by T M Caruana
“You don’t feel like it?”
“No, today you can get your own. You know where the machine is, right?”
“Yes, I know where it is, but you are supposed to have it at my desk at five minutes past nine.”
“If you come in a little earlier to work you can manage to get it there by that time yourself,” she retorted and felt highly amused at Jaden’s long face.
“I believe it is your job, Jolie. You can’t say no.”
“Yes I can. Listen. No.”
“I will have to report this to the management you know.”
Jolie started to wonder what would happen if Anne found out about her refusal. Perhaps she would pull her from the competition and fire her. Maybe it was best not to upset the stuck-up people like Jaden, who would actually report it.
“Calm down, Jaden. I came in late today as I miscalculated my strength. I’ve been sick this week. And yes, I’m feeling better, thanks. I will make your coffee before anyone else’s, as soon as I manage to close this locker, okay.”
“Sorry, I didn’t know. Glad you feel better. I suppose I fluster when I don’t get my coffee,” he said with a smile and rushed off.
Jolie thought he was probably rushing to sit down at his desk to wait for her to bring him his coffee. Instead of waiting he could have just got it himself. She approached the coffee machine and pressed the button for a latte. As it was pouring, she combed her hair with her fingers; as it had been torn by the wind and she liked it to look smooth and straight. The coffee stream stopped and she brought a teaspoon full of sugar to its edge. She halted and shook her head.
“No sugar for you today, Jaden,” she whispered to herself and threw the sugar down the sink.
He couldn’t report her for such a minor mistake. He would look foolish if he did. She also placed a lid on the cup, as she knew they had a tight fit and the chances were he would spill it over his white shirt when trying to open it. That was a trick she played on people she didn’t like, especially if they’d sent her back to remake one. She didn’t often spit in the drink, however it had happened a handful of times. She didn’t believe Jaden deserved that though. Tony, the mail-boy did.
She was wearing her tall suede boots, even though it was almost too hot for them, however she wore them as it made her posture perky. As she walked into Jaden’s office, she moved her ass with as much swagger as she could manage, and gently placed the cup on his desk. On her way out Jaden called after her, having made repulsive noises, just like she knew he would.
“Jolie, this doesn’t have any sugar!”
“You are sweet enough babes,” she just replied casually, giving him a flirtatious wink and left him with his bitter coffee.
Her next target was Joanne Goodwin, the conceited secretary on the top floor. Joanne thought that just because she was on the top floor she was a part of the management team. Who was she trying to kid? She could barely manage their scheduling. This was the only woman, whose tea Jolie had actually spat in. Jolie boiled the kettle and added two bags of tea to make it disgustingly strong. She also added two teaspoons of sugar, hoping she wasn’t a diabetic. She wanted to make her suffer, but not to have a heart-attack. Jolie topped it off with a tiny bit of milk and ensured the white teacup and its saucer was spotlessly clean. She walked slowly to the lifts so as not to spill it, and pressed the button for the top floor.
Joanne was tapping her watch when she saw Jolie coming with her tea. “What time do you call this?”
“Let me see,” she said and bent over to see the time. “quarter to ten. If you find it hard to read perhaps you should make your smart-watch display digital,” she ridiculed and set down the tea on her desk.
“I know the time Jolie, but you seem to be late.”
“No, not at all. I have rescheduled the round.”
“You can’t do that without my permission. I need to drink my tea before the directors come in, so that I’m prepared to assist in any important matters.”
“I don’t think they entrust you with that many important matters, Joanne. You’re just a secretary.”
Oops, she had struck a nerve. Joanne went red in her face.
“When you are older, and have started on your career, you might understand. Coffee Girl!”
“Judging by how everyone shouts for coffee, I seem more important than most of the workers here,” she retorted and smiled maliciously.
Disbelief dressed Joanne’s face and it thoroughly pleased Jolie. No doubt, Joanne thought she was a woman in the sort of position who should not have to deal with this type of behaviour.
“Well, I don’t want anything to change, so you will have to change it around.”
“You don’t want any changes? Then you won’t like the extra presents I filled your tea with either,” Jolie smirked and licked her lips in a suggestive manner and then turned to walk out.
She didn’t get far as Joanne grabbed her arm, swung her around and gave her a slap over her cheek. In the same instant that her hand hit Joanne’s face, Anne peered out from her office. What an opportune moment, Jolie thought.
“My goodness, what is going on?” Anne queried, and hastened out.
“I was late with the tea so Joanne slapped me,” Jolie lied and drew a sad face by tilting it downward so that she had to look up at Anne.
“You liar. You have a filthy mouth. She has spat in my tea,” Joanne defended.
“Spat in your tea? I wouldn’t think Jolie would do that, would you?”
“No! I have never done that. That is ghastly, if you think I would do such a thing.”
Jolie held her breath to await Anne’s response. She was a half-jackal, and Joanne was a pure jackal, hence both of them had no problem telling a fib. The question was just which one of them would the full blood grey wolf believe?
“You bitch!” Joanne bellowed, and pushed Jolie backwards, who purposely stumbled to the ground, although the push hadn’t been that hard.
“Watch it Joanne,” Anne warned. “Go into my office and calm down. We have a no tolerance to bullying policy at this workplace. We will be lucky if Jolie doesn’t sue us.”
Anne stretched out her hand to help Jolie up from the floor. Jolie sniffled a bit extra, which was easy considering the already blocked nose from her cold.
“It’s okay, Anne. I don’t want to make a big deal out of this. I only want to do my job and deliver your drinks.”
Joanne rolled her eyes at Jolie’s sob-story and lies, however she walked away from the drama, as Anne had requested of her.
“That’s a good girl. Now hurry along and I will deal with Mrs Goodwin.”
12
JADEN MCRYAN
Alfred went in search of a toilet after his meeting with Liz, Anne and Sir John. He needed to splash water over his face and pinch his arm to ensure it was all real. In only a few weeks he was going to be both rich and have the opportunity to teach the most respected man in politics, a lesson. The younger generation hadn’t lived since the Stone Age, but they were resourceful in a way that was needed in today’s society. Although Liz had regarded him as a murderer, Alfred had not a morsel of regret in his body. The lesson needed to be learned to prevent future disaster for the majority. He had no need to be called a ‘hero’, but wanted to have contributed to what would be his cub’s future. Perhaps it was his alpha instinct that had driven him to feel he needed to protect his pack and a few innocent humans.
What was vital now, was to find the right candidates. The people who would stir and wind the others to insanity. The first name that sprung to mind was that pompous prick at the FAO, Jaden McRyan. He had a sharp tongue that never sweet-talked anybody. If something was true, he said it plainly. That boy was efficient, but stupid as a brick. He had his thumb glued to his hand and couldn’t do anything right. He would surely annoy someone. He had his office on the third floor and it wouldn’t take long to pay him a visit. Removing him from the FAO would also mean that it would take longer for the organisation to present their next p
roject, begging for funding, from the government. If the Green Skyway project was launched, the government wouldn’t have much more money to spare. As a result, it was important that the FAO didn’t make any other large investment requests, as refusals for the organisation’s proposals were disliked by the humans and made them suspicious as to what other government spending had been prioritised.
The third floor wasn’t as extravagant as the top floor. There was something to be said about penthouse floors, they had that extra feeling of luxury. He wandered around the corridors until he eventually found a door with Jaden McRyan’s name on it. He knocked gently.
“Come in!”
“Hi Jaden.”
“Alfred. Conservatives, right?”
“Yes, that’s right. I work for the Conservative Party,” he said hypothetically as they both knew he also was the red wolf alpha; the rival pack leader.
“How can I help you?” Jaden asked, but already sounded uncooperative.
“I heard we took your slot on the boardroom schedule this morning. Sorry about that.”
“Don’t worry. More important things always take priority. I got Wednesday next week instead, eight am.”
“Ouch,” Alfred sympathised; a full moon night and then an early start.
“I’m only from third floor, Alfred, what can I say.”
“Do you like it here, Jaden?” Alfred asked, and walked around his office to inspect the photo frames on the bookshelves, determine what view he had out of his window and the amount of stationary he had been given.
“It’s not bad. The hours are a little excessive, but the pay is alright. There are some good lads working here. We have a poker game tonight if you want to join. Why do you ask?” he questioned suspiciously.
Alfred knew his presence was strange, in the guise of just a social visit. Jaden was being straightforward as always.
“Thanks for the offer, but I’m otherwise engaged tonight,” Alfred declined, and sat down in the visitor’s chair opposite him. “I have heard you’re good at what you do,” Alfred lied and almost felt entertained by the fallacy, as he didn’t have much sympathy for the grey wolves.
“I have been in the game for quite some time. One is bound to learn a thing or two,” Jaden answered and proudly sat up straight and corrected his tie.
Alfred had to pretend to sneeze to cover up a scornful laugh.
“You all right?”
“Yes, fine. Allergies,” he blamed. “How would you like to work for me on a game project? I think it will be right up your street?”
“I don’t know…” Jaden mumbled hesitantly.
“It’s for a good cause and only temporary.”
“What is it about?”
“It’s for TV. One of those survival shows.”
“And how is that a good cause?”
“Oh that, yes, the money from the votes goes to a children’s charity,” he lied. “After having deducted five hundred thousand of the money for the winner’s prize.”
“Five hundred thousand? Count me in!”
13
TASHA MOORE
Who would be the second candidate? Alfred pondered as he drove home. Then it hit him. The neighbour; the girl next door was the perfect choice. She came knocking on his door every now and again, asking him to help her with handyman jobs.
It wasn’t an unusual event, and Alfred normally liked helping beautiful women, but there was something not quite right with this one. As soon as Alfred opened up the door for her, he was hit with a strange scent that he had never smelt on anyone before. Her body smelt unique, and she was the only one in his experience who didn’t have a similar scent to any other human or wolf-shifter, or wolf, for that matter. Even though she shyly asked him for his help, he felt this compulsion of having to help her. It was as if he couldn’t say no. He had to obey her. As an alpha, he didn’t like that feeling. The feelings he had for her were very confusing. Although he didn’t like the submissiveness, he adored her. He wouldn’t admit it even to himself, but he wanted her to ask for him. To need him. It was almost as if he could walk past her door and accidentally break something; the handle, the doorbell or the post box, just so that she would come to him. He wasn’t in control of himself and it was as if he wanted to place his life in her hands. Was it love? He didn’t have time for love. This would be the opportune moment to get rid of her.
Walking into his apartment Alfred took off his suit jacket, loosened his tie, pulled out his white shirt from his black trousers and unbuttoned the two top buttons. He knew he could play on his favourable physique, and if he was going to approach her, he might as well have fun.
He looked at himself in the hallway mirror and decided that his three-day stubble was still considered sexy rather than scruffy. He sprayed on cologne and pressed some more wax in his hair. Then he fetched a cheap bottle of red wine and headed out to knock on her door.
“I’ve had a really rough day,” he exclaimed as Tasha Moore opened the door.
Tasha’s playful smile curved her lips when she saw Alfred leaning against the doorpost and showcasing a bottle of wine.
“What happened? Come in,” she urged, pulled the door wide open and made a gesture for him to sit down on the black leather sofa.
He purposely attempted to resist her instructions, but it hurt too much and he couldn’t do other than to obey her order.
“I had a lot of important political documents to sign.”
“You poor thing.”
Her sympathy almost felt as if she was actually petting him. He felt the urge to shift and throw himself onto his back. He could manage not to act on that feeling, but the need for it was disturbing. Her scent didn’t go unnoticed. It was unusual as always, like an unknown animal skin, like a strong force and like the happiness felt by a sunny day.
Alfred tried not to look at her too closely, but realised that she was only wearing a skimpy black negligee. Obviously she hadn’t expected him. She was absolutely stunning. She was tall and skinny with big blue eyes under long eyelashes. Her hair was dark red, which leaned onto brown and it was the same colour as he had as a wolf. It was thick and rolled down in waves onto her back, partially hiding four scars on her flesh that streaked down her back.
She turned his status from being a successful political leader and the most respected alpha into feeling like a pawn in her hand. How could she make him feel this way with just a single look?
“I apologise for coming over like this. I didn’t feel like being alone.”
“Of course, I’m glad you came. Do you want to talk about it or do you want me to distract you?”
“What do you mean ‘distract me’?”
“Watch a film. What did you think?”
“No…I just…”
“Really! You thought…I’m not that kind of a girl, Alfred.”
“You aren’t?” he asked, although it was meant more as an acknowledgment than a question.
“Shut up! No!” she shouted playfully and jumped up; heading towards the kitchen. “Shall I open that then?” she added, indicating the wine, although she was already on her way.
Alfred felt embarrassed, yet also slightly disappointed. He hadn’t realised his hopes for this evening until she declined him. He could almost feel his tail between his legs; a wolf rejected from his pack. It made him want her even more. But he was the alpha. He was the strong leader and couldn’t bend to this, whatever this was. She was a threat to his power and he definitely needed her gone as soon as possible.
After having had a few drinks together he started to realise that she was even more delightful to be around than he had first thought. She was funny, humble and generous. She listened to every word he said and asked questions that showed her interest in his life. It made Alfred feel important on a completely new level, even though they had only spoken about trivial matters.
Tasha didn’t hesitate to offer her assistance as Alfred asked her to join the competition. It was as if she wanted what was best for him and did
n’t bother with the details. She trusted him. The second after Tasha had accepted to enter the competition, Alfred regretted having asked her. His stomach twisted with strong concerns about her safety. Did he actually want to keep her to himself? Had he made a mistake?
When she shooed him off in the later hours of the night, without having stepped over the friendly line, he found himself lonelier and emptier than his usual self.
He lay on his back in his bed, feeling a foul taste in his mouth from the cheap wine. The time with her had flown by. What had they talked about? Films, travel and food. It had been so easy to converse with her. It hadn’t felt forced at all. He visualised her in his head and recalled he hadn’t asked many questions about her. She had a gorgeous body that moved serenely like a fox, but she was no fox-shifter. That wasn’t the smell. He had hoped those firm legs would have been saddled around his waist tonight, yet he lay alone in his own apartment. She wasn’t as an easy prey as he had wanted.
“It must be the wine,” he mumbled and pulled off his shoes.
He flung himself onto the bed, but didn’t bother removing his remaining clothes. He was tired, more mentally than physically. As time passed though, he realised he wouldn’t be able to fall asleep without closure to his curiosity. He reached for his phone on the night table and wrote Tasha a text message.
Thank U 4 a gr8 eve.
MayB l8er I can C U for a T /Alfred
He hit the ‘send’ button and relaxed his hand with the phone on his torso until it pinged; having received a reply.
I will consider.
U R not my usual type. T
He looked at the message and smiled. It was funny because he had actually wanted to know what wolf type she was, if at all a wolf. Perhaps she was an endangered breed that he hadn’t come across before, which would mean she could have easily smelt who he was. This could have been the hidden message of her text, or maybe she was a human and she was playing with him. She had used him as a handyman for years but never come any closer to him. Her rejection invoked the hunting instinct in him as his game was running away, and now he needed her even more. He typed his reply.