Grace of a Wolf by Lenaleia

Chapter 191: Grace: Her Return

Returning to the pack feels weird.

Worse than weird.

Icky.

Yeah, icky is a good word for it.

I stare out the window as Andrew pulls into a large, semi-circular driveway toward the edge of town. My stomach knots tighter with each rotation of the tires, like my body is physically rejecting the idea of being back on Blue Mountain territory.

The last time I was here, I was running away. Now it kind of feels like I’m crawling back with my tail between my legs—except I don’t have a tail because I’m human, which is exactly the problem in the first place.

Caine’s already backed the RV beside a small home with boarded-up windows. The fading light catches on the dusty greenhouse attached to the main building, its glass panels shattered in places, jagged teeth ready to bite anyone who ventures too close.

"What’s the name of this place again?"

"Miller’s Flowers." Andrew’s voice is flat as he parks. "It’s been empty since Eliza Miller moved to a different pack."

The memory clicks. "The omega who married that beta from North Ridge?"

"Yeah."

Eliza was sweet. She used to give me flowers whenever I ran into her. Of course, I’d only been here a year when she was mated out and left.

I didn’t realize this was her place, but it makes sense. I remember the greenhouse; it was always filled with rows of vibrant flowers. The pack mostly ignored it because, as it turns out, wolves don’t really use florists much. Something about the scents being too cloying.

I frown at the building, at its broken windows and faded sign. Kids from the pack used to dare each other to spend the night here. It’s commonly considered to be haunted by the younger pack members, though of course I’m an adult who doesn’t believe in such superstitions anymore.

Not much, anyway.

But then again, things have changed since I ran away, and my worldview has... widened.

"Is it really okay for us to stay here?" I unbuckle my seatbelt and glance at Andrew.

He nods, already reaching for the door. "The Lycans have already settled it."

The Lycans. Not "Caine" or even "your mate." It feels like a subtle distancing, but I could just be reading too much into it.

I’d rather be. Staying there would be so much better than being in

app had dinged at me almost as soon as we entered the city limits with a new mission—to present myself to

as she takes in the dilapidated structure, her red eyes wide and

like I’m delivering her as dinner to a pack of ghosts. Bun,

reach out to smooth Sara’s hair, my touch gentle as I reassure them

But this place has enough space to park, plus we can hook up to water

leaving. I hadn’t even considered where to park

main lodge. Which means Caine won’t be

be any midnight run-ins. Which is probably for the best, but makes my heart feel a little itchy

even farther, since he’s taken over the Alpha lodge. Which means Ellie will have

our new temporary home. Ron and Caine are already getting things put together, and Andrew frowns in their direction. It takes me only a minute to realize the Lycan King is

nuisance he brought back, and he’s over here playing Boyfriend, with

our thoughts, bounds to the men as

We can play games in the

he nods immediately. "Don’t worry, guys. It’s going to be hectic today and maybe tomorrow,

at the dilapidated structure in front of us, mumbles, "I feel

Then she shivers dramatically.

sister, also shivers dramatically, scrunching up her

keeps eyeing the shuttered building like it might grow fangs and eat her, I state, "It’s not

jumps, her red eyes widening. "So it is

that exactly the opposite of what I

my fingers against my temple, I clarify, "No. I said

would you bring up it being haunted if it

me with

no ghosts," Jer shouts from where he’s now helping Caine unload something from the back of the truck. His voice carries across the yard

Bun whispers, the word falling

myself whiplash. I glare at Jer, who just blinks back at me with a completely oblivious expression. He didn’t

you, watch

she said something she shouldn’t and hides her face in her hands, assuming

driveway, clearly not grasping what he’s done wrong, while the toddler peeks through her fingers to gauge if I’m still looking. I am, but I

one in trouble. She’s

grab your things out of Andrew’s car," I say, trying to regain some semblance of order. He’s

Caine, doing... something. I’m not sure it’s a task

the drama of a teenager twice her age—so,