Grace of a Wolf (by Lenaleia) novel Chapter 11
Chapter 11: Grace: Rules
Time isn’t my friend, so I lay down the ground rules. “Look. I’m trying to get out of here, okay? You can come with me if you want, but no more skulking around in the shadows. And definitely no pouncing on me anymore. If I sprain my ankle, I’m never getting out of here. Got it?”
Not even a flick of his ears to show acknowledgement.
He has to be a shifter, though. There’s no way some random, glowing wolf just exists on its own in the wild.
“You’re a rogue, right?”
Ear flick.
I guess that’s his way of saying yes. “Okay. I don’t know why you won’t shift, but that’s not my business. Either help me or stay out of my way. That’s all I’m asking.”
No ear flick, or tail wag, or any change in his body language whatsoever.
Fine. Don’t answer. Two can play the quiet game.
Turning my attention to my mission, I glance around. Which way was I headed?
East, because I need to head east toward the city. But which way is east? Now that I’m all turned around, I’m not sure. The stars peek through branches above, but their patterns mean nothing to me. That definitely is something we covered in training, and would be helpful to know about now.
My feet crunch over dead leaves as I pick a direction that seems right and start walking. The wolf’s massive paw steps behind me pause. A low rumble draws my attention back to him as he winds around me.
He plants himself in my path, blocking the way forward.
“What now?”
His head tilts to the right, ears perked forward.
“That way?”
Another ear flick. Progress.
I change course, following his suggestion. The tension in my shoulders eases as he falls into step beside me. His ethereal glow provides better light than my dying flashlight ever did.
My hand reaches out, brushing over his side. The fur feels softer than I expected, almost silk-like between my fingers. He doesn’t pull away.
His presence keeps the worst of my fears at bay, lulling me into comfort.
“I’m heading to Sterling City,” I say, breaking the silence after a while. “It’s the closest human settlement I know of. Should be about east of pack territory.”
Not sure how far east, but I do know it isn’t far—by car. Walking is a different story.
His steady pace never falters.
“I can’t stay with the pack anymore. Humans don’t belong in wolf packs. I was stupid to think otherwise.”
A branch snaps under my boot, but I’m no longer paranoid about making a little noise.
“The thing is, I don’t know the first thing about being human. I lived a normal human life until Alpha took me in, but that was a long time ago. A really long time ago. Haven’t been back since.”
The wolf’s ears swivel toward me, listening.
“I don’t even know how to get a job, or rent an apartment, or—”
2
My foot catches on an exposed root. The ground rushes up to meet my face, but sharp teeth snag the back of my shirt. The wolf’s quick reaction saves me from eating dirt.
He lets go once I’m back on my feet.
“Thanks.”
Ear swivel again.
See? He’s listening. We’re having a conversation.
5
It’s shocking how lonely I feel. It hasn’t been that long since I was happy. Only days, really. And yet it feels like months since the last time I could talk to someone comfortably.
I’m not usually this much of a talker. It isn’t like I won’t, but I spent most of my time around Rafe listening.
Well, whatever. The wolf doesn’t seem to mind, and—
“Fenris, why the hell did you bring her here?”
—shit.
My heart plummets to Earth’s core, taking my blood pressure with it. My knees? Traitorous things, they buckle, causing me to stumble three paces, ending in a drunken sway.
Someone grabs my arm with a hand that’s hard and cold as iron, hauling me upright as my feet scramble.
Of course he brought me back.
Idiot!
My breath catches in my throat as I stare up at the man towering over me. His scowl is enough to shrivel my soul and every last millimeter of my self-worth, and I know his frosty gray eyes are coming for my dreams.
5
1
1
3
3
1
Verify captcha to read the contentNew Chapters
Reading History
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Grace of a Wolf (by Lenaleia)