The Wolf in Sheep's Skin

Chapter 9

“You’re doing just fine. No need to get worked up.” He rubbed my back.

“It was vulgar. Everyone was watching.” I sniffled and frowned, thinking of the handsome man’s face as he’d mocked me.

“Which is why things will be fine. People will know it was deserved, they won’t question it.” My dad said. But it sounded like he was reassuring himself.

“I lost control today. I haven’t done that in years. I’ve been in check, I’ve done good, I-“ The words caught in my throat. My wolf won for the first time in years, all because of some jerk.

“I know. It’ll be alright, we’ll figure it out. We always have.” He patted my knee and smiled.

“We just moved here and I’ve already ruined things.” I whispered. Knots formed in my stomach, and I shoved more chips into my mouth. They were salty and cheesy. I stared at the bag and wished I could crawl into it.

“We’ve dealt with worse. Things haven’t been ruined.”

“We always move because of me.” I said through a mouthful of chips. I blinked back tears, wiping my face. I glanced at him, and he gave me a pitiful smile. A lump formed in my throat and I thought back to when we’d decided to move.

To get away from the city. To start new for everyone, in a bigger, better pack. Where we’d have more opportunities and be closer to nature. The old pack had been smack in the middle of a city. No room to run, to hunt, to be a wolf. It’d been hard on everyone.

But I could see in his eyes that it’d been for me. For the bigger property, for when an incident eventually happened again. So I could have an open area to roam while my wolf rampaged. So we’d be far from people. Hikers, campers, random people in the woods.

My wolf had never hurt a person. Not that I could remember. But even then, the risk of being discovered, of humans seeing her, or reporting her, was too great. I shivered at the thought.

Uncontrolled wolves aren’t allowed.

My thoughts raced and the night’s events rushed over me. The fight, everyone’s eyes on me. The rage that burned in my chest, the pure pleasure my wolf had felt. The knot that was in my stomach as I’d slapped the man, the way he’d looked at me.

I gasped for breath, and wrapped my arms around my knees, pulling myself into a ball. My breath was shaky and difficult to catch, like the world was squeezing it out of me.

“You’re alright. Hush now.” My dad stroked my hair and repeated the reassuring words.

Memories of when I was younger came to mind. Of waking up, only to find my dad and I had been fighting all night. Him stopping her from attacking people. My body shook, my heart ached like it was being ripped out of my chest.

The couch creaked as my father stood. He went to the far wall of the room that was lined with vintage vinyl records. I groaned and rested my head against my knees.

He whistled a soft tune and paper rubbed together. The record player clicked open and emitted a soft, scratchy noise. With a click, he put the vinyl of the record player, and upbeat classic 70s music played. It was quiet, and he hummed and snapped his fingers to the beat.

“I’m not in the mood.” I mumbled into my lap.

“Please, indulge your dad.” He came closer and his feet tapped on the floor. I sighed and lifted my head. My shoulders slumped, and I pouted at him.

My dad was an awful dancer, bobbing around, tapping his feet out of tune with the music. But his kind, round face always had an infectious smile. He jived to the music, making his long beard flop around on his chest.

He wiggled his brows at me and held his hand out, snapping along to the music with his other hand.

My lips curved into a smile against my will, and I took his hand. He pulled me off the couch and took my other hand. They were like baseball mitts, enveloping my hands. I danced along with him, and laughter bubbled in my chest as he bobbed his head to the music.

He spun me, but I was a head taller than him, so I had to duck under his arm. He chuckled and moved his legs like a baby horse walking for the first time. I followed his lead, performing some odd dance moves. He snorted and shook his head at me as if my dancing could somehow be worse than his.

“Remember when you were little, and you had to stand on my toes?”

“I think I’d crush your feet now.” I giggled, recalling the late nights we’d danced together after I’d had an incident.

The stairs creaked and my dad stopped, staring past me. I followed his look and found my mom at the bottom of the stairs. She was clutching a robe around her, with worry lines running along her forehead as she drew her lips tight.

“Orla! Come, dance with us!” My dad beamed at her and let go of my hands. He held his hands out to her, and she blushed.

“Are you alright?” The room filled with the scent of her worry. Deep worry lines ran across her forehead.

“Dance with me!” He grabbed my mom’s waist, making her laugh.

“Keegan!” She rolled her eyes like she was annoyed, but her smile revealed how much she enjoyed the attention. They laughed together, and I kept the smile on my face.

“I’m going to bed. Goodnight.” I waved at them, walking past them as I headed up the stairs. They waved to me, their giggles following me.

Everyone else in the house was sound asleep, unaware of the light music coming through the floor. I pushed my door open and dropped the smile on my face.

My dress was draped over my desk chair, and my shoes were on the floor next to it. My stomach did flips. My mouth tasted of iron and my muscles ached from running all night.

I clicked my door shut behind me. My room was dark and small. It surrounded me like a cage. The only solace was the view outside, overlooking the grassy field outback.

But as I stared out the window, all I could think of was the c*****e that would remain in the woods. The aftermath of Lilith’s rampage, animals dead, strewn everywhere Unnecessary death. I shivered and goosebumps ran up my skin.

I climbed into bed, sliding under the covers. It was cold and no matter how many pillows I held onto, my bed was vast and empty. Soon I drifted off to sleep, lulled by my tired, aching body.

Dappled light filtered through knobby oaks above me. Tall grass blew in the breeze. Maeve and Erik’s giggles echoed as I kicked a ball at them. Maeve had girly ribbons in her long brown hair, and her yellow dress flowed around her short knobby legs.

Blue frosting from her birthday cake was smeared across both her cheeks. Erik kicked the ball to her, but it went into the woods. She ran after it; her laughter was distorted.

The hair on the back of my neck rose, and I glanced around. Tree branches snapped in the distance. Something big sniffed. A massive brown bear with a gnarly long face entered the clearing with us.

Maeve screamed and Erik got in front of her. His mouth moved, but my ears were filled with cotton.

The bear stood on its hind legs, roaring, spit streaming from its lips.

My bones cracked and my skin tore. Pain radiated through me, throbbing, aching.

Then everything went dark.

My eyes snapped open, and I jolted up in bed. I gasped for breath, the scar on my back ached deep inside. I frantically scanned the room; my racing heart calmed as I recognized my bedroom. My siblings rushed through the house, screaming in high, shrill voices.

A loud knock boomed on my door, making me jump.

“Are we going in today?” Quinn called through the solid wood door as kids screamed past. Her voice was tense. I checked the alarm clock on my nightstand. Sh*t, it’s eight already?

“Yes!” I shouted.

“I’ll be downstairs.” Her footsteps carried her down the stairs, and I jumped out of the bed. My body was drenched in sweat. I swung my door open and went down the hall to the bathroom.

Someone was in the shower, but I didn’t bother to knock.

“Hey!” My sister called out. She was one of 6 sisters who had moved into the new house with us.

“I’ll be quick.” I ran cold water in the sink and splashed my face. My eyes had dark circles and my hair was a knotted mess. I leaned on the sink and rubbed cool water on the back of my neck.

My finger grazed part of my scar, and my hand jolted away. Memories flashed through my mind.

Coming home covered in blood. My back aching with my flesh ripped open.

The taste of blood in my mouth.

The fear in my dad’s eyes as I stared up at him.

I gripped the porcelain sink as my breath grew shallow and shaky. Get ahold of yourself, Gwen. It was just a dream.

A dream I hadn’t had in years.

Kids ran past the open bathroom door, shouting, startling me out of my reeling thoughts. I can’t wait till I get my own house. I splashed my face again, turned off the sink, stood up straight, and swung the door open.

There were 17 of us in total, but only 12 had moved. The house was always busy, and I clung to the sides of the hall as kids raced by. I found my room and went inside. My hands shook as I chucked on a comfy pair of jeans, a nice t-shirt, and a pair of tennis shoes.

I stared at the dresses in my closet, but the thought of putting them on made my stomach turn. I dragged a brush through my hair, watching the clock. The shop opens at 10; I have to leave by 9, I still have to set up…

I quickly finished, dropped the brush, and ran downstairs. Kids bumped me on the way, roaring at each other as they ran up and down the halls.

Quinn was sitting at the kitchen island, with her bag packed in her lap. Her lips were pulled into a tight thin line, and she leaned away from the kids as they ran past, into the backyard.

“Are you alright?” Quinn asked in a soft tone. Worry swirled in her eyes, and she glanced around the room. “You know, after last night?”

“What happened last night?” Bridget came in, heels stomping on the wood floor. She rummaged through the mail on the island.

“Nothing.” I said too quickly. She stopped chewing her gum and gave me a confused look. I pressed a smile on my face and hoped she wouldn’t ask questions. She shrugged and continued chewing her gum.

“Can you watch Henry and Ava today? Erik and I are house shopping, gotta go to some viewings.” She resumed looking through the mail. Erik and Bridget had moved with the family from Pennsylvania, and we had offered for them to stay here while they bought their own home.

The house was cramped with all the kids, and Erik, Bridget, Henry, and Ava all shared one room. Even then, some of the other younger kids had to share rooms for the time being.

“I can’t; I go to the shop today.”

“Oh. Alright, then.” Bridget’s face fell.

Erik came into the room, and we locked eyes. I nodded to her, and turned around, and messed with the coffee maker.

“Henry will love to come. He can pick out his own room.” Erik, my oldest brother said.

“We never get time alone anymore.” Her voice was in a mock whine, and she giggled as a little kiss sound followed.

“Soon. Why don’t you put them in the car, I’ll be out in a minute.”

She sighed and stepped outside. I poured myself a hot cup of black coffee and took a drink. I shivered at the bitterness, but it helped calm my frayed nerves.

“Thanks for looking out.” Erik stood next to me and whispered. The rich coffee warmed my hands through the ceramic.

He was the oldest of all of us at 35, me at 32, and Maeve at 30. The three of us had been a team for a long time. Before my parents had more children, after the incidents stopped, and I’d gained control of my wolf.

The image of him standing in front of the bear, protecting Maeve, came to mind. He’d been so small, so defenseless.

Happy 5th birthday, Maeve.

“Of course. Anything for family.” I gave him a quick smile. “Come on, Quinn. Let’s head to the shop."