Wolf's Grace

Chapter : 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.

| 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?"

| stare him down, my patience hanging by a thread. The question strikesas 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 beca pack alpha in the future.

"Exactly what | said." | 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."

| 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."

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

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

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," | say mildly instead.

Hah.

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

"| think | should go back."

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

| keep my face neutral as | 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.

With our strength comes a volatile temper; controlling it is a necessity.

That sounds so righteous coming from you.

My eyebrow twitches. Shall | rip out your tongue the next tyou manifest?

As if you could.

Ron's fingers crinkle the paper in his hand, as his gaze slips from mine. "I should be with them. With the

children." His voice drops, not quite mumbling but close. "Sara and Jer don’t know Randy well, and Bun—"

| listen without interrupting, but he cuts himself off. | tilt my head slightly, studying his face.

"Do you think | want to leave Grace or the children on their own?"

His shoulders stiffen. "No."

Dark hair falls across his forehead as he looks down at the paper he’s slowly destroying, and he sets it carefully

on the top of the stack, smoothing it out with a nervous touch.

| rap my knuckles against the table and sigh. "The position of an alpha comes with sacrifices," | tell him, keeping

my voice even. "The children are fine; they're watching TV. If Randy reports otherwise, I'll bring you there

myself."

| can almost see the thoughts warring behind Ron’s eyes—the need to protect battling with his desire to learn.

He hesitates, then his shoulders drop as he settles back into his chair with a soft huff of resignation.

"I must seem pretty childish to you."

"No. An alpha’s protective instincts are strong. We don’t want others to protect what's ours."

Ron looks atwith scuriosity. "You seem fine with it, though."

Tapping my knuckles against the table again, | keep my words mild. "Appearances are just that. Sometimes |

have to let go of what | want to do what is necessary."

You say that like you wouldn't be up

her ass if she'd let you, The opm

reason yoyeetiing Dythn pick her

up-is because you're worried she's

going to tear you a new one. The

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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 tQ is misunefstanding

oFGRachS {Pportance. It wouldn't

have stoppedfrom ripping his

head off if I'd been there— The

content is on novelenglish.net! Read

the latest chapter there!

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

My lips tighten. "Yes, | 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 | consider

it. But, as easy as [L topreaback

ie RIND ois of how much of

the responsibility lies on my

shoulders. No. It's my fault for not

explaining things when | knew he

hated humans. The content is on

novelenglish.net! Read the latest

chapter there!

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.