The Wolf in Sheep's Skin

Chapter 12

Three days later, I’d formulated my plan. Go to the party committee, and show off how submissive I am, making it clear I wasn’t a threat.

I smiled at myself as I pulled cookies out of the oven. I’d made chick shaped sugar cookies to bring to the committee tonight. Eleanor had told me that everyone had to bring something; it was the proper thing to do.

I frowned at the cookies; they’d spread in the oven, making them oddly shaped.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” My mom frowned at me.

No. I hate pack stuff. It’s always so stuffy and proper and I never know what I’m supposed to be doing. But I have to go.

“I’m sure mom, this is going to work. I just have to show Olivia that I got caught up in the moment and reacted on instinct. She has to see I’m not more dominant than him.” I said the word like it was tainted. If he hadn’t been such an *ss, none of this would be a problem.

“You’ve been having a hard time with the move though, haven’t you? What if…” Her voice trailed off, but she didn’t have to finish.

“I’ve been in control since that day. I can handle myself; I’ve got this.” I just have to stay calm, even if Olivia’s face is pleasantly punchable.

“If you insist.” She sighed and stared out the window that overlooked our backyard. My sibling’s screams came through the glass as they play fought in the yard.

I grabbed yellow frosting and slathered it on the cookies. The frosting melted, dripping onto my hand.

“You’re supposed to wait for the cookie to cool.” Mom said, looking at me like I’d disappointed her.

“Oh…”

“Haven’t you made cookies before?”

“I’m a seamstress, not a baker.” I put the cookie on the platter I’d grabbed out earlier and wiped the melted frosting off my fingers. I dropped two little candy eyes on the chick’s face and piped a wonky orange beak. The chick stared up at me like it was screaming in agony, it’s little face melting. “It’s the taste that matters, right?” I grimaced at the thought of bringing them.

“Oh, yes, I’m sure of it. The taste is most important.” She nodded while sucking in her lower lip. We locked eyes, and she gave me a forced smile.

“Maybe Olivia will see them and decide I’m too dumb to be one upping her?”

My mom giggled, a playful sound. She shook her head and patted me on the shoulder.

“They’re charming, but I wouldn’t suggest you try for a career change.”

I finished the cookies, wrapped the tray in tinfoil, and climbed into the car. It jolted to life, and I made my way to the pack house.

It didn’t take long to get there, and when I pulled up, the parking area was empty except for a few stray cars. It’s today, isn’t it? My car’s clock told me it was almost 3, a few minutes before the meeting was supposed to start.

I thought back to the party when Olivia had made the announcement, but my mind slipped past the details she’d given. Most of my memory of the night was filled by Jay.

I frowned at the thought of him and climbed out of the car. Arrogant j*rk. If he’d kept to simple conversation, I wouldn’t be here at all.

I adjusted my dress, a light purple thing that was flowy for the warming weather, and went up the stairs.

The pack house was eerily quiet, and my stomach dropped. I listened for the chatter of obnoxious women who thought themselves better than everyone else, but all I found was silence. I found my way into the kitchen where the food had been displayed last time.

The counters were empty, and I spun around the room. Did she say it was here, at the pack house? Maybe there’s meeting rooms somewhere else in the house?

I set the cookie platter down on the counter and went searching. As I went, I passed the spot where the infamous slap happened, and my face warmed and I pursed my lips.

My ears told me there was no one else downstairs, so once I found a staircase hidden amongst some hallways, I went up them.

I passed rooms with open doors that looked like offices; some even had little name plaques. Someone whistled ahead of me; the sound grew louder. My stomach twisted into a knot, and I debated whether I was supposed to be up here at all.

They turned the corner and froze once they saw me, and the whistling stopped.

It was the man with the slicked back black hair and handlebar mustache from the party who’d been with the red-haired woman and Beta Liam. I tensed, dropped my gaze down so I peered at the floor.

A big, boyish grin crossed his face. It was catlike with his mustache, and he raced over with hand extended.

“You must be Gwen O’Neill! My apologies, we haven’t met yet. Ansel, Alpha Ansel!” He grabbed my hand and shook it with such vigor, my arm flopped around like a limp noodle.

This man’s the Alpha? And he saw me ask Jay if he was Alpha? I could’ve died and sunk through the floor and been glad for it.

“I’m sorry about that night, you know, the slap, I, uh-“

“No apologizes, I’m a fan of your work!” His smile grew bigger, an impressive feat. He let go of my hand and it dropped to my side. “What brings you here?” He held his arms out in an inviting motion.

“I, uh…” My mind blanked. I’d never met such a friendly, seemingly eager Alpha. “I’m here for the party planning committee.”

He looked at his watch and clicked his tongue.

“You’re an hour early.”

My brows squished together, and my shoulders dropped.

“Have you seen the rest of the pack house? I’ll have someone give you a tour; we have a lovely botanical garden in full bloom right now.” He rubbed his hands together and leaned towards me, and his eyes sparkled.

“Oh, um, I could wait in the kitchen, or in my car-“

“Nonsense.” He turned on his heel and went down the hall. He stopped and looked back at me. “Are you coming?”

“Oh.” I followed him, and he led me to a lady behind a little reception desk.

“Jessica, please give Miss O’Neill a tour of the building.”

Jessica gave me a puzzled look before nodding to him. She got up from the desk and rearranged some papers. Alpha Ansel turned back to me and grabbed me by both shoulders and had a wild look in his eye.

“Miss O’Neill, please enjoy the tour.” He held onto for a moment too long, and I arched my back, trying to gain more personal space.

“Thank you, sir.” I squeaked out. He let go of me and fixed his fancy silk shirt.

“Please, enjoy yourself and the meeting with the others.” He did a little bow before practically skipping down the hallway.

I glanced at Jessica, who gave me an awkward smile.

“He really cares about the pack.” She nodded, but the look on her face confirmed that his reaction was not normal.

Jay

Music blared as I cranked a wrench. After a few hours under my truck, I’d finally figured out what was making it leak oil, and I was finished putting it back together. My phone rang as I tightened the last bolt, and I scooted out from under the car.

I stood and went to my tool bench, grabbing a towel to wipe the grease off my hands. Using a fresh towel, I picked up the phone to prevent getting car grease on it.

Ansel. What does he want?

I clicked off the music and answered.

“What?” I grumbled, staring at my car.

“I need you at the pack house.”

“Now? Can it wait, I’m in the middle of something?” I glanced down at my grease covered, holey, stained white t-shirt and blue jeans.

“It’s an emergency.” His voice was strained, and my gut dropped.

“Do I need a bag?” I thought of the packed luggage I always kept by the door.

“No. But come quickly.” He hung up the phone, and I glared at it.