Grace of a Wolf by Lenaleia

Chapter 32: Grace: One Last Visitor

Caine’s strange behavior takes more mental real estate than it should, but I manage to finish my dinner with him gone. Eating under pressure is a lot harder than I ever expected.

With a full stomach and nothing else to do, I curl up on the bed. My eyelids grow heavy despite lingering anxiety; will Andrew really come? Is this plan going to work? Will I be okay once I get to Sterling City? So many questions, all impossible to answer without more time.

Eventually, the soft mattress beckons me into sleep, a temporary escape from this bizarre reality.

A rough shaking wrenches me out of deep sleep, and my foggy mind registers someone’s hand on my shoulder.

"Grace, wake up."

I sit up with a yawn, stretching my arms above my head until my joints pop. The motion helps clear some of the cobwebs from my brain, but when my vision focuses, my body freezes mid-stretch, hands locked high in the air. "Rafe?"

It’s not Andrew’s face hovering in front of me, but Raphael’s. His blue eyes shine so brightly, my stomach flips. Not with cute butterflies, but in dread. His gaze is too intense, almost fanatical.

"What are you doing here?" I hiss, scrambling backward until I hit the wall. The distance between us isn’t nearly enough.

Rafe’s pine-and-earth scent, once thrilling and now rather generic, fills my nostrils, bringing unwelcome memories. His golden hair catches the light from the bedside lamp, creating a halo effect that seems laughably inappropriate given our recent past. How can someone so cruel look so much like someone’s fantasy of a hero?

"I needed to see you before you leave for Forest Springs." He sits on the edge of my bed like he belongs there, reaching for my hand. "Andrew will be here soon."

I almost blurt out that Forest Springs is the last place I’d willingly go, but snap my mouth shut. He doesn’t know about the change in plans; it’s strange, but I’m not complaining about it. It’s better this way.

Though, there’s always the possibility Andrew lied just to appease me. I guess I’ll find out soon.

"Why would you need to see me?" I ask instead, pulling my knees to my chest and keeping my hands out of his reach.

His expression darkens as he takes his hand back, his brows drawing together. "Of course it’s because I care about you, Gracie. I haven’t been able to see you since they murdered our people. I was worried."

The audacity makes my jaw clench. His hands gesture between us as he continues.

a mess, but I’m fixing it. You’ll see, Grace." He leans closer, earnestness radiating from him like heat. If my IQ was single digits, maybe I’d even believe in it. "Ellie understands now. And soon, the Blue Mountain Pack will be officially mine. It’s

This pack is not my home, and he’s one of the people who made it like

through his passionate speech. His hands reach for me again, but

to leave," I say, my voice flat. "Before you ruin the

his head. "Don’t worry, Grace. Everything’s fine. I

about this is fine. The space between us feels charged with something toxic—his delusional hope and my simmering resentment.

"Rafe, please—"

suddenly, fingers brushing against my neck. The touch sends revulsion crawling

to me," he says with a strange, overly soft smile. "Refusing the Lycan King’s advances. Such

thinks I’m rejecting Caine... for him? A laugh bursts from my throat,

eyebrows lift at my reaction, but he must misinterpret it, because he steps forward, arms opening for an embrace as his head swoops closer,

over my own feet. Now I’m between him and the door, which is

flashing across his features before

No.

only no, but hell

scent gets on me, the King will go crazy," I say, grasping for any excuse which might penetrate his thick

Of course, you’re right." His shoulders slump as he glances at me, his eyes wide and pathetic. It’s his puppy dog face. I used to think it was

Now, it’s childish.

second, but I try not to flinch. He’s doing what I want him

he’s wanting me

second before moving toward the door. His hand rests on the doorknob, but he turns

again, Grace." The words fall from his lips with weighty significance, as if he’s

instead as I walk toward my bathroom. When I finally look back,

Thank. Fucking. God.

of the Mate Hunt, and the way he treated me the moment his fated mate appeared? Such thick skin he has, acting as if none

shifters are

press my palms against my eyes until random shapes and colors bloom behind my eyelids. Rafe’s visit has

away the lingering disgust. The mirror seems to emphasize the dark circles under my eyes, but at