Grace of a Wolf (by Lenaleia) novel Chapter 221

Chapter 221: Caine: Sneaking In

CAINE

Sneaking through the dark hall of her camper is starting to become a habit.

Not a great one, either.

Fenris sounds sour from his place beneath the RV, where he’s been keeping watch since Dylan and Randy left after the children were put to bed. He was less than enthused with my idea, but at least he isn’t getting in my way.

If she catches you, I was never here.

Such loyalty from the other part of my soul.

Gritting my teeth against his brazenly perfidious nature, I manage to avoid creaking or shaking the RV as I sneak my way into the master bedroom.

Sara and Bun are fast asleep, cuddled on either side of Grace. The fan’s on, blowing strands of golden hair across her nose, and yet the woman’s oblivious.

The scene’s so peaceful and perfect, it makes my little plot for a night of peace seem... dirty and mildly perverted.

What the fuck am I doing here, lurking in the darkness like some kind of deranged stalker because I can’t sleep without her goddamn scent?

This is pathetic even for you, Fenris agrees. The mighty king reduced to stealing pillows. How the legends will sing of this heroic quest.

"Shut up," I growl under my breath.

Just take what you came for and go. Or don’t. Either way, I’m not the one getting hit when she wakes up.

My original plan—swapping out the unused pillow under my arm for one carrying Grace’s scent—suddenly seems not just desperate but genuinely disturbing. What would she think if she woke to find me looming over her bed?

And it wouldn’t even be the first time.

You could just ask her for a shirt like a normal person.

It isn’t like I haven’t thought about it, but stealing her pillow somehow seemed a little less creepy at the time I made my plan.

Have you considered explaining it to her?

Damn him and his good points. I scrub a hand over my scruffy cheeks and inhale deeply, soaking in her blueberry muffin scent and consoling myself it’s better than not smelling it at all.

If you just explain, I’m sure she’ll be happy to send her pillows to you. Grace is very understanding.

My fingers twitch at my sides, the urge to step further into the room nearly overwhelming.

I take a step back.

This has gone too far. My need for her has crossed from inconvenient to unhinged. While not abnormal in a mating bond, Grace has a slightly different view of boundaries, and I’m supposed to be respecting her needs.

Sighing, I turn away from the doorway, forcing myself to retreat. Tomorrow I’ll come back when she’s awake, explain how important scent is to a mate, and arrange a more normal, consensual pillow swap instead of sneaking in like a thief.

At first, her presence and touch soothed me, its effects long-lasting. And now it feels like I need to see her every hour just to keep calm.

I sneak another deep inhale as I step out of her room.

You’re whipped.

"I’m leaving," I hiss, tired of his constant prattling.

After standing there for five full minutes breathing like a stalker.

"Rich coming from you," I retort, still mindful of keeping my voice low to avoid waking the children. "You’ve been trying to get me to claim her since the day we met her."

Yes, but I suggested marking her, not creeping around and stealing her pillows.

The mental image of Grace’s neck marked by me sends a welcome rush of heat through my body, but I force it away quickly. She’s not ready for it yet, and I’ve already pushed her into too much intimate contact. She needs to recuperate without me pawing at her like a horny, rutting beast.

Every step away from her bedroom makes the ache in my chest grow heavier, among other things.

You know, you could just sleep here and stop torturing yourself.

Of course I want to, but I don’t have permission. And for some reason, Grace seems less than pleased with how I’ve been handling things.

"...Caine?"

My entire body freezes. Grace’s voice, heavy with sleep but unmistakably alert, sends heat straight through my veins. I turn slowly, finding her silhouette in the hallway, one hand braced against the wall for support.

Tell her you were making sure she was safe.

Tell her you sensed danger?

Tell her you missed her.

Say yes.

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