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Sanctuary Secrets

Part Two

Chapter Four

© Cederwyn Whitefurr

7th March, 2024

All Rights Reserved.

Forty-eight hours had passed since the ritual, and Rachel had rested and refreshed herself. She patiently lay on a small but comfortable mattress, her dark eyes closely watching her patient, Olivia.

Olivia, heavily sedated, lay on a warm and cosy bed, her body drenched in sweat, the aftermath of her intense experience.

“I feel for you, I truly do,” Rachel sighed softly, her ears snapping from side to side as she yawned. “I was born a Therian – you – were not. Yet I keep watch over you, as instinctively, I know I must. You've passed your first trial, sister – now your new body needs to adapt and learn to co-exist... or, like the one who failed to initially control his dark nature, you will be euthanized. It will be painless, I promise.”

Rachel rose and stretched, her spine crackling from the base of her skull to her tail. Her ears twitched as she heard footsteps approach, and then the door was unlocked, and Dr. Owen entered quietly.

“Still sleeping, poor doe is soaked in sweat. I can't begin to imagine the struggle she's enduring, mentally... but she passed her first trial. I feel this bodes well for adding her to our mob. Is there any way...” Rachel pondered.

“I don't quite follow you, Rachel. What do you mean?” Dr. Owen asked, pulling his stethoscope from around his neck and placing the earbuds in. He pressed the cold metal against Olivia's chest, listening to her breathing and heartbeat.

Rachel waited patiently until he was done, watching the care and gentleness he exhibited, as he pressed three fingers against the doe's wrist and counted mentally.

“Her heart rate is elevated, and pulse above what I'd like, but considering... I suppose it's to be expected...” He murmured, taking the earbuds out of his ears. “Now, you were asking about...?”

Rachel sighed softly. “We don't have any joeys – haven't you noticed that? Our people aren't breeding... sorry Doctor, aren't procreating. Liam was the last joey born, and that was twenty-three years ago – is there something wrong with us? Something – obscure or unexpected? Is there any way to actually tell if any of us are even capable?”

Dr Owen sat on a chair, crossing one leg over the other and frowned, deep in thought. “I had noticed that... I openly admit, that Therians are – not exactly the easiest to study, physiologically, or mentally. The risk is too high; an accidental injury or fright could, well, trigger one of you, wouldn't it?”

Rachel frowned, deep in thought. “Well, not all of us, Doctor. I like to think of myself as quite... calm. Could I volunteer myself for... well, what tests would be required? Blood samples? Or – maybe urine samples? I don't know, I'm only a veterinary nurse – this is above my pay grade, as they say.”

Dr Owen left, returning quickly with a damp towel, which he used to wipe down Olivia's sweat-lathered fur as best he could as he pondered her questions.

“I'd start, personally, with blood tests, checking the hormone levels, ultrasound imaging, maybe even genetic testing – using your blood, for example. I do not think one of you would appreciate me trying to take a sample of your skin...” Dr. Owen smiled nervously.

Rachel snickered and smiled, breaking the tension. “No, probably not... So, non-invasive tests? What would you need?”

“Well, we regularly do screen for anomalies – mind you, with your kind, everything is an anomaly to myself and Dr. Mercer. Whilst your blood appears normal in preliminary examinations, when you start getting deeper into it... sorry, I'll just end up confusing you.”

Rachel scratched at her belly, then shook herself and resumed her half-laying, half-sitting pose, her ears flicked forwards in curiosity.

“Please, explain it to me.” Rachel inquired, curious.

“What I mean, is on the surface, to say, a normal, non-suspecting Veterinarian, your blood would be as close to normal with your ancestors, as to make no difference. If I didn't know, myself, say, a blood sample from you, I'd say it was a from an adult eastern grey kangaroo – with a little work, I'd notice the oestrogen and other female hormones in it.” Dr. Owen's admitted. “It's only with much deeper analysis, that the differences show.” Dr Owen spoke quietly, gently wiping down Olivia's wet thighs.

Rachel nodded, a little curious, before she looked at Dr. Owen, then at Olivia, then back at him, a sudden intake of breath startled Dr. Owen and he quickly backed away as Rachel stepped closer, placing a gentle paw on Dr. Owen's forearm.

“Doctor, I advise you strongly, to leave... now...” Rachel murmured quietly. “She's waking up, and I'll have to force the shift on her – to see if she is truly... one of us. It won't be kind, but my instincts and connection to what she is, compel me to do it.”

“Will...” Dr Owen asked quietly.

“I - “ Rachel sighed. “I don't know, it is painful, incredibly so – and traumatic, whatever you hear, please, do not come in... Her inner therian will be stressed, scared and extremely fragile.”

Dr Owen shuddered and quietly left, locking the door behind him.

*

Rachel, Liam and Jackson never spoke about how they forced the shift on the three humans – but they did, and it was with relief, that they helped their newest members learn the intricacies of their new forms.

*

Misty watched Dr. Mercer from a distance as he moved about the sanctuary, his every movement and action was done with a calm, gentle authority that fascinated her. She couldn't understand what it was that stirred something within her, but the more she observed, the more she found herself compelled by an unknown instinct.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow across the landscape, Misty lingered near the edge of the clearing where Dr. Mercer was tending to some paperwork. She tried to focus on the rhythmic scratching of his pen against the paper, but her attention kept drifting to the way his brow furrowed in concentration.

A gentle breeze rustled through the trees, carrying with it the earthy scent of the surrounding forest. Misty inhaled, her senses heightened by the natural and comforting scents and sounds around her. As she watched Dr. Mercer, a strange warmth unfurled in her chest, a sensation she couldn't quite comprehend.

When he sensed her presence and looked up, Misty felt a flutter in her stomach. She quickly coughed and averted her eyes, suddenly finding the play of shadows near her fascinating. Misty frowned mentally.

Why does being near him, make my heart feel the way it does? Misty's mind pondered. He's – not like me, not like the others! He's a human – human's tried too... NO – stop those thoughts! He's not like those others, he's never hurt me...

Misty squealed as his shadow fell over her, and she instinctively crouched down in submission, her eyes wide and staring up at him.

“Misty? Hey, it's alright, shhh...” Dr. Mercer whispered, as he crouched down and held his hands out. “It's alright, I didn't mean to frighten you.”

Fearfully, Misty placed her paws in Dr. Mercer's palms, his compassion and gentleness easing her fear.

“Misty, what's troubling you so?” Dr. Mercer gazed into her eyes, trying to find something to build upon with her.

Gently, Misty extracted her paws, then shivered, before she started to gesture, slowly and carefully.

“Scared, hurt, not – like the others. Different. Lonely and afraid...” Misty's words come with extreme care, as she struggled to give voice via her ASL, to her feelings. “Bad... dreams.”

Dr. Mercer watched her gesturing closely, understanding some of what she was trying to say. “It's alright Misty, I know you're not like the others, but have any of them frightened you? Hurt you in any way? No. They want to be friends, to have you trust them like you trust Rachel. I know you're different, it's not because you're different, you're still like them! You're a Therian, the same as they are – your appearance is different, and I'm certain, there's very minor physiological differences – but you, like them, are still a Therian kangaroo.”

“I have - “ Misty gestured, then sighed and hung her head, pausing for a moment. “I have – things – inside me, that make me afraid...”

Dr. Mercer frowned, then sat down, facing her. “What do you mean by things? Can you try, please, to explain it to me?”

Misty, frustrated, stamped a long foot on the ground and shuddered. “I... do not understand these, things. I... instincts, inside me.”

Dr. Mercer reached into a pocket, then pulled out a handful of almonds, offering them to her. Carefully, Misty plucked some out of his hand and began chewing them, the almonds crunching beneath her teeth.

“Thank you... for...” Misty signed, then gestured at the almonds.

Dr. Mercer smiled and offered her some more. “They're called almonds, a treat, a healthy treat for Kangaroo's, and Therian's. Now, please, help me understand. I can't help you, if you don't talk to me, Misty.”

Taking some more almonds, Misty ate them and her frown deepened, as she struggled to think of the words.

“Instincts, in me – I don't understand them. Memories... not mine. They frighten me...” Misty finally gestured.

Dr. Mercer listened attentively, his concern growing as Misty struggled to express herself. He nodded gently, encouraging her to continue.

“Instincts and memories... not yours? I think I understand. Therians have, what I've been led to believe, like an ancestral memory – like memories from their past, of ancestors, passed on through methods we don't understand. Like instincts, but different. All animals have the instincts that nature provided them – like you. You know how to hop, how to eat, and so on. You don't have to think about these, they're just natural to you, do you understand?”

Misty frowned, then nodded.

“However, through – something – I suppose it's like a genetic memory – carried through your bloodline from your... ancestors.”

Don't mention her mother, you know how that triggered her last time... Dr. Mercer reminded himself.

“Feel things – urges, here,” Misty gestured to her chest. “Dreams, not mine – like watching, but not Misty! Confusing, scare me, hurt me sometimes!”

Dr Mercer rose, brushing off his jeans, as he began walking, Misty crawling along beside him. He reached out and gently placed a hand on her neck.

“So, you're having dreams? In your sleep, but they're not memories of your own? Like – watching someone else? Or being someone else?”

Misty nodded again before she stopped and gestured quickly. “Not Misty... someone - else.”

Dr. Mercer began to wonder, slowly piecing together a mental jigsaw in his mind.

“You're young, an adult, but a young adult – you'd be...at a guess – five years old, maybe six. I don't know exactly. You were barely an adolescent when you first came into care, with us. So, you're experiencing emotions and memories that aren't your own? That must be incredibly disorienting and frightening. But Misty? You're not alone in this, we can work together to understand, and if possible, alleviate your distress. Would you be willing to let me help you?”

Misty paused, before she slowly stood up, studying Dr. Mercer's sincere expression. Slowly, she reached out and placed a paw on his chest, near his heart as she lifted her gaze up, a flicker of trust in her eyes. Dr. Mercer smiled warmly, appreciating the moment and the growing connection forming between them.

“Thank you, Misty. We'll take this one step at a time, okay? Your instincts and memories may be confusing, but together, and with Rachel's help, we'll find a way to navigate through them. It might just be because you're, well, you. Your... experiences shaped you and melded you into an amazing, capable and resilient young doe.”

Misty looked up at him, lost and confused, but her trust in him growing by the moment.

*

In the moonlit serenity that enfolded the refuge, Misty woke, startled awake by unfamiliar sensations. The night air was cool and quiet, as she crawled out of her shared cabin, then stood bathed in the silvery light of the moon. Standing up, Misty instinctively swivelled her ears, her eyes taking in the twilight landscape before her. Her mind was troubled, her heart beating faster within her furred chest and a confusing sensation filled her.

Driven by a force she couldn't resist, Misty approached the cabin with an almost trance-like grace. Her senses heightened, she could detect the subtle scent within. Unbeknownst to her, powerful, primal urges triggered by her therian instincts were guiding her actions.

Inside the cabin, Dr Mercer was peacefully asleep, naked as the day he'd been born, blissfully unaware of the approaching presence.

Misty gently nudged the door open, then entered with a quiet rustle of her fur against the door frame. She stood at the edge of the bed, her eyes reflecting a mixture of confusion and desire.

In her instinctual state, Misty gently nudged Dr. Mercer, until he rolled over onto his back, Misty's eyes widening as she saw him in his unclothed state. Misty, under the sway of the influence of her heightened state, didn't hesitate...

Positioning herself at the edge of the bed, Misty stretched her neck out and began to tentatively sniff, then nuzzle and quickly, lick from head to root and back again. The intoxicating smell of masculinity and musk filled her nostrils and fuelled her urges.

“Mmmph - “ Dr. Mercer moaned softly, one hand twitching as his dreams turned intimate and pleasurable.

Misty flicked an ear before she resumed her gentle nuzzling – her eyes widening as the thing before her began to lengthen and engorge. Her inner Therian awoke, sensing the strong pulse of blood, but Misty's urges kept it suppressed and acquiescent.

“So... good - “ Dr. Mercer's mumbled moans reached her ears.

Misty continued gently lipping and licking, her curiosity aroused, and her own urges growing hotter by the second as her heart rate quickened and her sense of smell heightened. Her eyes, wide and unblinking took in the not-inconsiderable penile length that twitched and flicked, as Misty frowned, uncertain how to proceed...

“Misty! What on earth...” Rachel's sharp exploded, her voice filled with disbelief and concern.

Misty shrieked and threw herself backwards, colliding with the small table and becoming entangled in it, her eyes wide and ears flat, as she seemed to snap out of the trance-like state, looking around bewildered, frightened and confused.

Dr. Mercer startled awake, his eyes wide and staring at Rachel, then at Misty, then almost as an afterthought, he looked down and a brilliant scarlet blush flooded his face as he grabbed the blanket and pulled it over himself.

“Misty!” Rachel growled, approaching the now quivering young red doe. “What were you thinking?”

“Uh... what... what in hell?” Dr. Mercer yelped, as he pulled his knees up to his chest, hugging them close. “What is going on here? Why are you two in...”

“Explain yourself, right now!” Rachel growled, her anger white-hot, as she threw the table to the side, glaring at the sobbing young doe.

Misty cried out in fright and confusion, trying to get to her feet, but a long foot paw from Rachel pressed hard on Misty's chest and pinned her flat on her back.

Rachel glared down at her, her fear and anger giving her strength. As Rachel leaned closer, her nostrils flared, then her eyes went wide and she leaned even closer, smelling Misty's scent.

“Wait a minute...” Rachel suddenly shuddered, her anger washing away to be replaced with confusion and surprise, as she took her foot off Misty's chest and sniffed her a third time. “My gods – you're in heat – aren't you?”

Dr Mercer, struggling to compose himself, having been scared half to death at what Misty had done, pressed himself back into the corner of the wall, staring wide-eyed at Misty and Rachel.

Again, Rachel leaned even closer, sniffing Misty from throat to groin, before she shuddered and relaxed her posture. “It's true, you are in heat...”

Misty crawled away, cowering in the corner, sobbing and quivering, overcome by the fear within her and the terrible realisation of what she'd done.

“Rachel, easy - “Dr Mercer whispered. “She doesn't understand, what she has done! She's scared and confused... oh why, why did I not realise this? Of course – a red doe would sexually mature later than you greys...”

Misty, hysterical and terrified, tried to make herself as small and non-threatening as she could, against the cabin corner, her tears streaked down her muzzle and her violent trembling only added to the heightened tension and bewilderment between Dr. Mercer and Rachel.

Human and Therian found themselves in an unexpected and unusual predicament, navigating the complexities of Therian instincts, mating urges, and the innocence of a terrified, frightened young doe...

TO BE CONTINUED