9 Chapter 9: An Unexpected Door⚫
As I followed the butler deeper into the mansion, I tried not to gape at how fancy everything was. The marble floors shined like water. A crystal chandelier hung overhead, glittering even in daylight. Soft classical music floated through the air from somewhere I
couldn’t see.
She didn’t even flinch.
“Miss Lowett?” he asked with a polite nod.
And beside her-barking, snarling-was a dog so big I had to blink twice. It looked like a wolf and a polar bear had a baby. Snowy white, fluffy as hell, but growling like it was ready to maul someone.
“But just to be clear,” she added, “this isn’t going to be easy. My sister doesn’t like rules. She’s smart and stubborn, and she’s driven away more tutors than I can count. You sure you’re up for it?”
The worst part wasn’t getting rejected.
There was a short pause. “Alright. Come over. Let’s see what you’ve got.”
“Oh, she’s leaving anyway,” Michelle called, flinging another acorn. “She said so herself!”
15.37
1/7-
But by the sixth rejection-from places I had personal contacts at-my gut started to
twist.
“What the…” I muttered.
swallowed hard and nodded.
It was why.
He paused, then added, “And one more thing. Please don’t mention her mother. At all.”
“That’s me.”
But five minutes later, my phone rang. I sat up quickly, “Hello?”
It felt too good to be real, but I clicked the number anyway. I typed a short message and attached my resume, not expecting anything.
It looked like a private park. A huge, perfect lawn, tall hedges trimmed to perfection, and massive trees that swayed gently in the wind.
18:37
2/7
Perched high on a thick tree branch, legs swinging like she didn’t have a care in the world, Her jet-black hair was tied in a messy ponytail. Her sharp green eyes were full of mischief, Elliot did say I’d come crawling back to him eventually. Maybe this was what he meant. Maybe he was going to keep shutting doors until I had no choice but to knock on his,
The giant dog let out a final growl before settling beside the woman, who scrambled away as fast as she could.
Three times the usual rate? And located in Frostfang territory?
That gave me pause. I nodded again. “Got it.”
Every time I refreshed my email, I saw another polite “We regret to inform you,” and another “We’ve decided to go in a different direction.” At first, I thought maybe it was bad timing. Maybe too many applicants. Maybe I was just unlucky.
We turned a corner and stepped out through a wide glass door into the backyard-and my jaw nearly dropped.
I narrowed my eyes. The butler wasn’t joking when she said Michelle Laken was a handful. A menace might be a better description for her. But before I could even introduce myself, something silver flashed through the air.
A man in a crisp gray uniform stood at the door, hands clasped neatly in front of him.
15:37
3/7
9 Chapter 9: An Unexpected Door
My resume was solid. My grades were some of the best in my year. I had the training and the experience, along with glowing testimonials from my teachers. I should have been able to get at least an internship, but I was met with rejection at every turn.
The butler started to slow down as we reached a long hallway. He glanced over his
shoulder at me, looking nervous.
Isa gave me the address and said someone would pick me up within the hour.
I stepped out slowly as the driver opened the door.
My eyebrows shot up.
Relief poured through me. “Thank you. I’ll be there.”
“Miss Michelle!” the butler shouted, hurrying forward. “Enough!”
The ride to Frostfang territory was smooth and quiet. I hadn’t been here in a long time. As
the car turned into a long driveway, my breath caught.
“The girl… Miss Michelle… she’s a handful,” he said, choosing his words carefully. “Very
bright, very strong for her age. She has a temper and doesn’t trust easily. Most tutors
don’t last more than a few days.”
I raised a brow. “Go on.”
Inside, the house was even more stunning. The floors shone like glass. Soft lighting lit up
15:37
4/7
9 Chapter 9: An Unexpected Door
every corner, and expensive art hung on the walls. Everything smelled like pine, citrus,
and money.
“Come down, please!” he begged. “This isn’t how a young lady behaves!”
By the tenth, I knew it wasn’t a coincidence. Someone had to be sabotaging me on
purpose.
“Speaking,” I said, trying to keep the hope out of my voice.
“If you’ll follow me, my lady has arranged for you to meet the young miss.”
When the sleek black car pulled up outside my house, I was already on the front steps.
Then I looked up. There she was. Michelle Laken.
This wasn’t a house. It was a mansion.
A knife was flying straight at my face.
Then I saw it.
The place looked like it belonged in a movie. White stone walls, tall windows, and ivy
climbed up the sides. Even the gate looked expensive.
Elliot’s face came to mind. I didn’t want to believe it, but nothing else made sense.
“Michelle,” the butler said, firmer now. “That’s enough. Call off Milky.”
(Private tutor needed for a strong-willed young female werewolf. Basic academic subjects and warrior training are preferred. Pay: 3x standard rate. Must be patient. Serious applicants only.)
She was laughing and throwing acorns at the crying woman.
“My name’s Isa. I’m the older sister of the girl needing a tutor. I saw your resume. You’ve got an interesting mix of skills.”
“Miss Lowett,” he said gently. “Before you meet the young miss, there’s something you
should know.”
A woman’s voice came through. “Hi. Is this Jasmine Lowett?”
“Yes,” I said without hesitation. “I’ve worked with kids before. I’ve trained younger wolves
in basic combat and survival skills. I’m a Delta trainee, top of my class. I know how to plan
lessons and keep them interested.”
I didn’t waste a second. I changed into clean jeans and a navy T-shirt-comfortable but
15:37
6/7
9 Chapter 9: An Unexpected Door
neat. I tied my hair back, brushed my teeth again, and packed a few notes I’d saved from
Delta training just in case.
I gave a small nod, keeping my face neutral. “Understood.”
But I wasn’t going to give up yet. Lying on my bed with my laptop, I scrolled through a local job board again. My stomach churned. I’d applied to over a dozen places already, and my pride was already bruised enough.
“Thank you,” I said, heart thudding.
Then I heard it. Crying. A woman sat on the grass, wiping tears from her face with trembling hands.
