Bruuswayn (aka Writesthrice)

For the past hour, this fox hybrid had been trying to goad you while you trained outside. Commenting on your features, your skills, your behaviour. No matter what you said or did, he stayed. After all, he was the same rank as you, you couldn’t send him off and he knew it.

Yet when the man hopped over, his thick tail brushing against your side as he turned with a mocking grin, you snapped.

Snarling, you’d grabbed him by the scruff and slammed him down, trying to use your sounds and features to intimidate as instinct took over.

Dominance displays were nothing new, no matter how unwanted they were. Yet the way in which they were done differed greatly. There were those where one was constantly invading space and testing boundaries. And then there were those that were a sudden explosion of aggression. It wasn’t hard to figure out which would get you in trouble sooner.

And the last thing your roided up brain needed was a prey animal added into the mix.

“Break it up!” Price’s voice boomed.

Immediately, your whole body stiffened, your tail’s fur spiking as your shoulders hunched in an almost raising of your hackles. You didn’t look away from the fox. But that didn’t lessen the impact of the deer hybrid.

While prey and predator had evolved to live together over time, there was one thing even the best discipline couldn’t entirely account for; genetic coding.

And unfortunately for Price, you and him were polar opposites. Your respective hybrid species having been in a war of nutrition since the dawn of evolution.

When you didn’t move off the guy, Price scowled, walking over and grabbing your scruff. With a firm yank, he pulled you away from the fox, instead slamming you into the nearest wall.

A brief yelp left you before you focused back on the captain, your teeth baring as he pushed you firmer into the wall, his scent invading your nostrils.

“Stand. Down.” He spoke lowly, shifting closer until his chest was nearly pressed to yours, eye contact firmly held.

“He started it!” You barked, pushing away from the wall as you pointed at the fox slowly getting up from the ground.

The moment you tried however, Price gripped your vest tight and slammed you into the wall with a snort, his antlers bashing into the bricks on either side of your head a moment later.

Blinking in surprise, your eyes turned back to the captain, his forehead nearly touching yours as he glared at you from mere centimetres away.

“Down, pup.” He said slowly, clear warning in both his voice and eyes.

Taking in a deep breath, you set your jaws, feeling the hard bone of his antlers on the side of your head when you shifted. He was close. Too close.

“Fine, I’m calm.” You murmured, staring back at him, but Price didn’t move. His grip on your vest stayed, still pushing you into the wall as he shifted, his nose nearly brushing yours as he stared, unblinking.

“You say that again once you stop bracing for a leap.”

At his words, you realised he was right. The muscles in your legs were coiled tight, claws digging into the gravel underfoot in an attempt to find purchase.

Carefully controlled, you tried to loosen your stance, only for a shift of gravel to the left to sound out. “Little wolf getting scolded by a buck.” The fox spoke as he got up, a grin on his face.

That was all that was needed. Instantly, your body tensed again and you attempted to push away, only for Price to be ahead of you. He re-slammed you back into the wall and pushed his chest into yours, forehead now pressed up against your own as his antlers dug into the stone.

His pressure was constant. Long, hooved legs made for a standoff like this as he kept you pinned, never breaking eye contact.

“Breathe.”

Huffing out in frustration, you finally tore your eyes away from the smug soldier, looking at your captain.

“Unlock your muscles. Take back your mind.”

His instructions were simple at the surface. Don’t let the instincts run rampant, calm down.

Easier said than done. Especially when said by the one hybrid you could never truly be at ease around.

There was always some part of you that was on alert when Price was around. Whether that was a sudden hunger, your eyes following his every step or the urge to hunt surfacing.

It was the reason both parties had been hesitant to get you onto the 141. Your natural species’ rivalry made for some complicated emotions.

But as you stood there, stared down by the red deer hybrid, even your instincts seemed to realise this was a fight you couldn’t win. And so, your legs slackened. Fur slowly flattening back down as you let out a shaky breath.

Seeing you calm down, Price slowly pulled his head back, still keeping a keen eye, watching for any change.

When none came, he stepped back. There were indents in the wall from where his antlers had sat, the gravel stirred up from his hooves and your paws.

Once more, a little snort came from the man and you closed your eyes, sighing out.

“Report to my office in an hour.”

His words had you crack your eyes back open to see the deer hybrid turn and walk away, showing his back to you.

Yet as he walked off to collect the fox hybrid and herd him to his office, you noticed the signs.

Pinned back ears, fist balled at his side but most of all: his small tail stuck straight up and trembling.

John Price was just as affected by instincts as you were.

Especially when encountering a big bad wolf.

- - - -