The Wolf in Sheep's Skin

Chapter 65

Jay

Waiting to f*ck is going to be harder than I thought. I scowled at Ansel’s empty desk, tightening my hands in my lap. Gwen’s scent wafted through the room. It was wrong, missing my scent.

I closed my eyes, trying to get ahold of myself. She’d been nervous on our way here, ever since I’d gotten out of the shower. H*ll, as soon as she’d woken up, she’d been anxious. It only got worse when she’d asked me to bring her here to talk to Ansel, so she could apologize.

I knew I should be happy for her, glad that she was handling it. Trying to make amends with him and the pack. She’s my mate, and he’s my friend. I knew the two of them should get along. But the mere thought of him being around her made me envision snapping his neck. He can’t have her.

“Are you alright?” Gwen asked beside me on the couch. I flung my eyes open, meeting hers. They were still bright violet. I’m making a fool of myself. I need to stay calm. He isn’t going to try taking her.

“I’m fine. Everything’s going to be alright.” I grinned at her, but she frowned and chewed on her bottom lip. I should be doing that. I glared at her lips, jealous of her own mouth. I’m fine. It’s just the bond.

I can control myself; I will be patient. I chanted to myself, hoping the intense desire to claim her here, on Ansel’s couch, would go away. But our mating bond wasn’t complete. It wouldn’t be until we had s*x, marking each other with our scents.

I shivered, the mark on my neck aching. I’d decided earlier not to tell her. Not after they she’d hesitated, how the scent of her fear clogged the air. It’d be wrong, I’d be coercing her before she was ready.

The door clicked open. I jumped and glared at Ansel as he came in. Gwen sank closer to me on the couch and my heart pounded like it would leap out of my chest.

“Congratulations.” Ansel froze in the center of the room, staring at my neck.

“Thank you.” My voice was too thick. I cleared my throat and huffed. His eyes glimmered as he continued towards his desk. Hopefully he isn’t an *sshole. Not like when he’d harassed the shaman when they first met.

He might be boyish, but he was an Alpha for a reason. And he was serious about vetting the people in power amongst the pack. Not like I’d give him a choice in whether or not she stays, though.

Ansel’s office chair squeaked as he flopped into it. A large wooden desk sat between us and him, making him look official. He leaned forward, twirling his mustache as his eyes narrowed on Gwen. I tensed, forcing myself to stay seated.

“I’m really sorry. About everything, I know I broke and ruined pack property last night. And I started a scene and attacked the Beta and his mate.” She paused, her cheeks turning red. “And I started a fight with the other wolves and ruined the ceremony. I know it was wrong, but I’d like to have an opportunity to explain myself-”

“I talked to your family last night. They told me about your problems with Olivia. Bridget admitted that Olivia ordered her to ruin Quinn’s gown. I demoted Liam from Beta as well, since his mate can’t handle the position.” Ansel paused, flicking his gaze at me. “I’m glad you’ve come here willingly, and that you’ve apologized. That’s a good start.”

I tensed, squinting at him for his hidden threat. He think’s Gwen won’t be able to handle being my mate? That she shouldn’t have the power I do? He doesn’t know her then. She was able to ignore his command all on her own, before we bonded.

“Is my family okay? Did Quinn shift well?” Gwen whispered; her hands clenched together in her lap. The scent of her fear grew stronger, and my instincts told me to chuck him out the window. She didn’t see her family first, even though I’d insisted. We’re literally neighbors. But she’d looked away with shame, sucking in her bottom lip.

“Your family is fine, but that isn’t what I’m here to discuss.” He narrowed his eyes, leaning closer. “You should’ve told me about your wolf when you first came here.”

“My wolf was under control, she had been for years. There was no reason to.”

“I don’t care the reason, or how long ago it was. Did you hide your wolf having a history of being uncontrollable, yes or no?” Ansel’s voice deepened, and I gave him a warning growl. He eyed me and leaned back into his chair.

Gwen ground her teeth next to me, glaring at the floor. The scent of her fear was replaced with anger. The mixture made my stomach turn. I clenched my hands together, my knuckles turning white. This is her battle. She has to get over her fear of her wolf. How is she supposed to do that if she can’t even talk about it?

Maybe if Ansel wasn’t being such a d**k, she’d be more comfortable. I glared at him, but kept my mouth shut.

“Yes. I knew. And I hid it.” Gwen mumbled to the floor and glared at him. I waited for the next snippy remark, for her to put him in his place. But it didn’t happen. Ansel sighed and fidgeted with a pen on his desk.

“Not reporting it discredits you, and your family. We have rules about this, which all of you have clearly disobeyed. If I don’t punish you and your family somehow, it makes me look bad. And-“

“Touch my family and I’ll shove my fist up your *ss, rip out your innards, and choke you with them.” Gwen hissed, her eyes glowing red.

All my muscles tensed; my breath stuck in my throat. She’d told the truth. Ansel paled, his face dropping.

She leaned back, squeezing her eyes shut, and covered her face with her hands. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to do that, I…” her hands flopped down into her lap. Dull purple eyes watched the floor. She wrapped her arms around herself, making herself small.

Ansel glanced at me, his face full of worry. I knew what we were both thinking. I’d seen wolves act like that. Wolves I was sent to handle. Gwen isn’t like them. She was fine all morning and last night. Ansel cleared his throat, shaking his head.

“This is exactly the behavior I’m talking about. You’re acting out of control. You must feel it? Who was your Alpha when you first shifted? They should’ve noticed, it should’ve been added to your file.” Ansel tapped his fingers on the desk and sighed, rubbing his face. “No, you had your ceremony at home. Your fa-“ He sucked in his words, eyeing her like she might explode. “It was hidden from your Alpha, wasn’t it?”

“My dad was afraid of what our Alpha would do.” Gwen whispered, glaring at the floor, her lips pressed together. I glared at Ansel, rage building in my core. He was an *sshole, and now she won’t open up. Great. How the f*ck can I help her if she’s afraid to talk?

“Gwen, your Alpha would’ve helped you. Plenty of our kind struggle to control their wolf after their first shift. It’s why I encourage having the ceremony with the pack. I’m not trying to be a d**k. You’re my best friend’s mate, I want you both to have a happy life together. But I need you to understand how serious this is.” Ansel’s voice softened.

Gwen pursed her lips, glancing out the window. She rubbed her hands on her pants, picking at them. Waves of anxiety came off her, making my stomach twist. I wished I could swat it away for her, fix everything. But I can’t fix her wolf.

Mates don’t work like that. She’d have to learn to control her own wolf. I could only offer her guidance. And the first part was admitting there was even a problem.

Gwen glanced at Ansel, then met my eyes. Fear and pain swirled in her violet eyes. She glanced and stared into her lap, picking at the sweatpants.

“It wasn’t at my ceremony. My first shift, I… I was seven.”