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I stumbled back from the intimidating Wolf Man, who was suddenly flanked by The Den's other patrons. His yellow eyes stared down at me with a cold, judgmental stare. I was beginning to get genuinely frightened, but I tried to stay focused on what I came here to do. What really unnerved me, and it was something Troy had failed to mention, was that the Wolf Man was naked. Unlike most every animalized human in the club, he was not wearing any clothing at all, save for a metal chain with a card attached to it. I had heard about animalized people who were going "all natural," decrying their human nature as something low and unworthy. They strive to truly become animals. It was an extreme of a population already beyond extremes.

"Are you deaf, human?" He growled, ears twitching forward.

"Troy invited me here. I'm his room mate, Michael," I said, giving away only part of the truth.

The wolf seemed to be caught off guard by the mention of Troy because his shoulders loosened up and his snarling muzzle lowered to a calmer expression. As he looked me over, the other patrons seemed to slowly go back to their drinks and dancing. I guess knowing one of their own was enough to convince them that I was not a threat. It gave me a chance to look over the Wolf Man more at the very least. After all I was curious about him and a bit interested in him. I had always admired wolves and here was a walking talking almost human one. Heck in a more natural setting he could have passed for an actual wolf, save for the obvious human body structure under the fur. He cracked a smile, black lips parting to show his ivory teeth. At that moment I almost lost control of my bodily functions, a smiling wolf was definitely not something for the squeamish. Fortunately I was able to pull myself together and not cause a further scene cause that would be the last thing I would need.

"Well since you're Troy's friend why don't you up to my private pad?" He smiled, the smile not doing much to calm my nerves.

It wasn't so much a question as an order so I followed him. After all how could I possibly pass up such an opportunity. One he was talking to me and that in and of itself was good enough for me. I was so damn curious I had to follow him. That and there was something about him that just made me follow. It was probably my own interest in wolves. There were some jealous looks in the eyes of the patrons. Apparently, being called up to the Wolf Man's private lounge was a pretty big deal. I would have to ask Troy about it when I got back home. I had taken Troy in to more or less cut down on expenses and to get some extra money. The fact that he was animalized didn't bother me too much. In fact he usually kept to himself. We talked on occasion when I wasn't working and he happened to walk past the living room. The conversations never seemed to really be about Troy or my self, but instead were usually centered on the events in Kaldor City. In all honesty, I knew very little about Troy beyond his career, the fact that he paid rent, and that he worked out at a local gym.

I was taken up a spiral staircase in the back corner of the club that was hidden by the small forest of trees. If nothing else, The Den had it's share of secrets. The staircase lead to a platform that was hidden from the initial view I had from the main doors. The platform had twisted wooden railings and curved away from the cornering walls. Chairs made of wood and some comfortable looking cushions looked out over the edge down through an opening in the trees to the dance floor bellow. The Wolf Man was now leaning over the edge looking through the opening as I walked up onto the small terrace. The booming music that had deafened my ears was now much quieter and somewhat tolerable.

"So what brings you to the Den?" He asked, turning slowly around to lean back on his elbows.

"Curiosity mostly. I don't know much about Troy so when he offered me a free pass I figured I should at least check out where he works," I said. I told him as much of the truth as I dared to. I was a bit concerned the Wolf Man might be getting a bit concerned if not outright suspicious of my motives, but I had my profession to do here as well as personal curiosity.

"Troy never told me his room-mate was a human," he replied, gazing at me. "Still I am curious. How did you meet him?"

"He answered an ad I placed on the Extranet and since he paid cash, I couldn't refuse. Not many prospective tenants do that anymore," I replied. "Besides he was.... .interesting..."

"Interesting?" The wolf's eyes lit up for a moment and his ears flicked forward.

"Well not every man can claim that a bull is their room mate, I figured it would be different. Besides, the human tenants I've had were all pretty bad. So far Troy has been pretty good, though he does tend to keep to himself."

"Are you sure you didn't just take him in out of curiosity? Or as a way to prove you aren't as bad as the rest of your peers perhaps?" The wolf growled, folding his arms over his chest.

Maybe in the back of my mind, I had taken in Troy to see what animalized people were like. I seldom saw any in my youth, but when I moved to Kaldor City there were more and more of them. I moved for a lot of reasons, a job at the New Holocon, an Extranet news network, affordability, and more importantly, getting away from my family, but that was not why I took in Troy. No, I took in Troy because of what I am.

I am an investigative reporter. I did the job well enough I suppose, going places no human wanted to or would go. So when the idyllic city of Kaldor called, I jumped at the opportunity. Everyone had heard of Kaldor. It was supposedly a city of "universal perfection." I hardly believed the city's hype. It was only thirty years old after all and I was a natural born cynic. It didn't seem possible, but the clean streets and virtually crime free city was real. It was all the product of the city's political organization The Party. Once called the One World Democratic Unity Party, now it was just called The Party, a political ideology made real. As far as I knew its influence remained in Kaldor City as, so far, there was no signs of totalitarian trends, no crooked cops, and no secret police state. There was nothing that I had come to expect from something so good being achieved in so short a time. Just calm law and order in the streets and people genuinely happy with it. Maybe the change of twelve years ago would be lost, the up and coming elections would no doubt see to it one way or another. Which brought me back to Troy and the Den. I was told by my boss to go and see what the animalized portion of the population thought of The Party and how they were going to vote. That was the profession but I was also personally curious and that curiosity was driving me mad right now.

Since they had declassified animalized humans had always been the source of legal abuse, prejudice, even out right hatred. Something I was sure Kaldor City would not differ on at all, but as surprising as everything else I discovered that the city had equal rights for animalized citizens. In general what I saw was a citizenship that treated them the same as anyone else in the city. It was a politically unprecedented policy so it amazed me to hear the Wolf Man being so judgmental.

"My peers? You know as well as I do that The Party does not allow discrimination against hybrids," I answered.

"So you're a member?" he asked ears flattening

"No. I'm a private citizen, still on the fence politically," I grinned." Always have been. It's probably why I took Troy in. I always wanted to be on the razor's edge."

The Wolf Man laughed. It was brassy and almost musical in tone.

"You're no-where near the edge, Michael, and you can stop pretending." He laughed as his powerful body relaxed as he walked over and put a heavy paw-hand on my shoulder. "You can hide from humans well enough, but not my nose, so drop the innocent guy act." I panicked.

He tapped his wet leathery nose with a grin. Could he actually tell that I was lying or had Troy told him? Perhaps he had sneaked a look at my computer while I was away. How else could he know? I doubt he could smell lies, sure there were rumors about secret conspiracies giving humans more genetic enhancements but those were just that, conspiracy theories, not true. . At least that was what other reporters had speculated years ago. One of the faults with animalization was that all you really got was a bastardization of a human and animal and not all the parts worked together perfectly. I tried to convince myself that it was all assumption on the wolf's part, as a cold sweat began to grow on my brow. He took my face in his leathery paws and held my gaze for what seemed like an eternity before letting me go. His seemed seemed to be looking for something. I was startled,, scared that at any moment he would do something unexpected much like the evening had been going thus far and yet it felt....strangely good.

"You're a hunter Michael. I'll give you that much," he replied."But I really wonder what it is a reporter like you really is looking for."

Without a word from me, he went to the corner wall and slide the card he had around his neck through a reader as I just stared at him slack jawed. Sure, I was no expert in under cover investigation but I had enough experience not to blow my cover on purpose during the first night. Something was not right here and downright suspicious. I really wasn't sure I wanted to find out what exactly was going on here either. A panel opened in the wall revealing a room with some potted trees, wooden paneling on the walls, and a couple of couches with a bar against the back wall. Behind the bar was a rather short reddish fox with the typical markings around his face. The bow tie he wore only added to his refined look. He wore a leather jacket as well and it was made to look more like a tux than actual leather, but the sheen of the leather was too obvious.

On one of the two couches sat a rather pudgy looking lion. He was wearing a maroon vest that revealed a rather muscular set of arms and chest but his stomach was a rounded gut. A thick dark brown mane of fur covered his neck and head, but also made up a nicely trimmed beard around his feline jaw. A pair of jeans graced his digi-grade legs. It was rare to see such pants mostly because they had to be custom made by rather expensive tailors who were talented enough to deal with the strange curves the legs required. His feet were bare. Most animalized people went without shoes anyway. I suppose foot ware would be impossible to come by for most of them. It made me wonder what it would feel like to walk on them. The lion looked up at me, his brilliant green eyes staring as he turned off the holo news on the round table in front of the couches.

"Why 'allo there. Um Kal, please tell me you are not taking in stray humans? " Inquired the lion in a rather thick British accent.

"No Fred, this is Michael, he's Troy's landlord and I am willing to bet that he's reporter too," answered the Wolf Man as he went behind the bar. "Can I get you anything, Michael?"

"Mojito, please," I answered "And what makes you think I am a reporter?"

"You have a predatory feel about you. You look around with a curious eye, almost as if you're making notes in your head. You don't strike me as a killer in that regard," answered the wolf as he popped open a beer and fixed my drink.

"That's all just an assumption though." I grinned, thinking that I had nothing to really worry about.

He moved rather quickly from the bar and, in an almost fluid motion, handed me a glass with the lime green colored drink in it, as he bended over and whispered into my ear. The sensation of breath sent shivers down my spine and also caused alarms in my head to go off. If there were any where to move I would have backed off. It was a bit nerve racking to have him so close again into my personal space. Did animalized people do this often? I would have to ask later.

"I can hear a holo-recorder in your trench coat, Michael."

The wolf smiled again,clinking his dark brown bottle with my glass.

"Not to mention that Brutus ran a background check on your holo-card at the door, and it's been recently scanned no less then four times by HCNN news this week."

There was a look of guarded shock from the lion and the fox. I was stunned at the revelation. I could not believe an animal person could be so in tuned with their higher senses. Of course I didn't stop to think that they would have checked my holo-card. It made sense now why the big bear had looked so long at it. I almost slapped myself for being making such an amateur move.

"Don't look so surprised. You're not the first one to try. Luckily Brutus has a good eye for catching hidden code in those new cards." He grinned, taking a swig of beer.

"Damnit," I muttered as I sipped the mojito. "Cover blown."

"Just don't make Troy homeless. He's one of the Den's best bouncers."

"No despite the horns, he is one of the best room mates I have had and holo news pay isn't going to cover my expenses if I lose my room-mate," I said, finishing off the small drink. "I guess I'll be going. If nothing else I can say the Wolf Man makes a good mojito."

"Backing away from the edge so soon?" The wolf remarked snidely.

I had turned my back on the trio as the lion and fox let out a snicker from the Wolf Man's remark. I could imagine a sneering leer from that canine muzzle, grinning away like a Cheshire cat. I clenched my teeth, trying not to become visibly angry. He probably was just yanking my chain to see how I would react. Then again, he had brought me back here for a reason. I did want to genuinely know more about animalized humans and there were three, right here in front of me. One had even given me a drink, welcomed me into his personal lounge, and thus far had been pretty reasonable despite the mocking. I turned around to see the loin and fox carrying on a typical conversation, as if nothing had really gone on at all. It was perplexing and raised the question if this was something that happened often. Was the Wolf Man in the habit of bringing humans to mock them. I blinked in confusion.

"So what is it going to be Michael? Are you going to stand there all night?" The Wolf Man asked after a long silence.

His tone was not one of ridicule or sarcasm. Instead it sounded sincere. I realized that I had been standing there for several minutes more, while they had been there looking at me.

"Well?" He asked, looking rather impatient.

I felt embarrassed as I walked over and sat down next to the Wolf Man on the couch near the entrance to the room. A paw came down on my front, slowly undoing the buttons to my coat.

"Take your coat off and stay a while. We aren't going to bite you despite our looks," he sighed as he undid the buttons.

I almost jumped out of my skin from the sudden invasion of my personal space happened once again. The sharp claws could have easily sliced through the cloth and into my flesh by the look of them. I undid the last few simply to avoid the wolf's touch. The Wolf Man chuckled a bit.

"Nice shirt, was that planned as well?"

"Huh? N...No I was late getting to the laundry and well this is one of my few casual shirts," I replied. "I really didn't mean it....This probably looks pretty bad for me right now, doesn't it?"

"My name is Kalus actually. I would sort of expect it from a reporter trying to blend in with the crowd."

"I am not sure how wearing a t-shirt with a wolf on it would blend in with people who have tails and fur."

The lion laughed. While Kalus simply chuckled. I had clearly missed the joke.

"You've got yourself a witty one there Kal. Anyways I am off to check out some things. Good luck, Michael. Pleasure to have met you Kal, Ralph." The lion nodded to each and Kalus waved to him as he walked out the door of the room.

"Hey Michael care for another drink?" The wolf asked after the lion had left.

"Sure, a beer," I answered, wondering if I might be drinking too much.

"Ralph, two beers please and take Michael's coat," the wolf ordered.

The fox was prompt in bringing the beers. Out from behind the bar, I could see he was wearing an apron, which did nothing to hide the tight fitting pants on his lean legs. He took my coat and hung it in a closet by the door before he went back to the bar, whistling away.

"Thank you. You have a nice bartender there," I said, swigging down the golden alcohol.

"You're welcome," smiled the fox from the bar. "And I am not a bartender. I used to be a patron whose bar tab got a bit too big. So I am helping Kalus around the club now, bar tending and Djing to pay off my debt. I guess I still have to work on my spending habits."

"You'd better otherwise I may have to boot your hide!" Kalus growled a bit annoyed at the fox who simply shrugged and continued working. "So Michael what do you want to know about people like us?"

"Well...why do I at all? Why go forward with the procedure to change yourself into something inhuman?" I asked, finishing off the beer.

"It's a different reason for everyone really. Take Ralph, for example, he was always shy and reserved," nodded the wolf to the fox.

"Oh hell ya!" grinned the fox leaning back on the bar. "Before I was animalized I would never have thought to be wearing leather, Djing, or any of this. Heck whenever I tried to help people out or fit in any way, people just shunned me. When I cam here two years ago I could tell this place as different. It was....special. I mingled, found out about how to become a hybrid and the club members chipped in and paid for my animalization. I couldn't be happier really. I get to work for Kalus, spend time with people who actually care about me. I've really never regretted it."

"What does your parents think?"

"Bah....My parents didn't give two shits about me. Miserable people who beat me up constantly. I doubt they even know I exist, much less that I am a fox," shrugged the fox.

"What about you Kalus what about your parents?"

"Sometimes you never know your parents."

There was a twinge of sadness in the wolf's voice. Kalus had been talkative up until this point, but now an erie silence fell about the room as Ralph cleared his throat uneasily. I tried to formulate my next question. The alcohol might have been working a bit too strongly, but then again I was a light weight when it came to alcohol. That didn't stop me from asking for another beer. The flavor was something I didn't quite recognize but it was good. I hadn't had a beer in several months. I quickly avoided that moment in my thoughts and just blurted out another question.

"So how does one become animalized?"

"Is that a personal question or something the general public will want answered?" asked Kalus, as he narrowed his eyes at me, studying my face.

"A little bit of both really. I'm curious."

"Normally someone just gets the funds and goes to a cosmetic surgeon. If they check out mentally and physically, they begin splicing therapy. Some get ears and tails only, most tend to go all the way. It's not cheap but people who do this should know what they are getting into. I've met more than a few that regretted getting spliced, thinking it was cool, or that they really wanted it when they didn't. That pisses me right off."

"Why's that?"

Kalus let out a sigh.

"I was born this way. Both parents were animalized. I don't know if they were both wolves or not, but I had no choice to be like this. However most people do choose and they choose poorly. Wrong species, wrong reason to become animalized, or they just see it as a trend. This is a lifestyle choice and one that some people are just more comfortable with. Anyway why so curious?" asked Kalus with a sly grin as he leaned forward.

"I...er...just...curious..." I stammered trying to beat down my own curiosity and remain professional.

"So close to the edge and yet so far," mused Kalus, getting off the couch. "Well when you figure out why you are curious be sure to stop by again. Just tell the bouncers that your own of the Wolf Man's pack, they'll let you in."

"Thanks I think."

I tired to stand up but ended up almost collapsing. I saw the crème colored carpet for a moment and then I saw nothing but dark fur. It took me a moment to realize that I had landed right into Kalus chest. I felt strong arms lift me up from my armpits and steady me on my feet.

"Hmmm I think we've got a light-weight here, Ralph. Michale did you drive here?" Kalus asked.

"Figures," sighed Ralph coming over to help Kalus.

I tried to reply but I simply couldn't. The whole room seemed to be spinning and there was a bile building at the back of my throat and puking on the wolf was definitely not going to help me get any future stories out of him. I simply nodded my head afraid if I did much more I was going to ruin his fur and my reputation such as it was.

"Ralph, give Troy a call. Tell him Michale is here and to come pick him up. I am going to get him to lie down. Come on light-weight." The wolf muttered as he picked me up like a sack of potatoes.

"Wee....whoa....not...."

All I could remember before passing out was the sensation of sheets beneath me and Kalus' fur against my cheeks. A frantic voice was yelling from a nearby room.

"What the hell are you doing Kal, trying to fuck us all over!?"