Chapter 15

Shirley

I’m beautifully dressed as I pull up to the curb, seeing Ralph’s grinning face as he waits for me. The doctors finally gave him the all clear and he’s able to leave the hospital - and we both insisted that I should be the one to pick him up.

“Hey, sweetheart,” he says as he slides into my car. “Boy, am I glad to see you.”

“I’m glad to see you too,” I state back shyly. In a way my words are honest this time, but I would have said them more mischievously if I could have. I have high hopes for today.

“Actually, I’ve been in a pretty bad mood these last few days since I couldn’t see you,” I tell him.

As if feeling sorry for me, I watch as Ralph’s gaze becomes remorseful. And then I catch how his hand begins to move, sliding out of his lap and coming directly toward mind. Sick from the idea of him touching me, I quickly slide my hand away, appearing as if I didn’t notice his advances as I put the car back in drive.

“But you’re free now!” I state ecstatically. “I was hoping we could spend a little time together and celebrate. As long as you’re up for it.”

As if delighted by my idea, Ralph gives a small chuckle before he eagerly nods. Just as I hoped. Just as I expected.

“For you - anything,” he insists, smiling at me admirably.

Anything? I think, my lips quirking as I place my eyes on the road.

Let’s see if that’s true.

~

“So, what did you want to do to celebrate?” Ralph asks as we walk around the same mall Jean and I visited a few days ago. His features show a little indifference, telling me that walking around a mall wasn’t what he’d expected.

“Well, seeing as I’m celebrating your freedom,” I start. “I figured I should get myself a little something.”

Following my words, I grab Ralph’s arms and pull him in the direction of the store I’d been searching for. A very expensive and high-end store. Once inside, I release his arm like it’s a burning coal and then gesture toward the nearby display.

“We should buy a few bags to honor this occasion, don’t you think?” I say, absolutely overcome with enthusiasm.

I watch as Ralph blinks at me, shock painted across his face as he then studies the items around us. “Oh…these - these are quite nice…” he stutters out.

Nice meaning expensive. I’d noticed the store when Jean and I had been at the mall, but Jean had told me she’d never gone in because Ralph always refused. Apparently, he’d told her that it was a waste of money and she wasn’t worthy of such luxuries.

Well, he’s going to be taught a lesson today when I make him buy me not one, but two bags so I can give one of them to Jean. Because she is worth it.

“Ooo, what about these?” I ask, going toward two beautiful black bags. Ralph joins me, swallowing anxiously as he notices the obvious price tag sticking out.

“Don’t you think these are perfect?” I continue. “Can we get them?”

“Well, I…” he begins, rubbing furiously at the back of his neck. But he’s interrupted as a saleswoman appears at our side.

“Finding everything alright?” she says with a stiff smile.

“Yes!” I tell her before gesturing to the bags. “Actually we’ll take these.” I then pause, glancing over at Ralph eagerly. “Right?”

Again, Ralph hesitates, looking as if he might faint as the woman and I wait for his response. However, as he’s put on the spot, he knows there’s no way to decline.

“Yes…of course,” he finally says weakly. “We’ll take both.”

And as I Ralph begins to achingly pull out his credit card, I have to turn away to hide my shit-eating grin.

~

I make sure to give Ralph plenty of thankful giggles as we leave the store with my new gifts in tow. I can tell he’s a little in his head now, but I give him a few more adoring smiles and he begins to bounce back.

“What do you want to do now?” he asks semi-casually. He’s probably praying to the Goddess above that I won’t make him buy me a sports car next.

Humming to myself, I look around the mall for a few ideas. I’m not really interested in him buying me anything else, but I’d still like to squirm somehow, which gives me a sudden idea.

“You know…I like a man who can fight,” I say as if it’s an offhanded thought. “It would be fun to see a match.” I think I saw an ad somewhere about a fight happening tonight, and I can’t help but acknowledge that making Ralph watching me drool over other shirtless men would be a thrilling time.

“Actually,” Ralph instantly replies. “A lot of male wolves partake in pack boxing matches a few times a week. There’s some being held tonight - anyone can participate.”

“Really?” I draw out the word, forgetting about the other match as a new thought catches my interest. “That sounds like fun! We should totally go and then I can watch you fight. You’d participate, right?”

It wasn’t what I had in mind when I’d first considered making him squirm, but I have to admit it’s a lot more appealing.

And as if he can’t resist proving himself to be a hero, Ralph nods.

~

I sit on the sideline, waiting for Ralph to finish adding his name to the list as I watch the current match. One wolf has just been knocked out cold, leaving me to hiss through my teeth as everyone else still cheers. That last punch looked brutal.

“All done,” Ralph says as he joins me again.

“You’re signed up?” I ask, looking at him as a few other men drag away the unconscious wolf.

“Yup,” Ralph confirms. “I’m supposed to go against the top fighter of the night.”

“I’m sure that will be no problem for you,” I insist, fueling him with false confidence. “You seem like an amazing fighter.”

In return, Ralph flashes me a thankful smile - one that I try to return as I look back to the ring. But as I meet the stare of another wolf, I can’t help but freeze.

What is he doing here?

Keith’s golden eyes hold mine, his stare as brooding and gloomy as ever. He’s walking directly toward us and his stare darkens as he glances at Ralph - clearly not pleased that we’re here together. The observation causes me to lift my chin higher as he reaches us.

“Ralph,” Keith states, notably not greeting me. “I just heard that we’ll be fighting each other tonight.”

“What?” I ask before Ralph can voice his own surprise. “You’re the top fighter?”

“Yes,” Keith replies, quirking a brow at me.

“Is participating in these matches normal for an Alpha?” I can’t help the question from slipping out.

“I maintain my training - just like everyone else,” he states firmly, holding his gaze on me. “Why shouldn’t I join?”

To that, I don’t have a reply. I just stare at him, causing him to eventually go back to Ralph.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Keith asks, something seeming to sit between his words. “I’m not going to go easy on you.”

I’m not sure if it’s the challenge in Keith’s eyes or the fact that I’m by his side, but Ralph doesn’t back down. He just nods.

“Of course,” Ralph states.

“Very well,” Keith says with a nod. “Then let’s go.”

Now!?

My eyes grow wide as the two men begin to peel away, only getting a quick smile from Ralph before they both go to the ring. Once they step to their respective sides, I finally regain my wits, starting to cheer for Ralph as he pulls off his shirt. For some reason, his actions cause my stare to sneak toward Keith, watching as he does the same, revealing his muscles and defined stomach for the room to see.

Oh, yeah… he’s definitely been keeping up on his training.

Seconds pass, and then the men start circling each other. And it takes no time for Ralph to take his first swing. The force behind his movement makes me certain that he’ll hit his mark, but I’m wrong. Perfectly at ease, Keith sidesteps him as if he’s nothing more than inconvenience before the Alpha strikes out and manages a blow against Ralph’s ribs.

And then the fight really begins. With a figure built by the Gods, Keith rules the ring. He keeps his promise to Ralph, his fierce muscles contracting and flexing as each of his movements are perfectly controlled. In less than a minute, he makes Ralph completely powerless as he knows just how and when to move. Watching him makes my heart race, my voice lock up in my throat as I have to remind myself to calm down.

Finally, I see Ralph take a harsh punch to the jaw. Bruised and bloody, I know Jean needs to see this, leaving me to pull out my phone to videotape the entire thing. And once Ralph is officially down on the floor, I send it to her, smiling once I receive her reply - both of us satisfied with seeing Ralph nearly beaten to a pulp.

Pure revenge.

As the round ends and the crowd cheers for Keith, I finally put my phone away and head toward the ring.

“Are you okay?” I ask, coming to Ralph’s side as he gets up. Playing the part of the worried mistress, I frantically scan his injuries - secretly relishing in delight.

“All good,” Ralph replies, attempting to hide his discomfort. “Just a few scratches.” The bleeding cut above his eyebrow suggests otherwise.

I’m about to fake more concern when I’m stopped as Keith steps up to my side, causing me to forcibly keep my stare from going to him as I feel his heat so close.

“Where are you two off to now?” he asks - as if he didn’t just kick the shit out of Ralph. “Mind if I join you?”

Join us!?

“You probably wouldn’t be interested,” I instantly jump in, desperate to stop his obvious efforts. “It’s nothing special.”

“Nonsense,” Keith replies, waving me away instead. “Besides, I have nothing to do, anyway.”

With his reply, I fully turn my head toward him, but he’s too focused on his best friend as he waits for Ralph to reply. And instantly, I feel helpless at another one of Keith’s attempts to interrupt our date.

Especially because I already know what Ralph’s reply will be.

Now I’ll have to spend the night with the Alpha too?