running with the wolf pack

Part 2

Alex's Pov

We continued down the hall until we came up to the next door where a mountain of a man emerges from the room. He has fair skin and blood red hair with a matching beard, he is wearing a green flannel shirt, worn out jeans and snow boots. He has a stoic look on his face and his eyes look right through mine and straight into my soul. His face softens when he sees TJ and I walk up to him.

"Alex, this is Angus, he looks after the bears here at the zoo and he's my father" she said with a proud smile on her face, then she turns to her father and introduces me.

"Dad this is Alex, he is one of the new handlers here. Maze spoke about him at the last meeting" she said, her arm now around the back of my neck. Angus's gaze shifts from his daughter and back to me, he stays silent for a moment and just looks at me. His lips turn upwards as he steps forward and extends his hand.

"ah yes, the new fox handler correct? Ace spoke very highly of you, boy" he says in a thick Irish accent. I shake his hand, his grip nearly crushing mine in the process.

"Yes sir, that's me. Its nice to meet you" I greet, a grin appearing on my face, as he releases his death grip and chuckles as I nurse my hand.

"I'm just on my way out into town if you need anything my dear" he announces, now shifting his attention to his daughter.TJ smiles and shakes her head no, as she pulls her arm away from my back and takes a step forward.

Thanks dad, I don't need anything, but I do remember that its little stiles birthday in two weeks if you want to go and get him his present" she says while hugging her father goodbye. he wraps his arms around her and swings her around the hallway, her giggling in the process.

"Will do, my little snowbird. Be back soon" he chuckles putting her down and walking towards the entrance of the hall. We make our way past a few more doors, TJ explains that they are empty dorms, and that the zoo is still hiring workers from all over the world. We finally reach a door with my name in big gold letters with a painting of a fox head peeking out the side of the door. It was a nice touch. TJ handed me a key and I unlock and open the door to reveal a beautiful room with a huge window/ reading nook on the far wall. The walls are painted a deep  blue with a grey finish, the queen-sized bed had grey sheets with some orange throw pillows and a matching throw blanket hanging off the edge of the bed. There is an on sweet off too the side of the room with a shower, sink and laundry basket. A few steps from the bed there is a small balcony with a set of table and chairs. The view is amazing, overlooking the frozen lake with the mountains off into the distance. Back inside there is a small kitchenette and washing machine.

"It's perfect" I breathe, still shocked at how amazing this all is. I hear some giggling behind me and turn to see a small boy hiding behind TJ's legs. He is pale with rosy red cheeks, brown doe eyes and curly brown hair that's falling in his face. Once he notices me looking at him, he bolts out of the room, giggling down the hallway. I look at TJ confused, and she just smiles.

"that's little stiles, the boy I was talking to my dad about. He is six in two weeks" she says still giggling about my brief interaction with the boy. I just smile and put my bags on the floor beside my bed and walk back up two her.

"Shall we continue our tour, my lady" I say bowing my head and holding the door open for her. She hesitates for a second before giggling and walking out of the room.