Grace of a Wolf by Lenaleia

Chapter 46: Caine: Inane Argument

CAINE

The warlock is an annoying companion on a long drive, but his ability to track the girl’s presence is little short of miraculous.

"I’m telling you," Jack-Eye says, gesturing wildly in the cramped backseat at Thom, "a woolly mammoth would absolutely destroy an elephant in combat. Thicker fur, larger tusks—built for the ice age, man."

Thom shakes his head. His glasses slip down his nose, and he pushes them back with trembling fingers. "Elephants have superior intelligence and agility. African bull elephants can weigh up to seven tons and reach nearly thirteen feet. Your mammoth would be too slow."

"Too slow? Are we forgetting they hunted in packs?" Jack-Eye counters.

This conversation has lasted at least the last thirty miles. It started, oddly enough, with a conversation about chickens.

"We’re discussing a one-on-one arena battle," Thom says, voice steady despite his physical weakness. "Not a pack hunt."

Their absurdity grates on my nerves, and I clutch the steering wheel harder. "How much longer?" I ask, interrupting their inane debate without guilt.

"Three point seven miles, still in the same location," Thom answers, not missing a beat.

"Even without the pack there—"

"This entire discussion is idiotic," I say through gritted teeth. "Woolly mammoths are extinct."

Fenris’s voice is a low grumble. They’re just trying to pass the time. Not everyone broods in silence like you.

I don’t brood. I contemplate.

hours of contemplating how to approach the girl doesn’t count

chest, almost a whisper of premonition telling me I’m close. The distance between us has become physical

about now?" I

Your Majesty. The girl hasn’t moved. She’s been

"And the interference?"

"Still present."

tap against the steering wheel. "Is she in danger?" I’ve asked this a hundred

so. It isn’t malevolent, but it’s impossible to tell

leans forward, grabbing onto my headrest. "What do you think, boss? I still say the

fight between extinct creatures

pang of regret—not for silencing them, but for revealing how tightly wound I am.

Fenris chides. Admit

doesn’t last. Not with my beta in this car.

Jack-Eye asks after a moment, turning to face Thom. "Your tracking. Is it by scent,

his voice. "No, not scent. It’s essence. Everything that exists occupies not just physical space but essentialistic space as well. Every living thing disrupts the essence of an area simply by

In those, what do

chi, prana." Thom’s hands flutter as he explains, then fall back to his lap, trembling. "But it all boils down to the energy something holds within

information away, another puzzle piece I don’t yet know where to

whistles low. "Must be nice, tracking something so clearly. We lose scent trails all the

"It comes

bluish veins visible at his temples. His eyes are sunken, rimmed with dark circles.

His hands tremble more violently as he shoves his glasses up his nose

my head. He probably feels bad

You should care more,