Grace of a Wolf (by Lenaleia) novel Chapter 144

(144 Grace; I’m Fine

144 Grace: I’m Fine

Something clicks in my mind. The pattern comes into focus with sudden clarity: Caine is orchestrating everything so that I’m not needed. And he’s blocking anyone from getting close to me.

Ron scratches at his check, watching them all. “He’s just trying to help,” he whispers, following my gaze to where Caine is demonstrating how to shuffle cards to Sara. “But you look like you’re gonna punch him.

“What? No, I’m enjoying the peace. But the words come out through gritted teeth.

I uncross my arms, not realizing I’d been holding myself so rigidly. I should be grateful. Caine is being attentive, gentle with the kids, helpful around the camper. But it feels smothering, like he’s wrapped me in cotton and placed me in a display case.

The air conditioner cycles off again, the third time in the last five minutes. I glance at the temperature display–it’s dropped outside, and with the sun going down, we’re wasting battery power.

“I’ll turn off the AC, I announce, standing up. Finally, something I can do. “Let’s just keep the dehumidifier going and open the windows.”

I move toward the control panel, but Caine is there before me, dropping the game immediately to get in my way. His hand covers the panel, stopping me from doing anything. “I’ll do it,” he says. “You should rest.”

“I’m fine,” I insist, reaching past him.

Even with my fingers just an inch from his, his hand doesn’t budge. “You’re exhausted.. You need rest.”

Something in me snaps. A rubber band pulled too tight, finally giving way.

“Fine,” I mutter, not bothering to hide my irritation. “I’ll go take a nap if you insist on playing martyr.”

I turn and stalk to Lyre’s bedroom, feeling his eyes on my back the whole way. The door clicks shut behind me, and I flop onto the bed after opening the windows for a cool breeze and spend the next few minutes glowering at the ceiling. My jaw aches

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144 Grace: I’m Fine

from clenching it so tight. Only after a long exhale does the tension begin to release my muscles unclenching one by one.

I roll onto my side and pull out my phone. The screen lights up, reminding me of something odd from earlier–the strange Divinity App. I scroll through my apps until I find it, tapping the icon.

The screen flickers, but the app won’t open. I frown, looking more closely at the icon itself. It looks different now–desaturated and dim, as if all the color has been leached

from it.

Was it a hallucination? Some kind of glitch caused by the storm? I’ve never seen an app change its appearance before.

My phone vibrates with an incoming text. Lyre’s name flashes across the screen.

[LYRE: We’re on our way. Should be there in a few hours.]

Relief floods through me. Lyre will know what to do about… everything. About Caine’s strange behavior, about the storm, about that weird app.

A second message appears:

[LYRE: Is everything okay now?]

My fingers fly over the keyboard.

[GRACE: Yes. We had a weird storm that messed with electronics but it passed.]

The dots appear, indicating she’s typing a response. They stop. Start again. Stop. There’s a long pause, and I stare at the screen, waiting.

Finally, a new message.

[LYRE: I’ll be there as soon as I can. Try not to interact with anyone.]

I frown.

[GRACE: Too late. We ate with the neighbors. Older couple and a dog. They were here before us, though, so I’m sure they aren’t a problem.]

She’s typing again, but all that comes through is:

[LYRE:…]

Then:

[LYRE: If Caine’s with you, you’re probably fine. But be reclusive. Don’t trust anyone right now.]

[GRACE: Why? What should I be on guard for?]

He opens his mouth to reply, but I cut him off: “It’s not like I have anything else to do, right?”

But his fake family portrayal with the old couple, the way he keeps calling me dear and darling, started a strange feeling under my skin. Something restless and a little frustrated by the facade he’s putting forth.

I’m not even sure how I feel about it. A little happy. No, a lot happy. But also, a lot

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