Grace of a Wolf by Lenaleia

Chapter 67

Chapter 66: Caine: Strange (I)

CAINE

The Fiddleback Pack is unusual, settling most of their central pack territory in the middle of a human city.

There are rows of cookie-cutter homes, differentiated only by paint color. Manicured lawns, where even the trees look trained. White fences.

The back of my neck itches, and I resist the urge to scratch at it. "How do your wolves stand this?"

Marsh glances at me from behind the wheel, his expression placid. "Stand what, High Alpha?"

"This." I gesture at the subdivision sprawling around us. "Boxed in like sheep. No room to breathe."

A yard the size of a postage stamp comes into view, a plastic swing set crammed into one corner. The thought of a pup confined to such a space makes Fenris bristle.

"We’re used to it." Marsh shrugs, turning down another identical street. "Most of us were born here."

"That’s worse."

Fenris growls agreement in my head.

"Why live among humans like this? Most packs claim territory where their wolves can run free."

Marsh’s fingers tap against the steering wheel. "Numbers, mostly. Our pack isn’t large enough to maintain extensive territory. The subdivision houses all of us. Seventy-four wolves total."

Seventy-four. Barely enough for a functional pack hierarchy. My pack numbers over a thousand.

"And the humans don’t care?"

"We’ve adapted." Marsh’s voice carries a hint of pride. "Integration gives us options our ancestors never had. Jobs. Education. Resources. The humans think we’re just another community association with strict property rules."

The car slows as we pass a human woman pushing a stroller. She waves, and Marsh returns the gesture with practiced ease.

"And if one of you shifts accidentally?"

"Hasn’t happened in fifteen years. Our control is exceptional."

I observe his profile. Though young—perhaps twenty-five at most—he carries himself with the confidence of someone comfortable in his environment. No strain of keeping his wolf leashed. No yearning for wilderness.

"Is that why your pack uses these unusual titles? Deputy Marshal?"

Marsh’s eyebrows lift. "Oh, Deputy Marshal?" A smile touches the corner of his mouth. "It’s because we’ve taken on as law enforcement around here. We keep it clean."

enforcement." The concept is strange. Wolves

elected ten years ago. Most of our enforcers

outside. No children in the yards. No one walking in the streets. It’s too silent, too

they preparing a

the humans trust

has benefits for everybody. Crime rates are the lowest

Few criminals would survive crossing paths with

those who

in his scent.

the pack link to my beta, I

for such a rural pack. Humans would love to live here.

And the pack?

around the edges,

have children running

watch. Something isn’t

mental voice

Enough.

largest house yet. Stone facade,

Ian’s residence," Marsh announces. "And the pack gathering

"No communal den?"

off the engine. "The basement level connects to several neighboring homes through

keep my voice neutral

as approval. "We’ve evolved beyond old limitations. Survival

earthy undertones that should mark wolf territory. Just cut grass, chemical cleaners, and the faint metallic tang of

I’d assume only humans

within me. I don’t like

High Alpha." Marsh gestures

distance. A human neighborhood indistinguishable from thousands of others

It’s unnatural, skirting hard around the edges of pack law. Humans aren’t

and the shiny chrome fixtures overhead, it feels very...

My teeth grind together.

Ian is waiting in the

My lip

gowns, police uniforms, and wedding attire. Every image carefully selected to emphasize their human accomplishments rather

arrival. By living this way, they’ve been operating in that dangerous territory

packs. See how common this kind of

to a man with graying hair, his face weathered but unremarkable. Alpha scent,

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255