Page 36 of Demon Rejected

8

Scarlett

One week later

Shifter Nation, and the Seattle headquarters, was so different from what I imagined. In my mind, a place run by shifters should be more like a dirty biker bar or something, but this was so not that. A modern fifteen-story building housed offices, classrooms, and apartments for what I learned later was the Shifter Nation Pack. Wolves will always end up defining themselves by being a pack.

The first day I stepped inside, my nose was overwhelmed. It was my first time inside a building packed with shifters. Ziggy stopped to greet the door guy and asked about Gladys.

Gladys was so not what I expected, same as the building. When I thought, ‘Gladys,’ I imagined a plump, middle-aged, frumpy woman with thick glasses. The Gladys I got to meet looked like Sharon Stone in her damn prime. She was tall, gorgeous, and with a cute short haircut that made her blonde hair shine. Gladys wore a business suit that hugged all her curves in the right places.

“Ziggy, what a surprise."

She smiled at me. Suddenly I felt so frumpy and out of place. Everything about this woman was elegant and classy, and I looked like some trailer park hobo.

“Hi, Gladys. Gorgeous as always. I have a recruit for you. Scarlett, meet Gladys. She practically runs this thing here."

Gladys smiled a full smile. It was hard for me not to run away. She was not another Nurse Annie.

“Hi, Scarlett. Nice meeting you. Are you one of Matt’s pupils?"

I think my face darkened at the mention of Matt’s name. “Let’s walk into my office and talk."

I was about to ask Ziggy to stay, but he did. He held himself in the background but was still present and emanating a strength and confidence that put me at ease. We sat down on comfy chairs inside a beautiful office. Everything was grey and beige, but it felt calming in a way.

“So, you’ll have to go through a series of tests just to see at what level you are as a fighter. According to that, we can offer you two years or one year. You’ll be paid for your time and receive a room here. I’m sure that you will love it. We have martial arts classes, advanced espionage, fire weapon classes, philosophy, history, driving. Would you like me to show you around first?"

“What if I don’t fit in?”

“Scarlett, you’re quite the superstar around the people who read your files. We want you to be here. We believe that you will fit in great. In case you hate something, you come to me. We can have a coffee and solve your problem. How does that sound?"

I bit the inside of my cheek. It’s not as if I had such many alternatives.

“Stay with us, learn new skills, and, with the diploma you get, you can get yourself hired by a top security company. We work with a few and will recommend you if you decide that it’s the way you want to go."

This was my life and it was time I started making my choices.

“I’ll stay."

Ziggy stood up from his chair. “Gladys, before you show Scarlett around, can I get a few minutes?"

“Sure." Gladys stood up and left.

“You have huge lady balls, kid. I like that. Listen, if you don’t like it here, don’t go away, okay? Give me a call. You have my number."

“Thanks, Ziggy, I appreciate it. Do you live here in the building?"

“Neh, it’s too much of a glass and steel spot for my taste. Old cats have to run wild and free. But hey, if you like, I can stop by now and then and check on you. That way, you already have a friend. If you think you can find a place on your dance card for me.”

Ziggy smiled fully.

“Do you try to convince me that you’re as old as you say?"

“Actually, yeah. And I like to see you smile, princess. Text me. I’ll even answer you. They’ll supply you with everything here. You will see. Pack life is cool."

I hugged Ziggy. I don’t know why, but in my heart, I felt he would play an essential role in my life.

Ziggy left. I felt good here.