Chapter 13

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 as she points her next question toward Keith. “And why are you out here with her?”

Goddess. If I didn’t know any better than I’d think this woman hates my guts.

“Her name is Anya,” Keith informs her pointedly. “She’s an exchange student visiting from the Shadownmoon pack. I was helping her out, so there’s no need to make a fuss. I was just preventing…an accident, protecting the reputation of the pack.”

I figure Lily would admire Keith’s chivalry or show some kind of approval. But instead she just makes another haughty sound - though it’s a little more subtle from the last.

“Where’s your brother?” Keith asks then, not interested in her grumbling. “Or the others?”

The others? I can’t help but feel a little relieved at that…though I’m not sure why. For some reason, I’m put at ease as I realize Keith and Lily hadn’t been alone together all night. Instead, they’d been enjoying the celebration with a whole group. Well, that is until Keith probably heard the commotion and broke away to come and help me.

“No idea,” Lily mutters then, and it makes me look toward her. As my gaze lands on her, I find she’s already scanning me, an evident pout placed on her face.

“Exchange student…,” she begins, pausing as she blinks. “Wait…aren’t you that girl who’s been fooling around with Ralph?”

She knew about Ralph? Wow, news sure traveled fast, but I guess that’s normal for any pack. But still, I can’t help but wonder who she heard the gossip from. I think I have a pretty good idea, though - since the man standing beside us hasn’t exactly been singing my praises.

I almost sneak a glance toward Keith in order to gain some insight, but I stop as Lily speaks again.

“I guess I would expect that kind of behavior from someone like you,” she says with a tisk, taking in my outfit again. “Especially with such a coquettish dress.”

What is this girl’s problem!? I have half a mind to ask her and rip her apart, but she swiftly shows she has no desire to hear anything I have to say. Instead, her attention falls on Keith.

“You really shouldn’t be hanging out with her, Keith,” she tells him. “Especially alone. I don’t think anyone should care about such a desperate woman.”

Oh, this girl is barking up the wrong tree. It’s taking everything in me not to jump across the sidewalk and show her how desperate I am to punch that pretty little face of hers.

“Lily, be nice,” Keith warns.

Lily. Lily, Lily, Lily…I swear Jean had said something about a “Lily” when she’d given me the rundown of the pack’s members. But what had she said?

Oh! Ohhhh. That’s right. She’d said that Lily was the younger sister of Ron - as Keith had mentioned. But she’d also stated that Lily was the youngest of the family, usually fretted over and petted by nearly everyone. Now it makes sense why she’s acting like such a baby.

Plus, Jean let it slip that it was no secret that Lily was practically in love with their Alpha - constantly chasing after him like a mindless pup. It’s comical that she has the nerve to call me desperate when she’s making such bold accusations against me so Keith will stay away. If she’s trying to piss me off then she’s surely hitting her mark.

But I know it’s not worth punching her over - as much as I’d like to. However, I still want to show her who she’s dealing with, ruffle her fur a little.

“Look,” I begin casually, giving a shrug. “If you like Keith then that’s all you had to say. I won’t step on your toes.”

“What!?” Lily blurts, her cheeks already turning red. “What are you talking about? I don’t like him. He’s like my brother.”

“Oh,” I pop out innocently, raising my brows. “Oh…well good.” But I don’t leave it at that. Instead, I take my time stepping up to Keith’s side, putting on a show as I lustfully grab his arm. I expect him to tense underneath my touch, but he doesn’t. All he does is look down at me, his confused stare burning against my face as I keep looking toward Lily.

“Then it shouldn’t be a problem if we hang out,” I ask, dancing internally as I see Lily’s gaze stuck on the place where Keith and I are touching. Her cheeks are only staining darker and her chest is heaving with annoyed pants. “I mean - if you don’t like him - then it shouldn’t matter what he does with me…right?”

“Anya…” Keith says quietly, though it’s not quite a warning. But he knows what I’m up to, causing me to smirk in his direction as he studies me.

However, we’re suddenly interrupted as my hand is practically being ripped from Keith’s.

“You stupid -“

“Enough,” Keith stops Lily, making her go completely still as she looks at him. I see her change right in front of me, turning more sheepish and childlike as if I’m some kind of monster. I want to laugh at her, to call her out. But Keith doesn’t give me pleasure.

“You should go,” he says to me, causing my head to snap in his direction.

Seriously? He was buying her little act and dismissing me? How can he really be that thickheaded? I can’t believe he can’t see right through her and is choosing to take her side.

But then again, why wouldn’t he?

After all, Lily voiced basically the same things that Keith has been saying about me since I arrived in town - though she was a little more harsh. Still, it's clear that they both think I’m a bad person. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’ve already talked about me in private, agreeing how repulsive I am.

Besides, I’m just some woman who suddenly appeared in their lives. I’m nothing to them - a mere nuisance like gum stuck to the bottom of their shoes. Meanwhile, they grew up together and have a bond that I can’t touch. So yeah, it’s no wonder Keith is protecting her and sending me on my way.

And suddenly, I can’t help but want to run away. I know it’s all an act, but I can’t deny that my heart aches from having to be seen in such a negative light. Because I’m not the terrible person they’ve made me out to be. I’m so much more.

If the circumstances were different…then maybe I could make them understand that. Or at least make Keith see it. I don’t really care about Lily and her superiority complex. But Keith…I wish a world existed where I could explain everything to him, make him see the truth.

But I can’t do that. Not tonight, and maybe not ever. So I do my best to keep my head held high and expression smooth as I turn away.

However, I don’t get very far before I’m stopped again. But not because of Keith or Lily. No, my movement is stilled when I hear a chime from my purse, causing me to immediately retrieve my phone from inside.

Instantly, a spark runs down my spine.

It’s Ralph - messaging me for the first time in two days.