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.

with a blonde woman catches my eye. I reach for it, reading the instructions with burning curiosity. A transformation

still reading when Andrew says, "Wait here while I

different would I look? Would Rafe

third option when a soft

that brand. You’ll

to find a girl with hair in every color of the rainbow.

sure what I’m

box. "This would work

over the box, not seeing any real difference except—"This

aren’t worth it." She cocks her head, studying me.

"No."

the tip of her nose, eyes narrowing as she looks

around. She seems a little too helpful to be a wolf shifter,

says, jerking her thumb

Are you... some sort

vagabond. But I’ve bleached my hair enough

apples, and a couple bottles of water. I

tells us to call her Lyre, solving

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

I flinch.

says too quickly. His eyes drop to the box in my hand. "Did you want to change your hair

the box to the shelf, feeling oddly guilty. I wasn’t trying to spend Andrew’s money or anything. It feels even more

it off the shelf and tossing it into his basket. "Might be a good idea

the girl interjects, "you really don’t want to botch up

giant camper hitched to the back. My stomach churns with nerves. It’s probably stupid to follow a stranger, but at least we’re in the parking

it’s unlikely she can

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

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

staying anywhere in town?" Lyre asks, tossing her keys into a ceramic

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