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.

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

would be foolish. Dylan is capable and, while he doesn’t respect humans, he seems to have accepted Grace’s position as someone

problem with letting your subordinates have a voice. They use them a little

doesn’t seem

mouth to point out she’s done precisely that; Lyre’s a walking example. But

reputation in

stability, and Grace provides

her recklessness shouldn’t undermine what she’s built

trusts my judgment," I say

Hah.

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

think I should

arms, I lean back in

I watch him squirm. This is part of his education too—learning to

it comes to Grace, but it’s training

volatile temper; controlling

sounds so righteous coming

out

As if you could.

the paper in his hand, as his gaze slips from mine. "I should be with them. With the children." His voice drops, not quite mumbling

cuts himself off.

you think I want to leave

His shoulders stiffen. "No."

looks down at the paper he’s slowly destroying, and

I tell him, keeping my voice even. "The children are

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

pretty

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

with some curiosity.