Grace of a Wolf by Lenaleia

Chapter 201: Grace: Like You Were Chased

"Stop it!" I hiss as sharp claws sink into my forearm. "I’m trying to save your ungrateful asses!"

The cat yowls louder, twisting in my grip while Sadie drags against my hold, nearly pulling my arm from its socket. I stagger backward toward the camper, my arms straining with the effort of controlling two animals determined to run toward danger.

"I swear to all that’s holy and not," I growl through clenched teeth, "if I get mauled by Ellie because you two decided to play hero, I’m coming back to haunt you both."

The cat hisses its objection as I practically hurl its pristine white body through the doorway. Sadie is worse, feeling like a ton or two of squirming, barking, foaming-at-the-mouth golden retriever I somehow manage to haul up and manhandle inside like an oversized sack of flour.

My pathetic biceps are ready to wimp out, but I hold on for dear life, knowing I’ll never be able to replicate this heroic dog-hauling if she dashes off again.

"Get. In. Here," I grunt, kicking the door closed behind us.

My fingers fumble with the lock, twisting it with the last reserves of my strength. The second it clicks into place, every ounce of adrenaline that’s been keeping me upright abandons ship. I slide down the door until my ass hits the floor with an unceremonious thud.

My heart hammers so hard I swear it’s about to crack a rib. Each breath comes ragged and shallow, my lungs still burning from the exertion. Sweat trickles down my neck, making my shirt collar stick uncomfortably to my skin.

This is what dying feels like. Has to be.

Sadie hasn’t given up her mission, frantically circling the small entryway, claws clicking against the laminate flooring as she continues barking at the door. The white cat, meanwhile, has vanished somewhere into the camper’s interior.

Fuck pets.

Whose idea was it to bring them along, anyway?

Oh, right.

Mine.

Seriously, what the fuck was wrong with me?

My legs sprawl out in front of me, utterly useless, while my hip throbs where I collided with Andrew.

Oh, right. Andrew.

I hope he’s okay.

exhaustion has crowded

the hell was that all

open one eye to see Jer leaning over the back of the dinette couch,

holds more confusion than fear. It’s still better than

there might be homicidal werewolves headed our way, and I want to keep it that way for as long

wheeze out, trying to sound casual and failing spectacularly. "Just... needed some

her nose wrinkling. "And your heart’s going really

Not that my racing heartbeat requires supernatural hearing to detect. It’s practically doing the

lie, knowing she’s too sharp to

"Is that why you’re

red have bloomed, courtesy of our new feline friend. Blood beads along the scratches, not deep but definitely stinging

"That’s from the cat."

barking finally tapers off, though she continues to pace anxiously by the door, occasionally stopping to sniff

sit up straighter.

supplies, bouncing Bun gently. "It jumped straight in there. Guess it thinks

says something uncomfortably perceptive. "Were

"No," I lie immediately.

frowns. "You look like

his chest. "Trust us. We know.

hurts at how easily and proudly he claims the

again, but what’s the point? These kids have survived Fiddleback. Sugarcoating danger won’t help

I admit, shifting to a slightly more dignified position. My muscles protest the movement. "The

asks, his voice suddenly deep and

head.

with a fierce look of pride. "Of course Grace got away. She’s one of us. We’re the best at being chased. Zip