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
Shirley“I’m on my way..”That’s all Keith had said in reply before he’d hung up the phone - no questions, no reluctancy. All I’d heard were those four words and swift steps before the phone had gone silent. Standing here now, I almost wish that I would have asked him to stay on the phone with me until he arrived. The knocking and ringing have stopped, but that hasn’t done anything to calm me.I feel like I’m going to crumble - my bones are so tight and my muscles so strained that I fear they might actually shatter. Either that, or I may have a heart attack based on the way my heart pounds within my chest. It’s practically painful as I run a hand along my sternum, taking small gasps of air as I try to shake the panic. But I know it’s not going anywhere.As awful as the pounding and doorbell ringing were, the silenced aftermath seems
KeithRelaxing had been an impossible task for the Alpha since he’d left Shirley’s the night before. All day, he found that he couldn’t stop thinking about the woman - how her voice had seemed so fearful on the phone that he’d snapped his pen in half when he’d heard it. Or how he’d nearly broken his front door when he rushed out of it before tearing out of his driveway, going at an ungodly speed in his car.He’d been beside himself as he imagined what he’d find when he arrived at her house, only able to calm down a little when he saw for himself that she was okay. But the information she’d given him only raised more concern.Someone was terrorizing her and he couldn’t figure out who may be behind it. All he could do now was ensure her safety and keep a watchful eye out. Sure, he still didn’t completely trust the woman, but that didn’t mean s
ShirleyDespite better judgment, I’ve decided to come into town today. I know it may not be safe for me to be out and about, but considering what happened at the house last night - it doesn’t feel safe to be there either. At least in town I’ll be in a public setting, surrounded by witnesses if anything goes wrong.And I really hope it doesn’t. Honestly, I don’t understand why someone is messing with me and why they’re going to such drastic measures to shake me up. Who have I wronged so badly that they feel the need to take me things? Leave dead rabbits for me to find? And what if the two aren’t correlated at all? I could be dealing with two people instead of one, and that thought really shakes me up.I’m just thankful that Keith was so willing to come over before whoever was at my door became impatient, deciding to take things up a notch. His presence had
ShirleyJust seconds after I’ve received the second message, there’s a knock at the front door - causing me to nearly jump out of my skin as I quietly yelp. I look toward the entryway with fear filling my every nerve, waiting as I anticipate multiple knocks to follow - or even a neverending chiming from my doorbell.But as I practically hold my breath, I find that neither of those things happen. There was only a single knock and then nothing - just pure silence. Slowly, I make my way toward the door, trying to get a better view of it - even if I know I won’t be able to see who’s standing on my doorstep. Still, I wait for more telling sounds, soon hearing one as there’s another knock. But it’s gentle, not at all menacing as someone raps their knuckles against the wood before they withdraw again.My tormentor wouldn’t do that…would they? Well, I suppose it would mak
ShirleyThe 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