The Last Black Jaguar

I am Calypso Gato. I own the only bar and grill in the little podunk town of Ismay, Montana. Population 3200. I settled here two years ago.. after my harrowing escape from murderous wolves who wiped out every prowl of werecats in the Yucatán.

But oh the irony! Settling here, I realized the largest wolf pack in the United States resides just outside of town. Didn’t figure that out until I put down roots.

I have discovered all wolves are not bad. At least, the ones who frequent my bar seem to be decent. I have even made a few friends. 🐆 Only because no one knows what we are 🐆 I know, Isis. And I’m sorry. We have to hide our scent. Until I am sure we are safe, we can’t risk it.

She huffs in my head and I promise her a hunt, soon. We have to travel to the opposite side of the mountain to avoid the wolves. It’s a trust issue that I am working on.

I had just finished stocking the bar and preparing for our regular Friday night crowd, when Artie and Melissa came in. Artie is my head line cook and Melissa is our waitress. I help her.. but, primarily, I am the ever cheerful, always smiling bartender.

When I decided to settle here, I bought an old warehouse and converted it into a bar and grill. The town had none.. and I am all about supply and demand. I hadn’t been open a day, and word of mouth had completely filled my bar with patrons.

Since that night fourteen months ago, I haven’t had what I could call a slow night. We are taking down minimal thousand dollar nights on the daily and I couldn’t be happier.

Artie came into the office “Yo! Boss, I have a question.” I glanced up and muttered “Then let’s pray I have an answer.” He asked ‘what?’ And shaking my head I asked him what his question was.

“I got a couple friends looking to pad their income, so they’re looking for some work they can do at night.” I sit patiently, waiting for him to get to the point. There’s no rushing Art.. he always talks all the way around his ass to get to his elbow. Rushing him means missing the main topic he wants to discuss.

“Anyway, I was thinking. I know we have four line cooks under me, but.. and hear me out.. on the nights we are really busy, the five of us are always in the weeds. These two guys could help us out. Even if it’s just washing dishes or bar backing. So what do ya say?”

I watched him carefully. His body was relaxed.. I wasn’t picking up any nervous sweat odor. I asked “Are they wolves?” At his nod, I continued “Do you know for certain they are trustworthy?” Again he nodded. “Then, offer them twenty an hour, and know.. they are your responsibility. One fuck up.. just one.. and all three of you are outta here.”

He grinned “Making me stake my reputation. Okay, Boss! You got it. They fuck up, it’s on me. I will own it.” I smiled and nodded, waving him out.

I called Melissa into my office. As soon as she came in, I asked “What do you think about hiring a few more servers? You and I alone are running ourselves ragged.”

Her enthusiasm kicks in “How many? I know four girls that are looking for work. Two of them are wolves, though. Is that gonna be okay?”

I shrugged “The DewDrop butts up against the largest pack in the country, Mellie. Our customers are two-thirds wolf.. it might actually bring in more business. Who knows!? Give them a call and see how soon they can get in here for training.”

She giggles and sends out a group text. I am assuming the girls she is referring to are all in her friend group. “Mel.. sometimes, working with family or close friends can cause issues. I just want you to know work colleagues and college friends are two separate animals. You need to be able to separate your friendships when you’re on the clock. Any problems and I won’t hesitate to let all of you go.”

She stood and smiled at me “Callie, I would never do anything to jeopardize my job. And I will fire any one of them, at the first indication of trouble.” I laughed “Your loyalty is astounding!” She shrugged “I can’t afford to be jobless. My mom and little brothers count on me. I would never do anything to let them down.”

The girls showed up and Melissa introduced them. She immediately made sure they had their uniforms.. which consisted of denim shorts and tank tops with the ‘DewDrop Inn’ logo. While it sounds sexist, it was truly the most comfortable thing to work in. Serving loud, boisterous wolves all night is hot, sweaty work. And my girls need to be comfortable. It’s what I wear, so I figure everyone can dress the same.

Melissa immediately set about training and two of the girls had some experience, just not on this scale. We decided the two who needed a little extra training would come in on slower nights to begin with.

Artie introduced his two new helpers. And, if I’m honest, they seem to be trustworthy.. a little young, but capable. One of them tipped his hat and asked “Does the boss lady date employees?”

I cocked an eyebrow and looked at Artie before I answered “No. She doesn’t. She doesn’t date at all. And she never discusses her personal life with anyone. So we’re good here? Okay! We’re all good. Art.. my office.”

He followed me in and I whirled on him “Keep your buddies in line. Absolutely no flirting on the job. I just hired four new servers and expect them to be treated respectfully. I have already given them the respect speech.. so they know not to bother the back of the house.”

He looked up and quietly told me “I would never allow anyone to disrespect you, Calypso. I owe you a life debt that I can never repay. I will have no problem throwing anyone out on their asses for it.”

I laughed “You don’t owe me anything, Artie. We are friends, first. Well.. you owe me a rematch Sunday. I really want you to teach me that over the shoulder throw you hit me with last Sunday.”

He chuckled “Yeah. I don’t know that throw. It was purely accidental. So, not sure I can teach it.” He turned and walked out.. leaving me thinking ‘Well! Damn!’

I received a phone call and afterwards, walked into the bar and up on the stage “Everyone. Everybody! I need your attention. The future Beta of Mountain Moon Pack just called. They are throwing a party for the soon to be Alpha tonight to celebrate his ascension tomorrow night. He intimated there will be at least a hundred wolves. That’s not including our Friday night regulars. You new servers will be on schedule tonight.. so gear up for some serious on the job training. I will call in Lorenzo and both barbacks so we can handle the bar. Artie has four new helping hands on the line. Do not hesitate.. at any given time.. to ask someone to help. If you’re in the weeds.. feeling overwhelmed.. don’t be shy. Tell Mellie.. tell ME! I don’t doubt we will all encounter moments where we need help. There is no shame in it. Remember.. ALWAYS remember, the better the service, the larger the tip!”

Mellie immediately set stations for her girls.. taking one aside to show her how to handle a private party. This was going to be a long night. I found myself wishing the Beta had given us a little more of a head’s up.

I walked back to my office and called my head bouncer “Eddie! It’s an all hands on deck night. Your future Alpha is having a party to celebrate his ascension. So get your guys and get them over here, at least an hour before we open at four.”

I don’t open the bar side of the place until four. We do a happy hour from four to six.. but, during the day, I simply cater to a lunch crowd. It works well with a skeleton crew.

Sending a silent prayer to my parents, once again, for financially providing for me. Their company is still operational, and only my attorney knows I survived and where I am. He’s very careful and routes my money through several offshore accounts to keep my location secret.

It has been nearly two years..since my prowl was annihilated. I will be twenty in two weeks and I feel like I am finally coming to terms with my life. I don’t know if there are any other cat shifters who survived. Isis hasn’t felt anyone from my prowl.. and I know I felt all thirty of my bonds break. But that doesn’t mean other prowls don’t have survivors.

I could have gone south.. to Brazil.. or even Guatemala. But my parents told me north was my destiny. So. North is where I headed. It took two weeks of a million little towns like Ismay. But here. Right here in this little hamlet, is the only place that felt even remotely close to a home.

UGH! Enough reminiscing! I got up and started prepping my bar for the night. Time to get this party started.