The Stinky Life I've Accepted

Chapter 2: Great

Ryker

I wake up to the sounds of human screeches and pain slapping into my body like a rock. I hastily scramble out from under the porch, escaping a woman as she swats me with a broomstick, cursing and spitting. 

I must have ate too much and gotten sleepy. I'm normally much more careful about where I choose to sleep for the day. 

As I fly off her property, I glance back to find her already talking on a phone. Shit. 

I dash away, dodging people's legs. Shit, shit, shit. I'm technically a nocturnal shifter and the only time to forage for food without getting caught is at night. I'm not usually out and about during the day. 

I yawn, trying my best to escape the humans and their beady eyes...but this is the city and it is a weekday morning. I can't escape them unless I run for the woods that is a few minutes away...but I rather deal with humans than hormonal male critters. 

I detest mating season...

The humans around me continues to cry out their ugly noises, and many try to kick or otherwise harm me. Please, just leave me alone! Many more get on their devices, no doubt calling for animal control. 

I need a safe space. Now. 

I find myself surrounded by a group of people who have accidentally trapped me in, and I hunker down, snarling and hissing in warning. 

A few men walk up with cages, and although they do not smell like animal control, I can sift out trouble when I see it.

I guess there's only one way to get out of this. I turn around and stomp my back legs, hissing and lifting my tail. The humans quickly panic, and everybody hastens to put space between me and them. 

I spray my smelly mixture into the air, and the unfortunate humans who were not able to get away in time cough and gag, some even throwing up. 

I take that as a sign to scamper away, moving to the backyards to draw less attention. 

Well this is a great morning so far. 

Maxon

I sigh, rubbing my face, tired and sore. "Yeah, so apparently a shifter crossed the city's boundaries a few weeks ago; although we have no idea what kind, what age, and their gender. All we know is that our borders reacted to the new presence." My Beta, Kli, drones out, glancing at the papers in his hand. 

"Alright, get some trackers out. Be careful though. Last time your trackers tried to intercept a rogue among our lands, the rogue ended up dying of a heart attack. Bunnies are such fragile things." I murmur, and Kli nods, smiling. 

"Aah, Alpha. Apparently, we have a slight rodent problem. A few skunks have been sighted, along with raccoons, rats, and multiple other critters. The mayor has no idea why in general and so suddenly, but it could do with that it is new spring. Mating season has technically started. They want us to look into it, considering our relocation program." Liv mutters, and I look up in shock. 

"That is frustratingly interesting. And animal control can't take care of it?" She shrugs, frowning. "They have been thus far, but there is a lot of them. And they really don't want to have to euthanize the poor things. They already caught several, and want us to transfer them to our lands." She explains. 

"Okay. Kli, you and I will go to the shelters, and collect the critters they have at the moment. Gerald, if you could meet with the mayor and animal control to help come up with a plan at how to handle the rest of them, that would be great." They nod, and the three of us stand to leave for our jobs. 

My sister also stands and she eyes me. "I am coming with you, and no arguing." I roll my eyes but decide it's best not to pick a fight with the better twin.  

This is a great morning.