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.

about a younger, virile male being near our mate. Neither am I, but Reggie didn’t work out, and Randy’s

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

subordinates have a voice. They use them a little too

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

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

reputation in the heart

need stability, and

with her recklessness shouldn’t

my judgment," I say

Hah.

doesn’t believe me, but he’s smart enough not to say so

I should

my arms, I lean back in my chair, meeting the teenager’s

him squirm. This is part of his education too—learning to articulate his instincts rather than just following them blindly. Reasoning through the

to

comes a volatile temper;

sounds so righteous coming from

twitches. Shall I rip out your tongue the next time you

As if you could.

from mine. "I should be with them. With the children." His voice drops, not

himself off. I tilt my

I want to leave Grace or the

His shoulders stiffen. "No."

paper he’s slowly destroying, and

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

battling with his desire to learn. He hesitates,

must seem pretty

We don’t want others to

me with some curiosity. "You seem fine