Chapter 52

Shirley

All at once, my dirty thoughts from the afternoon seem to trickle back into my mind, and I find myself squirming again, pressing my thighs together. But I realize my reaction is a mistake as it catches Keith’s attention, drawing his stare to my exposed skin that only makes me hotter.

And then his eyes begin to slowly raise back up, and I watch as his lips begin to part. However, it’s not his voice that soon meets the room, but the distant sound of a phone ringing. My phone.

Jean. She’s calling.

Stumbling over myself, I stand from the chair, clearing my throat.

“I should go take that,” I tell him, and he watches me as I adjust my nightgown. His stare is still heated, but thankfully it has become a little tamer.

Without another word, Keith hands me back my book and I leave the room, trying not to focus on the way I can feel his eyes trail me. I just stay thankful for the fact that Jean called right when she did.

If she hadn’t…I don’t know what would have happened.

~

We finally returned back to full normalcy today when Keith asked us to gather for a meeting in the morning. Only, it was brief as we only went over what we’ve all been working on over the last few days before he informed us of a party being held at a local country club that evening. Apparently it’s to celebrate the recent protests ending and everyone happily agreed.

Even I was able to table my scattered thoughts about Keith and meet his gaze as he gave us the news. I have to admit that after last night, it might be a wise decision to spend the evening surrounded by others rather than alone in the house with him - especially because we’ve been dancing around one another all day. Plus, I love the opportunity and idea of dressing up.

Wearing one of my new outfits, I made sure to abide by the dress code by wearing my finest outfit tonight. The emerald green dress hits me nicely and brings out the color in both my eyes and hair, making me smirk to myself as I gather the rest of my things. From there, I exit my room and then head straight out of the house.

I don’t have to worry about locking up as there is another wolf posted inside once more, making me able to walk right down the stairs and go to Warren’s car. Part of me had wondered if Keith and I would be driving to the party together, but I know arriving together probably wouldn’t be a good look. Besides, I know he’s already been at the venue for at least an hour - helping with the prep and handling guests.

I greet Warren upon sliding in and soon find that our drive to the party isn’t a long one. Within twenty minutes, we’re already pulling up on a grand estate, my eyes shining from the illuminating glow of the fairy lights strung up everywhere. There’s already tons of other wolves arriving at the party, making me quick to get out so Warren can pull away from the string of cars.

I smooth my dress as I walk toward the front doors that are propped open - music beautifully cascading from inside. When I step through, I’m met with marble walls, elaborate crown molding, and golden trinkets everywhere that practically take my breath away.

However, my attention doesn’t stay on the decorations for long as I’m thrown right into the swing of things. Every wolf in attendance is dressed their best and enjoying champagne that is being passed around. I also notice an open bar, but decide I’ll make use of it once I’ve had my fill of the bubbly. Taking sips, I weave my way through the crowds, engaging in any inviting conversations until I’m thrown into another.

“You look beautiful,” Ron tells me in passing, and his compliment has me smiling - even despite the daggers his sister shoots me as she leads him. It will always be a wonder to me how the siblings are so wildly different in temperament.

However, seeing them also has me searching the crowd for another face. I can’t help but look for Keith, even despite how I mentally scold myself for the action. But still - whether I like it or not - my eyes seem to have a mind of their own.

And eventually, I find him. An hour after my arrival, I spot him standing with two older wolves outside, enjoying a harmless conversation as they share a drink. And the sight of him nearly stops me in my tracks. He’s wearing a full black suit, perfectly shined leather shoes. As much as I like seeing him shirtless, seeing him dressed up also leaves a flush over my skin. I have to quickly soothe it by looking away and taking a gulp of my cool drink.

After another hour of meeting wolves and engaging in pleasantries, I decide it’s time for a stronger drink. Acting on my desires, I go right up to the bar, smiling at the male wolf taking orders.

“Just a rum and Coke,” I tell him, deciding to keep it simple.

In turn, he nods. “ID?”

I nearly quirk my brow at him, wanting to point out how champagne has been passed around all evening without anyone batting an eyelash. However, I take his request as a compliment to my youthful appearance and go to fish it out for him.

And soon discover I don’t have my ID. In fact, I somehow failed to bring my entire wallet.

“Oh,” I begin, turning back to him. “I seem to have forgotten it. But I promise - I’m above the drinking age.”

But the wolf’s features remain blank. “Sorry, ma’am. Firm policy. No ID - no drink.”

Seriously?

I resist the urge to blow out a sigh as I stare at him, wondering if I should just run off and grab another glass of champagne. However, a wicked thought soon runs through my head and I feel that familiar buzz of my power wanting to play.

So I casually pull off my glasses, pretending to pout for a moment before I make our eyes lock again. And then I feel it, my charm sliding out from deep within me and slowly crawling toward him. And the moment it reaches him, I see his eyes widen before they rapidly begin to blink.

“I understand,” I tell him sweetly. “I respect your morals. I guess it shouldn’t surprise me that such a handsome face also has a smart mind.”

Again, the wolf blinks but it soon stops before he meets me with a lazy grin, causing me to happily smirk right back.

Got him.

I even sweeten the deal by leaning forward on the bar, making my breasts squeeze together as I see the wolf notice and his demeanor relax further. Then he’s fully grinning, staring at me like he wants to leap across the bar then and there to kiss me.

“It’s a shame, though,” I begin again, batting my eyelashes. “I was really looking forward to a drink.”

Suddenly then, the bartender begins to stumble over himself. “W-well,” he begins. “I think I can make an exception this time.”

“Really?” I purr out.

Already, he’s rapidly nodding. “Absolutely,” he says. “Can’t leave a beautiful woman unsatisfied.”

That has me humming, smiling at him once more. My very reaction again has him sporadic.

“Coming right up!” he quickly calls out. And just after he eyes fucks me again, he springs to make my drink.

As he turns away, I practically laugh to myself as I watch him. But then I find my eyes sliding toward the rest of the party, waiting as he throws together the simple ingredients.

However, just as my gaze leaves one male wolf, they soon find another.

Keith.

He’s standing across the room, but his eyes are directly on me. Only on me.

And I can see the harsh way his chest rises and falls - his jaw is locked, his stare is deadly. But then I watch as it momentarily flicks away from me, sliding only a few feet away where the bartender stands. Only then does his expression turn colder.

Why does he seem so sour? Is it because he’s realized that the bartender broke protocol and served me without seeing my ID?

“Your rum and Coke,” the bartender says then, causing me to turn back. Again, I’m faced with his love-drunk smile, which only becomes more lazy as I give him a smirk and keep our eyes locked as I take a sip. And just to play with him more, I practically groan as the taste hits my tongue.

“This is delicious,” I tell him, licking my lips. He makes sure to watch every movement of my tongue. However, it also makes him swallow, his eyes snapping up to meet mine.

“What are you-“ he begins.

“Time to go,” someone else interrupts.

The deep voice has both of us turning, and we discover who has crashed our little party.

Keith. It’s always Keith.

And right now, he looks pissed.

“I’m not ready to go,” I insist, still not understanding his mood as I try to turn back to the gaping bartender. Only, Keith’s hand snaking around my waist leaves me at a disadvantage. He gently pulls me along, though there’s an urgency to his actions.

“We’re leaving,” he states firmly. “Now.”

I have no time to react as Keith leads me along with him, his steps harsh as I try to keep up. I watch the others' faces as we go, not understanding why we’re heading out when the party is still in full swing. Plus, I didn’t even come here with Keith - Warren drove me. So why is the Alpha taking me home?

Looking for answers, I look back to Keith as we walk through the front doors. And I continue to study his tension, the frustration in his golden eyes…I begin to realize what could be causing Keith’s reaction.

If I didn’t know better…Keith is jealous.