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Chapter
One
Tori
The man sitting across from me was talking but I’d tuned him out after his third sexist remark.
Now I couldn’t seem to stop looking at the mole on his nose.
It was right there on the middle of his face and he kept scrunching his nose with each grimace, making it stand out even more.
“Now, for a bit of housekeeping information,” he droned on. “You’ll be required to sign a heat waiver, meaning if we choose to replace you during your heat, you cannot retaliate. I have to put the business first, I’m sure you understand.”
“Waiver or not, that’s illegal, meaning it’s completely unenforceable,” I said, not bothering to hide the distaste in my tone. This man was a piece of work.
Why the hell did I think it was a good idea to drive down to Lancaster for a ‘city job’?
“Then I think this interview is concluded, don’t you?” he said, rising from his seat and glaring down at me. His voice was coldand I stood stiffly, not bothering with niceties as I headed out the door.
“I’m sure you'll be visited by the labor board, do better,” I huffed and made my way out, the door banging loudly behind me as I left.
The smell of something sweet hit me and I headed for the pretzel shop next door. I deserved a treat after that awful interview.
It was my fifth in two weeks and I was no closer to making my own money. Of course, I still had the money Mom had put in my account over the years and it would last, but I wanted to do more than just live off of her funds.
That money felt tainted anyway.
Though I fucking earned it.
The thought of the deals we made and the bullshit I’d endured for them sent a wave of nausea through me.
Even the pretzel coated in butter and cinnamon and sugar couldn’t chase away the bad mood.
What I needed was an escape. I pulled out my phone and opened the group chat.
Tori: Another shitty interview. Drinks tonight?
Serenity: It’s wild out there. Another creep?
Tori: He had illegal offers and misogyny coming out of his pores.
Ellie: Gross. Everyone is busy tonight but Bear and I are here if you want to come over. We can order pizza and I can send him out for some drinks.
Tori: I’ll grab them on my way, heading your way now.
My sour mood was starting to fall away now that I had plans. I’d get to snuggle with my sweet niece, and then I could vent to my best friends over a glass of wine.
Tossing my pretzel in the trash as I passed, I hurried to my car and got in, ready to make the half-hour drive back to Lockwood.
Honestly, I needed to stop running from Lockwood. In my mind, it was such a small town that I’d never find work there, but I had no intention of leaving.
Now that Micah and Ellie had both established themselves there, there was nowhere else I’d rather be.
Yet, I didn’t have a pack waiting for me like they did, nor did I want one. I was better off on my own.
Anytime my heat hit, I could just head back to the city to ride it out in one of the facilities. The rest of the time, I could just be me—no one to answer to, no bitching to deal with, and no alphas trying to control my life.
No alphas to crash into my life and try to change my mind. Like my ex.
