The Wolf in Sheep's Skin

Chapter 5

My stomach was in knots as I stood in the grass. I could feel eyes burning into my back while I hunched over.

Get your sh*t together. You can’t be doing this. You’re making a fool of yourself.

I straightened my back and steeled my nerves. With all my willpower, I shoved the man out of my mind. My heart rate slowed to normal, yet the knot in my gut remained.

“Sissy.” Lilith taunted me.

Go away.

“Fun sucker.” She sounded disappointed. I clenched my jaw and wished I had my embroidery supplies. My hands pleaded to be busy. I can’t make my hands busy, but I can focus my mind on other things.

People laughed and chatted behind me, and time ticked by. I knew eventually someone would come ask if I was alright. The last thing I needed was more attention on myself.

As long as I behave, I’ll be fine.

I nodded to myself, turned on my heel, and walked back to the pack house. As I got closer, I lowered my shoulders, hung my head a bit, and lowered my gaze. Just like I’d practiced at tons of other events.

I focused myself on what I knew best. Dress making. It didn’t take long for others to notice my embroidery work. A submissive wolf wouldn’t waltz right up to people. But there was nothing against baiting them, standing close by, and waiting for them to talk to me. People chatted me up, and I took the opportunity to discuss the shop, and offer my dress making skills.

A wealthy looking woman flagged me down, waving her silk gloved hand at me. I stopped and gazed at her with lowered eyes, trying to determine what her rank was in the pack. She dripped in gold jewelry and wore a vintage couture gown. If old wolves were good at one thing, it was typically gaining wealth.

“Hello, dear. Word is you made that dress yourself.” She waved her hand at my dress in an elegant gesture.

“You heard correct.” I did a little curtsey while keeping my gaze lowered, showing my respect. A group of women had flocked around her.

“Spin.” She waved a finger at me, and I did as she ordered. My dress flowed, and she nodded. “What a work of art! How long did it take you?”

“Three months; that includes making the pattern, sewing the gown, and the embroidery.” It would’ve been done in two months if I hadn’t set up the shop at the same time.

“Three months? For such seamless work?” She raised her brows and the other women leaned in, staring at my dress. I arranged my arms so they could get a good look at the fit and style while trying not to make it obvious.

“It was a labor of love. Since my family moved, I had some time to work on a piece for myself while we worked on opening our shop.” I shrugged and fluffed the skirt of my dress, showing it off.

The woman’s eyes glittered, and she raised her head. I forced myself not to smile, knowing she’d taken the bait.

“You have a dress shop?”

“My sister and I do.”

“You’ve opened it here?”

“Yes, we opened a few weeks ago on Main Street.” I nodded. I kept my eyes on the floor but watched the cogs in her brain work out of the corner of my eye. Some of the other women leaned in into one another, whispering in each other’s ears.

All their necks were exposed, and I’d seen them hanging around the men earlier. Unmated women. The best customers, always needing a new dress to lure in a man.

The wealthy woman had an obvious mark on her shoulder, but she would be a good customer too. She just looked pickier than the others. If I can get her to buy a dress, she might attract other customers.

“Do you have business cards?”

I stuffed my hand in my dresses pocket and pulled out a business card. “Of course. We do custom dresses, alterations, whatever you need.”

“The Silver Thread Boutique?” She read the card.

“My mom thought it would be cheeky. We normally do things by appointment; it’s best to call to make sure we’re available.”

“Do all of your dresses have pockets?” One of the other women piped in.

“If the style of the dress will allow it and the client wants pockets.”

“Who wouldn’t want pockets?” The older woman laughed. “Men, they get all the convenience, don’t they?” The surrounding women laughed, like they were trying to appease her. I joined them, managing to let out a small chuckle.

Someone tapped a glass nearby, and the room hushed. Everyone turned to the source of the sound.

Olivia, the Beta’s mate, stood holding up a champagne glass and gave the crowd a big grin.

“Before everyone starts heading home, I wanted to make a little announcement. First, thank you all for coming. Second, I’ve started a party planning committee for the pack. Anyone is welcome to join. No need to sign up, just show up with your creativity!” She grinned from ear to ear, showing off perfectly white teeth.

I grimaced at the idea of joining such an event. She gave more details, keeping up her cheery attitude. Where was that when we met? Why is she giving the announcement, anyway? Shouldn’t the Luna be doing that? I kept my eyes down and listened.

“Thank you all again and have a great night!” She clapped, and the rest of the crowd joined them. I plastered a smile on my face and joined in, hating every second.

People flittered out as the rest of the night went on, and the sky outside went from creamy blue to inky black. All the families had gone home, and I stayed in the kitchen area, where people came and went, grabbing desserts off nearby trays. I chatted with a couple who owned a bookstore on Main Street.

“They throw a parade for every main holiday, you know. Boosts business quite a bit.” The man said. He was tall and thin, with a mustache that bounced as he talked. His mate was demure, holding onto his arm.

“It’s best for the restaurants, really. But most of the pack shops local since the nearest big town is two hours away.” She said.

“I’ll have to stop in sometime, I’ve seen your store.” Vintage Parlor. They were right across the street from me, yet I hadn’t bothered to go inside.

“Oh, don’t be in a rush, dear. You must be busy; we saw all the shipments and unloading your family did.” The woman waved a hand at me and giggled.

A group of wolves came from into the room and talked in hushed voices. A man with a fancy black handlebar mustache, black slicked back hair, in a pinstriped suit stopped nearby. He leaned against a counter, joined by a flashy woman with bright red hair. I could only see her back, but from the way the man looked at her, I assumed they were mates. A third man was standing with them, dressed in a plain suit with manicured brown hair.

I dropped my eyes, staring at the floor as the bookshop owner kept talking. I chewed my lip and wished my hands weren’t shaking.

“I thought I’d heard you had a dress shop.” Olivia said, her heels clacking on the floor as she came our way. Where did she come from? She didn’t come out with the others. The room was filled with people, and my nerves shot up.

Keep your eyes down, Gwen. You can make up for before. Don’t cause a scene.

“My sisters and I run it.” I kept my eyes on the floor and hunched my shoulders, hoping she’d forgive me for my earlier blunder.

“And you made… that.” She said, waving a finger at my dress. Her lips curled in disgust, like my dress was made of filth. Tension built in the air, and people quieted around us.

“Yes.” was all I could say.

“Punch her in her teeth.” Lilith urged. Her temper flared, and her suggestion was tempting.

No.

“She deserves it.”

The store needs to thrive. I’m not starting a scene.

“Does all your work look like that?” Olivia continued in the same disgusted tone. My hand twitched and an image of her missing a few teeth in her perfect pearly white smile crossed my mind.

The man with the fancy mustache nodded at the man in the plain suit. He turned, frowned, and strode over to us.

“Hello, darling.” The man in the plain suit said and put his hand on Olivia’s lower back. She smiled at him and put her hand on his chest.

“This is my mate, Beta Liam. She leaned in closer to him and gave me a threatening smile.

I curtseyed at them, lowering my head. “It’s an honor to meet you.”

“You as well. Welcome to the pack. Come.” He pulled Olivia away, and they went over to the man with the fancy mustache and the red-haired woman.

The book shop owners and I exchanged a silent look. The tension dropped, but a weirdness lingered in the room.