The Wolf in Sheep's Skin

Chapter 78

Pepper flapped her hands through the air, continuing to point at the book, as if I should be able to read it. I plastered a smile on my face, nodding along as she spoke. She described the ritual, that we’d be sitting somewhere out in the woods, meditating.

I stopped myself from snorting in amusement. I’d meditated plenty when I was younger, hoping it would calm my wolf. It never did. Pepper’s head bobbed as she talked, bouncing up and down as if she couldn’t contain her excitement.

“If it’s successful, it you should be able to soothe your wolf!” She clasped her hands together, grinning ear to ear.

I smiled back, trying to conjure words to my mouth. She wants me to sit in the woods and try and contact someone. To talk to, so they’ll soothe my wolf? It sounded out there.

“Who do you think we’re trying to contact?” I asked, peering down at the questionable book.

“I’m not sure, but the shaman who wrote it performed the ritual with children. I trust she wouldn’t have done anything that would harm them.

Right. Because there aren’t literal folktales about witches trying to harm children. Are shamans technically witches? I puffed out my cheeks and squeezed Jay’s hand tighter.s

“I have everything we need; I’ve been preparing. Let’s do it tonight!” She practically shouted, and I couldn’t help my grimace. “If you want to, of course.”

My eyes darted between her and Jay, who was watching me with an intense look. This isn’t going to work. What, they think sitting and meditating with my wolf will heal her somehow? Take out her bloodlust?

Lilith scoffed in the back of my mind, confirming my thoughts. I scanned the room we were in. It was a large study, or perhaps a library. All the walls were lined with floor to ceiling bookshelves that were stuffed with old books. The ceiling was dark blue, with different constellations painted on it. The moon phases were in the center, smiling down at us. They probably think I’ll have some divine meeting with Selene or whatever they believe in.

Yeah right.

But what’s the harm? Nothing is going to happen, I’m going to sit out in the woods overnight. Pepper obviously wants me to, and Jay does too. He said he needs me to know his friends, and Pepper’s important. Plus, maybe after it doesn’t work, they’ll help me try something else.

“I’ll try it.” I nodded, smiled at Pepper. She squealed, clapping her hands together, bouncing on the pads of her feet.

“Thank you! I never get to try ritual’s from the totems and now I have someone to join me!” She swiveled, her head swishing side to side as she looked around the room. “I’ll grab everything we need.”

My stomach twisted into knots all over again, wondering what I got myself into. It’s only one night. I can get through this. We’re just sitting outside.

“We need to speak about Ansel’s plan.” Jay huffed as Pepper walked away from us, picking up the paper she’d dropped earlier.

“I’m listening.” She waved her hand, motioning for him to continue.

“He’s having Gwen and I join the group to the treaty signing. We’re to act as bodyguards if something goes wrong.”

“And Argonathe?” Her back was still to us as she stood at a stand, which had been holding the book she’d shown me. She riffled through the papers in her hand.

“I met with him, but he didn’t say if he’d be at the signing.”

“Did he read the copy?”

“Yes. He gave me revisions, which Ansel agreed with.”

“Do we have a final sign date?”

“No. But Ansel hopes it’ll be soon.”

“The sooner we sign, the less time the others have to plan.” Pepper sighed and turned around, sifting through the papers. Her brows were knitted together, and her lips were pursed.

Jay grunted in reply and the room fell silent. I shifted my weight next to him, questions burning in my mind, suddenly all too aware that I had no idea what they were talking about. Presumably, it was about the war that had started a few months ago. But information had been tight. No one in the pack even knew who Pepper was, her identity had been kept secret.

All we’d been told was a shaman was in the pack, for the first time in over a century. I squeezed Jay’s hand, building up the courage to speak.

“Whose Argonathe?” My voice was too squeaky as I asked. The sudden urge to act submissive overtook me, but I forced myself to keep my head up and my spine straight.

“A Fae. Argonathe helped us fight against the Unforgiven. We might not have won without him.” Jay nodded once and rubbed his thumb along my hand.

“So, he’s a friend?” I raised a brow at him. His brows scrunched together, and he snarled, baring his teeth.

“No. He is not a friend. If he comes near you, you’re to tell him he’s not allowed to talk to you. Argonathe is dangerous.” His eyes darkened, and he squeezed my hand tight like something might try to separate us. I raised my brows, leaning away from his intense look.

“But he helped you, why wouldn’t you want me to know him?”

“I thought you weren’t afraid of the Fae?” Pepper asked, her head tilting and her grey eyes lighting up with curiosity. Does she know about Jay’s gift? I pursed my lips at her and squeezed his hand tighter.

“Argonathe only helped because it benefited him. He can’t hurt me, but he can hurt you.” Jay hissed at me, his eyes narrowing as he leaned closer, his voice going low. “I know you’re stubborn and don’t listen, but I’m telling you he’s dangerous, and he will hurt you if given a chance. Do not give him one.” He growled, his grip on my hand becoming painfully tight.

“Don’t f*ck with the Fae, got it!” I shouted, pulling my hand out of his and shaking it. His eyes widened at the red mark on my hand that quickly went away.

“Sorry. I… the Fae are dangerous, and Argonathe is powerful. He’ll think you’re a nice toy.” Jay grumbled, standing up straight, no longer towering over me.

“I’ll k*ll him if he tries.” Lilith snarled in the back of my mind.

“Whoa.” Pepper whispered.

“What was that?” Jay pointed at me, suspicion growing in his eyes.

“Nothing.” I shrugged, shaking my head at them.

“You’re eye’s flashed red.” He grumbled, his eyes shifting side to side, squinting at me. My cheeks burned and I scratched at the back of my neck.

“Oh.” F*ck.

For the rest of the evening, we moved throughout the house while Pepper collected her things. She had a sturdy canvas bag slung over her shoulder with seemingly infinite pockets. She apparently had almost everything we needed already inside, but it took a few hours to collect the rest.

Jay and I followed her as he explained some of the war to me, at least, the most recent parts. Pepper chipped in while stuffing things inside her bag. Odd crystals, herb bundles, and little jars of mystery liquid dipped out of sight as she packed for our night.

Jay rattled on about some giant monster wolf, witches trying to k*ll wolves, and the new treaty standards. I knew he was trying to limit what he said, so as not to cram my head too full at once. But it didn’t work.

My head was clogged with information, but I tried my best. Thankfully, he gave me lots of gentle reminders that it was okay to ask questions. But as night fell, my head ached as we ate dinner at their large table. Rhett and Lily had joined us, and Pepper’s packed bag sat on the ground, slumped against the sliding glass door.

“And Fae can’t lie, but they’re good at manipulating the truth so you can’t tell the difference.” Rhett waved a finger in the air and wiped his mouth with a towel. We were in the middle of a ‘Fae Etiquette Lesson’, or more like, ‘How Not to be Murdered by a Fae Lesson’. I nodded along, trying to note everything, but details were slipping.

“It takes a lot of practice. My Gran taught me from a young age, and the Fae can be tricky.” Pepper added. Jay chuckled next to me, his fork scrapping on his plate.

“I don’t think Gwen will have a problem with that.” He shot me a wide, toothy grin that made his eyes light up. Pepper and Rhett gave me a curious look.

“Old wolves smell lies.” I shrugged, wishing I had a smarter response. The room stayed silent for a few moments, before a loud slurp directed everyone’s attention.

Lily was at the end of the table, slurping noodles, making sauce go all over her face. Everyone laughed, making her blush. She scooted her empty plate across the table, and Pepper reached forward, wiping her face with a towel.

“We should get going soon.” Pepper said after she finished, staring out the sliding door. How she could tell, I couldn’t guess. The lighting only showed our reflections in the glass.

“I’ll put her to bed. Let’s go, missy.” Rhett said as he stood. Chairs scrapped across the floor, and we spread out. Pepper, Rhett, and Lily all said their goodnights. Jay and I picked up dishes, bringing them to the sink. Once we were finished, and Lily and Rhett headed upstairs, Pepper slipped on boots and slung the bag over her shoulder.

“Ready?” Pepper asked, opening the sliding door.

“I think so.” I wiggled my toes, wishing I had something better than sneakers to wander the woods in at night.

“You’ll be alright?” Jay grabbed me by the arm, giving me an intense look.

“What’s the worst that can happen, a bear attacks us?” I shrugged.

He squinted at me and grunted before his eyes lit up. He swooped in and kissed me, a simple, spilt second touch. It shouldn’t have made my head spin, but it happened so quick, I didn’t expect it.

By the time he’d pulled away I’d just started to realize what he was doing. But his lips were already gone, and he stared at me with a smug smirk. I glared at him in return, but knew my smile betrayed me.

Pepper cleared her throat, making my cheeks burn. I slid past Jay, through the sliding glass door she held open, and went out into the quiet night.