{"sf1_id":null,"sf2_id":"ebQWgBW1","title":"Predation. Chapter Nine.","author":"Roofles","words":8866,"posted_at":"2026-04-29T05:29:45.000Z","tags":["coyote","m/m","sheep","slice of life","story series"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/ebQWgBW1-predation-chapter-nine","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/ebQWgBW1","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/f5/06/f5067546-276d-401f-b3b6-54df4d0bcd1d","description":"","content":"Predation   \nChapter Nine  \nBy Roofles  \n  \n  \n  \nIt was a brisk Sunday morning as Shaun found himself in church with his family. Like every Sunday   \nbefore, it wasn't a request but an obligation. Shaun didn't mind as much this time after his wonderful   \nweekend with Travis.  \n  \nShaun spent the entire Saturday staying at the coyote's apartment. He, Alicia and Travis hung out and   \nwatched movies. They ordered pizza and Shaun was able to try a beer. He hated it. The other two found   \nit amusing. Travis sat next to him the entire weekend.  \n  \nTravis joined him on the folded-up sofa. He let Shaun sit up against him as Alicia went on about her work,   \ncomplaining as she normally did online in person. The lynx loved sharing the drama and Travis had been   \nglad to have someone else there to listen to it.   \n  \nShaun spent equal amounts of time with the coyote and the lynx. Travis handled picking the pizza up and   \ngetting drinks, leaving Shaun in one of his shirts on the sofa talking with Alicia. \"Girl talk,\" they called it.   \nShaun didn't fully understand but it seemed to be a life-changing thing for the other two. Alicia had   \nsomeone to chat with, and Travis didn't have to listen.   \n  \nThe day didn't last long enough and flew by before Shaun even realized it was getting as late as it had.   \nThe sheep needing to go to bed early to make sure to get home on time for one of the few mandatory   \nthings his large family expected from him. Going to church.  \n  \nAlicia was forcibly removed from the room by Travis and the two of them were able to snuggle up after   \nfolding out the bed the coyote used.   \n  \n\"I usually never need to fold it up. It was... nice, having company to use the sofa for more than just the   \nbed part.\" Travis laid naked next to Shaun, under a shared blanket. The sheep wasn't that comfortable,   \nyet, with his living situation and wore a pair of briefs to cover up. They belonged to Travis like the shirt   \nhad and clung tightly around his hips and ass.   \n  \n\"It was great seeing Alice - fudge - I mean Alicia in person! I keep mixing her username with her name.   \nThat'll take time for me to properly adjust to.\" Shaun said, lying on his side facing the coyote. Travis faced   \nhim, the two looking into each other's eyes. \"She really is exactly how I hoped she'd be.\"  \n  \n\"Hoped?\" Travis asked, curiously.   \n  \n\"Yeah. She's great. Over the top, ridiculous and exactly the chaotic energy I like.\" Shaun giggled softly.   \n\"That anarchist energy calls to me. Tear down the walls, open the fences, release the sheep!\" Shaun   \nmuttered the words to a song he'd shared with Travis.   \n  \n\"You're really into that stuff, huh?\" Travis asked, already knowing. He just wanted to stay up a little   \nlonger, talking with Shaun. The two knew Shaun needed to sleep to be rested for the next day, needing   \nto wake up early to get to the bus station on time. Travis planned to go with him until the sheep got on   \nthe vehicle.   \n  \n\"Yeah!\" Shaun covered his mouth, trying to keep his excitement down. \"I really do. It's the exact   \nopposite of my caged, protective life. We have herders, Travis. Herders! People whose job it is to keep an   \neye on the flock so that no one strays. The idea of breaking free from that? To release everyone from   \nbehind those fenced walls? It calls to me.\"  \n  \n\"Ever try to change things?\"  \n  \n\"Naaaaah,\" Shaun baa'd resting on his back. \"There are a few others in the flock who have tried. They've   \nall been kicked out or sent to be... reeducated.\" The sheep shuddered. \"Most sheep like what they have.   \nThey're happy being... sheep. They have wealth, protection, and what they need to survive. They never   \nquestion what might be outside those walls. I feel bad for the younger generation, sure. It's not their   \nfault being born into that kind of community. But there's nothing I can do without risking losing all that I   \nfinally got.\"  \n  \n\"Like?\" Travis asked softly and Shaun rolled over to face him.  \n  \n\"Well... you.\" Shaun blushed as he heard Travis's tail thump against the bed. \"This place. Alicia and my   \nonline friends. Things aren't perfect but they could far worse.\" Shaun trailed off, recalling his history   \nlessons. \"I don't want to sound ungrateful.\"  \n  \n\"It's not ungrateful for wanting more.\" Travis grumbled hearing the words. His furrowed brow and frown   \neased as Shaun brushed a hand over his chest.   \n  \n\"I already do.\" Shaun smiled softly in turn, looking at the predator. \"I don't want to put this much   \npressure on you...\" The sheep admitted, looking down at the pillow instead of directly at the coyote. \"But   \nas long as I have you guys, I can put up with any of that... that... cow pies!\" Shaun tried to curse and   \nended up softening it at the end.  \n  \nTravis laughed, hearing that. His tail thumped again as he reached out a hand.  \n  \n\"You're so... soft.\" The coyote looked at Shaun's curly white wool. \"Your fur is so thin,\" he added touching   \nthe black fur covering Shaun's arms, legs, neck and face. \"Your wool though... soft. Comfy. Bed.\"  \n  \n\"Travis,\" Shaun giggled as the coyote scooted closer.  \n  \n\"You're like a pillow with arms and legs.\"  \n  \n\"I am not a pillow!\" Shaun felt that creeping warmth take his face as he giggled, not even putting up a   \nproper fight as the coyote turned around and laid back. Using Shaun's torso as a pillow.  \n  \n\"Holy stank balls,\" Travis muttered as he felt the unbelievable soft, springy wool against the back of his   \nhead. Combined with the sturdy body of the sheep, Travis had never felt anything more supportive. \"This   \nis what I always imagined it would be like sleeping on a cloud.\"  \n  \n\"Travis! Move.\" Shaun flailed his arms, trying to keep his voice down. Travis scooted closer, putting his   \nshoulders, neck and his head against the sheep now.  \n  \n\"No.\" Was all Travis needed to say.   \n  \n\"Travis!\" Shaun complained but Travis could hear the smile in his voice without needing to see it. The   \ncoyote closed his eyes as Shaun mumbled about how uncomfortable this was and how heavy, and stinky,   \nTravis was. It was music to the coyote's ears as they fell asleep like that.   \n  \nTravis made sure to walk Shaun down to the bus stop. Keeping an eye out during the early dawn. One of   \nthe few worrying times of the day when the nocturnal animals of the city head to bed and those asleep   \nbegin to wake up. The coyote didn't trust the sheep leaving by himself and saw him all the way to the   \nbus station. And then waited for Shaun to get on the bus before heading back, not minding the frost on   \nhis whiskers or the fact he couldn't feel the tip of his tail due to the cold winter bite.   \n  \nShaun gave Travis a hug and the coyote held onto that. And a piece of wool Travis had stolen in the   \nmiddle of the night, clipping it from the sheep without Shaun ever being aware of it. It wasn't healthy,   \nnor was the fact Travis snorted into it like it was some kind of drug. Travis couldn't care less as he kept it   \nclose to his chest the rest of the day as Shaun left.   \n  \nShaun waved until he couldn't see the bus station anymore. Tucked away inside the warm vehicle as he   \nmade his way back to Pleasant Pastures. Shaun had showered and put on a special set of clothes he kept   \nin an air-sealed bag to prevent anyone from smelling Travis on him.   \n  \nIt was their dirty secret.  \n  \nIt was very liberation.  \n  \nThe exact opposite of this stuffy, cramp church was that afternoon.   \n  \nHot, stuffy and cramped. That was the best way to sum up his time at church. The building was ancient,   \nbuilt before even houses had been in the area. Massive towering spires rose above everything else.   \nThere were laws made that no building could reach those spires that resembled a pitchfork. The sign of   \nthe Harvest God.  \n  \nIt was one of the few times Shaun had to deal with his family. He was an adult now, nineteen, but when   \nhe was here, he always felt like a rebellious lamb wanting to break free from this place.   \n  \nHis extended family took up an entire row of one of the pews that lined the center of the church. Each of   \nthe pews had already been handpicked for which family would sit at which. Those who were \"closer to   \nthe Harvest\" ended up near the front and the shepherd of the church would take time at the start and   \nend to single them out. Boasting how much faith they had and how much everyone needed to try harder   \nto yield more of their god's love from his endless fields.   \n  \n\"A bounty to each family!\" The Shepherd up from baa'd and everyone else would follow suit. Shaun   \nhated it. It was a symbol of their repression. At least that's what the death metal band Lambs to the   \nSlaughter said. Shaun wished he could stop his natural reaction.   \n  \nHe felt dumber when he was here. More pliable, a true sheep. Surrounded by those who resembled him   \nand his family. It was that herd mentality that so many species suffered from. His flock wasn't lifting him   \nhigher; they were weighing him down with them.   \n  \nShaun's family had once been near the front. He remembered when he was a kid that his parents were   \nin the third row back, only due to their age. Those up front tended to be from older families spanning   \ngenerations of worshippers. It wasn't until his father's misdeeds were found out about that their family   \nended up near the back of the room.   \n  \nAfter it was found out his father had a mistress and entirely different family. Without being married first,   \nthat is. They saw it as an afront to the church, not the children. That his father had refused to let the   \nchurch know about his misdeeds and was promptly punished for it.  \n  \nNo one mentioned it or talked about it. Not openly. Just behind their backs like the chatty gossips sheep   \nwere known to be.   \n  \nOne day their family just took one of the last pews and that was that. Everyone knew why but the pastor   \nhad made a giant speech about overlooking the \"wayward sheep\" that \"stray from the flock\" and   \neveryone had blindly listened and obeyed. The Shepherd as he was known in the community had been   \nsupportive of the older traditions and had ended up defending Shaun's father's actions to the others,   \nciting old doctrines and scripts that mostly talked about growing the herd by \"spreading your seed over   \nother fields.\"  \n  \nIt hadn't been subtle, and Shaun nearly choked on his bowl of oats when he heard the adults talking   \nabout it in the other room. He had lost his appetite thinking of his father spreading the seeds of new life   \nin other fields.   \n  \nShaun never questioned why he was gay in this kind of community.   \n  \nIt was around this time that Shaun began to distance himself from his family. He got into more fights   \nwith his father, lost respect for his mother and stopped hanging out with the others in the   \nneighborhood. Even his siblings told Shaun that he was overreacting to what happened.   \n  \nHe still needed some kind of social connection, being a sheep, and found it in the one place that   \neveryone seemed to these days.  \n  \nOnline.   \n  \nIn a way, Shaun was thankful for his unfaithful father's actions. It had helped snap him out of the sheep   \nmentality that everyone around him suffered from. They were like hypnotized zombies staring forward   \nblankly as The Shepherd continued his long-winded speech about closing pastures and erecting fences to   \nprotect the community.   \n  \nShaun's father's betrayal had been the key the sheep needed to finally open the fence to freedom. Every   \ntime The Shepherd would talk about love and peace and acceptance, Shaun would remind himself about   \nhis father's actions and that cemented his need to get away from it all. The good and bad.   \n  \nIt was all toxic and Shaun found himself tuning out more and more with every session. He couldn't recall   \nwhat The Shepherd was talking about today, let alone last week.   \n  \nIt was all lies or at least a manipulation of the truth.   \n  \nShaun had met several predators in the past year alone. Some friendly, some not so much. They weren't   \nthat different, even if they had different ticks, quirks or instincts than he did. His friends accepted him.   \nOnline and offline. Something that Travis explained was a rare situation. Travis tried the hardest of the   \ngroup, but the others did as well. They made Shaun feel normal, not special for being different and that   \nwas far better than he could've asked for or expected of them given their situations.   \n  \nHe just wished the people here could see that.   \n  \nAnd it wasn't like the church wasn't changing, if slowly. It just wasn't changing fast enough for Shaun to   \nstick around.   \n  \nThe older generation was finally dying off, and the younger ones were a little more open-minded than   \nthe last. Shaun was sure it would still take several generations for anything to significantly change. At   \nleast they weren't calling for the beheading of predators these days.   \n  \nIt was more judgmental and \"praying for their salvation\" as fertilizer in the fields that the sheep tended   \nto reborn again, purer. Even Shaun had to admit that was really fucked up and twisted as he glanced up   \nto try and keep up appearances.   \n  \nNearly falling asleep as The Shepherd ranted on about vegetables and the significant of each.   \n\"Do not be the broccoli for its many branches will lead you astray. The celery is the stick to the right   \npath. Carrots are a rabbit's food.\" Shaun was convinced the elderly ram up front was having a stroke as   \nhe ramble on a grocery list worth of produce.   \n  \nPeople still listened blindly, taking in the ramblings as sacred doctrines.   \n  \n\"Potatoes. They can be fried or mashed but never both...\" Shaun almost laughed hearing that. \"You must   \nchoose which process you wish to be.\"   \n  \nThe room was filled with sheep. The older male rams stood to the side while their families sat down. The   \npews were filled; the rows were packed and there was very little room for anyone to come in or out. It   \nwas a fire hazard waiting to happen. Shaun noted as he looked around the room for anything else to   \nfocus on.   \n  \nThere were a few herders in the group that kept the peace. They separated those that were about to   \nbutt heads. Others were helped and guided to the bathrooms. It was a nice community if you didn't pay   \nattention to anything being said by The Shepherd up front.   \n  \n\"Rain down the hell fires from above!\" The elderly ram with long whiskers hanging all the way to the   \nfloor was an unshaved mess of a ram that chose to embrace the more primal aspects of their faith. No   \nsheers had touched his wool for fear it might be used by others unworthy of it.   \n  \nShaun was very thankful that the guy only ever was around on Sundays. It was like the church knew how   \ncrazy he was and would lock him away downstairs all week until unleashing him again the following   \nSunday. It reminded the sheep of Hannibal Ram; a crazy ram that lost himself to mad ram disease after   \nconsuming the flesh of his flock.   \n  \nOne of the few interesting things about the church's history. People didn't like to talk about that,   \nhowever.  \n  \nOr anything of real substance.   \n  \nIt was all fearmongering and stoking the flames of animosity and distrust for others. A lot of hot hair,   \nriling people up without doing anything. At the end of every sermon, that fear was stoked anew as they   \nwere all threatened with the \"slaughterhouse of equality\" and not to let \"their lies lead you into the   \nfanged mouths,\" of others. Even Shaun felt bothered by the end of the sermons. He'd check with Travis   \nlater about some of the things said and Travis would give him a predator's perspective of those rough,   \ndark times in the past The Shepherd loved to talk about and bring up.  \n  \n\"He wants the apocalypse to happen because he's about to end up in the compost pile.\" Marie said next   \nto Shaun. His younger half-sister. Only by half a year. Shaun should've suspected something then when   \nhis sister was born so close to his own birthday.   \n  \n\"Marie!\" Their mother hushed them and the two chuckled to each other as they had since being small   \nlambs.   \n  \n\"Be careful. He's going to hit you with his cane again.\" Shaun teased and Marie rolled her eyes.   \n  \n\"Old prick can't even see anymore. He'd be swinging around like crazy, telling me to hold still. Like   \nanyone would do that.\" Marie said. They both knew several of the sheep around them would. They'd   \ncome when they call and stand there when disciplined, convinced it was for their own good. It unnerved   \nthe two who were already different enough without being singled out. \"Hey, Shaun?\"  \n  \n\"What?\" Shaun replied as he began to grab his things as the sermon ended. Each row of pews was   \nescorted out one by one. Led by a herder in the front and in the back. It was a position that Shaun once   \ntook pride in as a very young lamb. Now he knew better.   \n  \n\"What have you been up to lately?\" Marie casually asked. It was hard to know if she was being genuine   \nor not. She was a lot like Shaun. Checked out from this all. One of the few sheep out of the hundreds   \nthat didn't just fall in line being the literal black sheep of the group.  \n  \nMarie was fully black. From her fur to her hooves to her wool. Shaun looked similar, except for his white   \nwool. The two had the recessive gene that made their fur that color compared to the rest of the flock.   \nMaking them stand out where everyone else blended in.   \n  \nWhile Shaun chose escapism using the internet, Marie had dissociated herself from the flock and her   \nfamily, outside of Shaun.  \n  \n\"You've just been a lot more preoccupied lately, is all.\" Marie noted. One of the few who noticed when   \nShaun left.   \n  \n\"Studying mostly.\" Shaun thought about it. If he wanted to safely leave the flock, he needed to become   \nself-reliant. Easier said than done. Their parents made sure they were fully financially reliant on them.   \nTravis had offered to pay for his bus pass and food. Shaun wasn't comfortable relying on the coyote for   \nmore than that, knowing how hard things were for a predator in the city. \"Did you want to do something   \ntogether?\"  \n  \n\"No... it's not that.\" Marie glanced to the side, averting her eyes as the next row was led out. \"You just   \nseem busier.\" She said delicately, trying to word it correctly. \"You aren't locked away in your room as   \nmuch. Friendlier and happier.\" Marie tapped her chin in the same mannerism that Shaun had.  \n  \n\"Most people would be glad for that.\" Shaun chuckled. He knew exactly why he was happier. Even   \nthinking of the coyote made Shaun smile.   \n  \nThinking of the coyote made his stubby tail wag and he tried to keep it under control. Not wanting   \nanyone else to suspect anything. It was easy to hide in this crowd. Sheep were stupid like that.   \nIndividually they were smart and capable. When you got them together, their total intelligence   \nplummeted. They became more reliant and easily controlled. It was why The Shepherd had been such an   \nimportant role in the past and why herders existed.   \n  \n\"Was wondering because Mitch has been eying you all morning.\" Marie brought up and Shaun glanced   \nover at the border collie to the side.  \n  \nMitch was wearing a nice sweater vest made of wool from one of the clergy. It was a gift and a sign that   \nhe was one of the herders and was to be trusted. The wool's natural scent would help relax the sheep   \nand not worry about a canine as much around them. Mitch's church pants were a nice soft brown color   \nlike the earth, freshly cleaned and ironed that morning. He had a big smile on his face, ears up as he   \nwatched over everyone as he helped guide them safely outside.   \n  \n\"Mitch? He's always like that. He watches everyone. It's his job.\" Shaun said as their row began to move.   \n\"He's literally a herder.\"  \n  \n\"Right.\" Marie mumbled, chewing on the words as if they were a piece of cud. It was a nervous habit   \nthat a lot of sheep had. The act of chewing like that. There were special chewing gum Shaun bought   \nsometimes to help with the habit. Problem was you became reliant on it, and he already had too many   \nthings he was dependent on. It also cost more than he could afford. \"He just seems to have taken an   \ninterest in you.\"  \n  \n\"In me?\" Shaun's ears jumped up, looking at his sister before laughing and shaking his head. A creeping   \nblush filled his cheeks at the thought. \"Mitch would never be interested in a guy like me. Besides...\"   \nShaun's voice trailed off, thinking of someone else.   \n  \n\"Didn't you use to have a huge crush on him?\" Marie asked and Shaun quickly hushed her. It was so loud   \nand noisy in the room as everyone tried to get out to the fresh air that no one heard them. He still would   \nlike to keep that a secret.   \n  \n\"Used to. In the past. Past tense.\" Shaun rolled his eyes. He couldn't deny having an attraction to the   \nborder collie. Mitch was bright and friendly and looked like a beam of sunshine wherever he went. There   \nwas also something arousing about being bossed around and guided by someone you trusted and felt   \nsafe around. \"I'm over it. It's different now.\"  \n  \nAnd it was.   \n  \nShaun looked at Mitch and thought the canine looked good. That was it. He could admire another guy.   \nTravis and Shaun had done it with that tiger DILF streamer the other night together, snuggled up as they   \nwatched videos. That was normal and Travis encouraged him, saying it was healthy to look and to admire   \nanother attractive man and leave it at that.   \n  \nThat's how Shaun felt for Mitch these days.   \n  \nIf he wanted something more... now he had it. That was such a strange thought. Being able to text   \nsomeone and have them available for him. Shaun had even gotten several pictures of the coyote, that he   \nquickly deleted after. Shaun wanted to see Travis and the coyote had sent him several, unflattering,   \npictures of himself. There was something about a snout that made it very difficult taking selfies with.   \nShaun had laughed and loved each one of the terrible pictures. Travis had wanted a picture as well but   \nwhen Shaun got nervous, the coyote seemed capable of smelling it. Travis assured him it was fine. Toying   \nthat line to keep Shaun's comfort in mind while enjoying the most of their strange relationship. Travis   \nrather see his sheep's face in person anyways.   \n  \n\"No picture could capture your glory,\" Travis had texted and Shaun had nearly lost it. The coyote was   \ntalking about Shaun's ass when he texted it but didn't clarify.   \n  \nThat reply had gone straight into Shaun's heart like an arrow, and he'd been a mess for the rest of the   \nday with the coyote teasing him about it.   \n  \n\"There you go again.\" Marie glared at Shaun suspiciously and he shook his head, trying to calm his racing   \nheart. \"You get that dopey smile on your face. You're clearing thinking of something good.\" Her eyes   \nnarrowed, suspecting him of something she couldn't prove. Yet.   \n  \n\"I'm just hungry.\" Shaun cleared his throat, making up a lame excuse.   \n  \n\"Sure.\" Marie rolled her eyes, already getting bored of this. \"If you don't want to tell me. Fine. Just don't   \nexpect me to help if others start poking around.\" She nodded to their side and Shaun found Mitch   \nwalking along with their group despite them being one of the first ones out. It was odd and others   \nseemed to be asking about it.  \n  \nMitch confidently told everyone things were fine. They bought it. Why wouldn't they? A herder was   \nleading sheep. It just made things easier to never question things and blindly follow. Shaun was about to   \nturn, heading home to get ready for the rest of the day when a voice called out to him over the crowd.  \n\"Shaun?\"   \n  \nThe sheep paused, glancing back to see the border collie waving and smiling at him. \"Shaun? There you   \nare. Mind if I walk with you?\" The border collie jogged over. Mitch made it look effortless to weave and   \nzig zag through the crowd of sheep pouring outside the church like a river of wool that never ended.   \n\"Busy today!\" Mitch laughed merrily, keeping his teeth in check as he smiled. A smile that reached his   \neyes and made Shaun's pants feel a little tighter.   \n  \n\"It's always like this.\" Shaun said, hoping his voice would convey he didn't want the company. Marie's   \nwords had made the fear inside build up to the surface and he was worried about getting found out.   \nSomehow.   \n  \nShaun had been exceedingly careful these days around his family and especially on church days.  \n\"True. It's a great turn out today!\" Mitch was happy and friendly, ears up and tail wagging as he waved at   \nothers. He knew everyone and everyone knew him. Even recently new to the group, the border collie fit   \nin perfectly.   \n  \nShaun would've been envious if he actually cared about this community.  \n  \nSeveral dogs had been brought in to help out with the growing flock. Rams unable to keep up as they   \nused to as most were getting gray in the face. Border collies, sheep dogs and several other very specific   \nbreed and hand-picked individuals had been chosen to help out. Honorable herders they were called.   \n  \nShaun knew they were simply outsourced.   \n  \nShaun could remember The Shepherd talking about how Mitch was top of his class and was a bright   \nfresh friendly face that could \"fight off the evils in the world\" for them. The Shepherd always started   \nfriendly and warm before he went insane.   \n  \nEven the sheep couldn't deny that Mitch was a perfect fit for this community. The canine thrived in this   \nenvironment. Mitch worked better with sheep than he did any of the other herd dogs.   \n  \n\"Did you need me for something?\" Shaun asked after several minutes of walking down the street with   \nMitch by his side. The canine was looking over the yards, the white picket fences and two-story houses.   \nEach and everyone looked exactly the same. The HOA of the area was extremely strict and the main way   \nfamilies got kicked out of the gated community was because they didn't properly take care of the outside   \nof their houses.  \n  \nNo one cared about the inside. What happened behind closed doors. No, all they cared about was what   \nthey would see walking past your lawn. Another thing that Shaun agreed with his sister. How fake   \neveryone was for a slice of the \"pie of happiness.\"   \n  \n\"He has way too many sayings...\" Shaun muttered and the collie looked over at him.   \n  \n\"Hm?\" Mitch asked and Shaun blushed faintly.   \n  \n\"Sorry, I was thinking out loud. Did you need something?\" Shaun asked again, seeing as how the canine   \npretended not to hear him previously.  \n  \n\"I was just checking in. It is my job!\" Mitch laughed, tail wagging. His eyes opened up and he looked at   \nShaun with the brightest, softest blue eyes the sheep had ever seen. It was like looking into a cloudless   \nblue sky.   \n  \nShaun blushed, trying to keep his cool as the collie stopped.  \n  \nShaun stopped with him. The sheep's legs naturally following. In fact, Shaun had ended up turning away   \nfrom his house and headed towards one of the open parks in the area with Mitch. He hadn't even   \nrealized he'd been walking in the wrong direction. If he didn't know better, he'd have suspected Mitch of   \nmisdirecting him here.   \n  \n\"When did we get to the park?\" Shaun's ears folded back. He hated that most about himself. If his body   \ntrusted someone, they could lead him anywhere without him noticing for the longest of times.  \n  \n\"I was heading this way, and you came along.\" Mitch shrugged, not seeing a problem with it as he   \ncontinued. The dog took a step forward, then another and Shaun was shortly following behind him. \"It's   \na great day for a walk, don't you think?\" Mitch asked, tail still wagging.   \n  \n\"It is nice. Yeah.\" Shaun looked around.   \n  \nIt was Sunday afternoon and not too many people were out. It was the beginning of winter, and it wasn't   \nlooked favorably on by the elders in the community. They'd complain about the cold and changes of the   \nweather. Shaun's wool kept him warm, and he didn't know why they always had to fuss and grouch   \nabout everything.   \n  \nIt left the two somewhat alone as they continued down the paved path. The leaves had been swept off it   \nand, even in the middle of winter, the area was well maintained. Grass trimmed, the bare tree branches   \nmanaged.   \n  \nShaun did admit the area looked nice.  \n  \n\"I haven't seen you much lately. Around the community.\" Mitch said off handedly, looking around. Even   \nnow, the canine was keeping an eye out as if afraid a wolf was going to charge them from behind a tree.   \nShaun was positive Mitch would've fought the predator to the death to protect the sheep. Or at least,   \nthat's how Shaun suspected Mitch saw things. The canine was a hero to the community after all. \"What's   \nbeen keeping you so busy?\" Mitch asked the same question Marie did. Shaun gave him the same answer.   \n  \n\"Studies. I still got the rest of the year left to go but college isn't a joke.\" Shaun told him and Mitch   \nlistened. The canine nodded as the sheep spoke. Mitch gave him a friendly, undivided, yet not intrusive   \nattention that one didn't find often from others.   \n  \nMitch would've made for the best counselor or therapist.   \n  \n\"Freshman year can be tough. I remember mine,\" Mitch chuckled lightly without going into details.   \n\"What are you in for again?\" He asked, again, in such a casual manner that Shaun couldn't see an issue   \nwith answering.   \n  \n\"Agricultural studies,\" Shaun told him.   \n  \n\"Planning on being a farmer like your dad?\" Mitch continued to press and probe. It didn't feel like that. It   \nfelt natural. Friendly. Like the two were sitting down and catching up like old friends. Shaun was enjoying   \nhimself. He couldn't recall the last time Mitch had talked to him like this.   \n  \n\"I was...\" Shaun trailed off, his ears folding back. He wasn't comfortable telling others how he had   \nabandoned that idea after finding out the truth about his dad. Shaun had respected the man, loved him.   \nShaun had based so much of his entire world views and life after his father.   \n  \nNow? He wasn't sure how he felt.  \n  \n\"Oh, Shaun. I'm so sorry.\" Mitch instantly caught on, placing a friendly hand on Shaun's bicep. \"I   \nshould've thought before I spoke. I do that too often. I just have too much energy and need to slow   \ndown instead of trying to burn it off. I'm sorry for what happened in your family, Shaun.\"  \n  \n\"It's fine,\" Shaun found himself apologizing to the border collie who looked truly upset. Maybe he was   \nwrong about Mitch. Maybe Marie was just trying to stir up some fun in their boring, repetitive lives. It   \nwouldn't be the first time she pulled something like this.   \n  \n\"I'm really upset,\" Mitch said and it caught Shaun off guard. \"It's not fair what your dad did.\" The border   \ncollie went on. \"Hurting your family. It hurts everyone in the flock when people do something like this.   \nNot considering other people's emotions or feelings. He hurt you, Shaun. And that's not okay.\" Mitch's   \nhand rubbed up and down Shaun's bicep. \"You don't deserve that. You're dealing with enough going to   \ncollege in the city and all.\"   \n  \n\"Thanks,\" Shaun said as he felt those finger tighten slightly on his bicep. The border collie looking at him   \nwith those soft, caring blue eyes. The sheep couldn't help the blush that stole his cheeks. Mitch had nice   \nstrong hands and he was so warm and caring, with a slightly deeper voice. If Shaun wasn't with Travis,   \nhe'd have thought of Mitch as he now thought about the coyote. \"It's been... rough. One reason why I've   \nbeen heading into the city. To study. Away from home... away from my family. Things changed after...   \nthat.\"  \n  \n\"Ah, right. I remember your mom was telling me about that.\" Mitch let go of Shaun's arm, his fingers   \ntrailing over the sheep's shirt. Mitch adjusted the shirt for Shaun. Pulling it down and smoothing it out   \nwith a hand. \"Your mom is really proud of you for handling it so well... I am too, for the record. I'm not   \nsure how I would have handled things.\"   \n  \n\"She says that about everything and everyone.\" Shaun grumbled, shoulders slacking as his mom boasted   \nabout him to their neighbors, friends and relatives. How smart Shaun was, how strong Shaun was. How   \nShaun could handle anything that came up.  \n  \nIt was Shaun's mother's way of coping with what had happened to their family. His father had fractured   \ntheir family unit because he couldn't keep it in his pants.   \n  \n\"No, really! She always says how smart and handsome you are,\" Mitch chuckled and Shaun felt that   \ncreeping warmth return to his cheeks hearing the sound. It was so nice to hear. To be shown this kind of   \nattention by someone cool and popular like Mitch. \"And I can say, she isn't wrong.\" Mitch winked.  \nShaun blush grew. He wasn't thinking so much about Mitch, but of a certain coyote. Travis treated him   \nlike this. Like he was special and unique and interesting. For a sheep? That was unheard of. It was looked   \ndown on to stand out from the flock. People who obeyed, conformed and didn't ask questions were seen   \npositively in this gated community.  \n  \nTravis was the one to make him feel like he didn't belong in that community, in the best possible way.   \nMitch wasn't bad. He just wasn't Travis.   \n  \nThe thought of the coyote made Shaun blush, stubby tail wagging as he casually tried to adjust the front   \nof his pants as he grew aroused by the thought of the coyote. Shaun wanted to text Travis. To tell him   \nabout today. To check in with the coyote and see what he was up to.  \n  \nMaybe he'd ask for a few more risqué pictures to keep him warm with that heat pooling in his belly late   \nat night, pants off, with the winter chill creeping in.  \n  \nTravis was polite and mindful of Shaun's hours and didn't text him in the early morning or during the day   \non Sundays for fear of someone finding out and giving Shaun trouble. Shaun wanted to text him. To try   \nand pull out his phone and text the coyote. It wasn't wise to do so when surrounded by the flock that   \nnoticed anything out of the norm.   \n  \nTravis was far better at being sneaky than Shaun ever would be.  \n  \n\"What's got you smiling?\" Mitch suddenly asked, snapping Shaun out of it. The sheep had nearly   \nforgotten about Mitch. Shaun was such a sap when he thought of Travis these days.   \n  \n\"Sorry. I was thinking of food.\" He lied and it was clear the border collie didn't believe it. Mitch didn't   \npress; he didn't push as his fingers pulled back from Shaun's wool jacket. It was stylish checkered pattern   \nwith faded colors.   \n  \nIt was the same one he wore that morning after showering, using Travis's vanilla scented fur shampoo   \nand dressing from the air-sealed bag of clothes.  \n  \nMitch nosed him. That's what canines did. Anyone who knew or met a canine could tell you that. Shaun   \nwasn't bothered in the least, proud of the fact he had taken the precautions earlier that day just in case   \nsomething like this happened. It would've been far more suspicious to tell Mitch not to sniff him.  \n  \n\"Food, huh?\" Mitch gave him a look, snorting suddenly from the sniffing as he let out a cute, adorable,   \ndorky laugh. Shaun blushed even more hearing it. It made Mitch look like a big nerd and Shaun's guard   \ncrumbled away as the border collie motioned for Shaun to follow him.  \n  \nShaun did.  \n  \nThe two walked through the park. Looking at the same type of trees, down similar paths with protective   \nrailing. Shaun placed a handle idly on it, tracing the metal with a hoofed finger. It was kind of nice to   \nhave these set up.   \n  \nShaun didn't tell the others, but he really enjoyed games that held your hand or were extremely linear   \ngames outside the PvP ones. It helped to keep him focus and on tract. Being a sheep could be easy if you   \njust followed a preset path.  \n  \n\"Do you know why we had the railing installed?\" Mitch asked and Shaun shook his head. \"It was because   \npeople keep sneaking out here to eat the grass,\" the canine laughed. His tail wagged and he had the   \nlargest smile on his face. It was clear how much the flock meant to the border collie. \"We had the railing   \ninstalled to keep the sheep from straying from the path we provide. For their safety.\" Mitch walked   \nahead of Shaun. \"Shaun?\"  \n  \n\"Yes?\" Shaun stopped as the border collie looked back at him. Shaun was admiring the greenery, feeling   \na little peckish from the delicious sights.   \n  \n\"Is everything okay?\" The canine asked and Shaun nodded.   \n  \n\"Yeah, everything's been going really... great, actually. How are you-,\" Shaun started up but Mitch   \ncontinued.   \n  \n\"I looked into that place downtown where you've been studying. It's a really nice building with really   \nfriendly people.\" Mitch brought up. The border collie shifted his weight to his back leg, tapping his chin   \nas he exaggerated thinking about it. \"They get a lot of people heading there to study. I asked and they   \nchecked their records, but they don't have a sheep visiting weekly. Not for the past couple months, in   \nfact.\"   \n  \n\"Because I changed buildings.\" Shaun said truthfully, aware that there would be no record of what he   \ntold his parents. That made Mitch's ears perk up.  \n  \n\"You changed buildings...?\" The border collie blinked, listening intensely with a hyper focus that   \nwould've been unnerving on anyone else. It made the sheep stand a little taller as the canine focused on   \nhim.   \n  \n\"I went through the library there. It wasn't church approved, so I headed down to the small computer   \ncaf down the street to use the internet. It's far easier than trying to use my phone.\" Shaun was good at   \nthis because not a single thing he said was technically a lie. Alicia had helped Shaun learn to lie better by   \nmixing the truth in to make it difficult to pull the lie from what he was saying.   \n  \n\"Oh! And they were okay with that?\" Mitch asked and Shaun nodded once. \"Your parents?\"  \n  \n\"Nope.\" He laughed, his voice breaking into a \"baa\" at the end that he tried to cover up. The border   \ncollie's tail wagged at the sound and Shaun was thankful that he was home. No one found an odd \"maa\"   \nor \"baa\" to be strange. \"I forgot to mention it to them and now... I'm worried that if I do tell them..?\"   \nShaun said sheepishly.  \n  \nIt was true. Everything he said was true, Shaun wasn't lying to Mitch and the canine felt a shiver run   \nthrough him from the look the sheep was giving him. Open, vulnerable and in need of protection. In   \nneed of help.   \n  \n\"You didn't tell your parents because you know they'd have to report to The Shepherd. And you were   \nworried that The Shepherd would say no.\" Mitch nodded at that. The border collie noticeably relaxed.   \n\"Okay, that's all, really. Sorry for putting you on the spot like that.\" The collie quickly explained, lifting his   \nhands up. \"I wanted to check in. Make sure you were okay. You seem really happy with this arrangement,   \nand I just wanted to make sure you weren't doing something risky.\" Mitch explained why he brought   \nShaun out here. \"Don't want others to hear us,\" and why the border collie was sticking around. \"To make   \nsure you're safe. I'm glad to hear your okay.\"   \n  \n\"I am. Thanks, Mitch. I didn't mean to make you worry.\" Shaun said, rubbing the back of his neck. \"My   \ndad...\" He started up. He looked up to see Mitch listening in. The canine had stepped a bit closer, still   \ngiving Shaun space while giving him that full undivided attention again. It was nice. \"Things have been   \nrough at home. Not bad! Just... difficult since dad did what he did. It's easier to go there, spend the night   \nand then come back. Give everyone space. The only problem with the community is getting space is   \nhard. From others,\" Shaun tried to explain.  \n  \nHe was thankful that Mitch seemed to understand.   \n  \n\"I understand that. It must've been difficult to go through all that.\" Mitch smiled, nodding once as he   \nstepped closer. He took Shaun's hands in his and the sheep didn't pull them back. Shaun didn't realize   \nthat Mitch was taller than him, making the sheep look up from that muscular chest to the canine's caring   \nface. \"I try my best to keep an eye on the entire flock but there are things that get past still. I wanted to   \nmake sure you weren't getting into trouble or risk getting hurt. It sounds like this arrangement helps you   \nand I'm glad you felt you could trust me and not have to lie.\"  \n  \n\"It does. It's been really nice. Just to take a mental day to breathe before going back. It allows me to help   \nmy siblings and mother out more without going insane because of everything that's been going on.\"   \n  \nShaun told him and Mitch wagged. The canine squeezed his larger hands over Shaun's as he continued to   \nlook down at the sheep, into his eyes and Shaun found himself blushing, again.  \n  \nHe was doing that a lot and would need to risk asking Travis for a couple of pics to help with his growing   \nproblem tenting his pants.   \n  \n\"Oh.\" Mitch said, opening his mouth to say the individual word. \"What's that unique cologne you're   \nwearing? I've never smelled anything like it around here before. Did you get it in the city?\" Mitch asked,   \nnosing Shaun's face now.  \n  \nThe nose bumped over his shout snout, against his cheek and then pushed into his wool hair. Mitch   \nlingered there, breathing in deep and Shaun heard a soft growl escape the border collie's muzzle before   \npulling back.   \n  \n\"Cologne? I'm not wearing any.\" Shaun grabbed a puff of his wool and pulled on it so his nose could   \nreach it from his chest. He took a deep sniff. He didn't smell anything off. Shaun made sure to shower   \nevery morning before heading back to the community.  \n  \nThe smells of the city helped hide most things that Shaun did. He could explain other curiosities away by   \nsaying he bumped into someone or ate something extra spicy while he was out. Ever since he began   \nhooking up with Travis, Shaun had been using the showers at the PC café or the coyote's place. He even   \nchanged his laundry, using a plastic bag as Travis taught him to use. Using the air-sealed bag for his dirty   \nclothes, dumping them directly into the washer once he got home.   \n  \n\"That's odd. I could've sworn I smelled something.\" Mitch was right up against him, and Shaun found   \nhimself nose first against the border collie's chest.  \n  \nIt happened so fast.  \n  \nMitch had his arms around him, fingers trailing through the sheep's wool before that nose pressed   \nagainst his neck. The cold nose of the canine touched his skin, and Shaun took a breath, holding it as he   \nheard Mitch sniff him. A long deep inhale as the canine nosed under his jaw. Shaun shivered as the air   \nrushed against his skin as Mitch inhaled, then shuddered as a hot breath washed over his furry hide.   \n  \n\"All I smell is you...\" Mitch said fingers brushing along Shaun's jawline, up to cup the sheep's face in that   \nlarge hand. Mitch's fingers were slightly rough. Shaun never noticed that until Mitch's thumb rubbed   \nover his cheek. \"I was worried about you, Shaun. There are a lot of predators in the city.\"   \n  \nShaun couldn't speak, frozen on the spot.  \n  \n\"Worried that one of my sheep had strayed from the flock...\" Mitch brushed his snout against Shaun's,   \nand the sheep was aware that the canine was rubbing his scent on him. It was what Travis liked to do.   \nCanines rubbing their scent, their musk, their unique smell on someone they liked. Marking them. To tell   \nothers to back off. \"Afraid that someone else had... touched you.\" Mitch's breath was hot against Shaun's   \near as the words whispered out teasingly from his lips.   \n  \nMitch's hands were on him. Feeling him, gripping and holding him close in what might've appeared to be   \na fond hug from someone passing by.   \n  \nThe sheep shivered, trying not to be openly show how repulsed he was by it. By this other male invading   \nhis space without permission. He hated how a part of him liked it. Shaun felt a mixture of feelings that   \nleft him nauseated.   \n  \n\"The Shepherd was worried about you. He noticed you've been acting... off. Don't worry! Don't worry,   \nShaun,\" Mitch continued to pet him. Continued to sniff him. \"I told him I'd look into it. That he had   \nnothing to fear. That I'd make sure you were safe and protected. That one of my sheep wouldn't stray...\"  \nHands that roamed over his body, invading his personal pasture. Fingers that lingered where they   \nshouldn't and a nose that sniffed him. It was the tongue, however, that went too far. A tongue that licked   \na bead of sweat up.  \n  \nShaun felt sweat drip from his brow, hungrily licked away by the canine as if Mitch were helping him. It   \nonly made Shaun sweat more. Down his neck as his hands grew clammy and cold. Shaun couldn't move.   \nCouldn't push the larger male away. His stupid sheep body was letting this man; this herder do whatever   \nhe wanted.   \n  \nWas Mitch even aware of that? Aware what effect the canine had on a sheep?  \n  \nShaun couldn't say no. Sheep didn't say no. Not to a herd dog and Mitch took full advantage of that,   \nknowingly or not.  \n  \n\"There are always sheep who stray from the flock. It's my job, my duty to guide them back. Even if I have   \nto... nip at their heels.\" Mitch snapped his teeth softly next to Shaun's ear. The sheep visibly shuddered   \nand Mitch smiled at that. \"Even if I have to get a bit rough,\" the hand on his arm tightened, the fingers   \ndigging into his fur. \"It's for your own good. For the flock's good. Stray sheep need to be guided back into   \nthe fold... kept behind the railing, the fence. Contained...\" The canine took a moment, a long moment to   \njust savor those words. \"Otherwise, a hungry predator might eat you up.\"   \n  \nMitch licked his lips tasting the salty sweat of the sheep. Shaun felt as if the canine was the predator in   \nthis warning as Mitch rubbed against him, roughly, again. Scent marking him. Again. Again. And again.   \nRough hugs, nuzzles and pets.   \n  \nThe canine even took off his scarf, wrapping it around Shaun's neck. Tying it up. It felt like a noose. Or   \nmaybe a leash, with the way Mitch held it. The way the canine tugged it and pulled Shaun closer. Close   \nenough that Mitch could sniff him. One last lingering time.   \n  \n\"You smell so good...\" Mitch growled the words out. \"Sink my teeth in... but I can't. Herders can only   \nguide and lead and protect... never taste. Never savor the taste...\"   \n  \nMitch let him go.  \n  \nThe canine took a step back, smirking at Shaun with something dark lingering in those eyes that made   \nShaun want to throw up on the spot.   \n  \n\"I suppose, if the sheep were to walk into my den. Onto my plate. Into my mouth, they'd have to   \nunderstand if I took a small bite...\" Mitch slurped over his drooling lips, swallowing audibly as he let   \nShaun watch. Watch as he swallowed in a gruesome fashion.   \n  \nShaun couldn't say a word as if waiting for a bell to be rung to give him permission to speak. Mitch   \nseemed to catch that, watching the sheep closely. Looking him up and down as if he were a piece of   \nmeat. A piece of mutton to be savored, enjoyed and devoured.   \n  \n\"I've taken up enough of your time. You're a busy sheep... Going to college, to cafes... Do you like that?   \nCafes?\" Mitch asked, aloud, as if speaking to himself. \"Would you like that? For me to collar, leash you   \nand bring you to one... safely? Under my protection. My watch?\" Mitch's eyes widened slightly and   \nShaun felt a shuddering breath shake him to his core.  \n  \nThe canine wagged his tail, watching.   \n  \nShaun felt used and his rights violated... and he felt painfully hard. It was obvious. The tent in his pants.   \nMitch didn't need to look. The canine could smell it. Smell him. Fear laced with arousal. A scent the   \ncanine wanted to snort like a drug.   \n  \n\"If you ever need anything, Shaun.\" Mitch said, turning on the spot and took a step way. Shaun hated   \nhow his body wanted to follow him. Hated how his foot moved on its own and he had to consciously   \nstop himself from just following the border collie.  \n  \nMitch seemed surprised Shaun didn't. The look changed quickly to a smirking, as a growl made his lips   \nquiver and shake.   \n  \n\"Oh, you're fun. Unlike the others.\" Mitch chuckled lightly and Shaun was sure that Mitch meant that as   \na compliment. \"So smart. So handsome. Unlike these other sheep... So rebellious. Needing to be chained   \nup and taught a lesson.\" Mitch winked. \"Let me know, if you do, need help with anything.\"  \n  \n\"Of course...\" Shaun found the words coming out of his mouth. \"If I need anything. I can always come to   \nyou...\"  \n  \n\"Right.\" Mitch smiled at that, tail wagging. His hands were folded behind his back, looking over a   \nshoulder at Shaun. \"You don't need to go to The Shepherd from now on. He's already so busy with the   \nflock. You can come to me from now. Directly... If you need anything. If anything is bothering, you... if   \nanyone is bugging you.\" Mitch's eyes trailed down Shaun's body, staring at what the sheep tried to hide   \npoking out from between his legs. \"If you have any needs that I can help... sate.\"   \n  \nShaun nodded. A meek thing as he kept his eyes lowered. He was trying not to shake.   \n  \n\"You got my number, right?\" Mitch didn't even hesitate as he turned around. He took a step closer, then   \nanother. He leaned closer, his larger size making Shaun feel tiny and helpless. Mitch's hand brushed   \nagainst his hand and Shaun didn't even flinch as the border collie took his phone from his pocket. \"Such   \na good boy... What's your password?\" Mitch stood up fully, looking down at the small device.   \n  \n\"Seven Six Eight Two One Five.\" Shaun told him and the border collie tapped it in slowly.  \n  \n\"Huh.\" Mitch said and Shaun looked up at him. \"You told me it.\" Mitch met Shaun's eyes and, again,   \nthere was that look of surprise. As if Mitch had been waiting for Shaun to refuse this, or anything else,   \nfrom the start.   \n  \n\"Of course I did.\" Shaun said and hated himself for it. \"I'm a sheep. You're a herder. If it's your job to   \nprotect me, it's my job to believe you.\" Shaun tried to keep the harsher words from leaving his lips as   \nMitch wagged his tail.  \n  \n\"Fuck, little lamb.\" Mitch smirked, his eyes half closing as he tapped his contact information into the app   \nand searched through it quickly as he talked. \"There I am.\" Mitch pushed the button and felt his phone   \nvibrate. \"Here, it's for you.\" Mitch handed Shaun back his phone.  \n  \nWithout breaking eye contact, the sheep slowly took it back. \"Hello...?\" He asked into it and the border   \ncollie's smile only grew at that. The canine spun his phone around, leaning in to speak into the device.  \n  \n\"Hey, little lamb... Go on a date with me.\" Mitch ordered and Shaun wasn't able to say no.","series":{"name":"Predation","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/eRbKRqve-predation-chapter-eight.json","next":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/naOM5JXe-predation-chapter-ten.json"}}