[Apple]
Crescent City is the nearest metropolis to Pleasant Valley and home to the largest population of supernaturals on the West Coast. Mostly werewolves, and maybe a few witches, they stick to their own kind for the most part, although they go to school and work side by side with humans.
Growing up in Pleasant Valley, an all-human community, I didn't encounter many supernaturals.
Which is why it was so startling to find myself in the middle of a city full of them.
At first, I look around in awe, mesmerized by the bright lights and vivid sounds, but then as I drive around downtown I realize two very important things:
Number 1--I don’t know where I’m going.
Number 2--After three hours of driving to get here, I’m starving.
My idiot ex-boss didn’t even let me gather my tips before I left, and my wallet was empty. I can’t touch the money in my savings account--that’s for school.
So I’m stuck to my secret car stash of cash that I keep in the car. Reaching under the seat, my fingers find the stack of bills I usually stash there is significantly diminished.
Where there had been a tight roll of $20 bills, about $400 to get me started, there are only three wrinkled ones.
“I guess Doc found this stash too,” I groan as I step out of my car and button my coat against the chill night air. “Maybe there will be SOMETHING here I can buy for $3,” I hope as I enter the first cafe I see, a small shop on the bottom floor of a large building covered with large tropical plants that seem to be growing out of thin air.
My mom would have loved this place. I wonder if she ever ate here.
My mother got her degree ages ago in botany. I hope to do the same, following in her footsteps. She taught me how to nurture things that grow, and ever since I was a child I had a natural knack for it.
Only I won’t make the same mistake that she did. I won’t bury myself in a small town with a terrible husband. I’ll wait until I find someone who loves me.
It’s true love or nothing. My mom made the mistake of getting pregnant and needing a man to take care of her. I won’t make the same mistake.
They say werewolves have something called a “mating bond” and witches have something similar called their “zing.” I wish humans were the same. I wish I could know I’ve found my soulmate just by the way it feels when he touches me.
A beautiful girl with long auburn curls and a wide-toothed grin that seems to stretch from ear to ear welcomes me to the “Last Wish Coffee Shop and Bookstore.” The name on her tag reads “Hazel.” and I find an immediate kinship, as two people who were given nature names.
Why do parents do that to kids? Hazel is a tree. Apple is also a tree but also a fruit. With the middle name of Blossom, I was constantly teased.
“Hey, are you new to town?” Hazel asks from behind the counter. “I just never seen anyone quite like you around here before, and I think I would have remembered if I had.”
Pointing up at my hair, which is more cherry than ginger, I laugh. “It’s natural, I promise. I don’t know where the color came from, my mom was a blonde,” I laugh. “The name is Apple,” I hold out my hand to shake. “I’m starting at the University next week.”
“Oh really!” her eyes light up with genuine interest. She tells me all about the degree in chemistry she is completing and how we’ll be classmates. As we talk, she pours me a cup of coffee and hands me a muffin “on the house” when she sees I only have 3 dollars.
“Hey, do you have any family here, anywhere to stay?”
“No,” I shake my head. I tell her about my mom and my terrible stepfamily.
Hazel’s face becomes more and more resolute the longer I speak. “You can live with me,” she declares. “We’ll have three other roommates, and you’ll have to sleep on the couch, but it is a roof over your head and you can eat any of the leftovers.”
“That’s super generous,” my cheeks grow warm with embarrassment. “But you can see I don’t have any way to pay back rent and…”
“Hogwash,” she dismisses my reasoning. “I know you’ll make it up to me when you can. Besides, where were you planning to sleep, your car? Not in this neighborhood, friend, unless you want to get eaten by rogues.”
I blanch. “Rogues eat people!”
She laughs at my naivety but doesn’t answer my question as she closes down the register and takes me home with her.
“You know what, Apple.” She smiles. “I think we’re going to be good friends. I can feel it.”
The next morning I wake up bright and early to go to the university, pay my bill, and sign up for classes. The early morning light feels calming on my face after a poor night of sleep on a lumpy, but safe, couch. For the first time in months, I didn’t need to worry if the money in my pocket would disappear while I closed my eyes. Now, as I walk through campus seeing all the other students walking by, I know I’ve made the right decision.
This is where I belong. This is where I should have been instead of scraping plates in some stupid diner.
The light for the registrar's office was thankfully short and I made my way to the front desk quickly and with ease.
The problem was when they used my savings account card to pay for my classes.
“We’re sorry, Miss, but your card was declined.”
“That can't be possible,” I feel the panic rising. “There should be over $5,000 in that account. Can you try again?”
The young man gives me a sympathetic smile. He tries two more times but the result is the same: declined.
“I suggest you call your bank. Maybe your account is frozen because of the amount.” He suggests as if this is a normal thing that happens all the time.
Stepping out of line, I head outside to call my bank. After waiting on hold for an hour, I finally got through to a teller who informed me that my account had been completely cleaned out in full using the ATM in Pleasant Valley about 24 hours ago.
Thinking back at my stepsister’s comments, reality hits me like a hard brick. My stepsister and stepfather cleaned out my account yesterday while I was working.
“Son of a bitch!” I scream, stomping. “Ahhhhhh!”
After a few more primal screams, I dust myself off, follow the signs, and head towards the school library. If I need to find a job, they will have the best idea of where I should be looking.
The librarian directed me to a computer in the corner that was already cued up with job search sites. Grateful, I thanked her and began searching.
I guess I should have told her I am a human because this computer only has SuperNet--a supernatural-specific internet provider. I never realized how different the supernatural internet was from the human one. Even the pop-up ads are out of this world. “Think your neighbor is a secret witch? Spray her with this and the truth will be revealed.”
I guess even in a big city like this one, the bigotry against witches is still very pervasive. I expected it from a small town like Pleasant Valley, but here, I thought people were more understanding. Not all witches are evil.
Another ad pops up as I change sites.
“Why have one when you can have 2?” The image of a grinning young executive with a white, toothy grin is standing still as first a blonde appears on his right, and a tan brunette on his left.
Out of curiosity, I click his face and it takes me to the Rental Luna Corporation--” a service where alpha males can rent Luna-level companionship on a daily or hourly basis,” I read, grimacing. On the very top of the page is the tagline, “Rental Luna--like a real Luna, only cheaper!”
It seems that even male wolves can be pigs. “That’s sick,” I murmur under my breath. “Women aren’t disposable. I can’t believe this is real.”
The handsome executive is smiling at me from the bottom of the page advertising their latest deal. “Want a redhead on Saturday, and a blonde on Monday? 2 for 1 special this weekend only!”
“This service is A-OK! I get all my Lunas from Rental Luna,” his endorsement reads below.
“Yuck, how beastly,” I gag as I shut down the computer, unable to stomach it anymore. It seems that Alphas are more dog than wolf.
Taking a deep breath, I turn around and see a board against the opposite wall with the word “JOBS” in big, gold letters.
Awesome. This will save me from the SuperNet.
As I walk over to the job board I pray that a solution to my problems will be here in plain sight. Scanning the wall, I see that most of the positions are low-paying wastes of time. I’ll never make enough to pay tuition or rent part-time at minimum wage.
But then I see it, high on the top corner.
Sterling Incorporated has an entry-level position, no experience necessary, the only requirement is that you are a …”
The rest of the advertisement has been torn away with one of the dangling phone number tags. It doesn’t matter. The important part is that they are offering 3 times the pay of any other job on the board.
Taking a photo of the ad, I head toward my car. It’s time I got a new job.
[Apple]Excited about my first lead on a real job, I rush to my car and begin the drive to the other side of town. Turning on my radio, I discover that all of my stations have changed with the new location, and it takes a moment to find one playing something I can sing along with.When an ad for Rental Luna plays, I turn it off. Disgusted. I couldn’t imagine a job more pathetic or degrading than being a Rental Luna. I’d rather scrape gum off the bottoms of tables than sell myself off by the hour. Hopefully, if all goes well here, I won’t have to worry about that potential future. I get a few strange looks, and a few awkward sniffs in my direction as I push my way in through the revolving door. I wonder if my body odor is especially bad. I tend to sweat when I’m nervous. Discreetly, I take a brief sniff. I smell okay to me. Maybe they have a few werewolves working here. As I approach the main reception desk, I hold out the ad and announce that I’d like to apply for their entry-leve
[Apple]"No," I gasp. "I'm human." “Human?” He takes a step back, wiping his nose to clear the smell. “Are you sure?”“Yup, since the day I was born,” I try to make a joke but he isn’t smiling. “My town is a human-only community.” “Human-only,” he curls his lip. “How quaint.” A curious expression crosses his face.“If you are a human raised in an all-human community, why did you come looking for a job here? At a werewolf-run corporation? How did you show up here as my Rental Luna?”“I’m not your Rental Luna,” I repeat. “There’s been a mistake. This is the wrong job.”“Obviously,” he laughs. His laughter stings. I already feel stupid, and having him laugh at my mistake is embarrassing. “I was supposed to meet with the Beta to interview for the entry-level position, but I got off on the wrong floor,” I look down. “I didn’t realize my mistake until your assistant brought me to you.” A tear rolls down my cheek, followed by another. “I didn’t know it was a werewolf pack. All I knew wa
[Apple] My attacker releases me, dropping to the floor, showing his neck in supplication to the man growling behind him. Alpha Sylvester Sterling. “For the crime of touching my Luna, you are hereby dismissed from your position,” he snaps his teeth, now slightly pointed. “Yes, Alpha,” the wolfman grovels. Sylvester reaches down and with a single claw, scrapes a large, long “r” across his back as the man screams. “You are packless now, rogue,” the Alpha spits in rage. “Any wolf low enough to attack a defenseless woman is not honorable enough for the Silver Crescent pack or any other pack within our organization.” “Please Alpha, mercy,” he begs pathetically, dropping his chest to the pavement. “I couldn’t help myself. I didn’t know she was yours.” “I am not your Alpha anymore,” Sylvester’s eyes are glowing like blue fire. “Now get out of here before I change my mind about skinning you and leaving your hide on the side of the building as a warning to others.” Becoming a rogue
[Apple] This is my second morning waking up in Crescent City and it feels like I’ve already been here a year. Monday I quit my old life. Tuesday was a nightmare. Today is Wednesday. The day I try my hand at being a Rental Luna for the biggest pack on the West Coast. I’m expecting the Beta to arrive by 7:30. That gives me just enough time for a quick run, shower, and breakfast before heading out. I’ve only just gotten out of the shower when I hear a loud banging on the door. Throwing a t-shirt haphazardly over my wet, naked body and wrapping my long damp hair in a towel, I rush to open it before my roommates wake up. I haven’t met any of them yet, and this is not how I want to make my first impression. “Um, hello,” I open the door and find a handsome young werewolf with long blonde hair braided off of his face, warm brown eyes, and a genuine smile. “Ms. LeRoux?” His voice is a question, when I nod his smile widens. “I’m Beta Randolph Forrester. I’m here to take you to work.”
[Apple]“What’s this?” I pull out a tiny glass vial filled with a liquid that swirls and glows green in the sunlight.“That is a scent-enhancer.” He tries to explain. “They are illegal because they can be used to mask a wolf’s true scent. They are often sought out by omegas who are trying to escape their fates by landing gamma or beta mates.”Something this valuable must have cost a small fortune. “A dab of that behind each ear and the crook of each knee, and most people who sniff you will think you are a Luna without question.” He nods his head while keeping his eyes on the road. “I got the strongest stuff the witch had…and she threw in a little extra scent since you have no scent to enhance.” “Thank…thank you,” I say, not sure what else I can do as I follow his instructions, placing a small drop behind each ear and knee. “For everything this morning. I appreciate it.”His cheeks redden at my unexpected praise, “It's nothing, Luna. Just doing my job.” When we pull up to the front o
[Apple]Taking up the entire door frame is Alpha Sly Sterling, his eyes wide with shock as he looks down at the tattered remains of the employee handbook. “Ahh…Alpha,” I stutter. “I didn’t realize you were standing there.” He looks down at the handbook now lying on the floor in three large chunks. Taking a bold step forward, he shuts the door behind him. In his hand is a manila envelope, which I am guessing must hold my new contract. He came to discuss the job and I threw a book at him.“I am so sorry,” I begin to cry, my makeup runs down my face. He doesn’t say anything as he tilts his head upward, his nostrils flaring. I walk around the desk, trying to stay as far away from him as I can, but he flows my movements, moving in sync as he slowly closes the gap. Reaching forward, he grabs my arm, places it on his face, and breathes deeply.“Beta Rudy got the scent for me…um…do you like it?”He walks me backwards, pressing me into a wall.“No,” his eyes glow bright blue as they snap o
[Sylvester]What have I done?Wrapped in what remains of her dress, her skin red and raw from where I rubbed myself against her, she is frozen, reeking of fear and the lingering smell of another wolf. If I stand here one minute longer, Rufus will take over again. And if he does, I can’t be sure he won’t try to claim her as his on the floor of her office, where everyone in the pack can hear us.“We need to get ourselves under control, Rufus!” My wolf, Rufus, growls in response as he paces back and forth through my mind, demanding we go back and finish what we started. “Don’t deny it,” he barks,” You felt it too.” I won’t consider what he is suggesting. It is impossible. Those were not tingles, that was simply the anticipation of the hunt, the desire to mark and claim every attractive female that crosses my path. Stupid Alpha male stuff. “Rudy,” I call over my shoulder to my Beta, who is waiting outside my office. “Take care of the new Luna she…she needs you more than I do.” Rudolp
[Apple]I don’t remember much of the rest of the day. Beta Rudy carried me out of the office and brought me back to the apartment. Somehow I ended up in borrowed pajamas underneath a large comforter on a small but cozy bed. The next morning I was almost my old self again, except for now I am stressed about signing up for classes. I haven’t paid yet, and I can’t sign up for classes until I pay. Ugh! “What am I going to do?” I ask Hazel as I eat some leftover pizza from the night before. “I need the money, but there is no way I can go back to that place. It was terrible.”“Think of it as a learning experience,” she places a cup of cool apple cider next to me and I take a long sip. The alcohol helps with my anxiety and I find myself open to listening to her advice. “What did you learn?”“I learned that I know nothing about werewolf society,” I groan. “And also that Alphas really don’t like it if you smell like anyone else.” “OK, that’s a start,” she nods encouragingly. “Anything else?