The Hybrid's Hope

Chapter 15: The Job

Hope

I can’t believe Levi just told this women I’m his girlfriend. And he kissed me in front of her and Alpha Liam! It’s one thing to kiss him in front of my family, but in front of a stranger? AND Alpha Liam? My cheeks are so hot, I’m surprised I don’t burst into flames.

‘I think it’s sweet,’ Qadira watching our mate wink at us.

When the elevator doors close, I walk into Alpha Liam’s office. I sit in the chair he gestures for me to sit in and rather than sitting across from me, he sits in the chair beside me. All Alphas are intense. Qadira is powerful enough that their auras don’t bother me too much, but their confidence, their air of always being in control, intimidates me. Probably because I’ve never felt like I have that level of control in my life.

“I know you just arrived this morning, Hope, but how do you like your apartment so far?”

“It’s great, Alpha. Thank you so much for finding space for me,” I say.

“Well, your parents paid for it, Hope, so it’s not like I did anything except accommodate Levi’s request to have you next door to him. I assumed that would be okay with you, since I know the two of you are close.”

“Yes, that’s fine. Thank you, Alpha.”

“So, I understand that you are interested in working for Holstin Enterprises.”

“Yes. I … I don’t feel comfortable in the packs, Alpha. I’m sure you understand why. But I want to make my way in this world. I want to be able to support myself and working for you felt like a good way for me to be able to still stay connected to the packs but also live away from them.”

He nods. “I have a lot of lone wolves who work for me, wolves who basically have the same request that you do. They want a connection to the werewolf community, but on the outside of the pack environment.”

“I still belong to Alpha Eli and Luna Grace’s pack. I didn’t reject them as my Alpha and Luna and when Alpha Emerson takes his place as Alpha, I’ll return to accept him as well.”

“Good. I’m glad that you aren’t so uncomfortable in our packs that you felt the need to disconnect from them completely. But some people do. I just wanted you to know who you might run into or work with while you’re working for me. Do you know much about my company?”

“Levi has told me a lot. I know you do security and construction. I don’t know much about either, but I’m willing to learn and I’m willing to do whatever you need me to do.”

He smiles. “I’m glad to hear you say that, because I have a job that I think you’d be perfect for. But it’s working for humans. My company does a lot of work for humans. Some know what we are, some don’t. These particular humans know what we are, but based on my conversations with my contact, they don’t know a lot about shifters or that there are other supernatural beings in the world. Would you have a problem working for humans?”

“I don’t think so, although I’ve never spent any time with them. What would I be doing?”

“First, let me assure you that I’ve vetted them. I won’t put any of my employees at risk, or at risk above and beyond the scope of the job. Most of the jobs that we do have some level of risk. Even construction workers have accidents that can cause broken bones or put someone in a pack hospital for an extended period of time. I’ve even had some employees lose fingers on the job, so there are inherent risks. But you would know what those were ahead of time. I tell you this because of your background. I don’t want you to worry that you might end up in some scientist's grasp because I didn’t do my due diligence to vet the people who hire us.”

I hadn’t even considered that, but considering what my mother went through and what Alpha Liam’s own mate went through at the hands of the vampires when she was younger, it makes sense.

“Okay, but you still haven’t told me what I’d be doing.”

“Security. I have a father whose daughter is some up-and-coming music star and she has a stalker. He wants someone who can stay close to her all the time. His own men can provide security, but he wants someone who can sleep in the bedroom next to hers with the door open, someone who can go into the bathroom with her, someone who can blend in as if she’s a friend, rather than a security guard. I tried to explain that you wouldn’t need to stay that close due to your enhanced senses, but this man, this stalker, has gotten into their home and into the daughter's bedroom while the girl was sleeping and taken photos of her.”

“What? That’s horrible!”

“Yes, and you can imagine, as a father, that he’s very concerned and very protective of his pup. Being human, he doesn’t handle things the way we would. If someone did that to one of my pups, they’d be dead. I’m sure Carlos feels the same if anyone ever did that to you or Faith.”

I have no doubt that my father would kill anyone who did that. Although, it’s impossible for someone to sneak up on a shifter, so it’s a moot point.

“What’s her name?” I ask.

“Tanya Russell, but her stage name is Erika Edwards.”

“ERIKA EDWARDS?” I ask. I may be a shifter, but even I know who she is.

“I take it you’ve heard of her?” he asks, his eyebrow going up.

“EVERYONE has heard of her, Alpha,” I say.

“Not everyone. I hadn’t heard of her, but I’ll admit, I asked the twins and Reagan, and they have heard of her. I got a lot of eye rolls because I didn’t know who she was,” he says, smiling.

I smile too. It’s well known that the powerful Alpha Liam is a sucker for his daughters, especially the twins who are so much like his mate.

“So what would I be expected to do, Alpha? Just stay close to her and make sure this guy doesn’t get to her?” I ask.

“Exactly. But you need to understand, Hope. This is a full-time job, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, until this guy is caught. Tanya’s father, Maxwell, has agreed to an initial contract of one month. After that, we can renegotiate if the stalker hasn’t been caught. You will eat, sleep, and go on a modified tour with Ms. Russell. You will be her constant shadow. You will keep her safe and protected from this stalker.”

“Use of force?”

“These are humans. We cannot kill them. But, breaking bones, dislocating joints, anything like that is acceptable if Tanya’s life is in danger. But I understand that you and Levi are mates. Is it going to be a problem to be away from him for a month?”

Yes. Yes, of course it will. It also means I won’t be able to search for my father, which I still need to ask about.

“We haven’t marked each other, so while Qadira won’t like it, it won’t be painful to her or Malcolm.”

He nods. “Levi also mentioned something about looking for your father. That would have to get put on hold until this job is done,” he said.

“That’s okay. It’s not like I’ve started the search. If you’re willing to let me use the Holstin Enterprises resources to try and find him, I’d appreciate that.”

“Of course. Okay, if you’re willing to accept this position, I’ll let Mr. Russell know. He and his daughter would like to meet you before they sign the contract. I’ll set up an appointment for tomorrow morning at nine o’clock. Take today and get settled into your apartment and then tomorrow, if they agree, you can get to work,” he says, standing.

“Thank you, Alpha. Thank you for this opportunity,” I say, standing as well.

“You’re very welcome, Hope. I hope you’ll be happy here.”

“I’m sure I will be.”

I walk out of his office, practically skipping with excitement. I can’t wait to tell Levi that I’m going to be working with Erika Edwards!