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.

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

respect humans, he seems to have accepted Grace’s position as someone to be protected.

have a

"Grace doesn’t seem

done precisely that; Lyre’s

tarnish her reputation in the heart

stability, and

recklessness shouldn’t undermine

my judgment," I say

Hah.

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

think I should

in

his education too—learning to articulate

it comes to Grace, but

our strength comes a volatile

righteous coming

Shall I rip out your tongue the next time you

As if you could.

fingers crinkle the paper in his hand, as his gaze slips from mine. "I should be with them. With the children." His voice drops,

interrupting, but he cuts himself off. I tilt my

you think I want to leave Grace or the children

His shoulders stiffen. "No."

destroying, and he sets it carefully on the

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

behind Ron’s eyes—the need to protect battling with his desire to learn. He hesitates, then his shoulders drop

pretty childish

We don’t

curiosity. "You