Chapter 3 - Evelyn

   I was allowed onto Mystic Shadow Pack despite the heightened security, though this was understandable considering the recent and ongoing situation within our region. Our packs were allies, and my mother was friends with the mother of the current Beta here from what I understood. Though if you listen to my mother it sounded like she was friends with the whole world and their mother!

   Though, on this occasion, I was not going to complain at her over-friendliness, because it had resulted in a job interview for me that potentially meant a break from our pack. Admittedly, it would not lead to an escape to the ongoing conflict, because it was another war effected pack, but it was still somewhere new, some new people who may not be full of sympathy over the fact my father had died in the fighting.

   That had been one of the hardest things to accept. Losing my father to this futile and needless battle, that seemed to be going nowhere. My father, our pack’s former Beta, recently retired from his role and ready to enjoy his retirement handing down the title of Beta to my older brother, Jacob, until war once again came our way… and my father being the man he was, so dedicated to our pack was one of the first to step up to fight to defend his beloved pack. And sadly, one of the first to fall. Leaving an emptiness inside of me that I just cannot describe.

     I had always loved being part of the werewolf community growing up. A pack. A family. A sense of belonging. A bond that we all shared, a connection that meant something. Now I was beginning to resent that. Seeing it more as something it tying us all together, holding us all down. Holding us back from the freedom we deserve.

    Being part of this community, having the bonds we do, the unity we do is what was causing the bitterness and fighting from The Night Shade Pack, though why, I was yet to understand. Their Alpha set on destroying all other packs. Becoming an Alpha of Alphas by all accounts it would seem. But had yet to succeed. A man who craved power. The type of man I detested. I just wanted to be free of it all. Get away…

     The pack seems in good shape considering their most recent attack was a matter of months ago. Though I know their Alpha was meant to be on top of things from what I had heard, taking care of his pack well, and even helping the smaller ones around them too. But he had business alongside his pack, hence why I was here today, to help in the business side of the pack running and I assume potentially his companies too from what information I had been given.

     I pulled up outside the packhouse, where the guard had told me I would be greeted by a pack member to take me to my interview. I sure hoped so, as I do not fancy wandering around trying to find my way, I may be a werewolf but my sense of direction was horrendous, and I did not want to make a terrible impression the first time of meeting the potential new boss…

     “Miss Anderson?” A deep voice breaks my thoughts as I step from the car, making me jump slightly almost falling back on the car. Always so clumsy! 

      I steady myself, adjusting my skirt as I look up, to meet a pair of curious, deep chocolatey-brown eyes gazing at me from the steps of the packhouse. I feel myself gulping in shock as I take in the handsome man stood watching me, hair as dark as his eyes, cut short at the sides but longer slightly on top, flopping down into his face... he was dressed casually, in a pair of boots,  a pair of jeans and a black buttoned shirt, the top few buttons still open, revealing a tan and muscled chest I noted as I began walking closer…

   “Hi.” I smiled in greeting, suddenly feeling awkard for noticing the way he was dressed. 

    “Hi, how are you doing? I am sorry, I would have come and met you at the gate had I known the guard wasn’t going to bring you down here. I am sure I asked him to.” The deep voice speaks once more, making me look to him as I walk up the steps to meet him.

   “It is fine, I assumed they may be busy, I understand with the pack security being important they have a lot to do right now, ours is the same.” I smile.

   I see him smile back at me, his moody face, suddenly lightens, his whole face changing with that one smile. “Of course. You would know exactly what it is like, wouldn’t you? Your Dad and brother the Beta’s of River Ash.”

   I nod, a small smile out of politeness. I seemed to be known more for my family name than myself unfortunately. Another reason I wanted to get away from the packs, to be known for myself rather than the family I belonged to.

   “Well, it is nice to meet you anyway, I am Beta Cayden Murdock.” He offered me his hand.

    I politely take his hand and shake it, his big brown eyes watching me as I do, I swear I feel like I am melting from the intensity of this man’s gaze!

    I slowly raise my eyes to meet his gaze, and his eyes widen as if he realized what he was doing, and suddenly looks away, dropping my hand. Awkwardly clearing his throat.

    “So, let me take you to meet Alpha Jackson for your interview. Don’t worry about him, he is a grumpy bastard, but he is nice enough. His bark is worse than his bite, and all of that.” he smiles, clearly aiming to lighten the uneasy and awkward situation he had created with humour.

    Though instead I am now even more nervous wondering about the sullen, and grumpy Alpha I am about to meet. The man who has the potential to offer me a new job, the chance to get me away from my pack, if only for a short time. This is my first job opportunity away from pack, and I am so desperate not to mess it up! But because of this man's words, now I felt sick with nerves! And I was shaking with nerves too. This was not a good start...

    “Are you okay Evelyn… erm, sorry, Miss Anderson?” Beta Cayden asked me quietly as we turned down a smaller corridor off the main corridor of the packhouse.

     I look to him, confused by his question. He obviously saw my confusion, as he smiled, a friendly smile, and gently placed his hand on my arm as we approached a door “You look like you want to throw up, love.”

   I felt myself blushing. “I…” I began.

   “Not to mention you are shaking!” he looked at me concern in his eyes now. “Are you sure you are okay? Do you want me to get you a drink of water or something?”

       I smile. “Would you think me pathetic if I just said I am nervous? First job away from pack...”

      He grinned. “Oh. And me and my big mouth made that worse, right?”

      I nod, with an embarrassed smile on my face now. I have no hope of getting this job. They are going to think I am pathetic!

      “Bless you. Well, ain’t you just the sweetest! Come on, let’s get you to your interview, you will be fine. Jackson is fine, I was teasing, love.” He said, calling me love for the second time I noticed…

    But I had no time to think about that, as he opened the door without even knocking. Signalling me to follow him into the office, my heavy feet felt like lead as I walk behind him. I think I want to go home! 

      “Well hey there, Jackson. Look who I found!” Beta Cayden said, with what I assume was an attempt at being over friendly for my benefit.

      The dark-haired head at the table looks up suddenly, his hazel eyes taking in the scene in front of him, an expression of confusion crossing his face before he looks at his Beta. “Huh?”

      Beta Cayden simply grins, placing his arm around my shoulder like he and I are better accquainted than we actually are, “I do believe I have found Miss Anderson, ready and waiting for her interview and ideal for the job opportunity we are looking for. But I will say, the little lady is a little on the nervous side with it being her first job interview outside her own pack, so go easy on her big man” he nods at the Alpha, before almost bowing as he stepped back toward the door.

     I stand, almost opened mouthed at the crazy guy who had just been stood alongside me. I don't know if I feel worse now thanks to his little speech on my behalf. What on earth was the Alpha going to think of me now?! I had no hope of getting this job now... I stand trying to think of something clever to say, but find my mind completely blank, before someone clearing their throat makes me turn my attention to the desk. My attention suddenly occupied by the handsome Alpha of The Mystic Shadow Pack.