But I'm just a freak

Chapter Three

KAIDA POV

The morning seemed to drag on. I was pumped about this interview. About thirty minutes before lunchtime, I heard the phone in the office ring. That’s weird. Most people just mind-linked Mr James.

I put it out of my head and continued with the dusting I was doing. About fifteen minutes later, Mr James came looking for me.

“Ah Kaida, there you are. I wanted to wish you luck on your interview and to let you know that they have already contacted me to find out what kind of employee you are. I have highly recommended you to them,” he said.

I stood there with my mouth agape. Was it common practice to ring references before the interview?

“Oh um, thank you, Mr James, I appreciate that, I guess I should go and get organised for the interview if that is alright, of course?”

“Yes, yes, off you go, and good luck. I’m praying that you get the job, though I will be sad to see you go”, Mr James said, smiling brightly at me. Unsure what to say, I just smiled and nodded before racing upstairs to set up my laptop for the interview.

I checked my hair and the small amount of makeup I was wearing and then waited impatiently for the link to come into my email inbox.

I decided to make a last-minute dash to the loo while I waited. Just as I was washing my hands, my laptop pinged to let me know an email had arrived.

I rushed back out and opened the email. I once again made sure I looked OK before clicking the link. My laptop rang a moment before two faces appeared on the screen.

“Good afternoon, Ms Jalen-Lowell. My name is John Fines, I am the owner of the Gisborne branch of Roark Home Centre, and this is my co-owner and wife Samantha.” The man on the screen said to me

“Good Afternoon Mr and Mrs Fines, it’s a pleasure to meet you both, and thank you for giving me an interview for the Store Managers position,” I said, trying my best to sound confident. They both nodded in acknowledgement.

“Ms Jalen-Lowell, would it be alright if we called you by your first name for the duration of the interview?” Mrs Fines asked.

“Oh yes, of course, please do, Mrs Fines,” I said in response.

“Great. So, Kaida, please tell us why you applied for the position of Store Manager, here in Gisborne?” Mr Fines started.

I took a deep breath before launching into my practised response.

“As you will have noticed in my resume, I have held the same position at my current job for the last seventeen years as well as residing in my current town for my entire life. I want to broaden my horizons, and challenge myself.” I noticed them taking notes and nodding.

“OK great, so tell us why we should consider you for this position,” Mrs Fines asked this time.

Wow, they weren’t pulling their punches on these questions.

“Well, as I mentioned previously, I have been in the same job for seventeen years, showing loyalty to my employer, I have great communication skills, and I enjoy doing a wide range of tasks. I am great at multi-tasking, am capable of doing all aspects of banking as well as sales and management…” They stopped me.

“That’s fine Kaida, thank you,” They asked me several other questions and I answered them to the best of my ability without, hopefully, sounding too desperate.

“OK well, I think we have everything we need.” Mrs Fines said.

“Would you mind giving us just a minute to have a quick discussion?” Mr Fines asked me.

“Oh of course not, go right ahead,” I replied. They muted their speakers and turned their screen away so I couldn't see them.

I waited nervously for about two long minutes. Are they going to tell me straight away that I’m not getting the job, save them having to send me a rejection letter? I wondered nervously.

Finally, they appeared back in front of the camera and unmuted their speaker.

“Ok Kaida, we are sorry about that, we just have one more question for you, if that’s OK?” Mr Fines asked me. He looked quite serious.

“Oh, of course,” I replied nervously.

“How soon can you start?” He asked. I looked at him confused. My brain was not registering what he was asking me.

“I’m sorry, start what?” I finally asked when nothing became obvious to me. They both broke out in matching grins.

“We are asking you, Kaida, when you can start the position of Store Manager of the Gisborne branch of Roark Home Centre.” Mr Fines said, and when I just stared at them blankly, Mrs Fines added.

“You got the job Kaida”. Finally, the penny dropped, and I swallowed the lump in my throat and fought the tears threatening to fall.

“Oh, my goodness, are you sure?” I asked them. They both chuckled.

“Of course, we are sure, Kaida, Mr James sang your praises and with all the answers you just gave, we can’t think of anyone more perfect for the position.

So, when are you able to start? The unit above the store is already furnished and ready for you to move in,” Mr Fines said. Oh wow, I can’t believe I got the job.

“Would it be OK if I started in a week's time? I need to pack up everything here and make my way over to where you are, and I’d like to give myself a day before I start.” I rambled.

“How about we give you two weeks, so you don’t have to rush yourself? We will send you all the information about the position and where to pick up the key for the unit, via email”, Mr Fines said cheerfully.

“Thank you so very much Mr and Mrs Fines, I look forward to working with you both,” I said with a huge grin.

“Congratulations Kaida, we are very much looking forward to working with you also. We will see you in two weeks” Mr Fines said on behalf of them both.

The call ended and I shut down my laptop. I was so excited I just had to tell someone my good news, so I raced back down the stairs to find Mr James.

I found him in his office and excitedly gave him the good news at the same time as giving him my notice. He was very happy for me and reminded me that I would need to see the Alpha to seek permission to leave.

I had forgotten all about this. Alpha Jonah Redfur didn’t like me very much as I was seen as a blight on the pack’s good name. I hoped he would be happy to release me as it would get me out of his pack once and for all.

Mr James gave me the rest of the afternoon off so that I could seek permission from the Alpha to leave as well as tell my adoptive parents. I honestly didn’t think anyone would care much if the freak left the pack.

I made my way through town towards the Packhouse. I passed many people along the way but they either ignored me or whispered about me. I honestly couldn’t care less today though, I held my head up high and smiled.

I finally reached the packhouse and made my way upstairs to the Alpha office. Just before I knocked, I realised I probably should have made an appointment first. Oh well, I am already here now. I knocked gently and waited.

“Enter,” Alpha Jonah said from inside. I tentatively opened the door and stuck my head in. He saw me and frowned.

“Yes Kaida, what can I do for you,” he asked as he indicated the seats in front of his desk. I quickly took a seat and kept my head down.

“Um, I would like to ask permission to leave the pack please, Alpha”, I stated quietly.

“Hmmm and why is that, Kaida?” he asked in a monotoned voice.

“Um well, I have just been offered a job on the other side of the country,” I said. He was quiet for a minute.

“What would you do if I were to deny your request?” he asked. I looked up in shock and saw a half-smile on his lips. I was not going to let him take this from me.

“If you deny my request to leave Alpha, I will have no choice but to be declared a rogue,” I said as confidently as I could. He studied my face until I looked down in submission.

“When are you leaving?” he asked and I breathed a small sigh of relief.

“As soon as I can pack up the unit, Alpha,” he sighed.

“Fine, I will grant your request to leave. Please come and see me before you go so I can make it official. You may go.” He said, dismissing me.

“Thank you Alpha,” I said as I stood to leave. I made my way back through the packhouse, one down and one to go, I now had to tell my adoptive parents.

I slowly made my way to their house. I knew they would both be home as they had retired. As I approached the house, I saw my ‘mother’ in the garden.

She must have smelt me as she looked up and scanned around until she saw me.

“Oh Kaida, shouldn’t you be at work? Has something happened?” My mother asked me.

“Mr James gave me the afternoon off so I could take care of a few things. Is father home? I need to talk to you both.” She looked at me suspiciously but nodded her head.

“Come on in,” she said and led me inside the house. My father was sitting in the lounge room reading a newspaper.

“Dear, Kaida is here, and she wants to talk to us both about something.” My mother stated. She pointed at the couch for me to sit on.

“Hello Kaida, shouldn’t you be at work?” I refrained from rolling my eyes as my mother relayed the answer I gave her.

“Well, OK, out with it then,” my father said abruptly.

“So, as you both are well aware, things have always been hard for me here having no wolf and all, so I have finally decided to leave. I have been offered a job in Gisborne, a human town on the other side of the country.

The job comes with its own unit above the store. I have already spoken to Alpha Jonah, and he has agreed to release me. I will be leaving within the next two weeks.” When I stopped talking, I sat quietly and watched my parent’s reactions. My father sighed.

“We are sorry things have been so hard for you, Kaida. To be honest, I’m surprised you stayed this long. I wish you all the very best in your new job and town. Please do keep in touch.” He smiled.

“Thank you for giving me your blessing. You are the only parents I have ever known, and I thank you for raising me. I will definitely keep in touch and maybe when I’m settled you could come and visit?” I said.

“That would be lovely dear,” my mother said with a sad smile. I knew that things had been just as tough on them.

We chatted a little while longer and then I left, ready to get packing for my big adventure.