But I'm just a freak

Chapter Five

KAIDA POV

It took me a few days to get things packed in between working in the store. In the end, I didn’t have much to take as the new unit was fully furnished, so I just needed to pack all my personal stuff.

Mr James was fine with me leaving the furniture, he said he could then rent it out furnished. When the week was over, I had everything packed and just needed to see the Alpha to be released and I could finally leave.

I was quite nervous, having never gone any further than the human town about an hour from the pack. So, on Saturday morning, I said goodbye to Mr James, which was a lot harder than I thought it would be.

I then made my way to the packhouse and had the Alpha release me. I was now a pack-less wolf-less freak, but I was perfectly fine with that.

With all the official stuff done, I made a quick pitstop at my parent’s place to say goodbye to them. Despite everything we had been through, I would miss them.

Once that was done, I finally made my way to the pack border. I took a deep breath and headed off into the great unknown. I wanted to get the trip done in about two days so that I had plenty of time to settle in before starting my new job.

I drove for hours, only stopping for food, fuel and bathroom breaks, but I eventually had to find a motel room for the night. It was small and dingy and had a kind of funky smell, but I honestly couldn’t care less.

I removed my shoes, scoffed down a couple of muesli bars I had picked up along the way and laid down in bed. It must have taken all of a minute for me to drop off to sleep.

That night I had the strangest dream. I saw a pair of bright green eyes. I could tell they belonged to a man, but that was all I could tell.

I also saw a fiery red dragon, and when I say fiery, I mean that, in the literal sense, it was like the dragon was made up of fire.

I woke up the next morning with both of those images burned into my brain, yet I felt the most relaxed I think I had ever felt. It was really weird.

After a lukewarm shower with pathetic pressure, I grabbed an early breakfast in the motel’s dining room and then hit the road again.

Sunday was pretty much identical to Saturday. I drove right through with only the occasional stop. The motel I found that night was much nicer than the one I had stayed at the previous night and after having a decent hot shower and a proper meal, I hit the hay.

Once again I dreamt of the fiery dragon and the man with green eyes. It was so odd. I had never met a dragon before. They were very rare and usually kept to themselves.

Also, I certainly had never met a man with those piercing green eyes. They looked like emeralds, which was kind of ironic as that was my birthstone, but I just let the thoughts go and focused on getting to my destination.

Before getting on the road, I calculated when I should arrive so that I could arrange to collect the key for my unit. It looked like I should make it by mid-afternoon.

I shot off a quick email to let Mr and Mrs Fines know when I should arrive in Gisborne and headed off. I felt amazing, although I got the odd look here and there because of my eyes, most people just treated me like they would anyone else.

It felt amazing not to have to deal with all the talk of the pack freak. To most of the people out here, I was just another human, but with strange multi-coloured eyes.

The trip seemed to fly by and before I knew it, I was pulling up in front of my new place of work and my new home.

I had checked my emails along the way and found that Mr and Mrs Fines were planning on being here so they could personally welcome me and show me around the business and unit.

I climbed out of the car and stretched out my limbs and back. I checked my reflection in the car window and when I was satisfied I looked OK, I headed for the entrance to the Roark Home Centre.

I took a deep breath to calm my nerves and entered through the automatic doors. I gasped in surprise, the place was huge and neatly spread out, a complete contrast to Mr James’s small cluttered knick-knack shop.

I stood there just looking around when my eyes landed on the couple heading towards me, Mr and Mrs Fines. They smiled brightly as they approached, then I noticed something odd. Mr and Mrs Fines were not humans as I had expected them to be.

They were also not werewolves. I wasn’t sure what they were, having only ever been around wolves. I noticed Mr Fines c*****g his head slightly when he approached. I am guessing he too realised I was not a human.

“Kaida, Welcome to Gisborne’s Roark Home Centre. How was your trip?” Mrs Fines asked me.

“Hello Mr and Mrs Fines, the trip was long and tiring but I’m so happy to be here. Thank you again for giving me this opportunity.” I replied, smiling.

“Since you have had such a long trip, how about we hold off the tour of the shop and just show you to the unit?” Mr Fines offered.

“That would be great if you didn’t mind. I could use a shower after travelling all day.” I replied.

“Yes, of course, follow us,” Mrs Fines said. They led me to the back of the store and out past the offices. Right at the very back of the building was an elevator. I was quite surprised I had expected stairs.

Mr Fines pulled out a card and held it over a small screen. The elevator doors opened, and we all entered. Mr Fines handed me the card.

“This is the only way to gain access to the unit, although we do have a spare, please try not to lose it.” He said to me.

I took the card and put it in my pocket. I had a lanyard in my stuff I could attach it to, so I wouldn’t lose it.

Once the elevator stopped, we stepped out into a small hallway. At the end of the hallway was a door. We walked towards the door and Mr Fines produced a set of keys from his pocket. He opened the door and stepped back to allow me to enter first.

“Welcome to your new home, Kaida,” he said, smiling. I stepped past them and into the unit. It was surprisingly spacious and bright, as there were several large windows. We were standing in what I assume was the loungeroom.

They guided me through the unit, showing me the kitchen/ dining area, the bathroom complete with a bath and shower and the two bedrooms. It was wonderful and I was suddenly feeling very overwhelmed.

“Thank You so much, Mr and Mrs Fines, this place is amazing,” I said, struggling to hold back my tears.

“Please Kaida, call us John and Samantha or Sam if you prefer,” John said to me as he handed me the keys to the unit.

“Oh, thank you, Mr F…I mean John.” I replied quietly.

“Before we leave you to rest up, Kaida, would you mind if we asked you a personal question?” Sam asked. I gulped but nodded my acceptance.

“What species are you?” I had a feeling this was what they wanted to know, but then don’t we all want to know what species I am?

“Um, well, actually I don’t know. I was raised by Werewolves but found out at eighteen that I was adopted and no one knows what I am. I’ve never shifted forms. Um, may I ask what you are? As I mentioned, I was raised by wolves and they are the only species, aside from humans, I have met.” I babbled.

They looked at me shocked, both by the fact I didn’t know what I was and also that I didn’t know what they were.

“Oh you poor dear, well, we are Kitsune or Fox shifters”, Sam replied, my mouth dropped.

“Oh wow, that’s amazing,” I said excitedly. They both smiled warmly and I just knew that I was going to thoroughly enjoy being here in Gisborne.

The Fines left me to my own devices and told me we could do the shop tour tomorrow. They also wanted to take me out for lunch and to show me around the town as a way of properly welcoming me.

I headed down to my car, moved it to the special car park just for the residents of the unit and grabbed out only the essential items.

I figured I could bring the rest up in the morning and start getting things set up.

I grabbed a shower and headed to the kitchen to have a look around. I was shocked to find the cupboards and fridge fully stocked. I made myself a sandwich and settled in front of the TV to eat.

After a couple of hours of watching some old movie, I decided to head to bed. I laid down, in what had to have been the most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept in, and drifted off to sleep with a smile on my face and thinking about how much better my life was going to be from here on out.