Page 32 of Fenrir

“So, have you taken her for a run yet?”

Fenrir stiffened. “You know I don’t run.”

Loki sighed. “How many times have I told you that your wolf side-”

“Beast side.”

“Wolf side,” Loki pressed. “Is nothing to be ashamed of. He is part of you, and if you and Grace plan on being together for a while, you will have to show him to her sooner or later.”

Fenrir thought about Loki’s words for a minute. “You know to be honest, for a shifter, Grace doesn’t seem to have many shifter tendencies. And she’s not mentioned we go on a run together or that we let our… inner animals meet.”

He wasn’t sure what that meant. Usually, once shifters found the one they might want to be with, they let their animals meet soon after to ensure they were on board with the union. But Grace hadn’t even suggested they let their inner animals meet. Did that mean she wasn’t sure she wanted to pursue a relationship with him?

Fenrir felt Loki watching him, and he shifted his position and swigged the rest of his ale. It immediately refilled, and he downed that mug before setting it down.

“Fen, if I might make a suggestion.”

Fenrir shrugged.

“If you want Grace to be part of your life, I suggest upgrading your housing situation?”

The idea caught him by surprise. “What do you mean?”

“Where you live doesn’t give off the most romantic vibes. It’s been a great bachelor’s house and huge dog house for Layla, but as for bringing a woman home? Not so much.” Loki produced a set of keys. “Here. Take these. It’s not as grand as this place, but it’s nice. I’ve never used it. It was gifted to me by a client with no cash to pay their bill.”

“In the Underworld?”

Loki nodded. “Consider it a gift from me to you. A… way to help you move forward in your new life and to help you shed the skin of your past.”

Fenrir looked at the keys. His dad was giving him a place to live. Loki had never given him a place to live before. Not even when he was born did he live with Loki.

“I don’t know what to say,” said Fenrir.

“Say yes,” Loki replied. “If not for me and not for you, then say yes for Val and Freyette.”

Fenrir blinked several times. “I don’t understand.”

Loki clapped him on the shoulder. “Let’s eat, and then I’ll explain.”

Loki opened the door back into the front room, and Grace looked up and smiled at Fenrir as if she’d sensed him. Remembered suddenly how at Odin’s place she’d turned and looked directly at him, and again when he’d gone to knock on her door, she was already opening it. Was it a coincidence? Or was it something more? He filed it away to ask her later.

He shoved the keys into his pocket. Loki was right. Grace would deserve much better than just some tiny house on the edge of the Underworld. She deserved something like the penthouse he stood in. A palace. A Valhalla of her own. He strode toward Grace. She slipped her fingers in his and squeezed.

“All good?”

He wrapped his arms around her tightly and kissed the top of her head. Her scent of jasmine and rain washed over him, calming him once more.

He only wished he could do the same for her.

CHAPTER12

Grace triedto calm herself and have a good time as she sat with the group of Norse gods, eating and talking, but Fenrir’s apparent discomfort and agitation had her on edge. She couldn’t imagine being surrounded by people who had wished her dead for over half her life. Eating with them. Being forced to make small talk and forget everything they’d ever done to you. If she’d been Fenrir, she probably would have snapped and told them all exactly what she thought of them. His ability for restraint was something she admired greatly.

“Can I get you more food?” Fenrir asked when she set down her fork and knife.

Grace smiled and shook her head. “I’ve had two steaks. I think I’m good.”

Fenrir glanced around the table. “Do you want potatoes, or salad, or anything?”

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