Chapter 36

Shirley

My shock from Ralph’s words hasn’t worn off. As expected, I had a fitful night’s rest as I tossed and turned, seeing his sneering face clear as day each time I closed my eyes. Only, even when I climbed out of the bed this morning, Ralph still overtook my thoughts.

It’s not just about his cruel expression - it’s about the distaste he expressed over Anya. I still don’t understand what caused the shift as my charm should still hold. He should be going crazy over the fact that Anya is gone - and technically he is, but not for the right reasons. Ralph should be reflecting a moping lover who wants his girl back. However, his newfound reaction suggests he would rather harm Anya rather than warmly welcome her if she ever returned.

I’m still stewing over the whole encounter as I sit in front of my computer. I’m spending another day working at home as the pack is still dealing with the protests. Honestly, it’s a shame - not only because of the protests giving us setbacks, but because I could really use some company to distract myself. I thought work would help, but the silence in the house doesn’t stop my mind from wandering.

However, after another thirty minutes of staggered typing, I hear my phone ring.

“Jean,” I say, answering the call instantly. Apparently I really am hungry for conversation as I feel myself nearly wiggle in gratitude.

“Hi, Shir,” Jean replies. “How are things going?”

“They’re fine,” I tell her. “Just doing some work at home.”

“Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to disturb you,” she says apologetically.

“No, no,” I quickly respond. “I could use a little break.” As if confirming my words, I lean back in my chair, letting out a small huff. “How are things there?”

“Good,” she states and I can sense her smile. “Great, actually. Eliot and I took a trip around the city. It’s nice showing him my home.”

Jean’s use of the word “home” makes my stomach squeeze, forming a small smile on my lips as I nod.

“I’m glad, Jean,” I say gently. “He should see where his mom grew up.”

Jean gives a warm hum in reply and I feel us both relish in a tickle of happiness. It’s relieving to be able to sit there, having a conversation with Jean as I know she’s safe. I don’t have to worry about what might happen to her next or Ralph lingering in the shadows. At least…not on her end.

Again, my mind is momentarily overtaken by Ralph and I feel my smile slip. Slow breaths enter and exit my nose as I absentmindedly stare at the table in front of me.

“Shirley? Hello…Shirley?”

“Sorry,” I respond, blinking away the gloss from my eyes. “What did you say?”

“I asked if everything is alright,” Jean informs me. “You didn’t call last night and - I know it might be silly - but I was a little worried.”

“Oh,” I brush out. I had meant to call Jean considering we usually do our check-ins at the end of the day, but it must have slipped my mind after the incident at the bar. “Things are…” I begin, but then hesitate.

I think of telling her about Ralph, explaining how I ran into him again. I even consider admitting what he said and how I’m concerned about the charm’s effects. However, I know what Jean will say in return - she’ll tell me to come home. I can feel deep in my stomach that I’m not ready to leave, especially as I glance at my work still open on my laptop. There’s so much more to do and we’ve barely scratched the surface with the company’s needs due to all the issues.

Besides, Ralph’s threat was minor. If anything, he could have been drinking last night and experienced a small moment of weakness. It’s clear that Ralph can be an aggressive wolf and maybe that’s how he was dealing with the loss of Anya and Jean. Even if our conversation has stuck with me all day, this is small.

I’ve handled Ralph before and I can handle him again. I just need to stop getting ahead of myself. And I need to keep the encounter to myself rather than using it to burst Jean’s bubble.

“I’m sorry,” I say finally, my voice level. “It was an early night and I basically fell asleep at my computer. But everything is fine.”

Jean seems to release a small sigh in relief, but then she speaks softly. “Promise?”

The caring and quiet nature of her voice makes my breath nearly hitch, but I still nod to myself.

“Promise.”

I haven’t gone into town, been in the presence of other people for the last two days. And it’s because when I visited Mainstreet a few days ago, I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching me. Each time I had merely set one foot on the sidewalk, I had the sensation that someone was staring. However, each time I would scan the crowd, trying to find the culprit - I found nothing.

And the sensation would stay with me no matter where I went in the town. Even if I slipped into a store or walked ten blocks down the street before turning down another. My hair stood up on the back of my neck until I was back in the car with Warren and we were miles away from Mainstreet.

I know it’s paranoia. With all the oddities going on around town and the small hold that Ralph’s words have on me, I’m sure that I’m just irrationally anxious. Spending time alone is evidently getting to me and I can’t help but yearn to be in the company of the other wolves within Keith’s inner circle. However, I ignore the warmth I feel or Cicy’s interest whenever I think about seeing him.

Just like the last two days, I’m typing away, thinking about what the pack could be focusing on currently, when I hear my phone chime at my side. Instantly, it draws my attention, especially as I notice the name that pops up.

Keith: Meeting in one hour. My house. Please don’t be late.

Well, it seems my prayers have been answered, I think as I hold the phone tightly. And then I text Keith back.

Shirley: I’ll be there.

Ralph is at today’s meeting and I can’t deny that it makes me feel a little uneasy. He keeps staring at me, wearing a hint of that evil smile he showed at the bar. But no one else seems to notice how he’s looking at me, so I do my best to ignore him as well as I listen to the other’s presentations and conversations.

My stare seems to drift toward Keith more than anyone, hitting me with that strange heat each time my eyes land on his focused features or I watch his large hand run along his jaw. He never looks back though, fully captured by whoever is speaking.

But even despite Ralph’s presence and my annoying reactions to Keith, I still feel lighter and refreshed when the meeting is over. I smile and nod at the other wolves as we all pack up, taking our leave one by one. I’m just about to grab my own bag and head out, but I’m stopped when I hear Keith say my name.

Looking up, I find his eyes finally meeting mine for the first time this afternoon.

“Can I see your file?” he asks then, seeming so unbothered despite my skin warming. “I want to see what else you added since yesterday.”

Nodding, I pull out the folder from my bag and walk over to his desk, promptly holding it out to him.

“I didn’t add much,” I admit as he takes it, but Keith doesn’t seem to care. He just opens it up and begins to read. Just like that first day I presented my ideas, I feel slightly anxious as he looks over my words, but I keep quiet as I study his attentive features.

I wait for any sort of reaction, and soon I see one. It’s subtle and hardly noticeable, but I see the slight gleam in his eye or the way he begins to nod gently. The sight makes my spine straighten a little. Even if he didn’t use any words, his actions insist that he may actually approve of my work.

Without realizing it, a smile has found its way onto my lips. Just like Keith, the reaction is small as my lips only lift a little, but as his eyes raise to meet mine - I know he sees it. I can tell from the way his gaze suddenly dips, flicking down to my lips for seconds before they bounce back up.

I swear as the seconds pass that I can see his stare darken, but it’s hard to tell. My mind feels a little at a loss due to my mood and the fact that I sense his scent softly reaching my nose. The first inhale of Keith scent into my nose is enough to make me nod to him again, already taking a step back.

“I’ll get out of your hair,” I tell him and watch as he lifts a brow as if in thought, his lips parting as if he intends to speak. But then he doesn’t - he stops himself, his brow then furrowing before he nods and hands my folder back.

I take it before I turn and head out, making sure to grab my bag on the way. I feel a mixture of emotions swirling around inside of me, but I make sure to hold tightly to the one that stands out above the rest - Keith’s potential approval for my work. I can’t believe he was actually impressed!

I’m smiling again, hugging the folder tight to my chest like a schoolgirl as I head to the front door. However, I don’t quite make it out before someone steps right into my path. Suddenly, I’m staring right up at Ralph’s smiling face. At first, he says nothing and I’m frozen as I study his sinful grin - but then his lips begin to move.

“Another day passed,” he says deeply. “And Anya still hasn’t called.”

Before I know it, I’m taking a small step back, hugging the folder tighter as my body runs stiff. This seems to please Ralph too as he hums out a laugh.

“See you around,” he finishes, and then he’s walking away and going straight out the front door. I watch as he goes, still unable to move even as the door slams shut.

For the second time, I’m left thinking about his words, and how they dripped with menace.