But I'm just a freak

Chapter Seven

KAIDA POV

The last few days have been amazing. I don’t remember ever feeling so free and happy. The day after I arrived, I moved all my stuff up into my unit and the Fines’ introduced me to the rest of the staff.

They were mostly human, but everyone seemed nice and friendly, and I even got invitations to go out with some of them on the weekend for a drink.

I had lunch with John and Sam that day and they were truly amazing. It was fascinating to hear about their ’people’.

Obviously, being out in the human world meant using code words like that so that nosey humans didn’t get suspicious.

I discovered the original kitsune were from Japan, but many families, like most shifters, had moved around the world and settled in all countries.

The rest of my days off I had spent exploring my new hometown. I couldn’t get over how different it was here as opposed to the Amethyst Moon pack.

I still got the odd stare or strange look because of my unique eyes, but as a general rule, people were very friendly and accepting.

I found many wonderful stores and even found a library, where I quickly befriended Dot, the lovely older human lady who worked there.

I just really loved this place. I don’t know why it took me so long to leave, but then I guess when you are called a freak and weirdo your whole life, you start believing it and it just steals all the hope and joy from your life.

Today was my first official day on the job. I would be working with Sam so that she could show me what needed to be done.

I was so excited when I woke up this morning, that even the ongoing dream about a fire dragon and a man with emerald eyes couldn’t dampen my mood.

I ate breakfast, had a shower, and put on my uniform. I then headed down to the store a full half-hour early.

“Good Morning Kaida, you must be excited about your first day since you are down here so early,” John said with a laugh, as I walked past his office.

“Oh good morning John, yes I am very excited to be starting today. Thank you again for giving me this opportunity,” I said and flashed a huge smile at him.

“I think you have thanked us enough times, Kaida. Sam is out in the main store if you’d like to head out,” John said with an equally large smile.

I wandered out into the main part of the store and found Sam getting the sales computers booted.

“Good morning Sam,” I said to her as I approached.

“Good morning Kaida, you are early. Did you want to make yourself a coffee before we get started?” she asked.

“Oh no I’m good thanks, I have already had two cups,” I said with a laugh. She just nodded and returned to booting the computer.

She stopped what she was doing and looked thoughtful. She then reached under the desk and pulled out a folder which she promptly handed to me. You know the folders with the ring binder that you use at school for keeping all your paper and stuff in.

I took the folder from her and began to flick through it.

“I know it is going to be a little overwhelming at first, so I have compiled all the jobs in this folder, in case you struggle with anything.

You won’t need to worry about it today unless you want to add your own notes. Since you are here a little early, you may as well have a look through it while I get the computer system up and running,” Sam said and turned back once again to the computer.

I took a seat on the stool next to where Sam was sitting and began to flick through the pages. I was not sure why, but I craved information and I generally have a photographic memory, so once I saw it I’d remember it.

After several minutes, Sam turned to face me.

“OK, let's get started,” she said with a big smile. She showed me all the jobs I needed to do. I took a few notes but, as I said, I didn’t tend to forget anything.

She occasionally left me to do a job on my own, so I could get used to it. I had just finished reading through something in my folder when one of the workers named Dana came up to me.

“Hey Kaida, did you want to join me for lunch today? I generally head over to the café if I don’t bring my own lunch. Since I was running late this morning, I didn't have a chance to make anything.” She said, smiling nervously.

Dana was one of the very few shifters that worked here, though I had no idea what she was.

I decided to accept her invitation. It would be nice to make a friend.

“Sure that would be great, thanks Dana,” I said, returning her smile. She smiled even brighter.

“Great, I’ll come get you when it's time.” She said as she walked away.

About an hour later, Sam told me it was time for me to take my lunch break. She was happy that Dana had invited me to lunch as she and John had a meeting during lunch.

“Are you ready to go?” Dana asked from behind me.

“Yep, let’s go.” She led me over toward the café. I studied her as we went. She was quite beautiful. She stood a good few inches taller than me. If I had to guess, I’d say she was nearly six feet tall.

She had long wavy brown hair, hazel eyes, and a spattering of freckles over her nose. She had a slim figure but she seemed to hide it with her oversized uniform. She was quite shy for someone so good-looking.

I decided, since we weren’t around other people yet, I would ask her what she was.

“Do you mind if I ask you a personal question, Dana?” she stopped walking and turned to face me.

“Um sure ok,” she said, looking nervous.

“What are you?” I asked quietly. She looked shocked, like I should know what she was.

“Oh um, you can’t tell?” she asked sceptically. I shook my head before replying.

“I grew up in a wolf pack. I had never met any other shifters until I moved here a few days ago.” her eyes grew wide at my admission.

“Oh I’m sorry, I’m a hybrid Dragon and Werelion. Can I ask what you are? Your scent is hard to distinguish, which is possibly due to you having spent your whole life around wolves. You’ve absorbed their scent.” She said.

It was my turn to look shocked now. Dragon? Werelion? Holy crap, they were both pretty rare and she was a combination of them both.

“Oh, um I have no idea what I am, I thought I was a werewolf until I never received my wolf. My parents told me at eighteen that I was adopted and even they don’t know what I am.” She looked more shocked.

“Well damn, if I was a full dragon I would have been able to tell you. Full-blooded dragons are able to tell what any shifter is, even hybrids, right down to what percentage they are crossed with. Being part lion, I don't have that ability.” My mouth fell open.

A dragon could tell me what I was. Pity I didn’t know any. As if reading my mind, Dana spoke up.

“I have a full-blooded dragon cousin, he might be able to tell you what you are. However, for now, we had better get some lunch so we aren’t late. Maybe we could catch some more after work sometime?” she suggested.

“Oh yeah sure,” I said, as we walked toward a cute little café. We had lunch and just made general small talk. I liked this woman and I hoped we could become friends.

“Are you busy after work tonight?” I asked her as we were making our way back to work.

“No, I’m free. Do you want to do something?” she asked.

“Well, would you like to have dinner with me? I actually live in the unit above work. I could cook something and we could chat?” I suggested and hoped I didn’t sound too needy.

“That would be great, I’d love to.” She said with a big smile.

The rest of my day went along fine and before I knew it, it was time to close up. Dana came over to Sam and I when she had clocked off. Sam looked at her and then at me.

“Oh, I invited Dana up for dinner. That’s OK isn’t it?” I hadn’t asked about having people in my unit as I didn’t have any friends.

“Of course, Kaida, all you do in that case is lock up the front door and turn the main lights off, but don’t activate the security so you can let her out later,” Sam told me.

“Oh OK, thanks Sam” I replied, smiling.

“I’ll deal with the lockup tonight, you ladies go on and have fun.” She said, returning my smile.

“Oh really, are you sure Sam?” She nodded.

“Thank you so much,” I said.

“You are very welcome and well done on your first day. You are a very quick learner.” I smiled and nodded.

I led Dana back past the offices, where Mr Fines was still working. He looked up when I was passing.

“Oh Kaida, how was your first day?” he asked me.

“It was great, I really enjoyed it,” I replied.

“Wonderful, oh hello Dana, didn’t realise you were there. You ladies go on and have a lovely night.” He said to us once he realised she was with me.

We both waved and I led her to the elevator and up to my unit. I let her in and she looked around.

“You know I’ve always wondered what was up here, what a wonderful apartment,” she said enthusiastically.

“Please come in and make yourself at home, I’m just going to quickly change out of my uniform as I only have one at the moment and I don’t want to spill food on it,” I said with a laugh.

She laughed and took a seat in the lounge room.