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.

bring 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. Still, judging by the

I grab her left hand, checking that wrist over. There’s a small bruise, but she seems

miss how she jumps when I

so scared? I’m

my gaze. My fingers still circle her delicate wrist,

"Oh. You’re not

serious. I have no intention of eating you."

through our bond. You’re trying to be

the way her pulse jumps when I brush my thumb across the tender skin of her

letting her move further away. As soon as she realizes I’m not letting go, she stops. "Well, you

"Yes, I did."

voice trails off as she stares at my hand on her wrist.

tighten 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

I wanted to hurt you, little human, I would have done so in

all my progress

next time he manifests. He’s a little too comfortable

hurt me," she says, in

growl rips from my throat before I

scaring her again. Also,

bat an eye at

night, none the Lycans I brought with me agree with the actions I took last night.

gauze roll feels rough against my fingers as I pull it out, very different from her soft, delicate

her wrist.