Work

Driving home my mind wandered, my birthday was a week away and although I had a decent savings account built up I was nervous because so much was unknown. When I got my job at fourteen I made sure I opened my own bank account thankful that the bank let me due to the fact everyone knew what happened with the Alpha and Luna basically disowning me, the first question I asked was if there was a way I could access it off pack lands; thankfully I found a bank service that serviced all packs and even areas in between. The banker who set up my account told me they even serviced rouges for if they got a job and that all locations were ran by wolves even those on human land. It eased my mind knowing I’d have access to my money no matter what happened next week but I still hoped that the Alpha would let me stack on pack lands just a little longer, graduation was in just two months time so maybe I’d get luck.

Pulling up to the pack house I was surprised to see no one was home still with the fact Charlotte left school early but thankful cus it meant I could get in a shower before work. I quickly went inside to my bathroom running a hot shower, I was washing my hair when I heard the front door slam shot and food steps on the stairs; I quickly rinsed and got out hoping maybe it was my paranoia making me hear the steps. I grabbed my work uniform and dried off as quickly as possible when a bang on my bedroom door made me jump. “Just a minute I’m changing” I called out to the noise at my door. I quickly got dressed wrapping my hair in my towel before answering the door to see Alpha James standing in the door way. “Rouge, do you work tonight?” He asked his voice sounding oddly tense. I shock my head yes; shocked he was at my door. “Okay, well we need to discuss your birthday soon.” He replied before walking away. A uneasy feeling washed over me as I watched him walk away. I glance back at my clock, I still had forty five minutes before work but I decided I rather be super early then leave a opening for this conversation to happen today. I grab my hair brush and makeup off my side table, turning to leave thinking I might grab a bite to eat before clocking into work.

I was so thankful that the diner had hired me at fourteen; most of the time they wouldn’t have but I think they took pity on me knowing I’d need experience and money, it didn’t take long when the Elders made their choice for the rest of the pack to find out the news of me not being a heir to the Luna and Alpha. Everyone and I mean everyone knew what the met for my future.

I pulled out my makeup wanting to do a more simple natural look for my work shift, luckily this wasn’t the first time I finished getting ready in the diner parking lot, simple earth tone eye shadow and a nude lip was all I had energy for, I quickly braided my long hair before getting out and heading in. My boss smiled at my from the front counter as I walked in. “Would you like a bite to eat Rouge?” She called. I nodded yes and went a grabbed a empty table in the back to sit down at, not much later she approached with a burger. “Hey hun, Scarlet said today was a rough one; figured you’d be here a little early.” She said sitting the burger and fries in front of me. See my boss was also Scarlet’s mom, she was one of the kindest she-wolves I had met to date and sometimes I wish she had been able to take me in instead. Rose was honestly a life saver, she taught me about puberty, about the different hygiene needs of she-wolf’s and gave me advice on being a woman. She hinted once that she had been friends with my mom but didn’t elaborate, instead she just listened as I vented about how I wish life was different for me, she never once made me feel like I was a burden to her even when I first started working and she had to train me over and over on some of even the most basic tasks as a server. When Scarlet was sixteen she also started working at her parents diner so we got lots of time together and for that I was thankful. Being a Monday I knew Scarlet’s dad wouldn’t be in to the diner but at home with her much younger brother Christopher, I loved both of her parents so much and her little brother was a really cool kid; I always wondered what life would have been like if I had been raised by them. Their kindness just me being their daughters friend always shocked me. I was careful though how I vented due to pack link, I didn’t know how Scarlet had managed to keep my wolf a secret for so long but I knew if her parents knew it would be harder for them due to all the events they catered for the pack house.

I finished eating and as Rose finished cleaning up the table I went to the bathroom before clocking in, hoping today would be a good day. At first it was Mama Roses diner was one of the few on pack land and the only one that sold burgers so we got a lot of the younger generations coming in for dinner if they weren’t eating at home. Alpha James was the first Alpha in generations that didn’t open the pack house for meals other then holidays or special occasions and I always wondered why, compared to previous Alpha’s of the pack Alpha James was very distant from what people had told me. I had just came out with a tray of food from the kitchen when the hostess caught my eye and mouthed I’m sorry, for a moment I didn’t understand why, that was until I glanced at my previously empty table to see the oh so familiar blonde hair; Charlotte and a few of her friends were sitting in my section. Charlotte didn’t come to the diner often; usually sticking to the higher end restaurants or eating at home but when she came to the diner she always asked for me and made my life hell. I quickly delivered the tray of food I was carrying before approaching Charlotte and her friends, I could tell immediately they were talking about me when I approached. “I’m hoping dad doesn’t wait till she graduates, I’m tired of looking at her freaky eyes.” Charlotte told her friends flipping her hair with a stupid toss amping up the diva tone in her voice, “I’ll never understand why we got landed with her, she was born a rouge, she should have lived and died as such but no she’s somehow special to my dad, so special that he let her live in our house.” Charlotte’s friends nodded their heads in fake pity as I cleared my throat. “Hey Charlotte, can I take you and your friends drink orders?” I asked as politely as possible trying not to let the anger bubbling inside of me tint my words. “That’s future Luna Charlotte to you rouge and yes you may I believe we are ready.” She smirked. Plastering on a fake smile I nodded to continue; “well I doubt this shack has my usual wine but I did see you sell the Long Island iced tea so I’ll take that” she smiled at me. “Charlotte I can’t serve a 15 year old alcohol no matter their status, we’ve been over this before. Pack law is not until your 18 if your a alpha or beta, 21 for omegas; I can get you anything else though.” I replied trying not to let my frustration heard, she always did this. Some of the other restaurants let her but Rose was big on following the law; even when it came to the Alpha’s daughter she didn’t let anyone bully their way into early alcohol. It was Rose who taught me about the fact our wolves effected even how alcohol effected us and how for omegas that it didn’t effect their tolerance as fast because they shifted later. “Go get your manger.” Charlotte snarled, I sighed turning to go get Rose.

It didn’t take long to find her and come to find out the hostess had given her a heads up that Charlotte had come in, I gave her a quick run down of what happened and she lead the way back to the table. “Charlotte, dear you know we obey the legal drinking laws in my establishment and as Rouge said before we can get anything on the menu that is none alcoholic.” Rose waisted no time putting her foot down with Charlotte while I waited a few steps back. “Is that what she told you, that I was trying to get her to break laws for me? I wasn’t she refused to get me a milkshake that’s why I asked to speak to you.” Charlotte responded batting her eyes trying to look innocent and shocked. “Charlotte; you know I have cameras with audio, do I need to call the Alpha to come get you or would you like to order something.” Rose replied calming but sternly calling out her lies. “No I think we will go elsewhere were we actually get good service, obviously you’ve never heard the statement that the customer is always right.” Charlotte huffed before pulling away from the table to leave, her friends hesitated for a moment before a low growl left her. “Go ahead and finish your other tables up then come to my office.” Rose said softly before walking away. I knew I wasn’t in trouble but I always worried about if Charlotte went to the Alpha about situations like today. My other tables luckily had seen Charlotte so weren’t angry I was running behind on drink refills and one tables check; luckily another serve took one of my tables their food during everything. By the time closed all the bills out I had made a decent amount in tips which I was super thankful for.

Joining Rose in her office she looked up at me. “Rouge I know we don’t talk about your mom and I wish I could tell you more but she was my best friend before she left the pack, I actually met your father. I know Leia would have offered my Scarlet what I’m about to offer you if roles had been reversed. If Alpha James kicks you from the pack house but not pack land, would you like to come stay with my family?” She asked softly looking slightly nervous. I thought for a minute this must be a dream, any minute I’ll wake up having fallen asleep before work but then I realized the truth was this was completely real. “I’d love to Rose.” I replied feeling the huge smile on my face, still in shock that maybe everything would work out after all. Rose came around her desk and hugged me, for a moment she wasn’t just my best friends mom or my boss; it felt like I always imagined it would have felt like if my mom hugged me. I grinned wiping away a tear from my eyes and told her I’d see her tomorrow. Clocking out I felt like I was on top of the world and nothing could bring me down, all I had to do was convince Alpha James to let me stay on pack lands.