Grace of a Wolf by Lenaleia

Chapter 67: Caine: Strange (II)

CAINE

The house Marsh leads me to is no different from the others.

Marsh pushes the door open without knocking. No courtesy, not even a perfunctory tap. Interesting.

Inside feels bare, even more than a model home. There are no photos. No art. Nothing personal. Even Halloway’s pretentious display of wealth had some semblance of life to it. This place resembles a vacant rental property.

There is furniture, though.

Jack-Eye emerges from what must be the kitchen with Elizabeth trailing behind. His shoulder brushes against hers, a short-lived point of contact, and it speaks volumes. The faint whiff of her scent clings to him.

He catches my eye and winks, that insufferable smirk playing at the corner of his mouth.

"Where are the other two?" I ask Jack-Eye, scanning the barren living room.

"Upstairs." Jack-Eye jerks his thumb toward the ceiling. "The wizard doesn’t like being around shifters. Gets the shakes." He drops his voice to a mock whisper. "I think we scare him."

Elizabeth chuckles.

"And Andrew?"

"In another bedroom."

Confined. Good.

Marsh clears his throat. "If that’s all, High Alpha, I’ll return to Alpha Halloway. We still have the banquet to arrange—"

I wave him off with a dismissive hand. His eagerness to leave is palpable, but I don’t think it’s from my display of dominance earlier. He seems more comfortable now that we’re here.

Letting my gaze wander to Elizabeth, I ask, "Is this your home?"

and the faint scent of deception. "I hope

space. "It seems rather large for a

serves multiple purposes." Her eyes don’t quite meet mine. "Guest lodging when needed. Work space when the den gets crowded." She gestures vaguely toward

would show signs of its various

assumption they brought me here in order to show their

an acceptable twist of shifter society, it’s a little too strange. Almost as if their families

little life in this place. They have another purpose for

grunts. Your brain has

around by now," I tell Elizabeth, leaning into a

act, as he calls it,

everyone follows the same path, High Alpha. I

light, but file away her

enough to offer her home instead of putting us up at the

"Very."

Jack-Eye slides an arm around her waist. She

a woman who claims she would prefer work to pups, her body language says otherwise.

be staying?" she asks, with a shy glance toward Jack-Eye. "There are four bedrooms. One is for

little closer as he says, "Don’t worry, boss. You won’t

it. A soft giggle escapes her,

the fake smile on my face. The moment I

he wasn’t my

But he is.

Unfortunately.

share such a strange

believe I’ll explore the place myself, if that’s

behind me. It’s a microsecond of reaction before she plasters a bright smile on her face. "Of course, High Alpha. My

hours before

"Yes, High Alpha."

hospital contact I requested? I’d like regular updates about