The Wolf in Sheep's Skin

Chapter 54

“Excuse me?” Olivia growled, her eyes narrowing. Her voice pinched as she recoiled.

“You’re really so concerned about dominance? What does it matter? Who cares if you’re not the most dominant female!” I laughed, shrugging. I met her eyes, and she shrunk back from me.

“What do you think you’re doing, talking to me like that!” She hissed. But her fear was evident on her face, like she was forcing herself to stand up straight and match my gaze.

“I’m proving you right. You’ve thought I’m more dominant than you from the moment we met, didn’t you?” I grinned so hard my cheeks hurt. “But you were wrong about one important detail. I’m not like you. I don’t need others to be dominant.”

“How dare you!” Her face turned red, and she sputtered, spit flying as she fought for words.

“What? You can call me names, corner me, try to shut down my shop, yet I can’t tell you about yourself? What, you don’t like feeling small? Like some weak little submissive?” I took a step closer, and she pressed herself against the table behind her.

“There’s no way your more dominant than me! I’m the Beta’s mate!”

“Exactly. You’re the Beta’s mate. You’re the exact thing you claim I am, exactly what you hate. You get your rank from someone else, someone you mated with. It’s not even your dominance. Yet you through it around, making people cower before you. It’s sickening.” I hissed; my fists balled up at my side.

“I don’t-“

“Do I really need to remind you about the party committee? Throwing everyone’s desserts away? Or about you dragging me in here to command me? You abuse your power.” Rage coursed through me, and I narrowed my eyes at her. “You’re supposed to be someone who the pack can trust and look up to. But all you do is put people down.”

She sucked in a breath, and glared at me, pure hatred burning in her eyes. I growled and let the rage build in my chest, allowing it to fuel me. She glanced down at the ground, hanging her head.

“I’m ending that now. I order you to stop harassing people in the pack. I order you to be polite and kind to the people who join the committees. And I order you to leave me and my family alone. I don’t want to talk to you or hear about you. If my family even mutters the idea that you’re bothering them, our next conversation won’t be so polite.”

I straightened my spine, looking down at her. I put all my willpower into my words, making sure they were a true command. Power radiated through me, from the top of my head to my toes, making them tingle.

Olivia looked up at me, her mouth flapped open and closed. Odd noises came from her throat, like she was gasping for air. Concern and terror crossed her face, and she continued, trying to speak.

“Who’s the weak submissive now?” I narrowed my eyes, allowing her own hurtful words to hit her. “Don’t even think about going to the Alpha or the Luna. In fact, I order you not to speak of this conversation to anyone, ever. Not even your mate.” My laughter stopped and my lips pressed together.

She shook before me, her eyes narrowed in anger. Her fists were balled up together, her rage burning off her.

Good. Let her feel the anger of being commanded and mistreated. Powerless.

Olivia huffed before me; her cheeks puffed out like she was clenching her jaw. I turned on my heel and reached for the door. I paused before grabbing it, and swiveled back, still holding the knob.

“And I order you to stop spreading rumors about Jay. You’re no longer allowed to spew hatred about him. Stop telling people he’s dangerous. He isn’t. He’s protecting the pack from the dangerous wolves.” I lifted my chin up, glared at her, and turned away.

No more commands came to mind, so I unlocked the door and stepped out into the hall. I strode away, with my head held high. Olivia stayed in the room behind me, huffing and growling to herself.

My heels clicked against the wooden floors of the second story. Pride swept over me, warming me to the core. A wide, uncontrollable grin spread across my face. Adrenaline coursed through me, and I could’ve jumped and shouted with glee.

I did it! I commanded her and didn’t freak out! I didn’t shift! I didn’t lose control!

If a stranger had passed me in the halls, I would’ve hugged them. My belly swirled with pleasure and pride, seeping into every fiber of my being.

As I got closer to the stairs, loud, boisterous laughing, chatting, and whooping hit my ears. The pack must be here. I scowled, trying to think of how much time had passed in the office room with Olivia. Is Quinn already on the floor? Did she come out yet?

I let out a little growl at the idea of missing her reveal. I hurried along, remembering to hunch my shoulders and look at the ground at the last minute.

In the open room that had been set for Quinn’s celebration, a massive crowd had formed. So many pack members had come that they flooded into other nearby rooms.

My skin bristled as I passed through the crowd, keeping my eyes low as I apologized to people moving out of my way. Some glared at me, while others gave their congratulations to my family. Finally, made it to the middle of the room.

A large circle remained empty in the middle of the room, with a little empty trail that led to where Quinn would come out. I listened for Maeve or one of my parents, but everyone around me was so loud I could barely hear myself think.

I stuck my head out of the line forming the empty circle and spotted Maeve. I dashed over, muttering more apologies along the way.

Maeve’s eyes lit up as she spotted me, and her shoulders dropped.

“Are you alright?” She leaned into me, her eyes swimming with worry. I stood next to her and nodded, a giant grin spreading across my face.

“Perfect. I’ve handled things.” I leaned in and whispered in her ear, sure no one around us would hear me in the loud room.

She leaned back, her brows raised, and a curious look crossed her face. I could see in her eyes how much she wanted to ask for details, like the words could spew out her mouth. But she sealed her lips shut, pressing them together.

I’ll tell you everything later. I grinned at her, making a mental promise. She leaned back and let out a slow sigh, nodding. We stood shoulder to shoulder at the edge of the clearing, waiting for Quinn to make her appearance.

Our parents joined through the crowd, standing next to Maeve. The gave us both wide grins, and stared at the cleared walkway. The crowd hushed, our parents signifying that Quinn would be out soon. They fidgeted next to us, holding hands.

The sky outside was dark when a door clicked somewhere in the distance, and heels clicked along the marble floors. Maeve grabbed my hand, squeezing it tight.

I kept my eyes on the little walk away people had made, waiting for Quinn. I’d been told the way the event was supposed to go and had experienced the ceremony at home before.

But it had never been like this. The pack breathed as one, buzzing with anticipation. Energy crackled in the air, unlike any of the pack events I’d gone to. It was like everyone was leaning in, waiting to see the new wolf.

Quinn stepped out from the trail, into the cleared circle in the middle of the room. Her cheeks were red, and her eyes darted across the crowd like she didn’t know where to turn.

But she didn’t cower. She kept her head high, sweeping her gaze across the crowd. Her strawberry blonde curled shined in the light, matching her champagne gown. The corners of her lips curled as she met our family’s gaze, before continuing down the line.

Once she’d looked across the crowd, she clasped her hands together and did a little bow.

“Thank you for joining me tonight.” Her voice was soft, but clear. Not shaking or quivering.

She’ll be more powerful in the pack than she knows. I almost chuckled at her worry of being submissive. Instead, a beaming grin grew across my face.

Quinn stood, and the crowd burst into life. People talked, some rushed to greet her, while others promptly left the room. Maeve pulled me into the center of the circle towards Quinn, and our parents joined us.

She squealed, bouncing on her heels as she raced forward, hugging us both around the neck. She did the same for our parents, making us and the people around us laugh.

My chest warmed seeing how thrilled and happy she was. Everything will be alright.

Olivia is handled. My wolf is behaving herself. We can settle here, make a permanent life for ourselves in this pack.

Relief washed over me, watching the four of them.