My, What Big Teeth You Have

Wolfboy (short excerpt) - repost

The events here happen in the future (so not directly after Wolfboy 1) but I couldn't stop thinking about it, so I had to write it!

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"Go on, Miss," the butcher says, nodding at the metal bucket full of meat. "He's yours now and cannot eat from a different hand."

"Are those the rules?" You hesitate. "Does it have to be me? It makes me rather queasy."

"Those are the Master's orders I'm afraid, Miss. He wants you to get used to it."

"But I'm not even vaguely suited to this!" You cry out. "I'd much rather clean fireplaces."

"If you do not feed him, he shan't eat from another hand," the butcher says. "So if you want him to go hungry..."

"Oh, fine," you say crossly. "I'll go."

"Keep to the middle of the aisle, yes? We do not want your skin to get snagged on anything, do we?"

You wince at the idea. "No, I'll make it quick." You grab the bucket and lift it, grimacing at how heavy it is.

You want to ask the butcher why the wolfmen are being fed raw meat and why they cannot eat anything else, but you don't want to seem invested in your new job.

Despite the coolness of the weather, the sunlight is bright in your eyes as you march out of the dimly lit feed room. The barn is only a short walk from there. Inside, it smells of hay and an upsetting man-animal scent that makes you wrinkle your nose and try not to breathe in too deeply. The cells are built like horse stalls, but with silver bars at the windows and doors to keep the wolfmen from getting any ideas of breaking out.

They get plenty enough time outside during working hours, you suppose.

Many of the barn windows are closed to keep the light out, leaving the place dark and humid. The wolfmen lounge on cots in their stalls, sleeping or sharpening their claws against the wooden parts of the walls, panting in the warmth of the barn. Your wolfman is at the very back of the barn, in one of the largest stalls, lying on his back amidst the scratchy hay. At least he has stopped trying to get the muzzle off. At the sound of your approaching feet, he sits up and scoots himself against the wall, ears pricked in your direction.

Encouraged, you let yourself in and take a step, only for him to slam his ears back the next moment and let out a growl so deep you feel it in your chest. You stop immediately and let out a small groan.

"I just want to feed you," you whisper to him. "I never even wanted to be here. I think all of this is incredibly stupid."

His shoulder heaves and he chuffs, turning his head away pointedly. You smile slightly at that.

"Get over yourself," you mumble. "At least you're getting fed."

You step forward with the bucket, and his body tenses, leaning forward slightly.

"Don't mind me," you say, shuffling forward. "I just want to put this in the bowl-"

He lunges. Even with the muzzle on, he can do serious damage. You drop the bucket, jump backward out of range, and bump into someone standing in the doorway.

"Sorry, I-" Your words die in your throat as you see just who you've bumped into.

It is one of the lead hunters and an alpha wolfman to boot. He's massive, standing head and shoulders above you. The muscles in his arms alone are the size of your torso. You try to say something, but all that comes out is a squeak as you gape at him. His pelt, once pitch black, is greying with age but he doesn't look like he's coming down from his peak any time soon.

Scars litter his torso and probably his back as well, a testament to his hunting prowess. The worst scar is thick and pale on his neck, and you wonder what kind of creature could do that to something as big as himself.

He grins with a mouthful of teeth that are made for tearing into flesh. You squeak again and this only seems to amuse him more.

"Have you suddenly lost your voice, Doll?" He rasps. "You were speaking just fine with your beast."

"I... I..." You can't look away from his muzzle.

"Have a closer look, won't you?" He says, putting his hands on his knees and leaning down, leveling his face with yours.

You startle and step back hastily. Your back thuds against the wall.

"These teeth are not for you," he says, and then he turns and growls thunderously at your wolfman, who shrinks back, lowering his eyes and pinning his ears against his head in submission. The alpha wolfman rumbles approvingly and nudges your arm with the blunt curve of his claw.

"Go on, he won't bother you this time."

"T-thank you?" You reply, confused as to why he is helping you at all.

He grins again, and your gratitude is replaced by fear as you are reminded of what he is. You grab the bucket and hurry to the large metal bowl, holding your breath. Your wolfman stays put, as promised. Once you've emptied the bucket of its contents, you scurry out of attacking range.

"Thank you again," you say and rush down the aisle, leaving the alpha to lock the cell.

It's only when you're out of the barn that you're able to take a full breath.