Chapter 47

Shirley

As I stare at Keith, I’m nearly certain that I only imagined his words, that he didn’t actually say them aloud. But the seriousness on his face begins to make me question the thought.

“What?” I finally ask, wanting to see if he’ll repeat himself. I hadn’t even realized he’d been listening, but I’m beginning to realize that’s a recurrence with Keith - he’s always listening.

“You won’t stay at a hotel,” he begins, his tone straight. “You’ll stay at my home as my guest.”

I hadn’t heard him wrong, and my features mirror my surprise.

“No,” I start. “No, I can’t do that.”

It’s too much, too gracious.

“Really, Keith. Thank you for -“ I try, but Keith jumps in again.

“Nonnegotiable,” he states. “No excuses. You’ll stay with me and that’s final.”

Now, I’m gaping at him, words leaving my head though I know any that I want to offer would be useless. Keith won’t take no for an answer. He only confirms that further as his gaze snaps away from mine and he looks toward Ron.

“Take her back to the house,” he instructs, and already Ron’s arm is sliding from my shoulders as the man nods.

The whole exchange has me glancing between them, wondering if there is still something I can do to stop the situation. However, as my eyes eventually land back on Keith, his final harsh stare leaves me feeling deflated.

I still don’t think it’s right, but as I glance back at the fire standing in the distance behind Keith, I can’t help but want to get as far away from it as possible. Not because I fear for my safety, but because I don’t know if I can look at it much longer without wanting to also burst into cinders.

So I exhale slowly and I give one last look at Keith before I offer my own small nod. From there, we say nothing else, and I allow Ron to lead me away as Keith watches us go.

Our drive is silent as we make our way back toward Keith’s. It’s crazy to me that I had only come from this direction twenty minutes ago and yet it feels like days have gone by. So much has changed in such a small amount of time and I can’t help but question how the next few days or even weeks will look for me.

I’ll be staying with Keith…in the Alpha’s home as a guest. I can’t help but to start thinking about how unseemly the whole situation is. For days, I’ve been telling myself that I need to keep things professional with Keith, and though I know I’m getting ahead of myself, this feels improper.

With those thoughts still whirling around in my mind, Ron pulls up to Keith’s. The short drive has given me little time to prepare and I don’t immediately feel inclined to get out of the car. Seeming to notice this, Ron glances my way, again pressing his lips together before he gets out instead.

Once again, Ron comes around to open my door for me, allowing me to feel the night brush against me. It makes me want to shiver as it’s such a drastic contrast to the fire’s heat I’d been feeling only minutes ago. Still, I press away the thought and climb out of the car.

With only the sounds of our feet over the gravel filling the air, we both walk toward the front door, my throat growing drier with every inch we cross. When we finally reach the top step, Ron pulls out a set of keys, unlocking the front door before he looks toward me.

“Do you want me to go in with you?” he asks, and my eyes flicker between his.

Part of me wants to tell him yes as I’m not sure I want to be alone. However, I know that there is another wolf likely posted inside, guarding the house while Keith is away. Plus, it would do everyone a lot more good if Ron went to help with the fire instead of staying at my side where he’ll just be left sitting in silence while I continue to try and register what has happened.

“No,” I tell him finally. “I’ll be fine. Thank you for driving me.”

“No problem,” Ron says back, and already he’s pushing the door open. He then takes a step back, indicating that it’s now time for me to go inside. So, I do. I pass through the threshold and officially find myself in Keith’s house.

As the door closes behind me, I hear Ron locking it again and fully enclosing me in where I’m left breathing in the traces of Keith’s scent. Not wanting to focus on it for long, I walk further into the house, taking slow steps as I begin to realize I don’t know where to go.

Only, I don’t have to question for long as I find the wolf I knew Keith would have lingering around waiting for me. He gives me a small and proper greeting, and I can tell from his demeanor that he was expecting me.

Without a word, he leads me to a bedroom off to my left where he opens the door for me and tells me to make myself comfortable. I step inside and then I close the door as he already retreats.

When I turn toward the room, I slowly lift my gaze before I officially take it in. It’s beautiful and decorated with dark wood and cream dressings. The room is also huge - even bigger than the expensive hotel suite I’d been staying in. There’s a personal bathroom off to the side, and I can tell without even going in that it’s also ridiculously spacious.

Taking it all in, my skin begins to prickle. Once again, I feel completely unworthy of these accommodations, making a mix of confusing emotions sink into my skin. Maybe it was a mistake to tell Ron to go, maybe I can’t process this all on my own. I feel foolish for the thought, but I know I can’t ignore the realization.

I need a distraction - something to keep my mind busy.

Call Jean and take a shower, my mind immediately replies. That will help. Don’t tell her what happened - just hear her voice.

And I can’t help but give a nod as both thoughts stay with me.

Jean and a shower. Yes - that will help.

~

I make sure to redraw on my mole once I’m done washing up, leaving me to finally exit the bathroom as I’m wrapped in only the plush robe that I found hanging on the door. The shower and call with Jean both left me feeling a little better. Being able to confirm she’s safe and cleaning my skin have helped make my head feel somewhat clearer.

Stopping next to the bed, my eyes run over it as I question how I’m going to sleep in it. I know physically how to crawl into it and snuggle under the covers, but it seems like an absurd thing to do while I’m in Keith’s house. I’m still thinking over the whole idea when I hear a knock from the door, causing my head to quickly turn toward it.

Swiftly, I go to it, expecting to find the guarding wolf waiting for me - only I’m left surprised when that’s not the case.

Instead, it’s Keith standing there, making me pause as I take in his face that is painted black with ash. His arms are also covered as he now only wears a tank top, his muscles on full display. I make sure to keep my eyes on his as he begins to speak.

“Hey,” he begins, and then he holds something out. “I figured you’d want this.”

Looking down, I discover he has my bag in his hand. I nod to him as I reach out and take it, making sure our fingers don’t brush.

“Thank you,” I say as I pull it inside before I glance back at him. However, I catch him just in time to see his eyes slide down me, likely taking in the fact that I’m wearing the bathrobe - only the bathrobe. His actions cause me to tug it tighter over my chest, which makes his eyes rise back to mine.

“Is everything…” I find myself saying as I study the dirt on his face again. And thankfully, I don’t have to finish my question as he nods.

“It’s taken care of,” he informs me.

“Good,” I reply, my shoulders relaxing a little. “Thank you…for everything. I’m sorry about the fire.”

“It wasn’t your fault,” he replies instantly, dismissing my words.

“Yeah, but -” I try.

“It wasn’t,” he shakes his head.

I pause for a moment, silenced by his determined words. But then I pull myself together.

“And I won’t stay long,” I say, still hellbent on not being an inconvenience - or more of an inconvenience than I’ve already been. “I can find somewhere else to stay. And I’ll -”

“Shirley,” Keith’s use of my name immediately quiets me again. “I meant what I said - you’re staying here. And we will get your things replaced.”

We? We would get them replaced?

“Everything will be fine,” he tells me then. And his statement is so surprising that I find I can’t offer anything in reply. Not at first, I just allow it all to hit me as we stare at each other. But after the silence goes on for too long, I eventually clear my throat.

“Well,” I begin. “I’m just…” I stop for a moment, picturing the fire again…the seconds leading up to it. I think of what it would have been like pulling up to the scene on my own, but instead Keith had been at my side. “I’m just glad that you were there,” I say, surprising myself as the words fall out of me.

I nearly tense as the truth stretches between us, unsure if I should take it back or explain it. But neither of us really moves, not until Keith’s lips part as he pauses before he nods.

“And I’m glad you’re safe,” he states.

I’m taken back by the sincerity in his words. How he doesn’t try to make excuses either. However, I’m also uncertain what to do with his remark as no reply seems right. So instead, I shift my feet a little.

“You should get some sleep,” I say. “We both should. Thank you again.”

“Sure,” Keith says, though he doesn’t make a move to leave. Not until I make myself reach for the doorknob and I step back, the door closing centimeter by centimeter between us. And only until there’s a few inches still left open do I sigh.

“Goodnight, Keith.”