Grace of a Wolf by Lenaleia

Chapter 159: Jack-Eye: Report

JACK-EYE

I step in front of Caine just as he’s about to barrel into the RV. Maybe not the smartest move, but there are things he needs to know before he goes storming in there like a goddamn tornado.

"Hold up." I plant my hand on his chest, feeling the vibration of his growl against my palm. "I need to report."

His flat stare comes with a brief flick of dominance in the air. It’s more of an instinctual push than anything he’s doing on purpose, but I’m used to these little flickers of his.

The muscle in his jaw twitches, and for a second, I think he might just snap my arm off. He seems pretty pissed about something.

Probably noticed me staring at Lyre’s ass.

Still, he takes a step back, breathing in deeply. "Make it quick, Jack-Eye."

I can’t help the smirk as it slides across my face. "You were pretty busy last night when I tried to check in. Now you’re in a hurry? What were you up to, hmm?"

It’s not hard to tell; I can smell Grace all over him. Not the kind of scent-sharing where you’re in a room together for hours, but marked and saturated. Good for her. I didn’t think a human would be capable of this level of scent-marking, but it’ll come in handy for a slip of a girl like her.

His eyes flash with a flicker of amber in the gray. Yeah, he’s pissed. "Get on with it, Jack."

My smirk disappears. Fine. Not the time to poke the bear—or wolf, in this case.

"We tracked our killer to a remote cabin." I keep my voice level, all business. "Unfortunately, they were already gone. All we found was a body—Marsh, the only other young one in the pack. His body was a mess. No sign of Halloway or anyone else."

Caine’s eyes narrow. "And?"

"And the cabin had been scrubbed clean. Not just physically, but my nose couldn’t pick up anything. Lyre managed to catch some trace with her witchery, and she’s been using Thom to help track whatever it is. She’s being cagey with the information, but at last report, they backtracked here."

"Their territory," he murmurs. "It’s not surprising, especially if it’s Halloway. He’s not going to give up his territory so easily."

"Right."

"What else?"

I watch the war play out on his face. He wants blood. Caine’s never been the kind of alpha to stand back and let his subordinates take care of trouble, especially in recent years.

keeps glancing back at the RV, where Grace is. Where

His priorities have changed.

again, he’s showing some signs of being calmer. Maybe not by much, but it seems like Grace is a good

the decision for him. "Me and Lyre. You can stay here with Grace and the kids. She’ll need you to keep them safe,

doesn’t mean he’s efficient. Or

her own right, and you don’t even get along with her. Both of you in the same car will derail the mission before you get

He scowls.

but

say, unable to resist poking him

old-fashioned Your Majesty to put him in a bad mood. He hates it. Says it makes him feel

unexpected. Something more reminiscent of the Caine

smacks at my

looks like

to see him like this, able to calm down after an adrenaline rush. He’s usually amped for days afterward. Even

it. You almost ripped my head off a minute ago, and now you’re thanking me? Don’t

of mixed sound, like he isn’t sure whether to be

it, boss." Sobering, I add, "Lyre seems to be taking this personally. She seems on edge. I know it isn’t like

"It’s not surprising,

Yeah.

fucked up situation, no matter how you splice

But—

Alpha. Is that empathy I

"Fuck off, Jack-Eye."

There’s the king

RV for a long moment before turning back to me, his expression suddenly serious. "What’s your take

laugh, but it dies quickly when I see he’s dead serious. "Maybe you could be more

As someone in Grace’s orbit. As someone

a breath, considering my words carefully. This isn’t a question to half-ass an answer to. "If you’re

"I am."

as hell and could probably kill us all

an eyebrow. His entire stance says not me, she can’t. A disloyal part