The Wolf in Sheep's Skin

Chapter 63

Warmth enveloped me, seeping into my bones. My eyes fluttered open, my vision blurry. I snuggled into my pillow, comforting scents surrounding me.

An arm pulled me tighter, and my vision cleared. Beyond Jay’s couches was a wall of glass looking out to the lush pines in the forest. Warm, gentle breath tickled the back of my neck, raising goosebumps on my skin.

Oh f*ck. Right. I’m here, in his house, in his bed. He’s naked. All my muscles tensed. Do I get up? Make breakfast? I pursed my lips and squeezed my eyes shut. I’m not ready. I’ll have to go to Alpha Ansel if I get up. See my family. Talk to Jay about his new mark.

I tried to will myself back to sleep, away from the world.

“Good morning.” Jay’s sleep laden voice whispered into my ear. I couldn’t help the wave of heat that flushed through me.

I squeezed my eyes shut tighter and stayed perfectly still. He’s naked. Against me. What will he think? Will he expect something? My stomach clenched; my heart pounded.

“Pretending to be asleep?” Jay chuckled, his chest rumbling against my back.

“Touch him, you fool!” Lilith was chomping at the bit. “We’re mates!”

You’re not helping! I know that! But knowing we were mates, bonded mates, didn’t soothe my nerves.

“Your heart is racing fast for someone asleep. Unless you’re having a nightmare? I suppose I’ll have to wake you up then.” He planted a kiss below my ear; my shoulder instinctively raised, bumping his head.

“That tickles!”

He laughed and my face warmed.

“Well, good morning.” He planted a kiss on my shoulder, electricity dancing across my skin.

“Good morning.” I mumbled, wishing I had a blanket to hide under.

“You’re shy?” He hmmed, rubbing his thumb on tummy where his hand lay sending little shocks through me. I couldn’t force words out of my mouth. All I could think about was his body pressed against mine. Nude.“A lot’s happened. It’s all a bit… surprising. I’m just happy you slept in the bed.”

“You’re not upset?” I snapped my mouth shut and scowled, not intending for the words to escape my mouth.

“Upset? I’m thrilled. More than thrilled, f*ck I’m on cloud nine. Best morning of my life.” He nuzzled his head into the crook of my neck. “Is that what you thought about last night? Whether I’d be upset?”

“I didn’t exactly give you a choice in being bitten.”

“If I changed anything, it would only be that it happened sooner.” He pressed his nose to my neck, sucking in a deep breath and groaned. My stomach fluttered and I chewed my bottom lip. “How did we get in here? I passed out in the woods, didn’t I?”

My face burned, and I knew it had to be bright red. I don’t want any lies between us. Not that I could lie. He’d smell it.

I twisted around, so I could face him, tucking my arms against my chest. He raised a brow at me, curious green eyes locking onto mine.

“I carried you in my mouth.”

“What?” He blinked at me, then cracked a wide grin and burst out laughing. “As a wolf?”

“I thought you’d be freaked out.” I mumbled, scowling at him.

“Freaked out? I’m impressed!”

“You don’t find her scary? At all?” I frowned at him. He beamed at me, his fingertips trailing up and down my back. I tensed, too aware of my scar.

“No. Maybe? Your wolf is daunting but impressive.” He shrugged. Impressive? If anyone else would’ve called her that, I would’ve called them a liar. But Jay seemed so genuine, he couldn’t possibly be lying. “How did you get me in the bed? Did you drag me?”

“I carried you over my shoulder like a sack of potatoes.”

Copper flecks shimmered in his eyes, and my body tensed. “I’d like you to do that while I’m awake.”

I clenched my jaw, thinking of the way his hands had slapped my *ss the whole way through his house. I almost blurted out ‘no’, but his look was so intense, I couldn’t crush him.

“Another time.” I mumbled. He hmmed; his neck flexing as he looked around the room. His mark was covered in crust dried blood.

“Does it hurt?” I pointed at his mark, not daring to touch it.

“No. Well, a little bit. The pain is worth it.” He grinned, his face lighting up.

“It doesn’t look healed.”

“It’ll take a few days.” He sat up, leaving me cold without his touch.

He was glorious, finely toned muscles flexing as he arched his back in a stretch. I craved to lick his skin.

“Do it!” Lilith shrieked. Stop that! I will when I’m ready!

My hand reached out before I could think, and I traced one his back dimples. He swiveled to me, our eyes locking. He let out a rumble that made my insides clench, and flashed me a wide grin. I froze like prey waiting for a predator to pounce.

“I’m going to take a gander at my lovely new mark.” He slid off the bed, sauntering to the bathroom. I sat up, unable to peel my eyes off his *ss. “Your footprints are cute.” He chuckled, pointing to my muddy footprints as he headed to the bathroom.

“I’m sorry, I should’ve mopped them.” I scrambled off the bed, following him towards the bathroom.

“No, it’s cute. You took a little tour last night after putting me to bed?” He opened the bathroom door and went inside.

“I was muddy.” I hesitated in the doorway, wrapping my arms around myself as I leaned on the frame. He went straight to the little door, revealing his hidden toiletries. How many little hidden cubbies does he have? Plucking out a few fluffy white hand towels, he stopped at the sink.

“You found your closet then?”

“My what?”

“Your closet? There were footprints too it.” He craned his neck, wiping blood off his neck with a wet towel.

“Oh. It’s mine? You… you built me a closet?” A dry, airy laugh escaped me. “What, did I slap you and you came home and emptied it for me?”

He paused; the now bloody towel still pressed to his neck. “It was always yours. My mates, I mean. I look forward to it having your clothes in it.” He paused, a hint of pink touching his cheeks. “If you want that, of course.”

I sucked in a breath, my heart hammering in my chest. Is he asking me to move in?

“I found a spare toothbrush and used to it last night. I put it in the cup.” I pointed to the bathroom mirror/medicine cabinet.

“Good.” He rumbled, his eyes scanning me up and down while rubbing his neck with the towel. It was already covered in rehydrated blood.

“Here.” I whispered, grabbing another towel. His eyes burned into my skin as I rinsed it and squeezed out the excess water. My face was bright red in the mirror, his eyes copper.

He stayed still while I finished cleaning his mark. I grimaced as I removed more dried blood, wishing I had done it last night. It clung to his skin, and the skin around his mark was red and warm, like it was inflamed.

The mark was even worse, each little hole where my had sunk it deep red, barely healed. Even with the gentlest touch, I knew it had to hurt.

He didn’t complain. His eyes bore into me, like he could peer into my soul. He flinched when I put my hand on his chest so I could get closer, his body shaking under my touch. I wiped of the muddy hand print from his chest, frowning at myself for not cleaning that last night too.

“There. All clean.” I leaned away, taking my hand off him. He glanced down at it, and I stiffened, wondering if he was going to grab it. Instead, he inspected his new mark in the mirror.

“It’s deep. I’ll wear it with pride.” He flashed me a grin.

“You don’t have a choice.” I said too quickly. He raised a brow at me, and I darted my eyes away, staring at the tub across the bathroom. “I mean, it’s high on your neck. You couldn’t hide it if you wore a turtleneck.” I fumbled with my hands, plopping the bloody towel on the counter.

“I wouldn’t dare hide it.” He stepped closer, and tugged on the hem on my, no, his shirt. “I like you in my clothes. You look good… and you smell like me.” he leaned in, scenting me.

I scowled at him, opening my mouth to make some kind of quip. But his eyes narrowed, and I snapped my mouth shut.

“Are you done yet?” I need to see Alpha Ansel and explain myself.

“No. I’ll never be done. I’ll be d*mned if I’m going to stand around and not compliment my mate. You should prepare yourself to hear all kinds of lovely things about yourself.” He scowled at me, a mischievous smile crossing his face. “I know that’s challenging for you.”

“Those weren’t compliments!” I scoffed, recalling his previous lovely remarks. “Those were… suggestive comments.” I glared at him, trying to stifle a smile. I failed, the corners of my lips tugging upwards.

“You’re my mate, so you can expect more of those too.”