The Wolf in Sheep's Skin

Chapter 66

My breath caught as Gwen watched us both for our reactions. Her eyes were big, and waves of anxiety rolled off her. I kept my lips sealed, waiting for her to continue.

“I… Erik, Maeve, and I had wondered too far from home. We lived in the woods, far from the city. The three of us were playing when a bear came through. I don’t remember much. Just that it was big, and it was going for Erik… and then I shifted.” She shrugged, staring at the floor.

Her body was tense. The scent of her fear thickened. I tried to make my muscles relax, letting the shocking information roll off me.

“You shifted as a child?” Ansel whispered. I glanced up at him, and our eyes met. I knew we had to be thinking the same thing. We only knew one other person who’d shifted as a child. They’d struggled controlling their wolf too.

But they did it. It took a while, but they managed. Their wolf had been unruly too, eager to fight.

“Yeah. I woke up, if you could call it that, a few days later. My dad was so scared.” She snapped her eyes back up to Ansel. Her pupils were huge. “Please understand. He was worried about what the Alpha’s would do. Or that some other magical creature would find out. We had to keep it a secret, most of my family doesn’t know.”

Ansel put his hand up, and Gwen silenced. I narrowed my eyes, glaring at him. I tensed my jaw, ready to come to my mate’s defense.

“I will not fault you, or your family. Having a child shift before their sixteenth birthday… it would be very frightening. I understand your family’s hesitation to tell us. Still, he should have. The Alpha’s could’ve helped, but it’s in the past now. What matters is you’re telling us now.” Ansel settled back in his chair, glancing at me.

“There were Alpha’s who found out. They saw me shift before I was supposed to be old enough. It only made them angry.” Gwen mumbled, glared at the floor. Her hands were clenched together, her knuckles white.

“What do you mean?” I growled before I could stop myself. She looked up at me with those big, frightened eyes. Whoever had scared her was lucky they weren’t in the room. I’ll find out who they were and deal with them later.

“It happened a few times. My wolf would cause problems, and the Alpha would find out. Or… before I knew to pretend to be submissive, my wolf would challenge them. They didn’t take it very well. We moved a lot.” Gwen glared up at Ansel, who blushed.

I held back a snicker. Good. She does know she doesn’t need to listen to him.

“They shouldn’t have done that. They should’ve reported that you’d shifted before the typical age. Someone could’ve taught you to control your wolf in a healthy manner.” I said, rubbing her back again. She tensed, and frowned, her hands gripping tighter.

“You fought Alpha’s? As a child?” Ansel whispered, his eyes glazing over, staring into the distance. “I’m impressed.”

Gwen stilled under my hand, blinking at him. She scowled, chewing her bottom lip.

“Thanks.” She hissed; the word venomous.

“Your wolf could be an asset to the pack, once you learn how to control her. You said you could before, perhaps you’ll be able to once life has calmed down again.” Ansel said.

“Maybe.”

An awkward silence passed between us, and Ansel tapped his office desk. I scowled, something about the story tickling something in my brain.

“You said it was a bear?” I raised a brow at her. She pursed her lips and nodded.

“Yeah. It was massive, I think my dad said it was a grizzly? I don’t remember, least I try not to.” She shivered, staring off into the distance. “Sometimes I can still hear its breathing in my sleep. Rancid breath.”

A bear. Didn’t Keegan say he saw a dead werebear, but he wasn’t the one that killed it? I recoiled, sucking in a deep breath. His explosive reaction that night made everything settle in my mind. She k*lled a werebear at seven, after her first shift?

I stared at her in awe, making sure my mouth was shut. I’d never dream of fighting one on my own. F*ck, that thing didn’t stood a chance against her if her wolf was always that big.

I glanced at Ansel, whose expression must’ve mirrored mine. He eyed her, like he was considering telling her. I let out a little growl and grabbed Gwen’s knee defensively.

What if she doesn’t know? She’d technically have k*lled someone. I pursed my lips, unsure of how my mate would react to new information like that. She’d already gone through so much recently. I don’t even know if it’s true. It could be a coincidence. I’ll ask her father first, if anyone tells her, it should be him.

I sighed and stroked my thumb on the outside of Gwen’s knee. I gave it a little pat, before standing up, and holding my hand out to her.

“I think you need to meet my friend. They shifted as a child too. They might be able to give you advice about your wolf. Theirs was rather rowdy as well.”

“Someone else who shifted as a kid?” She gave me a blank, shocked expression.

“Yes.” I held my hand out closer to her.

“We’re going now?” She looked between Ansel and I. Considering the way you just threatened to gut Ansel, yes.

“Would you like to see your family first?”

“Let’s see your friend.” She frowned and grabbed my hand. I opened my mouth, knowing she needs to see her family. That she’d need to talk things out with them. But it wasn’t my place to order her to do things. And perhaps, with her eyes still bright violet, she was worried about controlling her wolf around them?

I snapped to Ansel, who was smiling at us as if this had been a pleasant conversation.

“I’ll come back another time to talk with you.” I made sure my voice was deep and rumbly, narrowing my eyes at him. His face fell and he grimaced.

Good. I’ll have to remind him that he doesn’t get to command my mate. Or punish her. It’s not his place, just like he can’t do either to me. The words threatened to spew out now, but Gwen’s hand in mine reminded me of the bigger picture: helping her get control of her wolf, and figuring out an outlet for her violent streak. Even if it was hot.

“Alright. Perhaps when I see you, we can plan your mating ceremony? I’m excited for both of you.” He flashed a smile of pearly white teeth, and I sucked in a breath. F*ck. I forgot about the d*mn ceremony.

“Of course.” I turned on my heel and led Gwen out of the office.

Gwen

I squeezed Jay’s hand so hard I was surprised he didn’t complain. Lilith had been begging to put Ansel in his place. I was lucky to escape with only a threat. What does he think he can do to punish me? Or my family?

“Nothing.” Lilith growled. I scowled, office doors passing us as Jay led me through hallway after hallway.

I knew Alpha’s enough not to trust them. Even when they spewed praises and saying they wanted to help. Those Alpha’s only wanted to keep me hidden, have me do their bidding for the pack. I’m not Alpha Ansel’s slave, I don’t have to do what he wants.

I glanced at Jay, wondering if that’s what he expected. For me to bend over for Ansel, doing whatever he wants. I’ll ask him later. When we’re not literally in the pack house, within hearing range of Alpha Ansel.

Jay made an abrupt turn into a little office. It was completely empty and didn’t even have a window. All it had was stagnant air and a little closet door. It wasn’t even a nice closet door. Someone had marked it up with some weird carving on the top.

Jay closed the door behind us and sighed. A look of relief crossed his face, and he smiled at me.

“I don’t find this very funny. What, you and Alpha Ansel are mocking me now?” I growled, ripping my hand out of his. “It was hard telling you all that, you know! I was vulnerable and you’re going to make fun of me?”

“What?” Jay gave me a dumb look, his eyes wide, leaning back.

“You said you were taking me to meet your friend! You’re telling me they live in a closet?” I pointed at the closet door. He glanced at it and threw his head back laughing.

I recoiled, pulling my arms around me. That’s it! I shouldn’t have told him anything! I chose to tell him everything, instead of giving some half-baked excuse, and now he’s making fun of me!

I snarled and stormed for the door.

“Wait! I’m sorry! Let me explain.” He grabbed my shoulders, his laughing dying. “The closet is magic.”

“What?”

“It’s a portal door. It’ll take us to my friend. Have you ever seen magic?” He raised his brows, genuine curiosity crossing his face. I rubbed my hands on my pants, glancing at the door.

“No.”

“Ah, well it’s good we’re starting today. As my mate, you should know about all kinds of magic. Going through will be weird, but it won’t hurt.”

“It’s safe?” I squinted at the door like it might reach out and bite me.

“Yes. Just make sure not to let go of my hand until we’re all the way through.” He flashed me a grin, and my stomach went queasy. What happens if I do? I wasn’t brave enough to let the question leave my lips, lest he provide an answer.

He held out his hand, and I took it. Strong, calloused fingers wrapped around mine. We walked to the door, and my stomach twisted into knots. There’s really someone else who shifted as a child? I glanced up at Jay, who was doing some weird knocking thing on the door.

He didn’t get upset. Maybe a bit shocked, but who wouldn’t be? It wasn’t the major blowout that I’d expected. A call to lock me in a cage. Not that he could, or that I’d expect my mate to do that. But still. He’d acted with kindness. Maybe he really can help me control her.

Jay put his hand down and the door knocked back. I jumped, and Jay chuckled.

“Also, it’s not Alpha Ansel. For us, it’s just Ansel. You’re my mate, he can’t command you. Not that you needed to be mate for that, did you?” He gave me a wicked smile that turned my tummy to goo.

The edges of the door glowed, the knob twisted, and Jay gripped it. “Ready?” he raised a brow.

“Not really.” I mumbled, squeezing his hand harder.

“It’ll be fine. No pain.” He swung the door open, bright light flashing in the room. He dragged me through.