Grace of a Wolf by Lenaleia

Chapter 26: Grace: A Suspicious Hand

A series of knocks jerks me out of a dream involving a lot of naked skin, among other details I have no business recalling. I wipe a trail of drool from my cheek. "Gross."

Another knock.

"Come in." My voice comes out scratchy. Clearing my throat, I sit up on my bed, wondering who it is.

My entire body stiffens as Andrew steps through the doorway. His limp brown hair falls into his eyes and something about his expression is strange, but what catches my attention is the pillow in his hands.

"What are you doing here?" Despite him obviously being here to deliver what I need, the words come out defensive. I was glad to see he was alive earlier, but it doesn’t mean I wanted to see him in person. I just didn’t want to recognize another body on the pile.

"Delivering this." He holds up the pillow like a peace offering, but his eyes are intense as they look me over. "Lycan King’s orders."

My fingers twitch with the urge to snatch it from him.

"Just toss it over here," I say, waving airily at the other side of my bed, aiming for nonchalance despite how desperately I want it. My neck hurts from the impromptu nap I took without one.

Andrew hesitates, his eyes darting around the room. "You... Are you okay?"

My eyes narrow at Andrew’s question. Something’s off about his visit—the Lycan King wouldn’t send him of all people to deliver a pillow, would he? Fenris should recognize him from their encounter during the Mate Hunt.

Then again, I’m acting like the Lycan King cares about me. He probably hasn’t thought twice about a wolf as insignificant as Andrew. Even if Rafe came in here, I’m sure he wouldn’t bat an eye...

King doesn’t seem

to sound neutral, my words come out clipped. My tongue presses against my teeth, stopping the automatic ’how are you?’ from escaping. Old habits die hard, but I’m not about to pretend

alive. Great. I don’t need to know

pillow, pressing it against his chest like a shield. The sight of it makes my fingers curl into my palms. That’s my pillow, and

usually bother me, and I’ve always found shifters to be a little odd with how finicky they can be about them. But

imagine burning the pillow, but no, it didn’t do anything wrong. It’s a

worried about you, you

can stop it. Of course that’s why Andrew’s here. He’s always been Rafe’s

tightens, his mouth curving down at the corners. "He’s been busy, but

has bigger problems to deal with. He’s Alpha now, right? He should focus on running his pack and getting on the Lycan King’s good side before more of you die. And he already has a mate, so he has no business looking after his ex, don’t you think? Only a sleaze would do that behind her

so easily now, without

of satisfaction spreads through my chest. The words came out without a single crack in my voice, without the slightest tremor. Look at me, already over Rafe. Maybe trauma is

hostage. "The pack’s a mess right now, but we still want

stare at him, wondering if I heard right.

"Yes, we—"

destroy me on the Lycan King’s command. She said harboring humans in the pack is illegal. Now you’re trying to tell me you all want to take care of me?" My eyes narrow. "Or do

Andrew’s face pales.

"Uh-huh."

the floor, just inches from the bed. "For your information, Ellie’s the one who suggested we

me?" I shake my head, unable to help the hysterical giggles from bubbling up. How absurd. "You’ll have to do better than that. I may be human, but I’m not