[Carmen]I felt a lot better the next day. Rock took care of me. I didn’t have it in me to tell him to stop or let me do things myself after he told me what carrying a mate meant to trolls. I never saw it as anything other than keeping someone from getting hurt. Though werewolves had warriors, we weren’t a warrior species. Not like trolls were. I never even realized there were warlike cultures like that. I could imagine a lot of traditions we had were based around things like that, but I didn’t know them as well as he seemed to know his own.Rock made breakfast and said we’d be a little later to work because he wanted me to eat something healthier that morning. We sat at the table. There were a lot of fruits. All of my favorites. “How did you know about all my favorite fruits?” I asked. “We never talked about this.” “Your brother. He brought me a list of your favorite fruits and vegetables. I might have been rude about it, though. I wanted him to understand that I could take care of you, but I didn’t know how to talk to you about food. His list was there and I took it with me when I went to work the other day so I could buy the stuff you liked,” he admitted. I smiled. That was exactly something I would expect from my brother. He never asked me what my favorites were, but he was always paying attention to me. He was the only one in our family who listened when I talked and really heard me. “Is that what you two were whispering about? He was trying to make it seem like you were the one who came up with the idea about the fruits and veggies. He didn’t expect you to tell me about the list.” “He was trying to make me lie? I’m a troll, we don’t lie unless we have to,” Rock muttered. “No, he was trying to help you seem more thoughtful. It’s something humans and some more human-like supernaturals would do. He wasn’t trying to make you do anything bad.” “He asked how you were and if you were afraid of me. He said some stuff that sounded like something your dad would have said. Then he doubted you and made you doubt yourself. I don’t know how to feel about him. He seemed to accept us, then was second-guessing things. Werewolves are confusing.” Rock sighed. I nodded. “We can be. My feelings are a little more sensitive when it comes to my family. As much as I don’t care what other people think, I care even more about what they think of me. It’s made this whole change harder, I think. I love you and I wouldn’t choose to go back for anything in the world, but….” “You wish they were here for you and accepted you. I get it. Do you care that much about me, too?” he asked. “Yes. I never want to disappoint you. I always want you to love me and be proud of having me as your mate.” “Okay, you do that. I’ll… apologize… to your brother for being harsh with him. I’ll let him know where the office is if he ever wants to come see you at work. Keep teaching me how werewolves are different, and I’ll keep teaching you how trolls and fae work. We’ll get to the point where neither one of us has to apologize to someone else.” I laughed and Rock joined me. The tone he used when he said ‘apologize’ made it sound like something absolutely disgusting to him. I hadn’t heard him use that tone before it was cute. “You really hate apologizing.” “All fae do. We’re all prideful and it hurts our pride to be wrong enough to have to apologize.” Shaking my head, I took another bite of food and savored the flavor of oatmeal with blueberries. He also made eggs, bacon, and a bowl of mixed fruit. It was a small meal, but I thought it was rather filling.  “Are you eating what I am?” I asked. “Yes. I haven’t had a lot of these. They’re good. I followed the instructions on the oatmeal because your brother’s note said you liked it for breakfast and all the different things you liked to put in and on it. But not all at the same time…. Is it okay? I’ve never had the stuff until today and it has a weird texture,” Rock said. “It’s perfect. You did really well. Thank you for making a meal with my favorite foods. I know Mike gave you the list, but you were the one who chose to make breakfast instead of picking something up from a fast food restaurant again today.” He chuckled and we finished our breakfast. I never really considered how much Rock’s life was changing, too. He went from being on his own and living like a troll to living with his mate and embracing so many other things about the world and life. Had I been considerate enough about that? I started worrying that I’d been selfish with the experience. Did he feel like he was going through this alone? I reached out for him and he took my hand. I wished I could see him so I would know what he was feeling. I was missing the bond that would tell me his feelings if he were a werewolf. I didn’t regret having him, but so much of our lives could have been easier with that connection. “What’s wrong? You look upset. I didn’t think oatmeal would make you look like that,” Rock joked. “Are you happy? Is there anything I can do for you? It doesn’t feel fair that I get so much from you and don’t give back as much,” I told him. He laughed. “You give me more than you understand. I would never have bought this stuff if you weren’t here. I learned that I like new things. I got to have a mate who’s weaker than I am, which really is something a male troll wants. You work in my office and do the things I hate to do. Don’t worry, I love you the way you are and once the healers come to train you, you’re going to feel a lot better.” I nodded. He gave my hand a kiss and released it so I could gather my dishes. It wasn’t much work to carry them into the kitchen. Rock washed them and put them in the dishwasher quickly, and then got our things together for work. We arrived at the office early enough to get things unlocked and get the coffee started. It was all ready by the time the guys filtered in. I didn’t realize we would have it put together if we stayed home and had breakfast. “When we have a kitchen I can work in, I’ll make breakfast in the morning. You can make everything else,” I told Rock. “That sounds perfect,” he replied. Rock left with his team once they got there and got their coffee. I dug into my work, but it wasn’t a lot. Gemma was looking into tech to make us paperless. It would mean we would need to buy heavy-duty tablets to be used by the teams to do their work. I was sure Rock would be fine with it if it made my work easier. We had already received two applications for Gemma’s position, which was good. She wanted to have me settled in with someone else before she went to the national mating conference. We were working on a timeline for interviews. I figured we would give it until Monday to receive all of the applications and then set up interviews for the end of next week. Time seemed to be flying by. The week after next would have to be when we trained someone. Luckily, if Rock listened and went paperless, I wouldn’t really need her to be too much of an assistant and she could mainly do reception and appointments. Gemma was working hard on that while I did the office work. Around lunchtime, Gemma went to pick up food for us. She knew a store where she could get a few rotisserie chickens, one for each of us and three for Forrest. We found out that he would eat the carcasses of the chickens we couldn’t finish. It worked out perfectly. The bell jingled in the lobby. I heard Forrest move. I didn’t hear Gemma’s heels, though. This was someone else. “I’m here to see the woman looking for an assistant,” a slightly husky female voice said. “We’re takin’ paper resumes and applications. You got one of those?” Forrest asked. “Don’t fuсk with me right now, Troll. I’m here for the job, not to diсk around with applications.” “Are you planning to blush like that when you’re talking to her, Elf?” he grumbled back. “From what I hear, she won’t know the difference if I do or not.” Her voice sounded like it was being forced to be firm. She was scared, but pushing through that. Trolls were frightening, but I thought a dark elf wouldn’t be scared. Especially since he was in his glamour. I couldn’t have someone who was frightened as my receptionist. I got up from my desk and headed to the lobby. The tension in the air was thick. A rumble came from Forrest and I could smell the fear from the woman. “Stop,” I said as I entered the lobby. “This dark elf chick is here to take Gemma’s job. She doesn’t think she has to apply, like the others,” Forrest told me. “We have a process for a reason,” I agreed. “You can’t read. It’s better if I came in person. Plus, this way I’m not waiting for an interview that might not come. I’m not great on paper, but I’m better in person.” “What’s your name?” I asked. “Viola Darkreach. I heard you were looking for a dark elf for this position.” “We are. I’m Carmen Rosen. Would you like to come into my office?” I asked. “Certainly.” “Carmen….” “This is fine, Forrest. Let Gemma know I’m busy when she gets back,” I replied before turning back into my office. Making my way to my chair, I heard Viola close the door behind us. It was fine with me. I wasn’t getting the feeling I was in danger. “Have a seat,” I told her as I took my own seat. I heard one of the chairs across from me moving and the sound of someone sitting in it. I didn’t know much about her, but I had the feeling that Viola was watching me very intently. Reaching into my desk, I handed her a pen and paper. “Write down your contact information and name. Plus who referred you.” She sighed but took the items from me. I could hear her writing her information. I actually liked that she didn’t back down even though she was scared. Maybe someone with this sort of attitude was needed. I wouldn’t be unfair to those who went the proper way. “Done.” “I appreciate it. I’ll do your interview, but you have to wait for me to talk to the other people before I get you an answer. It’s unfair not to consider them because you showed up,” I told her.Viola scoffed. “That’s not how fae work. If they wanted it enough, they’d have come to see you, like I did. We may not be exactly like trolls, but dark elves are as straightforward as they are. The fact that no one else showed up right after hearing about it means they don’t really care if you pick them or not.” Mentally, I noted that. I would ask the others if they really wanted this job or if they applied because they had a friend who referred them. The applications could be genuine or out of a debt to a friend. I wanted someone who actually wanted the job. Rock’s company was as important to me as it was to him. He worked hard on building it and I wouldn’t let someone who didn’t care about it work with me. Whoever worked with me had to want to make the company succeed. “Do you have a problem working with other species?” I asked. “No. I don’t.” “Will you have a problem supporting me? This position will require helping me from time to time.” “Help you how? Like on a scale of telling you hot and cold when you’re looking for something to wiping your ass?”I laughed. “Nothing like the second option. I may need you to guide me around from time to time or bring me things if I need them and don’t have time to search.” “Yeah, I can do that.” “Can you fight? Rock wants someone who can help defend me if need be. We have Forrest, but he may be too big to stop a large group and could need backup.” “I was a warrior, but I quit because I’m almost one hundred and I wanted to settle down before I find my true mate. I’m looking for a job I can have for a long time. I heard wolves only live a couple decades past one hundred and your mate will only live to be one-fifty. Plus, I’m assuming this business will be passed on to the next generation. I am good with that sort of job security.” “There’s a warlock interested in me and we found that his magic can’t do anything to living earth people, like trolls and dark elves. Are you okay with protecting me from him if he causes a problem here at work?” I asked. “I can do that. Do you need to know anything about my work experience?” “Do you understand how to use calendars, computers, and phones?” I asked. She laughed. “Yes.” “We’ll train on everything else. Do you have any questions for me?”“Is that troll going to stand over my shoulder all day?” Viola asked.“We can move his station to next to the door if it makes you too uncomfortable. Rock wants Forrest here,” I told her. “He’s going to make it hard to focus….” “Because he’s so big and scary or because he’s attractive?” “Because I’m one of those weirdos who gets turned on when they’re scared. I figured you’d know because I know werewolves have sensitive senses of smell and your other senses are stronger if you’re missing one,” she admitted. “How did you manage that? I can only be scared when I’m scared.” “I was a frightened child but I met a vampire who taught me to dance the fine line between terror and desire. After my time with him was over, I became a warrior. Anyway, do you like me enough? Do I get the job?” Viola asked. “I need to at least do a phone interview with the other people and see if anyone else shows up. I can let you know next week,” I told her. She sighed. “Fine. I’ll give you until Wednesday to hire me, then I’m moving on.” “I can agree to that. I appreciate you coming in. Have a good day.” Viola left and I shook my head. It felt like she really thought she should get the job. It almost made me feel like I should give it to her, but this was still a business in the human lands. We needed to follow the rules about considering everyone who applied. Or something like that. She had a point about them coming in. I’d noticed how straightforward the dark elves were. Maybe they were working on the assumption I was doing this the human way. I’d find out.