running with the wolf pack

Part 3

 Alexs Pov

We make the small walk out of the hallway and into the outdoor area of the dorms. There is a large inground fire pit in the centre with a few chairs surrounding it and an undercover barbeque off to the left of the entertaining area, of course most of this is covered in a thin layer of snow from last night's sudden drop in temperature. TJ starts to lead the way toward the back of the entertaining area but after a few small steps she slips on the icy floor and lands bum first into a pile of snow, my giggle turned into a genuine laugh as I carefully walked towards her to help her up. Before I could even take my second step, I was met with a numbing snowball to the face. A look of surprise washed over my face as I look over to TJ and she is rolling around on the floor laughing, I blush and slowly walk over to her and help her up. She dusts the snow off her clothes and smiles at me, her smile soon turns to a face of shock as I force a large amount of snow down the back of her jumper. It takes her a few seconds before she realised what had just happened but then it clicks and she kneels down and picked up a hand full of snow, rolling it into a ball and taking aim. Let the war begin!

After about twenty minutes of an intense snowball fight, we decide to continue with the tour. so, we make our way to the back of the entertainment area where the large metal gates that separate the dorms for the zoo itself, normally this gate would be locked so that members of the public don't go wondering around the dorms but since the zoo has yet to be opened to the public the gates remain open to the workers and employees.

I must admit for a zoo that has yet to open the place is buzzing with life. There were construction workers in high visibility uniforms and people in casual clothes either instructing the other workers or rushing around, too busy with their own jobs to help move supplies or equipment, everyone had a job to do so that the zoo could meet the opening day deadline.

TJ grabs my hand and starts to make her way to a small gazebo over on the other side of the main construction sight, there were a group of people surrounding a table under the gazebo, all discussing what tasks takes priority now that the dorms are done. Of course, by the time TJ and I make our way to the gazebo the discussion is developing into an argument.

"The stables should take priority since the horses are coming in two weeks" a young girl no older than ten shouts trying to make herself heard, she was wearing a pink jacket and purple star patterned leggings and was standing on a pink stool so that she could see over the table.

"No, the bird sanctuary should come first, it's nowhere near done, and seventeen different species are going to be here in eight days" a man in his late twenties roars in a deep voice, he is wearing a navy spray jacket and black jeans with his arms crossed.

"Ahom" TJ clears her throat, trying to get everyone's attention before she spoke but it did not work at all, the others were still arguing. Frustrated, she tries again but this time with a little more force and a lot less love.

"Oi, wood you lot shut your mouths for five seconds so I can talk" she yells, now getting everyone at the table's attention. They all stood in silence waiting for her to talk.

"Now as I was saying this is Alex he's the new fox handler for the zoo and an absolute sweetheart so be nice and introduce yourselves before you go back to your bickering you bunch of old woman" TJ announces with her attitude reflected in her tone. It silent for a second before a um.. rather round woman speaks up first.

"Hello there Alex, I'm Samantha and I'm in charge of the otters here at the zoo so if you have any questions just ask me ok honey" she says with a smile. She is wearing a black and yellow flannelette with a blue puffer jacket and grey tracksuit pants with blue boots. The next to speak is the man from earlier.

"I'm Jaxson and I'm in charge of the birds and plants, its nice to put a face to a name especially after Ace spoke so highly of you kid" Jaxson says in his deep voice whilst extending his hand which I shake still unaware of who ace is but before I could ask, I get a woman with long curly orange hair wrap her arms around me in a tight hug.

"hey kid, I'm grace and I look after the sea creatures here, but I especially love the axolotls" she says as she pulls away with a big smile on her face. Again, I'm about to say something but I'm interrupted by two young boys who are definitely twins.

"I'm Chris and this is my brother Ethan, we both look after the deer a little further up the mountain" Chris says with a plain expression. Both twins have leather jackets on and dark jeans the only difference is that Chris is wearing a light blue shirt and Ethan's is an olive green.

"Ok, so your Chris in the blue and Ethan is in green"? I question while gesturing at both of them as I talk. They both nod in agreement but Ethan is smiling while his brother has the same plain face as before. 

"And I'm Maze, the one who runs the show here at the zoo" so if you have any major questions or concerns, come straight to me" they say with an expecting look on their face.

"Good to know boss, now I do have one question before anyone else introduces themselves" I say with a small grin appearing on my face. Maze gives me a small nod telling me to continue.

"Who is this Ace person that I keep hearing about"? I ask and most people now have smiles on their faces as they turn to look at Maze who is grinning like a mad man, even Chris has a small smirk on his face.

"Ace is my older sister and twin, she was the one who recommended you to me in the first place, said you'd be a great addition to the family here at the zoo. She also recommended half the people working here" Maze says with a proud smile as they talked about their sister.

"Oh and she also looks after the wolves we have up near the summit of the mountain. You will be able to meat her at tonight's dinner near the fire pit, she has been eager to meet you" Ethan says with a smile.

"I'm actually surprised that she didn't meet you at the front desk with TJ this morning" Chris states with a laugh before his face returns to its brooding self.

"Anything else you'd like to know Alex" Maze questions but I just shake my head. It took less than a second before the little girl in the pink was in front of me with her hands on her hips looking up at me.

"I'm Lola, my mummy and I will be looking after the horses that take people for the trail rides around the lake, also did you like the fox painting stiles and I did for you on the door?" she asked, still looking up at me waiting to hear my answer. I paused for a second pretending to think before I smiled.

"You and stiles did that masterpiece all by yourselves"? I asked a little shocked that two little kids could paint so well. The biggest smile appeared on her face.

"Yep, but stiles did most of the work all I didwas get him snacks and help out with mixing the colours" she cheered while jumping around.

"you could have told me it was painted by Picasso and I would have believed you" I smile as I pick her up and swing her around.

"Ha ha I don't know who that is" she giggled as I put her down telling her that he was a famous painter and she just nodded before rushing back to the stool she stood on.