Between Witches and Wolves

Chapter 9: The Search

Ellie

I really didn’t like the feeling I got as the bus left the station, but the farther away we got, the more I was able to calm down.

On the ride to the next town, we pass a few businesses—a drugstore, liquor store, boutique, and diner. I take note of them in my notebook since, if I can buy a bus pass or a bike, they would be easy enough to commute to.

The bus comes to its first stop, and I decide to go ahead and get off.

I don’t want a terribly long commute if I can help it.

I start by walking into literally every business I see and asking the employees if they’re hiring.

So far, I’ve received two no’s and one application for a hardware store.

I know absolutely nothing about tools, but I can learn if it means I can get the f**k out of the club.

I walk around the street and try to get at least one or two more applications. I score one from a tattoo studio that needs a receptionist to book clients and another for a cashier position at the general goods store.

Even though this town is a good fifteen-minute bus ride away, there still isn’t much available as far as work goes.

I check the time.

3:00 p.m.

Maybe I can hit the diner for a late lunch, ask if they’re hiring, and maybe stop by the boutique before I need to head home.

With it being Sunday, I doubt the liquor store or drugstore will be open.

Technically, I’m also supposed to work at the club tonight.

No way in hell, I clearly hear my wolf tell me.

I can’t help but agree.

After the s**t Tony pulled on me, I’m never going back.

I’ll live on the street before I work at that damn club again.

I walk back to the bus stop and purchase another ticket. I ask the driver if he can stop at the diner.

“No problem, little lady. Just push the button above your head when you see it come into view to remind me, and I can make a stop. Unfortunately, though, you may have to walk or buy another ticket if you want to get back to the next town.”

I tell him that’s fine and climb back onto the bus.

The air conditioning feels really nice.

It turned out to be a really hot day, and I can feel my hair plastered to my face from all the sweat.

The bus starts down the road, and I keep my eyes peeled for the diner.

As soon as I spot it, I hit the button.

Once we pull over, the driver tells me the last bus runs at 5:00 p.m., so I need to be at the stop in front of the liquor store if I want a ride home.

If not, it’ll be about a four-hour walk.

I thank him and step off the bus, my stomach growling loudly.

Walking into the small diner, I can immediately smell fry oil and grease from burgers. The air is slightly humid from the heat of the kitchen.

The diner is small, with booths lining the windows and a counter bar near the front. The black-and-white checkered floor, red tables, and countertops give the place a classic feel. Old records hang along the walls.

“Take a seat anywhere, hun, and we’ll be right with ya!” a sweet lady with a heavy accent calls out to me.

She wears a blue-and-white uniform with an apron. She’s a bit on the heavier side but still has that classic hourglass shape.

I take a seat at one of the booths near the far wall.

I want to look at all the photographs hanging there and read what some of them are about.

Wait.

I know some of these names.

Aren’t these some of the local wolf shifters?

I feel my heart rate increase as I try not to look panicked.

My wolf is instantly on high alert, searching for anything that could be seen as a threat.

The waitress comes by, and I can finally make out the name on her nametag.

Emily.

“Can I start you off with some coffee or tea?” she asks with a smile.

Not one of those fake ones, either.

“Tea, please.”

She hands me a menu.

“Here’s our menu. I’ll be right back with your tea! And feel free to ask anything!”

With that, she turns and heads toward the kitchen.

I take a deep breath.

Definitely a wolf shifter.

My wolf can smell hers.

Thankfully, I figured out the recipe for the new remedy that only hides my scent instead of suppressing my wolf, and I took some this morning before leaving the apartment.

At least Emily won’t be able to smell my wolf.

But this definitely means I’m sitting in a shifter establishment.

I’ve tried my best to avoid shifters since being exiled from the coven.

I just don’t want to get wrapped up with them.

Especially if they ever find out I’m half witch.

No telling how that would end.

I look over the menu and decide on a burger with curly fries.

Emily comes back quickly with the tea.

“Here you go, hun! Is there anything else I can get ya?”

“The burger with curly fries, please.”

This will be the first decent meal I’ve had in forever, so I want to get something really worth the money.

Before she walks away, I ask if they’re hiring.

“Indeedy! We actually just lost a waitress not too long ago. She gave birth to triplets, and, well, let’s just say they keep her busy!”

She chuckles.

“I can get you an application in just one second.”

Then she scurries off.

Not even ten minutes later, Emily is back with an application in hand.

“Now, this may be sudden, but I have to ask. You don’t mind dogs, do you?”

What an odd question.

I’m puzzled for a moment by how random it seems.

“I don’t mind them,” I reply, trying not to let the confusion show.

“Good, good! You see, I can smell a lil’ somethin’ on you. Figured you’re part witch or somethin’. Just wanted to make sure you’re okay with wolves before I gave you the application.”

She smiles and hands it to me.

“Your food will be out shortly, hun!”

Then she damn near skips back to the kitchen.

My jaw drops.

She can smell that I’m half witch?

Why did I never consider that?

I feel so stupid.

She probably knew before I ever figured out she was a shifter.

She must have been somewhat shocked when I asked for an application.

Even my wolf is confused.

Emily brings out my food and asks if I need anything else.

I barely register her question because I’m still in shock over what just happened.

“Emily? You know I’m part witch?” I ask hesitantly.

She smiles kindly.

“Why, of course, silly! But none of the wolves here give a damn. We’ve never understood the ‘bad blood’ between us, so if you’re all right with it, you can still apply!”

She sounds so cheerful.

I smile back, and she turns to leave.

My stomach growls to remind me that I’m incredibly hungry.

As I start eating, I notice she left a pen for me.

I go ahead and start filling out the application.

I figure as long as I keep taking the remedy to mask my true scent, everything should be fine.

I wouldn’t even have to hide my magic.

The thought makes me smile.

I happily continue eating and filling out the application.

Once I finish my meal and the application, I walk to the front to pay.

“Thanks, hun! I’ll take that, and you should get a call in about two days to let you know if you made it through to the interview or not. And don’t worry about your tab. It’s on me!”

She smiles widely.

“Oh, but I can’t let you do that!”

I try to hand her some money.

“I got you, hun. Something tells me you haven’t eaten well in a long while. So let this one be on me. That way, you can afford some more on your own.”

She gives me a wave goodbye, and I leave the diner.

The temperature has dropped significantly since earlier.

I look at my watch.

4:30 p.m.

Just enough time to ask for an application from the boutique before I need to catch the bus.

Unfortunately, they aren’t hiring.

Oh well.

As I wait for the bus, an easy calm flows over me.

I really hope they call me in for an interview.

I’m not sure why, but I really want to work at the diner.

I see the bus come into view.

It pulls to a stop at the side of the road, and I hop on.

Once I pay for a ticket that will get me as close to my apartment as possible, I take my seat.

The whole ride home, I hope and pray that I can find a job soon.

The bills will start piling up quickly.

And I refuse to go back to the club.