Blood Bound

New Job

Isla Kalashnikov (P.O.V.)

“Isla, honey? Are you ready?”

I heard my mother call to me through my bedroom door.

Currently I was getting ready to go meet Dimitri Zane, my future boss and apparently dragon king and the lord of four kingdoms. I was so excited to meet him and finally have my very first job. I seriously could not have done this without my parents.

Once again, they are saving me from eternal doom. Not literal doom of course, but they really helped me out with everything. Ever since I found out about their supernatural side, things have gotten so much better at home.

My dad did his fairy magic stuff and created a faux forest for me in the backyard and my mum has been teaching me how to shift on command. We also found out that I was a rare wolf because my fur was snow white and I was bigger than the average wolf which was surprising considering that I do not exercise. Like at all.

“In a bit! I am just combing my hair.” I responded. I probably took a while to respond considering I got lost in my thoughts and she probably stood by the door knowing just what I was doing.

For the interview I dressed in a tight black pencil skirt, that stopped right above my knee, which accentuated my curves perfectly. I work a loose white sheer shirt which I tucked into my skirt, and I paired my outfit with a pair of black pumps. I do not usually wear heels, but for the purpose of a good first impression, I am willing to risk breaking my feet for it.

When I was finally happy and satisfied with the way I looked, I grabbed my handbag and resume and left my room to meet my parents in the kitchen for breakfast.

“Good morning to my beautiful family.” I chipped as I took a seat next to my father who was currently trying to steal a piece of my mother’s bacon.

Fortunately, she was alert enough to sense what he was about to do and she smacked his hand.

“Leave it. Do not touch.” She warned as she turned back to the pot on the stove.

I chuckled and munched on the bacon that was left on my plate.

“Hey mum, can I have a cup of coffee please?”

“Sure honey.” My mother smiled and turned to get me a cup of coffee.

I truly am the luckiest girl alive to have such loving parents. Although they are not my biological parents, they still take care of me and love me for me and that is what matters.

“So, sweetheart, how do you feel about the interview today?” My dad asked.

“Honestly? I am a bit nervous. What if he thinks I am not qualified enough for the job like the first guy?”

My dad chuckled and I scowled.

“Oh honey, you basically already have the job. We are only going there today to get the formalities out of the way since you would pretty much be the only werewolf there.” My father reassured me, patting me on the shoulder.

I smiled weakly at them.

“I hope so.”

With that we all got up and made our way to the car so we can go to my interview.

I felt really uneasy about all of this, and I could not shake the nervousness at all. As I walked to the car, my knees wobbled and I blushed with embarrassment, silently hoping that no one saw that.

When we got to the firm, my father parked the car, while we entered the building and made our way to the top floor which is where Dimitri Zane’s office was located. Unlike the employees at Petrov Inc, everyone inside the building seemed super friendly.

Immediately, as we entered the building, there were people greeting us and smiling at us. I guess they all knew my mother because we walked pass reception, to the elevator and made our way to the top floor without security escort.

“It is okay to be nervous sweetheart. It is natural but I will tell you that there is no need to be nervous. Mr. Zane is a very nice man, and he has been good to your father and I for the past few years. You already have the job, this meeting is only to discuss your qualifications, your position and where you would like to take your career because he is more than willing to lend a helping hand.”

My mother said as she grabbed my hand and squeezed.

I let out a breath of air I did not know I was holding and tried to relax more. I got this. One bad experience with an interview mean that all interviews would go badly as well.

“I know mum, thank you.”

I smiled at her reassuringly and we allowed the silence to consume us as we waited for the elevator to take us to the top floor.

Before we could get the top floor however, the elevator stopped, and my mother hopped out because she needed to go to the restroom. As much as I would have liked to accompany her, because I really did not want to end up meeting my future boss alone, I had a specific time in which I had to meet Mr. Zane and I could not afford to be late.

First impressions are everything after all.

I took another deep breath to try and soothe my nerves once again and to get rid of all of the negative thoughts coursing through my mind.

At this point I was about five floors below the top floor, and I began to feel antsy. I just wanted to get there as quickly as possible, and I was tired of waiting.

Just then the elevator stopped, and a man entered.

Great, more people. I thought as I internally rolled my eyes.

I gave the guy a weak smile and I shifted to the corner of the elevator, creating more space between us.

He gave me a nod and pulled his phone out. I tried not to pry but curiosity got the best of me so I peeked over to see him playing candy crush on his phone.

What is it with old people and that game? It is so boring.

I thought.

He chuckled and I raised my eyebrow at him.

I wanted to ask him what was so funny, but I felt like that would be rude, so I kept my mouth shut.

“It is not boring. I find it quite fun when there is not anything else to pass time. Besides, it quiets the mind and gives the old brain some time to rest.” He said and my hand immediately flew up to my mouth.

Did I say that out loud?

“And yes. In case you were wondering, you did say that out loud.” He confirmed and I cringed from embarrassment.  

“I am so sorry; I did not mean to call you old.” I smiled sheepishly at him, which made him laugh out loud.

Good to know I am funny.

“It is quite alright. No need to apologize. Though I do think, this old man is quite good looking for his age. Don’t you think?”

He asked as he turned to face me with a big grin on his face.

That is cute.

I turned to face him. I placed my index finger on my chin, and I pretended to think while I took in his appearance.

He was right, he was quite good looking and tall.

I would say that he stood at approximately six-feet-nine inches. Which is very tall, compared to me five-feet-nine inches figure. He had a chiseled jaw, a full beard that was well groomed, it was an almost white color, but I knew it was grey which matched his hair, that was almost white as well. It seemed natural but I did not want to believe that as he was not really that old. He seemed to be three years my senior. He wore a tight black suit which consisted of a black shirt, with a few buttons left undone on the top, a black blazer and black pants. I can tell that it was well tailored to fit his body as I can see his muscles flex through his outfit. As I took in his biceps and my eyes descended to his hand in search of a wedding band, I could see a tattoo peeking out of his shirt.

Interesting.

Remembering that I was supposed to speak, I chuckled, and my eyes met his grey ones once again.

“Now that I have fully admired your face, I no longer think that you are old, but I can confirm that you may be good looking.” I said rolling my eyes at him playfully.

For some unknown reason, I was quite comfortable with this stranger, and it put me at ease a lot. All of my nerves and unwanted thoughts from earlier, seemed to disappear and I thanked the Lord for that. My mind was now clear, and I felt confident in myself.

The elevator stopped and dinged as I got to my destination. I stuck my hand out to shake the stranger’s hand with a content smile on my face.

“It was a pleasure to meet you sir.”

He took my hand in a firm grip and held it without moving it.

Weirdo.

“The pleasure is all mine, Ms. Kalashnikov.” He said with a twinkle in his eyes and my eyes widened in shock.

“How did you-

I did not get to finish my question as he exited the elevator and opened the door to an office marked ‘Dimitri Zane C. E. O.’

You have got to be kidding me!

That was my boss??

I could only imagine the smirk on his face now.

I opened the door after him and entered his office, only to see him leaning against his desk with his arms crossed and a smile on his face.

“You walk rather slowly Ms. Kalashnikov.” He pointed out, chuckling a little to himself.

“Why did you not say you knew me?” I asked, narrowing my eyes accusingly at him but with a hint of playfulness in my voice.

“I like to get to know my employees before they get to know me. Besides, I would have assumed you would do your homework on me before showing up to the interview. You know, to give yourself the upper hand.” He said as he walked around his desk to take a seat in his chair before he gestured for me to take a seat in front of him.

I took a seat and pondered on what he had just said.

He was right, I should have done my research on him to know more about what kind of person he was to give myself a head start. To be honest I did not think about that, because my parents engraved in my head that I already had the job, so I kind of got lazy with the effort I would usually put into interviews.

But I was not going to let him know that.

“I would have, but I know to myself that with a position like yours at a firm like this, any information published online, may be false or biased and I did not want my judgment on you to be biased, and so I came to the interview today with a clear mind and fresh thoughts.”

I said, proud of the bullsh*t I just spewed out of my butt.

He chuckled.

“You are right. What a brilliant idea. I would not have thought of that as I did my homework on you. Safe to say there was not much to read on about the infamous Isla Kalashnikov. You are already quite famous around here.” He gleamed and I relaxed in my seat further.

“Oh? How so? If you do not mind me asking.”

“All good things do not worry but I must say, with your looks, you are going to be quite popular, and it would not be only for that brain of yours. So, tell me, what are these fresh thoughts of yours?”

I felt like this was a trick question, but I am happy to know that I can improvise on the spot. Plus, I was in a rather comfortable head space, so my thoughts flowed easily through my head.

“Well, for instance, in comparison with the previous company I had an interview with the employees at this company are quite kind, friendly and professional; the chief executive officer is professional, and he is fair – not to mention that he makes me feel very comfortable and questions my intellectuality instead of brushing me off and telling me to go away because I am inexperienced.” I said smiling weakly as I reminisced on how disastrous my previous interview turned out.

“That is good to know. I am very flattered. Thank you. And may I ask what company you previously turned to for a job?”

I chuckled. Am I really feeding this man’s ego?

“Petrov Incorporation. Safe to say the chief executive officer at that company is ruthless and mean. He did not really go through my resume and when he was done pretending to read it, he told me to leave because I was inexperienced.” I looked down, my feelings kind of getting hurt while I spoke about meeting Alessandro because I recalled the moment, he rejected me.

He does not deserve us. If anything, Zane is more of a man than Alessandro is.

My wolf spat before she purred, filling my head of dirty images with Dimitri and me. I shook my head to get rid of those thoughts and I rolled my eyes are her.

Ever since I started embracing my supernatural side, my wolf and I had become even closer, and we were finally one and intact with each other.

“Petrov Incorporated. Interesting. Well, I think it is safe to say, Alessandro Petrov just lost an amazing woman. You are hired. Now onto other matters that may not have much to do with your position here as my secretary and personal assistant, I would like to discuss your role here as a werewolf among my clan members. Not everyone one here is a supernatural being, there are some humans, but not a lot so I would advise that you be careful around them. I would assume you have your wolf under control and as a rogue you are not rabid but tamed to say the least. I do not mean to offend you by any means, nor am I threatening you, but this is a warning. Some members of my clan do not take a liking to werewolves as they have had only bad experiences with your kind and so you would find that they have generalized that all werewolves are bad. They may give you attitude or question your legitimacy here in this company and amongst them, but you should ignore it. At no times are you allowed to attack my members, whether you are feeling threatened or not. If you have a problem with an employee, you come straight to me. Do not go to human resources, as their judgement may be biased and they do not know of the circumstances, just come to me. If at any time you do lose control and attack anyone here, under my supervision, you will be terminated immediately and be imprisoned.”

I received the warning loud and clear and I did not have any intentions of hurting anyone.

“I understand. I have no intentions or injuring anyone. I understand my place, and this is not my territory. Thus, I have no say in what goes. I am here to work and nothing more. I would really like to thank you for the opportunity and for giving me a fair chance to work for you. I know my parents called in a favour, but you did not need to be nice to me and you were either way. I want to let you know that it is appreciated, and I will not let you down.”

He smiled at me and stood up.

I followed suit and he escorted me to the door.

“Thank you for coming in, Again I will say that it was a pleasure meeting you. Please note that you will be starting on Monday. I will give you the weekend off to prepare yourself for the workload that is to come. I must warn you though, there is a lot to be done. I have needed a personal assistant for quite some time now. Let us just hope you can handle it. When you come in on Monday, you will receive your key card to the building and my personal elevator.”

He opened the door to let me out and I smiled.

“Thank you so much for having me.”