Animal's Sanctum

Packing the last box into my truck I heave out a sigh. I hate moving, I’ve had the luxury of staying in one place for too many years. Now it feels like hell moving out of my old house, while there aren’t all that many memories that make me blissfully happy.

I’m still disappointed in leaving the place. I put so much time and love into working on it, it sucks having to leave. I haven’t put in nearly enough work into my other house. So now I’m pretty much going to be sleeping out of my truck.

Maybe I just need to suck it up and ask for Ezekial’s help. I know he said that he’d help out in any way he could, including getting my house livable. I just don’t want him to think I’m using him.

We started dating not all that long ago, I’m not really looking to be the needy girlfriend who can’t leave her boyfriend alone. Do I think he’ll have an issue? No, it almost seems like he enjoys it when I go to him, asking for help. I chuckle shaking my head, maybe it’s the alpha male in him, who knows.

“Well I’m all moved out. I’m passing this gem on to you two.” Abe looks at me, shaking his head. Missy gives me a smile.

“Thank you Kimmy, I’m happy that you let us buy it off of you!” I shrug, it saved us all the trouble of going through a real estate agent, and got a fair deal on both ends.

“Not a problem, I’m glad it gets to stay in the family. I hope you guys don’t mind, but I really need to go find a place to unload all of this stuff.” Abe nods looking over my truck.

“Do you want any help?” I shake my head walking towards the drivers side door.

“No thank you, I’ll probably just call Ezekial for some help. Feed him dinner afterwards. I need to get something figured out about the house. With the sanctuary open and running, I can focus on bringing in help. To get the place situated. I don’t exactly want to spend my nights in my truck or in the break room.” I shrug at him, Abe nods waving at me, Missy following suit. Pulling out the driveway I can’t help but feel lighter, I finally have two less stresses to worry about. This past weekend was my final day at the clinic thankfully.

I don’t think I could’ve handled much more burning the candle at both ends, or maybe every edge. I was seriously starting to doubt myself and my life choices, it was sucking really bad. Dialing Zeke’s number I listen as it rings.

Praying that he answers, I really don’t want to be dealing with this all by myself. Realistically I should’ve asked earlier when I last talked to him, not just surprise him with a menial task. I should probably get better with this dating thing. I shake my head hanging up the phone when it goes to voicemail. If he didn’t answer then I don’t need to leave a message.

It was purely wishful thinking on my part. It’s been a while since I was able to get out to the house on the property. I’m not really sure where I’m supposed to put any of this stuff. I don’t want it inside while someone is working on it. Let’s not give myself more work to do.

Since it’s Sunday and the Sanctuary is closed I can head straight back to the house and put all of my attention there. Ezekial, or Zeke as I’ve started calling him. Had the brilliant idea to install cameras at the entrance so I can see when someone comes onto the property.

He is always thinking ahead, coming up with great ideas. It’s almost strange to say that in the short time we’ve been dating, I’ve completely fallen for him and his slightly strange qualities. There’s something unique and different about him, I just don’t know what it is.

It calls to a part of me that has apparently lay dormant within me for my whole life. I shake my head at the thought, pulling up to the house I pause seeing the door hanging wide open. This isn’t good, my heart starts to race as I grab my phone just as it rings. Glancing at the caller ID I realize it’s Zeke.

“Hey sorry for missing your call. I’m at your place waiting, did you just pull up?” I feel my shoulders drop as I hear his words. I’m thankful that it’s him inside and not some stranger.

“Yeah? What are you doing here? Have you been reading my mind or something?” I laugh shaking my head with a relaxed grin watching as he steps out of the house. The sight looked natural, it looks good seeing him waiting at the door for me. I blush at my thoughts, I need to get my head checked. He hangs up and I get out.

“No I didn’t read your mind, I just know you too well.” I roll my eyes at his chuckle. I look around finally, a question popping into my mind.

“Where’s your truck?” I watch as he pauses, glancing around like he forgot as well. He closes his eyes, before muttering the simple word ‘shit’.

“I guess we can’t avoid this talk much longer.” He sighs turning to look at me, his eyes holding a guarded, and nervous expression. I tilt my head suddenly worried about what talk we need to have.

“Is everything alright?” He forces his hands into his pockets, looking towards the porch.

“Can we sit down?” He nods towards the steps, looking at me with almost gloomy eyes, what could be so bad about his truck not being here? I could’ve missed the stupid thing in the parking lot. I wasn’t exactly paying attention when I drove in.

“Sure, Zeke, what’s going on?” He refuses to answer me as he walks towards the porch pulling his hands from his pockets and dropping on one of the steps. I finally follow him, feeling nerves start to swarm in the pit of my belly.

What’s upsetting him so much? I didn’t think that asking about his truck would make him this upset. Taking a seat carefully next to him I look over the land in front of us. Not really sure what to do.

“We met before you think we did.” His statement makes my brows pinch together, what? I look at him tilting my head to the side, I don’t understand. “We could never hurt you, it isn’t possible - point blank.” His words only manage to confuse me more, Ezekial doesn’t even make eye contact with me.

“I’m sorry Zeke, but I’m not following. Who’s ‘we’?” I ask him softly, trying to meet his beautiful grey eyes.

“My animal.” He finally looks at me, and I have to blink at him. Sitting up straighter, that’s it?

“Zeke, we all have a spirit animal. That’s where we came from.” I sigh as I think of all that I had learned as a child. “In my culture, the great spirit Gitchi Manitou, created the earth and let animals rule it, until there were too many fights. Gitchi Manitou tried again, this time letting humans lead the world, equipped with spirits of animals to help them survive. Our animal spirit is our guide in this world.” He pauses looking at me like I didn’t understand.

“No, I mean I can turn into an animal.” He attempts to clarify, making me confused for a moment.

“It is told that the first humans were formed from animals who were allowed to change forms.” I shrug looking at him, not really following his point.

“I can turn into a wolf.” Pausing I stare at him, legends coming to my mind.

“What like Chibiabos?”

“What?” I sigh shaking my head, I think back on the legend of Chibiabos.

“He’s the brother of Michabo, a man who was often seen as a hare, a trickster. Chibiabos was a man often seen as a wolf, he was murdered by horned serpents - that’s besides the point. Are you saying you are like him?” I watch as understanding dawns in his eyes, I’ve always had a different view on the world. Falling heavy to my culture’s beliefs, to me it makes sense.

“Well I haven’t been killed by horned serpents, but I guess we are alike? Or maybe the first humans? I know I can change from human to a wolf.” I nod slowly, ok I’ve always heard of the legends of these people, what they stand for.

“To transform into a wolf is believed to be a great responsibility. To have such ability in a tribe would speak of their strength, courage, loyalty and success at hunting; their overall survival.” I scratch my head, confused at why he is telling me. I wouldn’t want to be spreading this information among the world.

I couldn’t see that having a happy ending. Hearing his quiet chuckle makes me look at him in question. Only to have his hands grasp my face carefully his lips landed on mine, shocking me.

My eyes drift shut feeling the warmth that spreads through my body, the warmth that surrounds me. My hands grab his wrists out of desperation, this isn’t like any other I’ve ever had. “You have no idea how happy this makes me.” He laughs, pulling away from me. A grin plastered on his face even as happiness and love radiates out of his eyes.

“I’m happy that you’re happy, but I don’t follow.” He laughs again, the sound being carefree and joyous. I feel like I’m still left at the start of this conversation.

“You aren’t screaming at me, calling me some whack job.” My brows pinch together, confused still. “Honey, I was the wolf you treated.” My eyes widen hearing this, my eyes dropping towards his stomach. He was the one who got into a freaking knife fight?

“What happened to you?” He snorts chuckling, his head hangs his shoulder shaking with laughter. I realize that I’m probably handling this situation really strangely.

“I got into a fight with a hunter, I pulled his gun from his hand and he took a knife to me.” He says it so calmly, making me wonder how many times this has happened to him.

“Wait, why are you telling me?” I love that he trusts me with this information, but I just don’t understand.

“My wolf is drawn to you, do you believe in soulmates?” I nod automatically, I’ve always been somewhat of a hopeless romantic, wanting to believe that there is one made just for me. I raise an eyebrow as a new thought strikes me.

“Your wolf is drawn to my spirit animal, he sees her as his mate?” He pauses, in thought.

“I guess that might be what he is thinking. All that I know is he refuses to let you go, to let you part with us. He views you as ours, and I’d like the same.” I smile feeling a blush light up my cheeks.

“I’d like that Zeke, I really do like you, possibly even love you. My life has changed for the better ever since you drove into the parking lot. Well when I first met your wolf.” He grins pulling me closer, I always knew there was something unique about him.

“I want to show you something. I’ve been working on it with a few crew members, and before you say anything it’s a gift to you. You did save my life.” He stands up dragging me with him.

“I was just doing my job.” I shook my head with a blush, I didn’t realize that I was working on a person at the time. Zeke draws my attention by leading me inside, stunning me to silence. My eyes water as I look around, my hands covering my mouth. I’m at a loss for words.