Grace of a Wolf (by Lenaleia) novel Chapter 26

Chapter 26: Grace: A Suspicious Hand

A series of knocks jerks me out of a dream involving a lot of naked skin, among other details I have no business recalling. I wipe a trail of drool from my cheek. "Gross."

Another knock.

"Come in." My voice comes out scratchy. Clearing my throat, I sit up on my bed, wondering who it is.

My entire body stiffens as Andrew steps through the doorway. His limp brown hair falls into his eyes and something about his expression is strange, but what catches my attention is the pillow in his hands.

"What are you doing here?" Despite him obviously being here to deliver what I need, the words come out defensive. I was glad to see he was alive earlier, but it doesn’t mean I wanted to see him in person. I just didn’t want to recognize another body on the pile.

"Delivering this." He holds up the pillow like a peace offering, but his eyes are intense as they look me over. "Lycan King’s orders."

My fingers twitch with the urge to snatch it from him.

"Just toss it over here," I say, waving airily at the other side of my bed, aiming for nonchalance despite how desperately I want it. My neck hurts from the impromptu nap I took without one.

Andrew hesitates, his eyes darting around the room. "You... Are you okay?"

My eyes narrow at Andrew’s question. Something’s off about his visit—the Lycan King wouldn’t send him of all people to deliver a pillow, would he? Fenris should recognize him from their encounter during the Mate Hunt.

Then again, I’m acting like the Lycan King cares about me. He probably hasn’t thought twice about a wolf as insignificant as Andrew. Even if Rafe came in here, I’m sure he wouldn’t bat an eye...

Then I remember yesterday. Okay, maybe not Rafe. The Lycan King doesn’t seem to like him very much for some reason.

"I’m as fine as anyone can be in this situation." Despite trying to sound neutral, my words come out clipped. My tongue presses against my teeth, stopping the automatic ’how are you?’ from escaping. Old habits die hard, but I’m not about to pretend we’re friends.

He’s alive. Great. I don’t need to know more details.

Andrew’s feet shuffle against the floor as he takes a step forward. Then another. His arms wrap tighter around my pillow, pressing it against his chest like a shield. The sight of it makes my fingers curl into my palms. That’s my pillow, and now it’s going to smell like him.

Scents aren’t something that usually bother me, and I’ve always found shifters to be a little odd with how finicky they can be about them. But now I get it. I don’t want to smell Andrew in my bed while I sleep. Ew.

I imagine burning the pillow, but no, it didn’t do anything wrong. It’s a victim.

"Rafe’s worried about you, you know."

A harsh laugh bursts from my throat before I can stop it. Of course that’s why Andrew’s here. He’s always been Rafe’s right-hand gofer.

His face tightens, his mouth curving down at the corners. "He’s been busy, but he’s still taking the time to look after you."

"Pfft." Pressing my lips together before another scoff comes out, I focus on taking three deep breaths through my nose. Once I’m sure I won’t laugh in Andrew’s face, I reply, "Rafe has bigger problems to deal with. He’s Alpha now, right? He should focus on running his pack and getting on the Lycan King’s good side before more of you die. And he already has a mate, so he has no business looking after his ex, don’t you think? Only a sleaze would do that behind her back."

The declaration hits like a slap. My mouth falls open as I stare at him, wondering if I heard right. "Take care of me?" Did I wake up in a parallel universe?

"Ellie told the Lycan Beta she would personally destroy me on the Lycan King’s command. She said harboring humans in the pack is illegal. Now you’re trying to tell me you all want to take care of me?" My eyes narrow. "Or do you mean you’re going to kill me?"

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