Grace of a Wolf (by Lenaleia) novel Chapter 194

194 Caine: Like a Wrecking Ball

194 Caine: Like a Wrecking Ball

Randy is the first of the Lycans to break protocol, stepping away from me to get a little closer to Grace. His body’s completely turned toward her as he shows me his back, and I bare my teeth in his direction.

My subordinates do, too.

“Anyone with eyes can tell she isn’t their mother.”

“If you’re going to be our dad, then is Owen our dad too?” (2)

I keep my expression neutral while I reach through our pack link to touch the minds of my men. Make sure no one bothers them, I command, letting my authority ripple through the connection. No one enters this place, and no one speaks to her or the children without my express permission.

But if my mate wants to pretend she has nothing to do with me, I’ll indulge. For a little while, anyway.

My eyebrows draw together in a faint frown as even Sara tries to deny a connection, only to ease somewhat when she declares, “Daddy will work.”

I frown.

I incline my head arrogantly. “And?”

She holds up her hands immediately. “It isn’t me.”

My eyes–and three other pairs–immediately land on Grace, who opens hers slowly and jumps a little to see us staring at her.

Dylan steps in front of Reggie with a dark frown. “What he means to say is, High Alpha, are these your Luna’s children?”

“Randy,” I snap in irritation, even as Reggie and Dylan slowly nod their heads.

CAINE

Reggie frowns, his facial scars becoming more hideous with the movement. Sara flinches.

194 Caine: Like a Wrecking Ball

The transformation is spectacular. Her face flushes a brighter crimson than before, as if I just suggested we recreate last night’s bathroom encounter in front of my men. Then all color drains from her cheeks, leaving her pale as moonlight. Finally, her features lock into place, her jaw stiff enough to crack her teeth.

What is it? I ask in his direction, a little surprised by his lack of nonsensical commentary.

But Randy, younger and a little more open–minded, studies Grace with a different understanding. His gaze slides from her to the children, then back again. Despite his young age, he has a mate and children of his own.

I hadn’t intended on calling my subordinates into Grace’s camper, but they showed up while I was still here.

Grace’s mouth stretches into a thin smile as she stares at me, and a vague sense of foreboding traipses down my spine.

My smile freezes.

“Ma’am,” he says politely, and she gives him a wary look.

And while it was enjoyable, she’s still recuperating.

She needs rest.

Grace closes her eyes and pinches at the bridge of her nose with a long sigh. “You don’t have to call him Dad, Jer.”

She’s unhappy.

Perhaps I should keep the older Lycans away from here, Then again, the kids will need to toughen up. Reggie and Dylan aren’t the only Lycans with scars in our pack.

After all, while Grace insists on keeping our relationship some strange sort of it’s been obvious from the start it will only be a superficial denial. My scent is all over her, these children, and this camper.

ret,

He pauses.

Side–stepping the question, I respond with a simple, “I already said, these children are

mine.”

10:16 C

<

194 Caine: Like a Wrecking Ball

Reggie steps between us, taking on the brunt of my glower as he says, “High Alpha, this

is strange for all of us. You disappear for days with the Beta, and return with this

human git-

“1

My eyes narrow.

I would call her their mother, but Grace seems hell–bent on denying our relationship

for now.

Don’t even think about it. I’m not helping you this time. Dig your own grave and leave

me out of it.

Don’t.

Fenris snorts, the first sound he’s made since I invited the Lycans inside.

“-human girl.”

I can hear her as she frantically whispers in her little brother’s ear, “Don’t listen to her. Call him Dad, or he might eat us.”

Dylan shifts his weight, eyebrows drawing together as he exchanges a look with Reggie.

Neither of them are impressed with her attitude. I’ll have to pull them aside later. They won’t accept her easily, but they will accept her.

But my brows pull together. Dylan and Reggie would never presume to call a human

their Luna.

“Grace,” I say, keeping my voice calm in the face of her somewhat labile emotional state, “you should take a nap with Bun. You didn’t sleep well.”

Grace’s face twists through a parade of emotions. Her left eye keeps twitching, but I’m more focused on the dark circles under her eyes.

I give a slight nod as I think it over. Yes. Better to get them used to it n

And claiming the children to keep them safe from any Blue Mountain bullying only seems to make it worse.

I kept her up too late.

My frown returns, and Sara flinches.

So I did as she asked and publicly announced no relationship between us, but for some

194 Caine: Like a Wrecking Ball

reason, the woman’s angrier than ever.

“Yes?”

“I’m fine, thank you, Sir.” She practically spits the honorific, turning it into something profane.

The panic in her words only undermines my claim further, and three pairs of Lycan eyes turn back toward me with various degrees of intensity.

Fenris’s unhelpful mood is immediately pushed to the side as I respond, “Hmm?” with a faint smile.

“No.” D

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