The Wolf in Sheep's Skin

Chapter 71

The car ride was smooth despite the bumpy road. Jay’s oversized SUV was new and nicer than any of the cars my family owned. And it was the only modern car in his selection. I glared at the road, tightening my hands around the steering wheel.

After we’d woken up, while eating breakfast, I’d told him I needed to work to clear my head. Even after my reassurance I wasn’t clearing my head about him, he’d still seemed unhappy about me leaving. Thankfully, he didn’t insist on joining me at the shop, and had said he needed to speak to Ansel today anyways. Something about the witch meeting.

But leaving was like abandoning a sad puppy pouting at the door. Necessary, but I felt evil. He’s a grown man. I have a business. I can’t just give that up because we mated. My frown deepened at the idea.

There’s no reason I can’t have a business, I get to have a life outside of us. And it’s not like we have children that need watched. My cheeks warmed at the idea of children, wishing I had Maeve around to talk to.

Thinking of Maeve made my stomach turn, bringing on the reason for leaving Jay behind in the first place. My family. Whether they were upset, if Quinn was angry with me, what they would say when I eventually go to see them.

At least if Maeve is here, I can talk to her. About all of it. Jay, marking him, what the family thinks, and about this new d*mn ritual Jay thinks I should do. I pulled into the shop parking lot and sighed. He’d talked to me about it this morning, suggesting I do whatever ritual or magic think Pepper comes up with.

Hopefully Maeve isn’t mad at me. And if Quinn is here, I’ll beg for her forgiveness. I swung open the door and flung myself out of the giant black SUV.

It was nearly noon, and the shop should be busy. I adjusted my clothes, knowing I looked a bit like a mess. I was in Jay’s sweats again, and a white tee. None of his clothes fit me well, but I wasn’t here to serve customers. I figured I’d work on the Luna’s gown, hidden away in the top of the building. I doubted the pack wanted to see me after events of the ceremony.

The back door to the shop creaked open, and I froze in the doorway. It was silent inside. No one was shopping. The front windows blinds were closed. The air inside was stagnant, not even Maeve’s scent was fresh.

She hadn’t been here in a few days, right before the ceremony. No one had.

My stomach churned, and I nearly fled back out the door. Where are they? Why hasn’t Maeve been home? My mind raced through the worst ideas. Someone was hurt. They left the pack without me.

My heart dropped into my stomach. I slammed the door behind me and raced up the stairs to the top floor where Maeve lived.

Nothing’s happened. Ansel would’ve said something yesterday. I would know if they’d left. But the fear had me climbing the stairs two steps at a time.

I scoured her upstairs apartment, checking her closet. Her clothes were still there. I took deep breaths, working to calm my racing heart. But it was pounding so hard I vibrated with each beat. The world spun, and I sank onto her bed. All her things still appeared to be in her room.

They didn’t leave. She wouldn’t have left her clothes. But why hasn’t she been here? I tried to recall if her car was parked in the back. I’d been so focused, I hadn’t checked. I stood on wobbly legs and went to a window, pressing my nose to the glass. The black SUV was alone.

Where could she be? Is she at a man’s house? I pursed my lips, stepping away from the glass. But why is the shop closed? Maybe my family really is mad at me? Or maybe they’re waiting for me to come home to open the shop again?

I paced around Maeve’s room, then went back down the stairs. It was too much. Everything in the past few days building up in my mind, like a river about to overflow a dam.

I pulled out the plans for the custom dress the Luna and I had agreed on and checked them. Keeping my mind occupied, I grabbed the fabric she’d wanted and began cutting.

Will she even want it anymore after the ceremony? Will the pack hate me? I grunted and kept cutting. The fabric sliced like butter under my sharp blade. She’ll want it. It’ll be too pretty for her to deny it. I nodded to myself and kept working.

I can’t make the pack like me. If they hate me, so be it. I finished cutting the fabric and checked my notes. I frowned, putting my hands on my hips. Something was missing. I tapped a finger on my hip, and double checked my notes. I frowned at the cut strips. I’d followed all my instructions, and everything was correctly laid out in front of me.

But my instincts told me something was off. Huffing, I turned and went to the safe where I’d stored Genieve’s ‘inspiration’. I hefted the case onto a table and clicked it open. The inspiration, her flogger, stared at me.

Remembering her request that my scent not get on it, I stared at it instead of picking it up. There was an intricate woven leather on the handle. That’s what I forgot. I was going to add woven details.

I stared at the flogger. Genieve’s statement played through my mind. “I whip my mate with it when he misbehaves.” Do people really like that? I raised a brow at the flogger and scoffed. That can’t be pleasant.

Lilith grunted a laugh in the back of my mind, images popping into my head. Of me using it on Jay. Or him using it on me. A shiver went down my spine and my cheeks warmed.

“Stop that” I snapped the lid closed and shoved the case back where it belonged.

“Sissy.” Lilith hissed, a hint of humor in her words. My cheeks burned and I rubbed my sweaty palms on my sweatpants. I wish Maeve was here. I paced around the room, knowing she’d have some great advice. Or at least would be able to confirm whether other people used things like the d*mned flogger.

Is Jay into that stuff? Will he expect me to do that? My brows scrunched together, and knots formed in my stomach. I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to say yes. Or if I could say no if he asked hard enough. I stilled, running my hands through my hair.

He’s my mate. It’ll be fine. But my gut told me everything wasn’t fine. The whole pack knew about Lilith. Ansel said they were upset. Maeve hadn’t been home in days. I lived in Jay’s house, a man I was mated to, who I’d only known three weeks.

My breath caught in my throat, and I gasped for air. I gripped a table nearby, taking deep slow breaths. I have to learn about magic. Diplomacy with other species. They want me to do some ritual or something, for some goddess that doesn’t even exist. Like that will help me control my wolf.

I shivered, wondering if I’d ever go to another pack event. At least, one where everyone didn’t stare at me with fear or hatred. It’ll be fine. I’ll have Jay. I gripped the table harder. Is that it? We’re doomed to a life of everyone hating us? I knew I could do it. That we’d be okay. But what about when we had kids? The thought of the pack hating them too made my heart ache like it’d been ripped out my chest.

Does he want kids? He’d been so great with my siblings. He seemed to like talking to Henry. Will my family like him? I’d always imagined raising my children with their cousins. They’d have such a big family; I’d looked forward to it.

But now I wasn’t sure if my family even wanted me around.

I froze, squeezed my eyes shut, and let out a deep breath. Sitting around and avoiding them isn’t going to fix this. I have to talk to them. Waiting longer will only make them angrier. And what if something is wrong and I’ve just been avoiding them the whole time?

The thought made my stomach turn. I put away the fabric I’d cut and left the shop. The car rumbled down the road and my thoughts spiraled. If they’re angry, I’ll make it up to them somehow, earn their trust again.