks, with a bit of a snarl in his mental voice. He’s still angry with me for acting as if I was going to choke the girl.

"I didn’t hurt her. She’s alive, isn’t she?"

He sighs. How was she supposed to know you wouldn’t hurt her?

Nagging isn’t a usual part of our relationship, and his insistence on taking care of this human is frustrating. I’d spent all morning cleaning up our mess, and even kept her golden-haired lover alive to take over as Alpha. She should appreciate my restraint, considering the mess I created over her.

You’re going to regret thinking like that.

Ignoring Fenris’ warning, I drop into the chair, drumming my fingers against the table. Where is Jack-Eye with the girl? The food is nearly cold, and the girl hasn’t eaten all day.

That’s your fault. You forgot about her.

escape through clenched teeth. Besides, I didn’t forget about

my wolf opines again, sounding

because she needs to stay alive until we

do you plan to investigate when you slaughtered everyone

a snarl building in my chest. "There are survivors." It isn’t like I massacred the entire pack. Just a chunk of it. Enough to make an example and take the edge off the anger burning in my chest. "The girl

she? Then why didn’t you ask her some when you went

Because it was all I could do not to throw her onto it when she came out of

smug presence is overbearing in my head. I want nothing more to punch that son of a bitch wolf in his muzzle the next time

echo down the hall. My head snaps up, nostrils flaring at her scent before she even enters. Jack-Eye opens the door, and there she

hair falling in waves around her shoulders. Dark circles ring her grass-green eyes, her skin pale from lack of food. Not that I care.

what possessed me to think you were

food, her throat working as she swallows. Her entire body is stiff, and she keeps

wouldn’t she? What part of

room in the scent of muffins. I might have tied and gagged her, but it isn’t like I hurt her. Scared her, maybe,

out when it’s convenient for you, she’s human. Not a shifter. Violence is not normal

scoff. Human news

Fenris sighs.

as he pulls out her chair. "Sit," he tells her, and she does, though

fingers dig into the table’s edge. That casual touch sets my blood boiling. Even if it’s just Jack-Eye being courteous,

"Get out," I snarl.

in my direction, but doesn’t argue. If anything,

if

but the sound of his retreating footsteps