My Shifter Boss

Maryann’s not-so-subtle hint that she expected not only Lucy but Nathan to come home with her amused Lucy. “I had already made arrangements to join you on the trip home.”

Maryann clapped her hands in joy. “Oh, good! Regardless of all this, your father will be so glad to see you.”

The door to the conference room opened. Nathan, as acting Head, had been in the room while the votes were counted. He stepped out with a smile on his face. He looked around, met everyone’s eyes in the room, and made the announcement.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the votes have been counted. The new Head of the Guard is none other than Maryann Trisk.”

The room erupted into congratulations and cheers. Maryann put her hand over her heart and grinned broadly. Lucy and Sarah threw their arms around her simultaneously in a spontaneous group hug. Everyone moved forward to shake her hand and congratulate her. A speech was called for, and Maryann, with Nathan’s hand as help, climbed onto a table to speak.

“Thank you so much. I don’t have a speech prepared, but I will say this. I plan to work hard for weres all over the city.” Maryann smiled as her conclusion.

Lucy watched as another were helped her mother down, the council member who had been nominated and lost. He patted her on the back and said he couldn’t wait to work with her. Everyone was genuinely happy her mother had won. Lucy was too, but she was terribly worried about how her father would handle it.

*****

Nathan received a text message the next morning from Maryann. He and Lucy needed to be at the council meeting this afternoon at three, Lucy to discuss the press release, and Nathan for unspecified reasons. He walked into the kitchen where Lucy was making breakfast.

“Did you get a text from your mom?”

She glanced at him as she whisked the eggs, ham, cheese, bell pepper, and onion together to make omelets. As she poured the mixture into the pan, she replied. “My phone is in the other room.”

“We’re supposed to go to the council meeting this afternoon at three.”

“I knew that. Mom and the council want to discuss the press release. I’ve already written it, but it may need some revising.” She flipped the omelet. “Why do you have to be there?”

“I don’t know. I was hoping you did,” Nathan answered. He grabbed some plates and a mug, refilled her coffee and made his own. “You’re sure you don’t know?”

“Nathan, I don’t know anything.” Lucy put the omelet on a plate and cut it in half. She added the bagels she’d already toasted and walked with both plates to the table. They ate in companionable silence for a few minutes. “Sarah is ecstatic my mom won.”

“Yes, she is. I think she maneuvered some of that, don’t you?”

Lucy laughed. “Of course she did. She’s pretty brilliant.”

“And sneaky.”

“Has there been any commotion from Marissa?”

“None that I’ve heard about. I think she’s waiting for the official announcement.”

“That would make sense.” Lucy rose. “Are you finished?”

Nathan rose as well. “Yep. Let’s clean up tonight. I need to get down to the office. Just because I haven’t heard anything doesn’t mean there’s nothing to hear.”

Lucy went straight to her office to put the finishing touches on the press release while Nathan found the head of security. “Any news?” he asked Matt once he’d found him.

Matt looked up from the report he’d been reading. “Nothing so far. Were sightings here and there across town, but no attacks or injuries to report.”

“I guess no news is good news,” Nathan murmured as he glanced at the security screens on the wall. “But you know, it’s making me antsy.”

“Agreed,” Matt mused. His stroked his salt and pepper beard with one hand. “I’m ready for Maryann to take over. She’ll give Marissa a run for her money. A woman to handle a woman is the best course of action.”

Nathan laughed. “I have to admit that’s probably true. We’d never figure out her plan; we don’t think the way they do.”

“No sir, and they don’t think like we do.” Matt nodded his head. “That’s why Maryann was a damn good choice.”

Nathan slapped Matt on the back. “I’ll catch you later, man.”

*****

Lucy met her mother in the Head’s office before the council meeting. Maryann stood in the center of the room, looking around. When she heard her daughter’s footsteps, she turned, the frown on her face lifting into a smile.

“You look like you belong here, Mom,” Lucy said, a bit of surprise in her voice.

Maryann looked down at the dove-gray pantsuit and white blouse she’d chosen for her first act as the new Head. Her athletic figure filled it out beautifully, and she felt powerful in it. Her mocha skin, a shade lighter than her daughter’s, was flattered by the gray and white combination. Her eyes shone with excitement.

“Thank you, sweetie. You look lovely for your first day as well,” Maryann complimented her daughter. She walked over to her and put her arm around her. Together they looked at the bloodstain on the floor. “I wish I’d known him better.”

“I only knew him briefly. Nathan loved him.” Lucy turned to her mother and adjusted her jacket. “This is not the time to be all sad and depressing. You have a city to lead.”

Maryann paled just a little and chuckled quietly. “Oh good lord, what have I gotten myself into?”

“Nothing you can’t handle. Let’s go,” Lucy ordered her. She halted at the door, and Maryann nearly ran into her. “I just thought of something. Do I have to call you Head? Or can I still call you Mom?” Maryann rolled her eyes and just looked at her daughter. Lucy nodded with a sheepish grin. “Ok, yeah. That was a stupid question.”

Lucy brought her laptop with her so she could read the press release to the group and adjust it as the council and Head saw fit. Maryann carried nothing; Sarah had explained to her that she brought everything the Head needed to every meeting, including an itinerary of all that needed to be addressed. She’d been grateful because she had no idea what she needed at the first meeting.