Mine to Protect

Hazel

It figures.

When things go smoothly, it is teamwork, when stuff goes down the drain, then it is all my fault.

That explains why I am the only one standing in my bosses’ office, having my ears nearly yelled off, while my equally guilty colleagues are probably having a good laugh at my present predicament.

We didn’t get the job opportunity we worked hard for; it went to another werewolf ruled design company. I don’t think their design was better than ours, so I am not really sure what tipped the odds in their favor, but whatever it was, has made Mr. Jones furious; so much so, that he’s been red-faced spattering for nearly twenty minutes.

I should be used to this kind of treatment, but honestly, after years of being dished out only trivial tasks, and being constantly squashed by my leader and her possie of werewolves and werewolves’ wannabes, I am starting to get tired of it all.

Graduated from a prestigious university with top grades, big dreams of becoming a renowned interior designer, all of it now replaced by the cruel reality of life, where opportunities are not fairly given, and not everyone has the right to shine.

"I really don’t know why I’m still keeping you around; you are just a failure and are bringing your team and the company down with you. Try being more responsible, creative; haven’t you learnt anything in the years you have worked here, or have they just gone wasted on you?”

He takes a deep inhale and squares his shoulders, then keeps going with his ranting, “The Crescent Moon’s Alpha will be discussing his huge compound project here soon. I have arranged for Carol to contact him. Stay away and don't get in the way! Don’t let him even see you! If we lose this precious potential customer because of you, you are out for good!"

Mr. Jones finally ends his scolding session, and I am out of his office in a heartbeat. I bet not even a werewolf could have been faster than that!

Only, I don’t get the chance to get back to my desk, as hoped, because I am called directly into another office, the one of my leader. Nothing good ever comes from a visit to her office.

Awesome, today is just the worst!

“Hello, Carol, were you looking for me?” I say politely, while making my way to her desk.

I noticed that her were-possie was lounging in her office, seated on the armchairs scattered before her desk, and they are now gauging me, like I am a fresh piece of porkchop. Not good.

“What took you so long?” Carol asks sharply, annoyance clear in her attitude.

“My apologies, Mr. Jones wanted a few words with me; I just came out of his office.”

Her glacial blue eyes sparkle with sadistic mirth, while her mouth curves up at the corners. Monica from behind me snorts loudly, or maybe that was Serena, I am not sure.

“Yeah, more like a few yells. Do you know why we didn’t get the job?”

I shake my head no.

“Of course you don’t. It’s because of you, because you are human and incompetent, and the client didn’t want to give their job to a team which includes a person as useless as you. So, thank you, Hazel!” Carol sneers and claps her hands in a mocking standing ovation.

The other women in the room join in the sardonic acclamation, mimicking Carol, and I feel this close to turning around and storming out of this hellish room.

I can’t help wondering if what Carol said is true. Did we lose the job because of me? Because I am human?

I wanted to point out to her that she is human too, but although we are both humans, we couldn’t be farther apart. She has powerful parents and strong connections backing her up, while I only have my hard work and wit on my side, which apparently are not remotely enough.

I hate this ever-present discrimination against humans; sure, we are not as fast and strong as them, we don’t have super-hearing or super-healing, but we are living beings with a brain and feelings.

I shudder remembering my days at university, that’s where I got the worst of this werewolves-are-superior bullshit. I was competing with another girl, who happened to be a werewolf, for a position as professor assistant, and when she realized that she wasn’t going to win, she tried to claw me to death. I still have the scars of her attack on my left arm. And the funniest part is, she got the position in the end, because I had to be hospitalized for a month. How fair is that?

It is completely unfair, and I resent them, all of them, because they are all alike, privileged, arrogant and full of themselves.

“I honestly don’t understand why they haven’t fired you already;” Carol says, more to herself than to me, “anyway, the Alpha of the Crescent Moon pack is coming here this afternoon to discuss a new project. I don’t want you anywhere near him, stay away from the entrance, from my office, from the meeting rooms, from anywhere. Possibly, go home and never come back, this way you’ll do us all a favor.”

Her fellow were-meanies laugh at her words, making me feel more unwanted than ever. I should be used to it by now, but it still hurts a little.

“If the Alpha bails because of you, I will make sure to make your life a living hell.”

This time her tone is menacing, a clear, unveiled threat.

I nod my head, letting her know that I have understood, and turn to leave. When I am two steps from the door, suddenly it opens inwards, nearly hitting me.

I glare up at the person who just tried to maim me with a wooden door, and I immediately regret it. The man staring at me from the doorway looks dangerous and angry, not a good combination. He’s definitely a werewolf, since his blue eyes are glowing like two oceanic beacons, and he is the size of a tall wardrobe squeezed inside a designer suit. His muscled chest is rising and falling quickly, showing his agitation, making panic rise in my throat.

Have I done anything to anger this blue eyed were-God? Because let’s admit it, he might be totally scary, but he’s still drop-panties handsome, objectively. Not that I’m interested, I am more concerned about keeping my pathetic life intact for now.

I quickly look down, breaking eye contact, hoping not to anger him further.

“Welcome to Dream Artisans,” I say, still looking down.

Two black shining leather shoes cross the distance between us, and suddenly a firm hold on my chin tilts my head up, bringing my eyes back to his sharp blue ones. His aura is so intense that’s suffocating me, and I have no idea what I did to make him this angry, because now there is no denying that his feelings are directed at me.

His next words, though, throw me off completely.

“Mine!” he half growls, half utters in a deep baritone voice that sends shivers down my spine.

I remain there, dumbfounded, while I hear a few gasps from the people around us.