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Sanctuary Secrets

Part Two

Chapter Two

© Cederwyn Whitefurr

5th March, 2024

All Rights Reserved.

It came down to this, the leaders of the Therians, along with Dr. Mercer, sat, lay or paced, around the hall, debating the pros and cons of this most important.

“None of us even know the potential problems - “ Stacy began, her ears flat and her face betraying her fear and nervousness. “I have never turned a human, none of us have!”

Liam placed a comforting paw on the nervous young doe, trying to soothe her fraying nerves. “Stacy, getting upset won't help. I know you're scared, we're all scared! Every day, we fight against that which shares our bodies and minds. Please, let Dr. Mercer speak, let him have his say. Whilst he isn't one of us – a choice we will respect, he knows about us, our problems, and I imagine he's very aware of the risks involved.”

Dr. Mercer, feeling disoriented, slumped into a chair and his agitated and worried scent started upsetting the gathered Therian's.

“I'm not your leader – it's why we founded this council – so we could share ideas and discuss them from both points of view. These humans have been a part of our enclave for five years! You know them, I know them – have any one of them ever tried to harm one of you? Have they shown any ulterior motives or worst of all – any – hint of betraying you?”

He looked at the Therians, who all dropped their gazes to the floor in submission.

“My point stands. I trust them – just as I trust every one of you, your brothers and sisters – whom any one of us would fight and die for!”

“I'm scared – what happens if - “ Stacy began nervously sobbing.

Liam gently cuddled her, holding her close. Dr. Mercer noticed this, and began to formulate the idea that Stacy and Liam weren't just friends – but were becoming lovers.

Good, it'll do Stacy the world of good, to have a level-headed, strong and non-dominant buck to help her. I know how much she struggles with her inner dark Therian. I just wish I knew how to help her – how to help – any – of them... Dr. Mercer thought to himself.

“Doctor – are you okay?” Jackson quietly asked, placing a paw lightly on Dr. Mercer's knee.

“Huh?” Dr. Mercer gasped, then shook his head. “Sorry, lost myself in thought there. Yes, I understand – as best I can, what you're all experiencing. None of you have ever turned a human, you have fragments from your ancestral memories – but this isn't enough. Rachel, you offered up an – idea...”

Rachel, lost in her mental landscape, gasped and flicked her ears, before she shuddered and stood up, shaking herself off and flexing her muscles until she dropped back into a more relaxed pose. “Yes, for the male humans... I would, uh...”

Jackson looked at Rachel, frowning slightly, followed by Stacy, then Liam. Rachel felt like she wanted to melt into the floor, under the hard looks her fellow Therians were giving her.

“Rachel would – as she's demonstrated to me...” Dr. Mercer tried helping her.

“With a carrot!” Rachel gasped, then hung her head in shame and guilt.

“Rachel would, as she has excellent control over her darker self.” Dr. Mercer spoke quietly, his voice calm and polite. “She would engage in a non-sexual arousal and a very gentle nibble to the human male's...”

Multiple eyes widened as they looked at Rachel, who wilted visibly.

“It is a much... gentler way. A small bite, nothing too serious, just enough to pierce the skin, with the copious saliva and an open wound...” Dr. Mercer continued. “Wait, Rachel? I just thought of another way, one that'd save you from the humiliation and degradation...”

Both of the bucks winced and shuddered, seemingly sharing the same thought. Dr Mercer empathised with them wholeheartedly.

“What's your plan, Doctor?” Liam asked, looking over the top of Stacy's head at him.

Doctor Mercer began pacing again, wracked with indecision and guilt at what he was about to say.

“I could make a small incision, with a scalpel, a tiny one, as it's all we need, is to get to the blood, right?” He asked them.

They looked at each other, silent for four beats of their hearts, before Liam nodded slowly. “Yes, but the risk...”

“I'll do it - “ Rachel spoke up, as she stood upright, her muzzle wreathed in determination and acceptance. “All it'd take is a moment or two...”

“But... human blood and - “ Stacy's nervousness made the others quiver, as her fear was almost infectious amongst them, Liam instinctively holding her tighter.

“I've had the most exposure to blood - “ Rachel growled quietly, but not with malice or threat, just quietly and honestly. “I'm the oldest of us, it should fall to me, as I have the best control. Dr. Mercer, promise me one thing...”

He looked at her, confusion and uncertainty in his eyes. “Rachel? Anything – what is your request?”

“I want either you or Dr. Owen's... to have one of your syringes with the euthanasia drug almost against my nape at all times. I can't promise I won't... lose my control. Blood, be it animal or human, for we Therian's...”

They all looked at each other, each swallowing and flattening their ears nervously.

“It's a powerful summons for our darker selves...” Rachel whispered fearfully. “If you or Dr. Owen even suspect I'm about to turn... kill me, promise me you won't hesitate! I mean this! I'd rather die – than hurt a human, or turn one one of my own...”

“I promise, Rachel, I give you my word. I'll let Dr. Owen know as well. One of us will be with you at all times, and the other with your...”

Rachel's ears flattened against her neck as she swallowed nervously and trembled. “Call it the truth Doctor... my victim.”

“What about...” Jackson spoke up. “What about the two human women, who wish to be turned, how...”

Dr. Mercer shuddered. “We will offer them, if one of you are willing, the choice. If I had my choice, it'd be you, Jackson. You're un-mated, isn't that right?”

Jackson coughed, looking away, his annoyance at such a deeply personal question making him annoyed. “I fail Doctor, to see your...”

Liam frowned, then lightly touched his older brother in a comforting manner. “No, he's right Jackson, it must be you – if you're asked. I...”

Liam looked at Stacy, who lifted her muzzle to stare into his eyes.

I thought as much, if they're not already, then these two will be mated before the next full moon. I don't need their senses to read their body language or smell their scent. Dr. Mercer smiled to himself.

“They will be offered the choice – it would be easier to turn them, via Rachel's method – but if they're uncomfortable with this... then the other way must be explored. As I have surmised, a mating between you and a human woman, would have a higher chance of passing on your gift, due to the porous membranes in the female anatomy. Of course, there is an alternative – if you're uncomfortable...” Dr. Mercer mused. “How would you feel, as I don't understand the potential of breeding a Therian to a human...”

“A high chance - “ Jackson swallowed the lump in his furred throat. “I don't understand how I know, I just do – its a... a memory. Of sorts. A human woman could conceive to one like me, much easier than too, for example – you, yourself. However, the forced shift that'd have to happen – as you know, our doe's must be in their feral form to conceive and birth, our young...”

“I think the alternative is preferable. You understand the - “ Dr. Marcus trailed off, a slight blush creeping up his cheeks. “How to pleasure a doe, with your tongue...”

Stacy giggled and Liam coughed, making the others turn to stare at them until they muffled themselves by holding their muzzles shut with their paws.

“I assume it'd be similar...” Jackson muttered. “An effective method, I will concede. As we therians do produce a lot of saliva, a side effect of being who and what we are – very well, I will offer this as an alternative. It would be safer for them, as whilst I'm nearly nine years old – I would not trust myself to keep control if I tasted her blood. As we've said, it's a very powerful summons for our darker selves. This option is – preferable.”

*

As the next full moon approached, the tension in the refuge began to grow. Four humans had offered themselves to be turned – a married couple and two unrelated ones. Dr Mercer and Dr Owen had prepared for the procedure as best they could, double and triple-checking each other's work. At last, the night before the agreed-upon time, Dr Mercer and Rachel, in her therian form, met with the potentials in a formal meeting.

“Please, take a seat,” Dr. Mercer smiled warmly, gesturing to the empty chairs. “We'll begin in a moment.”

Rachel, half-sitting and half-lying, watched the new potentials with interest, her expression calm and relaxed – yet internally, she was terrified at the possibilities that lay ahead.

Calm yourself, Rachel commanded her mind. Be at peace, yes, there is a risk, all of them could survive the procedure, or none of them could. You don't know the answer, it's in the lap of the God's. It depends on how strong-willed these humans are. You've faced your dark self and emerged triumphant...

Rachel snorted softly, flicking an ear as Dr Mercer gently touched her. “Rachel? If you'd be so kind as to explain your side of it, please?”

Why did I volunteer for this? Rachel inwardly sighed. “As you know – from your exposure to us, we have the gift to shift between human and -”

With a gesture of her paw, Rachel waved at herself. “This... It's not without its risks. We battle, constantly, against what we call our dark therian. You've never seen it, and I pray, you never will. Whilst we are kind, gentle and friendly – it is the opposite of everything we are. It is dark, cruel and violent.”

Rachel shuddered, and closed her eyes, taking a few deep breaths as she fought for calmness within and without. “Even now – it can smell you, and its hunger is powerful and commanding. It is a fight we must never surrender to. I won't lie to you. It is, literally, a mental battle constantly. Some of you might die, all of you might die... or you might live. It is dependent on how mentally strong you are. Once you've become like I am – you will be tested – those who can not control their dark therian... you won't suffer, I promise.”

“Are...” Stammered the young woman, looking pale and the scent of fear and sweat clung to her like a veritable cloud. “Are there any...advantages too – to being... you?”

Dr. Mercer looked at Rachel, who smiled nervously and nodded. “Other than looking beautiful? Okay, seriously – yes. We heal at twice the normal human rate, our resistance to sedatives and such is incredibly high, as our metabolism burns through them so quickly.”

Dr Mercer shuddered, remembering the night Misty had been brought into the sanctuary's theatre, and how much it'd taken to put her under and keep her under...

Rachel shivered and continued, her voice low and intense.

“Now, that being said, there are significant disadvantages as well. Silver – for example, burns us like acid. We have a natural aversion to it, as its effects on us, even a light touch – will burn our skin worse than any pain you can imagine. If we're badly hurt, or inadvertently – or deliberately – touched with silver, our ability to control our dark therian is shattered. It will defend us – usually using extreme violence and death. It cares nothing for us – the host – whilst it can perceive pain and damage done to us, it cares nothing for us...literally. We become shells for it to do with as it pleases. Once the person who hurt us is dead – we begin fighting its control over us, to regain ourselves. If a Therian's eyes go pure black – it means they've been taken by their darker selves. If you ever see one of us like that, report it immediately. I don't care if it's your mate, a friend, or an acquaintance – it won't matter. If we can not turn them back... there is no other option than euthanasia for them. They'd not perceive you as a mate, friend – whatever – only as something for their cruelty and depravity to enjoy – and ultimately, murder...”

The four humans, pale and trembling, looked at each other, then at Rachel.

Rachel shuddered, then stood up and shook herself, her muscles tense with stress and worry.

“To quote from a movie – you may, or may not be familiar with... 'Live or die, the choice is yours...' - Doctor Mercer? Will you please explain your method for this ritual please?” Rachel spoke quietly.

“We on the council, discussed many options for how the ritual will go. We come up with some options. I can give a local anaesthetic, and make a small incision with a scalpel – not deep, just enough to break the skin and draw blood. Rachel here would lick the wound a few times, to ensure sufficient saliva and introduce what I'm calling Therianthropic Metamorphosis Syndrome, or TMS for short.” Dr. Mercer explained.

“I know this isn't scientifically accurate. Research on Therian's isn't exactly – worldwide, for very good reason! It's like – to put it simply, like a virus – but unlike any virus, we've ever seen. Once in a human – or – animal blood stream, it replicates at a terrifyingly fast rate. Within no more than fifteen minutes, it'll permeate every cell in a human – or animal – body. However, once it's taken its host... it can never, ever, be separated.” Rachel spoke up.

Dr. Mercer nodded. “Now, as for the alternative method – this is for the ladies, who will undergo the procedure. One of our bucks has offered two methods – both are quite... well, I won't sugarcoat it. Both are quite intimate, in nature. One, lovemaking between buck and human – or... this is my preferred, and his as well – introduction of the TMS via saliva in an oral capacity. Now, I know Alex and Olivia are married, so...”

Together, the married couple looked at each other, then at Dr. Mercer.

“I think – your first option would be the best, Doctor.” Olivia stammered. “I don't think I could bear thinking about... that – way.”

“Could... I mean, even... how – the physiological aspects...” Alex shuddered. “How would a buck even... you know...”

Rachel blinked. “Physiologically, it's not impossible for a buck to make love with a human woman, contrary to what you may think. What Dr. Mercer was implying, was oral sex on the woman, given by the buck. As such, it'd introduce copious amounts of saliva, which contains out TMS – and would be the least painful way to do the ritual.”

“I know this conversation is uncomfortable – for all concerned. However, these are the viable options open to us. I will let you all decide how you wish to proceed, and if you wish to proceed. I warn you, once the ritual has commenced, we can not change our minds. There is no cure for the TMS virus...nor do I ever imagine there will be.” Dr. Mercer sighed. “As I said, there's a risk – I can not quantify the risk level, it's dependent upon the individual. Those who fail to dominate and control their dark therian will be euthanized – it'll be painless and quick, I promise.”

“The next full moon is tomorrow night,” Rachel told them. “you have expressed your desires to become as I am – to be assimilated into the refuge as brothers and sisters, I will leave you to decide if you wish to continue or forgo the ritual. There is no pressure on you, it is purely your decision to make.”

*

The air in the operating room was charged with a mixture of tension and anticipation as the time for the first turning approached. Dr. Mercer, Rachel and the four potentials stood in a circle, gazing at the operating table.

Dr. Mercer, wearing an operating gown, mask and gloves, looked at the group with a mix of professionalism and empathy. “We appreciate your courage in undertaking this journey. Now, who amongst you wishes to go first?”

Alex, the younger of the two men, exchanged a hesitant glance with his wife Olivia. After a moment, Olivia spoke up, her nervousness and fear evident.

“I'll... go first,” Her voice wavered, but she quivered and lay naked on the operating table,

Dr Mercer and Dr Owen restrained her with a collar, wrist restraints and ankle bindings to the table, then covered her with a sheet. A cannula was placed into her left hand and affixed to the bag hanging from a stainless steel hook.

“When you're ready, Olivia – I'll give you the injection of the aesthetic, it'll take a few moments before we can proceed.” Dr. Owen spoke quietly. “Are you ready?”

Olivia swallowed and shivered, then nodded. Dr. Owen gently administered the aesthetic and whilst it took effect, he re-checked the bindings and selected a scalpel.

“Alright, some slight pressure...” He murmured, intentionally standing with his back to her, as he lightly cut a small incision on her forearm. “Rachel, hurry please...”

Rachel approached, the scent of the welling blood strong in her nostrils, which to her horror, helped excite her salivary glands. Carefully, Rachel crouched down and closed her eyes, before she licked the blood and violently shuddered. Exerting her full control – it was close, as the dark therian within her surged forwards. Rachel quickly pressed her furred lips over the wound, letting her tongue and saliva lap over the wound again and again, ensuring a sufficient amount of her saliva would penetrate. As Rachel pulled her head away, coughing and gagging, she rushed to the sink and began washing her mouth out repeatedly, making hideous gagging noises as she fought for control over the dark one within her.

It didn't take long...

Dr. Mercer and Dr. Owen backed away, as the heart-rate monitor's beeping suddenly scaled violently upwards, and began shrieking. On the table, Olivia's body began to convulse and foam bubbled at her mouth.

“Get...away - “ Rachel gagged, waving her paws at the humans. “You can't... help her – only I can...”

Rachel slammed a foot down on the pedals, tilting the bed over to a 45-degree angle, as she pressed her paws against the convulsing Olivia's shoulders.

“Olivia, hear me!” Rachel pleaded. “Fight, fight like you've never fought before! Do it for your mate, the one you love – and yourself...”

Olivia continued convulsing, her muscles taut like iron beneath her skin, the foam curdling her mouth wiped at with Rachel's paws and gauze swabs.

For ten minutes, Olivia hung in the balance – until at last, her eyes fluttered and the frantic heart-rate beeps began to settle. Rachel ensured the humans were out of the room, as she stared into Olivia's eyes, looking for any hint of the darkness within her. Olivia's once-green eyes swirled and became a rich woodland brown as she shuddered and panted.

“Good, come back to me, sister...” Rachel murmured, lightly licking Olivia's forehead. “That's it, breathe... you're alright – now...”

Trembling and soaked in sweat, Olivia tried to speak, but her words were choked off as the lingering agony swept over her.

“It's alright, I'll get you moved to a secure recovery room – I promise. You're alright now, it's over – Dr Mercer will patch up your wound. You'll be very weak and exhausted for a day, but we'll have one of us come and watch you. It's over, you did well – I'm so proud of you! You'll be a wonderful addition to our refuge, sister...” Rachel murmured licking Olivia's forehead again. “I can't sense the darkness within you – trust me, I know its presence...you're clean. You've passed your first trial.”

Rachel called for Dr. Mercer, who entered and looked from Rachel to Olivia.

“She's passed her first trial,” Rachel told him. “Please clean and sterilise her wound, then have Jackson and Liam come and move her to a secure holding room.”

Dr. Mercer nodded and expertly irrigated the wound, applying a sterile gauze pad and some medical tape. “She's... not - “

Rachel shook her head, watching as Dr Mercer unbound the restraints and slipped the cannula out, placing another smaller pad over the hole.

“She's strong, very strong-willed. She's passed the initial dangerous moment. However, she hasn't shifted yet – the first shift is always the most painful for one of us – be we naturally born or like this...”

Dr. Mercer summoned Liam and Jackson, both dressed in medical coats, and they helped the exhausted Olivia out of the surgery and into a secured room, where they lay her down on a comfortable bed, before leaving and locking the door.

*

Dr. Mercer, Rachel and the remaining three potentials stood in the waiting room, the lingering emotional strain of Olivia's turning still palpable. The spotlight now fell on Alex, the younger of the two men, who took a deep breath before volunteering.

“I'll go next,” he said, his voice steadier than his wife's had been.

Following the same procedure, Dr. Owen prepared Alex for the trial, securing him to the table and administering the anaesthesia. Rachel glanced at his naked form, and then a subtle flick of her ear made the nervous human chuckle.

“Yeah, uh... well - “ He stammered, then winced as Dr. Mercer slid the cannula in.

Rachel flattened her ears in embarrassment, giving a nervous giggle at what she'd seen, then trying to be professional, she began stimulating her salivary glands.

“Alright, a slight pressure - “ Dr. Owen murmured.

Again, the scent of fresh blood made Rachel clamp down hard on her darker nature, finding it even harder this time, than the last. She crouched once more, her mind turning to what she'd seen – not what she had to do...

Quickly, she pressed her lips against the wound, her tongue swirling and as the hot, iron-rich blood coated her tongue, the dark one within her surged powerfully forward – sending a shiver down her spine.

Drink deep sister, now, imagine the taste of him. He's not a buck – but can you imagine the pleasure we would have, taking – him – can you feel it, sister? Can you envision how it'd feel, having – that – inside of you, the moment of his orgasm? How easy it would be at that moment, to lock your jaws around his throat, to truly – savour – the taste and scent, the adrenaline coursing through him...

With a choking moan, Rachel threw herself backwards, hacking and coughing – saliva and blood dripping from her muzzle as her paws slapped the floor and she convulsed violently.

As Doctor Mercer approached, Rachel slashed her paw at him, violently shaking her head and through a titanic struggle, forced her darker self back again.

“Out...” Rachel gurgled, her stomach feeling like it wanted to leap out her mouth, her salivary glands in overdrive and her body shaking.

Dr. Mercer and Dr. Owen instantly left, leaving Rachel struggling as she clawed at the bed, instinctively drawn by the shrieking of the heart-rate monitor. Pulling herself upright, Rachel could only grab his thighs, as she shuddered helplessly.

“Fight... brother - “ Rachel gurgled, her nostrils filled with the scent of his blood, her eyes drawn to the manhood that almost touched her nose.

Tempting, isn't it young one? Just – look – at it! It's bigger than any male you've ever had, he's going to be quite a buck – if he survives... We both know our kind isn't monogamous – so, just a few licks would probably do it...

“Nnngh!” Rachel moaned, struggling again with her self-control. “I... won't give in... to you! Not now, and not...”

You say that – now – little doe, you can't fight me forever, I'm a part of you, the – real – you!

Rachel pressed her palms against her head, exerting all her strength, both physical and mental, to force the dark therian back into submission.

Oh, try little one, I'll comply for now, but I promise you... you'll not be able to – not – think about this one, will you?

Fuck you... Rachel growled at it.

Me? No... but you'd ride him like the doe you – really – are, wouldn't you? Think about it young one, imagine, even better...

Rachel suddenly gasped, her eyes widening as her orgasm tore through her body. Her thighs quivered, her feet felt like they'd turned to jelly and a sweat-soaked her beautiful silver-grey pelt. Panting and shivering, Rachel pulled herself forward, gripping the convulsing human's shoulders.

“Brother... fight...please?” Rachel wheezed, her muscles weak and flaccid as the residual orgasmic ripples washed over her. “Your mate... survived, you will too – now... fight!”

Whether it was her force of will, his instincts and urges – he gave one final, violent convulsion and Rachel glanced at the monitor, seeing the pulse rate slow and even out. As the torturous minutes passed, his vital signs evened out and his eyes fluttered open – revealing the familiar brown of another newly turned Therian. Rachel, relieved and sickened by what had happened to her, was relieved that the darkness had not claimed another soul.

Dr. Mercer entered, then he paused, looking at Rachel, who flattened her ears and shuddered – she couldn't help it. All she could be grateful for was he couldn't smell her scent – or what had happened in the theatre.

“Need... Dr. Owen's, please - “ Rachel panted. “Move him...”

Carefully, Dr. Mercer bandaged and unstrapped the newly turned human, before he looked at Rachel.

“Are... you okay? You look like something chased you for a few hours! You're so weak and...” Dr. Mercer asked, as he frowned and moved closer, but a wave of her paw stopped him.

“I need... to go rest... this was – it almost broke me, I can't stay here anymore...” Rachel panted, as she dropped to all fours and crawled out of the operating theatre.

*

Dr. Mercer, Dr. Owen and Liam and Jackson were left with the last two potentials, Liam and Jackson exchanged nervous glances, their heightened senses triggered by the scent that lingered on Rachel as she'd passed.

Sara and Chris were the last two left, both looking increasingly worried and nervous, then after a moment, Chris spoke up.

“Guess it's my turn...” He laughed nervously. “Uh, if Rachel's not... she is okay, isn't she?”

Dr. Mercer put his professional face on, and he nodded. “She's just tired, alright, so you're sure?”

With a false sense of bravado, that made the two buck kangaroo's nervous, Chris laughed. “If Olivia and Alex can do it, I can too, let's get this over with...”

Jackson looked at his younger brother, their nervousness exponentially growing.

Jackson spoke up, lightly placing a paw on Dr. Mercer's shoulder. “I'll do it – I'd never forgive myself if my brother... was lost... I assure all of you, I'm not thrilled about doing this! Rachel's the strongest of all of us...”

“You don't have to do this, Jackson - “ Liam whimpered, clutching at his brother's forearms.

“I do – and will, I'll be...alright...” Jackson smiled nervously, then hugged his brother and licked his forehead. “Dr. Mercer... I'm ready.”

TO BE CONTINUED...