By the end of it all, I got fined for indecent exposure and enjoyed an expensive couple of hours in the ER so they could make sure I was fine.
Right then and there, I swore I was never shifting again.
Not ever.
Chapter Two
Griffith
I shouldn’t spend the money.
Sure, my rent was low, and frugal living had allowed me to build up savings, but my salary at my now-former company had been less than the market rate. I’d stayed because they hired me right out of college and continually promised advancement and raises.
Few had come through, and I’d been a fool to stay for so long.
Animals was more than a club or a bar, and that was why I went there even though logic dictated I not waste money on an evening’s entertainment. Ever since I moved into my grandparents’ old home, it had been the place I went once a week to have a drink, maybe dance a little, and relax. Some people I knew had even met their mates there, but I didn’t expect that to happen. As an alpha, I dreamed of meeting my omega, my fated mate, but not yet. I needed to be ready, to have security to offer.
Until today, I’d believed that was coming soon. A month before, I’d let my supervisor know that if a promotion and raise didn’t happen after my next review, I would have to look around for a new job. “Harv, it’s not because I don’t like it here,” I’d said. “But I have a future to look toward.”
He’d looked so uncomfortable, hands twisting in front of him, as he promised me that my review would be glowing. No shock, it always was. I worked hard to get ahead, hoping to buy the house I lived in and fix it up or maybe even buy a larger home. Creating a nice home was the minimum I could do for my fated mate…if Fate had chosen one for me.
I drove up to the club, numb, in shock. To have this happen on the very day my review was due. I’d been so happy going inthis morning, hoping I’d finally be taking a step toward my goals. Planning to decide which room to work on first. I’d done some things when I moved in, since my grandparents had been quite elderly and let repairs go. I absolutely had right of first refusal on the house from my folks, so nothing I would do would benefit a faceless landlord.
Parking in the lot, I stayed in my car while my mind ran back over the events of the day. The morning was like any other, working at my desk, speaking on the phone, looking forward to the lunch meeting where I would learn the results of my review.
Sure, they were always good, but usually ended with promises for the following year. When someone retired or the company grew enough to need another junior executive. This time, I’d taken my stand and received a real assurance.
And then, at ten thirty, Harv sent me a message postponing our meeting. He’d had something come up and would get with me in the afternoon. Unease rolled over me, making it difficult to concentrate. Perhaps he was trying to convince someone that I should get my raise and promotion. Heck, it could be either/or. My firm stance wobbled. If they offered a raise or a promotion, and the offer held some sort of validity, I’d take it.
I worked through lunch, having no appetite, running possible scenarios over in my mind. If he offered nothing, what would I do? I didn’t have another job lined up, not wanting to mislead a potential employer, and my father always said it was easier to get a job when you had one. So…did I back down and mislead this company while I hunted for my next position? I hated dishonesty.
While I sat in my parked car in front of Animals, the lot, which had been nearly empty when I arrived, had filled up around me. A line was forming. I really should have gone home and save the money, but I wouldn’t. Stepping out of the car, I drew a breath of fresh, cool evening air. Animal’s position on thehilltop always caught the breeze. But even as I walked across the lot and joined the end of the line, I couldn’t stop the movie reel in my brain.
Harv came into my office just before five, closing the door behind him but remaining in front of it.
“Hi,” I said. “Don’t you want to sit down and give me that bad news?” He couldn’t be bringing anything else with the tension in his jaw and the ashen shade of his cheeks. Apparently he liked me, or needed me, more than I thought.
“I can’t stay.” He looked over my head as he spoke, not making any effort to meet my eyes. “Theres’ a lot…that is, out there, we have to…I have to…”
I stood and approached him, but he cringed back. Sure, I was taller and broader than him, but I’d never threatened him with more than quitting. Why would he be afraid of me? “Harv, what’s going on out there that makes you think I’m going to punch you?”
“I don’t.” Sure.
“Then step aside and let me see what’s going on ‘out there.’” Suddenly my review didn’t matter at all. Something bigger lurked outside my door.
He sagged so quickly, I caught him before he fell to the floor. “Come and sit and talk to me.” I cast a glance at the door, wanting to go see, but needing to keep this man from falling took precedence. Easing him into the guest chair in front of my desk, I moved around to my seat, wanting the security of the desk between us.
“Griffith, I’m so sorry.” If anything, he was paler, and his hands shook. “The company is gone.”
“Gone how?” I was sitting right here in the office. “Where did it go?”
“Gone as in closed. We’ve been having trouble for a while, but the powers that be kept telling me not to worry. Today, at theemergency meeting we had when I had to cancel with you, they went from saying we were having a few issues to, well, the term ‘bleeding money’ was mentioned.”
He kept talking for a while, apparently needing someone to listen, but all I could think of was the fact that I was out of work and had no prospects. After he finished, I found a box in the break room, filled it with everything from my desk, and plodded out to my car. Word was just starting to get around, and I wanted out of there before things went really south.
From there, I drove around until I ended up here, standing in a line outside Animals. They’d just opened, so I was able to get a barstool and settled in to nurse a beer. Only one, I promised myself, and no food. Their prices were more than fair for a nightclub, but I had plenty to eat at home.
About the time I started to feel guilty for taking up a barstool, I heard his voice. Low, smooth, and used to being heard and very likely obeyed. Even a shifter would not keep a body like that if he ate many of the meals he ordered, but Animals did great burgers and fries. Under other circumstances, I’d have ordered one myself. The alpha sat back and looked around, then he leaned across the vacant stool between us and said, “Hey there. It’s my first time here. I’m Falkan.”
