Chapter Three: On Thin Ice

Kaida

I waited for the door to be opened after the chime announced my presence. I heard the shuffle of feet from inside as someone approached to answer the door.

 My heart thudded loudly in my ears, and my lips were pressed into a grim line. I pressed my resume flat against my thighs, nervousness flooding through me. 

I fidgeted, wondering which of the brothers would be opening the door, and praying it wouldn't be the thieving one. I had a poor record of effectively masking my emotions, and even though it had been months, the granola bars he stole from me still radiated fury within me whenever I reflected on that day. It wouldn't be in my best interest to glare at my potential boss with my fate hanging on their acceptance. 

I forced a smile onto my face as I heard the click of the door lock and the heavy wooden door swung open.

Surprise flashed across Caspian's face when he saw me. 

He was the older brother, and I had researched the three brothers extensively that morning. Aside from their Alpha genealogy, the Ragnar Brothers had made a name for themselves abroad as oil and shipping magnates, with a net worth spanning hundreds of millions of dollars. My eyes had practically widened in astonishment when I read the estimates on Forbes.

 Those brothers were incredibly wealthy; I wondered what they were doing in this small town, changing employees frequently and reportedly tormenting them into seeking therapy sessions.

 I braced myself for my own future here, focusing on the money before I balked and decided again that the financial reward wasn't worth the risk to my mental health. However, the poverty I was enduring had already taken its toll.

"Hello. Good evening. My name is Kaida Wilder. I heard you were employing house assistants," I said, trying to sound confident.

 His amber-brown eyes scanned me, as if he was still in disbelief that I was standing at their doorstep.

 I inwardly cringed, recognizing that I had probably lost points with them before we even discussed my eligibility for the position, given our previous encounter. Nevertheless, Caspian stepped aside, granting me permission to enter. 

I swallowed awkwardly, stepping over the threshold into a space that was nothing short of paradise. The interior was massive, impressive, and exotic, with towering ceilings, strong pillars, and brilliant lighting. Every part of the house I passed through was dazzling and enchanting, incomparable to any edifice I had come across in my entire life. This place reeked of wealth. I inhaled the crisp air, my lungs constricting with a mix of pleasure and awe.

Caspian directed me to sit on one of the plush chairs in the lavish sitting room, setting himself across from me. His gaze was intense as he watched me, and I wondered whether he was thinking of our last encounter. 

The chair was so soft that I sank into it, biting down on my lower lip to stifle the sigh that almost escaped me. 

I perched on the edge, not used to this luxurious treatment, and cleared my throat. "I know we didn't have a particularly good history, but if you could consider me for this employment, I will serve you to the utmost of my ability."

 Caspian's gaze remained focused on my face, its intensity making me feel warm. Was he already intimidating me before I even began to work? 

I recalled that Malachi, the thieving and youngest brother, possessed a similar intense look, and my heart twinged at the thought of working under their scrutiny. I could tell now why those people had to quit; they were too overwhelming. I was already feeling lightheaded from the attention. I struggled to maintain my composure, refusing to cave under the pressure. 

"Are you going to say anything, or will we keep up this stare-down until the day runs out?" I blurted out in impatience. My eyes widened as I recognized my folly, and I slapped my mouth in mortification. "I'm sorry," I muttered. 

Twice, I had disrespected an Alpha. If we were in the primitive ages, my head would have been hanging on a spike right then.

 A look I couldn't detect crossed Caspian's eyes briefly – had it been amusement, intrigue, or displeasure? I couldn't tell.

 I adjusted in my seat. "I'm highly hardworking and resourceful."

 He hushed me with a raised hand as I was about to launch into my strengths and list the reasons I ought to be considered for this job. He inhaled the air, his voice a low, harsh growl that sent shivers racing down my spine. 

"Human?" he spat in distaste.

My mouth popped open wordlessly, and I vehemently shook my head. "No." I was a werewolf, born into a family of betas. You would think I would address the Alphas with better reverence, given my genealogy. However, I had spent most of my life in human-populated areas, and their influence had rubbed off on me more than my roots, where I couldn't fully fit in. 

Caspian's attractive blonde brows knit in confusion. His own blonde hair was a shade darker than Malachi's, but he was just as ruggedly handsome as the other brother. 

"I can't smell it on you," he said, his voice rumbling from his throat like he was suppressing a growl. His timbre was both masculine, scary, and tantalizing. 

I clenched my mouth, now feeling very uncomfortable in my seat. I hated talking about my circumstance, but I had been put on the spot by my potential employer. I needed this job; the pay could turn my life around.

"Have you ever shifted?" he questioned before I could speak. 

I hesitated, and the possibility of securing employment here seemed to grow increasingly dimmer with each passing moment. Perhaps I should just walk out and spare myself the embarrassment. Or maybe I could see this through to the end; I might be lucky. A second thought kept me settled on the plush chair.

 "My wolf... there's been a bit of a complication with it," I answered, a sense of shame washing over me at that admission. I possessed sharp hearing, sight, and unhuman strength like the rest of the werewolves. I could flash my claws at will, but that was the best I could do. I couldn't fully transform or connect with my animal form.

 Dad often consoled me whenever I cried about it, mentioning that I was a late bloomer, but as the years passed, I knew what I was. 

"You're a Null," Caspian spelled out the word, a hint of distaste in his mouth.

 I met his gaze, feeling odd at the amount of antagonism he exhibited toward my kind. Well, there went my chance of securing employment here.