The Wolf in Sheep's Skin

Chapter 31

The phone clunked on the receiver, and Maeve slowly came up the stairs with heavy, thudding footsteps.

“Why aren’t you answering phone calls?” I asked as she dragged herself into the room. She dropped into a chair, going limp.

“I unplugged the d*mn thing! We’ve been closed for an hour and it’s still ringing like crazy. I can still hear people breathing in my ear.” She wrinkled her nose and tugged on her ear like she was shaking out the sound.

“How far out are we booked?”

“Two months! I figure by tomorrow we’ll be booked out four.”

“Those aren’t all for custom gowns, are they?” I winced and my fingers ached at the thought.

“They’re try-on appointments to get fittings.” Maeve said and smiled. “We should make Eleanor a thank you basket.”

“She deserves a lot more than that!” I laughed, and let it die with a slow sigh. “When I asked her to show off the dress for the store, I didn’t think she’d get the Luna to come in.”

“I can’t either! We’ll have to do something nice for her. Some way to thank her.” Maeve grinned, practically bouncing up and down. I could smell the relief rolling off her. The shop will be okay. The family will be okay, we’ll be able to afford to live. Mom and Dad won’t have to work.

“I’ll have to get her in the shop again.” I sighed in relief, letting my body relax.

Maeve seemed to do the same, sinking into a chair. “So, how was the Luna? What’s she like?”

“Intense, but she seems nice. We only talked about the gown.” And her toy; but if Maeve isn’t asking about it, she must not have heard us. I debated on telling her, since she probably knew what the thing was. But then I’d have to take it out and show it to her.

The Luna is trusting me with her privacy. I’ll keep that information to myself.

Am I just collecting secrets now? I thought of Jay and his healing arm. Questions had burned in my head all night and day. Hearing the story about how he got the gift only made my curiosity grow.

Can he use it on others? Does it hurt? Is it pleasant? How does it work with worse wounds? I had half a mind to go out looking for him and demand answers. But that meant I had to tell him more about my own secret.

“Find him.” Lilith snickered, and thoughts of the closet came to mind. Stop that! Go away!

I glared and shook my head, clearing my thoughts. Memories of Olivia played through my head. I almost lost control last night. I grimaced, thinking about Bridget. Did Bridget really talk badly about us?

“Was the appointment bad? You’re frowning.” Maeve had one foot on the ground, and her other leg was tossed over the arm of the chair. She swished her chair side to side.

“No, it’s… about Olivia. Things last night took a bit of a down turn…” I grimaced and she frowned at me. I told her about what happened, with Olivia talking to me and Jay stepping in. I skipped the closet and Jay’s secret, only mentioning what was important to the shop.

“You’re kidding? What’s her problem with you?” Maeve shook her head with wide eyes.

“Eleanor was right. I think she’s worried I’m trying to take her place in the pack or something. Or that I’m trying to out rank her? She seemed pretty worked up about me ‘sleeping my way up the ranks.’ Which I’m not.” I groaned and put my hands in my head.

“I’m surprised you let her talk to you like that. Man, when we were teens… watching you fight was crazy.” Maeve shook her head and her eyes glazed over as she looked into the distance.

“I’m trying to avoid that. It only caused us trouble.” I pursed my lips. “And Olivia knew that Jay had come to our house. That I’d talked to him while he was there. I think Bridget might’ve been talking to Olivia about our family.” I gave Maeve a worried look. She raised her brows and sucked air through her teeth.

“Bridget has always been a big part of the pack. She sucked up to the Luna of the last pack too.”

“Did she?” I squinted my eyes and tried to recall. But being a part of the pack wasn’t my thing.

“Yeah, her and Erik met through volunteering for the pack. Doesn’t give her a reason to talk sh*t about the shop though.” Maeve shrugged and filed away the papers she’d brought down.

“I even asked her to talk to Olivia about the shop, since they’d seemed friendly at the Olivia committee. She didn’t seem mad. I don’t understand why Bridget would go against the family like that?” I frowned and stared at the ground. Maeve squeezed my shoulder and smiled at me.

“Did she say something bad about the shop, or did she just tell Olivia about Jay coming?”

“Olivia didn’t say. She didn’t really say it was Bridget either.” I shrugged. “I have to ask Bridget about it tonight.” I glanced at Maeve, who grimaced.

“You want me to come?”

“No. Dad will be there. Plus, it’ll be fine. We’re just going to talk, and I’m sure Bridget has a good reason. Or maybe it’s nothing at all? She’s always been so friendly with the family, I can’t see her going against us.” I sighed and rubbed my temple. It’s just a talk. It’ll be fine.