The Wolf in Sheep's Skin

Chapter 77

Gwen

“You’ll go?” His brows raised at me.

“If not going means potentially putting my family in danger, of course.” I tilted my chin up, pressing my lips together. “I’ll be d*mned if some witches are going to hurt them.”

“Good. It’ll be good for you to see the members of the coven as well.” He nodded and chuckled, a grin spreading across his face.

“How do I fight witches though?” Knots twisted in my stomach, cringing at the phantom taste of blood in my mouth. I’ll fight if I have to.

“There’ll be plenty of time to teach you, but I have a feeling your wolf will be able to handle it. If things get that bad, she has full permission to go berserk. But only on those who are harming wolves, and the witches on our side.” He furrowed his brows like he was giving me a stern talking to.

“Yes. I’ll k*ll them.” Lilith made an odd purring sound in the back of my mind, chills running up my spine.

“We don’t have time. Aren’t we going tomorrow?”

“No. We’re going to Pepper’s and Rhett’s in the morning, but I don’t know when the signing will be. The coven and the wolves are still finalizing things, but Ansel thinks it will be soon.” He gave me a soft smile, his eyes lighting up. “Sorry, I should’ve been more specific.”

“Oh. That’s relieving.” I sighed, letting the muscles in my back relax.

“We should get some sleep. It’s been a long day.” Jay turned, as if he was about to leave the closet. Only when I nodded did he actually leave. I glanced at my bag that was on the floor. Some clothes were hanging out of it.

I quickly took them out, folding them and shoving them into a little cubby organizer. I left my hygiene things inside, deciding to deal with them in the morning. I stepped through the doorway, staring at my new closet.

My gut clenched, seeing my selection small of clothes. It was practically nothing compared to everything that was his. There’ll be more of me here soon. I have my laundry basket full of clothes. And he brought my bedding. I can bring more stuff later, and I’ll be fully moved in.

I nodded to myself, my gut relaxing. I flickered off the light and made my way to the bed.

I paused as I passed Jay’s closet. The door was wide open, with his bare back was to me. His muscles flexed as he reached his arm out for something. The lighting was perfect, highlighting all his muscles. My stomach did flips, and I bit down hard on my bottom lip.

He tensed and turned to me. I sucked in a breath, my cheeks blazing. Jay raised a brow and flashed a wide toothy grin. A squeak left my throat, and I scurried to the bed, diving under the covers.

My heart hammered in my chest as I listened to him rustle around the room. This is silly! He’s my mate, I’m allowed to look! I shouldn’t be hiding; he probably wants me to look! But I couldn’t take my face out of the covers. All I could do was listen to him prowl around the room, lights flickering off.

His footsteps were barely audible as he moved closer to the bed. It creaked and dipped as he sat on the edge. Our bedding flung open, cool air hitting my back before his warmth pressed against me. A warm arm wrapped tight around my waist, and warm breath was against my ear.

He hummed again, the soft vibrations sending me to sleep.

The next day, we drove to the pack house to pass through the unpleasant portal door to Pepper and Rhett’s. We stepped through, with Jay in front of me.

I shivered, trying to will my stomach not to purge our breakfast. Jay squeezed my hand and spoke, but I couldn’t make out the words. A few moments passed, and my head stopped spinning.

“Gwen?” Jay asked, fingers running through my hair. I peeled my eyes open, not realizing I’d been squeezing them shut. I was met with concerned green eyes with little crows’ feet at their corners.

“I’m fine.” My stomach gurgled, and I pressed a hand to it, grimacing. “My tummy’s not a fan of the door.”

“It takes getting used to.” He nodded, looking me over as his fingers gently stroked my hair.

“Jackson, Gwen!” Pepper shouted, her bare feet slapping the ground as she rushed towards us. She was in a dress today, navy blue covered in sparkly silver moons and stars that made her grey eyes pop. She might as well have had a pointy black hat and a broom too.

“Pepper.” Jay did a little bow, and I nodded to her.

“No need for that respectful nonsense, we’re friends.” She grinned wide at him, and my stomach clenched for completely different reasons.

“We’ve come to talk about the treaty signing. Ansel has some plans-“

“Oh, that can wait!” She waved him off, and I pressed my lips together. Jay grunted, and I had a feeling if someone else had done it, it wouldn’t have been acceptable. Perhaps, anyone expect Ansel and myself. I tried keeping my face neutral, reminding myself that this was Jay’s friend. “I found something you both need to see; I’ve been waiting for you to come back!”

Pepper turned around and hurried towards a set of stairs before either of us could argue. I glanced up at Jay, who shrugged and followed her. His hand left my hair, and I had the intense urge to grab it, and put it back to return the pleasant tingly sensation on my scalp.

Instead, I followed him, glaring at his hand as we climbed up the stairs. Would it be clingy of me to grab it? I craved to feel the warmth of it, to squeeze his hand in mine.

“Do it.” Lilith whispered in the back of my mind.

As we reached the top, I grabbed for it. But instead of taking his hand, I slammed into his back with an ‘umpf’. Jay twisted and looked down at me with a concerned look.

“Are you still not feeling alright?” He looked at me like he expected me to throw up.

“I’m alright.” I shook my head and smiled. Just not paying attention to where I’m walking, or that you’d stopped. I frowned, wondering if would be silly to take his hand now.

Paper rustled in front of Jay, and he turned, looking at Pepper. Her back was to us as she rearranged a stack of old large, leather-bound books. Loose papers fluttered around her, floating to the ground.

Jay’s attention was all on her. A bitter taste filled my mouth, and the odd need to shove her over filled me. Stop it. I’m not the jealous type, we’re mates! She has a mate; I didn’t feel like this last time. I pursed my lips and shook my head, trying to rid myself of the sour feeling pooling in my stomach.

“Shove her. Growl at her.” Lilith urged, a growl almost coming out of my throat. Thankfully, it didn’t. The shaman was important, I’d known that before Jay had said so. I might’ve gotten away with threatening the Beta and his mate, but I knew I wouldn’t get away with threatening the shaman, especially when she wasn’t doing anything wrong. Quiet. She’s not doing anything.

Lilith growled in the back of mind, and I grabbed his hand. It was warm, sending pleasant little sparks through me. He stiffened, glancing at me from the corner of his eye. His brows raised and I could hear his heartbeat quicken.

I squeezed it, gave him a soft smile, and focused my eyes on Pepper. Jay let out a soft little growl, more like a rumble, and brought the back of my hand to his lips. It was like a jolt of electricity went through me, all the way from the top of my head, down my spine, and to my toes.

His eyes had flecks of copper, his look intense. My stomach tightened, his eyes squinting at me in some kind of promise.

A book slammed onto the table, making me nearly jump out of my skin. “I found a ritual!” Pepper squealed out, flipping through the pages. “It was in one of the totem’s Ansel has been letting me search through. This book talks about wolves who shift as children. It seems like the shaman who wrote it focused on kids like you.”

Pepper beamed at me. My cheeks burned and a lump formed in my throat. I’d just been thinking of shoving her over, and here she was, searching for books to help me. What the h*ll’s gotten into me?

“That’s great!” I said too high pitched, my voice strained. Pepper’s eyes lit up and waved me closer. My fingers still entangled with Jay’s; I pulled along as I went to the table. She pointed at some strange writing, curly letters that definitely weren’t English.