AllFreeNovel
Share Us
10
On the morning of his first day at Jaymes & Associates, Avery woke early.Tooearly. The sun was barely up, the sky still haunting in its gloom. Birds were barely awake enough to chirp. He rose, knowing there was no way he’d be able to return to sleep. After a short bit of yoga to stretch his tense muscles, he showered and made himself some breakfast in the exceedingly quiet cottage.
He missed his brothers wholeheartedly, but it had been the best move for them. Back to the Family Quadrant where the schools were better. Where their friends were. Where they’d havea familyagain. Rohan and Gray took wonderful care of his siblings while he finished his degree, giving them the stability Avery would’ve struggled to provide.
He had planned to work himself to the bone for them, but the boys hadwantedto go, and given his need for class and study, it had all worked for the best. All his hard work was over, and he’d have no one there with him. No more studying late into the night, writing papers, checking notes.
Perhaps it was time for him to move to the FQ and live with his brothers. Rohan and Gray had offered—but then, it wouldn’t be too much longer before Lake had his first heat and they’d have to return to the cottage. It wasn’t as if he couldn’t spend time with his family whenever he chose to, thanks to his life imitating a beta.
Once he’d cleaned up the breakfast dishes and gotten dressed in his work attire—a plain pair of slacks, a button-down white shirt, and a tie—he locked up the house and bounded down the street toward the gate into the Beta Quadrant. Soon after he passed through, he jumped on a trolley headed for the AQ and his new journey at Jaymes & Associates.
He searched the faces on the trolley along with him, seeing them all ready to go about their workday. None of them seemed happy. Dour expressions met his and only amplified the same emotion within. While it excited him to start a new job, it wasn’t the one he’d really wanted. No matter, he was there with something to prove. It didn’t matter what job it was… he would excel and prove his kind were capable, no matter what.
Avery jumped off the trolley near the J&A Building. Checking his watch, he saw he’d arrived early. He stood outside, across the street, and watched the crush of employees entering the surrounding buildings. He listened to the rhythm of the morning, ignoring the roiling unease in his gut.
A big black car roared up to the front of J&A, and Wilder exited the back. Each time Wilder had come to Rohan and Gray’s, he’d driven himself. A sporty little number that looked pretty badass—especially when the hunky alpha got out sporting dark shades and tight jeans.
That morning, it was a business suit that fit Wilder just right in all the places that mattered. Wilder spun to close the door and lifted his gaze—as if he felt Avery’s stare. Through the crowd, Avery was hidden away, able to search the alpha’s handsome features from afar. And he was so very handsome. His golden hair shone in the morning sun, highlights glinting in the illumination. His strong jawline was sharp against the whiteness of his dress shirt, the dark navy of his suit jacket hiding the muscles Avery knew to be underneath.
His fingers itched to trace them again, feeling the roaring power below.
Wilder swept into the building, disappearing from view, and Avery clicked his tongue, sad to lose the ability to spy. He waited a few more minutes before crossing the street and entering inside. At his orientation, they had given him an ID and instructions on where to go. He followed the swarm of employees headed for the elevator bank, scanning his ID beforehand.
Crushed into the elevator, he rode to the third—the finance department took the entire floor—and exited, skirting around the pack of employees remaining for another. A large beta stood just outside the elevator, glaring.
“You Norcross?”
“Yes, sir,” Avery replied.
“I’m Gus Hardwick. Your new boss. Follow me.”
The broad man spun, walking faster than his size would have suggested. Avery struggled to keep up.
“I understand you just graduated with your degree and you have no practical work experience?”
“No… Ihavesome bookkeeping experience with my last job.”
“Oh yeah, the restaurant.” Hardwick huffed. “I don’t know that I’d necessarily call that experience.” The man barged forward, giving curt nods and grunts to fellow employees as he passed. He neglected introductions completely. Avery supposed he’d have to do that on his own.
“I don’t give much credit to that fancy college of yours, either. What you learn in the classroom is often vastly different from what you do out here in thereal world.”He put emphasis on the last two words, as if Avery was suddenly entering a whole alien planet.
“Debits and credits work in both places, I’m sure.”
Hardwick grunted and kept on marching. Finally, he stopped before a sloppy desk, covered with pieces of paper, and held out his hand. “This is the accounts receivable desk. We’ve been without someone here for about a week, so it’s behind. My office is right over there if you have questions.”
The man departed, leaving Avery with no direction.
“Don’t worry about him,” a voice said from his left.
He turned to see a smiling beta not much older than he was holding a cup of steaming coffee in his hand.
“Well, he just tossed me into the fire with no hose.”
“He does that to everyone.” The beta offered a hand. “Melvin Potter.”
“Abraham Norcross.”
“Welcome, Abraham. I’m the other accounts receivable clerk. Don’t worry, I’ll help you find your way.” Melvin glanced over the desk. “Dear gods… what did they do?”
