Grace of a Wolf by Lenaleia

Chapter : Caine: Raising an Alpha

CAINE

The moment Fenris and, a few moments later, Randy, report Grace left without any sort of protection, my head pounds.

This woman is going to be the death of me.

Of course, she isn’t alone; my wolf is stalking her without her knowing, mainly because she’d be furious if she did. Thankfully, humans don’t have the superior senses of shifters; it isn’t hard for Fenris to stay hidden.

I grind my teeth together so hard my jaw aches and turn to Dylan. "Pick up Grace. She’s on her way to the laundromat."

Dylan’s weathered face remains impassive, but his eyes flicker. "Which one?"

I stare him down, my patience hanging by a thread. The question strikes me as deliberately obtuse—there can’t be that many laundromats in this backwater territory.

You’d be surprised.

The Lycan clears his throat. "I’ll figure it out, then."

He leaves the room without another word, boots clicking against the floor in retreat.

"What’s going on?" Ron asks curiously, looking up from the stack of reports in front of him. Nothing major, just reports on the different complaints brought up by pack members and notes on what have been done to either pacify or dismiss whatever issues were brought to my people during my absence.

All things he needs to learn if he wants to become a pack alpha in the future.

"Exactly what I said." I keep my voice level, not wanting to spook the kid. "Grace is out alone, and left the children with Randy. Dylan’s going to take care of her."

Ron’s brows pull together, his mouth pulling down into a sharp frown. "That’s strange. Grace wouldn’t leave the kids with a stranger."

I wave off his concern with a sigh. "Randy’s a father. He’s good with children."

Fenris grumbles. Probably better than you with women, too.

male being near our mate. Neither am I, but Reggie didn’t work out, and Randy’s the most open-minded of

and, while he doesn’t respect humans, he seems to have accepted Grace’s position as

with letting your subordinates have a voice. They

his head, unconvinced. "Grace doesn’t seem like she would

she’s done precisely that;

need to tarnish her reputation in

and Grace provides

recklessness shouldn’t undermine

my judgment,"

Hah.

gives me a strange look. He doesn’t believe me, but he’s smart enough not to say so

think I

in my chair, meeting the teenager’s gaze.

squirm. This is part of his education

when it comes to

comes a volatile temper; controlling

so righteous coming from

twitches. Shall I rip out

As if you could.

his hand, as his gaze slips from mine. "I should be with them. With the children." His voice drops, not quite mumbling but close. "Sara and Jer don’t know Randy well, and

he cuts himself off. I tilt my head

think I want to leave Grace or the

His shoulders stiffen. "No."

he’s slowly destroying, and he sets it carefully on the

table and sigh. "The position of an alpha comes with sacrifices," I tell him, keeping my voice even. "The children are fine; they’re watching

Ron’s eyes—the need to protect battling with his desire to learn. He hesitates, then his shoulders drop as he settles back into his

must seem pretty childish to

are strong. We don’t want others to protect what’s

some curiosity. "You seem fine with it,