Samantha

«It was Alpha Nate's decision,» Roxy pointed out. «He ordered us to employ her somehow. He also said not to overwork her because she's a human. But also, not to let her think she's here for other reasons. Basically, let her work but not too much.»

«Easier said than done.»

«That's why I'm here asking you for help. If it's you, it will be fine.»

«If it's Nate's decision, then I don't have any choice but to agree,» Samantha sighed. «Bring her in. I'll find something for her to do.»

Roxy smiled, happy that her idea to mention the Alpha worked.

Lara walked in and met the other woman. They shook hands, and Samantha brought her into the office.

The department was almost empty that morning, so they weren't bothered by other people.

«For today, you can order the records. Client, then date. Don't slack off, and we'll get along.»

Lara nodded her head and started getting familiar with the papers.

The woman who would be her boss for that week was incredibly attractive. She had long, blond hair and eyes in two different colours: one blue and one green.

She was athletic and full of energy, yet her demeanour was calm and relaxed. Lara was sure anyone would sign a contract if she was the one proposing. Her charm was more than just about her appearance. It was everything: from the way she moved to the small changes in her expression when she talked.

As a first impression, she did look like an arrogant young lady. But after witnessing her capabilities, no one would think it wasn't earned.

Somehow, it felt familiar. Lara was sure they never met. Yet, her aura had something in common with Nate's. And Manager Cooper's too.

Was that woman a werewolf?

There were already three working in that company alone. Was it such a frequent thing?

Maybe, she thought, wolves tend to group and work in the same place to protect each other.

Oh, she had no clue about the numbers. Maybe, there were so many in the world. Just that they hid well enough for no one to notice.

Maybe the neighbour in Sheton who was a little solitary was a werewolf. Or some other kind of beast.

She couldn't just assume other urban myths didn't exist.

After working for barely two hours, she finished ordering the records and reported to Samantha.

«It's okay, then. You can go home. Tomorrow I'll find something more interesting, I promise,» Samantha said.

«It's fine. Work doesn't need to be interesting.»

After all, she was paid for it. She glanced at the numbers in the contract, and the amount of money wasn't that bad. She didn't need to find another job, for the time being, leaving the afternoons to spend more time with her cubs.

She wasn't as naive as to think it would last forever. But they said three months. Then, she would decide whether to look for another job or find something else for the afternoon only.

She pressed the button to call the elevator, and she widened her eyes in surprise.

«Hello!» she said, recognising Nate. «What a coincidence.»

«Yes,» Nate replied. «A real coincidence!»

She walked in and only later realised they were alone. No one else was leaving at that time.

«I finished early today,» Lara explained. «Seems like I'll have a period of adjustment before starting to work for real.»

«Is that so?»

«Yes.»

«Where are you going for lunch? There's a canteen in the company. The food is not that bad, and there's plenty of choices...» he started, hoping she would take the bait.

«I don't think I can eat in the canteen. I work till noon, after all. Lunch is not included in my benefits.»

«Impossible,» Nate replied. «Have you read your contract?»

«In any case, I'll go home now. I have enough time to cook for the kids. They're waiting for me, and they have promised not to come looking for me anymore. At least, I want to reward their patience.»

«Do not eat too much,» he said. «You're supposed to have dinner at my place. If you overeat now, then you won't enjoy the dinner this evening.»

«I don't think that's possible,» Lara chuckled. «I've never seen the cubs as full as to avoid dinner.»

She bit her tongue when she realised she said cubs in front of Nate. She eyed his expression and checked he didn't react. Thankfully, it didn't look like something she wasn't supposed to say.

«What time do I pass to pick you up?» he asked instead.

«We can use the subway; it's no big deal. Just give me the address.»

«I will be in front of your building at seven o'clock. Don't make me wait for too long,» Nate replied before sliding out of the elevator as soon as the doors opened.

Lara wanted to ask if he was really getting off on that floor since the elevator was directed to the lower level. It opened there only because some other people pressed the buttons on that side.

They looked at Nate in surprise, as if him working in that company was something unexpected. Then, they shrugged their worries off and got on the elevator to reach the second floor. Apparently, that was where the kitchen and canteen were.

As for Lara, she reached the ground floor and walked out. She greeted the girls at the reception desk with a smile, hoping they would forget the awkward first meeting.

She walked home, stopping on the way to buy fresh meat.

She couldn't even buy stocks when the prices were low because the cubs rarely ate frozen meat. One of the few exceptions was burgers and the salami on pizzas. Which made her realise that there was very little meat in both of those.

She needed quite a while to walk from home to work. Maybe, she should have invested in a monthly subway card. She would be able to afford it with her next salary.

But, for the moment, the weather was good enough for a walk.