The Wolf in Sheep's Skin

Chapter 52

Time flew by, and I helped Quinn put on her gown. There was a fancy mirror in the room, large with lights all around it. Quinn twisted and twirled, looking at herself and fluffing her curled hair. I stood near Quinn with my hands on my hips.

Excitement and happiness exuded off Quinn as she beamed at herself. Mom and Maeve were nearby. Tears streamed down our mom’s face, as she clutched her hand to her chest and the other one covered her mouth. Her eyes were red, and she couldn’t stop sniffling.

“Oh, my babies are so grown! I can’t believe it’s happening already! You’re becoming a full fledge wolf!” She choked out the words, causing more tears. Quinn gave her an awkward smile, and Maeve rolled her eyes, grinning.

“Don’t worry mom, everything will be alright.” Maeve rubbed her back, chuckling. Our mom playfully swatted at her, sniffling harder.

“You don’t know what it’s like, watching your babies grow up. Wait till you have your own.” She glared at Maeve, who grimaced in disgust.

“It’s alright mom, I’m not ‘grown up’ yet. I’m just shifting for the first time.” Quinn offered her a soft, reassuring smile. Our mom gave her a wobbly smile and wiped her eyes.

“Are you ready? Do you have any more questions? Once we go out there it’ll happen fast, like the blink of an eye.”

“We’ve gone over things a few times already. I can’t think of anything.” Quinn frowned, squinting at the ground. The nights layout ran through my mind.

She goes out to the floor once it’s dark. We all dance, drink, party, etc. Alpha Ansel will announce its time. He’ll make some speech, welcoming her formally into the pack. Then he’ll lead her first shift outside, under the moon. Then everyone goes for a run together.

Well, not everyone. I scowled, biting my lip. F*ck. I need an excuse not to join. Or maybe people will assume I’m too submissive and can’t shift or something. I sighed, decided it was a problem for later.

I bounced on my heels, trying to rid myself of nervous energy. Everything will be fine. It’s all going to go smooth. My stomach twisted at the unknown. Stop acting like a wuss. Quinn is the one shifting for the first time. All I have to do is make sure Olivia doesn’t ruin things.

“What do I do if my mate is here tonight?” She rubbed her fingers along her thumb, and staring at the ground, her eyes swirling with anxiety. “What if they don’t like me?”

“Oh, honey!” Mom gasped and rushed forward. She cupped Quinn’s cheeks, making her look up at her. “Your mate will love you. Selene will match you with the perfect soul to be your mate. It’s fate.” She rubbed Quinns shoulders, giving her a reassuring smile. Right. Fate. I snorted at the idea.

Quinn scowled, pursing her lips, looking past her. My stomach twisted in knots at the idea, and my blood boiled.

“If you have problems with your mate, and they don’t treat you right, tell me. I’ll kick their *ss for you.” I tilted my chin up, straightening my back. Anger flared in my chest, as if I needed to run out and keep my promise right then.

“Gwendolyn!” Our mom swiveled to me, her eyes wide with shock. Quinn’s face lit up and she giggled, but I froze, knowing our mom had to be thinking of Bridget.

Maeve snorted and grinned at me. “Remember the man who kept harassing me when we were teens? And you threw him against the hood of his car? I still remember his face all puffy and red, crying while you hit him.” Maeve chuckled and shook her head.

My blood ran cold as Quinn and mom watched her with blank, shocked stares.

“You don’t f*ck with the O’Neill’s, right? I remember you telling him that.” We locked eyes and hers lit up, beaming.

“You were nine and he was thirty.” I whispered, my mouth cottony. I could remember that moment like it just happened. He’d been wheezing, barely able to breathe afterwards. I’d shattered his cheekbones in a blackout rage. His disgusting, vile comments echoed in my mind. We’d moved that night, packing things as soon as I’d gone home to tell our dad.

He’d looked terrified, yet proud.

I guess my wolf is good for some things. I scowled, shaking myself of the thought.

“Well, at least I know you’ll keep your word.” Quinn looked at me with awe, giving me a smug smile. My cheeks warmed, and I did an odd little nod of acknowledgement and went to a sink, pouring myself a glass of water.

“That won’t be necessary. Your mate will be respectful and love you. Now, if they are here, which is highly unlikely, just be yourself. Say hello, be friendly. There’s no need to rush things.” Mom smiled, nodding to Quinn. She huffed, flopping her dress at her side.

“But what if I don’t know that they’re my mate? Or if I meet them first, mess up, and then find out they’re my mate?”

“You’ll know. I knew as soon as I met your father. Erik knew as soon as he met Bridget. Everyone in the family always knows. Your wolf will tell you.” She shrugged, and I smiled to myself.

That’s right. Your wolf tells you. I nodded to myself before taking a drink of my water.

“But, if you’re wolf doesn’t tell you, there’s other ways to know. There’s this… energy between the two of you. A connection, something drawing you to them. You can almost feel it, taste it in the air. It’s very powerful and hard to miss. Most wolves don’t think about if they’re mates, they’re just drawn to each other, and viola, end up together.” Mom threw up her hands with a big grin.

I froze, inhaling my water. It went into my lungs, and I coughed hard, water spewing out my nose. My chest heaved as I struggled to breathe, expelling more water.

“Gwen!” Maeve shouted and everyone turned to me. My face burned as I coughed more, my thoughts racing.

I sucked in a deep breath, my ankle burning where Jay had touched it. I could feel it as if he was here, gripping me to the earth. The crackling energy, my heart pounding, the world swirling around his touch.

My heart pounded against my rib cage and my eyes were wide. I gripped the glass so hard it should’ve shattered.

No. Absolutely not! That’s not it. It was just the moment, from the panic. I shivered, willing the burning sensation on my ankle to go away.

“Gwen, are you alright?” Maeve whispered near me. I swiveled to face her and let out an awkward laugh.

“Yep! I’m fine! Water just went down the wrong pipe, that’s all.” I held up the glass, laughing nervously again.

They all watched with bewilderment. Their eyes burned into my skin as my thoughts raced. Water soaked through my t-shirt and bra, running down my belly.

“I’m uh, going to get cleaned up and change.” I glanced at Maeve who was squinting at me. “I’ll meet you back here.”

I scurried away before anyone could argue, grabbing my garment bag. I hurried into an adjacent room, shutting it behind me, my heart still pounding.

That’s not it. We’re not mates. He’s just hot, that’s all. His smug grin from that morning when he’d woken up popped into my mind. My cheeks burned and I shook my head, scowling. Stop that! I shouldn’t be thinking about him like that!

I growled and tossed the garment bag over a chair nearby and stripped.

We’re definitely not mates. My wolf wouldn’t have stayed silent. She likes chaos too much; she would’ve told me.

Unless keeping it from me is the chaos?

My blood ran cold, and my heart squeezed. No. That’s not it either.

I huffed and zipped open the garment bag. Stuffed in the bottom was a little bag full of hair supplies. I grabbed it out and hurried to the bathroom nearby.

I worked my hair, forming it into a half up do. I pinned it in place, making sure I kept enough long hair down to hide my scar from peeping out the top of my dress.

It was just the extreme emotions of the day. Nothing serious. I kept reassuring myself, my stomach slithering into knots. My hands shook as I worked my hair, and I let out a deep sigh.

Just get through tonight. One day at a time. Don’t freak out. I shook my hands and checked my hair a final time. It wasn’t in my face or frizzy, so I nodded to myself and left for the bathroom.

It’s not like people will be paying attention to me anyway. I grabbed my gown out of the garment bag and glared at it.

Quinn had picked it for me last night, and Maeve had agreed with her. It was a deep royal blue silk slip dress, the opposite of everything I wore. A plunging front that showed off too much cleavage and an unfortunate slit in the side that Maeve seemed awfully excited about.

I grumbled while putting it on. It’s only one night. No one will notice me anyway. Just a silent submissive hugging the walls.

I put on my matching heels, and stomped back into the room with Quinn, Maeve, and our mom. They turned to me, and Quinn clapped, bouncing on her heels with a massive grin.

“See! Isn’t this fun! We’re all dressed up!” She motioned to all of us. Maeve and our mom were dressed in equally fancy gowns, yet all us were in something completely different.

I forced myself to smile, grinning at Quinn. It was her day, and I couldn’t let myself ruin her good mood. We talked a bit longer, but my thoughts were distracted. I’d made enough gowns like the one I had on to know what it would look like without needing a mirror.

These things show off everything. I might as well wear a silk nightgown. I scowled and tensed. What if my scar is visible? The light could highlight the fabric, the way it clings to me-

“Ready?” Maeve held her arm out for me to take. Is it time already? Quinn and our mom were talking together, running over how things would go tonight one last time. The clock indicated it was almost time for people to start arriving. Meaning Maeve and I had to go out and make the sure the area was ready and greet people.

It’s too late to change now. Not that I have another dress.

“Ready.” I grabbed Maeve’s extended arm, walking linked together.

“We’ll meet you out there. You’ll do great, Quinn.” I waved at her, and she gave me a big beaming smile.