Grace of a Wolf by Lenaleia

Chapter 68: Grace: What Are the Chances...?

Lyre’s pulled her phone out and frowned at it at least fifteen times in the past few minutes, driving me mildly batty.

My nurse fiddles with a new bag of IV fluids, having saved us from the incessant squawking of whatever machine they have attached to a pole. A few buttons beep, and clear fluid drips in steady rhythm once again.

I crane my neck around the nurse’s blue scrubs, trying to catch Lyre’s eye. What’s with all the phone checking? But she doesn’t notice my curiosity, her eyes fixed on whatever message is on her screen.

The nurse taps the IV bag once more. "All set, honey. Your fluids are running nice and steady now."

"Thanks," I mumble, distracted by my friend’s increasingly pinched expression.

"Just hit that call button if you need anything. Anything at all," the nurse chirps.

As soon as the door clicks shut behind her, Lyre finally looks up from her phone.

"What are the chances your boyfriend’s gotten himself kidnapped by the local pack?"

A laugh bubbles out of me. "Caine? Getting kidnapped?" The absurdity of it makes me laugh harder. "Maybe if they’re dragons in disguise."

But Lyre doesn’t join in. Her slitted eyes narrow further.

My laughter dies in my throat. "Wait. You’re not joking."

"I wouldn’t say I’m genuinely concerned." She taps her phone against her palm as she glances out the window. "More... cataloging unusual happenings."

My heart does a nauseating somersault. "What unusual happenings? Is he okay?"

"Well, up until an hour ago, he was incessantly messaging me for updates. Now it’s radio silence. I watched him leave with one of the local shifters. It’s a small pack, so it shouldn’t be a problem even if they act up, but..."

of worry disappears. It’s Caine we’re talking about. The Lycan

okay

brow as if she needs my permission. "Sure. You’re

she says, sounding as if she’s warning me. "I’m washing my hands of

get it." My lips keep twitching as she lets

she slides her phone into her back pocket, her shoulders easing a little. "Okay. With that done,

I blink. "Again?"

She pauses, tilting her head. "Let’s

the time is right. It better be worth it. Her cryptic rainbow personality isn’t exactly getting old, but... Yeah, it’s getting

unsettling perception. "I don’t have to

own agenda. First Caine breaking his own rules to protect me, now Lyre ready to postpone her plans if I need her. It’s enough

guess I already

my hand toward the door. "I’m fine. Better

a little heavy after our conversation. A friend’s presence isn’t going to fix

A nap might.

pillow is flatter than a folded sweatshirt. And it crinkles. So

sure? You don’t look

just going to pass out while you’re gone. It won’t be very fun

moment longer, then nods. "Okay.

call. Promise." She’s got my phone on the cabinet by my bed, charging so it doesn’t die

won’t be gone long." She hesitates at the door, her hand on the knob. "Don’t do

by an IV pole and a hospital gown. If I try to get out of

my reassurance and pulls the door open. I sink deeper into my

seconds pass before her rainbow-colored head pokes back through

wolf boy returns while I’m gone—no sex

jaw unhinges. "Excuse