Chapter Five

Ayelet

Living on the plains with my herd was, to all appearances, ideal. Not only the deer and the antelope play there, but the higher slopes were less populated by the other gazelles who didn’t love the cold. As shifters, we were a unique version of the animal, and our winter coats and sturdy hooves allowed us to enjoy an area other gazelles avoided. But we were close enough that a human seeing us would not be surprised, and our resemblance to a very rare species kept us from being hunted.

If a poacher tried, they would find themselves facing an “animal” more than capable of handling the situation—and they would never be seen again. If it happened… It was paradise for our herd there, both in two- and four-legged form. Fully content, everyone went about their lives, with few complaints.

Except me.

Unlike my family and other herd mates, I was not fond of the land where I was born. Oh, I could appreciate the beauty and freedom for shifting. But after a trip a few years ago, a sense of discontent colored my world. Until then, I’d have said I was fine. I liked my job, the small house on our lands I’d fixed up myself, my family and friends… I never waxed rhapsodic as many did, but it was…yeah. Fine.

When I made a business trip to San Diego, I caught my first glimpse of the ocean. Somehow, I’d always pictured the Pacific as blue. Like the Mediterranean or the Bahamas. Even Florida… But in fact, as we flew in to land, we looped out over the ocean. A green ocean, foaming white along the shore. Sailboats and all sorts of watercraft from Jet Skis to an aircraft carrier dotted the water below, and I pressed my face to the window. Enchanted. I disembarked and even before checking into my hotel took an Uber to the beach. I wanted to touch the sand, feel the waves curling around my feet. Bask in the warm sunlight. I never wanted to leave.

And that was before I had a one-night stand with a hottie dragon.

But my life lay in New Mexico, and when I finished my meetings at the local office, I boarded another plane and returned home. It was a fantasy, living near the ocean. And a brief encounter was just that. So, why had I been unable to fully settle in for three years? Going through the motions, I did what I needed to do, but whatever peace I’d found before my trip was gone.

And then, out of the blue, I learned of an opening in the San Diego office where I’d attended those meetings. I had inquired since my return but was told they almost never had any availability since it was the most popular location in the entire company. The building had a view of my beloved ocean and was close enough to walk to the beach on a lunch break, something I had done every day of my last visit.

Heart pounding, I dove into the company website and found the page to apply for inhouse transfers. I was not going to be the only one who wanted this job, for sure, and the sooner I got my name in, the better. My hands shook as I typed and I had to back up to make corrections more than once. Overreaction in the extreme. Especially since my odds of being chosen probably weren’t great.

But my gazelle was on board and prancing to make the move. He didn’t really understand about jobs and housing and income that I was so concerned about. He also didn’t know why he couldn’t gallop on the beach. Maybe late at night in the winter when it was very foggy it might be possible. We’d have to see.

If I got the job. I couldn’t get ahead of myself on that. I was 100 percent qualified, but how many others with seniority over me also were? No way of knowing in a company as big as ours. I would have to cross my fingers and hope for the best.

But not while typing! Crossed fingers would only slow me down.

Considering it was an intercompany situation, the application and other forms I had to fill out were quite extensive, but I didn’t want to miss a line to type or a box to check. I began to wonder if they wouldn’t use the updated information against me in some way. Then shrugged that off. It was essentially the full application I’d filled out, with a little extra about my current job there. At the end, they informed the applicant—me—that they would be speaking to their supervisor.

In some cases that might be an issue, but mine was a nice laid-back guy with two years to retirement, and as soon as I hit “submit,” I called Jerry up to inform him. Why let him be blindsided? I wouldn’t like that in his shoes.

“Hi, Ayelet. Everything all right?”

Although Jerry was a sloth shifter, he was anything but lazy, and we were always allowed to call him, but a glance at the clock showed it was almost eleven. Even the nicest boss would not love being called at that time.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize how late it had gotten. We can talk in the morning.”

“You’re not leaving us, are you?”

Was I? “Um, not exactly. I-I—”

“It’s an hour past my bedtime, son. Just tell me what the problem is so we can solve it.” This man was above and beyond. If I didn’t want to get back to the coast so badly, I’d never leave. But then he’d be retiring soon, and who knew who would take his place.

“I’m applying for a transfer to San Diego, and since they will speak to you about me, I wanted to give you a heads-up.”

Silence.

More silence.

I squirmed. “Jerry? Are you mad?”

“No, but I’ve thought for a while that I’d be recommending you for my job when I retire.”

Three years ago, I’d have done backflips. “That’s quite a compliment.”

“Does it change your mind?”

“No.”

“You didn’t even have to think.” He sighed. “Well, you can count on a great recommendation from me, even if I will regret having to finish my career without your good work.”

My throat tightened. Jerry had been a good boss to me and all of us in his department. “I probably won’t get it, but if I do, I’ll miss working with you, too.”

“You’ll get it. If it’s what you need, I’ll see to it. You’ve always given your best to the company. Now, this old man needs his sleep, so I’ll say good night.”

“Night, Jerry.” I disconnected the call. Could he really see to it that I got the position? I didn’t want to get my hopes up. There would be nothing better than daily trips to the beach. So why did I keep picturing the hottie dragon from three years ago at my side?