The Wolf in Sheep's Skin

Chapter 75

We crept up the stairs towards my room. I gripped the railing tight, glancing at Jay who was next to me.

“You really don’t have to help; it’ll only take a few minutes.”

“Do you not want to join you?” He raised a brow at me. My cheeks flushed as I pictured my haphazard room.

“I don’t mind… but I’m warning you, my room is a mess. I was focused on Quinn’s gown. And it’s hard to keep everything neat when all your possessions live in one room. I don’t have much storage space, and I’ve been busy.” I continued to ramble until I glanced at Jay again.

He was watching me with a warm smile. His eyes crinkled at the sides, their deep green color beaming at me. My words caught in my throat, and I couldn’t remember if anyone had ever looked at me like that. Like they were basking in my presence.

I tried to think of something to say, but words escaped me. I went down the hall with Jay close behind, his warmth radiating into me.

My door creaked as I opened it, and I flicked on the light. My room was thrashed. Sewing bits and bobs were strewn everywhere, with fabric strips laying across my bed. The laundry basket was overflowing with dirty clothes.

I shuffled into the room, wishing I had a few moments to pick up before he’d come in. I grabbed a duffle bag from under my bed and flapped it in the air, dusting it off.

“I’ll be quick, I just need some clothes and the basics.”

“Don’t rush. I like your room.” He stood in the middle of the room, his eyes glazed over. I squinted at him while rushing to open the bag. “It smells good.” He wobbled a little like he was drunk.

My cheeks blushed and I worked faster. I slid open my closet, cringing at the disarray. Clothes stuck out, trying to escape. I expected Jay to chuckle or make a comment about it. It’s not like I have a bunch of hidden cabinets everywhere.

I shoved a few shirts, pants, dresses, and other basic clothing items in the bag. After I’d collected about a week’s worth of outfits, I turned around. Jay was bent over by my laundry basket. He grabbed fist full’s of my dirty laundry and shoved them in the basket.

I cringed, gripping the duffle bag tight.

“Those are dirty!”

“I know.” He tossed the final garment in the overstuffed basket.

“I’ll wash them when I come back, and then I’ll take them.” I plopped the duffle bag on my messy bed. More clothes were tossed across it, clean dresses I had considered wearing to Quinn’s ceremony. He chuckled and furrowed his brows, tilting his head at me.

“You’re embarrassed about me seeing your dirty laundry? We’re mates. Besides, I have a washer and dryer.” He shrugged and grabbed the basket, setting it by the door. “Since they’re dirty, I’m guessing you like wearing these?” He motioned to the basket.

“Oh. That’s genius.” I nodded and went to my dresser. It was small and had held items that weren’t as suitable to store in my overstuffed closet. On top were personal hygiene items, such as my hair care products.

I grabbed essentials, loading them into my arms. Jay’s footsteps went around the room. I knew he was looking around, analyzing my living space. I moved faster in case he didn’t like what he saw.

Jay chuckled, a dark, mischievous sound. I tensed, goosebumps raising on the back of my neck. Oh no. What did he find?

I turned with my arms loaded full of my things and froze. Jay’s hand was out, a pink ribbon twirling in the air between his two fingers. His eyes were locked on me, hints of copper peeping through.

My stomach twisted, doing little swirls. His gaze was intense, peering into my soul. The corners of his lips were curled up.

“I thought you said you threw these away?” He held up the note in his other hand.

“I threw away the empty box.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. His brows raised and he flashed me a toothy grin. It was dark and threatening.

“Hiding a lie with a truth? How very naughty of you.” He whispered, just low enough to where I barely heard him. My insides melted. I couldn’t take my eyes off him, heat burning in my core.

“You’re not mad?” I whispered.

“Mad? That my mate is cunning enough to be able to hide lies? Maybe a little. But I’m more impressed than anything. Means you’ll be able to handle the Fae and other creatures.” He tucked both items into his jean pockets and narrowed his eyes at me. “But if you do it again, I’ll be mad. No lies.”

His voice rumbled, and I clutched my things closer ot my chest. I stood there, frozen under his gaze, unable to move. He watched me, like I was prey he was deciding on pouncing on. Finally, he turned away, facing my nightstand.

I let out a sigh, not realizing I’d been holding my breath. I plopped my things into my duffle bag, my insides still rattled.

A drawer opened and I shot my head up. Jay was stooped over, riffling through my nightstand.

“What’re you doing?” I snapped, my voice straining from going too high pitch.

“Searching for other goodies.” Paper and random stuff rustled around as he dug through the drawer.

“You’re not going to find anything in there!”

“I already found two things.”

“Well, those are the only two things I was hiding.” I crossed my arms, sticking my chin. “What makes you think you can go through my things?”

He stood up, a big grin spread across his face. “You went through my things.”

“I didn’t search your drawers!” I hissed, trying to keep my voice low.

“You can if you’d like.” His smile grew, and that playful twinkle in his eyes returned. My insides turned to goo, and I flapped my mouth open and closed. He pointed to the open drawer. “You don’t have any… personal items you’d like to bring?” He raised a brow and titled his head.

It took me an embarrassingly long time to get his hint. My whole face burned, from the tips of my ears to my chest. I curled my toes against the hard wood floor and violently shook my head.

“No! I definitely don’t have anything like that!” I clenched my hands at my side, all too aware of my parents walking around downstairs.

“Oh?” He blinked at me, his face twisting in surprise. “That isn’t another lie, is it?”

“It’s not a lie! I don’t have anything else hidden in my room.”

He frowned and grunted, closing my nightstand drawer. He pursed his lips, looking around the room. “Have you got everything?”

“Almost.” I stared at the bag, shuffling my feet. I only needed a few things from the dresser behind me. But with Jay watching me, I was stuck in place.

He’s my mate. It’s fine. He picked up my dirty laundry, seen me n*ked. Who cares if he sees my underwear? I tried talking myself into it, but I remained frozen. It seemed like grabbing my underwear in front of him was a declaration, especially after how he’d acted seeing the ribbon and note.

Do it. Get it over with. I let out a shaky breath, turned, and pulled up the drawer. I grabbed a fist full of my underwear, and a few bras. He was silent as I shoved them in my bag, but I could feel his eyes burning into my skin. Or maybe it was my imagination.

I swiftly zipped up the duffle bag and slung it over my shoulder.

“Ready.” We made brief eye contact, before he turned his attention to my dresser. His eyes had more copper than green now. He grunted and eyed my bed.

I froze, unsure of what he had planned. He better not expect anything while we’re in the house with my family! I prepared myself to turn him down, but I didn’t need to.

He plucked the blanket off my bed, along with my pillows. The dresses that had been laid out on the bed fluttered to the mattress. His arms were full of my bedding, and he had to lift his chin up to see due to the blanket in his arms.

“What’re you doing?”

“I’m taking these.” He shuffled for the door.

“I don’t need those; I’ll share your bedding.”

He stood in the doorway, facing me. “Who says they’re for you? I’m sleeping with them. You’ll have to grab your laundry basket.” He motioned to it with his foot.