Grace of a Wolf by Lenaleia

Chapter 139: Grace: Started Early

I turn to find the elderly couple from the nearby RV approaching with cheerful waves. The woman’s dressed like she’s out for a hike, with a huge, floppy hat on her head. The man’s wearing overalls splattered in oil and paint. Both of them walk with a spryness belying their apparent age; judging by their wrinkles and the whiteness of their hair, they’re pushing seventy.

Then again, I’ve never been great at guessing age. Once I thought someone was forty, and it turned out they were in their twenties. Another time I thought someone was sixty, and he was seventy-three.

Don’t get me started on kids. I’m notoriously bad at guessing them. I’ve already been guessing Bun at two and Jer at about eight, Sara around ten, and Ron at fifteen. I should probably ask them. As their de facto guardian of the moment, I should definitely know how old these kids are.

Behind me, I can practically feel Caine coiling with tension. Before he can do something regrettable—like growl at two senior citizens—I hustle forward to intercept.

"Hello!" I call, plastering on my best everything-is-normal smile. I hope I don’t look like a freaking lunatic. "What a strange storm, right?"

"Don’t," Caine warns under his breath. "You shouldn’t talk to strangers."

I shoot him a look over my shoulder and hiss, "They were here first. It’s not like they followed us." Then I plaster a welcoming smile back on my face as I greet our new neighbors.

I never expected to be the family with a bunch of kids at some sort of camping spot, but here I am, with four of them. And a wolf I have to somehow pass off as a dog.

... hopefully Fenris doesn’t eat them.

The couple stops a respectful distance away, their smiles unwavering. There’s something oddly symmetrical about them, their posture mirroring each other with uncanny precision. I’ve heard old couples start looking like each other over time.

going to

says, his voice pleasantly weathered. "I think I finally understand what

the corners. "Did you all lose power too? Our camper’s been on the fritz since it hit. Batteries are completely drained! We’re going to have to

some issues," I admit, relaxing slightly. We’re all just normal people making normal conversation. Nothing strange

the last few feet to where I’m standing, her eyes fixed

again, the warning in his tone

Sadie’s fur is silky, warm from the sun, and she leans into my touch with a contented sigh. At least someone isn’t afraid

much more reserved with strangers," the woman

Sara have edged closer,

too?" Sara asks, practically

man nods, his smile widening. "Of course!

kids don’t need further invitation. They crowd around the retriever, who accepts their enthusiastic pats with

to join the fun, but he

silent as always. Has he always been so tall? He’s past my

just getting weirder each year, isn’t it?" he says to the couple, his voice gentle and a

elderly pair chuckle

him, Caine, and me, taking in our mismatched