Grace of a Wolf by Lenaleia

Chapter 144: Grace: I’m Fine

Something clicks in my mind. The pattern comes into focus with sudden clarity: Caine is orchestrating everything so that I’m not needed. And he’s blocking anyone from getting close to me.

Ron scratches at his cheek, watching them all. "He’s just trying to help," he whispers, following my gaze to where Caine is demonstrating how to shuffle cards to Sara. "But you look like you’re gonna punch him."

"What? No, I’m enjoying the peace." But the words come out through gritted teeth.

I uncross my arms, not realizing I’d been holding myself so rigidly. I should be grateful. Caine is being attentive, gentle with the kids, helpful around the camper. But it feels smothering, like he’s wrapped me in cotton and placed me in a display case.

The air conditioner cycles off again, the third time in the last five minutes. I glance at the temperature display—it’s dropped outside, and with the sun going down, we’re wasting battery power.

"I’ll turn off the AC," I announce, standing up. Finally, something I can do. "Let’s just keep the dehumidifier going and open the windows."

I move toward the control panel, but Caine is there before me, dropping the game immediately to get in my way. His hand covers the panel, stopping me from doing anything. "I’ll do it," he says. "You should rest."

"I’m fine," I insist, reaching past him.

Even with my fingers just an inch from his, his hand doesn’t budge. "You’re exhausted. You need rest."

Something in me snaps. A rubber band pulled too tight, finally giving way.

"Fine," I mutter, not bothering to hide my irritation. "I’ll go take a nap if you insist on playing martyr."

I turn and stalk to Lyre’s bedroom, feeling his eyes on my back the whole way.

The door clicks shut behind me, and I flop onto the bed after opening the windows for a cool breeze and spend the next few minutes glowering at the ceiling. My jaw aches from clenching it so tight. Only after a long exhale does the tension begin to release, my muscles unclenching one by one.

I roll onto my side and pull out my phone. The screen lights up, reminding me of something odd from earlier—the strange Divinity App. I scroll through my apps until I find it, tapping the icon.

The screen flickers, but the app won’t open. I frown, looking more closely at the icon itself. It looks different now—desaturated and dim, as if all the color has been leached from it.

caused by the storm?

phone vibrates with an incoming text. Lyre’s name flashes across

Should

floods through me. Lyre will know what to do about... everything. About Caine’s strange

A second message appears:

everything okay

fingers fly over the

storm that messed with electronics

a response. They stop. Start again.

Finally, a new message.

I

I frown.

couple and a dog. They were

again, but all that comes

[LYRE: ...]

Then:

with you, you’re probably fine. But be

Why? What should I be on guard

response. The messages aren’t even showing as

door cracks open, and Caine peers in. "You should

overhelpful

resting can I get when I

opens his mouth to reply, but I cut him off: "It’s not like I

bitter and resentful, but I don’t take them back. I’m still grumpy over how he’s not letting anyone near me. Didn’t invite me into the game. Won’t

He’s going overboard.

unreadable. Then

thin walls, I hear him tell one of the

my palms against my eyes until I see spots. Now I feel horrible for being so ungrateful when he’s being the