Grace of a Wolf by Lenaleia

Chapter 29

Chapter 28: Caine: Intervention

CAINE

The sweet scent of blueberry muffins has faded, replaced by a more generic odor—body sweat and wolf musk, courtesy of all my subordinates crowding my suite.

It shouldn’t infuriate me as much as it does, but I want to smash their heads together for it.

I rub at my temple, the dull throb behind my eyes a stark reminder of my lack of sleep. "Stop standing there in silence."

They all look at Jack-Eye; he’s clearly been chosen as their spokesperson. The beta clears his throat, stepping forward. "It’s about last night, Alpha."

I expected as much. "What about it?"

"The death of an Alpha, even one as problematic as Brax, requires proper protocol. The packs will question—"

"Let them question."

"With respect," Reggie advances to stand beside Jack-Eye, his scarred face twisted in concern, "we’re not questioning your authority. But slaughtering an alpha and half his pack over a mere human—"

My fist slams against the table with a sharp crack. "Mere? Are our laws just decoration?"

Jack-Eye elbows Reggie in his side, not bothering with discretion. "But there are procedures for this. The other packs will see this as an act of—"

"Tyranny. It isn’t like it’s a new opinion." I’ve done worse in the past, when uniting all packs under my rule. Of course, it was a different time then.

"High Alpha." Reggie glances at the others and squares his shoulders, facing me once more. "We stand with you. Always. But the whispers have already returned. Not just ’The Mad King’, but now they’re calling you ’The Butcher of Blue Mountain’."

Fenris stirs within me, pleased with the titles. He’s been silent since the girl left, resting to recover his strength. A King’s strength is fearsome.

Fighting a sigh, I wave my free hand in the air. "When the delegates arrive, we’ll deal with them."

They all share glances, and Jack-Eye groans when their gazes land on him. Shoving his hand through his hair, he snaps, "Caine, this is a problem. Brax had his hand in a lot of fucking cookie jars. There are plenty who might be happy he’s gone, but Blue Mountain isn’t just some backwater pack. They have solid allies within the region. Cowing them alone is easy, but if they decide to gather and rebel against us—"

in my jaw tighten. "What

forward." Jack-Eye’s gaze holds mine, unflinching. "You’ve never shied away from violence—none of us have—but this is out of character, even for you. Do you really want to destroy the peace we’ve finally attained? We’ve spent years cleaning up

studying their faces. Their concern radiates off them in waves, stinking up the room. It’s expected, but

insolence. An alpha who can’t

eyebrow twitches, and he presses his lips together. I’m sure he has some smartass remark coming,

building as his hands clench at his sides. "We all know this isn’t about his leadership.

outrage pouring into our bond. His disrespect has gone

sensitive over the girl, and his emotions have clouded

The longer it takes for you to accept it, the harder it will be

Reggie continues, his upper lip curling in

you’re so hell-bent on following the law," I cut in, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper, "why are you pestering me

gray hair and a penchant for smoothing things over, steps forward. Even his face

across my chest burn with a dull ache. Fenris snaps at the

of leniency to my people in return for their loyalty, but Fenris is another matter—he would have them on the ground and bleeding in a heartbeat

he hadn’t used so much energy in the past week, he’d probably manifest on the spot to prove he means what he says. Instead, I’m able to subdue him through force of will, clamping down on our bond until he has no choice but

my chest. Jack-Eye’s beta domination is a soft whisper in the air, almost a tickle against my skin, but Reggie and

and grim, but at

eye twitches to hear

I don’t use her

he continues, frowning at each

snap at them to keep her name out of their filthy mouths, and I

No, it’s just you.

to the rage simmering in my veins, turns back to me with a frown. "You’re holding her captive when she’s clearly Brax’s victim. Why are

armrest, wood splintering beneath the force of my grip. "I am still investigating. There

flimsy excuse, and I know it. They do, too, judging by the way

Just admit it.

so one-sided to me.

other Lycans stir; it’s clear none of them know what

been one to respect boundaries. He’s more of a bulldozer than a wolf. "Alpha, is there really a fated

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