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.

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

idiot, my wolf opines

feeding her because she needs to stay alive until

do you plan to investigate when you slaughtered

bridge of my nose, a snarl building in my chest. "There are survivors." It isn’t like I massacred the entire

she? Then why didn’t you ask her

I walked in, I was drawn to the bed, where everything was drenched in her obnoxious blueberry muffin scent. Because it was all I could do not to throw her onto it when she came

nothing more to punch that son of a bitch wolf in his

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

her skin pale from lack of food. Not that I

to think you were intelligent

beside her chair. Her eyes dart between me and the spread of food, her throat working as she swallows. Her entire body is stiff, and she keeps cradling her hands against her chest. Does

wouldn’t she? What part of you has shown

of muffins. I might

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

Human

Fenris sighs.

her arm as he pulls out her chair.

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

"Get out," I snarl.

herself. Jack-Eye raises an eyebrow in my direction,

if you need

him, but the sound of his retreating footsteps