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.

teeth. Besides, I didn’t forget about her. I just

an idiot, my wolf opines again,

she needs to stay alive until we sort this mess out. She goes back

how do you plan to investigate when you slaughtered everyone who might

the entire pack. Just a chunk of it.

her some

obnoxious blueberry muffin scent. Because it was all I could do not to throw her

I want nothing more to punch that son

flaring at her scent before she even

girl steps inside, her brown 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. This is purely

think you were intelligent enough to

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

What part of you has shown

tighten, and I fight the urge to scowl at the frail human, saturating this room in the scent of muffins. I might have tied and gagged her, but it isn’t like I hurt her. Scared her, maybe, but she should

you, she’s human. Not

Human news glorifies

Fenris sighs.

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

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

"Get out," I snarl.

flinches, shrinking into herself. Jack-Eye raises an eyebrow in my

if you

behind him, but the sound of his retreating footsteps