The Wolf in Sheep's Skin

Chapter 55

Time flew by, and Quinn stayed in the inner circle, dancing with her friends. People spread out, including myself, to give her space to enjoy her night. The room turned into an unspoken designated dance floor, with the younger crowd practically raving. A few older couples joined together in formal dance, grinning and laughing. I watched from the outer rim of the room, leaning against the wall.

I couldn’t keep the smile off my face, watching her have fun. Maeve had slinked off earlier, enjoying the company of another man she’d met. My parents were off somewhere in the pack house.

I kept my ears open, listening for Olivia’s voice. But I hadn’t heard a peep since I’d come downstairs. Not even the sound of her laughter had reached my ears, nor had I seen her posse.

Good. Maybe she understood and will leave us alone. My cheeks hurt from grinning, and I had to stare at the floor to avoid drawing attention to myself.

Quinn stopped dancing, and glared at me, putting her hands on her hips. Her friends glanced at me with confused faces.

“I told you to have a good time! Why are you just standing there?” Quinn motioned at me, shaking her head. Her voice was crystal clear, even over the loud crowd and music.

I laughed and rolled my eyes.

“I am having a good time.” I shrugged and flashed her a grin. More than you know. Olivia’s shocked expression came to mind.

“You can’t hug the wall all night! Go talk to people, eat some snacks!” She waved me away, faking an annoyed smile.

“Alright, alright!” I chuckled, pushing away from the wall, and walked away.

What am I supposed to do? I kept my head down, listening to familiar voices. My parents weren’t in range, or they were somewhere I couldn’t hear. I glanced at the faces around me as I walked through the crowd.

I barely know these people. My stomach swirled and I sighed, keeping my head down. I weaved through the crowd into the kitchen.

Neat little trays with desserts and snacks were laid out everywhere. I plucked a few things from the trays as I walked by, and found a little corner to hide in.

In the crowd, I always had to keep my head down. Make sure I didn’t bump into people. Avoid eye contact. But at the edge of the room, I could watch. People didn’t give me a second glance as I quietly ate my snacks. I could observe, watching who grouped together.

People formed little circles together, talking, laughing about their life events. They talked about their Coming-of-Age ceremonies, telling embarrassing stories or toasting their achievements.

A deep ache formed in my stomach as I looked around. I didn’t know anyone. Not really. Not outside of the shop, making dresses for people. And even then, I couldn’t walk up to them.

A submissive wouldn’t.

I sighed and shoved the last little dessert into my mouth, a chocolate covered cherry. Sweet cherry juice burst in my mouth as I chewed, but it was dull. Unsatisfying.

My shoulders sagged and I swept my gaze across the room, searching for someone, anyone, I could talk to.

Movement flicked in the opposite corner of the room, and I froze. My breath caught in throat and my heart clenched.

Jay froze across the room, and we locked eyes. His face lit up and his brows rose.

“Gwen.” His voice was a whisper, but it could’ve been a scream against my ears. My heart raced, and my stomach clenched, and I feared I’d throw up all over the floor.

I raced away, nearly knocking into people. I scanned the room, looking for somewhere to hide, somewhere he’d leave me alone.

My heart pounded in my chest; the room silent. My legs went numb, like they’d give out underneath me. People were a blur as I rushed past them, and I took a blind corner to get away from the crowd.

But I’d entered a small cubby. A little dark hole in the wall with serving trays and glasses and towels, like it was a space for the servers. I gasped for breath and swiveled around to flee.

Jay stood in the entrance of my exit. His large frame blocked me in. Light seeped in around him, illuminating his face. I’d have to graze his skin to get past. The mere idea made my skin burn, like I’d been set ablaze.

“What are you doing here?” I hissed, my eyes darting, searching for an escape.

"I was invited." He flinched, and a sharp pang pierced my heart. “Did you expect never to see me anymore? Not even at pack events?” He pursed his lips and tilted his head.

Who invited him? I wanted to cry out, but I composed myself. I swallowed the saliva that had collected in my mouth, tilted my head up, and straightened my spine.

“I made myself clear last time we spoke.” I strode forward, trying to squeeze past him.

He grabbed my arm, wrapping his fingers around it. I hissed between clenched teeth, his fingers searing into my skin. Pain throbbed through me, radiating through my arm. My mind froze, unsure if I should pull away or press into him.

“We need to talk.” His voice was gravelly. His eyes were bright, peering into me. Like he could see into my soul.

I couldn’t look away from him. Not even if tried, I couldn’t force myself to break away from his eyes. Copper eyes peered into my soul, like he could see every facet of my being.

“We have nothing to talk about.” I whispered.

“We do. I have something important to tell you.” His eyes narrowed, and he glanced behind him at the people busting in the nearby room. “I’d rather do it in private.”

My face warmed, and I squirmed under his hold. People were whispering nearby, discussing us. I made myself clear. Why does he have to make this so difficult?

I stared up at him. His face was stern and determined. There were only so many reasons I could think that would cause him to be so determined, even after my obvious rejection.

I craved to dash out of the room like a frightened animal.

“Let me go.”

“Tell me you don’t want me.” He narrowed his eyes, leaning closer to me.

My breath caught in my throat. I scanned his eyes, his hand burning into my skin. Everything in me screamed to apologize. To tell him it was all a lie, some horrible cruel joke. But I couldn’t.

Yet I couldn’t tell him I didn’t want him either. It would be a lie and he would know.

My heart hammered in my chest so hard it ached. My legs wobbled beneath me. His scent swirled around me. Summer rain, washing away the harsh heat, the dust, bringing new life.

My chest heaved as I gasped for breath beneath him.

“You can’t. It would be a lie, wouldn’t it?” His eyes softened, and his grip tightened around my arm. “I don’t understand why you’re doing this. Why you can’t admit how you feel.” He pressed his lips into a thin line and paused, like he was waiting for an answer.

But I couldn’t answer. My throat was dry, and it took all my strength to stay standing. My mind buzzed with him so close, his scent so intense. I could almost taste it; I could almost taste him.

“I thought you were afraid of me before. I believed you because you smelled afraid. I was so consumed in my own fears, I couldn’t see clearly. But I see now. You aren’t afraid of me; you never have been. You don’t act like it. I don’t know why you smell afraid, but I know it isn’t me.”

“Release me.” I glared up at him.

“No. We need to talk more, in private. Come with me.” His words were soft. Tempting. It took every ounce of my willpower to remember why I couldn’t.

“Let me go.” I whispered, my voice cracking. I wasn’t sure what I was asking.

For him to release my arm, or for him to leave me alone. To forget about me, to stop chasing me. His face dropped and body tensed.

“Please don’t ask me to do that.” His voice cracked and my heart ached. His eyes watered, pleading with me.

The world stilled, becoming silent. Sharp, stabbing pain tore through me. My stomach ached deep inside, and all my limbs went numb. Sorrow swept across his face. The scent of his pain filled my senses. Everything in me screamed to take his pain away.

I glanced down at his lips. I shivered, almost able to taste him, feel his heat against me.

His hand left my arm and cusped the back of my head. He groaned and pressed his lips against mine.

My head went floaty and my eyes fluttered shut. Searing heat coursed through me everywhere he touched. My lips. The small of my back, where his other hand pressed me against him.

I grabbed his shirt, pulling him closer. He tasted fresh, like mint. His lips were soft against mine. Hungry, consuming. I couldn’t fight it, going limp in his arms. Fiery need pooled in my core, spreading through me. I shivered against him, and my legs went limp.

A whimper left my throat, and I could’ve flopped to the floor, if his other hand didn’t trail down my back, gripping me to him, holding me up.

He held me so close it was hard to breathe, but it didn’t matter. I wrapped my arms around his neck, digging my hands through his hair, holding his face close to mine. I couldn’t get enough of his lips.

Each kiss sent tingles down my spine, making me shiver. His beard tickled my face, and our mixed grunts and whimpers filled the air.

It was the only thing that mattered, the only thing I heard. Everything else was gone, into the abyss.

He pulled his face away, out of my reach. I growled, baring my teeth. Pulling his hair, I tried to bring him back to me.

“I didn’t mean to do that.” His voice was thick, his copper eyes bright, peering down at me.

I gasped for breath, my head still foggy. Intense heat coursed through me, scorching my senses, all consuming.

“You look lovely. I like this dress.” He gazed down at me, a hand trailing up my back.

I could’ve stayed there forever in his arms. I pulled at his hair, letting it slip between my fingers. It was soft, like silk. He’s eyes lit up as he shot me a mischievous smile.

“We need to go somewhere private to talk.”

I tried to ponder his offer. I knew deep in my core that I wasn’t supposed to. That there was some important reason.

Yet, I couldn’t recall it. The edges of my mind were hazy, blurred with the heat of his touch. It can’t be that important if I can’t remember, right? I grinned up at him, playing with his hair.

My back tickled as his hand trailed higher, a satisfying groan rumbling in his throat. Sparkles went down my spine, to my core, making me shiver.

His hand paused in the middle of my back and his face dropped. He frowned, and his fingers traced over a ridge of my scar.

I tensed, my mind snapping to attention. My body went cold, and my stomach filled with dread. He did the motion again, and my breath caught in my throat.

He blinked at me, his brows furrowing together.

His fingers were right where one of the bears claws had dug deep, leaving a large, knotted line down my back. He rubbed it again through the thin silk fabric of the gown. His mouth parted and his voice crackled, but no words came out.

Everything flooded back to me. Why I wasn’t supposed to be here. That everyone in the entire pack house could hear us.

My body went cold I’d been plunged into frigid water.

I shoved him, racing past him.