The next morning, mum dropped off Claire since she taught in her school.
Dad went to work early, which made me thank my stars.
He would have asked me how the interview went.
I wasn't ready to tell him I had just met Alpha Jaden. How was I supposed to tell him Alpha Jaden was the CEO of the company I wanted to work for?
Or that I just saw the father of my daughter?
I was aware that if dad knew, he won't approve me going there at all so will mum. However, it seemed like I didn't have a choice. I dialled Cheryl's number, my friend from years back who gave me the information on the job at Moonstone enterprise.
She texted me yesterday but I wasn't in the right state to reply. After the storm, I simply began to think that nothing looked like it was working in my favour. If only I could communicate with the moon goddess about it. It'll surely make a difference if I had unlocked my abilities as a guardian wolf.
"Hello, Cheryl?" I called. "Good morning!"
"Nova, I've been texting for ages, are you good? How did the interview go?"
"Our Wi-Fi was down because of the storm. Speaking of the interview, it was great by the way. Although, I'm not sure if I'll be picked."
"You're not sure, are you kidding me? Of all people, Nova Willows?? Your brilliancy was the talk of the town!" she stated.
I didn't expect she'd say or remember that tiniest detail about me.
A nostalgic sensation occupied me that instant. The fact that Cheryl said those words made me remember some stuff. Of how she used to be my close friend. Back then, we told each other stuff and were similar. When I got the offer to be the Alpha's mate, she had congratulated me.
In fact she had thought everything was fine until we moved out of the pack. She tried calling to know if I was fine but we just fell out as time went on.
I recalled we didn't fight or anything. We just stopped talking.
During my classes back then, I made sure not to show myself. But my exams spoke more and the pack teachers summoned me whenever we were to represent our packs. I won most of the competitions and this earned me medals.
It was one of the first things I packed when I discovered we'd be moving back to Moonstone pack. Maybe it was because those medals made me feel less of a loser.
Because of them, I didn't even notice my powers as a guardian wolf were taking long to surface
The medals made me feel worthy. More like a spirit of excellence that made me so proud of myself.
"Gosh, you don't have to flatter me to make me feel good." I replied.
"We both know I'm not, you were totally killing it from every angle, I wonder why you suddenly relocated though." she said.
"I'll explain it all when we meet up, is it okay if I do that?" I asked changing the topic.
"Sure," she replied.
"One more thing though."
"Go on."
"Do you have any idea if the CEO will be in office today?"
"Alpha Jared? Yup, I'm sure of that. He's a workaholic, is everything fine though? You're asking of the man who used to be your mate in the past."
I chuckled, trying to make everything seem normal.
"Yeah sure, I'm just trying to get a job nothing else. Anyway thanks, I should get going. I just have loads of things to sort."
"I understand, girl. You just moved in and it's normal to, take your time."
"Okay Cheryl, thanks." I hanged up letting out some puff of air.
That was close. Thank God she didn't press further.
Strolling to the dining room, I took some tea as the coffee had run out. We left our previous pack in so much hurry that we didn't have time to take the essentials. But we were safe here, that was what mattered at least.
Today, I was going to visit Jared. Not as an interviewee seeking a job but as someone who wanted to know more. If mum was right about him chasing Claire's case, it only meant one thing.
Jared wasn't guilty. I wasn't sure if his mum was in the same path but this theory only revolved around him.
If his mum could promise me the world and still kick me out, it spoke ill of her character. The funny thing was I did notice something wasn't normal about it all.
However back then, I sort of dreamt of it to be normal. My stay with them made me realize I wasn't wrong. The Alpha's mum had been insincere to me. It made me wonder if the secrets of Moonstone pack she told me was true.
There were several reasons I should suspect her. My late sister was last seen working for her son in the packhouse. And, while working for them, she gave me hints that someone was after her.
I wore a slim fit tangerine gown which complimented my hourglass shape. I then used some compact powder so my face didn't appear oily at all. Applying little amounts of mascara, I smudged my peach lip gloss. A fragrance followed, thereafter. I let my chestnut hair down running my hands through the curls.
On stepping out I checked if Mum took the car. It turned out dad drove the second jeep so I had no choice than to take a cab.
"Taxi!" I got in with my black heels which were the same as yesterday. Looking through the window, I noticed the sky was blue. In fact the view was different from five years ago. There were more palm trees and taller buildings. It seemed the people of Moonstone pack were more indulging. Compared to before, the town seemed better.
I knew it from how everything currently seemed.
As soon as the taxi halted, I got down. Oh no, there was security. They were right at the entrance. Knowing I was here yesterday, there was no way they were going to allow me in.
I knew this information because interviewees weren't allowed in the vicinity. According to Cheryl, she made it clear that they believed it'd be best for us to stay away until the result came out.
It made me look around wondering what I was going to do. I took a deep breath making my way to them confidently hoping they bought whatever drama I was about to create right now.
"Hello." I started, "Do you remember me? I was here yesterday by the way. They said I'm to resume today."
I really hoped they didn't ask me for the full details.
"Your name, miss?" one of the security guards asked.
"Nora Cartridge." I lied so they'd not be able to trace it.
"Hmm, Miss Nora Cartridge, the list of applicants is not ready yet but if you think you got the job, will you kindly do this for us?" one asked.
"Do what?"
"Try calling the management." he suggested. "That should work since the list isn't ready yet."
"Oh my God. What insult. Do you mean the Alpha should come here himself?" I converted their words to an insult, so they thought of the consequences of what will happen if they didn't let me in.
Defying the Alpha was not the ideal thing to do. They knew it. "We didn't mean it that way, ma'am." they rushed saying.
"I see," I said. Surprisingly my wolf was trying to surface, it seemed like she had something to say because the struggle to come out was mysterious.
"Then let me in. Alpha Jared's not going to like the fact that his new assistant was held outside. Or should I dial his number?" I outstretched my phone at them only to see a look of panic in their eyes.
"We can't go against the Alpha." the other whispered.
"Same here. Besides, I think she's telling the truth. This woman reeks of power. I think she is of a higher rank."
I reeked of power? How? Years back, I certainly would believe because mating the Alpha made me smell like a higher rank. Since he rejected me, I was so sure that left years back.
"We apologize for the inconveniences. Please come in, ma'am." I couldn't understand why they bared their necks with tight expressions on their faces.
Since they bought my act, I stepped in with my neck up high depicting the exact way dignitaries did, as I walked. A hint of nostalgia hit me as I recalled how Jared's mum taught me this whenever we wanted to have a function. "Just fake the walk," she'd say. "Your body will get used to it with time." she'll tell me whenever other packs would be invited from far and near.
I did this till I was out of their sight. Phew. That was close, I thought looking around. The employees were moving around and suddenly I saw the same person that coordinated the interviewees yesterday. I sidestepped her, turning my back so she didn't see me.