Claws of the Night

"I'm very happy to welcome you to the team, Mrs. Spitz."

"It's Miss."  I correctly him softly.

"But, your paperwork says here firmly that you are married to an Alpha for the past five years."  His finger taped the clipboard in confirmation.

I bristled.  "The recruiter said it would increase my chance of getting an interview if . . ."

His voice deepened.  "...you lied on the form.  Ms. Spitz, do you know what I do to liars?

"Well, I did have an annullment," I said in a panic.  Why had I made that up?  I could feel my fists clench into balls as I reminded myself that I needed this job.  I needed to find a way in.  I was determined that my status wouldn't hold me back.

"Well in that case, Miss Livia Spitz, welcome to the team.  I am Dr. Manfred Dawson, one of the associate professors.  I am no means, the head of this whole operation, but I would like to say that, I am hoping that my efforts will be recognized at one point.  My point is, I will be keeping you on track as your guide in the upcoming weeks and I hope that you won't let me down.  We have few good scientists as it is who are not slaves to their species."

I swallowed involuntarily.  

My eyes saw the yellow of his eyes gleam as his adam's apple bobbed as he had locked in on his target.  I tried to smile as I could feel him trying his alpha approach to even out the odds.  He was going to try to get credit for my contributions the same as he was trying to remind me that he was taller than me, broader than me, and deserved these things to his name.  Biology had given him the upper hand in this, but for his species, alphas.  He was a bit, scrawny.  The lab coat didn't help either, he was lanky and lean.

Definitely not the best meat of his species.

I bowed my head, like a good beta should.  Appealing, I hoped, to his sensibilities.  "I really appreciate the thought of someone taking care of me, Dr. Dawson.  I am really happy that even with my imperfections I am being allowed to join your pursuit.  I know that you keep your nose to the grind to produce results.  And I would very much like to be included.  I have been attentive to your efforts.  Behind every big university research, I see you in the footnotes."

"Oh no, how do you seem to say everything I want to hear?"

I tensed again.  I wasn't exaggerating.  In between checking tabs and collecting orders, I did like to scroll over Dr. Dawson's contributions in the astrobiology of our origins for years.  My academic journey had been non-traditional, taking an extended six years, instead of four.  I was behind in everything, but my academic advisor of my department had always sent quarterly emails of openings.  These things I would just browse at, but when I saw Dr. Dawson's name, I was so excited that I had dropped my phone in the pasta sauce bucket at work.

I couldn't let this chance pass me by.

Who knows what advances they were hiding in government labs these days.  Every time I would hear about 'astrobiology' in a news programs, I would get goosebumps.  I had majored in astrochemistry as it was the only thing that was offered at the local community college.  My bachelors was just biology and even then, it was Dr. Dawson and I was sure he would help me get to the final degree I had always longed for.

This was a step in the right direction.

His expression calmed.  The menace slowly seeming to be controlled, I assumed through some calculation as he viewed my resume again.  He touched my hand like it was a butterfly.  "You have the minimum qualifications.  I suppose I could use a blank slate that I can teach.  I know how difficult it is to attend community college and then transfer.  I know the fundementals are there.  I taught some of your old professors, and they have done the noble thing.  Full of betas, community colleges are so they tend to be soft.  But I can definitely turn you into an astrobiologist, even with your chemistry background.

My foot hit the ground in an involuntary skip as I met his clipboard with a fist bump--god I wasn't at basketball practice.  Why did I do that?  I could tell that he was as shocked as I was.  I was definitely community college material.  It was definitely not a good look.

He looked away as if I had not done something agregious and offensive.

I stuttered.  "I definitely have a lot to learn.  But an alpha is a natural leader."

"That I am," he said coldly.  He scribbled his signature in an untidy scrawl at the bottom of the page, another signature of his species, bad handwriting.  "I can see that you will be interesting to lead, but never mind that.  Discipline can be taught.  The first step should be that you are able to access my office so I can instruct you?"

"Yes sir."  I showed him the badge which had been hanging out of my back pocket.  "I got it from the reception area.  The attendant there was very nice to me."

"The best disguise is always a smile. There should always be a distinguish between what is predator and what is prey.  I will have our administration department make a lanyard for you.  It will be mailed to you so keep an eye out for snail mail."  Dr. Dawson swiped his badge to get me out of his lab.

I could take a hint.