The Wolf in Sheep's Skin

Chapter 43

Rage bubbled in my core, and I squeezed my hands at my sides. What is she thinking! Quinn’s made it clear from the beginning she wants it at home. I pressed my lips together, holding back harsh words so she could explain.

“What?” Quinn choked out. “I…” A blank, bewildered look crossed her face.

“Quinn doesn’t want it at the pack house, we talked about that before we moved here.” I said, trying to keep my tone in check.

“I went to the pack house today. To fill out some paperwork, it’s normal stuff. For your birthday.” Mom fumbled with her hands as she spoke. “I ran into Olivia afterwards and she… well, she told me she arranged for your ceremony to be at the pack house.” A guilty, pleading look crossed her face.

I froze, as if liquid ice poured through my veins. Olivia did this? My heart pounded in my ears; their words were muffled. Between Geneieve reviving the store and Jay’s threats to her, I thought Olivia was handled.

Is this her trying to get back at me? Through Quinn? My stomach did flips, swirling and churning.

“No! I’m supposed to have it here, I don’t want it at the pack house!” Quinn shouted, her voice shaking. Her eyes were wide with fear.

“Quinn, sweety, I’m sorry. Maybe it’ll be for the best? You have a chance to find your mate if it’s with the pack. And everyone will see how beautiful you are in your dress.” My mom smiled, but it was forced.

Quinns face went pale, and her mouth opened and closed. She shook her head, and her heart raced.

“How could you!” Quinn shouted and ran away. She raced up the stairs, slamming her bedroom door. My mom and I both flinched, and Quinn’s muffled cries came from upstairs. My mom deflated, sighing.

“What happened?” I shook my head, trying to wrap my head around things. I told mom about Olivia and everything she was up to. She would know better than to talk to her willingly.

“I was leaving and she was by the door… I tried to avoid her. But she came right up to me and told me the ceremony was going to be at the pack house. That Alpha Ansel approved it.” She shrugged and her face fell. “What was I supposed to do? I couldn’t argue against her, she’s the Beta’s mate!”

She sunk her head into her hands and sighed. Rage bubbled in my belly, and everything in me wanted to run into the woods. To find Olivia and command her to stop.

“She did it on purpose!” I hissed, my clenched hands shaking at my sides. I squeezed my eyes shut. I could see Olivia crying out as I wringed her neck. What’s her problem? What, she can’t ruin the shop so she’s going to upset my whole family?

“I suspected the same thing, you said she mentioned it when she came into the shop the first time. I guess we’ll have to make do.” My mom sighed and glanced up at the floor.

Quinn’s sobs were muffed by the floor, but they pierced into my ears. My skin itched and crawled, and I craved to claw at my own skin.

“I can’t let her get away with this!” I pointed up to the ceiling and swiveled to the front door.

“Where do you think you’re going?” My mom grabbed my arm, her voice pleading. I turned to her, meeting her eyes.

“Olivia can f*ck with me all she wants, but I won’t let her mess with the rest of you! I’m ending this now!” I let out a loud, harsh growl.

I could picture her face when I showed up, commanding her to stop. I grinned at the thought, and my heart raced.

“Gwendolyn Grace, we taught you better than that! You can’t go there, slinging commands!” She hissed at me; her voice low.

I frowned at her and pulled my arm out of her hand.

“Olivia’s gone too far!”

“Think rationally! She’s the Beta’s mate, you’ll draw too much attention!”

“I’ll command her to stop! No one would know, I can-“

“Gwendolyn!” My mom shouted, snarling at me. I flinched, and scowled at her, snapping my mouth shut. She leaned back, and her face fell as she eyed me. “What’s gotten into you? You know better. Things always get out of hand when you start commanding the pack. Think through it. Be rational. What will happen if you go to her?” Her voice dropped as she leaned in.

I thought of all the times I’d commanded higher ups, and my shoulders dropped. She’s right. What am I thinking? I shook my head, clearing my thoughts. All my muscles were tense, ready to run headfirst into a fight. I know the consequences of commanding pack members. Thats why I haven’t done it.

Quinn’s sobs pounded into my ears. But she can’t get away with bullying our family.

“You could go to the Alpha. He seemed nice, maybe he’ll be reasonable if you explain it to him?”

My mom sighed and rubbed her forehead.

“I thought of that too. But we’re new to the pack, and it’s an honor to have a Coming-of-Age ceremony at the pack house. We can’t risk offending the pack, especially if things get worse with Olivia.” My mom dropped her arms, letting them slap against her legs.

We need the Alpha to be in favor with the family in case something happens. If someone in the family gets in a fight. If someone wants a job within the pack, or some kind of status. We can’t risk having the Alpha hate us.

I tried picturing the friendly man I’d met being vindictive over something as simple as a teen wanting a quiet Coming-of-Age ceremony. He doesn’t seem the type. He was so eager. But I’ve meet Alpha’s who were quick to turn on us.

Especially if they found out about Lilith. I scowled and let out a groan.

“There has to be something we can do.” I racked my brain for some kind of magical solution. F*cking Olivia. I ground my teeth together and huffed.

“We’ll have to make the best of it. Besides, having the ceremony at the pack house is a good thing. It means the pack is welcoming us.”

“Quinn doesn’t want to have it at the pack house. She doesn’t want to be on show.” I glared at the floor, crossing my arms.

“She’ll adjust to pack life better. We always had the ceremony at home because we were always moving. Never got attached to a pack. But this pack… we’re staying here. This one’s meant to be the last move. Permanent.”

I could see it in her eyes. The way she looked, pleading with her big blue eyes. She’s asking me. Not telling. It’s another one of those things for the highest-ranking wolf in the family to decide. I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck.

“I don’t know, mom. She shouldn’t be forced to do something she doesn’t want to, just appease the pack.”

“That’s part of being a wolf, dear.” My mom gave me a sad smile. I could hear it in her voice. Wolves make sacrifices for the pack. She might as well learn now. “Besides, she’ll be welcomed into the pack right from the start. The Alpha will lead her through her first shift. She may not want to have it at the pack house, but she’ll do better in the pack in the long run. She’ll be better adjusted as a wolf in the long run.”

My mom spoke in a soft, reassuring voice. She looked up at me, pleading with me with her big round blue eyes.

I could go handle it. Tell Olivia to f*ck off. Or tell my mom to go to the Alpha.

But she’s right. He could be offended, and we can’t afford that. We’re too new, the pack just settled. And the Luna’s business is what saved the shop.

Everything in me wanted to run out of the house and go find Olivia. To shout at her like I had Bridget, to command her. It was like an undeniable craving, an itch just under the skin.

You can’t. Be reasonable, rational. Just like they taught me. You’ll ruin things for the whole family if you go.

And she has a point. We’re supposed to stay here, this is our final move. We’ve always stayed separate from the pack, not getting too close. Never involved, staying close enough for protection and to get by.

Shouldn’t we integrate? Goosebumps raised on the back of neck. All my instincts told me no. It went against everything I’d been taught. But I could hear my mom’s hidden meaning. Could see it in the pleading of her voice.

She’ll be better adjusted as a wolf in the long run. Her words echoed in my mind.

She’ll have better control of her wolf. Be a part of the pack. Struggle less to find her rank. She’ll bond with the pack members faster.

All because of werewolves’ nature. Something to do with pack magic, and the Alpha.

“Fine. We’ll have it at the pack house.” I sighed and pried my eyes open, slumping my shoulders.