Shirley So I smile, a real smile as I feel warmth dance through my middle. And then I nod. “Of course.” I’ve come to Keith’s for a meeting and now find myself right in the midst of his inner circle as I stand just inside the doorway as I’ve just arrived. There’s at least ten other wolves filling the room - all of them men aside from Lily. I see her standing off to the side, unaware of my presence as she talks to a wolf I don’t recognize. In fact, there’s few faces I have seen before besides one man’s whose name I don’t know and Ron. Thankfully, Ralph doesn’t seem to be here, which saves me some face. However, as I continue to quietly scan the room, Ralph isn’t really my concern, especially as my gaze eventually lands on a particular man. Keith stands beside his desk, not saying anything as he wears a slight smile in response to the man talking his ear off. He looks so different from the way I’d seen him the day before and it makes me incapable of looking away. But after a fe
Keith As soon as he heard the front door close, confirming that Shirley had left, Keith sat back down in his chair. Swiftly, he ran a hand over his face, wiping away a lingering layer of irritation before he tore his hand away again. However, even despite his actions, he couldn’t rid himself of the thought that there’s something not quite right. Something was off with Shirley and even Chaos seemed to agree. The wolf kept making his own opinions clear - insisting that he found the woman strange, though familiar somehow. Which was only fueling the suspicions that kept swirling around Keith’s head. Shirley kept claiming that Anya was her sister and seemed to have the perfect answer to every one of his questions. But Keith couldn’t help but think that was because Shirley was Anya. They were too strikingly similar for him to easily shake the feeling. Then again, they also had their differences. It was in their speech patterns, clothes, and the way they carried themselves. Anya had b
Shirley To say the last few days have been hectic would be an understatement. With all of the protests going on around the town and the inner circle having to deal with the backlash, we’ve all been under a great deal of stress. I’ve been trying to help however I can, but there have been obvious setbacks in our timeline due to the uproar. And since Keith has to investigate the activity, we haven’t had any meetings - leaving me to mainly work on my own. I don’t mind it really. I’m used to sitting behind a computer, handling tasks on hours on end by myself. However, there seems to be a weight hanging over me each time I think of Keith or his friends out on the streets trying to keep the peace. It makes me wish I could do more, but I’m not sure it’s my place. Finishing up my work for the day, I lean away from my computer as I rush out a breath, my gaze sliding over the quiet interior of the house. Even with today’s responsibilities done, I still feel an aching strain lingering over m
Shirley My shock from Ralph’s words hasn’t worn off. As expected, I had a fitful night’s rest as I tossed and turned, seeing his sneering face clear as day each time I closed my eyes. Only, even when I climbed out of the bed this morning, Ralph still overtook my thoughts. It’s not just about his cruel expression - it’s about the distaste he expressed over Anya. I still don’t understand what caused the shift as my charm should still hold. He should be going crazy over the fact that Anya is gone - and technically he is, but not for the right reasons. Ralph should be reflecting a moping lover who wants his girl back. However, his newfound reaction suggests he would rather harm Anya rather than warmly welcome her if she ever returned. I’m still stewing over the whole encounter as I sit in front of my computer. I’m spending another day working at home as the pack is still dealing with the protests. Honestly, it’s a shame - not only because of the protests giving us setbacks, but becau
Shirley I don’t know how long I’ve been standing there - it could be seconds or maybe even hours. Then again, it almost feels like time stops and the world melts away. Once again, I don’t understand. How can Ralph seem so malicious toward Anya? Toward me? With only half my wits, I try to check in with Cicy, but she’s practically unresponsive as she rests within me. Her recent tired nature only adds to my confusion, causing my eyes to remain fogged as they stay on the door Ralph just slipped through. Empty threats, I try to tell myself. They’re all just empty threats. Maybe Ralph thinks that by trying to intimidate me that I’ll fold and start desperately trying to reach Anya, that I can get her to come back. It’s the only thing that seems semi-logical. I can’t see how any other explanation could possibly make any sense. I’m still thinking over the whole ordeal, eyes pinned to the door when I feel a strange sense of comfort come over me - which doesn’t make sense to me. Was my
Shirley It’s not Alana I call that night, but Jean. Back on our usual schedule, I do my check-in right at nine o’clock, but make sure to dance around the subject of Ralph. But this time, I do mention Keith. “He seemed happy with my work,” I inform her, finding myself smiling. “He even told me as much. Which is a huge deal because he could refer me to other major clients. Could you imagine?” “That’s awesome, Shirley!” Jean says happily, sounds of her washing dishes filling the background. “I’m not surprised, though. You don’t need his approval to know how amazing you are at your work.” “I know,” I reply, shrugging as I tug the blanket on my lap higher. “But it’s still nice to hear someone say nice things. Words of validation and all that.” “I get it,” Jean reassures me. “So does that mean you’ll be coming home soon?” And there it is - Jean’s roundabout way of attempting to make sure I get the hell out of the Lock Heart pack as soon as possible. I know her worries are warranted,
Shirley Another day, another work session spent alone at home. Some of Keith’s team have responded with some comments, so I’ve spent the morning sending out replies and editing my work. It’s easy enough, though Sam - one of the older wolves - won’t stop coming back with more and more questions. I guess I should be thankful for his interest, at least that’s what I tell myself as I sit back, sighing as his reply appears in my inbox again. Due to hours of relentless work, even my laptop is tired as it flashes a low battery warning at me. Promptly, I bend down to look through it, pushing around other items in order to find it along the mess. However, due to the limited contents, I quickly discover that it’s not there. Wondering if I had taken it out when I was still lost in my thoughts the day before, I go into the living room to see if I had absentmindedly brought it in there. But when I discover nothing, I then search in the dining room, kitchen, bedroom, and even the bathroom. W
Shirley The case of my missing file has been put on the back burner for the day as I find myself at Keith’s for another reason. He’s invited the team to attend a luncheon for the afternoon, meaning all business is off the table for the time being. We’re just meant to enjoy ourselves. I happily rise to the occasion, relishing in the lighthearted company and conversation as I sit at the long table amongst the other wolves. I’m strangely in a good mood as I chat with them, not even bothered by Ralph who sits across the table and a few seats down. He seems to be keeping to himself and so am I. Keith, of course, resides at the head of the table. I haven’t talked to him since I arrived, but I seem to be acutely aware of his presence as he shares soft conversations with the men around him. I even see him flash a hint of a smile here and there - maybe he’s in a decent mood too. “Do you eat much lamb on the west coast,” the wolf - Asher - says at my side as he helps himself to another