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.

Staying there would be so much better than being in reach of this pack again, and I’m already second-guessing my request to keep my identity as Caine’s

as we entered the city limits with a new mission—to

Bun’s hand as she takes in the dilapidated structure, her red eyes wide and uncertain. "Are we living

a pack of ghosts. Bun, on the other hand,

Sara’s hair, my touch gentle as

place has enough space to park, plus we

given us the rundown before leaving. I hadn’t even considered where to park Lyre’s camper once

remain in the main lodge.

Which is probably for the best, but makes my heart

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

in their direction.

a nuisance he brought back, and

to the men

answer too quickly, then soften my tone. "I mean, we need to keep a low profile. We can play games in the camper, and maybe explore a tiny bit of the surroundings, but we should stay

treat these kids, and Andrew seems to understand my reasoning because he nods immediately. "Don’t worry, guys. It’s going to be hectic today and maybe tomorrow, but after that we should

structure in front of us, mumbles,

Then she shivers dramatically.

also shivers dramatically,

like it might grow fangs and eat her, I state, "It’s

jumps, her red eyes

that exactly the opposite of what I

I clarify, "No.

why would you bring up it being haunted if

face leaves me with no real

shouts from where he’s now helping Caine unload something from the back of the truck. His voice carries across the yard with the special volume only unhelpful

whispers, the word falling from her lips with

I nearly give myself whiplash. I glare at Jer, who just blinks back at me with a completely oblivious expression. He didn’t hear Bun—which isn’t surprising

of you,

her face in her hands, assuming I can’t see her if

wrong, while the toddler peeks through her fingers to

the one in trouble. She’s just mimicking

say, trying to regain some

Jer’s glued to Caine, doing... something. I’m not sure it’s a task we actually need done, but at least

of a teenager twice her