Chapter 43

Shirley

Despite better judgment, I’ve decided to come into town today. I know it may not be safe for me to be out and about, but considering what happened at the house last night - it doesn’t feel safe to be there either. At least in town I’ll be in a public setting, surrounded by witnesses if anything goes wrong.

And I really hope it doesn’t. Honestly, I don’t understand why someone is messing with me and why they’re going to such drastic measures to shake me up. Who have I wronged so badly that they feel the need to take me things? Leave dead rabbits for me to find? And what if the two aren’t correlated at all? I could be dealing with two people instead of one, and that thought really shakes me up.

I’m just thankful that Keith was so willing to come over before whoever was at my door became impatient, deciding to take things up a notch. His presence had certainly done the trick - ensuring that my tormentor hadn’t returned last night. And Keith had also been able to calm me down enough so that I could try to get some sleep.

He really did play a big part in calming my anxieties…even walking down the street now, I can still see that concerned gaze, feel his warm fingers against my chin.

But as soon as the memories fill my mind, I have to shake my head to clear them away. It’s not right for me to think about Keith that way, to relish in thoughts of his touch, heat, scent. I’m here to help his company and I need to keep things professional - I can’t help but feel like our exchange last night nearly inched across that line.

So I needed to make sure I took two large steps back, keeping up that professional relationship. I can’t think about his scent or Cicy’s reactions whenever I humor one thought of him. Especially because I have other things to worry about.

And it seems another one of those concerns has decided to step right into my path. I’ve been walking down the street, just trying to get some fresh air, but it seems the universe doesn’t want to let me completely relax. Not as I stare ahead and spot someone among the crowd.

I notice his inky hair first - so black that it’s nearly blue. And then I study the white shirt he wears, which is similar to the one he had on the other day. And finally, I can confirm it’s him as he slightly turns his head, spotting that deep scar on his face.

It’s the man I’d seen with Ralph, but my best friend’s ex mate is nowhere at his side today. Instead, he walks alone, scanning the crowd as his back is to me. He’s studying the groups of protestors, weaving through them as if they’re nothing.

I can’t stop watching him as I continue to walk, but eventually my feet begin to move on their own accord. They change course, no longer heading to the coffee shop down the road, but moving in the same direction as the man. Somehow, he still strikes me wrong and I feel an overwhelming need to learn more about him.

I hang back at least ten feet, making sure to stop when he stops or speed up whenever he does. But it’s unclear where he’s headed, especially as it’s not as easy for me to push through the crowd as I don’t mirror his demanding height or frame.

Gradually, the ten feet between us grows, becoming fifteen or twenty as I struggle to catch up. But as I pass through a larger collection of people, I lose sight of him completely. I curse under my breath as I try to scramble past the others, hoping that if I clear them that I’ll be able to find him again.

Only, my hopes are for nothing. As I finally step out of the crowd, my eyes fly around the street and shops to try and find him, discovering he has disappeared - just like Ralph had a few days ago. I feel a flash of annoyance as I scowl, shaking my head as I turn around.

It’s no use trying to find him now, seeing as he could have gone any direction or turned down any road. So I decide to go back the way I came, distracted with thoughts and theories of how Ralph and this stranger could be connected. Perhaps it’s nothing, but it sure feels like something.

Moving back to my original path, I choose a clearer route outside of the gathered people. Their shouts fill my ears, but I fail to genuinely hear them as I continue forward. In fact, I’m hardly aware of anything until someone suddenly steps in my path, making me stop completely.

“What are you doing here?” they ask snidely, causing me to blink as I stare at them. As my vision clears, I’m able to make out Lily’s disgusted features.

However, I don’t answer her at first, causing her to lift her nose as her stare scans me.

“Going shopping for some new clothes?” she asks coldly. “You could use them.”

Again with my clothes? This girl really needs some new material and a reality check. But right now, I’m in no mood to give one. I’m just ready to grab a coffee and maybe even head home. Even if it’s not safe, it suddenly seems better than being out in public.

“Thanks for the suggestion,” I reply, unaffected. “But I’m just out to run a few errands.”

Lily hums in reply, again scanning me. “Shouldn’t you be working? Or doing something better with your time?”

I nearly lift a brow, wanting to ask her the same thing considering she's out here too - she even has multiple shopping bags hanging on her arms and they don’t seem like they're related to the pack whatsoever. However, I don’t get to offer any sort of reply as Lily speaks again.

“You know, like maybe you should go home and worry about what happened to your sister,” she throws out at me.

I release a breath then, making sure it’s silent, but enough to let out some of my frustration. Of course I can hear her message loud and clear. Lily doesn’t give a shit about my sister - she just wants me gone.

“My sister is fine,” I insist blankly.

In return, Lily gives a sound that resembles some sort of scoff. “You sure about that? You’ve heard about the she-wolves going missing - what if she’s one of them?”

“My sister is smart and knows how to keep herself safe,” I say, my tone finally becoming harder - as if Anya is real and I’m actually defending her. Really, I’m just done with Lily’s need to stick her nose in my business.

“Could have fooled me,” Lily dares to comment, sweeping away dust that doesn’t exist on her arm.

“Meaning what?” I ask, ignoring the urge to hiss the words through my teeth.

“Meaning your sister has proven she doesn’t necessarily have the best sense of judgment,” Lily clips out, not missing a beat.

I shrug at her, soon speaking the truth. “You don’t even know her.”

Again, Lily hums, slightly amused. “Oh, I think I saw enough to get a pretty good idea,” she insists. “We all saw enough. She had a worse sense of style than you.”

Holy Goddess. This girl is making me fight for my life as I resist rolling my eyes in reply. My head practically aches from holding back and not giving my emotions the proper release. As much as I want to laugh right in Lily’s face and push her buttons back, I know it’s not worth the effort. I’d tear her down in seconds, if I wanted to.

However, just like my relationship with Keith, I need to keep things professional. I can’t stoop to her level - I have to take the high road.

Ignoring Lily’s comments toward Anya’s fashion choices - likely she’d been alluding to the cat suit I’d worn on Halloween - I try a shrug and give a small laugh, making it sound genuine.

“Thanks for stopping to chat,” I tell her, though I make my sarcastic words appear genuine. “But I should get going. See you at the next meeting.”

Lily looks stunned as I flash her another smile, easily sidestepping her and moving away as she remains dumbfounded. And once I’m a good thirty feet away, I finally allow my eyes to roll, let my head shake.

That woman is practically dripping with hate for me and Anya. But is it enough to make her steal my things and leave decapitated rabbits on my doorstep?

Once I walk into the Tudor, I make sure to lock the door behind me. Securing the doors and windows at all times has become a habit of mine now - just in case my little “visitor” decides to strike at any time. Maybe I should have some cameras installed or something.

Easing out a sigh, I walk into the kitchen, opening up a cabinet so that I can pull out a coffee filter and grounds. I wasn’t able to pick up a latte in town since I came straight home after running into Lily, so I guess I’ll have to take care of my caffeine needs myself.

Moving to fill up the coffee pot with water, I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket as I continue prepping the machine. However, after a thought, my stomach does a little flip as I begin to wonder if it may be a message from Keith. Sudden pack meetings seem to be common these days and I need to make sure I’m not expected at his home within the hour.

Finishing up my prep, I turn the machine on before I finally pull out my phone. Releasing a yawn, I rest my hip against the counter as I stare at the notification on my screen, my brow then furrowing. I’ve received a message from an unknown number and I’m not sure who it could be. The area code suggests it would be someone in the area, soon making me believe that one of the company members is contacting me.

Taking that in stride, I unlock the phone and go straight to the message. However, I feel my blood run cold once I read it.

It shorts, straight to the point. But the threat hits the mark - just as the sender had hoped.

Unknown: Tread lightly.

And just as I scan the message again, another one appears underneath. But there’s no words, just three identical emojis one right after the other.

Three little white rabbits.