Hedgehog for Hawke by Fel Fern
River
“So what are your plans for this weekend?” I asked my boss after Hunter looked through the reports I recently compiled for him.
I couldn’t believe it. On Monday, I’d been so nervous about starting my new job. Now it was Friday. My instincts about Hunter had been spot-on. He didn’t heap too many responsibilities on me on any of his employees.
Hunter wasn’t demanding or enjoyed pushing blame on others like Brent. His partner, Walker, also possessed the same temperament.
I could see myself working at Claws Inc. and for Hunter for a very long time. There was just one thing bothering me. Despite Hawke’s bold proclamation on Monday that he didn’t give up easily, the flirty Alpha hadn’t bothered me since.
Sure, he dropped by my desk every morning to wish me good morning. Just yesterday, someone left me a wonderful cup of coffee on my desk from my favourite coffee place in town. There hadn’t been a note, but I knew it was from Hawke.
The coffee got me all confused. I thought Hawke had lost interest in me completely. Did he? Was this some kind of game he liked to play with guys he liked? I couldn’t, for the life of me, figure this Alpha out.
“… Jane’s been a little fussy lately, so David and I are just planning on staying in.” Hunter was saying.
I returned my attention to my boss. Hunter was usually all business. Put-together. When he talked about his mate and kid, he turned into a big softie.
Would Hawke wear the same expression on his face when he talked about—hold on a second. Hawke wasn’t even the sort of guy who settled down. I really should stop thinking about him.
I had more important matters on my mind. I had to get ready for my interview with Principal Walden from Preston Academy tomorrow morning. I couldn’t afford to be distracted.
This never happened to me before. Michael and my career always came first. Romance always took a backseat. Even if I grew old without a mate, at least I had Michael and Vincenzo for company—unless Reece took Michael back.
“River?” Hunter prodded.
“Oh sorry. I got lost in my own thoughts,” I admitted. Hunter handed the reports back to me.
“And you’ve emailed me a copy of these reports?” Hunter prodded.
“Yes, before I came into your office,” I replied.
“I’ll go over them thoroughly this weekend,” Hunter said.
“Do you need me to come to the office?” I asked him.
I had that interview with Principal Walden tomorrow morning, but I could head to the office right after the meeting. Brent always made everyone in his team, including me, work on weekends.
“We normally don’t ask our employees to come to work during the weekends,” Hunter told me.
“Oh, that’s good to know,” I said.
That left me and Michael with some free time. Good. While Michael seemed to have fun in daycare, I felt guilty for not spending more time with him.
“Any plans for the weekend?” Hunter asked me.
“Oh, um. I have an interview with a preschool principal tomorrow morning,” I answered.
It seemed pathetic I didn’t have any other plans, so I added, “then Michael and I are going to explore the town. We haven’t gotten the chance to look around. Maybe I can take him to the park. I heard there’s a space reserved for shifter kids to run around in their animal form?”
“That’s right. The park’s a pretty safe place,” Hunter said. “Good luck with your interview. In case you need a reference, I’d be happy to give you one. Is your heart set on this preschool?”
“Thank you,” I said, feeling grateful. I only worked for Hunter for five days and he was willing to give me a recommendation? That was nice of him. “Preston Academy’s my first choice, but Bright Minds Preschool and First Steps Academy is also on my list.”
“Walker’s twins go to First Steps Academy. He’s friends with the principal and could help set up an interview, if you’d like,” Hunter offered.
“Really?” I blurted. “That would be huge help. When I called First Steps, they said they had to put me on a waiting list.”
“Sure, that won’t be a problem.”
I grew excited. I was hoping Michael would get into Preston Academy, but it never hurt to have back-ups.
“Hunter,” I paused, hesitating. “Why are you being so nice to me?”
I cringed after blurting out those words. Brent had been an awful. Working at my old firm had not only been exhausting. It was soul crushing. All the other employees there had no interest in socialising. They all appeared like tired robots to me.
On hindsight, maybe I was exactly like them. I only wanted the workday to be over. Being at Claws Inc. was a complete culture shock. Everyone greeted me with smiles and hellos every single morning. The best smile of all belonged to Hawke.
Dang. I thought I could stop thinking of that dratted Alpha even for a few minutes, but that seemed like an impossible task.
“Nice?” Hunter looked surprised. “Am I?”
“Well, yeah. You’re easy to work with and everyone here is so friendly. I’ve spoken with some of the staff. They all agree Walker and you are great bosses,” I pointed out.
Hunter scratched his head and, for some reason, looked embarrassed. He cleared his throat and looked me in the eye, expression suddenly serious.
“You’re a hardworking employee, River. I might not know you that well yet but I can also tell you’re a good person, a devoted dad to your kid.”
I opened my mouth, about to remind Hunter that Michael wasn’t my kid, but I let him continue.
“You’re a good fit for Claws Inc., and we’d like to help you in any way we can,” Hunter said with a shrug.
“That’s all? No strings attached?” I had to ask.
“Your old workplace must’ve been toxic, huh?” He asked.
“You have no idea,” I told him with a laugh.
Hunter’s cellphone beeped, and he glanced at it. “Oh shoot. I was supposed to meet David outside the office five minutes ago. You have a wonderful weekend, River. I’ll let Walker know about your request.”
“Thanks.”
Hunter left his office in the hurry. “Hawke? Did you need something? Walker already left,” I overheard my boss asking.
They traded a few more words, but I couldn’t quite make them out. I lingered in Hunter’s office for a few seconds, hoping Hawke had left by then. What the heck was I doing? Why was I feeling so apprehensive about bumping into Hawke?
Taking a deep breath, I exited Hunter’s office, only to bump right into Hawke’s broad chest. It was only for a moment, but I caught a whiff of his scent—a mix of smoke, leather, wolf musk and vanilla. I pictured myself rubbing my head against his chest and Hawke lifting his hand to run his fingers through my hair.
I quickly backed away. Where were my thoughts taking me?
“Sorry,” I murmured. I glanced at Hawke. I didn’t know why his charming smile made my heart race. “Were you waiting for me?”
“Waiting? Nah? I thought I’d catch my brother, but apparently, he left early. I just came back from a job,” Hawke said. “And I figured, I might as well wish you and Mike a good weekend.”
“Oh.” His explanation sounded reasonable enough. I continued, “Well, have a great weekend, too. I’m off to pick up Michael.”
“How’s he doing?” Hawke asked.
“He’s getting along with the kids in daycare, although I don’t want him to be that comfortable yet.”
Hawke raised a golden eyebrow. “How come?”
“I’m hoping to enrol him into a good preschool soon,” I explained. “In fact, I have an interview with a preschool principal tomorrow. Michael’s a little nervous.”
“He’s nervous or you are?” Hawke asked me.
How could this Alpha read me so well? Hawke cleared his throat and said, “Well, you shouldn’t worry. Mike’s a great kid and you’re an awesome uncle. It’ll all work out.”
“Easy for you to say,” I muttered under my breath.
“What was that?”
Alphas possessed sensitive hearing, so I knew he heard my comment. I blurted those words by accident. I didn’t mean for them to come out like that.
“Sorry, I’m just a little stressed and worried about tomorrow,” I said, hoping to clear any misunderstandings before they arose.
“Nah, it’s completely fine. I get it. Must’ve been hard, raising Mike all own your own. You’re amazing, by the way. Has anyone told you that lately?” Hawke asked.
His words took me aback. I’d ignored him and been mean to him all week and yet, he never seemed fazed. Hawke never lost his temper once with me either, which made it so easy for me to push and test him.
No doubt all those muscles weren’t just for show either. Hawke worked as a freelance security specialist for the company, after all. I had access to all files of all the employees, including the security specialists, so I knew Hawke took on some of the more dangerous jobs on his own.
Maybe he was just naturally patient and good-tempered? I suddenly felt guilty for being so distrustful of him. Hawke was just trying to be nice. Maybe he wanted to be friends?
Hunter and Walker were good people. Hawke knew them both. I doubted he harboured any ill intentions towards me. I was just naturally defensive and cagey.
“No one’s ever told me that,” I admitted.
“No? Well, I’m glad I did. See ya, River.”
I stared at Hawke’s retreating back for a few seconds.
“You can’t be that blind, can you?” asked a familiar voice behind me.
I turned warily and noticed Petunia still knitting from behind her desk. Everyone else in the office had left. She had witnessed my entire awkward conversation with Hawke, hadn’t she?
“What do you mean?” I asked her out of curiosity.
It was only my fifth day working here, and she already made Michael and me a matching pair of scarves and mittens. The gifts delighted Michael, which only seemed to encourage her to make us more knitted items.
“Anyone here can see that Hawke has a thing for you,” Petunia pointed out. “It’s cute.”
“Why is it cute?” I prodded.
From what I gathered, Petunia had been working for Walker ever since the company was founded. She’d been here since the beginning, which meant she knew everything that went on in the office.
Petunia chuckled. “Because that’s not like Hawke at all. I thought he’d be the last Olsen brother to settle down but maybe I’m wrong.”
I didn’t know what to say to that, so I remained silent and waited for Petunia to say her piece. I knew Michael was waiting for me to pick him up downstairs, but something told me Petunia was about to give me some sage advice.
“And?” I pressed.
“Why don’t you give the poor Alpha a chance? Jeez. Do I have to spell everything out for you kids these days?” Petunia sounded irritated.
“If I give him a chance, then I risk opening my heart to someone again.”
Petunia pursed her lips and studied me and for a few seconds. “I see. Is that why you moved all the way to Westford Hills? Don’t act so surprised. Walker trusts me to vet everyone who applies for a job here.”
“I guess there’s no use hiding anything from you,” I said with a laugh. “That’s partially right. I moved here because I wanted a new start for me and Michael. So you’re saying I should let my walls down and give Hawke a chance?”
“It’s your choice.” She shrugged. “Now shoo. Don’t keep that little boy waiting and leave me to my knitting. I need to finish this scarf.”
“Alright. Thanks for the advice, Petunia. Have a great Friday evening.” She waved me away, dismissing me.
I didn’t need Petunia to tell me what to do. Deep down, I wanted to find out if there was a chance Hawke and I were compatible.