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?"

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

clinical space. "It seems rather large for

space when the den gets

A multi-purpose space would show signs of its various uses.

they brought me here in order to show their legitimacy seems...

little too strange. Almost as if their families live elsewhere, and their

is too little life in this place. They

Your brain has become exceptional

leaning into a side of me I rarely access. My lips curve into a friendly smile, and I can see

uncomfortable when I act,

follows the same path,

my tone light, but file away her reaction. Another piece in

her home instead of putting us up at

"Very."

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

prefer work to pups, her body language

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

pulling her a little closer as he says,

Elizabeth seems to love it. A soft giggle escapes her, at odds with her no-nonsense demeanor at our first

performance is nauseating, but I keep the fake smile on my face. The moment I show any discomfort, Jack-Eye

he wasn’t

But he is.

Unfortunately.

such

I’ll explore the place myself, if

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

hours before this banquet,

"Yes, High Alpha."

with Marsh about the hospital contact I requested? I’d like