Hmm. I’m the only volunteer that I know of that comes in on the weekends.
The muffled voice sounds vaguely familiar if not a little high like a mother would talk to a child I would suspect. Curious, I slow down my stride and my wolf perks up at the sound. I really do need to come up with a name for my animals. Most shifters have a deeper connection with theirs or at least they say they do. I’ve heard that they have deep and meaningful conversations. Scoffing at the idea, I continue on, checking the rooms as I go. I doubt that would happen, since I haven’t had any connection with them except for the vague feelings I pick up through our link. Maybe the ability to have a deeper connection to my animals has been forfeit since I’m able to communicate with other species.
Walking down the brightly lit hallway, I peek into the break room on the right and notice it’s empty. Continuing towards the back, I pass the empty examination rooms but notice bedding still on a few of the taller tables.
Hmm. Taffy must have had a few babies brought in.
Stopping at the entrance of the inner sanctum, I pause until I can identify what direction the voice is coming from. Making a right, I head toward the section where most forest critters stay during their time here.
The tall trees and shrubs make for great camouflage as I look for who might be in here with me. Picking up on slight giggling, I drop into a crouch and lean against a tree to peer through the foliage. My breath whooshes out of me as I’m caught off guard, recognizing the figure in front of me. Rez is the last person I expected to see here. I haven’t heard that she was leaving the dorm on her own yet.
What is she doing here?My curiosity is piqued as she’s now in one of my safe havens.How did she end up at the Menagerie? Did she get lost?Either way, a little thrill runs through me to see Rez with her back to me in the makeshift green paddock. That is until I see a Thunder Stag across the way and my stomach drops. I’ve only seen one in my lifetime, and he destroyed a bear twice as big as him within minutes. If he sees her, he’s more likely to take her out in a few seconds and even I’m not sure I can save her from him.
Shit. I need to get her out of there.
My wolf perks up, rising to the surface and allowing me to slowly approach without making a sound. As I get close enough to her, I reach out, grabbing a hold of her sweater and whisper frantically, keeping my voice down. “Rez!”
“Knox! What are you doing here?” I wince as her voice carries, but instead of following me, she gives me an annoyed look. Before I can explain, thunder rolls and I look up, dismayed by the Stag charging towards us, his hooves lighting up.
Rez spins around, eyes going wide and looks at me in panic. “Shit!” Yanking her sweater away from me, she pulls away and movestowardsthe deadly beast. This girl is fucking crazy!
“NO!” I yell as I step in front of her, blocking her from view. My protective nature is pulling at me to do whatever I can to save her. She struggles to get around me, but I hold firm until my legs are kicked out from beneath me and I fall hard with an ‘oomph,’ knocking all the air from my lungs. While trying to roll over, Rez rushes past me and out towards the stag, throwing her hands up. I prop myself up on my elbows and watch in awe at the scene before me.
The Thunder Stag slows down and gives Rez a slight bow before nuzzling into her neck. Not sure I’m seeing this correctly, I rub my eyes and sure enough, I’m not making this shit up.
“It’s okay, sweetie. He wasn’t hurting me. I’m okay. See?” Rez coos, running her hands along his coat as he answers in his own way, sniffing her as if scenting me. He abruptly looks up and makes eye contact with me, sending me a clear message with his emotions. ‘Mine.’
He’s worried about her? Since when do animals worry about us?
“Knox!” Rez yells.
Glancing back, Rez is giving me an annoyed look. Guess that wasn’t her first time calling my name.
“Can you go get me a splint, please?”
“I don’t want to leave you alone with him,” I argue, giving the stag a weary look. “Why don’t you come with me and get it?” I encourage her, getting up off the ground. Despite what I’m seeing, I need to get her away from him.
Throwing her head back, she lets out an exaggerated sigh and gives the stag a can-you-believe-this look.
Am I in the twilight zone right now?
“Look, Knox, I don’t know what you’re doing here, but since you are, you can at least help me out. He’s not going to hurt me. In fact, he was trying to protect me and now he’s hurt. So can you please help?”
I can’t help but stand there for a few moments as I let what just happened sink in, but as I do, thunder starts up. Silently flipping off the stag, I reluctantly do as she asks.
Well fuck me.
It would have taken me less time to find the stuff if I weren’t fighting with my own animals. They often argue with each other on what they want, but for once they’re agreeing on one thing. They want to meet Rez! From what I’m gathering it’s a mixture of their jealousy of the stag and her display of dominance that’s setting them off. And the main argument I’m receiving from them is animosity. My gryphon wants the chance to meet her since my wolf had his chance and blew it. And my wolf wants the chance to make up for his mistake.
I swear if Shifters didn’t have anger issues, we would definitely be considered bonafide crazy with how our emotions are pulled all the time.
After finding a decent size splint, I return to find the Stag lying down and Rez rubbing his belly.
What the fuck?
This damn stag is one of our realm’s most dangerous creatures, and he’s getting tummy rubs?! Sheesh.
My alter egos snort in agreement for once.
