The Wolf in Sheep's Skin

Chapter 73

I scrunched up my brows and pursed my lips. Tension was thick in the air between us and Maeve’s cheeks pinked as she looked towards the doorway.

“We should talk about it later. With mom.” She whispered and shot me a nervous glance. I chewed my bottom lip and nodded my head once.

“Okay.”

We went out of the laundry room. I was too nervous to ask her about Jay again, worried about whatever she couldn’t talk to me about yet.

Our mom was in the center of the room, twirling around with our dad. The vinyl record player was singing to us, playing upbeat dance music. She shot me a nervous glance from across the room. I knew she must’ve heard us. Whether the look was based on what I’d revealed to Maeve about Jay and me, or if it was about what needed discussed, I couldn’t tell.

And I wouldn’t find out until later. I celebrated with my family, dancing with them. I tried not to let the worry clog my mind or ruin my fun. They were happy to have me back, and that’s what mattered. They weren’t angry, Quinn wasn’t upset, and they’d welcomed me back with open arms.

By the time the night slowed, and the kids were put in bed, I’d nearly forgotten what we needed to discuss. I would have, if the shop wasn’t so important. Maeve, Quinn, and our parents huddled into the kitchen. All the younger kids were upstairs asleep, and Erik and Bridget were in their own room.

The four of us were in the kitchen and dining room cleaning up the mess. Cups were littered across the house as if we’d thrown a frat party. I cradled a few in my arms, carrying them to the kitchen.

My stomach twisted in knots, and the words wanted to burst from my mouth. When I placed the cups by the sink where Maeve and our mom were washing and drying them, I lost the battle.

“Why weren’t you at the shop?” I blurted out, darting my eyes between them. Our mom, who was in between Maeve and I, froze with a soapy cup still in her hands. They exchanged a look, and she sighed.

“We were waiting for you to get home. We were worried, especially after the first day passed.” She rinsed the soapy cup and handed it to Maeve to dry.

A knot formed in my throat. They were so worried they couldn’t open the shop?

“Then we can open it tomorrow. I’m back and everything is fine.” I smiled at them, and they didn’t meet my eyes.

“It’s too soon, Quinn’s just had her ceremony, and you’ll have your mating ceremony soon. The shop can stay closed a while.” My mom gave me a soft smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. Instead, worry and pain festered in them.

I pursed my lips, sensing the tension in the room. I could tell there was something she was hiding, something Maeve hadn’t wanted to say either. I squinted at Maeve and her cheeks burned, and an awful scent came off her. Guilt.

“I’m ready to work. I’ll open up the shop tomorrow, I have orders I need to work on.” I crossed my arms and huffed. I’ve already put them off too long.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” My mom whispered and scanned me with warry eyes. I furrowed my brows and clenched the muscles in my shoulders.

“Just because I have a mate doesn’t mean I can’t work.”

“Gwen, your eyes have been purple the whole time you’ve been here.” My mom whispered as if she was reassuring a small child about to cry. I scowled, and dropped my arms, letting them flop to my side.

“I’m in control.” I think.

“I don’t want this either, but when Alpha Ansel came, he was clear. The pack is unhappy with us. All of us. It will take time for them to forgive and accept us again.”

“So the shop has to close? We just shut it down, after everything?” I spat out. I did all that to protect the shop, to protect my family, and it still has to close? I slumped my shoulders, deflating. “She won?” I turned my head away from them, frowning at the floor.

“No, Gwen. The shop doesn’t have to close. I just think… it’ll be easier for the pack to adjust to coming back to the shop if you weren’t working there.” My mom whispered, her words barely reaching me.

I recoiled, like she’d slapped me. I hissed in pain and stared at her, wincing. I grabbed my belly, like it would help with the pain coursing through me.

“What?” I whispered.

“The pack is going to take time to heal. It wouldn’t be permanent, just until they’ve settled. Until they aren’t upset anymore.”

“They can’t do that! They can’t force me out of the shop!” I wanted to scream, to feel the burn as the sound tore through my throat. All kinds of reasons came to mind. That they didn’t have the place to force her out, they couldn’t make her.

But they could. She couldn’t force them to buy dresses.

“Gwen, we’ve talked about this. Just like when we decided it was best for Quinn’s ceremony to be at the pack house, it’s best chance for the shop.”

“Do they really hate me that much?” I glanced at her. What did Ansel say to them? Is this his idea? His way of punishing me and my family?

My mom and Maeve exchanged a glanced and Maeve’s face paled.

Maeve never stays at the family house overnight. She doesn’t like the sound of everyone breathing, finds the kids too loud. Why hasn’t she returned to the apartment in the shop?

“What happened?” It came out more as a growl. I stood up straight, rage flaring in my chest. They both paled and froze for a moment. My mom cleared her throat and continued washing another glass.

“Shall I tell her, or you?” My mom glanced at Maeve, who sighed.

“Some people left… unkind notes at the shop. I don’t know who they were, but they were clear about not wanting us in the pack anymore.” Maeve shuffled her feet, and huffed.

They’d scared her. I could smell it, sense it in the air. Some f*cker had scared her enough to make her feel unsafe being at the shop. I let out a growl and paced the room. I squeezed my hands at my sides, my knuckles ached from it.

I let my wolf out so they would leave my family alone. So, they wouldn’t hurt them and know better than to mess with them. So, they’d be afraid of my wolf, to know not to f*ck with her.

But what can I do about this? I could get the note, hurt them down, threaten them. I’d only be proving their point. Showing they do have something to be afraid of. It would make the pack hate me more.

I did it to protect them and I only made it worse. I growled, my muscles tensing. I craved to run outside, through the woods. You went too far! You should’ve have done all that, putting them in your mouth!

“They needed to be afraid.” Lilith growled. Only enough! Now they’re trying to scare out my family!

“They will not hurt them.” Lilith snarled, and the urge to run outside and hunt whoever did this increased. There are other ways to hurt! What will my family do if the shop closes? How will we afford to eat, to keep the house, to pay for anything?

Lilith huffed at this, and for once, didn’t have a snarky answer. I stomped my foot on the ground and let out another growl.

When I pried my eyes open, everyone was watching me. They were still, and the room had a hint of their fear that was beginning to grow.

“Gwen?” My dad asked in a soft tone from across the room.

“I’m sorry, this is just so frustrating!” I shook hands and growled again. “We shouldn’t have to close the shop!”

“Your eyes are red.” He said in the same soft tone, and I froze. All the rage sapped from me, and I blinked at him. Hot tears burned in my eyes, and I wiped them away with a harsh rub of my palm.

I let out a slow breath and my skin stopped prickling. I hadn’t even noticed it had been until it stopped.

“I’m sorry.” I hunched my shoulders, and my arms hung limp at my side. Shame coursed through me, and I desperately wanted to run. I keep losing control of her.

“You’re doing better.” My dad’s voice was filled with awe. He grinned at me, the scent of everyone’s fear dissipating. “Your eyes are purple again. And you’ve never spoken with red eyes. It’s a good sign.” He rumbled in approval.

I glanced at everyone around the room. I wasn’t sure I deserved his approval, knowing I’d just thrown a fit like a toddler in the middle of the kitchen. I chewed on my lip and rubbed my hands on Jay’s sweatpants.

“We aren’t closing the shop.” My mom said. I frowned at her, my brows knitting together. “We’re thinking it’s best if you aren’t working there.”