Chapter 16

Shirley

As expected, Ralph agrees to have Keith join us. After all, Keith is his Alpha and I know he wants to please him. However, Ralph insists that I decide what we do next, leaving me to try and think of something as we leave the building together - now as a trio.

Stupid, Keith.

I’m so annoyed by his presence that I can hardly come up with any ideas. That is, until I recall something I’d seen earlier and am finally hit with inspiration.

“We should go back to the mall and ride the Ferris wheel,” I claim, looking toward Ralph with a little excitement. “All the way to the top floor.”

It has been years since I’ve ridden a Ferris wheel and have to admit I’m genuinely enthused about the idea. Seeing as this day isn’t turning out how I hoped, I can’t help but feel I’m entitled to a little self indulgence.

Ralph agrees while Keith says nothing - probably because the Alpha doesn’t care what we do as long as he just gets to keep an eye on us. It’s an annoying discovery, but I tuck it away as we climb into a car and head back to the mall.

However, once we arrive, I can’t help but notice how stiff Ralph is as we walk through the entrance. He’s awkward, seemingly uncomfortable as he’s no longer all smiles and brags. Meanwhile, Keith walks on the other side of me, clearly keeping his distance but perfectly at ease. Apparently, Ralph is also unsettled by Keith’s presence…though I have to admit I’m a little thankful by his being there. Even though Keith isn’t doing or saying anything, his calm existence is keeping Ralph from eyefucking every two seconds.

I guess the Alpha is good for something.

“Does something smell strange to you?” Keith asks suddenly, snapping me out of my thoughts as Ralph and I look over at him. We’ve barely entered the mall, only gone about ten feet - I don’t know why he’s already alert.

“No,” Ralph and I reply together. However, Ralph doesn’t seem to mirror my level of confusion or interest - he’s already trying to walk ahead.

But Keith is stopped, glancing around suspiciously as I study him.

“What is it?” I ask him.

“Probably nothing,” he offers tightly. “But I’m going to patrol - just in case.” Despite his simple words, his expression is unsettled and makes my stomach twist. However, just as I’m about to reply, he’s already rushing off in another direction.

“Well,” Ralph speaks up. “Then I guess we’ll ride the Ferris wheel. Alone.”

But I don’t reply - not at first. I’m too busy staring after Keith, unable to forget the odd look on his face right before he’d walked away.

~

Ralph and I are standing in line for the Ferris wheel. I’m trying to focus on our conversation, but I’m still too distracted. It’s been nearly five minutes since Keith left us and there’s no sight of him. But that’s not the only thing that has me a little tense.

Now I also smell something odd. It started off subtle, but it’s only gotten more apparent as Ralph and I have been standing here. The smell is completely flooding my senses, but Ralph doesn’t make any comments about it - either because he doesn’t care or doesn’t notice.

But it’s there, though I’m not certain what it is. Not until I’m about to step onto the Ferris wheel and I hear someone screaming.

“Fire!”

The word echoes over the walls, bouncing in every direction as heads turn and more people start to yell. Immediately, my eyes dart around until I see what is causing the wolves to panic.

Only a hundred feet away, a fire is rapidly growing - the flames large and vicious as it draws closer. Werewolves hate fire, causing the scene to grow messier as people dart and nearly climb over one another to escape. I feel sick as I watch tragedy unfold in front of me - everything feeling as though it’s moving in slow motion. That is, until I glance over and see a group of elderly wolves desperately trying to flee - then everything seems to speed up.

Without a thought, I bolt, hearing Ralph calling my name as I zigzag through the screaming crowd. However, I’m not running toward the exit, but in the direction of the flames as I head to the elder wolves.

“Are you okay!?” I ask just as I reach them, grabbing the arm of an old man as he wheezes and stutters. I watch him with a helpless gaze, trying to figure out how to help him. And that’s when I hear someone give an answer.

“Everyone needs to evacuate in an orderly manner. Please try to remain calm and stay close to your loved ones.”

Keith. It’s Keith’s voice.

At first, I wonder if I’ve conjured up the words myself - just creating what I’d think he’d say. But then I realize that it isn’t just my mind playing tricks - it was actually him. He’d used his Alpha mindlink to communicate with everyone.

My epiphany is only confirmed as I notice the crowd around me become quieter, trying to keep their calm - just as Keith had advised. But the man in front of me is still struggling.

Thinking on my feet, I instantly grab the arm of a passing wolf, purposely choosing the tallest and strongest man I can find.

“Please,” I say to him as he looks at me. “Can you carry him? I don’t think he can make it out on his own.”

The wolf doesn’t even hesitate as he nods, smoothly moving as he picks up the elder into his arms. And then they’re gone, leaving me to gaze around as I try to find anyone else who may need help.

“Anya!?” Ralph calls as he appears at my side. “What the hell!? Come on, we need to get out.”

“But the others,” I try, but it’s no use. Ralph is already pulling me along, frantic as he pushes past people in the crowd. Nothing about his movements is “orderly” or “calm.” I try to break his hold, but his hand is too firm.

However, his hand finally leaves me when someone steps into our path and I watch in mortification as Ralph doesn’t hesitate to throw himself toward them. Without a hint of remorse, Ralph knocks a mother and her son to the ground, causing them to jump and cling to each other as Ralph just moves ahead.

But I don’t go with him. I can’t. Not when I see a swarm of people heading right toward the mother and child, looking as if they’re seconds from trampling them.

I can’t help myself. My body is already in action before I can think. I reflexively throw myself down, covering the pair as we keep heads down, knowing any moment people will be stepping on my legs, kicking my sides. But I’ll bear it - anything to keep the mother and son safe.

I wait for the pain, for the press of bodies.

But as I hear the footsteps finally reach us, there’s only one body I feel wrap over mine, covering me with warmth as they squeeze me tightly.

And then I’m being teleported away.