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.

being near our mate. Neither am I, but Reggie didn’t

attention now would be foolish. Dylan is capable and, while he doesn’t respect humans, he seems to have accepted Grace’s position as someone to be protected. Though I’m sure I’ll hear his

the problem with letting your subordinates have a voice. They

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

precisely that; Lyre’s a walking

no need to tarnish her reputation in the heart

need stability, and Grace

with her recklessness shouldn’t undermine what she’s built

my judgment," I

Hah.

a strange look. He doesn’t believe me, but he’s

I should go

back in my chair,

of his education too—learning to articulate his

muddled these days when it comes to Grace, but it’s training any alpha has from a young

a volatile temper;

righteous

out

As if you could.

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

off. I tilt my head slightly, studying his face.

think I want to leave Grace or the children

His shoulders stiffen. "No."

falls across his forehead as he looks down at the paper he’s slowly destroying, and he sets it carefully on the top of the stack, smoothing it out with a nervous

and sigh. "The position of an alpha comes with sacrifices," I tell him, keeping my voice even. "The children

battling with his desire to learn. He hesitates, then his shoulders drop as he settles back into his chair with a

seem pretty childish

protective instincts are strong. We don’t want others to protect

some curiosity. "You