Chapter 72

Keith

The house was quiet as Keith sat in his office, drinking from a glass filled with the last of his scotch. Usually, he wouldn’t make a habit of drinking alone, but tonight the alcohol felt necessary.

He felt run down in every sense of the word - though, he’d never admit it. So much had occurred over the previous weeks and it was moments like these where everything caught up to him.

Only, he couldn’t ignore what captured his thoughts tonight, had his vision glazing over as he looked at nothing in particular. Instead, he was met with images of Shirley as the woman’s face took up every inch of his mind.

“Stop!”

The way she’d thrown out the word the previous night had struck him straight to his chest. Her voice had been so raw, anguished. And he still didn’t know what he’d done to cause it.

However, that wasn’t even the oddest thing about the whole occurrence. No - Keith was still left in confusion as he remembered what else had happened during Shirley’s struggles. As she stood within his arms, he swore there was a moment - a brief moment - when he’d caught hints of a sudden scent drifting in the air.

And he was certain it had come from her.

The memory of it even then had him standing from his chair as he began to pace - just as he had each time he’d remembered the scent. It had been brief, light - but it was also the most devine smell he’d ever come across.

Even Chaos was pacing in his mind, restless and grunting as if he were fighting for words. He’d been muttering to himself all day, but Keith had left him alone as they’d been in the company of others. But now that they were alone…

What is it? Keith demanded from the wolf, taking a swig from his drink as he still paced along with Chaos.

The scent, Chaos finally drew out.

What about it? Keith asked, his steps clipped and sharp as he walked along the room.

I know it, Chaos stated then. It’s our mate’s.

That had Keith coming to a stop, his fingers clenching the glass in his hand as Chaos’ words heavy in his mind.

What? Keith threw out.

Our mate’s, Chaos responded harshly, as if Keith hadn’t heard him the first time. The scent belongs to our mate. It’s her.

Impossible, Keith breathed. If Shirley was our mate then wouldn’t we have known before?

She was hiding. She’s still hiding, Chaos insisted.

Impossible, Keith repeated. There was no way that Shirley could somehow be masking the fact that she was his mate. How could she?

Keith would have known by now. After all, Ron and Jean’s connection had been instant - they had known from the first moment they saw each other again that they were mates. And yet, the first time Keith had seen Shirley, he’d sensed nothing.

Sure, he’d thought she was beautiful - he still did. But there was nothing beyond that. A sense of lust, perhaps, and nothing more.

So whatever Chaos was insisting, it had to be wishful thinking.

I know you want to find our mate, Keith began. I do too. But it’s not her.

Chaos growled in response, obviously not liking the way he was being challenged. He seemed ready to fight back, but his efforts were soon sizzled out as a knock on the door had Keith’s head turning.

Within him, Chaos perked instead, both of them focused on the closed door. Keith could tell exactly who the wolf was hoping to find waiting for them, especially since they hadn’t seen the woman all day. She’d been out since the morning, likely keeping her distance.

Going to the door, Keith pulled it open, expecting to find hazel eyes staring up at him, but was instead met with a pair of blue. The sight made Chaos huff, completely unhappy as he stalked away, going to find some place else to fret.

“Hi,” the woman in front of him said then, earning Keith’s attention as he noted the pleasantness in her tone. It was a perfect contradiction to the way she’d spoken to him the last time they’d seen one another.

“Hello, Lily,” Keith said smoothly, despite his desire to be cautious. “What are you doing here?”

Perhaps she was ready to give him another tongue lashing or speech after how he’d denied her in the forest. But Keith decided that wasn’t the case as she gave him a smile, her hand raising to show she was holding a bottle of his favorite scotch.

“I came to apologize,” she admitted, her tone showing embarrassment. “I even brought a gift.”

“Funny,” Keith said, staring at the bottle. “I just ran out.”

“Perfect timing then,” Lily concluded as she still wore a grin. “Can I come in? We can share a glass.”

For a moment, Keith hesitated, uncertain if he was up to sharing Lily’s company. However, he eventually welcomed her in, remembering how she’d mentioned an apology. He had to admit it took a lot of courage and maturity for her to come.

“Thank you,” Lily said as she stepped past him, her short dress swishing against her legs as she walked. She then went to his desk, setting down the scorch before she went to get them both a clean glass.

“I really am sorry about the other day,” she started then. “I think I was just stressed out, but I know I was out of line.”

“That’s okay,” Keith managed as he took a few steps into the room. “I suppose I should apologize too. I didn’t meant to be so harsh.”

Lily shrugged as she finished pouring the liquor into the glasses, turning back to him as she carried both drinks. “I know you’ve been dealing with your own share of stress. I’m glad to hear the kidnappings are over.”

Reaching him, she held out one of the glasses, allowing Keith to take it as she flashed another small smile. “I just don’t want there to be any hard feelings between us,” she said, clinking her glass to his.

“Me neither,” Keith responded, even if he was still surprised by her change of heart. He figured she was destined to hate him forever after the way they left things, but she was proving him wrong. In her honor, he took a large swig of his drink, swallowing it down before a furrow fell onto his brow.

It was odd, but he swore the scotch tasted different. But it was subtle, perhaps just his mind playing tricks.

“Do you mind if I use your restroom?” Lily asked then. “I promise I’ll be quick, but there’s just a few more things I want to say.”

“Of course,” Keith said, already stepping aside so she could pass him.

“Thank you,” Lily offered as she headed out of the room. And Keith’s eyes seemed to follow, his nose strangely heightened to her scent as his eyes held on the way she swung her hips. However, once she was gone, he swiftly shook his head.

But fuck, his head felt a little fuzzy, his stomach warm. The sensations caused him to take another drink from his glass, emptying the contents as he hoped it would help settle him.

Yet, the liquor seemed to only add to the prickle growing over his skin, the heat under his collar. Maybe he was right - maybe there was something off with the scotch and it had gone bad. He may even be sick.

Certain that was the case, Keith raised the glass to his nose, his heart starting to beat faster in his chest. But then he swore it nearly came to a stop as he sniffed the lingering liquid, noting the extra smell.

An aphrodisiac. Keith knew one when he smelled it, seeing as he’d come into contact with them many times. However, he’d never found one in his own drink.

It made sense now. The heat rising in his body, the heaviness in his head, the quickness in his heart, and the way he couldn’t help but watch Lily as she’d walked away.

She’d slipped something into the liquor, purposely planned for Keith to have a drink and fall victim to the drug. A drug that was known to make a person go out of their mind with sexual desire as they’d pounce on anyone readily available.

And in Keith’s case, Lily planned for that to be her.

Anger rushing through him, Keith grimaced as he was hit with a sudden surge right at his crotch. Already, he could feel his cock firming, straining against his jeans with growing need.

As he panted, he heard a door opening from down the hall, registering that it was Lily on her way back. He needed to keep ahold of his sanity, stay in his right mind for as long as he could.

“Keith,” he heard Lily purr as she reentered the room, causing him to swivel to find the woman. It was clear that she’d taken time in the bathroom to add a little more color to her lips, fluff her hair. And from the way she was staring at him now, she was fully aware the drugs were taking effect.

Keith huffed as he stared at her, struggling against his own mind as Lily’s eyes dropped down to where his cock pressed into his jeans. However, as he watched her lick her lips and begin to take a step toward him, he felt his anger win.

“Get out,” he ordered, stopping Lily dead in her tracks as she met his eyes again. Surprise was evident in her features as she took in his words.

“Keith -“

“I said get out!” Keith snapped, louder that time so Lily jerked away. “I know what you did, so get the fuck out!”

Fear fled over every inch of the woman, causing her to immediately step down. She fidgeted and twitch as she rushed back out the doorway, the sounds of her heels clicking against the hardwood filling Keith’s ears as he violently ran his hands through his hair.

He heard her leave, knew she was officially gone when the front door slammed shut. But where she went was none of his concern as he felt the drugs continuing to take effect, making his clothes feel too confining as he leaned over his desk and gripped the edge.

He still tried to keep himself calm, to remain aware that he was under the influence of the aphrodisiac. But as seconds drew by, he only lost the battle more and more.

And then he was left giving in completely, feeling his body finally surrender to lust.