The Wolf in Sheep's Skin

Chapter 50

“What? Why would he do that?” She recoiled, her face twisting in anger. Rage flared in her eyes, like she could jump up and run to him, demanding answers.

“It wasn’t just him! I knew it was best if I didn’t have one.” I shook my head, realizing she thought it was our dad’s fault. “I already had my wolf, and she was unruly, causing problems. We weren’t sure what would happen on my birthday. So we skipped the ceremony altogether.”

“How could you have your wolf before you were sixteen?” She blinked at me, giving me an odd look. I sighed and sank back into my chair.

I told her about the bear attacking. How I shifted for the first time at seven, long before I should’ve. I kept my explanation short, not feeling the need to give all the fine details.

“My wolf was always… a troublemaker. I didn’t know how to control her. That’s why I didn’t have a ceremony.” I watched her as her expression slowly changed. She stared out over Main Street, her brows scrunched up.

“Why didn’t I know about this?” She shrugged, giving me a hurt look.

“I haven’t told anyone. Just like me being dominant. Only dad, mom, Maeve, and Erik know. And that’s only because they were there. None of our other siblings know. You can’t tell them.” Please understand.

I could see it in her eyes. The way she ground her teeth together, glancing at me from the corner of her eye. She’s hurt. Doesn’t understand. Of course it would seem strange, keeping such a big secret from your family.

I’d struggled with not telling them, being racked with guilt. But it had always been better than the fear of others finding out. And I couldn’t manage to command my entire family.

“Ever since that day when I shifted, dad always made it clear how important it was for no one to find out. He made me swear I wouldn’t tell anyone, that I couldn’t talk about the attack.” I shook my head, the scar on my back aching. “It’s dangerous for people to know.”

“Why?” Quinn spat out, giving me a harsh look. “It’s not like you did it on purpose! You were protecting your family; how can that be a bad thing? You should’ve been celebrated! Not hiding from everyone.” She scowled and I sucked in a breath.

Celebrated? My wolf? I thought of all the things she’d done, the c*****e she craved. I had to stop myself from laughing in her face.

“Dad told me other magic folk couldn’t know. That it would be dangerous if they found out. Not just for me, but for everyone else. And all the Alpha’s I’ve met have proved it’s best if they don’t know either. They don’t enjoy having someone in their pack with a higher rank than them.” Especially not children.

“What, like vampires, demons, and fae care about whether your shifted at the ‘right’ age?” Quinn scoffed.

I furrowed my brows, recalling when he’d told me that. He didn’t give much information. It was just a warning. I’d been small, a few days after I’d shifted for the first time. I’d been so scared, so young I’d just listened, never questioning it. He sounded so sure, there was no need to question it.

Why couldn’t other magic folk know? I scoured my brain for something, but my knowledge of other magic folk was limited. I’d heard stories and the typical warnings, but beyond that, I knew almost nothing.

There used to be just as many dominant females as males, if not more, but the witches k*lled them when they were hunting the shamans.

Jay’s statement hung in the back of my mind. Is that what my dad was worried about? That witches would hunt me down? I shivered, and my heart raced. There wasn’t much information about the recent dealing with the witches, but I knew they’d gone back to their old ways before the treaty.

“Witches might’ve cared.” I whispered. Quinn snapped her attention to me, her eyes wide. I knew we had to be thinking the same thing.

That if what we’d been told about witch’s past was true, I was lucky the witches hadn’t found out. Or I was lucky to have a father who knew better.

My stomach turned at the thought, a whole new level of fear unlocking. He must’ve been terrified. I could only imagine the intense fear of worrying for your child, hoping no one found out. That your child was in danger, a secret lurking behind the surface that was constantly trying to get out.

My heart pounded in my chest and Quinn locked eyes with me. Terror was spread across her face, her eyes swirled with fear. It was gut wrenching, clawing at my heart.

Her eyes mirrored our dads. Pain and fear, plain terror in them. But she wasn’t afraid of me.

She was afraid for me.

Is that what it was? All those years, coming home, seeing him so afraid?

The world spun around me, like I’d fallen through the ceiling into an abyss. Was he really not afraid of me all those years? Just afraid I’d be found? That witches, or some other creature would find me?

Icy tendrils went up my spine and I shivered. I squeezed my eyes shut, wanting to believe it. But I knew in my heart it couldn’t be just that. I’d seen him flinch too many times, giving me wary glances when arguments started.

It’s both. How could it not be? How could I not see it?

I shook my head and stared up at the stars. He had a child he couldn’t help, and he couldn’t ask others for help. Not his pack. My heart ached at the idea. I could imagine it, the pain, the fear, the uncertainty. It explained so much.

“It’s a good thing the witches were taken care of, right?” Quinn offered, giving an awkward little laugh.

“Yeah.” I met her eyes and chuckled, nodding.

A sad smile crossed her face. She looked me over like I might shatter. Tonight’s supposed to be about her. Not me. She shouldn’t be worrying about this, she has enough of her own cr*p to worry about.

I shook my head, hoping to clear my thoughts.

“Let’s not dwell on that. I’m glad you know, but I’m over all that. It was a long time ago, and things are fine now.” I stood and extended my hand to help her up.

She grabbed my hand and hefted out the chair, and I internally cringed as her dress rubbed against the crusty chair. Quinn squinted at me, my skin burning as she scanned her eyes over me.

“We’ll share my ceremony tomorrow.” She let go of my hand, nodded, and fluffed her dress as if this was a matter of fact.

“No! Absolutely not! Tomorrow’s your birthday! It’s supposed to be about you! I didn’t tell you all that to make you upset or guilt trip you!” I shook my head, my eyes feeling like they could pop out my skull.

“I don’t mind. Like I said, it’s just a party. We don’t have to make an announcement or anything. It’ll still be about me. But you’ll know, and I’ll know, that it’s about you too. If it’s your party, that means you have to have a good time.” She winked and grinned at me. “You know, dancing, talking to people, having fun.”

My cheeks warmed and my mouth flapped open and closed.

“That really isn’t necessary-“

“Shh!” Quinn glared at me, her lips turning pouty. “Don’t argue with me! Just say yes. It’s my birthday and I can choose to do what I wish. And you’re going to celebrate with me.” If she had the ability to command me, she would’ve.

I scowled at her knowing there was nothing I could do to persuade her. And it wouldn’t cause any harm. She’s doing something nice for me. It warmed my heart, soothing the ache that had formed. But it was hard not to argue with her. To tell her that wasn’t my intention, that I wasn’t trying to rope her into making me feel better.

It’s not supposed to be about me. But she smiled at me, wrapping her arm around mine, leading me to the door that led downstairs.

She wouldn’t have offered if she didn’t want to. She doing it to be a good sibling. It would be rude to deny her. My heart warmed, soothing the ache that had formed.

“I would love that.” I smiled at her as we went downstairs.