The Wolf in Sheep's Skin

Chapter 38

Memories of last night played through my mind. Of what Bridget had said. She doesn’t give a cr*p about our family. Wishing the store would burn down, thinking she’s better than us.

A growl left my throat. Lilith struggled, and I shoved her down. My stomach ached deep inside.

None of this would’ve happened if she’d kept her mouth shut. Olivia wouldn’t have talked to me. I wouldn’t have talked to Bridget.

And I wouldn’t have lost control. Wouldn’t have wandered the woods.

My heart ached and I thought of Jay’s hurt expression. My heart pounded in my chest. It was deafening in my ears, blocking the sound of everything around me.

We treated her like family, like one of our own. And she spat in our faces. My muscles shook from tensing so hard. That won’t happen again. I won’t let her jeopardize us.

I stormed up to the house and listened. The house was free of kids. Mom, dad, Bridget, and Erik were inside.

The back door swung open, slamming against the wall. My mom stood in the doorway.

“Gwen! Oh, you’re alright! I was so worried!” She hurried towards me.

“Where’s Bridget?” My voice was gravelly. She froze, and her mouth opened and closed.

“In the dining room. Why don’t you put some clothes on, dear?”

I walked past her and went inside. She hurried behind me.

“Why is everyone so worried about her? She tried to attack me; she should be punished!” Bridget was loud and whiny, complaining to someone in the dining room. I stalked through the laundry room towards her.

She’s still going on like that? Has no remorse? My skin crawled and itched, and I craved to shift.

“Bridget! Don’t talk like that!” Erik said in a hushed voice. I couldn’t see him, but I could hear the fear in his voice.

“Don’t tell me what to do! You should’ve protected me last night!”

I rounded a corner and saw her pouty face. She was sitting at the dining table next to Erik. His face was pale, watching me. She jumped up from her chair and snarled at me.

“There you are! I’ve been waiting all morning, who do you think you are?” Bridget curled her lips in disgust, looking me up and down. “Apologize!” Her voice boomed as she said the command. My muscles tensed, and it took all my willpower not to pounce on her.

She thinks she’s above me? Can command me?

She won’t make that mistake again.

“Shut up and sit down!” I shouted. She froze, and her eyes became wide as saucers. Her mouth snapped shut, and she dropped into the chair behind her.

I stalked up to her, standing right in front of her. My hands shook at my sides.

“Gwen, please-“ Erik started, but I growled and he looked away, staring at the floor.

I turned my attention back to Bridget. She looked me up and down, with wide, fearful eyes. I stood up straight and huffed out my nose. The muscles in my back tensed and I ground my teeth together.

“Threatening the shop is unacceptable.” I growled, and she flinched. “I am ordering you to stop.”

“I didn’t-”

“No excuses!” I shouted, and she flinched. I leaned in and our eyes locked. “If I so much as get a hint that you’re trying to harm the shop, or anyone in this house, I will kick you out.” I growled. Her face twisted in anger.

“Your dad won’t let you!” She shouted, snarling at me. I laughed, my chest rumbling. Erik winced, leaning away from me.

“You think he’s going to stop me?” I leaned in, my face inches from hers. “This is my house. I paid for it. The food, the furniture, everyone’s clothes, everything. All from the shop that you wished would burn.”

She raised her eyes to meet mine. They were filled with horror. Her fear was palpable; I could taste it in the air. Rotten, sickening. I stood up and clenched my fists at my sides.

Everything in me wanted to grab her by the hair and drag her outside. She opened her mouth; I growled, and she snapped it shut.

“You’re not to speak to me until I say you can.” I growled. “You can nod or shake your head. Understand?”

She nodded yes.

“I don’t know what’s gotten into you lately. Maybe Olivia has been whispering sick lies into your ears, filling your head.” I glared at her, looking her over. She cowered beneath me, and I reveled in it. I could smell her fear, combined with Erik and my parents. “But I don’t care. That’s no excuse to go against the family.”

She stared at the floor, shaking. I leaned in closer, whispering.

“I’m going to do you a favor and assume you didn’t know that the shop has been paying for the roof over your head. Because you’re my brother’s mate, and I refuse to hurt him. But if I get even a feeling that you’re going against the family again, I’ll make sure you regret it. Understand?”

She nodded yes and kept her eyes on the ground. Her brows were scrunched together, and her face was red. The scent of her rage permeated the air.

“Good. Now, if anyone asks about the shop, you’re to say something nice. You can tell people how lovely my dresses are. Or about all the free gowns I made for your sister’s ceremonies. Or maybe you can show off pictures from your mating ceremony. You know, the ones where you’re wearing the dress I made you? Or did you forget about that?” I hissed. I stood, keeping my eyes on her. “Do I make myself clear?”

She nodded yes. I could hear her teeth grinding in her mouth. Her face was red, like she was biting her tongue, wanting to spit more hatred at me.

“I can see you’re angry. Probably ready to go run to Olivia to tell her everything. Cause for some reason, you seem to think she’s worthy of being a friend. So, since you seem fond of commanding people now, how about this.”

I leaned in and stared her down.

“I forbid you from telling anyone about this. You may not speak about last night to anyone. You may not speak about me commanding you to anyone. If you think what your about to say to someone will upset me, you may not say it.” I annunciated every word perfectly, making sure my command couldn’t be misconstrued or manipulated. “And by ‘speak’, I mean any form of communication. No funny business. Or the next time we talk, you’ll think this conversation was pleasant.”

I looked her in the eyes, making sure she understood. Rage burned in her eyes, and her lips pressed together. Her hands were clasped together in her lap, shaking, her knuckles white, like she thought of clawing at me.

Let her be angry. She tried to destroy our entire family’s reputation and livelihood.

I looked around at everyone. Erik was staring at the floor with his head turned away from me. My parents were in the doorway of the kitchen watching me.

Their eyes were wide with fear. Their faces pale. Snakes slithered and twisted in my stomach. My heart raced, and I glared down at Bridget.

F*cking c*nt. Making me do this. Everything would’ve been fine if she’d kept her mouth shut.

I went upstairs into the bathroom and slammed the door. After turning the on the shower, I let the water heat up while I stared at myself in the mirror.

My blood boiled, coursing through me. Bridget, Erik, and my parents argued downstairs, but I squeezed my eyes closed, pushing them out of my mind. They can argue all they want. Bridget needs to stop messing with the family.

But yelling at her and commanding her left a foul taste in my mouth. No matter how necessary it was.

My heart sank, and I sighed. I stared at my tear-stricken face in the mirror.

Leaves and twigs stuck out of my hair, and my cheeks were red and blotchy. My eyes were puffy, like I’d been crying all night.

Did I kiss him like that? I grimaced and wrapped my arms around my waist, and my heart ached like I’d stuck a knife in it.

His pained look was stuck in my mind. Watching me with horror as I’d broken away from his lips. The scent of his pain burned in my nose, making me wince.

Even after I broke away, he’d respected me. Closed his eyes. Told me how to get home.

I could still see him, his calming eyes talking me down. Gentle. Kind. Caring. My ankle ached, deep inside where his hand had been. I traced my lips in the mirror.

They tingled, making me shiver. I could almost taste the orange on his lips. How sweet they’d been.

I sucked in a sigh and thought of him at the last pack party. In the bathroom, when he’d told me his secret. He didn’t have to do that. He could’ve been spiteful, told everyone about me being dominant. He did it to be kind.

I balled up my hand, dropping it to my side, and growled at myself.

Stop that! Thinking of him won’t help! You can’t have him!

Not if he brings Lilith out.

I grabbed twigs from my hair, yanking them out. I ignored the sharp pain of pulling my own hair out and stepped into the shower. Hot, scorching water went over me. Tears welled in my eyes and chewed on my quivering bottom lip.

Just go to work. Get through the day.