Shirley I stutter a little as I weigh Keith’s question in my hands. I had no idea that he’d noted my appearance the other night and had remembered me. However, his unwavering voice confirmed that he had no doubt in his mind that I’m the same girl from the bar. He did notice me, and has now clearly taken an interest based on the way he eyes me. Only, his gaze is skeptical, curious - suggesting that I may not like the type of interest he’s developed. It seems I’ve made an impression on him, but not a good one. Not the right one either. “What’s the matter, little wolf?” he asks, taking a step closer to me. I don’t back away, though. I keep my feet planted as he’s standing right in front of me now, slightly making me blush. I pray he doesn’t notice. My glasses always do a good job of protecting me, as if I can ward off his charms by having them on. However, I can’t help but prickle at his presence, an odd sense of fear pooling in my stomach. I’m not entirely sure why. But still, I don’t step back. I just take a slow breath as less than a foot of space separates us and I continue holding his serious gaze. “What’s your name?” he asks, still sizing me up. “Anya,” I reply, feeding him the same lie I’d used on Ralph. Only, I can tell he remains cynical as he gives me another one over. “Anya,” he says the name as if tasting it on his tongue. I’m not sure he likes the flavor. “We should talk.” “Oh,” I respond. “And why would we have anything to talk about?” “Because,” he steps in, a bite behind the single word. “I think my friend failed to give you the full story.” He then pauses again as he holds out his phone. “Take a look.” For some reason, I already know what he’s going to show me, but I still look down. And my stomach drops. Sure enough, there’s a photo of Jean, Ralph, and Eliot - all of their faces happily smiling back at me. They practically look like the perfect family, but I know they’re not. There’s too much going on behind the scenes, and I wonder if Keith is aware of what the man in the photo is capable of. I use my grief as a way to fake surprise at seeing the proof Keith is presenting, allowing my lips to part. “Is that his family?” I ask, filling my voice with disbelief. “Yes,” Keith replies coldly. He then slides the phone away, giving me a chance to breathe as the photo disappears and I pretend to collect myself. But then again, I do need a moment to sort my thoughts. Keith’s intrusion wasn’t part of tonight’s plan and now I need to adapt. “He told me he was single,” I finally say, playing up my innocence. I don’t want Keith to think I’m a bad person and purposely went after a married man - even if I have. But I have my reasons…the right reasons. “He’s lying to you,” Keith states, his golden eyes looking deadly. “He found his fated mate years ago, and they’re currently expecting their second child.” He knows about the baby? At first, I’m taken aback by this information, but then I quickly gather my wits. Of course, he knows. He’s the Alpha, after all - he knows about all the pack affairs before anyone. I don’t know whether it’s the realization or his harsh gaze that gets to me, but suddenly I’m nervous. A slow swallow travels down my throat and my feet betray me as they shuffle. And Keith seems to notice. “Look,” he begins, his tone a little kinder. “I’m not blaming you, but I figured you should know the truth. I can see you two are having fun, but you don’t seem like the homewrecker type.” “And what gave you that impression?” I find myself asking, wondering why he seems to think he has me figured out. It makes me forget my nerves for a second as I raise my chin. I can’t help but notice the new sense of amusement dancing within his eyes. “My wolf,” he states. “He seems to think you’re a good girl.” Following his words, his stare then softens, holding me warmly as I feel Cicy’s interest pique. But she’s sighing - as if someone is giving her a comforting stroke. It shakes me. Makes me also feel as if I’m being held as I abruptly yearn to answer his lingering call. I find myself wanting to confirm his claims, meet his expectations. I want to tell him he’s right - that I am a good girl and have a moral compass I’m quite proud of. I don’t like doing things against my will or seducing people - especially married people. It’s all right there on the tip of tongue…every word he probably wants to hear. I’m so close to saying them, right on the edge. But, for some reason…I don’t. I remain quiet, pushing down my words as I still feel his comfort surrounding me. I’m not sure why he’s capable of soothing me. It’s as if there’s something special about him - as much as I hate to admit it. It’s like he’s capable of evoking emotions in me that I’d never experienced before. Eventually, I lower my head, no longer willing to meet his eyes as I instead stare at the floor. Honestly, I’m thankful for my glasses and the shield they give me. Especially as I realize I don’t want to use my charm powers on him. I know it will draw him to me, make him instantly like me. But I don’t want him to…or at least, I don’t want him to like me because of my skill. If he’s going to like me, I want it to be caused by something else. Maybe just because he likes - well - me. Holy hell. Why do I even care if he likes me at all!? I don’t even know him and he just ruined my entire plan! I want to kick myself, to berate myself for my foolish thoughts. However, my attempts are quickly swept away as I feel a weight against my back. Suddenly, a body has been thrown into me. From the sound of the curses behind me, it seems that a meaty bouncer has managed to push a waiter toward me, causing me to stumble. And also making my glasses fall from my face. Shit! Swiftly, I lower down to the floor, my hands frantically searching as I try to find my glasses. And finally, I spot them a foot away, causing me to reach for them. Only, a pair of large and beautiful hands beat me there. “Stand up, little wolf,” Keith says, though I don’t look up at him. “I’ll help you put them back on.” Heart hammering in my chest, I do the first thing I think of - firmly shut my eyes before I dare to rise back to my feet. Standing once again, I keep them closed as I feel Keith’s body heat in front of me, anxiously waiting for him to place my glasses back on my face. Only, he doesn’t. Seconds stretch by, but they seem to pass like minutes. It’s as if someone has slowed down time and I’m left waiting for centuries as I still don’t feel the frames sliding behind my ears. Annoyed, my eyes fly open as I try to see what the hell is taking so long. And when my gaze meets Keith’s, I instantly realize my mistake. I take a breath, staring into the most beautiful golden eyes I’ve ever seen as I wait. I wait to see the shift, the dilation of his pupils as he takes me in. But nothing happens… his eyes remain unchanged as we just look at one another - time not only slowing, but feeling as if it stops completely. Why? Why is there no effect? Keith is peering right into my eyes and yet he doesn’t falter for a second. I’m lost…completely lost. He should be halfway to falling in love with me by now, ready to grant my every wish just like every other man. But then again…just because I don’t notice any physical changes doesn’t mean there isn’t any effect at all. Maybe I just need to investigate further. So I take matters into my own hands, deciding to test him with my usual abilities as I throw out a new request. This time it’s less brash, but it’s still daring. “I want you to stop trying to interfere with my relationship with Ralph,” I say firmly, my face serious as only my lips move. And then I’m waiting again, seeing if he accepts. Only then do I notice a shine meet his eyes, a slight tilt in his head. I’ve got him. I know I’ve got him and any moment he’ll meet my request. But his features change once again as his lips raise into a sinful smirk, and I can see him set for a challenge. “Dangerous territory, little girl,” he says, his words mocking, amused. “You think you can order me around?” Again, my face smooths, my stomach falls straight down to my feet. And for the first time in a long time…I realize I’ve lost. I’ve completely and utterly lost.
Shirley “Do you have any idea who I am?” he asks, his voice dipping low as his features are painted with arrogance. But I can’t answer his question. I’m too stunned. My charm…my charm actually failed. I know I shouldn’t be so thrown, but this isn’t what I had expected. Of course, my charm has the ability to fail, but the request I had made wasn’t even a difficult one. It was nothing compared to the one I’d given Ralph - attempting to get him to spend a large sum of money on me. So why had I crashed and burned? All I’d asked was for Keith to leave us alone. I’m still trying to work through my thoughts when I’m suddenly interrupted. Keith lets out a soft rumble from his throat, snapping me out of my daze as I blink away the gloss in my eyes. I realize he’s waiting for my response, which I quickly throw together. “Who are you?” I ask, once again pretending to be clueless despite the information Jean already gave me. My rattled emotions make it easy for me to fake my confusion.
Shirley She didn’t say it - not fully. Jean began to utter my real name, but only managed the beginning before the rest got caught in her throat. It’s as if she had an epiphany midway through, realizing who had been the one to call her and likely still stood off camera. Shir. That’s all she’d said. Not Shirley. Shir could easily be mistaken for “sure.” And I want to think that’s exactly how Keith has interpreted the sound as I sneak a glance over at him, meeting his calm expression. Nothing in his eyes suggests that he knows the clipped word she’d breathed is actually my nickname. So I shift my eyes back to Jean, keeping my shoulders relaxed as I hold her gaze. Everything in me tries to communicate with her through our simple stares, praying that years of friendship can make her hear the thoughts I can’t say aloud. Jean remains silent as I watch her study me. Slowly, I notice some of the surprise wear off of her face as she attempts to digest why my face is on Keith’s phone. A
Shirley “Give it back!” I demand, launching myself toward him before I realize what I’m doing. However, Keith merely steps back, lifting the badge higher. As he’s a whole foot taller than me, I can’t manage to reach it. “You’ve been lying to me,” he says tightly, narrowing his eyes. “You’re not some foreign exchange student. You’ve already graduated and you’re employed. Senior auditor.” He then stops, his glare becoming venomous. “Isn’t that right, Shirley?” I try not to pant as his words hit me - between him discovering my badge and saying my real name, I feel like a mixed-up mess. But I try not to show it as I take a breath, ordering myself to remain calm. “Oh, please,” I toss back. “You know - for an Alpha - you’re not very observant. If you weren’t too busy jumping to conclusions and took the time to look closer than you would have realized that’s not me!” To my response, Keith practically grunts, not at all convinced. “That’s my sister,” I insist. “We look similar, but -”
Shirley We’re sitting at a table near the center of the room - surrounded by finely-dressed waiters, high-priced wine, and soft candlelight. I smile at Ralph as I listen to him, swiveling around my wineglass as I brush the delicate material of the tablecloth under my hand. He gladly accepted my invitation for tonight, not hesitating to make the reservation and sending me the confirmation for the restaurant only ten minutes later. And now here we are, chatting in the perfect romantic ambiance. He’s already apologized for last night, and for all the lies he told me. Upon sitting down, I relayed some of the things Keith had revealed to me last night, letting him know I was now aware of his mate and child. He’d been red in the face when I’d finished, his eyes wide as he’d jumped to explain himself. He’d admitted he had a mate, a family. But he’d also told me the relationship was in jeopardy and they were thinking about ending things. Ha. He said he was so shaken up about the whole
Keith I want to keep an eye on her - that’s why I invited her to the pool party. Despite everything she told me or how many times she claimed her intentions are innocent, there’s just something I don’t trust. However, the pool party didn’t go as I expected. I spent the first hour making my rounds - talking to other pack members and dodging forced conversations with other women. Which was quite difficult considering I wore only a swimsuit, catching the attention of any female due to my bare chest and arms being on display. Women love muscles and I planned to use them to my advantage. I had seen the way that Anya looked at me…when she wasn’t planning to rip my head off. Even with my clothes on, I could tell that she liked what she saw. I thought maybe my physique would help distract her a little so I could get her to absentmindedly give me more information. But I’d been wrong. I’d been secretly searching for her the entire time, and eventually I found her. As our eyes met across
Shirley I’ve got Ralph wrapped around my finger like a perfectly tied bow. And I let Jean know as much as we go up the escalator together, leaving her to gape at me. “He’s really been messaging you non-stop everyday?” she asks, completely surprised. “Yup,” I confirm happily. “And he also makes sure we see each other any chance we get. But don’t worry - there hasn’t been any funny business.” Not that he hasn’t tried. However, it’s all been fairly harmless. Just a hand on my back here and there or pretending as if it’s a coincidence when our hands brush. But I make sure to keep him talking, placing his focus elsewhere. As I mentioned, we've been seeing each other constantly, planning to see each other everyday - without fail. I can’t say that I exactly love spending time with him, but I can’t deny that I enjoy seeing the way Keith sneers at me whenever he spots us together. Troublesome jerk. Plus, I’m making lots of headway. I bat my eyelashes at him, look at him in wonde
Shirley All I can hear is growling and what appears to be harsh kicks or punches landing against bodies. At one point or another, the sound of bones crunching meets my ears, causing me to shake harder as I can’t see anything. Whoever was holding me is no longer at my side, but I know it’s because they’re currently taking on the group of rogue wolves - I pray that they’re winning. Eventually, my shaking becomes so bad that I can’t even stand anymore. I’m on my knees, hugging myself on the ground as the brawl continues. It feels like a dream - a bad dream as my ears become numb and everything sounds so far away. I don’t know how long I sit there, but it feels like hours as I still shiver and rock, unable to calm myself. I know I’m perfectly capable of removing the bag from my head now, but I can’t get my arms to move. I simply sit there, listening to the fight, and wishing it would all just stop. And soon it does. I hear footsteps as multiple wolves run away or even a few g
Shirley This asshole really had the nerve to call me an immoral minx when he has a girlfriend? Oh, that’s low. So completely low. Especially considering the way he’d been holding, not denying his obvious arousal. I want to shake my head at him, to show him just how disapproving I am by his actions. But apparently I don’t need to. Keith seems to receive my message loud and clear based on my suspicious stare alone. He just glares right back, working out the puzzle as he tilts his chin. And then he’s the one shaking his head. “This is Lily,” he states, sweeping a hand in the woman’s direction. “She‘s my Gamma. And the little sister of Ron - a longtime friend.” Gamma…so not his girlfriend then. Considering Keith’s claims, I allow my gaze to go back to Lily, ready to offer her a nod as a way of greeting. However, my desire to acknowledge her disappears as she snorts at me. What the hell? “And who are you?” she asks me disdainfully. But she doesn’t give me a chance to answer