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.

Walmart parking lot is where I’d rather be. Staying there would be so much better than being in reach of this pack again, and I’m already second-guessing my request

almost as soon as we entered the city limits with a new mission—to present myself to the Guardian for

takes in the dilapidated structure, her red eyes

looks like I’m delivering her as dinner to a pack of

smooth Sara’s hair, my

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

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

main lodge. Which means Caine won’t be nearby

for the best,

farther, since he’s taken over the Alpha lodge. Which means Ellie will have to come all the way here to bully me, and

Andrew frowns in their direction. It takes me only a minute to realize the Lycan King

should be little more than a nuisance he brought back, and he’s over here playing

the undercurrents of our thoughts, bounds to the men

then soften my tone. "I mean, we need to keep a low profile. We can play games

nods immediately. "Don’t worry, guys.

still staring at the dilapidated structure in front of

Then she shivers dramatically.

also shivers dramatically, scrunching up

to reassure the girl, who keeps eyeing the shuttered building like it

her red eyes widening. "So

the opposite

I clarify, "No. I said it isn’t

bring up

with no

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 from

at Jer, who just blinks back at me with a completely oblivious expression.

you,

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

wrong, while the toddler peeks through her fingers to gauge if I’m

she’s the one in

things out of Andrew’s car," I say, trying to regain some semblance of

something. I’m not sure it’s a task we actually need done, but at least

with all the drama of a teenager twice her age—so, basically... me, I guess? Hm. That’s a sobering