The Wolf in Sheep's Skin

Chapter 76

Jay

I plopped Gwen’s bedding onto our bed. I smiled at it, the scent of her plugging my nose. I glanced around the room, wondering if the house would smell like her if I rubbed the bedding against the wall. She’s think I’m nuts.

Gwen stopped at the bed, giving me an odd look. Her brows were knitted together, and her eyes were glazed over. Maybe she already thinks I’m nuts. Grabbing her bedding had been a bit of an extreme, but I couldn’t leave the scent-soaked fabrics behind. It’d taken a great deal of strength not to curl into her bed and insist we stay the night in her room.

“I’m going to put my stuff in your, uh, my closet.” She shrugged her shoulder that her duffle bag strap was slung over, making the duffle wiggle.

“I’m going to adjust our bedding.” I fluffed the blanket, so it draped on top of our already existing comforter. She nodded and shuffled over to her closet and closed the door behind her.

I couldn’t help but smile. Sure, she seemed unsure being here. Awkward, like she didn’t feel she truly lived here yet. I knew it had to be a strange adjustment. But she was trying, insisting on living with me, in my bed, in the house I had built and designed for us.

Trying was all I could ask for. She was here, using her closet. I smoothed out her light blue comforter, a strange color in our dark room. Her entire room was colorful, just like the bright clothes she wears. Will she want more color in our home?

I glanced around at the deary room. I hope so. I grinned and listened to her. A zipper opened and clothes rusted. After a few seconds, I realized she was changing. She must not be comfortable enough to change in front of me yet.

I was almost glad for it. That I got to see the quiet, soft shy side of her, compared to her bullheaded stubbornness, arguing with me. It was cute, her awkward blush. And waiting a while to sleep together would give us time to get to know one another

Not that waiting wasn’t difficult.

My face set into a deep frown, recalling today at Ansel’s. Missing her at my side, worrying about her, wondering what she was doing. Trying to convince myself she would be fine, besides Ansel’s warning of how upset the pack truly was. And then feeling her pain, thinking something horrible had happened to her.

I balled up my fists and rushed to her closet door. I hesitated before grabbing the handle. I let out a slow breath, knocked on the door, and leaned against the doorframe. Hurried fabric swishing came from behind the door, then footsteps. It swung open and Gwen gave me an awkward smile and pulled on the hem of her shirt.

“Sorry, I was just changing real quick…” She smiled again, and scratched the back of her neck, looking away from me.

In her own clothes, my scent was almost gone from her. Even though she’d bit me, she only carried a hint of scent. I glared at her white t-shirt and pajama shorts, regretting collecting her clothes.

“I preferred when you wore my clothes.” I blurted out, crossing my arms tighter. Her cheeks turned a pleasant pink and she stiffened.

“I-I still could?” Her brows scrunched together, and she blinked at me.

I leaned over, cupping the back of her head, and kissed her. Her lips were pillowy soft, warm, and sweet. She sucked in a little breath and tilted her head back, pressing against me. My heart raced as she ran her hands up my chest, wrapping her arms around my neck.

Soft, gentle sounds came from her, making me hold her tighter. My mark ached deep inside. I wanted more, needed more. To hear her sounds, feel her all over, her skin against mine. To taste her all over, sweet, spiced, and intoxicating.

I could smell her excitement, how much she was enjoying it. I could smell it every time we were together, when we had a slight touch or when I said something suggestive. But there was also anxiety and fear. Like now, the scent of her fear mingling with her excitement.

I pulled my lips from hers away, just enough so they separated, yet I could feel her breath. Our faces were only inches apart, her violet eyes darting back and forth. My chest heaved as I pulled her closer to me, with one arm wrapped around her back. Strong muscles flexed against me, making me shiver.

I have to stop. No s*x tonight. It’s too soon. She’s still too nervous. Her eyes flicked to my lips, and she tensed against me.

I almost pulled away, the scent of her anxiety growing. Then she kissed me. My eyes shut, warmth spreading through me as a growl escaped my throat. She was sweet, gentle, her lips brushing against mine.

She pulled away, and I flung my eyes open, nearly digging in for more of her sweet taste. But she looked up at me with such a gentle, unsure look, I stopped myself. Calm down. It’s the first time she’s kissed me since the first time. I don’t want to frighten her.

I squeezed her tighter to me, savoring being close to her. She rested her head against my chest, her arms still around my neck.

“I hated being away from you today.” I whispered, resting my chin on the top of her head. She giggled, or maybe snickered, against my chest.

“It was only a few hours.” Her tone was playful, making me smile.

“We’ve only been mated for a few days. I’d prefer to keep you to myself for a while.”

“Well, it seems like you’ve got your wish.” I could hear the frown in her voice and kicked myself mentally. Right. Her store.

“I’m sorry about your store. I know it means a great deal to you. Things will smooth over, and you’ll be back in no time.”

She sighed in response.

“In the meantime, I actually do have something that requires we leave the house. So I don’t get to keep you to myself.” I frowned, squeezing my hands into her back. She lifted her head away from my chest and gave me a questioning look. “Ansel wants us to act as Pepper and Rhett’s bodyguards at the meeting with the coven.”

“Oh, right, the meeting.” She chewed her bottom lip and stared off at something to the side of us. “He wants us to be bodyguards? Is it not safe?” She glanced up at me with a worried look.

We’ve talked about the meeting twice. Once with Pepper and Rhett, and another time just the two of us. I scowled at her.

“Yes. It’s potentially dangerous, we’ve talked about it.”

“Oh, I know, I just uh, I wasn’t really listening.” She grimaced.

“You weren’t listening? Gwen, it was an important conversation. We’re still technically at war with the witches, we just aren’t fighting right now. Ansel has been working with Pepper and the coven to create a peace treaty. They’re all getting together for them to sign it. If there are still witches against wolves, it would be the perfect opportunity for them to attack us.”

“Oh.” Her brows scrunched together, and her eyes got wide. “I didn’t realize it was so serious.”

“Ansel will be there too. The most important wolves will be there, that’s why he wants us as bodyguards.”

“What does he think we can do that they can’t? Isn’t Pepper supposed to be magic?” She frowned and shrugged.

“Pepper is our only shaman. We need to protect her. Rhett is her mate, and Ansel is the Alpha of well, everyone. If they got a hold of Ansel, they could manipulate him to control the pack. If they got a hold of Rhett, they could manipulate Pepper.”

“It doesn’t sound like a very good idea.” She pursed her lips. “Do I have to?” Her eyes flickered to my lips, and an odd, determined look came over her. I tensed, raising my brows.

“Are you thinking about kissing me to get your way?” I whispered. Her cheeks turned cherry red.

“Would it work?” She battered her lashes at me, making my heart race. I was tempted to find out.

“Are you so against joining us?” I frowned, partly from not receiving my kiss, and partly from her disinterest in the happenings of the pack.

“I don’t want to go.” She whispered, leaning away from me. “I know you deal with problems in the pack and do things with other magic creatures. I’m just not interested in doing that.” She unwrapped her arms from around my neck, and I released her as she stepped back.

She clasped her hands in front of her, looking around the room, like she couldn’t stand to look at me. Anger burned in my gut, and I scowled, the muscles in my neck tensing.

“Gwen, this is important. I’m not saying you have to go; I can’t make you. But it’s important to the pack, to our entire species. This treaty will tie witches and wolves together, create a safe world for both our kinds. It would only be one day.”

“I don’t think I’d be a very good wolf diplomat, or whatever it is.” She chewed her lip again. It was starting to look raw.

“You wouldn’t be a diplomat, all we need to do is to go, be quiet, and follow them around. We’re just there to fight if necessary.”

“Is that what it’s always going to be like? I don’t want to fight people. That isn’t the life I imagined. I always wanted children, and they wouldn’t have a very good home if we’re always gone fighting.” She pouted, staring at the floor, picking at the hem of her shirt.

An odd choking sound came from my throat, making her peek up at me.

“You want kids?” I choked out.

“You don’t?” Her violet eyes became wet, like she thought of crying.

“I do! I have, for a long time! I want kids!” My tongue fumbled over the words, making them come out too fast. She blushed, and I could feel my own face warming.

“I guess we still have a lot to talk about. But I don’t think it would be good for them if we’re both off fighting. I won’t risk them being without parents.” She narrowed her eyes ever so slightly, and I could hear her silent concern.

I’d never been able to decide what I’d do once I got a mate. If I’d quit my work in the pack and stay home. I knew I wouldn’t want to be away, that it was a risk. Yet, not performing my duties to the pack would allow problems and cause other risks to my family. Such as witches hunting and killing them.

“I agree, with all of that. But you need to know how to fight and be able to. It’s part of what I love about you and your wolf. You’re strong, there aren’t a lot of people I know that could take you in a fight.”

“I don’t like fighting, I don’t like the blood, I don’t want to k*ll people.” She scowled, her hands clenching at her sides. I stepped forward, closing the space between us. She pursed her lips as she glared up at me, like she was holding in her sharp-edged words. Putting my hand under her chin, I stroked her cheek.

“Gwen, I don’t want you to have to fight either. But I’ve made enemies over my lifetime. A lot of them, strong enemies amongst all kinds of magic folk. People who would be thrilled to hurt me, you, and our children. You’re strong, and you can protect them. But in order to do that, you need to learn about their kind, and who are our friends and enemies.”

Her face changed from anger, to terror, to determination.

“That’s why you want me to go?” She peered into my eyes, so sharp with determination, it was like I was asking her to go to war.

“Yes. Protecting Pepper, Rhett, and Ansel at the treaty signing will help protect our present and future family.”

“I’ll go.”