Luna of the forgotten pack

Chapter Six

Zerina’s POV

Pumpkin lay sprawled across the rug like a queen on her throne, her fluffy orange body stretched to its full length, green eyes watching me with the quiet disdain only cats could pull off. I sat cross-legged on the couch, laptop balanced on my knees, scrolling through my inbox for what felt like the thousandth time this week.

Ever since leaving my job at the little bookstore downtown, I’d been in this strange limbo. The bookstore had been cozy, filled with the smell of paper and dust, a sanctuary where I could disappear between shelves. But it had been just a job, not a future. I’d loved the customers who came in searching for stories to escape their lives, but deep down I knew I wanted something more—something that would let me create rather than just shelve other people’s creations.

That’s why I’d sent out application after application, searching for the right fit in the design world. Graphic design was where my heart belonged—on the screen, arranging color and form until something meaningful appeared. But so far, it had felt like shouting into the void.

I sighed and hit refresh, bracing myself for more silence.

Except… there it was.

A new notification.

Nightclaw Industries — Application Update.

My pulse spiked. My hand hovered for a second before clicking it open.

“Dear Ms. Aster…” I skimmed, heart thundering in my ears. “…we are pleased to inform you… accepted for the position of graphic designer… appointment scheduled Monday at 10:00 a.m.”

A strangled sound escaped me—half squeal, half laugh. “Oh my god!”

Pumpkin bolted upright, tail puffed like a bottlebrush, glaring at me as though I’d lost my mind.

I grabbed her, ignoring her protest, spinning around the living room with her furry body in my arms. “Pumpkin! They hired me! I got the job!”

She meowed in outrage, wriggling to be set free, her sharp green eyes narrowing. I laughed breathlessly, kissing the top of her head before letting her down. She flicked her tail and trotted off, dignity wounded, leaving me still twirling in circles.

My hands fumbled for my phone. There was only one person I could call first.

“Lila!” I shouted the second she picked up. “They accepted me!”

“What? Who accepted you?” she asked, alarmed.

“Nightclaw! The design position! I start Monday!”

There was a piercing squeal that probably made Pumpkin consider leaving me for good. “Zerina, no way! You did it! I told you they’d see your talent!”

I laughed, tears pricking the corners of my eyes. “I didn’t believe it until I saw the email. Lila, I can’t stop shaking.”

“Forget shaking—we’re celebrating. Tonight. No excuses. You’re not staying home with Pumpkin and Netflix, Z. We’re going out. I’m dragging you if I have to.”

“Relax, I’m already in,” I said, grinning so hard my cheeks hurt.

After hanging up, I couldn’t sit still. I danced around the living room, socked feet sliding on the floor, my laughter echoing off the walls. For once, the heaviness I’d carried since leaving the bookstore seemed to lift. For once, the future didn’t look so uncertain.

I was still mid-spin when a knock came at the door.

I frowned, glancing at the clock. “Lila, already?” Too early.

Curiosity prickled as I crossed to the door and pulled it open.

It wasn’t Lila.

“Aaron?”

He stood there, a sheepish grin tugging at his lips. His dark, wavy hair fell across his forehead in a way that made him look effortlessly casual, like he’d just stepped out of some romance novel. He wore a hoodie and jeans, his hands shoved into his pockets, but his eyes—warm, steady—were what held me.

“Hey,” he said, holding up a small bag. “You busy?”

I shook my head, still catching my breath. “Not exactly. Why?”

He lifted the bag slightly, as though embarrassed. “I was out shopping, saw this cat toy, and… well, it reminded me of Pumpkin. Thought she might like it.”

My heart gave a ridiculous little flutter. “You bought something for Pumpkin?”

His grin widened. “Yeah. Figured it couldn’t hurt to win her over. She still looks at me like I owe her rent.”

A laugh burst out of me, and I took the bag, peeking inside. A feather toy dangled on a string, bright and colorful—the kind guaranteed to get Pumpkin’s attention. My chest warmed. “That’s really thoughtful, Aaron. Thank you.”

He shrugged lightly, though the tips of his ears turned pink. “No big deal.” Then, after a pause, his gaze searched mine. “So… you free later? Maybe want to grab dinner or something?”

The question caught me off guard. For a heartbeat, I stared at him, the warmth in his eyes making it hard to think clearly. But honesty pushed out before hesitation could. “Actually… no. Lila and I are going out tonight. She insisted we celebrate—I just got the job at Nightclaw.”

Surprise flickered across his face, followed quickly by genuine delight. “You did? Zerina, that’s amazing. Congratulations.”

The sincerity in his voice made my throat tighten unexpectedly. But then his smile wavered, dimming just enough for me to notice. He looked down, scuffing his shoe against the porch, his dark hair falling into his eyes. “Guess you’re busy, then.”

Guilt pressed against me. I didn’t want him to think I was brushing him off. “I’m sorry, Aaron. I promise it’s not an excuse. Maybe another time?”

He nodded, forcing a smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Yeah. Another time. Go celebrate—you deserve it.”

He gave me a small wave before stepping back, his grin returning just enough to mask the shadow in his gaze. “See you around, Z.”

And just like that, he was gone.

I lingered in the doorway, the bag still clutched in my hand, watching his retreating figure. A strange pang tugged in my chest, a heaviness I hadn’t expected.

Pumpkin meowed impatiently from the living room. Shaking myself, I closed the door and walked back in, pulling out the toy. The moment she saw it, her earlier sulking vanished. She pounced, claws swiping, chasing the feathers with the kind of focus only cats could have.

I sat on the couch, watching her, laughter spilling out again. Tonight was supposed to be pure joy, and yet Aaron’s disappointed expression lingered in the back of my mind.

Still, excitement surged when I remembered the email. Monday. Nightclaw Industries. My chance to finally step into something new, something real.

Clutching a cushion to my chest, I whispered to Pumpkin as she batted at her toy, “Everything’s about to change, girl.”