ShirleyI’d been right - today was a lot better than yesterday. Maybe that’s because of my baking session with Keith’s mother or the decent sleep I had last night. Whatever the reason, I’m glad I was a little more at ease today.Hearing Jean’s voice that afternoon also seemed to help. She sounded happier than ever as she told me how much Eliot loves his new school. She seemed decently pleased even though she admitted she preferred the schools in Lock Heart. I felt sorry for the fact, silently wishing for a world where she could return.But now I’m sitting on my bed, giving a small yawn as I check the time. It’s still a little early and despite being tired - I don’t necessarily want to climb into bed. Instead, I perk up a little as I propose the idea of a bedtime snack, hoping I can sneak some of the cookies Ruth made.Leaving my room, I go to the kitchen and find exactly what I’d hoped for. The container of cookies is on the counter, practically begging to be eaten. Smiling, I open it
ShirleyKeith is kissing me back. He wasted no time before he pressed me closer with one hand around my waist and the other against my mid back. My own hands are in his hair, running through tightening the strands within my fingers as our tongues chase one another. I’m completely lost in Keith, fully surrendered as our mouths keep meeting, unable to get enough of each other.The kisses are hot, needing as I offer small whimpers and moans to Keith’s gentle groans. I never want it to end. I want to make up for every time I thought about kissing him, or even press him down on the sofa so I can kiss against every inch of skin I can find.I can feel Cicy running in circles inside of me, overjoyed as Keith keeps his lips to mine. She nearly passes out when he pulls me flush against him, not getting enough of me.However, with each passing second, I become warmer, hotter. I’m practically burning as my mind swirls. What brought me here? How did this happen?The conversation we’d just shared f
ShirleyMy question has still gone unanswered even days later. In fact, the last time I saw Keith was when we met in his office with the nanny, but upon hearing my question he had eventually thanked the woman, said goodnight, and excused himself.I understand though. As I acknowledged before - I’d presented Keith with a whirlwind of information in mere hours, and now he’s probably trying to take it all in. Still, it makes me feel as though I’ve been left in the dark, causing me to do nothing but work and eventually go to sleep with a restless mind.However, today I can’t stay cooped up inside. I need to get out and escape my thoughts a little - especially the memory of that fierce kiss as it tries to stay fresh in my mind. Only, I find for once I don’t care to venture around the town alone - I’d rather have someone tag along.I consider Ruth at first, but she seems to be busy with her own tasks, considering I haven’t really seen her lately. I also think to ask Ron, but then decide I’d
ShirleyGwen. They took Gwen. It’s hard for me to believe that such a smart and cunning woman could be taken by the abductors, but it appears that it can happen to anyone. It could have even happened to me if I’d taken the wrong route because…“I was just with Gwen,” I murmur.All at once, I feel all eyes in the room turn in my direction, the conversations ending as the ringing in my ear subsides. And yet, I can’t bring myself to raise my head as I think of Gwen, imagining someone grabbing her around a corner when she’d had her guard down. I nearly shiver at the thought.However, I’m met with a warmth instead as a hand falls on my shoulder. I don’t even have to look over to know it’s Keith who is now at my side.“What happened?” he asks softly, as if I’m fragile. And maybe I am. I feel like any moment I may collapse.But instead, I shake my head slowly. “Nothing,” I admit. “We were shopping at the mall and everything was normal. And then we went our separate ways...that was only an ho
Shirley“What are you talking about?” I ask, standing from the bed as I hear Emma take a small gasp from her end of the phone. However, Keith is already silencing her as he hangs up the phone.He’s then pacing, holding my phone in his hand as he still grips it firmly within his large hand. There’s murder in his eyes as he breathes heavily.“Each time there’s been a report of a kidnapping, my team has gone to the location where the victim was last seen,” Keith tumbles out. “And that symbol has been left behind every single time. After you left the forest, we found it carved into one of the trees.”“So this man…” I begin, my head filled with a cocktail of emotions. “Is tied to the kidnappings?”Keith lets out a harsh breath from his nose, wildly shaking his head in frustration. “It appears so,” he confirms.“But that also means,” I start again, feeling terror rising up from my stomach. “That Ralph…”Keith pauses then, coming to a firm stop a few feet away from me, though his deadly gaze
ShirleyEverything happens so fast. One moment, I’m standing within Keith’s living room, swallowing down terror as we all soak in the truth. But then the next, I’m in Keith’s car, silent as he speeds through the town.We’re headed to Ralph’s, ready to confront and capture him after everything we’ve finally confirmed. I can tell Keith is pent up with rage, but he’s keeping himself collected despite going ten above the speed limit.Due to Keith’s swift driving, we reach Ralph’s home in no time, believing he’s inside as he wasn’t reported at any of his other usual locations. Parking, I’m a step behind Keith as he jumps out and leads the way to the door.Maybe it was foolish to think our crew would merely ring the doorbell or be civil, which causes my eyes to widen as Keith immediately starts slamming against the front door with powerful kicks. Sure enough, within a few tries, the door gives with a crash.Keith and the other men file in like a Swat team, storming into the house as they’re
ShirleyIt seems everyone can breathe a little easier now that the pack has been able to put an end to the kidnappers. Keith spared his mom and I most of the messy details, but all I learned was the Hollow Shadows had been keeping a base outside of town and hadn’t been prepared for Keith’s raid. Though - unfortunately - Ralph hadn’t been among them.There’s been no sight of Ralph anywhere, even as Keith extended a report outside of town. It’s almost like the man has disappeared the same way Anya had - even if Anya isn’t real.Still, now that we’ve all settled one problem, the pack has shifted their attention back to the company’s IPO. We’ve been in meeting after meeting over the last few days, talking about nothing but business.I’m excited that the company is moving along, especially as I see the wolves’ smiling faces as we cross more needs off the list. But I can’t deny the remorse that also meets me as we move toward the finish line.But I’m also indifferent as I consider another m
ShirleyLife has returned to normalcy again - and although I know I should be grateful - I can’t help but feel I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for something else to go wrong. It’s all just too perfect, between Ron and Jean’s new relationship and the steadiness within the company’s arrangements. It’s like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.I’m led to assume Keith feels the same way whenever I see him. He’s relaxed, yet cautious - his eyes always going toward the door during meetings as if he’s waiting for someone to barge in with bad news.And maybe I am too, because as I hear a knock on my door tonight…my stomach nearly drops. Heart in throat, I go to answer the door, surprised when I find Keith standing there - though my skin buzzes at the sight of his semi-fancy clothes.“Going somewhere?” I ask, tearing my eyes from the black button-up shirt that fits him perfectly.“Yes, actually,” Keith responds. “My parents and I were going out to dinner.”“Sounds fun,” I state. “Did you
ShirleyRalph.Ralph did this. He took his own crimes and tried to save himself by making a counter strike and pinning them on Keith.This isn’t over. It’s far from over.And the Alpha King is unable to help me now unless I can provide evidence. Which is exactly what I plan to do. But first, I need to get Keith released.I called the police department following my conversation with the King. He’d been right - Keith’s bail was absurdly high and would need to be paid immediately. Though paying it won’t clear his name completely - it will at least be a first step among plenty.I’ve already talked with Arthur too. Unfortunately, I don’t have the money to pay the bail myself. But Keith's father said they may have the funds to cover his son’s release, but the money may need to be moved around.That’s where my skills come in. I’ve been sitting at Keith's computer all morning, looking at accounts, assets. I’m trying to figure out what can be pulled from where so we can save Keith and also not
ShirleyThe room is silent and the men are gone. Keith is gone.All Arthur, Ruth, and I can do is stand within the room, breathing as we try to soak in everything that has just happened.They took Keith because he’s committed a crime they wouldn’t explain, but I know for certain that they’re wrong. Whatever it is - he’s been wrongly accused.I want to know for what, why, and who made the accusations. But most importantly, I want to get him back - I need to.As my shock disappears, fire begins to course through my veins - determination soon filling me to the brim. Then the wheels in my head begin to spin.“Arthur,” I say, turning to look at him. “We need to contact the Alpha King.”I watch as Arhur turns to me blinking - apparently still stunned.“What?” he asks.“The Alpha King,” I state. “We need his help. We need to clear Keith’s name.”Arthur continues to blink at me, as if he still hasn’t grasped what’s going on. But we need to act fast.“Ruth,” I say next, looking toward the woma
ShirleyKeith holds my hand, keeping me close as we walk through the Lock Heart airport. Looking at our intertwined fingers keeps a smile on my face, which can’t be smoothed even as people stare our way.“Who is that?”“Do you see the Alpha?”They’re whispering, staring wide-eyed. Some people smile, others - mainly women - scowl at me. Apparently Keith notices too because he only squeezes my hand and brings me closer.However, it’s not in a domineering or protective manner. Instead, he holds his head high, seemingly proud and happy to have me at his side.I have to admit I like it - I like this. Finally being able to touch him and look at him however and whenever I want is like a personal gift from the Goddess.It certainly felt like a gift yesterday when we’d made the most of my final moments in my room - we’d locked ourselves in there all day. But eventually, I had to go meet with my counselor, let her know that I wasn’t going to finish the semester and that I’m withdrawing.Since t
ShirleyA silent breath brushes through my lips, making my shoulders fall an inch as I swallow Keith’s declaration.I just want you. Four simple words and yet it feels like my world has been shaken. Deep down, maybe I already knew, but it’s different hearing him say it aloud.“Want me…” is the only thing I can murmur once my lips choose to move. And in turn, Keith silently nods, waiting for me to say more.But I’m not sure what to say - just like I haven’t known what to think for the last week. Maybe even since the day I met Keith...I’ve never known what to think.Keith is my mate, and when I look back at everything that has happened…I’m still so drawn in. But that doesn’t mean I’m not afraid. And because I only want the truth to be spoken between Keith and me, I tell him.“I’m afraid,” I say aloud, quietly.Again, Keith nods.“I know,” he says.He knows - because he always knows. But why else would I have run away if I wasn’t afraid? The only thing is…he may not know what exactly I
ShirleyI want to say that I’m happy I’m gone - that I’m relieved. But I can’t.I don’t know what to feel. I know I’m the one who decided to leave without saying a word to Keith…or anyone really. However, that hasn’t left me rejoicing in my seat as I sit on the plane - heading to my next destination.Keith doesn’t know where I’ve gone - no one does, really. I’d sent Jean a message right before I’d disconnected my phone, letting her know I needed to get away. Only, not even she knows where “away” is.Sitting on this plane, I’ve already watched miles fly by as we coast through the air. I watched the sun go down, leaving my eyes to only scan flickering lights of the cities below. And now the plane’s cabin is quiet as most passengers have fallen asleep.But I’m awake - I don’t know how I’ll ever sleep again with all the thoughts going through my head or the heaviness in my heart. The ache in my chest is horrible and I wish I could just make it go away. But it only becomes worse each time
KeithKeith’s head hurt like hell when he woke up the next morning, groggy as he tried to blink away the pain also sitting within his eyes. It caused him to reach his hands in his hair, groaning as he felt a strain in each of his muscles.Holy fuck - he felt like shit. It was as if he was hung over, the pounding in his head only becoming worse. However, as he ran another hand through his hair, alarms began to ring within his head.He hadn’t been drunk - he’d been drugged.Eyes snapping open, Keith bared the pain as memories began to dance within his mind. Sitting at home, Lily coming over, realizing she’d put something in his drink, kicking her out. He could remember it all, but it’s what came after that was foggy.Keith continued to stir then, unsettled by the holes in his own story. Only, as his limbs brushed the bedding around him, he came to a new discovery.This was not his bed.Startled again, Keith sat up, fighting through discomfort as he stared down at the sheets and then up
ShirleyKeith wants me. I heard it from his very lips, felt it rumble through every inch of me being. It’s not a conclusion I made based on a look he gave or from reading between his words. He actually said it.And following his words, his teeth scrape against my neck, gently biting me. It makes me completely lose all sense, my mouth acting before my brain as I jerk and give a muffle cry.“Yes,” the word falls out of my mouth, my approval feeling as though it could shake the earth beneath my feet. But it also has Keith growing more wild.“Do you want me to fuck you here? Or the bed?” Keith asks next, sending sparks into my stomach.Yes. Neither. Both. All answers fly into my head, but only one leaves my mouth.“Bed.”Keith peels his body from mine, and I instantly miss him. But then he’s picking me up, carrying me through the office.My lips are on his neck now, burning him with kisses that make his steps stagger as he moves into my bedroom. He groans from deep in his throat, causing
ShirleyI’ve returned home after being out all day. I’ve been trying to come to terms with what happened last night, but I know it was just a moment of weakness caused by Cicy’s influence. However, that doesn’t explain why my powers are weakened, why my scent slipped.I wish there was a way to gain answers to what’s happening, but there’s no one I can turn to. Not even Jean as I know she’s currently busy with her new mate. For now, I have to cope as best as I can.Still feeling defeated, I walk up the front door of Keith’s home. I brace myself with every step I take, knowing that the Alpha must be home as I can see his car in the driveway. All I can hope is that our paths don’t cross again tonight.Reaching the top step, I go to slid my key in the lock, but I pause as I notice the door is already unlocked. That’s strange…normally whoever comes and goes makes sure it’s secure each time, not wanting anyone to somehow sneak in.Still puzzled, I let myself inside, making sure to lock the
KeithThe 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 withi