But is it a Miracle?

Chapter 13- Behind the Cat

Marigold POV

I was staring and not really eating as I clicked through page after page of jobs. Little Jin was purring in my lap, but every so often, he'd paw my hand and stare at my bowl, making me take a bite. What an odd feline. I hate looking for jobs. It's not fun and exciting after the first 24 hours you ever do it. Maybe... not after the first rejection? I don't know, but I loathe it.

And yet, given my now hostile work environment, for sure I needed something else, and fast.

Before Mr. Dempsey found a reason to fire me.

Because that is exactly what was going to happen, unless I resigned first.

I rubbed my forehead as the exhaustion of reading job after job only to find some little caveat that meant I was n't likely to be employed hit me hard. A very demanding meow came out of Little Jin as he pawed toward my bowl of now cold pasta. Good thing I can eat it any temperature. Deciding I'd stressed my poor cat out enough, I finished the ravioli and washed my bowl before returning to my computer. My feline friend stuck to me like a barnacle, watching me closely.

It was pretty bad if a cat was this worried about me.

I'm just saying.

That's pretty bananas when your cat makes you eat, right?

I stroked his velvety ears as he purred, settling back into my lap.

Ugh!

Either my degree wasn't the one they wanted, they didn't hire people residing in Washington State (due to a higher than average minimum wage), I didn't have enough years in the specific field, I didn't know the programs they wanted (I'm sorry, I'm old and social media is a total black hole I never want to leap into), the hours and location weren't right... the list goes on and on.

I didn't want to settle for something again that wasn't really what I wanted.

And I was never, ever taking another job that listed "other duties as assigned" because that s**t was the bane of my existence.

I applied for few that I already knew weren't going to respond, when I came across one for Web Design. The job was based out of Washington but completely remote. It was buried low on the list, and nobody had applied for it yet! I scanned through and realized why. The details were pretty sparse other than required degree, description of duties, and base pay, DOE. There wasn't much about the company or any other benefits, but even the base pay was enough for me to submit my application and resume to a man named Erik Brighton.

I added a cover letter expressing that while I wasn't sure what his business needs were, I was the soul of discretion and as long as nothing was illegal I was the woman for the job. Maybe I shouldn't have been up front about that, but I felt it was important to truly get myself a job that I could put my heart and soul into. His response would tell me everything I needed to know about the kind of job environment I could potentially, hopefully, be getting into. I would make triple what I was making working for Mr. Dempsey.

"Little Jin, I really don't want to work for Mr. Dempsey anymore," I sighed heavily. The cat's golden eyes focused on me with rapt attention as I spoke. "He's looking for a reason to fire me, I just know it. His wife realized what a sleazebag he is, always trying to hit on women. I'm sure he's had several affairs and she simply found out about it. But no, he's convinced I tattled on him but can't exactly ask me. Not to mention as much as he eyeballs me, he complains constantly about my age. The only reason I don't make a stink is that the overtime pays my bills." I huffed out, the inky feline chirping. "He even offered to delegate my work on Christmas Eve if I went home with him for the weekend!"

The more I thought about it the angrier I got.

We could just eat him, a silky, feminine voice said out of nowhere. I startled and fell out of my computer chair, causing Little Jin to dodge and land on the bed a few feet away.

"Hello?" I called out.

I'm inside your head, silly, that same voice replied. For a moment, I nearly panicked, but something told me this was not my enemy. Nope, I'm your new best friend. Part of your soul, so I'm here for a long time. I can't see that I'd die before you, but one should never speak in absolutes, no? She quipped. Maybe I had begun to dissociate? I mean, as long as I functioned, that bothered me less than I thought. I saw Jin's eyes narrow on me as I tried to figure out what was going on.

"Do you... have a name?" I asked out loud. I wasn't exactly sure what kind of etiquette was involved here. She giggled, a rather charming sound.

I am Byeol, she announced. your tiger. Wait, my what? She giggled again. Come on, Marigold I know you're no stranger to romance and fantasy. You know exactly what we are. Maybe not exactly like some writers depict, but close enough that you understand, right?

"Are you saying... that I'm a... tiger shifter?" I exclaimed in disbelief. Little Jin was on his feet, tail flicking as he watched me carefully. Did he think I was going to eat him? Byeol giggled again.

The thing is, Marigold, your little friend knows what you are, and might have more than a little insight into shifting, if you catch my drift? Well, that would certainly explain how he knew what I was saying and behaved the way he did. Oh my god! I was naked around him! I tightened my robe as my eyes landed on him, and he became more tense. Don't be like that, nae chingu. He is on your side, you'll see. Just try not to be too mad at him when he reveals himself, okay? And reply to me inside your head so people don't think you're crazy.

Ah, right, shifter basics. I chuckled to her. Oh wait... does that mean I'm going to shift at some point?

Of course it does. Like Little Jin, as you call him, you'll have two forms. A house cat, and a full-sized tiger. I'll come out on the next full moon. Until then, I'll be here inside your mind, but I'm not especially chatty. If I seem quiet, that's just my nature, she reassured me. But all the same, we could totally eat him. I won't leave a single scrap.

The world would be a better place, I suppose, but no thank you, Byeol. I'm certain he would taste bad, I commented, and I could almost feel her roll on her back laughing.

As I refocused on the lithe feline I'd welcomed into my home, I hesitated. Should I just ask him? I didn't have the heart to kick him out, he was the closest thing I had to a friend besides Byeol.

More than a friend and you know it, she scoffed.

I thought you weren't a big talker? I reminded her, and she huffed.

Fuck it. He'd already seen everything, whoever he was. No point in caring now. One thing was for certain, he was my biggest supporter, emotionally. I decided that simply based on the four days he'd been in my house, I was going to trust him. I stroked his back, which was still tense as his eyes bore into mine with a very uncatlike intensity.

"So tell me, Little Jin. Are you indeed a cat shifter like Byeol says?" I didn't have to worry about sounding crazy, I was talking to a cat. Enough said.

He meowed once, though it was low and cautious, guarded.

"I will take that as a yes, but that you're worried I'll be upset?" I asked and he lowered his head, pushing it into my hand at my side. Gosh! I gave in and fondled his velvety ears. "Fine. I will forgive you for now, but I expect an explanation when the time is right."

He chirped and rubbed on my belly enthusiastically. I wonder why he likes it so much?

Hah! When you find out I bet you're going to freak out, Byeol muttered. Didn't even ask you first! Not officially...

Oh? So you know what he's doing? This was interesting. It was as if she knew him. Perhaps they could mind link or something.

Ah, yeah... anyway, Marigold, it's time to sleep or you're gonna burn out, you know? Byeol pushed, and I saw it was indeed late. Eleven-thirty PM and I had to be up and six-thirty AM!

Deciding not to question things further for tonight, I slid into bed naked, with Little Jin tucked under my chin against my breasts. I suppose I was going to have to tell Jin-Yeon I met someone. I mean, I couldn't lead on this little cat shifter and string him along. That wouldn't be right. I liked them both, but Little Jin had helped me heal somewhat. Without his presence, I doubt I'd have stood up to my parents. Oh, right!

Being a shifter changed everything!

They're not your parents, Byeol yawned. Can't be, they're wolves, including your ex, she announced and was out. Just like that, leaving me with even more questions.

It took me forever, but I finally fell asleep after tossing and turning for what felt like hours. In it was Jin-Yeon, looking fresh and sexy, and drawing me to him just as easily as ever. Instead of diving straight into sensual and passionate lovemaking, this time he took my hand and sat me down on a rock by a creek. When I went to pull away, he refused.

"Marigold, please." He begged. "Tell me what's wrong." Normally I threw myself into his arms with vigor, but thoughts of my little feline savior held me back.

"Little Jin, he... He has a human form, Jin-Yeon. And... he has done so much for me already, I would feel guilty letting him think he has a chance while still contemplating something with you." The words tumbled out. I don;t know why this dream was so serious. He stroked my cheek tenderly, sparks flying along his touch.

"What if he was there to represent me?" He asked, his dark chocolatey eyes burning into mine.

"Represent you?" I asked curiously. He tilted his head, his eyes flashing gold. I gasped at the sight, but moments later, he shifted into a large Siberian tiger. I'd recognized those eyes! The tiger prowled closer, sniffing around me in what was clearly delight, nudging my belly with his head and purring. I ran my fingers though his vibrant striped fur.

Our mate, Byeol preened.

Our what?! I was shocked, but I supposed I really shouldn't be. His ardent nature, the biting, oh my god! Byeol, we already mated and marked, didn't we?

We did indeed, she replied. So I hope you really like them, because you aren't getting rid of Jin-Yeon, Little Jin, or Wolgwang. I'll have to bite him again for a fully permanent mark to show, but the spiritual part was done already.

Wolgwang? I asked.

The tiger nosing your belly and fully obsessed with you, she giggled.

I wanted to speak with Jin-Yeon more, but Wolgwang seemed hesitant to shift now that their secret was out.

You can still speak to me, aein, I heard Jin's voice in my head.

So... Little Jin, it's you? I wanted confirmation. He hesitated, but answered.

Yes. I... I felt how upset you were when you asked me to leave and I just couldn't leave you alone, aegiya.

Seems he was serious, after all.