Grace of a Wolf (by Lenaleia) novel Chapter 214

Chapter 214: 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.

He’s not thrilled about a younger, virile male being near our mate. Neither am I, but Reggie didn’t work out, and Randy’s the most open-minded of the Lycans here.

Dividing my attention now would be foolish. Dylan is capable and, while he doesn’t respect humans, he seems to have accepted Grace’s position as someone to be protected. Though I’m sure I’ll hear his complaints later.

That’s the problem with letting your subordinates have a voice. They use them a little too much.

Ron shakes his head, unconvinced. "Grace doesn’t seem like she would trust someone she just met."

I open my mouth to point out she’s done precisely that; Lyre’s a walking example. But I swallow the words back.

There’s no need to tarnish her reputation in the heart of a child. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

They need stability, and Grace provides it.

My irritation with her recklessness shouldn’t undermine what she’s built with them.

"Grace trusts my judgment," I say mildly instead.

Hah.

Ron gives me a strange look. He doesn’t believe me, but he’s smart enough not to say so directly.

"I think I should go back."

Crossing my arms, I lean back in my chair, meeting the teenager’s gaze. "Why?"

I keep my face neutral as I watch him squirm. This is part of his education too—learning to articulate his instincts rather than just following them blindly. Reasoning through the situation.

My mind might be often muddled these days when it comes to Grace, but it’s training any alpha has from a young age.

That sounds so righteous coming from you.

My eyebrow twitches. Shall I rip out your tongue the next time you manifest?

As if you could.

You say that like you wouldn’t be up her ass if she’d let you. The only reason you’re letting Dylan pick her up is because you’re worried she’s going to tear you a new one.

My eye twitches. And what about you? Why aren’t you showing her you’re nearby?

That’s unrelated.

"How do you remain so calm, then?" the teenager asks, oblivious to the side conversation in my head.

By stalking her every move so she’s never alone, Fenris mutters.

"I trust my people." Though Reggie’s actions were regrettable, they were largely due to his misunderstanding of Grace’s importance. It wouldn’t have stopped me from ripping his head off if I’d been there—

"But your people tried to break into the camper," Ron points out.

My lips tighten. "Yes, I know. It won’t happen again."

"How do you know?"

"They’ve been warned."

He goes quiet, probably thinking of Reggie’s wound.

You could still kill him, Fenris opines, as if taking a bite out of our subordinate’s shoulder wasn’t enough.

That’s because it wasn’t.

The back of my hand finally rests quietly against the table as I consider it. But, as easy as it is to bring back the rage, I’m aware of how much of the responsibility lies on my shoulders. No. It’s my fault for not explaining things when I knew he hated humans.

Huh. You’re learning to be rational.

My eyes narrow. I’ve always been rational.

No, I’m the one who forces rationality onto you.