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Sanctuary Secrets

Part Two

© Cederwyn Whitefurr

5th March, 2024

All Rights Reserved.

Patron reward story for Vincent Vanhorne

The refuge basked in the muted glow of dawn, nestled within the embrace of nature's sanctuary. Two years had passed since Misty's arrival, and the once-traumatised red kangaroo had grown into the rhythm of the Therian community. Her timid nature persisted, though, like a lingering shadow. Misty, now a full-grown adult, roamed the refuge's grounds with a mix of trepidation and familiarity. The morning sun kissed her russet fur, casting a warm hue upon the landscape. She moved gracefully, her powerful hind legs propelling her forward, yet an air of hesitance lingered in her every step.

Rachel, ever watchful and nurturing, observed Misty from a distance. Two years of patience and understanding had woven a bond between them, but Misty's journey towards healing still bore delicate threads. This refuge community, a tapestry of Therian's and trusted humans, went about their morning routines, oblivious to the undercurrents of Misty's internal struggles.

In a quiet corner of the communal area, a makeshift class unfolded. A patient instructor guided Misty through the graceful motions of American Sign Language (ASL). The community recognised the importance of communication beyond instinctual cues, and ASL emerged as a bridge between Misty, the Therians and humans.

Misty, ever the diligent student, earnestly mimicked the signs with her paws. However, her innate lack of dexterity with her paws, occasionally translated into unintentional variations. Laughter rippled through the impromptu classroom when Misty's gestures took unexpected turns, transforming serious instructions into unintentional comedy.

*

Meanwhile, the atmosphere within the refuge hinted at a change. Whispers of the past, dormant for years, resurfaced like echoes from the shadows. A group gathered in earnest conversation in the communal hall, their expressions a blend of concern and growing fear and uncertainty.

Dr. Mercer, one of two human Veterinarians, whose life intersected with Misty's in unexpected ways, engaged in the discussions. His demeanour, one of calmness and gentleness, kept the worst of the Therian's fears held at bay.

*

As Misty continued her ASL lesson, a flicker of uncertainty crossed her features. The whispers, the subtle shifts in the refuge's ambience, seeped into her consciousness, tugging at the edges of her newfound stability. The past, veiled in secrecy, began to unravel, and Misty sensed that the sanctuary's secrets held chapters yet to be unveiled.

The refuge, a sanctuary for both Therians and those who harboured their secrets, stood on the precipice of revelation. The interwoven lives of Misty, Rachel, and Dr Mercer hinted at a tapestry with threads yet to be untangled, their destinies forever bound.

*

That evening, Dr Mercer came by the bungalow, his large leather case held in one hand, as he knocked lightly on the door. Misty, with a startled grunt, looked up, then at the bag he carried, then back up at him – the carrot she had been snacking on falling from her limp paws.

"Misty?" Dr. Mercer sighed, then smiled weakly. "You need these injections, they're for your good health! Would you want to get sick? We don't even truly know anything beyond the fact you're a different variant of Therian."

Misty stared at him, her whiskers twitching, before she seemed to sigh, then crouched down in submission.

Dr. Mercer carefully placed his leather case on a small table, his eyes meeting Misty's.

"It's purely precautionary," he explained, his tone gentle. "We want to ensure you stay healthy. Your unique – to me and the others – therian variant might have specific needs that we're not aware of!"

Misty, had a look of confusion and concern etched across her face. Quickly, she gestured with her paws, putting her ASL to use.

"Woah, slow down!" Dr. Mercer chuckled, as he took a seat, watching her. "I'm not fully versed in it yet!"

With a grunt of frustration, Misty repeated the gestures, much slower. "What if these injections change something... or trigger...me? You're a human, Dr. Mercer..."

He involuntarily winced and smiled nervously. "I am Misty, yes. They're purely precautionary, to boost your immune system and supply you with vitamins your food might not fully provide. I've been administering them to the other Therians for years, with no adverse effects."

"Yet - " Misty gestured, looking increasingly worried.

Dr. Mercer sighed, taking a moment before responding. "We're doing our best to understand Therian's, Misty. These injections are carefully crafted based on what we know. It's for your well-being, and we're here to monitor any changes closely. You do remember, we have a fully staffed and stocked emergency surgery – right?"

Misty twitched and nodded, finally consenting. Dr. Mercer double-gloved himself, then gently took her paw in his hand. As the syringe pierced her fur, Misty whimpered softly as he gently administered the serum.

"Now, for the part, I know you won't like..." Dr. Mercer spoke quietly. "Be at ease Misty, you know I need these samples – there's so much about you, being you – we need to study."

Misty's low, threatening growl spoke more than her ASL could.

"Stop that!" He chided her gently. "You can do it here, or come to the clinic and we'll do it there – it doesn't hurt, I've taken extra precautions – as I always do..."

Misty twitched, then lowered her paw and stretched out her other one, reluctantly consenting once again. Carefully, Dr. Mercer wiped her forearm with an alcoholic wipe and eased the blood collection needle into her vein. Misty swallowed, looking away as three vials of her blood were taken for analysis and testing.

"Good girl, thank you." Dr. Mercer smiled, then reached into his bag and placed two almonds on the table. "Don't tell Rachel I gave these to you, alright?"

The almonds disappeared in a flash, Misty's inner conflict visible on her face. Dr. Mercer, with a gentle smile, stroked her ears as if soothing a nervous animal.

"You're doing great Misty. Thank you for your cooperation." He smiled at her.

*

As the night settled over their refuge, Misty found herself tossing and turning in her bed. Vivid dreams danced on the edge of her consciousness, weaving a tapestry of her Therian ancestors and the enigmatic whispers that echoed from them.

The next morning, Misty awoke to find Rachel standing by her bedside, her eyes filled with concern and worry.

"Bad dreams?" Rachel asked, her hands making the signs as well, reinforcing the lessons with Misty.

Misty nodded, then crawled out of her bed and out into the early morning sunlight. As she shook herself, the dreams faded like the early mist that'd shrouded the valley. Misty returned inside, grazing from the fresh bowl of vegetables, leafy greens and kangaroo-specific pellets – her mind not really on eating, more on doing it because it was a habit.

"Misty, there's... a meeting, in the communal hall - " Rachel spoke quietly. "We're expected there soon, so eat your breakfast please."

Misty looked up, confused, but obedient to her caregiver's instructions as she hurriedly devoured her breakfast.

*

In the communal hall, the Therians and humans gathered, Misty staying near the back beside Rachel. Whispers spread amongst humans and Therians alike, a shift in the refuge's normally peaceful balance of their sanctuary. Dr. Mercer, his expression serious, stepped up onto the platform and faced the increasingly nervous crowd. After a few moments, they quieted and an uneasy quiet settled over the gathering.

"The time has come to unveil a truth hidden within the refuge's core," he declared, his words echoing throughout the hall.

Misty, Rachel and the others held their breath as the secrets of their sanctuary began to unravel.

"You, amongst us, are not merely Therian's - " Dr. Mercer began, his voice carrying the emotional weight and strength of a natural leader. "Amongst you, are ones like me! Trusted and loved humans – some – have chosen to become like you!"

A few gasps and various vocalisations spread amongst the Therians and humans.

"We have never done the bonding ritual - " Dr. Mercer intoned solemnly. "We have only fragments of the ritual, what it involves – and the..."

His words trailed off, as he shuddered.

"... of the potential for those who fail to control their darkness. We know what we must do, for those newly turned who succumb. If their eyes go black – they are to be humanely executed. As we have euthanasia drugs, we will sedate the newly turned Therian If they show signs – they will not suffer, I promise. We can not risk having one of our turn to the path of darkness – for it risks not only we humans but you as well."

The revelation hung heavy in the air, casting a shadow over the once-secure refuge. The delicate balance between the Therians and the humans now faced a challenge that would test the bonds of trust and understanding that'd been carefully woven over the years. The sanctuary, once a haven for both species, now grappled with the complexities of what lay before them.

Misty felt Rachel's comforting presence beside her, a silent anchor in the sea of uncertainty. The once-revered refuge, shrouded in secrecy, now faced the challenge of confronting its hidden truths.

"As we grapple with this revelation, remember, unity is our strength," Dr. Mercer continued, his voice a steady reassurance cutting through the tension in the hall. "The bond between Therian's and humans has endured twenty-five years – before my time amongst you! It will prevail! We face uncertainties, but we face them together!"

He cast his gaze across the assembly, meeting the eyes of individuals who held a spectrum of emotions – fear, confusion, acceptance and in two of the humans, a mixture of confusion and blood-chilling fear at their fates. The communal unity, the fragile tapestry of Therian's and humans, seemed to teeter on the edge.

"There are multiple ways - " Dr. Mercer spoke loudly, silencing the mutterings. "We know of, to become like some of you are. Some are easier and..."

A few nervous giggles and other sounds come from the crowd before they fall silent again.

"Yes, that is one way. Obviously, for human women, it would be easier and – I won't lie, the physical interactions would be difficult, but not insurmountable. For men, like myself – not that I am going to be changed... it would require some heavy sedation for the doe, as a precaution, especially younger doe's."

Misty frowned, then gestulated at Rachel quickly. Rachel got one gesture out of five, making the frustrated Misty slow down and repeat herself.

"I don't understand – what's Dr. Mercer saying?" Misty finally got her point across.

With a blush, Rachel draped an arm around Misty's shoulders, cuddling her close. "Nothing you need worry your pretty little head about Misty."

"Explain – please?" Misty grunted, gesturing again.

Rachel sat on a chair, pondering for a moment, as her fingers moved and she locked gazes on Misty. "We, Therian's – like you. Can... bestow our... gift upon humans. One way is through breeding with them. It's not the most effective way of transmission – but is a much kinder way. Usually, it's through our saliva - into an open wound."

Misty's eyes widened in horror as she stared up at Rachel, her mouth falling open.

"Or... and we'd never do this – it's cruel and terrifying, but we'd bite the human, usually their jugular or carotid artery. Our, gift as I call it, is quite strong. Our saliva mixing with their blood like that, is the fastest way and the cruellest, as you can imagine." Rachel quietly explained, gently holding Misty's paws.

Misty swallowed and trembled, before starting to gesture, before Rachel shook her head.

"We are not beasts, Misty – our ancestors once did hunt and consume humans, it is true! We grew and evolved and changed – we're not bloodthirsty, carnivorous monsters... However, we have heard rumours – and that is all they are – that some therians do succumb to their dark natures, and hunt and kill – or worse – humans..." Rachel finally finished. "It is not who and what we are Misty. We take extreme caution around humans. No errant licks, or kisses, and definitely no... that would be wrong, do you understand? Turning a human against their will is wrong and is cruel and unspeakable!"

Misty frowned, lightly extricating her paws, as she started to gesture, then frowned deeper, struggling to find the right words.

"How do I know if someone wishes to...breed?" Misty finally gestulated.

"For starters," Rachel calmly explained. "It's called lovemaking, not breeding. We're not animals, Misty. When a buck loves a doe, he will court her. If she is interested in him, they will exchange looks, gestures, touches and other things – like playful nibbles, kisses and so on. I know you're young, you never got taught about lovemaking and... other things."

Rachel's blush grew worse.

"Maybe, Dr. Mercer could explain it better." Rachel stammered, clearly uncomfortable with Misty's innocent questions.

Misty, even more confused, looked towards Dr. Mercer, then back at Rachel, gesturing wildly again.

"There are none like me – I'm alone. A..." Frustrated, Misty struggled to articulate again. "Can a grey breed with a red?"

"I... don't imagine so, no. Although you're a Therian, like me – I imagine there are biological differences that'd make it impossible. You're an enigma, Misty. None of us have ever met a red kangaroo Therian! However, in the wild, red kangaroos can not interbreed with our cousins, the Western Grey Kangaroo – or us – the Eastern Grey Kangaroo."

"Yet..." Misty gestured, fumbling her words and sighing, before slowing down. "Either of us – could breed a human? It doesn't make sense!"

Rachel shuddered, then gently placed her hands on Misty's shoulders. "NO! Making love with a human, especially without their consent, is a very very bad thing! I know a little about our physiology – being a Veterinary Nurse – but one, it would be painful for the doe, secondly, our gift could inadvertently turn a human. Human men are – less susceptible, for example – but can still get turned. It's exceptionally dangerous for a human woman, they have – much more porous membranes inside them, that'd allow our gift to penetrate their body and turn them. But as I said, we must never make love to a human, against their will. It's cruel, violent and abhorrent, do you understand?"

Misty cowered, crouching down, as Rachel's sharp words struck like a physical slap, her eyes widening and ears flattening.

Instantly, Rachel felt guilty and ashamed, as she gently cradled Misty, stroking her neck. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you like that..."

Misty took some convincing before she quietened.

*

Dr. Mercer sighed, resting his head in his hands as he pondered the repercussions of what was to come.

"How do we do this? Do we go with trust – offering up an arm, or heaven forbid... a throat? Knowing the taste of blood could incite the dark one within them?"

Rachel, in her kangaroo form, lay on the floor, half-sitting and half-laying, as she idly scratched behind her left ear with her dark claws. “Any of the options poses risks and danger. Once a Therian tastes blood – their control is sorely tested, Doctor. However, to breed – sorry, I've spent too much time with Misty."

Dr. Mercer smiled weakly.

“To make love with one, such as I... well, the younger doe I'd suggest heavy sedation. It'd hurt – a lot – for them. Are there any older does, who would... I mean, could do it? Not only that, there's less risk with your kind – I mean, male humans, compared to female humans."

He rose and began pacing the small hut, deep in thought. “Indeed, the physiological aspect alone – I know kangaroo anatomy, both buck's and does, I imagine – in your current form, it'd be – well, the same."

Rachel pondered herself, idly drumming her claws on the floor. “Dr. Mercer? What about – with any male human who wanted to be turned, instead of traumatising and hurting the does – we..."

Rachel looked around, then picked up a carrot. Gazing thoughtfully at it, Rachel used her tongue to lick the carrot until it glistened with saliva. Carefully, she held it between her paws, then lowered her head, taking almost the entire length into her muzzle.

Dr. Mercer shuddered and watched, both intrigued and more than a little aroused, as the doe closed her eyes, suckling on the carrot then lightly bit down and quickly snapped her head back, dropping it into her paws. He looked, fascinated, as Rachel turned it about and held it up – showing the gentle scrapes of her teeth upon it.

“Again, Dr. Mercer, the taste of blood to a Therian... is a powerful and dangerous thing. I could do it, I have been exposed multiple times to the scent of blood, I think my control is... adequate for this task." Rachel murmured before she bit the top of the carrot and began chewing quietly. “I'm not leaving this here – covered in my saliva..."

Dr. Mercer shuddered, then nodded slowly. Rachel watched him, a playful smirk touching the edges of her furred lips, her eyes crinkling slightly.

“What's so funny?" He asked, looking at her.

Rachel flicked an ear and swallowed, then lightly tapped her nose with a claw, then looked down pointedly at the carrot, and back up. “You do know, you can use our pheromone suppressant... I can smell you, you're – shall we say, awkwardness... Doctor Mercer."

He stared at her, before he blushed from the neckline to the top of his head, his mouth falling open with a startled gasp, making Rachel giggle helplessly.

TO BE CONTINUED