Page 14 of Grace of a Wolf 1
"Tell that to Fenris." Jack-Eye moves to the door. "I'll track him—"
"No." The word comes out as a growl, and it's not because a vision of Jack-Eye comforting the strange woman is more irritating than Fenris's obsession with her. It can't possibly be that. She's just a human girl. "I'll deal with this myself."
Jack-Eye grins. "You know, I think we haven't visited the Blue Mountain Pack in years. They're about due for an official delegation, which is under the beta's purview—"
My eyes narrow at Jack-Eye's smirk. The blood on my knuckles has already dried, cuts already healed, but the sting remains. "Whatever scheme you're plotting, drop it."
"You know what would be hilarious?" He leans his back against the wall, crossing his arms. "If word got out the mighty Lycan King is searching for his mate. They'd welcome the delegation with open arms."
"Don't even think about it."
"Come on. Think about the possibilities." He gestures with his hands, painting an invisible picture. "The mysterious and brooding High Alpha, finally ready to open his heart again—"
"I will rip out your tongue."
"It would put those other rumors to rest. The ones about..." His voice trails off, but the meaning hangs heavy in the air.
"The rumors help more than they hinder." Ice coats each word. Fear keeps order better than respect.
Jack-Eye's expression sobers. "And how exactly do you plan to explain that to the new girl? 'Welcome to the pack, by the way, everyone thinks I murdered my last mate'?"
A growl builds in my chest, low and threatening. "I'm not bringing some human girl into the pack."
Chapter six
Grace: Revoked Privilege
The way everything changes so quickly, like I never existed as Alpha's daughter, is shocking. In a week, all my privileges have been stripped away. Even things I didn't realize were a privilege.
Like clothes.
A private bathroom.
Even my name.
"Hey!"
Yeah, that's my new name.
"Hey! You!"
Stopping mid-step, I turn, only to find myself wanting to be swallowed whole. Seriously, a sinkhole opening up right beneath me would be heaven right now.
It's Rafe's mate.
The sight of her approaching sends a jolt through my system, my heart lurching painfully in my chest. She's even more stunning up close, her long black hair cascading over her shoulders like a silken waterfall, those piercing green eyes pure poison as they watch me.
"Remember me?" Her voice drips with honeyed venom.
She's not alone. A few she-wolves follow along behind her. Some are faces I recognize; part of the pack. The others are strangers.
"I..." My voice catches in my throat, barely a whisper. "Yes."
My pride is nonexistent these days. It's nothing to lower my gaze to the ground in front of her. It doesn't tear me up inside at all.
Who am I kidding? It's shredding me apart.
"Good. I'd hate to think I made such a small impression."
