Grace of a Wolf by Lenaleia

Chapter 161: Grace: Lyre’s Lies

Caine’s presence in this camper is unmistakable, almost like he’s sucking all the air out of it. Is there such a thing as an air vampire? Because it’s kind of what he’s doing as he stands there, squared off against Lyre—again.

They haven’t even said a word yet and already clashing.

"Kids, go outside with Jack-Eye and the others," I murmur, ushering them off the couches. If these two start arguing, I don’t want the kids to hear it. It’s why I brought them in earlier, when Lyre and Caine started going at it outside.

Ron pulls Bun from Owen without another word, but Sara and Jer look upset as they stomp outside. They want some time with their father figure, and my heart hurts a little to see their grumpy body language.

"Owen, maybe you should—"

"Look, let’s not pretend to be friends here, okay?" Lyre says, breaking the stand-off. "You don’t like me. I don’t particularly like you or your kind. But we can both work together for Grace, right?"

I blink.

"Right," Caine agrees curtly.

It sounds like they’re agreeing to some sort of ceasefire, if you listen to their words. But by their voices, it sounds like they’re still ready to stab each other.

Part of me wants to step between them, but another part—the smarter part—knows that’s like stepping between two sharks. No, thank you.

"Listen, we need to talk about the kids," Owen says, breaking the stalemate. His calm, measured I’m-gonna-kill-you-sounding voice cuts through their tension, and I notice how he positions himself slightly closer to Lyre.

A united front.

"Actually, we need to talk about all of you," Lyre clarifies, her eyes narrowing. "It’s dangerous to stay here. People are hunting Grace and the children down."

"Who?" Caine demands. "Halloway?"

Owen shakes his head. "It’s more than just Halloway. These kids have been hunted since the moment their existence became known. With the Fiddleback pack decimated, others will come to claim this territory as their own. It’ll be a bloodbath before long. We need to get the kids out." He jerks his head toward me. "Grace, too."

Lyre elbows Owen aside. "Look, I think the best solution is for Grace to return to Blue Mountain—"

"No," Caine snaps.

"—because she might gain better control over her powers there."

take her back

Wasn’t he here to bring me back in the first place? It sounds silly to argue against it

"I agree with—"

again,

not suggesting a social call," Lyre says with a huff. "There’s a good chance going will help this situation between you

He grunts.

Owen adds smoothly, like they rehearsed this, "the energy feedback between you two might not be as dangerous

pitch together like a well-oiled machine. I’m not sure if I should be impressed or terrified at how

know Lyre said Caine can’t know about the

suspicion written all

Lycan King. My heart

"I think they’re right."

come easier than

Like I need to go back. There’s something there for me, Caine. I can feel it." Mainly because I read it on my phone

eyes rove over my

rejected that place," he says quietly. "You refused to come back with

I correct him, glancing at

itself

bullshit, but she sounds so

the conflict in his eyes. He doesn’t trust Lyre,

for the

to

first instinct is to pray for forgiveness, but after all the divine bombs Lyre threw at me, I’m not

to be able to touch Caine

complete, Lyre can come back and teach

the kids?" he asks

safer with you and Grace," Owen says. "Away from

"Fine." The word sounds like

want to return to Blue Mountain, and the

My stomach twists.

idea Rafe’s come to see me since choosing Ellie. Even since the massacre, and Caine claiming me as his in front of the pack. The two of them seem oblivious to the king’s opinion of me—then again, I

and I wanted to avoid them. But now there’s no