Morning After✨ Lovers: 3 and 4

 

3 Rejude Brigade Inspection

The Rejude Brigade barracks and stables were situated at the outskirts of Piazza. It had been three years since I was assigned to inspect their stables. The stable master who I had come to know well welcomed me when I arrived.

‘Welcome Inspector Fair River.’

‘Hello, Dr Douglas. I’m so excited for today.’

He laughed.

Douglas, as well as being the stablemaster for Rejude, was also a very experienced veterinarian who loved the knight animals and cared for them well. I have learned a lot from him in the past few years.

‘Our Chase Wolf is the leader’s cherished beast; the stables are ready.’ He said as he led me to the newly built stables.

The other stable hands, nodded in greeting at me. I felt as though the atmostphere was different from usual and wondered if it was because of the arrival of the new beast. I wondered if they were really ready for it, which would why they were so nervous.

I cast a surreptitious glance around; I saw no sign of that man. He was probably just a mercenary. I tried to relax. I hoped I would not bring the situation between us in this venue. But I felt like I had no choice but to ignore it until the inspection was over.

The Chase Wolf was a rare species. The stables needed to be remote, with magic circles that blocked the scent of other beasts. The beast was sensitive to odours, and as a rule, they were not allowed to smell the scents and manure of other knight beasts.

I nodded as I walked around the building, that smelled of new wood and hay.

‘With this size, you can have four wolves. It is well designed, and the magic circles are functioning correctly.’

‘Do you mean that the stables pass, Inspector? If there are any issues our leader would like to know as soon as possible.’

‘Yes, your stables pass.’ I nodded to Dr Douglas.

The Rejude Brigade were a conscientious group; in the unlikely event that their beasts run amok, they have prepared countermeasures to take.

Sometimes, their were brigades that were overconfident about their stables and their animals without adequate security measures.

“My knight is clever, and won’t run away.” Or “They listen to me, and there wouldn’t be any chance of them going amok.” And it usually ended up with the beast escaping, possibly injuring innocents, and captured as bounty.

And a species knight beast that has injured an innocent person could not be bred within the walls again. That was why a permit could not be issued unless all the safety measures and countermeasures were in place before stabling the knight beast.

‘All that left is meeting the Chase Wolfe.’

Before the permit is issued, the beast has to be kept outside of the city walls. The brigade has a facility outside of the city walls for beasts awaiting permits. I was very excited to meet the wolfe. It would be my first time encountering one. It was a rare animal. According to texts, it was a four-legged beast with white or grey fur, like a wolf but bigger. It had two tails, and four long pointed ears. Its twitching ears were very cute, and the tail and the fluffy ruff.

I wondered if I could stroke it.

Hmm? My hands could remember the feel of the fur, but I had never seen or touched a Chase Wolfe before. Was I confusing it with another kind of knight beast?

‘Lets head to the outer stables, the leader is waiting with the Chase Wolfe.’

‘Eh? The leader?’

‘Yes, the Chase Wolfe is taken care of by the brigade leader himself. It would be the first time you’re meeting him, right?’

As he spoke, those deep blue eyes appeared. But it couldn’t be, I had been told that the Rejude Brigade leader was a man near sixty years old. That man was mid thirties at most; totally could not be him.

‘Is it alright for a low ranking inspector like me to meet the brigade leader?’ I asked as we headed off.

Until now, I had never had the opportunity to meat the brigade leaders in person.

‘Don’t be ridiculous, Inspector. We appointed a new leader last year, and he wanted to meet you to formally introduce himself.’

‘I see. I’m kinda nervous.’ I said. I looked at the documents in my hand regarding the Rejude brigade. The former leader was Matthew Rejude? Was the new leader Lucas Rejude? Were they relatives? Maybe Matthew’s son?

I had completely forgotten that the same name was written in the application for the Chase Wolfe permit; I hadn’t wanted to know any more about him, so I didn’t read the paper work deeply. Such a serious blunder as an inspector had a tremendous impact on me.

✨

‘It’s a pleasure to meet you, I am Brigade Leader Lucas Rejude.’

A man with black hair, blue eyes and a good physique stood before me. It was Mr 41 from three days ago.

I was nervous. On the surface, he seemed to be smiling amiably, but his blue eyes looked me like prey; as though he was thinking of how to cook me.

I had thought he had just been sent to file the application; I didn’t realise he was the brigade leader! I am such an idiot! How did I get involved with such a person?! He wasn’t the kind of person I could meet at the licencing office. How did we run into each other that night?

‘I am Inspector Mira Fair River, nice to meet you.’

No, it’s not nice to meet you! But public and private matters had to be kept separately. Supressing the urge to run in the opposite direction, we shook hands.

His bare hands were warm and surprisingly smooth.

Those thick fingers were inside my body…No, don’t think about that right now. I don’t want him to know I had remembered.

But his fingers wriggled suspiciously, as though he was laughing at me.

Hey! Don’t stroke the back of my hand!

Let go. Let go!

‘I’d like to check the status of the Chase Wolfe as soon as possible.’ I said stylishly pulling my hand away from him.

‘Why so cold?’

‘Because, it’s work!’ I said with a business smile.

He nodded before replying, ‘That’s a bit of a problem, he’s sedated right now.’

Lucas led us to the stables that housed the Chase Wolfe. When we got close, we walked quietly not to wake him; Lucas opened a window to reveal a huge Chase Wolfe.

‘Is he sick or injured?’

‘No, this Chase Wolfe is in heat, as you saw that night.’

‘I’m sorry but this is completely new to me.’

‘You don’t remember that part either?’ he asked suspiciously.

I shook my head, ‘I can only apologise, I’m not sure if that night was a dream or reality. It’s like I have selective amnesia from that night.’

I wasn’t lying; all I could recollect were vague impressions that had gotten jumbled up.

Lucas sighed and slumped down. His wide back was curled up in a melancholic manner; why did I want to comfort him?

‘It’s really sad you’ve forgotten, even though it’s because of the estrus pheromones.’ He muttered glumly.

He looked at me, his blue eyes made my heart twitch. What was it? Why was he being so familiar?

‘Do you smell the estrus right now?’ he asked.

The scent of estrus of some beasts have the effect of inviting the opposite sex and promoting breeding. Chase Wolfe’s estrus scent was known to had effect on humans, for reason no one has found out. Which was why it has been poached into near extinction.

‘But the Chase Wolf’s cycle is in autumn, isn’t it?’

It was now spring.

Lucas nodded.

‘Is he ill?’

The Chase Wolfe was an eight-year-old male, an adult beast. Even if it went into heat at a strange time due to change in climate, the symptoms should stabilise once it had a pack.

‘He went into heat because we came across another group’s Chase Wolfe that had been put into forced heat. They seem to be exploiting the Chase wolfe heat.’

‘That’s illegal!’

‘Yes, and I want to do something about it.’ He declared.

But what could I do? I was just a stable inspector; I don’t have investigative powers. However, we couldn’t just do nothing. I couldn’t abandon this poor beast.

‘Is there anything I can do to help?’ I asked.

If I reported it to my superiors, they may look into it. But something tells me that this was not enough. Lucas smiled warmly at me.

It was a smile that shook my core.

‘As I expected; you have a beautiful mind.’ He said before hugging me tightly. I was crushed against his hard chest within the vice like grip of his muscly arms. All I could breathe in was his manly scent, yet I wasn’t disgusted. I was rather thrilled.

His scent made me feel safe and warm, and at the same time I remembered the pleasant feelings of that night; it made my stomach tingle.

 

4 Two beasts on a moonlit night.

‘Normally, I would have to check the physical condition of the wolfe but it seems I wouldn’t be able to do that at this time.’

Although it was suppressed with sedatives, the beast was still emitting pheromones.

Still holding on to me, Lucas looked over my head at his wolfe worriedly. I was a bit miffed by the current situation, I don’t think this was an appropriate thing for a man and woman who had just met to be doing, no matter how good he smells, how warm he was and how content I felt.

More importantly, I was an inspector and he was a knight under review.

‘Um, Rejude Brigade leader…?’

‘Lucas.’

‘I understand, but could you kindly release me?’

‘Lucas.’

‘Lucas, please release me.’ I said reluctantly. He smiled happily, and let me go. That dazzling smile was a foul.

Behind him, there were other members of the brigade waiting. And they have witnessed the exchange between us.

‘You finally recognise me, Mira Fair River. I’m happy.’

‘Please call me Inspector Fair River.’

‘I would rather call you Mira.’

Why was it that when he called my name over my head, he reminded me of Mr Seldenberg, my primary school teacher? Perhaps, like him, Lucas didn’t read the air. He looked astute, but he didn’t seem to mind others.

There was a guttural rumble, and we turned back to the pen, the Chase Wolfe stirred. Has he sensed there were people around him? Even though he was sedated, he may be annoyed by the scent of people nearby.

I tried to take a respectful step back, ‘I’m sorry. I’m not here to hurt you. Don’t worry.’ I said softly.

But my retreat was blocked by Lucas.

‘Call his name; Geist. He wouldn’t mind your presence.’

‘Geist?’ I repeated, and the beast responded, he sluggishly turned to look at me. His eyes were midnight blue and they stared directly at me. I wonder why those eyes looked familiar. His two tails wagged gently.

‘He really does like you.’

‘But I’ve never met him before.’

‘Do you really not remember at all? You, me, and this guy had a wild night.’

‘What?’ I said, with an exaggerated slow turn to look at him.

Wait a minute; what did he mean me, him and the beast? Wasn’t it just him and I in bed?

Lucas grinned at me.

‘Let’s go to my office and talk. I’ll tell you what happened.’

I couldn’t refuse. Though I didn’t want to hear it, I had to listen. And I also wanted to know what happened to Geist and the illegally induced female.

As I was dragged to his office, I met Douglas’ eyes, I tried to plead for help with my eyes, but he averted his gaze. In fact, all of the crew were determined to avoid looking at me. I’m sure they were misunderstanding something.

We don’t have that kind of relationship! Please believe me!

I was dragged into the office and the door shut behind us.

He made me sit in a sofa and sat beside me. Why was he sitting beside me? Why is his powerful arm around my waist?

I shouldn’t think too deeply about this.

But the most notable thing was on his office desk.

‘What is that?!’

‘What, Mira? You can ask me anything.’ He said softly, like a love as he ran his finger through my blonde hair. The glossy honey blonde hair on my head was one of my few prides as a woman, but I don’t remember permitting him to do this.

I gently pulled away and asked.

‘Why is my shoe displayed over there?’

The second foot of my Deeper Deeper shoes was sitting on the desk atop a cushion. Sure, it was expensive, but it didn’t need to be displayed like an exhibit in a museum!

‘It’s the one and only treasure from the night you and I met.’ He said, before he began to recount the tale of our fateful meeting…

✨

That night, I had just returned to the capital territory from a remote territory in the north with Geist. As a new knight beast, Geist had to get used to the sights, sounds and smells of the city. We were riding through the city, slipping between the crowd when Geist started behaving strangely.

‘What’s wrong, Geist? We’re almost at the stables. Just hang in there, boy.’

But Geist shook his head in complaint. He had never done this before. I realised it might be due to the female chase wolfe that they had met at the outpost town just before entry into the capital.

The pheromones from the female in heat must have been too strong for a young adult male wolfe like Geist. And when they met, they seemed to have taken to each other, rubbing noses, and doing a courtship howl. The female must have accepted Geist as her mate.

‘I know you want that female, but let get to the stables first. I’ll go negotiate.’ I told Geist, trying to placate him, but Geist made a sad howl.

This wasn’t good. Aroused by the estrus of the female, Geist had entered an out of season heat. The need that could not be assuaged manifested in increased aggression.

At a point on the journey, Geist stopped moving.

‘Brigade commander, it seems not even placating him is working.’

‘Shall we try treats?’

‘Geist, look – it’s your favourite: cow shin!’

No matter what they tried, Geist grew more and more agitated. Unfortunately, it was in the middle of the busy down town area with lots of pubs and restaurants. The smells of alcohol and sweaty people, the loud voices laughing or quarrelling did not help calm Geist’s aggression.

‘Oh! What’s that? That’s a big dog with two tails!’

‘What a weird dog! It has four ears!’

Drunken onlookers gathered around the anxious brigade who were trying to guard the beast.

‘I’m sorry, everyone. Please don’t come close, it is dangerous.’ One of my brigade men said to the onlookers.

‘Ah? Are you the owner? That big dog is annoying in the middle of the road.’

Geist began to growl menacingly.

‘Geist, calm down!’

Geist was no longer listening. It was beginning to look bad. If he hurt a civilian, he wouldn’t be allowed to be registered as a knight.

‘Men, protect the citizens!’

‘Understood.’

The men surrounded the wolf and turned to the public to keep them moving away. Turning one’s back on a chase wolfe tantamount to showing it weakness. But if a Rejude knight beast hurt a civilian, it would be bad for our reputation as well as beasts of its kind.

‘Geist, we need to move to the stables.’ I was trying to speak in even and calm tones.

When our eyes met, there was still recognition there.

But an annoyed voice broke the tenous link, ‘This damn dog, don’t sit in the middle of the road!’

A man with no sense of danger stumbled past the meagre blockade the guys were trying to maintain, and threw a bottle of liquor at Geist. Geist’s estrus pheromones were now in the air agitating everyone as well.

Geist roared; the sound echoed in the surroundings shocking everyone.

Fuck! The worst that could happen. There was nothing but fury in the beast midnight blue eyes.

‘Evacuate everyone!’

‘But commander!’

‘I’ll take it on alone, come back as soon as the evacuation is complete and a proper blockade is done.’

Geist’s reins tinkled unpleasantly. I grabbed at it forcing Geist to look at me.

‘You’re getting too excited, eh? I’m going to play with you, so don’t hold back!’

Geist roared. I unsheathed my short baton and the dangerous play for my life or Geist’s began.

In conclusion, Geist’s physical strength was superior. It wasn’t because I was over thirty. Geist was a young wolfe in heat for the first time.

Before long, my clothes were torn and I had a few scratches here and there, but Geist was still going wild, showing no signs of calming down.

I looked to see that the rest of the team were coming back.

‘Eugene, tag in!’

‘No sir! I’ll definitely die! Not everyone is a beast like you, commander!’

‘What? Royce, Kane, aren’t you going to help?’ I asked as I dodged another swipe of wolfe paw.

‘No sir. I’m not confident I can avoid Geist’s blows.’

‘I smell bad!’ was Kane’s reply.

I was at a loss; I had used three sedative bombs and Geist was still not yielding. Despite being a powerful sedative, it wasn’t as effective as mountain dew on Geist. He was spraying his pheromones about, which means people who were not tolerant would be struck by the aphrodisiac effect.

I could feel my body begin to throb gently being so close to him.

‘Commander, be careful!’

But the warning came too late, Geist’s sharp claws caught my boot and sent me sprawling on the cobbled street. I was growled in impatience and was about to get up when I heard a feminine voice.

‘Wow! Cute Chase wolfie! You’re so cute!’

Standing before me were a pair of fashionable high heeled shoes that bore up long, slender, shapely legs.

Why was there a civilian here?!

‘There is no need to fight, you’re both cool! Be friends!’

She stood between me and Geist.

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