Grace of a Wolf by Lenaleia

Chapter 27: Grace: An Absurd Plan

"—the car would leave tonight, before midnight. Just a few miles east of the river crossing. Forest Springs is Ellie’s father’s territory, so you’d be safe there until—"

My fingers curl into the soft fabric of my recovered pillow, digging in until my knuckles turn white. Forest Springs Pack. The neighboring territory ruled by Ellie’s father.

I keep my face blank while Andrew continues explaining their supposed escape plan, but inside, my stomach twists into knots dense enough to sink through the floor. In the end, Ellie and Rafe want me to go to her father’s pack.

Silly me, to ever think Ellie and I could be on the same page for even a moment.

"Alpha Thornton will personally guarantee your protection," Andrew says, leaning forward with an earnestness that might be convincing if I didn’t know better. "It’s the perfect solution."

The room suddenly feels smaller, the walls closing in as Andrew’s voice drones on about routes and timing and security measures. Each word lands like another shovelful of dirt on my grave.

"—Rafe wanted to come himself, but he’s tied up with the transition meetings. The Lycans are demanding a lot from him as the new Alpha."

Of course they are. Convenient excuse.

I trace a loose thread on my bedsheet, keeping my gaze down so Andrew won’t see what’s in my eyes. This plan isn’t about keeping me safe. It’s about getting rid of me permanently. Ellie’s intent is to make sure I’m forever miserable.

If it was about my safety, they’d send me to Sterling City.

"—and once the Lycans leave, probably in a few weeks, Rafe will send for you and—"

A bitter laugh threatens to burst from my throat, but I swallow it down. The fantasy that Rafe would "send for me" after the Lycans leave might be the most ridiculous part of this whole charade. Ellie would sooner tear out her own heart than allow me back into Rafe’s orbit, even at the edges.

"Grace?" Andrew pauses, finally noticing my silence. "Are you listening?"

"It’s a lot to take in," Andrew says, mistaking my silence for consideration. "But we don’t have much time."

"Ellie’s put together a bag for you—clothes, some toiletries. Basic stuff to get you through the first few days until you’re settled."

Clothes picked by Ellie. I imagine scratchy fabrics, wrong sizes, colors meant to wash me out and make me look sickly. Little cruelties hidden in gestures of false kindness.

I stare at Andrew, something inside me finally snapping. The pretense of polite consideration evaporates, like water beneath the noon sun. "Do you actually believe any of this bullshit you’re spewing?"

My words are a brutal knife slicing through his plans. Andrew blinks, taken aback by my sudden shift from passive listener to open skeptic.

"What? Grace, this isn’t—"

way to get rid of me? To hand me over to people who would hate me even

of this if I

"Excuse me?"

radiating from him. "Rafe wants me to make sure you’re okay. He specifically asked me to accompany you. If she wanted to hurt you, why would

the ceiling with a humorless laugh. I lift my

the one who

widen slightly; I can see his expression out of the

me in the hall and wouldn’t let go. Squeezed until I thought the bones would snap." My voice drops to an icy whisper as I finally

who was willing to physically harm me in front of witnesses—would suddenly be so concerned with helping me? The human

between us. Andrew shifts uncomfortably, his gaze dropping

she..." he starts, then falters. His throat works as he swallows. "It’s still better than being prisoner to the Lycan King, isn’t it? You’ve seen it.

twists. Yes, I know. It isn’t like I trust him, either. But it doesn’t mean

suddenly narrow, and he takes an aggressive step forward. The shift in his attitude sends a shiver through my body. "It can’t be... Do you actually believe

of Caine’s voice echoes in my head—his furious declaration in front of the entire pack. The way Fenris had materialized

"No. Of course not."

then I think about my strange meal with him and how he bandaged my wrist so tenderly. Heat creeps up

slightly. "If there’s something between you

more rumors.

"If there’s nothing, why

he really think he’s helping me? And why is he

didn’t answer my question," I say quietly. "Why would Ellie want

running a hand through his hair. "Rafe is concerned about you. He feels guilty. Ellie knows that, and she wants him focused

distraction," I

complication," he corrects. "And with the Lycans breathing down everyone’s necks, complications are

go?" I ask, though

"Then we can’t protect you from whatever happens next. The Lycan King has claimed you as

that was supposed to

Caine wrapped around my wrist. His

here, but I’m not going to go

but not to Forest Springs. You need to take me