Author's Note:This story contains non-consensual sex scenes, violence, and other dark themes. If you are sensitive to these topics, please stop reading now. You've been warned.Proceed only if you're comfortable with mature, dark content.
The call finally ended with the satisfying ding of a completed sale. Kate leaned back in her chair, stretching her fingers after nearly an hour of smooth, strategic talking. That meant another RV sold. That meant another commission earned. In all, it was another reminder that she was damn good at what she did.
Her monitor glowed in the dim office, every other desk around her silent, dark, and empty. A new email notification flickered onto her screen.
> From: Boss
> Saw you were on a call. Didn't say goodnight. Great job today, lock up before you leave.
>
She let out a short laugh. Of course he'd already left. He always did. And she was the one closing the books on yet another record month.
She checked the time and blinked. It was much later than she realized. The building felt different at night: still, hollow, and carrying the faint scent of printer ink, burnt coffee from the break room, and the sweet haze of someone's earlier vape cloud. She picked up her phone, already rehearsing an apology in her mind for being late again. Before she typed anything, a new message lit up the screen.
> Taylor:
> Saw you aren't home yet. Hope work is okay. I'm cooking dinner and taking care of the kids. Don't worry. See you when you get home.
>
Relief. Warmth. A quiet rush of gratitude. She was an excellent sister in law. Her family always had her back. As for everyone else at work? They had all slipped out without her noticing. Typical. The breadwinner of her household didn't clock out when the day ended; she clocked out when the job was done.
And tonight, she had crushed it.
The thought sent a surge of pride through her chest. She was powerful, capable, and a woman who handled everything that needed to be handled. She rose and began her familiar closing ritual. She powered down her computer, the soft whir fading into silence. Then she gathered her purse, phone, keys, lip balm, charger, and water bottle. These were her small constellation of personal items that made this desk hers.
Click. Hallway lights off.
Click. Showroom lights blinked out one by one.
Click. The last switch near her desk.
With everything tucked under her arm, she headed for the door.
YOU ARE READING
Claws After Closing
WerewolfKate thought she had moved on. Ten years after her high school sweetheart vanished without a trace, she built a life: successful career, husband, kids, the whole package. But one late night, closing up the empty RV sales lot under a full moon, the p...
