The Wolf in Sheep's Skin

Chapter 45

Soft gentle whispers kissed my ear. A heartbeat played against my cheek. Warmth spread through me as fingertips danced across the naked skin of my back.

My eyes fluttered open, and sunbeams sparkled in my vision, like playful fairies chittering in the sky.

A rugged, gruff voice was soothing to my ears. Whispering, playful, tugging a smile to the corner of my lips. I could barely make it out, but I pressed for it, searching, listening.

It was soft, gentle, soothing, like a creamy balm against a burning wound.

The sound got closer, almost within reach and my eyes fluttered closed. Sunlight danced through my eyelids, and I gasped as the voice cleared.

Jay. Whispering incoherent words. Soft murmurs, sweet, toying, gentle.

My heart skipped a beat, and his scent enveloped me. Summer rain. I could almost feel the cool droplets against my flesh, soothing against hot summer sun.

A smile crept at my lips, and I pressed into the warmth, trying to open my eyes so I could see his face. The playful smile that would tug at his lips, they way his eyes would gleam.

Slamming doors and giggling kids running up and down the halls startled me awake. My heart pounded in my chest and my breath hitched in my throat as I took in my room.

My bedroom light was still on, glaring into my eyes. I was in the same spot as when I’d fallen asleep. Laying on my bed the wrong way, with my legs over the side like I was about to sit up. My hands were on my chest, still holding the note and ribbon.

They were pressed to my nose, and all I could smell was him. My cheeks burned and I bolted upright, pulling the note and ribbon from my nose.

They stayed in my hands, inconspicuous and taunting me. My hands shook and the tips of my ears burned.

If he’d seen me, known somehow- I could’ve died at the thought.

I dreamt of him! Of that morning! How embarrassing, how silly-

I tensed, squeezing the note and ribbon in my hands. My body shook and my stomach churned.

This is worse than I thought. I can’t be dreaming of him, it’s foolish! The little trash can by my desk caught my eye. I jumped off the bed and raced to it.

I hovered my hands over the trash can, but my stomach formed tight, sickening knots. My muscles tensed and I growled at myself, clenching my hands at my side.

“So st*pid!” I growled through clenched teeth. I stomped back to the edge of my bed and swung open my nightstand.

It was full of miscellaneous junk. Chap stick, hair ties, random bits and bobs. I frowned at the note and ribbon, my heart sinking. Somehow, the nightstand seemed too cold. Empty, void, heartless. Like the note and ribbon was random bits of stuff.

I already decided to keep them. The dreams will go away eventually once I’m over him. I pursed my lips at my pillow, raising a brow.

Maybe keeping them will help with the pain?

The note was crumpled now, and I frowned, smoothing it out. I sighed and gently tucked them under my pillow. My stomach did flips, and my blood went cold.

I can’t keep this up. Next time I see him, I’ll make things clear.

Will it hurt him as much as it hurts me?

I tensed and sucked in a breath. Does he care that much? I tried to think back to our conversations. He never specifically said he likes me. At least, not me as a person. He’s only made comments about my looks.

My head throbbed, and I rubbed my temple. Pain radiated in my core, like a knife had been stuffed there. He seemed caring at the river. But was it common kindness? Or something more?

I shook my head and rolled my shoulders.

It doesn’t matter. I can’t have him, and I have to make myself clear to him. It’s for the best.

I huffed and got ready for work. But as I dressed, the pain in my core grew. Festering, like someone had poured salt on a wound, I ached deep inside.

I played out the conversation we had to have in my head. What words to use, how to make sure I made myself clear without lying. I thought of different ways he could react, what he might say. Would he be playful? Teasing? Smug, making his usual joke or comment?

Or would he simply not care at all?

I froze at the thought, halfway through dressing, tugging on a shirt over my head. I scowled and ground my teeth together. I could picture him, walking away, shrugging. Like I’d wasted his time. My dinner threatened to come up at the idea.

No. He can’t care so little. Not the man who got so upset when he thought I was afraid of him. I could still smell his rage and pain, how pain had swirled in his eyes as he’d tried to barrel past me.

He wouldn’t have sent flowers if he didn’t care. Not after I’d run away. Icy tendrils crept up my skin, and my breath turned shallow. Unless he thinks I’m some kind of prize? Something to be won over?

I popped my arms through the holes in my shirt and flopped them to my side. The lines of the note played through my head, oddly already stuck in my memory.

In her, I find both heat and flame,

A tantalizing, thrilling game.

Is that what this is? A game?

Unease settled in my core. I glanced at my pillow, everything in me telling me to pick the note back up. But I knew it wouldn’t solve my mystery. I thought about the morning before our kiss. How concerned he’d seemed, the panic in his voice. How he’d talked me down during my panic, bringing me back to reality.

No. It isn’t just a game to him. It can’t be. He has to care, a least a little bit. He told me a secret about himself. That has to mean something, doesn’t it?

I frowned, fumbling with my hands. I chewed my cheek, biting down so hard it bled. My mouth filled with iron, and I squeezed my eyes shut.

What am I thinking? It’s better if he doesn’t care. He won’t argue, it’ll be easier to get over. He doesn’t care, he can’t.

I sighed, opened my eyes, and finished getting ready.

Heading down the stairs, murmurs drew me out of my thoughts. A car door slammed outside, and as I went into the dining room, I scowled. Bridget’s voice was outside, along with Erik and Henry’s.

I didn’t think they’d be here so early in the morning. My mom shot me a nervous glance from across the kitchen, and she hurried out the door. Quinn was on a barstool, grimacing at the front door. She had dark circles under her eyes, and I recalled last night’s conversation.

“Ready?” I grabbed my bag and pressed a smile on my face. Hopefully she isn’t too mad at me.

She huffed, avoiding looking at me as she jumped off the stool and went to the front door. I’ll take that as a ‘I’m p*ssed.’ At least she’s still willing to be around me. That has to be a good sigh, right?

I followed her outside, and cool, fresh air brushed against my skin. I let out a little sigh. The sunrays danced through white puffy clouds, and the surrounding pines were vivid forest green.

It would’ve been a beautiful, sunny morning if not for Bridget’s whining. Her and Erik were at the trunk of their car.

“What do you mean, the realtor keeps calling? You deal with them.” Bridget’s back was to me, facing Erik. Erik and I had locked eyes as he held a pile of luggage. Dark circles had formed under his eyes, and a hint of fear lingered in them. “And you take all this cr*p inside the house.”

Bridget shoved another bag into Erik’s arms. Mom was at the side of the car, helping unbuckle Henry and Ava.

“Bridget, my arms are full. Perhaps you could take something?” Erik muttered. Bridget let out a growl, and he flinched, lowering his head.

She came back worse.

I clenched my fists at my side, and tilted my head up, clearing my throat.

Bridget swiveled to me, meeting my eyes. Everyone froze and silenced. Her eyes narrowed, and she held my gaze. Fire burned in my chest, and I wished I could spew it from my throat, setting her ablaze.

“I see your trip didn’t do you any good.” I growled, raising my brows.

Her jaw clenched, making her cheeks stick out. Her stare grew more intense. She challenged me, energy crackling between us, so thick the air could’ve ignited.

But I held my own, refusing to lower my gaze to her. I’m done letting you sh*t on my family.

She lowered her eyes, hunching towards the ground. The energy dissipated, and everyone around us took a collective breath. Bridget turned away, as if everything was settled.

“I don’t recall learning that it’s acceptable to talk to one’s mate like that. Erik is a good man, and he doesn’t deserve it. And I’ll remind you that I care about my family more than anything.” I said in a low threatening hiss.

Erik’s eyes grew wide, and he glanced at Bridget, who tensed.

“Speaking of which, Olivia changed Quinn’s ceremony to be at the pack house. Even though we’d made it clear that Quinn wants it at home. Did you know anything about that?” I pursed my lips and narrowed my eyes.

She shook her head no violently, making her hair flap around her face.

“Well, I’m sure you’ll remember everything we talked about last time we spoke. I doubt you want a reminder.” I growled and she sucked in a breath. Her heart raced and she glared at the ground.

Good. Be afraid. If my wolf is good for anything, it’s making sure people remember to behave themselves.

“Let’s go.” I nodded at the car, signaling to Quinn. She scurried into the passenger seat, and I climbed into the driver side.

Everyone outside of the car remained silent as we drove off. I let out a deep sigh, and I broke out in a wide grin. Bridget’s defeated face stayed in my mind. Warmth radiated through me, and the pain in my gut ebbed. My fingers tingled, and all my hair was on end, like lightning could snap at any minute.

I shivered, the energy coursing through me, tickling. I can’t believe how good that felt! I tapped my fingers on the steering wheel and hummed a little tune.

“How did you do that?” Quinn whispered next to me. I blanched, making a choking sound, and glanced at her.

F*ck. I forgot she saw it.

Her eyes were wide with awe, and she leaned in towards me. She isn’t scared? I’ve never told her about my wolf or my dominance.

I’d always pretended to be submissive around the family, making sure they didn’t learn about my wolf. It was easier than commanding all of them, watching, being afraid of them slipping up. I didn’t have to pretend as hard, or act as submissive around family, but I certainly didn’t show them my true self either.

I chewed on my raw bottom lip and squeezed the steering wheel. F*ck. What do I tell her? I couldn’t recall the last time I’d had to tell anyone, except Jay. What will it really hurt? I doubt she’ll tell people if I fully explain.

Quinn is practically sixteen. She’s in the shop almost all the time. It’ll be a relief for her to know, to not need to tiptoe around the subject. Besides, if Bridget knows, Quinn should know.

I took a deep breath, and steeled myself, focusing on the road.

“Did you hear the argument we had before they left?”

“Yeah.”

“Well… I commanded her.” I cringed, glancing at her. She nodded, pursing her lips and looked up in thought.

“Okay.”

“You realize that means I’m more dominant than her, right?”

“Duh.” She shrugged and looked at me like I was st*pid. “That doesn’t explain what that whole thing at the house was.”

“I… I’m a lot more dominant than her. Like, the whole conversation with mom last night. I’m sure you heard all of it?” My voice was almost a whisper, and my heart raced a mile a minute.

“Yes.” She hissed, her face turning sour.

“About me commanding Olivia?”

Time froze as Quinn took her sweet time responding. I forced myself to focus on the road, my heart urging to jump from my throat.

“I heard that too. I wasn’t sure…” she shrugged and looked away, her cheeks turning pink.

“I’m more dominant than her too.” I sighed as the words came out of my mouth. Relief washed over me, like a burden had been swept away. “But you can’t tell anyone. It’s a secret. Only mom, dad, Erik, and Maeve know. Well, Bridget knows now too. About me being more dominant than her, not about Olivia.” I frowned as my words stumbled over one another.

“Why hide it? If you can command Olivia, why didn’t you do it in the first place?” Her voice rose, as if she thought this a brilliant idea.

“You heard mom last night. I wanted to. I still do, if I’m honest. But it gets me in trouble, so I can’t. Please, trust me when I say I can’t. And that you can’t tell anyone.” I glanced at her, bristling in my seat.

Please don’t make me have to command you into silence. I never had to do that to Erik and Maeve. But they know about my wolf. I couldn’t bare to put those words out there. Speaking about my dominance was hard enough.

Quinn stared out the window, fidgeting with her hands. She sighed and flopped back against the seat.

“Alright. I promise I won’t tell anyone. But only because I don’t want to be in Bridget’s position.” A chuckle burst out her throat and she shook her head. “That was insane. That energy, it was like thunder was about to strike. Made me think of when Alpha Reed commanded people.”

She chuckled, and I went cold. Like an Alpha commanding people?

“What do you mean?” I blurted out.

“You know, the whole look she had. Bowing her head. There was just that same weird tension I guess.” She shrugged and grinned out the window.

I frowned and tapped a finger on the wheel. It’s probably just from how much more dominant I am. That has to be it. I nodded my head and watched her from the corner of my eye.

She had a big grin. One that suggested mischief. Will she tell people? I should command her anyway. A whole slew of problems could start if she tells anyone.

I frowned and my heart sank at the idea. No. It’ll hurt her more if I do. I settled on my decision and my heart steadied. My core ached and burned, like a raw wound, spreading sharp pain through me.

I ignored it, going through my day. But a pleasant warmth bloomed, dulling the pain just a tiny bit, making the pain more manageable.

Trust. I trust Quinn. She won’t tell anyone.