Grace of a Wolf (by Lenaleia) novel Chapter 210

Chapter 210: Caine: You’ve Chosen Well

CAINE

Grace looks awkward, her smile a little too forced and her eyebrows pulled together. Strange. I thought assuring her of our secret being safe would make her happier, but it seems to have done the opposite.

I give up. You’ll never understand.

Ignoring Fenris’s pointless commentary, I head for Reggie’s unconscious form with a faint sneer. Nudging his body with my foot yields no reaction. His breathing is deep and even, his skin tinged pink with healthy blood flow, and his presence in the pack link is muted, but not gone.

He’s sleeping.

No shit. Kicking his leg doesn’t wake him up, either. While I don’t have a bucket of water to throw on his face—and I would—I’m certain it wouldn’t wake him up from his peaceful slumber.

Whatever little trick the witch weaved into her camper protection is working very well, indeed.

Reluctant admiration trickles its way into my brain. It’s pathetic for a Lycan to be so easily rendered helpless, but it’s only proven the potency of her power.

"Manifest," I order Fenris, this time poking the toe of my shoe at Reggie’s temple. With the change in position, his mouth falls open.

Then he begins to snore.

Nope. You’re about to harass her about that pup again, and I’m not stupid enough to stand in the crossfire.

Would a little loyalty hurt?

Yes.

My mouth twitches with irritation, and the surge of power I send Reggie’s way might be a little more than necessary.

"Wake up," I snap, his snoring sounding like a saw on my very last nerve. But I’m still conscientious enough to narrow the range of unleashed dominance, not wanting to scare Grace or the children. As far as they’re aware, I’ve done nothing.

But Reggie twitches, and his mental space in our pack link flickers with life.

Infusing my voice with the power of an alpha is as easy as breathing. "Wake up, Reginald."

His eyes snap open, unfocused and disoriented as my dominance fights through the strange blanket of energy surrounding his presence in the pack. After a few blinks he scrambles to his feet, as awkward as a newborn pup, limbs moving in awkward jerks until he’s finally standing in front of me, shoulders pulled back as he tries to salvage some dignity.

His eyes are finally clear, but when he opens his mouth, only a loud squawk comes out.

There wasn’t much sound in the area to begin with, but it falls into dead silence as the sound fades.

Reggie’s face contorts, morphing from confusion to horror.

His throat works, and then he opens his mouth again. But...

"Squawk!"

The second attempt seems to have broken something in him. He narrows a furious glare behind me, aggression flooding the air with a hint of smokey scent.

Heat floods my veins, power gathering under my skin like a storm. I don’t even need to turn to know he’s directing his anger at Grace, my little human who can barely throw a proper punch, let alone defend herself against a full-grown Lycan.

One flick of my wrist sends a precise lash of dominance slicing through the air.

Reggie’s knees hit the ground hard with a cap-breaking thud. His shocked eyes snap to mine, mouth hanging open in silent protest.

"Don’t you feel ashamed," I say, my voice winter-cold, "to be so weak you’ve been hexed by a witch?"

Through our pack link, his thoughts scrabble, thankfully unchanged by whatever strange prank Lyre’s added to her protection: High Alpha, forgive my unseemly appearance. I’ll teach that witch a lesson she won’t forget.

His burning gaze slides past me again as he speaks.

I don’t respond with words. The pressure of my dominance rolls off me in waves, narrowed to the man in front of me. Reggie’s spine curves, fighting it for barely a second before his arms shoot out, palms slapping against the dirt to keep from faceplanting completely.

He’s on all fours now, exactly where he belongs.

High Alpha, please— Another mental rush of panicked submission floods our link. I only meant—

"Your job," I cut in, each word precise and cold, "was to protect everyone in that camper."

Reggie’s breath comes harder, the pressure of my aura leaving him fighting for each inhale. The witch attacked me, High Alpha. She’s standing right there; the one with blonde hair!

My eyes flicker as I fight the urge to look back. Not to clarify his words, obviously, but just to look at her. To take a minute to sniff in her pretty blueberry scent and drink her in.

But first I have to deal with this idiot.

Takes one to know one.

Something dark and vicious surges forward from inside me, taking shape beside me in a rush of shadows.

Fenris materializes, his massive black form rippling with barely contained rage. His snarl cuts is bone-chilling, his lips pulled back to reveal teeth longer than human fingers.

"That witch is under our protection." Fenris’s voice fills the pack link, vibrating with terrible power. Reggie flinches. "Don’t blame your failure on her."

I was wrong, High Alpha, he acknowledges through the link, the thought small and contrite. Completely wrong. I misunderstood the situation.

Humans speak with words and warnings, but our wolves are far more primal. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

His gaze is steady and resolute, and this time doesn’t slide behind me to glare at someone he shouldn’t. Yes, High Alpha.

"Not all humans are as fragile as they appear," Fenris projects. "The one you threatened walks between worlds. Be careful she doesn’t decide your next sleep should be eternal."

The slight jump in my subordinate’s pulse is the only indication Fenris’s words have affected him.

I raise an eyebrow at the wolf. He’s well aware it’s from Lyre’s protections weaved into her home, and Grace is weaker than any wolf in our territory. And yet he’s impressively stolen Lyre’s valor and applied it to Grace’s presence.

Fenris turns his massive head toward me, storm-gray eyes unblinking. It’s better for him to believe her power did this. Lycans respect strength above all else. If he thinks she’s dangerous, he’ll keep his distance. A witch has greater value than a human, even among those who detest them.

It’s not a bad strategy. A flicker of amusement stirs in my chest as I consider it.

You’re getting soft.

I’ve always been soft on her, Fenris responds without hesitation. You’re the one catching up.

My eyes narrow at the implication, but I don’t bother arguing with him. There’s no point. Not when he’s right, anyway.

I’m always right, too.

Reggie clears his throat, his eyes fixed on the ground. "High Alpha, if I may be excused to begin my surveillance of the Blue Mountain alpha?"

"Treat your wounds first. Don’t allow him near Grace—the children—again."

He nods, slowly raising his head. His eyes flicker behind me, but this time they’re not angry. They’re calm and somewhat inquisitive. "May I ask what your relationship is with—"

"We are not mates," I explain calmly.

He pauses. "You’re not?"

"No." Then I glance at Fenris, remembering how he put power in Grace’s hands. It wasn’t a bad idea. In fact; I should add to it. "She’s been very clear about us not being mates."

Reggie’s eyes widen faintly. "She’s been... I see."

This time, when he looks around me, there’s a faint whisp of respect on his face. "To think a human would be so daring. Not bad, High Alpha. You’ve chosen well."

I nod, because he’s right. I have. But then I caution, "I haven’t chosen anything. We are not mates."

He nods back, with a faint grin. "Oh, I understand. Of course, High Alpha. You aren’t mates."

You’re both idiots.