Decision Time

As she held out the discarded dress she had just stepped out of, he scowled. He knew she was still feeling so sour about herself, but from what she had told him, it wasn’t her fault. They, her family, had wanted to force her into a marriage because of their own gain, whatever it was that was promised. “I’ll go get you a waste bag.” He said, as he looked at her and saw that her eyes had started to water. 

“Try getting into the sweatpants and shirt before you freeze to death.” He said, but suddenly, he realized what he had said and wanted to kick himself for the careless choice of words. He walked out of his room and walked slowly downstairs to the kitchen where the bag was. 

This was going to be a long day for both of them because he really still doesn’t have a job for her. He had thought that the Alex coming over was a man, so he had prepared for him to be the butler; even though he seldom need one. He had mentioned being the housekeeper but he really wasn’t sure what that could entail. He walked back upstairs with the bag in hand, opening it on his way to his room. He handed it to her and walked to sit on the bed. It took her ages to fold and put the discarded gown into it. 

He could only guess at the distress she must be feeling, but thankfully, she was dressed, and he didn’t have to see her in the white small underwear gown that was beneath the dress she had taken off. 

Anyway, before this was going to be settled, Gabe knew he had to tell Alex about himself, that he wasn’t human, at least, that was required of when he hired a human to work for him. He didn’t normally have human work for him, but this was a different case. He assumed that she knew about them and she was going to be all right with it, so he cleared his throat. 

“You see, Alex. I’m like Cara, as you know, we are really a clan that loves our privacy. I would like for you to sign a contract that will bind you legally for your discretion on this, and working for me.” He said. 

Alex frowned, not sure she was following. The scent emitting from the sweat clothes that were given to her clouded her senses. It had Gabe's scent all over it and she wondered what it would be like to be with the real deal. She looked at the man that was now seated on the bed and said. 

“Huh?” her eyes filled with questions about what he was saying and what it meant.

“You should focus when you’re being spoken to. It’s rude if you do otherwise.” He said. 

Alex furrowed her brows even deeper. What was this about and why was he being all moody suddenly? She nodded her head and said. “I'm sorry. I was gone there for like a second so I missed what you said.” 

Gabe blew out a breath and then he cleared his throat. “As I said, I’m like Cara, as you know, we are really a clan that loves our privacy. I would like for you to sign a contract that will bind you legally for your discretion on this, and working for me.” He repeated. 

Understanding clearly the part where she had to sign a contract; she wasn’t dumb, she would read it through, she nodded, but then she frowned at the first sentence on him being like Cara. What was he trying to tell her? 

Gabe could see the confusion in her eyes and he wondered if she knew what he was. He was going to have to explain. “I'm like Cara, a werewolf. I’m sure you know that, since you’re best friend with Cara, or you must have heard about us.” He said. 

Squinting her eyes, for a couple of moments, she was silent as she processed the words he had just said. She remembered one drunken night with Cara while they were still in college and she had told her something she thought she had watched in a movie. They had been hearing about this, but most humans think that it was just a myth. 

When Cara told her this, she had just chalked it up to acting out and wanting attention from her. She had never repeated it to her again. 

Flashback…

“I need to tell you something, Alex,” Cara said, and Alex shook her head. God, she reeked of alcohol. She wasn’t sure why she was this drunk, but something must be happening. 

She was grateful that she had called her to come to drive her home though, better than getting behind the wheels of the car herself and possibly getting into an accident, killing herself, if not someone else. 

She grabbed the place under her arms to steady her as she tripped, almost falling. What’s going on with her? She wondered, but she knew she would have to ask her tomorrow when she was sober. Normally, Cara held her alcohol all right, but she must have drank past her limit and that was a clear sign that something was wrong. 

“I need to tell you something, Alex.” She repeated as she tried to search her bag for the car keys. 

“Shut up, for now, Cara. I need to get you home.” She grunted as she fished out the keys and walked them both to the car. She got her in and buckled her seat belt before walking around the car to the driver's seat. She had just started the car when Cara blurted out something strange. 

“I'm not like you, Alex. I’m not human, so it’s difficult for me to blend in. I’m trying not to let people see who I am. I’m a werewolf, half wolf, half human, and I almost showed myself to your world, only it would startle them, and it might be disastrous.” She said. 

Slamming her feet on the brake, she looked at Cara and asked. “What do you mean you’re a werewolf?” But, she had closed her eyes, and she was now snoring softly. At the time, she had paused to think for a long time, but at last, she had shaken it off, smiled at her silliness, and drove them home. She never asked her of it, ever, and Cara never said anything about it again, they had become closer and closer even. 

End of flashback…

“Are you all right?” Gabe asked as he watched her, and she nodded. 

This was the time to make a decision whether or not to stay here with someone mystical, someone she had never come across before, or go back to marrying Alberto. She could reject working here and not going back to Seattle, but she would be lying to herself if she said she would survive, and this was the only help she could take from Cara. 

Nodding, she said. “I understand. I’ll sign them and start work as soon as I'm settled.” 

“Good, now let’s get you started.”