The Dark Ones (The Dark Ones Saga 1)

He grinned. "You're cute."

Ethan growled.

"I meant it in an innocent way." Drystan held up his hands. "Easy…" He turned his attention back to me. "You've got the job."

"Just like that?"

"Just like that."

"But what if I'm horrible at it?" I blurted.

Drystan laughed. "If an Elder vouches for you — well, it's as good as done. Now, why don't I go over the schedule with you while Ethan makes himself scarce. Are you okay with starting work tomorrow? I had to fire someone yesterday for stealing, so I'm a bit shorthanded."

"Sure."

I was about to follow him when Ethan tugged me back and whispered in my ear, "Be careful."

A cold chill settled over me. I wasn't sure why I needed to be careful, considering he was going to be leaving me alone with this guy for hours on end, but I decided to listen to him regardless.

"Schedule…" Drystan moved toward a workstation located in the middle of the store. "…is always kept on the computer. And we do all our sales through Square, so we don't really have a typical cash register. Are you familiar with it?"

Technology. Yes. I was the one who was supposed to be teaching them — at least at one point. I nodded.

"Good." He clapped his hands together. "We get new books every Tuesday. You'll have to sign for them, and if we aren't busy, you're free to stock the shelves." He pointed behind him. "Books that are left out need to be reshelved at the end of the day and, luckily, you don't have to make coffee or scones. My wife does all that."

"Wife?"

He grinned. "We work together. It's a mate thing."

"Do all mates work together?"

His eyes darted behind me as if looking for Ethan. "Well, it's different for each of us."

"Oh."

"I'll pay you fifteen an hour. Though it's not like you need it, considering who you're with."

I blushed. I didn't like the idea of owing Ethan anything; somehow it felt wrong. I didn't deserve it, didn't earn it, and regardless of how well things were going that day, I had no idea if one minute he was going to get tired of me, and I'd need money for some reason.

"Great." I found myself shaking his hand, excited that I wouldn't be stuck at the house and would be able to actually contribute to society.

Drystan squeezed my hand, then flinched and jerked it back, like I'd hurt him.

"Is everything okay?" Ethan asked, approaching us.

Drystan shared a look with him. "Ethan, a moment?"

Ethan's smile was forced. "Sure. Genesis, why don't you pick out some books?"

I nodded and watched them walk off.

Had I done something to offend the werewolf? Everything had seemed fine until I'd touched him.

He'd flinched.

Why would he flinch?

I started mindlessly walking the aisles of books, when I heard Ethan's growl.