Grace of a Wolf by Lenaleia

Chapter 50: Grace: I Don’t Want to Go

Caine’s question kind of feels like a minefield waiting to happen, so I focus on something more important.

"Could you step back, please?" I ask, keenly aware of his proximity. My skin prickles where his breath touches the nape of my neck.

He doesn’t move. Not even an inch. If anything, he leans closer, his chest nearly brushing my back.

"I asked you a question." His voice rumbles, deep and demanding. "Why are you so relieved to see him alive?"

Before I can answer, something large and furry forces its way between us. Fenris wedges his massive body into the sliver of space, effectively pushing Caine backward while pressing his warmth against my side. When I turn to rub his ears, he blinks his intelligent gray eyes at me in what almost seems like reassurance.

Wait. I squint in the dim lighting. Is he bigger now? Maybe it’s just the shadows playing tricks, but he seems more substantial, more imposing.

Did he get bigger so he could push Caine out of the way? If so, that’s... sweet.

"You need to respect her personal space," Lyre calls out, arms crossed as she leans against the frame of the camper’s doorway. "Not everyone appreciates being loomed over by strange men."

I’m falling more in love with Lyre every time she speaks.

Fenris lets out a soft huff that sounds suspiciously like agreement, nodding his massive head once before pressing harder against me.

I take a few deliberate steps away, circling around Andrew’s still-immobile form. To my surprise, Caine follows, moving in tandem with each step I take, like we’re engaged in some bizarre dance. When I look over my shoulder, his eyes never leave my face, tracking my movements with predatory focus.

Fenris stays between us, his massive body a living barrier. When Caine tries to step around him, the wolf snaps his jaws with a sharp click that makes the Lycan King stay back.

"Did he just—?" I start, shocked at Fenris’s rebellion.

"Yes," Caine’s beta says, his voice barely containing his amusement. "He did."

I can’t help the small smile that tugs at my lips. Maybe Fenris isn’t such a traitor after all. Between leading Caine to me and now keeping him at bay, I’m not sure whose side the wolf is actually on. But right now, he seems to be on mine. I’ll take it.

"Grace." Lyre’s voice cuts through the tension. She steps down from the camper, her colorful hair catching the moonlight as she squints her cat-like eyes at me. "Do you want to go with them?"

The question hangs in the night air. Andrew shifts slightly in his uncomfortable position but doesn’t speak.

say, the word coming out clear and firm. "I

his wolf, extending his

way he says my name makes my knees want to buckle. Thankfully, Fenris’s teeth snap at his fingers, missing by centimeters. Caine yanks his hand back with a curse, and

Fenris," he

distance between us. The wolf moves with

with Lyre," I tell him. My voice doesn’t waver. "You

told you,

me food, but wouldn’t let me leave. That’s the definition of

explosion of temper. The camper’s basically a tin can; if he wants to attack

you’re really not coming back?" Jack-Eye smoothly interrupts, stepping forward

my stomach, so I address him directly. "No, I’m not. I was kidnapped and locked in a room for no reason I can understand. I value my life—and my freedom—too much to voluntarily return to that situation." There. I sound rational.

thoughtfully. Behind him, Caine continues making

"Fair enough," Jack-Eye says.

surprisingly reasonable, which

arm around Caine’s shoulders, the casual gesture at odds with the tension radiating from his king. "So what’s

like a terrible idea, but they don’t seem like they’re just going to let us

a nonchalant shrug. Her eyes flick meaningfully toward Caine and Jack-Eye as she continues, "Seems like we have some bugs who aren’t quite ready

rumbling grows louder. "Grace

she can," Lyre interrupts, sounding bored. "I’ve paid for this spot

eventually he smacks Caine on the back with casual familiarity. "Come on, High

While his words are softer than before, leading me to believe he’s not trying to be heard, he isn’t that quiet. Every syllable

whine, turning his head to look at Caine. The king glowers

Caine finally snaps.

not." Lyre’s denial is swift

his massive shoulder, nearly knocking him off balance; Jack-Eye coughs behind his fist, but by the way his lips keep quirking, I’m pretty

this situation so amusing. I’m shaking with my own audacity and worried Caine’s going to snap and go for Lyre’s neck, but the

morning," Jack-Eye says after a few seconds, and Caine’s head

not sausage. I like my eggs over easy, but Grace likes them

looks right at Lyre and laughs, seemingly unbothered by her flat stare