Grace of a Wolf by Lenaleia

Chapter 216: Grace: Inside the Wash-N-Were

Inside the Wash-N-Were, several machines are in use, but no one’s inside.

A little strange, I suppose, but it isn’t uncommon for shifters to go for a little run while they wait for cycles to finish.

Still, it’s creepy to be in an empty laundromat.

Thankfully, Andrew’s staying in the car, though the animals are determined to follow me inside.

Sadie prowls around, sniffing every inch of floor as her fluffy tail swishes back and forth.

The white cat—still nameless, despite the many suggestions ranging from "Snowball" to "Death Claw"—jumps from machine to machine with effortless grace before settling on top of a washer mid-spin cycle. It curls into a comfortable ball, eyes half-closed, clearly preparing to sleep.

Super fucking helpful. A part of me had kind of assumed these two strange animals-but-clearly-more-than-just-animal-beings would be a little more help with the way they tagged along against my will, but nope.

Just a mundane cat and a mundane dog, doing shit-fuck for my mission.

Ignoring them both, I take the time to do the most pressing assignment: shoving our disgusting laundry into three separate machines. Thankfully, Wash-N-Were has detergent provided for those of us who forget to bring it (or don’t know where Lyre has it stashed).

Coins clank as I feed them into the slots, and the washers rumble to life, blending into the sounds of already-running machines.

I glance out the window. Andrew’s still in his car, head down, probably scrolling through his phone.

His loyalty’s welcome, but confusing. He was Rafe’s shadow, his wingman, for years. I’m tentatively positive he’s a safe ally, but it still just seems... strange.

Loyalties can’t change so easily, can they?

Or were they never as close as I thought they were?

puzzle right now. I have a quest, like I’m some sort of video game

heavy in my pocket. I pull it out and open the

Something.

Anything.

A

20% off sale for diabetic supplies. I don’t know a single person with

I glance

in a dryer? A cursed amulet taped under a folding table?

Who fucking knows.

the outside and incredibly clean, with signs on every machine explaining how to use them. Rows of washers and dryers line both walls and a few folding tables stand in

with vending machines

I’m looking for, I’ll have to search every inch of this

The bulletin board is a chaotic collage of cards—lawn care services and babysitting offers being the most

fingers along the edges of the board, feeling for

Nothing.

but all I find are dust bunnies and a single ancient peppermint candy

door has an "Out of Order" sign hanging crookedly from a single piece of tape. I push it open anyway. The lights flicker on automatically, revealing a single toilet, sink, and a small trash can. I check under the sink, behind

Empty.

the far corner, her nose pressed against the baseboards, tail straight

hints?" I ask them

ignores me, intent on whatever

The cat’s ear twitches.

move methodically down the row of washers and dryers, opening doors and peering into empty drums.

a speck

the front counter when I notice something odd about the wall behind it. There’s a slight discoloration, a rectangular patch about the size

a hole, or hung something there that was later removed.