Rejection, Refuge, Revere

Chapter17

“So. We see here that your experience is child care. What qualifications do you have to work here?” Cameron asks as I nervously twist my fingers.

“Well, Sir. I um. Even though I do not have any experience within a floral shop, I can count money, take orders, and am a very crafty person. I used to do crafts with the children and elders at my last pack. I am a quick learner and am up for whatever is asked of me.” I answer.

“Perfect! You’re hired!” Adria jumps up and reaches to hug me. I stand awkwardly and pat her on the back.

“Um.. That wasn’t much of an interview.” I say, glancing between the two.

“Oh honey. We typically don’t even interview candidates, we take a look at their resume and have them come on in. But you insisted that we do an interview. So here we are.” Adria explains. I feel my face go red.

“Oh. I didn’t know. I’m sorry.”

“You’re fine hon. Now! Let’s get to something else. Everett is welcome here any time. We want you two to look at us as family. We practically are at this point, but I wanted you to know as well.” Adria says with a smile. My heart swells with a happiness that I am not used to.

“I would love to get to know you two and Ella as well.” I respond and her smile grows bigger.

“Great! Now let’s show you around the shop and out back. The green house connects to the shop and we use that for the apothecary medicine as well as the floral shop.” Cameron says, gesturing for me to follow them.

After my tour they invite me, Everett, and Gamma Carson over for dinner. So far the conversation and jokes are flowing easily and I am surprised when Everett even speaks a bit. Towards the end of dinner the conversation turns.

“So Amona. Thad and Eliese told us about what happened at the gathering. I am so sorry to hear about that.” Adria says while putting a hand on mine with a reassuring smile. I nod, not knowing what else to do.

I’m annoyed with Thad about telling people my business and i hope it doesn’t continue. I don’t want people knowing I was rejected.

“Are you praying for a second chance?” She asks, I glance around and Gamma Carson is the only one who seems taken aback by this. At least he wasn’t told. That at least tells me that this family can keep quiet. At least for a little bit I suppose.

“Uh. No. I am focusing on Everett. If the moon goddess decides to bless me again, then that is a gift I will cherish, but I am not asking for a mate.”

“Oh. Darling. I hope that at some point in your life, you do pray, and it is for one you know will accept you. She hears you know.” Adria says glancing quickly at Carson and Ella.

“I hear the stories, but I’m not so sure.” I say skeptically. She chuckles.

“Most people are skeptics, but I tell you what. Cameron here was a dear childhood friend of mine. He wasn’t my first mate. My first mate passed during an attack on the pack. Years later when I was ready, I asked mother moon for Cameron to be my mate. He was perfect and I just felt so at ease with him, it would have been a perfect match. And what do you know. The next morning Cameron walked into the flower shop and BAM the mate bond snapped in place. We completed the bond VERY quickly after.” She pauses and smiles over at Cameron who has pulled her into a side hug.

“Mom LOVES to tell people that story.” Ella rolls her eyes. But smiles at her parents.

“Oh hush. I do, but this was to encourage Amona and let her know it will be okay to at some point ask for another mate.” Adria smiles at me.

“OH! Let’s call Eliese and Thad! I’m sure they would love to speak with you and see that you are okay.” Adria says, jumping up and running further into the house. I look at Gamma Carson.

“Is that okay? I don’t want to get into trouble using electronics.” I ask and he smiles.

“It’s okay Amona.”

Adria comes back in with a laptop already speaking and places it in front of me. Tears spring to my eyes, when I see Thad. Eliese is sitting next to him with a smile.

“Amona!” Eliese says while Thads eyes wander all over the screen, probably seeing that i am in fact okay.

“You’re okay.” Thad exhales and I smile.

“I am. How have you been?”

“Good. Not the same since you’re not here, but we’re trying to..” Thad is cut off by his door slamming open.

“AMO!” Charlie yells and barrels between the couple to come nose to screen, staring at me. He looks like he just woke up. I laugh at the sight of his forehead covering the photo.

“Charlie. I think your hairline is receding. I didn’t realize it before, but it definitely is.” He pulls back and narrows his eyes at me.

“Hardy Har. You’re hilarious.” He says as he pats his forehead checking. Theo and Eliese push him back, shaking their heads.

“So I heard that I am an uncle now? Only you, Amo, could flee a pack to another and pick a child up on the way. Where is the little dude? I wan’t to meet him and make sure he understands who the favorite uncle is.” Charlie says, I glance to my side, where Everett is peaking around at the screen curiously.

“Everett, do you want to meet my brothers and sister?” I ask and he eyes me then around the room and nods slightly. I grab him and sit him on my lap.

“WOOO Big man! I’m Uncle Charlie.” Charlie yells and comes close to the screen again, but this time it accentuates his nose, making it look huge and Everett laughs. Charlie pulls back with a huge smile.

“I can’t wait to meet you in person bud! We are going to get into so much trouble.”

“Charlie.” I say in a warning tone.

“I MEAN so much fun.” He corrects with a laugh then points to Thadius.

“This is boring uncle Thad. He is not the favorite. Got it? He is boring.” Everett nods.

“And this is Auntie Eliese.” Charlie says. Everett looks at her, then Ella, and back again. Then to me in confusion.

“They’re sisters. Can you tell?” I ask and he nods.

“It’s nice to meet you Everett. I hope you are having fun. You got lucky with Amona.” Thad says. Everett smiles then looks outside at the playset Adria and Caeron have in the back yard.

“You want to go outside?” I ask and he nods quickly.

“I’ll take him.” Gamma Carson stand and opens the door. Cameron follows.

“BYE!” Everett yells at the screen, then jumps down and runs out the door. Everybody laughs and I look back at the screen. Three smiling faces stare back at me.

“I’m glad you’re happy Amo. We trying to request a pack transfer, but so far it isn’t going to well. We will find a way to you and out of this pack.” Thad says as Charlie rolls his eyes.

“I got a plan. Don’t you worry.” Charlie says. I shake my head. I can only imagine his plan and it is probably possible he would get executed.

“Don’t cause trouble. But hopefully I will see you soon. Even if it is just for a visit. I’m not apart of the pack yet, but I just got a job and after that is normally pack acceptance. So we will see! I am glad I got to see all of you. Technically I don’t think I was supposed to yet, but Gamma Carson said it was okay. Anyway, I’m going to help put dinner up. I love you guys. Be safe.” I ramble to their smiling faces.

“Get on those grandbabies!” Adria yells and the last thing I see is Thad’s look of horror befor the screen goes blank.