Chapter 11

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 wonderment every time he tells me something he thinks is impressive. He thinks I’m falling head over heels in love with him.

As if that could ever happen.

But keeping him busy has also prevented him from spending so much time at home. I can’t help but notice that Jean doesn’t look so beaten and battered these days - thank the Goddess. I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from strangling Ralph the next time I saw him if I saw a fresh mark on her.

“Are you planning on buying some new outfits to impress him today?” Jean asks as we reach the second floor. We’re at the most fashionable mall in town to do some shopping, but more babydoll dresses or kitten heels aren’t exactly what I have in mind.

“No,” I tell her with a frown. “Don’t you remember? The pack’s Halloween party is coming up. I need to get a costume.”

“Oh,” Jean breathes. “Actually, I totally forgot.” Red then begins to stain her cheeks as she looks toward the ground. “I’ve been a little busy taking care of the house…I guess those types of things just slip my mind. Not really my scene anymore.”

A wave of guilt hits me then. I didn’t even think about that - how Jean has probably been overloaded with responsibilities now that Ralph has been out so much. I really needed to be more aware of her part in this equation - maybe even find time to come over and help with the housework when Ralph isn’t around. But for now, I’ll just help her enjoy herself a little.

“Well, then,” I begin, linking my arm through Jean’s. “Let’s forget about all of that for now and just have some fun. Come on, you can help me pick out the perfect outfit to make any wolf’s head turn.”

To that, Jean bounces back again. She lifts her gaze to me, smiling with delight as she squeezes my arm in hers.

“As if that’s hard,” she teases with a laugh. And it causes me to laugh right back before I take a moment to thank the universe.

Even if I wish it wasn’t under these circumstances, it’s nice to be back at my best friend’s side again.

~

An hour later, I’ve tried on dozens of costumes, but I’m certain that I’ve finally found the one. Jean seems to think so too considering her eyes immediately light up as I come out of the dressing room, giving her a ridiculous pose. I’m wearing an all-black, sexy kitten costume - which is more like a glorified negligee with cat ears and a tail. But the fishnet tights make my legs look long and irresistable.

“You have to get that,” Jean tells me. “I’ll even buy it for you.”

“No need,” I tell her with a laugh, then spotting the material gathered in her arms. “Did you find something?”

“Yes, actually,” she replies with a smile. “Just a dress. Definitely not as exciting as your costume.”

“It’s beautiful,” I tell her, dismissing her comment as I walk over. I brush my hand over the silky material, mesmerized by the dreamy shade of white. “You’re going to look amazing.”

“So are you,” she says. “That dress was made for you. Ralph won’t be able to stay away.”

I hum in reply, turning away so I can look at myself in the mirror. Instantly, I give myself a devilish grin.

“That’s the plan.”

~

I haven’t been able to get a hold of Ralph for the last two days. In fact, he hasn’t even been reading my messages. We went from talking and meeting up constantly to absolute silence. It has sent me into a bit of a panic - if I lose his interest then this entire thing is ruined.

I hate it, but as the hours pass and I still don't receive any response from him, I can feel myself getting more restless. I almost think to text Keith and see if he knows anything, but I know that’s a bad idea. I don’t need him thinking he can meddle any more than he already has.

But eventually it hits me - I can just ask Jean. I was silly not to think of it before.

Shirley: I don’t want to raise any alarm. But has something happened to Ralph? I haven’t heard from him in a couple of days.

I sit anxiously as I wait for Jean to reply, only able to take a breath when she finally texts me back.

Jean: He caught a really bad cold and has been in the hospital since Wednesday.

The hospital? Goddess, it must be some cold. I know that werewolf colds are no joke, but I’ve rarely seen them lead to hospitalization.

Jean: He’s essentially in a coma since his fever is so high.

Shirley: Sorry to hear that. I hope you’re okay.

I’m not necessarily concerned about Ralph, but Jean is another story. This is likely only adding more stress to her life and I hate that she probably has more to deal with. After all, she already mentioned she’s been doing everything at home and now more will just be added to her plate.

Jean: I’m fine. Just trying to be there for him…as his mate.

I frown as I read her message, eventually releasing a sigh. I know I shouldn’t fret - Jean’s just doing what’s expected of her and being a dutiful mate. I just hope that’s all this is…that she was honest when she said she was no longer in love with him.

Ralph doesn’t deserve her love, or her kindness.

But I don’t tell her that. I just put my phone down and lay back in my bed. I let Jean take care of her mate.

~

It’s nice to roam the Halloween party and not worry about Ralph. We’d planned to “bump into each other” at the celebration, but since he’s still in the hospital, I don’t have to spend the night tucked at his side. Although, I am disappointed that Jean can’t be here since she’s still looking after him.

But the party is amazing, especially considering the elaborate decorations. Plus, I can’t help but enjoy the attention I’m getting over my costume. Men are practically drooling as they see me prance around as a little kitten. They’ve even given me countless flowers and candy that I keep pawning off on some of the elder wolves scavenging around the road.

I’m too busy playing to carry around all the gifts. There’s too much ground to cover as the festival stretches all the way down Main Street, with music pouring out of every open shop. It’s enchanting and I’m drawn in at every turn.

And the smell. On one block it’s spice and meat and the next it’s baked dough and cinnamon. I have to keep stopping just to take deep whiffs, trying to commit it all to memory.

My desire to take in every detail makes the hours pass quickly as I continue to stop by various vendors or chat up a few pack members here and there. It’s so nice to relax and let loose - normally I’m too busy with work to enjoy such a celebration.

But before I know it, it’s well past midnight and I decide it’s time for me to go. I’ve seen all I can see and done all I can do, leaving me pleased as I head out. As my hotel is within walking distance, I simply turn down a side street and begin the journey home, allowing the party to disappear behind me.

It’s funny how quickly it all fades away, making the world seem eerily quiet aside from my heels clicking against the sidewalk. And the roads are so dim compared to Main Street, making it harder to see my surroundings as I walk under the dim streetlights. That is…until someone steps into my path, causing me to come to a complete stop.

I hadn’t seen him. I’m fully convinced he’d just been hiding in the shadows like a beast waiting for its prey as he allows a wolfish grin to spread across his lips. The sight of it makes me want to run for the hills, but my feet feel glued to the ground.

“Hey there, kitten,” he says right into my face, his breath smelling like alcohol. “Wanna play?”

As he speaks, a few more men begin to step into the weak streetlight, causing my eyes to widen as they surround me. Their scents fill my nose as I hear Cicy begin to growl.

They smell…different. Wrong. Warning bells begin to go off in my head. They don’t smell like normal Lock Heart wolves.

Heart slamming into my chest, I do the first thing I can think of. I don’t say anything as I go for the glasses on my face. If I can get them off then I can use my charm and get them to back off.

But I’m too late.

Before I can reach them, one of the wolves behind me smacks my hand away, his arms then sliding around me as he takes me into a bear hug. I attempt to kick my legs in defense, hitting his shin gently as he hisses in my ear. So I repeat the action, managing a slightly harder kick that causes him to release me. Stumbling out of his grasp, I try to gather my wits for whoever decides to come at me next, but I’m not fast enough.

Suddenly, the world disappears, turning pitch black as I feel scratchy material falling over my face. I reach towards it, discovering someone has thrown a bag over my head before someone else harshly rips my hands away.

Once more, I’m being bound in someone’s arms, my limbs harshly pinned down and making me incapable of removing the bag or my glasses. In this state, my skills are completely useless. I have nothing to protect me. To save me.

The realization hits me so hard that I feel myself completely snap. A scream erupts from my throat, so loud and piercing that it practically hurts my own ears. I need someone to hear me, anyone. But I know that they won’t. The bag is containing the sound, muffling it. And we’re also in a remote area between the town and my hotel - there’s no one to hear my cries.

However, that doesn’t stop me from screaming again, thrashing against whoever is holding me as I fight blindly.

That is, before they abruptly release me and I stumble forward…right into another man’s chest.

He’s firm, warm. And his arms effortlessly wrap around me.

But this time - as his familiar scent fills my nose - I don’t feel the need to pull away.