Page 85 of Grace of a Wolf 1
I narrow my eyes, lowering my chopsticks. "You know something, don't you? You've been cryptic and weird since we stopped at that truck stop earlier today, even changing our plans and camping here instead of driving longer."
As I'm talking, Lyre leans across the table, snags the shrimp she'd just placed in my container, and shoves it in my mouth.
"Stop being so anxious and just enjoy dinner." She settles back into her seat with a huff. "I'll apply the scar cream when you're done eating."
The shrimp is perfectly cooked, tender with just enough spice, but I'm too distracted to appreciate it fully. I chew and swallow before responding.
"Don't worry about it. I'm not in a hurry."
Lyre squints at me, her slitted eyes narrowing further. "It's probably better for everyone if you just deal with it."
My laugh is half-snort, half-chuckle. "You're acting like my scars are somehow a life and death issue."
Lyre stares at me for a long time. Long enough for me to take two bites before realizing she's still watching me with a deadpan expression.
When I pause, trying to figure out what I said, she lets out a deep sigh. "It must be nice to be oblivious," she muses, sounding genuinely envious.
I point my chopsticks at her, my eyebrows jamming together. "That! That's the cryptic stuff you've been doing since earlier."
"Occupational hazard," Lyre says, as if that's any sort of explanation at all. "Either eat or take your shirt off."
I blink at the stark options, then stuff a large bite of noodles into my mouth.
Chapter forty-four
Grace: Do You Believe in Fate?
After dinner, Lyre applies the scar cream to my back, apparently unfazed by the raised blemishes on my skin. The emollient is cool at first, but slowly begins to burn.
"Give it about thirty minutes," Lyre says, screwing the lid back onto the ointment jar. "Just lay there. It's going to hurt for a bit, but the pain will disappear soon."
Grunting, I shove up onto my elbows, looking at her over my shoulder. "Are you sure it's safe? It's burning my skin."
"Its effectiveness comes with a price." She tosses the jar next to me. "Trust me. In half an hour, your scars will be a memory. Just don't touch it."
Fiddling with the remote, I nod. "Got it." Thankfully, with access to this back living room, I have the daybed to lie on and TV to watch, so I won't be bored. Even if it is awkward to be topless around someone who's essentially a stranger.
Lyre settles into the couch across from me, scrolling through her phone. She doesn't need much to entertain herself, spending most of her time on the small device. Evenings with her have been peaceful and silent. Usually, I read one of her books—she has several—while she browses the internet.
Starting the next episode of the TV series I'd started earlier, I try to pay attention to the plot. Magical academy, a girl with secret powers, and the boys who fall in love with her… The writing is subpar, but reminds me of the awkward lines I've heard recently from Rafe and Ellie. It's probably why I've become invested in this story; I want to see her come out on top and watch the antagonists get what they deserve.
Revenge isn't something I have the power to attain, so I'm living vicariously through characters on screen.
But now, I can't focus on the plot or the over-the-top acting as my mind keeps wandering to Lyre's question. Howdidmy wounds heal so quickly, while my wrist hasn't? What strange phenomenon is behind it?
But then I shy away from the answers coming to mind.
I'm human. I've been human all my life, and I never expected to be anything else. Aside from Alpha's—Brax's—strange assumption I was his biological daughter… No one's ever suspected otherwise.Ihave never suspected otherwise.
I've never healed faster than a wolf, and I have no powers to my name. There's no superhuman strength or speed hiding in this body of mine. Even if I had some wounds heal a littlefaster than what might be considered normal; so what? Stranger things have happened in this world.
I grab the remote and rewind the show, huffing quietly to myself. Dwelling on these mysteries will only lead me down a spiral of questions with no answers. And, even if there are answers, I'm not entirely certain Iwantto know those answers.
How many nights had I spent wondering why Alpha took me in only to throw me away? Why Rafe claimed to love me while choosing Ellie? Some questions just lead to more pain.
The show reloads to where the protagonist first meets who I think is her third love interest in this magical academy. I'd completely missed the last fifteen minutes.
"You okay over there?" Lyre asks, her eyes never leaving her phone screen. The blue light casts an eerie glow on her face, and her slitted eyes seem to glow.
