Grace of a Wolf by Lenaleia

Chapter 35

Chapter 34: Grace: Lighten

Sterling City is a small town. Too small to hide in. Andrew’s words, not mine.

"So you’re not leaving me here?" I ask, confused.

Andrew’s grip tightens around the steering wheel. "It’s the first place they’ll look. You’re going to need some more distance from the Lycan King, just in case."

His words send ice through my veins. Of course they’d search Sterling City. It’s the closest human settlement, so it makes sense I would run here.

"We’re going to keep driving for a while, but first we need some food."

He pulls into a vast parking lot illuminated by harsh fluorescent lights. A massive blue sign looms ahead.

"Where are we?"

"Walmart. We need food."

The automatic doors slide open with a mechanical hiss, releasing a blast of cold air that prickles my skin. Inside, the store stretches endlessly, aisles upon aisles of... everything. So many things.

"Bathroom first," Andrew mutters, nodding toward the back of the store.

We navigate through the nearly empty store. Past midnight, only a few night owls roam the aisles alongside us. A tired woman in a blue vest pushes a cart of items to restock, and two guys crowd stand in front of the frozen pizzas. They’re the only two people I see.

After using the bathroom, I emerge to find Andrew waiting. His gaze follows mine as I take in everything around us.

"Want to look around?"

I hesitate. "Is that okay?"

"Sure. If you’re not tired." He shrugs. "We can take ten minutes to look around."

It’s a little embarrassing to admit how much fun it is just to drift through aisles.

I end up in haircare, drawn to a wall of colors and promises. My hair’s brown and boring, but I’d never cared much about it before. It’s just hair, after all.

it, reading the instructions with burning curiosity.

reading when Andrew says, "Wait here while I grab some food

absently, already reaching for another box. How different would I look? Would

a third option

that brand.

every color of the rainbow. Her eyes—unnaturally

not really sure what I’m looking at," I

glances around before grabbing a different box. "This would work best out of what’s on the

not seeing any real

cocks her head, studying me. "Ever lightened your

"No."

of her nose, eyes narrowing as she looks me up and down.

looking around. She seems a little too helpful to be a wolf shifter, but I’m still

the parking lot," she says, jerking her thumb toward

some

a vagabond. But I’ve bleached my hair enough times. I can help with

of water. I introduce him to the girl,

us to call her

things in his basket, her eyes narrow. "You two run away

I flinch.

quickly. His eyes drop to the box in my

I wasn’t trying to spend Andrew’s money or anything. It feels even more awkward now, probably because he admitted having a crush on me once before. "I

shelf and tossing it into

you’ve run away from home," the girl interjects, "you really don’t want to botch up your dye job. Also, you’ll need at least one more

My stomach churns with nerves. It’s probably

unlikely she can do

fifth wheel, sweeping her arm in a dramatic gesture. "Welcome to

fascinating: lightweight cloth in rich jewel tones drape across the walls, fairy lights strung in zigzag patterns across the ceiling cast a warm glow over everything, and plants hang from macramé holders in every corner. The kitchenette gleams with copper pots dangling from a rack, while the small dinette area has been transformed with cushions covered in fabrics that look like they came from

anywhere in town?" Lyre asks, tossing her keys

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