The Wolf in Sheep's Skin

Chapter 58

I sucked in a deep breath, getting Gwen’s scent. Not that I need it, given the deep paw prints lining the forest floor.

A hint of blood is mixed with her scent. Probably from Liam’s bite. My stomach tightened at the idea of my mate wandering around the woods wounded.

Right. Like she needs me to be concerned for her. Her wicked grin as she ripped Liam off her crossed my mind. She didn’t seem phased at all.

Pride swirled in my gut. A shiver went through me as I trotted across the muddy forest floor.

She certainly knows how to handle herself. A deep, wolfish laugh rasps from my chest. The cool night air had cleared my mind, allowing the adrenaline to leave me.

They thought they could stop her. I barked out another laugh.

Fears that’d drenched my sleep were long forgotten. Fears of having a weak mate, someone who couldn’t fend for themselves.

Not because being weak is bad. Nor that I couldn’t protect them.

But that I’d gained too many enemies. Fae. Vampires. Demons. Wolves. Witches.

Too many to name.

I’d like to seem them try and f*ck with her. Another laugh escaped me.

Our first meeting had been foggy, in my drunk stupor. Her striking, muscular appearance, after realizing she didn’t have a mate. And the clarity from her slap…

Hot, radiating shivers went up my spine.

No wonder she isn’t afraid of me. She could snap me in half. Stomp on me. Chew me up and spit me out.

I knew, deep down in some dark place in my mind, that it should frighten me. A wolf her size, that it was unnatural, even for a magical creature. But pure glee spread through me. If I were human, I’d probably giggle like some woman who’d had too much wine.

No one will hurt my mate. She isn’t afraid of me.

My fur bristled and I picked up the pace.

I need a plan. My old one, the one I’d made before going to her sister’s ceremony, was long gone.

I licked my lips, my eyes narrowing. The forest was clearly visible, even in the dark of light.

Gwen was frightened of her wolf. Scared, thinks she’s a terror. She isn’t going to be happy when I find her. She doesn’t seem to remember what happens when she shifts at all.

She’s going to be terrified.

I groan, listing the things I could say when I find her. If she’s even in human form. If she’s a wolf, I can talk her down. Her wolf has to know we’re mates.

Does Gwen know though? I’d meant to ask tonight, when I got her alone. I snorted, at the spectacular way that plan blew up. The taste of her, sweet and spiced, still lingered on my tongue.

Would she have shoved me away if she knew? A low growl escaped my throat, and I flattened my ears to my head. I thought of all our conversations, and bile threatened to come up.

She was scared of her wolf. She wouldn’t, no, couldn’t tell me about her. She didn’t trust me enough to tell me.

I teased her for hiding her dominance. I should’ve worked harder, tried to comfort her. Not judge her for hiding her dominance. My stomach clenched, knowing now that she must’ve felt like she had no choice. That me, her mate, was just another face to pretend to.

To hide from.

I should’ve been gentler. Kinder. I’d seen her pain and got angry that she didn’t show off her dominance. Something she was clearly afraid of.

I paused and shook myself and huffed.

No. She wouldn’t have opened up either way. Something that big, that kind of secret, that kind of fear… it doesn’t melt away in two weeks.

I growled and continued my trek.

But I could’ve done better. I will do better.

She’ll need time to heal, to come to terms with the pack knowing about her. And I’ll be there by her side.

Not for her safety, but for love and support.

From someone who knows what it’s like to be feared.

I tensed at the thought. Ansel’s fearful, concerned face came to mind. All the wolves crying out for me to deal with her. They’ll be scared of her when she returns.

My heart clenched, too familiar with the feeling. My blood ran cold, and my heart sank. The thought of the pack treating her like they treat me was almost too much.

Like some horrible monster, someone whose name you whisper in the halls, as if they might reach out of the shadows and grab you.

I growl and my fur bristles. If we’re going to be feared, at least we’ll be feared together.

Selene works in odd ways.

I glanced at the massive sunken paw print as I passed it. How can they be the same wolf? The little wolf, with striking violet eyes came to mind. Bounding through the forest, yipping at toads.

I snorted, almost willing to believe I’d made up the first night. But I’d thought about it so often since, I knew it was true.

But how? It should be impossible. Gwen’s wolf’s blood red eyes burned into my memory. Could she have two wolves? A tiny one who loves to play, and a giant one with red eyes that loves to…eat wolves?

I shivered, thanking the heavens she’d listened to me. I barely had time to say anything. I was too stunned.

More shocked than I can remember ever being. Who would blame me?

I rolled plans through my head. Things I could say to her now, when I find her. What to say if she’s a wolf or a human.

I can’t hide it from her anymore. I have to tell her we’re mates. How exactly, without frightening her after what she’d just gone through, was the question.

I can’t just bust out and tell her I love her and that we’re meant to be together; literally bond to one another by the heavens.

She’ll probably be too emotional for that. H*ll, we’ve only known each other three weeks and barely spoke.

Mostly argued. I couldn’t stop the grin that spread across my face, showing off my fangs to the shadows of the forest.

F*ck, I’m lucky to be alive. This whole time she could’ve snuffed me off the earth if she pleased. Warmth runs through me down to the bone.

Perhaps she does know we’re mates.

As I continued walking, I tried to come up with a speech. Clever, smug responses kept coming to mind. No. She needs honestly. No more beating around the bush. No more playing games, dancing around one another.

If she’s going to push me away, I at least have to make sure she knows what we are.

Besides, I practically announced to the entire pack that we were mates.

Twice.

My fur bristled, knowing what her reaction would be. The way her lips would pull tight, and her brows knit. How the fire in her eyes would spark and she’d lash her tongue at me.

I went faster, almost at a full run.

A twinge of fear grew in my belly. A strange fear, not like the one I brush against so often. Not the fear of plunging into a fight headfirst, fighting my through tooth and claw. Not even fear of finding my mate, who was massive.

What if she still says no? Pushes me away? Even after I tell her?

A whine escaped my throat, and I narrowed my eyes.

I can’t hide from it anymore. I have to tell her.

What if she says yes?

My paws pounded against the ground as I broke out into a run. Cool, crisp air whipped my fur around.

A familiar scent, along with a familiar landscape brought me to a halt. I took a deep breath through my nose and hope fluttered in my chest.

My thoughts had been so clogged, I hadn’t recognized where Gwen’s trail led.

Right to my house, to my territory. Did she come here on purpose? Knowing I’d be here?

A dark voice, deep in the back of my mind reminded me that my house was directly next to hers. But I shoved it down, and barreled through the forest, following her deep paw prints.