Page 5 of Moon Tamed

Did wolf shifters climb onto their conference tables? If so, why?

Sometime after boredom had set in but before madness took hold, Calden Stephans returned. He placed a tablet in front of me with a stylus. “Fill out the temporary employment form. This will allow us to pay out bonuses. The information you need to review is on the tablet. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

“Thank you, sir.” Since when did any of the factions offer bonuses to temps? Sometimes the firm would pay out a bonus, but we had strict rules on when we were eligible.

On average, I earned a bonus once a year, and I always spent it on some form of luxury, as I managed to make my budget work—for the most part.

The lure of a potential bonus would result in them getting my best work. I could think of a few things I wanted, ranging from a few new books to some camping gear, which I would use to escape from the city for a while. I had my eye on a vintage oil lamp styled after ancient Earth history.

Fire fascinated me.

While I could buy a glowing charm for my camping needs, I wanted the experience. With a large enough bonus, I could take my paid time off and head into wolf country, where the shapeshifters allowed the curious to pitch their tents, watch the moon rise, and listen to the wolves sing.

The first four pages of the document informed me of the faction’s rules. It boiled down to common sense and respect. I initialed every rule as I went. On the fifth page, I encountered my first form, which asked for my basic work information. The next form requested more personal information, including what I liked to eat and if I had any allergies. A handwritten note in neat script indicated the faction catered lunch once a week.

I answered and swiped to the next page, which resumed informing of the rules and confidentiality limitations with exterior faction representatives.

The final page threw me for a loop.

The form requested my clothing sizes in case of a formal event. Never in my time at the firm had anyone ever attended a faction’s formal event.

As I had no problems with anyone knowing my height, weight, bra size, the twenty different pants sizes my skinny rump could squeeze into, and the range of blouse sizes capable of containing my chest, I complied and added a note I hadn’t worn a dress since my graduation. I made no mention of skirts although I wore them from time to time.

After I finished, I turned off the screen and set the stylus aside. Calden entered the room and claimed the device. “Come with me.”

I rose, grateful I wouldn’t need to wait in the same room while they dealt with even more paperwork.

“In six months, all Moonriver factions will be participating in the conclave to put issues up for a vote, along with confirming if there will be a change of power. We need someone to do an internal review of our process, our track record, and otherwise identify anything troubling. We will be making recommendations for alternative factions that might be elevated to the rulership position without harming Moonriver.”

Well, my day had taken a turn for the worse. No matter. I could handle the project, although it would take me longer than a week.

Even a multi-month project wouldn’t be too bad. The seventh floor hummingbirds would help me cope with the feeling of being trapped. With the conclave in six months, the end of the project would happen. I would endure.

Sila ran a high risk of laughing to death when she found out. Me, work a long-term job rather than indulge my desire to try something new all the time? Beyond the heightened risk of mastering old skills, nothing about the contract would hurt me.

Having a preference for change didn’t mean I couldn’t handle monotony. Maybe if I told myself that enough times, I’d believe it. Time would tell.

I could handle six months.

“I can do an audit.” The confidence in my tone hid my trepidation over being trapped in the same workplace for so long. “Do you have a preference for where I start?”

“I would like you to evaluate our general performance in the eyes of the public. That will be the primary factor in our faction maintaining its position.”

“Does the faction wish to maintain its position?” I braced for the faction heir’s displeasure at my question.

“No.”

The blunt admission startled me into stopping. “May I ask why?”

“Moonriver would benefit from more diversity in its leadership.”

“That’s a good answer. I will make a report showcasing situations where Moonriver would have benefited from a more diverse leadership. Anything else?”

“That should be a sufficient start.” Calden led me to a door not far from the reception. “This will be your office.”

Before I had a chance to peer inside, a large gray wolf barreled out and rammed into Calden, knocking him over and sending the tablet flying.

If the device hit the floor, I’d have to redo my work. Huffing, I eyed the tablet’s trajectory, waited until it reached the zenith of its arc, and used Calden’s prone form to give me the height needed to catch it.

---