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?"

High Alpha." There’s a tightness around her eyes, and the faint scent of deception. "I hope it meets

the clinical space.

don’t quite meet mine. "Guest lodging when needed. Work space when the

practical explanation doesn’t align with the emptiness. A multi-purpose space would show signs of its various uses. This

here in

twist of shifter society, it’s a little too strange. Almost as if their families live elsewhere, and their presence here is little more than a

place. They have another purpose for inviting

Your brain has become exceptional since

few pups running around by now," I tell Elizabeth, leaning into a side of me I rarely access. My lips curve into a friendly smile, and I can see

I act,

the same

but file away her

clears his throat. "Elizabeth has been kind enough to offer her home instead of putting us up at the

"Very."

expected, and Jack-Eye slides an arm around her waist. She leans

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

you’ll be staying?" she asks, with a shy glance toward Jack-Eye. "There are four bedrooms. One is for you, and your beta has already settled your guests into the

as he says, "Don’t worry, boss. You

charm is irritating and inauthentic, but Elizabeth seems to love it. A soft giggle escapes her, at odds with her no-nonsense demeanor

The moment I show any discomfort, Jack-Eye

wasn’t

But he is.

Unfortunately.

such

explore the place myself, if that’s

before she plasters a bright smile on her face. "Of course, High Alpha. My

hours before this

"Yes, High Alpha."

Marsh about the hospital contact