Chapter 45

Shirley

The team is absolutely ecstatic as we sit within Keith’s office - all of us buzzing with conversation as we discuss the news we’ve just received.

Keith and his right hand men were able to identify who was organizing the protests, discovering it was an older wolf and his son who lived on the other side of town. After some discussions and agreements, the pack was able to ease their minds as well as their followers - completely diffusing the situation.

We’re all overjoyed by the information, knowing that we’re in the clear and can fully jump back into the swing of things. However, I feel that same small tinge of sadness pool in my stomach each time I think of the company no longer needing me, but try to quickly smother it each time.

What also makes the meeting better is the fact that neither Ralph or Lily are here. Of course, I don’t know why they’re both absent, but I also don’t care. Their failure to attend only helps me lean toward my good mood and leaves me less distracted.

My attention does keep swinging toward Keith, though. I can’t stop sneaking glances his way, feeling my skin tingle whenever I catch sight of his slight smile that he aims around the room. He doesn’t even let it fall when we lock eyes briefly, causing me to mirror his expression.

When the meeting ends and Keith states that we’ll gather the following day, I happily pack up my things, focusing on how I can move forward with another piece of my work once I return home. I’d been pushing off certain tasks until we could completely get back to business, and now I’m itching to jump in.

Shooting one last look toward Keith, I watch as he happily shakes hands with Sam before I head out the door. I smile to myself as I go, allowing it to grow as someone suddenly appears at my side.

“That’s good news, huh?” Ron says with his own grin. “I thought those protests would never end.”

“Well, it sounds like you helped move things along,” I comment, knowing that Ron had been among the wolves who went to talk to the older wolf. “Thank you for helping out.”

“No need to thank me,” he says, shaking his head. “It was more of a misunderstanding, if anything. Keith was -“

“Shirley, hang on a second.”

The voice cutting into our conversation causes both Ron and I to stop a few feet from the door before we both glance backward. Sure enough, we find Keith walking toward us, his eyes aimed entirely at me.

When he stops in front of us, I notice his gaze slip toward Ron, sharing a look with the man before Ron clears his throat.

“Right, I’ll see you both tomorrow,” Ron says, steeping away. “Have a good evening, Shirley.”

“You too,” I reply, watching as he walks away and then steps out the door. When it closes, I look back to Keith, studying the way he’s still looking toward the door.

“Yes?” I ask, instantly earning his attention as his eyes flick to me.

Keith’s features are blank, but there was a hardness in his stare that seems to soften as he looks at me. Even his shoulders appear to relax. Interesting.

“I wanted to offer you a ride home,” he states and I have to resist allowing my own shoulders to go rigid.

“What about -“ I begin.

“Warren is running an errand for me,” Keith explains. “He won’t be back for another half hour.”

I didn’t know that. I hadn’t even seen the two men cross paths, but I suppose Keith could have texted him. However, that’s not really what I should be concerned about. Keith has offered to give me a ride and I’m a little shocked by his curtsy.

It almost seems improper to accept, but I don’t want to wait for Warren and take up space in Keith’s home, nor do I want to walk home - that’s a terrible idea. Plus, in reality, accepting the Alpha’s politeness is probably more appropriate than declining it.

Taking that in stride, I give a nod. “Okay,” I tell him. “That’s nice of you. Thank you.”

Keith nods back, and without another word, he gestures toward the door. Allowing me to take the lead, I walk out of the house with him following behind me. However, when we get to his car, Keith again surprises me as he opens the door for me and insists I slide in.

I thank him again, not sure why my throat feels so tight as I get in and he closes the door. My fingers are stiff as I buckle my seatbelt, watching him through the windshield as he rounds to the driver side. And when he finally slips inside, I instantly realize that this might have been a mistake.

Keith’s scent floods and fills the entire interior of the car and it makes my heart race as I can’t fill my nose with anything else. I hate the instant reaction that overcomes me, so delighted by the smell that I practically want to lean toward him. Only, I make sure to shift a little away as I focus on my exhales.

Pulling out of the drive, Keith doesn’t turn on the radio, leaving us in silence as we pull onto the road. I continue to breathe slowly, focusing on the strange fog in the air and brightness ahead. I assume it’s the sun still setting in the distance, causing me to keep my eyes aimed toward it.

That is, until Keith speaks and draws my eyes over.

“Sorry about stealing Warren for the night,” he tells me, his stare aimed toward the road.

“That’s okay,” I reply. “Though I’m glad you offered to drive me…I wasn’t looking forward to walking a mile in these heels.” At my comment, I give a small laugh, not sure why the sound escapes me. But Keith doesn’t seem to mind it…especially I see his lips twitch.

“I would never let you walk home,” he states.

I wasn’t expecting his response at all, causing my features to almost smooth as I blink at him. However, I bounce back as I nod toward his steering wheel

“This is a really nice car, by the way,” I admit, noting the quality of the leather underneath me. I’m sure it even smelled lovely too…if I was capable of smelling anything other than Keith’s scent.

“Thanks,” he replies. “It was my dad’s. He gave it to me when he got a better ‘toy.’”

To that, I give a hum. “That was thoughtful. The only thing my dad ever gave me was -“

Money for a one way ticket and a note to never come back.

The words never meet the air. They become lodged in my throat, unwilling to come out - but I also don’t try to coax them. I’m not even sure what possessed me to try and say them in the first place.

But my failure to finish my sentence has left Keith and I in silence again - both of us fully aware that I’m the one to blame for it. I don’t fail to notice as his eyes slip to the side, trying to catch a glimpse of me to see what happened. The action causes me to clear my throat.

“It sure is foggy tonight,” I say, noting the softness in my voice. And it seems Keith does too, because I see him shift a little, his tone matching mine as he replies.

“Yeah, it is,” he states. I assume we’re both going to fall quiet again, but Keith decides to continue. “It might mean snow is coming.”

“Really?” I ask, suddenly distracted by the possibility. “Do you think it’s cold enough for it?”

“Not yet,” he admits. “But maybe within the next few days.”

My eyes grow wide at that. “I would love to see some snow. It’s been years since I’ve seen any.”

Again, Keith’s mouth seems to gently tug upward as he takes in my words, his hand smoothly hitting the turn signal.

“Well, then I guess we’ll have to make sure that you do,” he replies.

I’m nearly dumbfounded by that - my mouth trying to decide if it wants to split into a shit-eating grin or hang in a soft “o.”

Keith wants me to see the snow? And he used the word…”we.” What does that mean?

It was probably just a formality or figure of speech. That’s all it was, right? Because this was all just professional.

I’m still pressing that idea in my mind, repeating it to myself as we pull into the driveway. But then my efforts completely melt away, as does my mouth’s battle to figure out which direction to stretch.

Because it falls open with a gasp as my wide eyes gawk at the scene we’ve just driven up to.

Thirty feet ahead of us….the Tudor is completely up in flames.