The Wolf in Sheep's Skin

Chapter 23

A week passed by, and the newest pack event was tonight. I wandered the pack house, adjusting my dress. My dress was peplum style, in cherry blossom pink. It was structured with durable fabric and was made for business wear. I might as well be carrying a matching clutch to hand out business cards!

I scowled at myself and huddled against the wall. Maeve had decided that we needed to show off the different types of dresses I could make. I’m like a walking advertisement. And a bad one.

Everyone else was wearing fashionable, stylish gowns, while I wore business casual. I glared at Maeve, who was in a tight, black, backless body-con dress. She had her hand on a man’s shoulders, laughing with a huge smile, grabbing the attention of everyone around her.

If anyone is going to get customers in the shop, it’s her. She was the epitome of s*xy, and passing women clutched onto their men like she’d steal them away.

I snorted and looked away. Everyone here gets to wear a cute dress, and I’m stuck in this thing, looking like I’m about to sign a business deal! But the thought of wearing Maeve’s dress made my blood run cold, and I adjusted my hair, making sure my scar wasn’t peeking out.

We’d decided to split up, talking to people in the pack. We agreed tonight should feel natural, like we were just trying to fit in with our new pack.

Not like we were trying to advertise the store.

So, I’d flitted around the room, being friendly, smiling at people, pretending to be my usual submissive self. I hadn’t mentioned the store once, making sure I didn’t come off as pushing it on people.

I leaned against the counter, I strained my ears, listening to the voices in nearby rooms. Where is he? I listened for Jay’s voice, but I hadn’t heard him the entire night. I froze, sucking in a breath.

What am I doing? Why am I listening for him? I shook my head and scowled. Where is Eleanor? That’s what I meant. I listener for her but couldn’t make out her familiar voice.

She said she’d be here by now. What if something happened to her? Knots formed in my stomach, and I glanced around, looking for someone I could ask.

Time went on through the night, and I went room to room, listening, keeping my head down. Pretending to be a good submissive wolf. People glanced over me, like I was invisible. Good. Maybe they’ll forget about me slapping Jay, and things can be normal.

I smiled to myself and leaned against a counter. I’d returned to the main entry room, where all the food was at. People were around, chatting and eating, boosting about their perfect lives.

Clatter came from the room nearby, and people all turned to look at where the sound came from. Women gasped and people clustered at the doorway that led to where the excitement was happening.

People parted, and Eleanor stepped into the room. She paused and posed, showing off the purple dress. The wisteria-purple gown was even more spectacular now that she’d styled it.

The gemstones on the bodice shined in the light, drawing your eye to her exposed cleavage. The gown fit perfectly, snuggly against her curves, showing off her hips and *ss. She’d had me make custom make silk gloves in matching fabric that made her arms and hands look long and elegant. Eleanor had done her hair in short, tight curls.

But most eye catching was her radiant confidence.

She posed, tilting up her head, and everyone in the room stared at her. Women whispered to themselves, talking about the gown. She glanced at me, and I gave her a wide, toothy grin. Maybe people will come buy dresses now?

Women flocked to her, talking, asking questions. She acted perfectly natural, telling them about the shop. Maeve caught my eye, smiling at me.

It’s working! I wanted to jump up and down, to squeal with excitement. Some of the women glanced at me as Eleanor talked to them about the shop. I kept my head down low, acting like I wasn’t paying attention.

Alpha Ansel, Beta Liam, Olivia, and the redhead woman came into the room from downstairs. The red head, who I’d come to learn was Ansel’s mate, making her Luna, walked to Eleanor. The women separated, making room for her.

“My, my, my, Eleanor! You’ve outdone yourself!” Luna Genevieve said, shaking her head in awe. “Spin for me, show that piece of art off!”

Eleanor did as she was told, and Luna Genevieve gasped when she saw it was backless. Luna Genevieve stuck out her hands, and Eleanor took them.

“Ugh, real silk too! This is divine!”

“Thank you, Genevieve! I can’t imagine getting a better compliment!” Eleanor did a little bow and glanced at me, grinning.

“Are you keeping secrets from me, dear? Is this from some new line I haven’t seen? Have you gone to Paris recently, is there some new fashion designer I don’t know about?” Luna Genevieve asked, making Eleanor laugh.

I could’ve passed out. She thinks that dress is couture?

Luna Genevieve was dressed in the height of fashion, a dress I’d seen in a recent Vogue magazine. It was deep red, long and elegant, and far beyond what anyone else was wearing. That dress has to cost at least fifteen grand and forget about the jewelry!

“Always! But I haven’t left. I got this from one of the new pack members.” Eleanor smiled at me and waved me over. Luna Genevieve turned and looked at me and I could’ve melted on the spot.

Somehow, my legs moved towards them. They felt wobbly, like I was some weak baby horse walking for the first time. Everyone’s eyes were on me, and I squeezed my hands tight so I wouldn’t adjust my dress or hair.

I stopped in front of Luna Genevieve, and she looked me up and down. Why do I have to be wearing this awful, hideous dress!

“Genevieve, my old friend, this is Gwen O’Neill.” Eleanor said, motioning to me. She gave me a smile, but I was too frozen to return it. She’s friends with the Luna? She could’ve warned me!

“You made this?” Luna Genevieve asked, staring at Eleanors’ gown.

“Yes, Luna.” I squeaked out.

“It’s exquisite. You designed it yourself?”

“Yes, Luna.”

“The bead work is excellent. The stitching, the flow, all of it. You made this in the little shop on Main Street?”

“Yes, Luna.” I nodded. I tried to offer more information, but my tongue felt swollen and my heart pounded against my ribcage.

“If you were to make me a gown to make me even more beautiful, what would it be? And please don’t say green, it’s so overdone.” Luna Genevieve asked, tilting her neck back, and adjusted her fiery red hair. I raised my gaze and took a good, long look at her.

She had a long, elegant neck and defined collarbone, with slender long arms and fingers to match. Her eyes were dark green, almost black, and they had mischief to them. Her lips were almost as red as her hair, and she had prominent cheekbones.

Oddly, her mark wasn’t on her neck or her shoulders, suggesting it was some other rarer place. Her eyes looked around at people like she could squash me like an ant, and she’d enjoy it. But her eyes suggested that she could somehow make me enjoy it, too.

“The only thing I could think of to suggest would be for you to be naked.” I blurted out. Why did I say that? I could’ve worded it better!

Luna Genevieve's eyes got wide, and she froze. The only sound in the room were people’s breathing and heartbeats.

A wide, mischievous grin broke out on her face.

“I’ve asked hundreds of designers that question, but that’s my favorite by far.” She leaned closer to me, and her eyes scanned over my face. I stared at the floor, trying to calm my racing heart. She didn’t take offense! I’m alright! “You’re the wolf who slapped Jay.” She whispered.

“Yes, Luna.” I stared at the floor.

“Call me Genevieve. I think you and I are going to be friends. Or perhaps you and my wallet are going to be friends.” She flashed me a grin and laughed.

My mouth hung open lamely while I searched my brain for something to say.

“Your store is open tomorrow?”

“Yes, Lu-Genevieve.” I corrected myself.

“Do you have an available appointment tomorrow?”

“Yes, we open at 10, you can come in anytime you want!” F*ck, I’ll go grab my measuring tape now!

“I’ll be there at 10 then. Now, I must go talk to my mate. It’s been a pleasure meeting you, Gwen.” She did a little bow to me.

“Thank you! It’s been a pleasure meeting you too!” I stumbled over my words and my cheeks turned red. Eleanor smiled at me and patted my shoulder.

Women crowded around me, shouting, asking for appointments. They were close, suffocating, grabbing at me like ravenous animals.

“Enough!” Eleanor shouted, and the women froze. “Give us some space!”

The women backed up, glaring at one another.

“Gwen is a very busy woman; if you want an appointment, you can call her store tomorrow. Let her enjoy the rest of her night.” Eleanor’s voice boomed over the crowd. What? No, I’ll take appointments now!

I glanced at Eleanor, but she nodded, put her hand on the small of my back, and led me through the group of women. Maeve was nearby, watching me with her mouth open.

I met Eleanor’s eyes, and she gave me a sly smile. Did she plan that when I asked her for help? I bit my tongue, stopping myself from asking out loud.

It doesn’t matter. It worked. People will flock to the store now.

The next few hours of the party went well. Maeve and I celebrated and discussed starting a website so people could sign up for appointments online. Women kept coming up to us, complimenting us, or trying to act like we were old friends with them. We stayed polite, but found a quiet room, away from the crowd, where people stopped coming and interrupting us.

“How many people do you think will call tomorrow?” I can’t believe that worked so well! I wanted to say it out loud to Maeve, but I kept my mouth shut. Even if we were alone, we were in the pack house. There was no telling who might’ve been listening.

Eleanor did it so naturally. She could’ve warned me that the Luna was her friend, though. I blushed, thinking of my awkward encounter.

Whatever. It worked! F*ck Olivia, who needs her approval! And I didn’t have to tell her off or go to the Alpha. I cringed at the idea of having to go to the Alpha, even if he seemed friendly.

That never works. I thought of all the fights I’d gotten into with Alpha’s over the years.

“We’ll have to have Quinn come and help for sure.” Maeve said, giggling. She’d had a few glasses of champagne to celebrate.

“Ten o’clock tomorrow and I get to make the Luna of America a dress.” I laughed. “I never thought I’d say that. What time is it?”

Maeve glanced at her phone and frowned. “Late. Think you can get a ride with mom and dad tonight? I think I’d like to spend my night celebrating.” She wiggled her brows at me and smiled.

“Yeah, I can get a ride with them. Have fun.” I giggled.

“You’re the best!” Maeve left on the hunt to find a man for the night.

I stared at the empty room, biting the inside of my cheek. What if I f*ck it up? What if she hates the dress I make?

I leaned against the little table I was by, and heels clacked down the hallway. I closed my eyes, taking a minute of quiet before I went to find my parents.

The door to the room opened, and I darted my eyes open. Olivia stepped in, eyeing me.

“I’ve been looking for you.”