Animal Instincts

Chapter 10

Tessa's POV

Training day number two. Today we were doing the agility course. Right now, everybody was taking a ten minute break. The hot summer sun was beaming down on me. I was sweating like a sinner in church. I left my wallet at home, so I couldn't buy a water bottle out the machine and the water fountains in the ZPD building weren't working.

Attempting to cool myself off a little, I sat under a nearby tree. The leaves on them were as large as a football so I snatched one off a branch and fanned myself with it. It was kind of making me even more hot, blowing only hot air in my face.

"Need something, ma'am?" a deep yet shy toned voice said from beside me.

I looked up to see one of the officers that was in my training class, Officer Ralph Howle, the brown furred timberwolf. He had on a red ZPD t-shirt and some black basketball shorts. I could sort of see his six pack through his sweat drenched shirt. Wow.

"Just thirsty. I left my wallet at home this morning." I groaned, letting my ears sag.

"That sucks," he shrugged his broad shoulders. "I wouldn't mind buying you a water bottle out the machine."

I smiled, ears becoming erect again. "Really?"

"Yeah," he grabbed my paws, pulling me up to my feet. "I don't want you having a heat stroke or something."

I chuckled, playfully punching his shoulder. It was hard. You could tell he works out a lot.

"That's nice of you, Howle but don't think this is going to get you extra cool points during training." I teased.

"Darn," he grunted, but then laughed.

I joined him by his side as we strolled across the training ground to the snack and drink machines. I noticed when we were walking some of the officers were mumbling to one another and pointing fingers at us. I wonder what all that was about.

We finally made it to the vending machines and Howle took out his wallet and handed me a dollar bill.

Taking it from him, I stepped up to the machine and looked for the largest water bottle. Finally spotting it, I slid in the dollar and typed in 3B on the keypad. In a matter of seconds the bottle fell to the bottom of the machine and I took it out.

"Thanks. I owe you one," I replied, turning around to face Howle as I gulped down the water.

"You don't have to really. It's only a water bottle." he tucked his paws in his short pockets and stared at the ground.

I rolled my eyes, taking a step closer to him. He was so tall I was looking at his chest. I literally had to break my neck just to look at him.

"Listen, I think you deserve only two hundred push ups today. It's really generous of you to do that. Nobody has ever done that for me before." I stood on my tip toes, trying to level my eyes with his. It was no use. I only made it to his neck.. Well, it was worth a shot.

He smiled, his tail wagging with excitement. "Thank you, ma'am."

"Please, call me Tessa." I grabbed one of his paws, shaking it. "Just not here."

He chuckled, shaking my paw back. "Yes, ma'am."

He could be useful. I remembered my conversation with him in the elevator yesterday. I forgot I was going to meet him in his office. I don't think I need him just yet, but I'll keep him close.

I shot him a wink and jogged back to the training field. The ten minutes were up and it was time to resume training.

"Alright, mammals. Break is over. Back to the agility course!" I shouted loud and strong as I blew into my whistle.