My Shifter Boss

“You know, getting the word out about the Guard was the first step towards integration. The Head and I had planned to begin in the next month. This actually pushes us forward,” Andrew mused almost to himself. Robert cleared his throat, reminding him that someone was listening to him.

“Andrew, I think this conversation needs to happen in person,” Nathan told him. “I know that you and the Head were planning to integrate weres into society, and I’m all for it. But I’m not going to be the Head. I think we can implement a few things, though, before I hand the reins over to someone else.”

Andrew smiled knowingly at Robert. “I’d like that, Nathan. Let me get the official statement from you now, and let’s have lunch this week to discuss all this.”

“Sounds like a plan. Bring Robert, and I’ll bring my associate as well.” Nathan launched into the official statement while Andrew and Robert both took notes to make sure they got it right.

After hanging up, Andrew looked at Robert. “I thought you said he wasn’t a politician?”

“Seems I may have been mistaken. That plan of his to get the integration started before giving up the position is sneaky, and exactly what a politician would do.”

“Agreed. But he did say he planned to give up the leadership role, though,” Andrew ruminated. “I wonder if he’ll change his mind once he has been in power. It will take a few weeks to elect the new Head, correct?”

“I would assume so. Nathan will pull the council in, and they’ll ask for nominations. The election will take place after that,” Robert explained.

“So Nathan will have the opportunity to make decisions as the Head for a time. We’ll see if he changes his mind about retaining the leadership.”

*****

 Nathan turned the speaker phone off and looked at Lucy, who had been listening. Her wounds had healed quickly, as any were’s would have. Her ribs were no longer broken, only deeply bruised, and the cuts looked two day old. Only a few hours had passed.

Reports had been coming in and out of the office all day; weres were panicking, humans were panicking, and Marissa could not be found. Nathan couldn’t understand how she and dozens of weres had just disappeared after running through town causing such a stir. They had a base somewhere, Nathan was sure of it, so he’d contacted the head of the IT department.

“Marissa has purchased a building or buildings in preparation for this move. Her assistant, Bobby, may have done the purchasing. What can you do?” Nathan asked her.

Belina, a short, black werebear, smiled at him. “Oh we can do a lot, sir.”

Nathan shook his head. “No, don’t call me sir. I’m not your boss. This is only temporary. And what does ‘a lot’ mean?”

“We’ve already confiscated their computers, the ones in their offices as well as in their apartments located here. We’ve already discovered that Marissa had an apartment outside of headquarters. Matt has sent someone to investigate, and they’ll bring up any technology they find.”

“Have you found anything yet?”

Belina shook her head. “We’ve only had the computers for about half an hour. As soon as we find something, I’ll call you directly. It may take some time. Both of them were techies, very good at computers. Bobby’s, for example, had a ton of safety parameters, documents in codes, and passwords and so on. We’re having to break each code individually. Marissa’s is the same way, though not nearly as much.”

“I’m not at all surprised by that,” Nathan commented. “Thank you, Belina. You have no idea how much I appreciate it. I sure couldn’t do all that sh*t.”

Belina said, “That’s my job, boss.” She cringed. “Sorry. I know you aren’t the official boss, but you are for now. Don’t know what to call you.”

“Just Nathan, please,” he responded with a small smile. She winked at him and walked out. He looked at Lucy. “This is completely insane. I’m no leader.”

Lucy smiled understandingly at him. “I think you’ll do a fantastic job, Nathan. I know you don’t want it, but you’d be very good at it.”

“You think so?”

“I do.”

He leaned back in the chair and looked at her, the woman he loved. His blue eyes were sad, but having her here made it easier. “What do you think about the idea of integration?” Her opinion was more important than any other now.

Lucy’s expression was pensive. “It’s a great idea. The weres here should never have agreed to go into hiding. Humans know we exist; it’s stupid for them to pretend like we aren’t living here.”

“I’ve never understood it. I’ve just done my job. But I always thought it was stupid. When the Head told me about his plans with the mayor to begin integration, I was all for helping in any way I could.”

“And now you’ll be able to help get it going,” Lucy said. She rose, walked around the desk, and sat in his lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he placed his around her waist. “You know, if you become the Head, if you’re elected, I mean, you could make that happen.”

Nathan had begun shaking his head as soon as she said ‘the Head.’ “I don’t want that, Lucy. He offered me Marissa’s position first, and I told him no because I hate the idea of being locked in the office all the time, dealing with all the politics and bullsh*t. That’s not me.”

Lucy nodded her understanding. “The Head offered that position to you for a reason, Nathan. He believed you could do it.”

“I know.” Nathan laid his forehead on hers. “I’m going to miss him so much.”

“I know, baby, I know,” Lucy soothed, running her hand through his hair and kissing his nose. “You haven’t had time to begin grieving yet.” A knock sounded on the door. Lucy sat up and rolled her eyes at him, eliciting a small chuckle from him.