Grace of a Wolf by Lenaleia

Chapter 24: Caine: Can I Have My Hand Back?

CAINE

The girl’s wrist is so thin and fragile, I’m reasonably certain it would break under the pressure of lifting a gallon of milk.

She’s not that weak.

The bruises on her skin say otherwise, perfectly spaced. Four fingers and a thumb.

Hmm. How many fingers does a Luna need? She can probably get by with none. In fact, the Blue Mountain Pack has gone years without a Luna; I’m sure they would be just fine without one now...

Oh? Fenris perks up, his mental presence a little stronger. Are we killing her, then?

It’s a tempting thought.

I take a deep breath of blueberry muffin-scented air, recalling the unknown scent all over her when we first met. My upper lip curls back in a snarl. Better to keep that vicious little Luna alive; she’ll keep her mate in line.

Fenris hums in the back of my head. Good idea. Or we can kill both of them? His hopeful question is another temptation, but it would only bring forth more headaches in the long run.

At least without cause.

"Um..." The girl’s sweet voice interrupts my vengeful train of thought. "...Caine?"

"Yes?"

"Can I have my hand back?"

"No." She always seems to be asking for things back, a surprisingly irritating trait.

me a first-aid

dark, but she doesn’t move from her place on the couch. She still smells fearful, but not enough to overpower her ever-present muffin fragrance.

checking that wrist over. There’s

she jumps when

I’m not going to eat

still doesn’t meet my gaze. My fingers still circle her delicate wrist, monitoring her pulse

quickly. "Oh. You’re not

serious. I have no intention of eating you." This assurance should be enough to ease her

bond. You’re trying to be nice. How

him, I focus instead on the way her pulse jumps when I brush my thumb across the tender skin of her inner wrist. The sight of her bruises sets my teeth on

dart behind me, before wandering away again. She shifts on the couch, drawing back slightly, but I have no intention of letting her move further away. As soon as she realizes I’m not letting go, she stops. "Well, you killed Alpha Brax.

"Yes, I did."

Her voice trails off as she stares at my hand on her wrist. "You know, humans

and the scent of her fear spikes, sharp and acrid. It’s starting to grate on my nerves. I’ve given her no reason to think I’d harm her—quite the opposite, really. I’ve fed her, clothed her, and protected her

also chased her, tackled her, tied her up, left her in the forest, choked

to hurt you, little human, I would have

my progress with her. Now she doesn’t

the next time he manifests. He’s a

she says, in an echo

throat before I can stop

again. Also, Jack-Eye’s

scent precedes him as he enters, first aid kit in hand. He doesn’t bat an eye at our relocation

agree with the actions I took last night. The

girl’s injured wrist. The white gauze roll feels rough against my fingers as

still," I command, wrapping the bandage around her wrist.