Fighting For Survival

It was early in the morning, and from what Ripley could see. Most of the others were asleep in their little box dens in their kennels. Some were sleeping on top of them, while others slept in corners as far from the humans as possible. She didn't blame any of them for not waking up when she walked through with the handler. She's heard what they've all been through, her old master did the same thing to the males.

Ripley's slightly too long nails clacked as they moved down the rows. From what she could tell, there were at least four shifters in this compound in total. The rest were normal animals. Her tongue slowly licked over her muzzle as she followed the handler closely. The chain around her neck hanging loosely, Walking like a good girl should, on her handlers' left side and stopping as soon as they do. Her eyes glancing up at them for a moment before sitting patiently, then moving once more when they take another step. A trained pet, that's what she had been trained for. Ever since she as born at her original compound, she is thrown into a life where she watched other of her kind fight for survival. The females forced to breed with different males, forgetting how to shift back into their human forms. Ripley herself didn't even fully know how to shift, but she's heard rumors on how.

"Reaper's going to love you." The handler holding Ripley's chain leash said, glancing down with a sick and twisted grin. "Unless he thinks you're just another opponent." The man's breath dusted over Ripley's nose, causing her muzzle to twitch slightly. He smelled like old tobacco and those cheese smacks that humans seem to love so much. "Hopefully, he doesn't kill ya. You were worth a fucking fortune." The man mumbled and then stopped as they got to the last kennel on the right. The chainlink fence reaching the cieling. The nesting box in the right corner, and to the left of it was the little doggy door to the outside pen. Ripley couldn't see the male that was supposed to be in the kennel, but she could smell him and he smelled dangerous.

The handler reached down and grabbed onto the leather collar that she was given. Unhooked her, and then practically threw her into the kennel before quickly shutting the door and locking it securely. "Good luck, little bitch." The man mumbled before turning and walking away with her leash.
Turning back to look around the kennel, Ripley's tail lowered more than it originally was. Moving under her til it was touching her belly. Her ears going down in submission as she slowly walked around. Her nose to the gound as she smelled the male who owned this kennel. Only to raise her head when she got to the nesting box and caught sight of the male that was inside. A small scared whine escaped from Ripley as she quickly stepped back, giving the larger male room in case he woke and thought of her as a threat. Her already skinny body breathing in deep panicked breathes, showing off her ribs slightly. Showing that she was underweight. This male smelled of blood and death, and she was stuck with him.

----

This place is a fucking shit show. The shifters that are forced to fight multiple times a week, the money filling Mr.Walkers' pockets. Allowing for the sick fucking man to buy more animals and shifters to entertain and fill his pockets even more. Allowing for the sick fucking cycle to move around and around in a fucking circle. It needed to end, and Arlen planned to be the reason why. He just needed a plan to do so. He already got into the business, being hired as a handler for the animals. Bringing them to the fights, helping with the wounds that they could take care of without the help of a medical professional. Also, against his own will, putting the sorry fuckers down. A single bullet to their heads, right between the eyes.

The keys on the right side of Arlen's pants jingled quietly as he walked down the row of pens. Housing the animals. His blue eyes taking in the slumbering animals and shifters, exhausted from their daily lives. Fighting for survival in fights, being traumatized and often beaten by the other handlers. Treated as little more than dirt under their dirty as fuck shoes.

Getting to the office, Arlen opened the door to the little room where the other handlers and caretakers often went for their breaks or to just chill. It wasn't a really busy time, they were mostly around to make sure one of the animals didn't get out of their cages and made a run for it. Or, in a worst-case scenario, into another kennel and got into a fight with each other. "The new wolf was brought in." A co-worker of Arlen's said as soon as he walked into the office. "Oh?" He asked, glancing at the dark-haired man and offering a fake look of interest as he walked towards the coffee pot that was on the counter to the right in the office. "She a pretty wolf? I only heard the boss say he bought Reaper a bitch." Arlen turned around and poured himself a cup of coffee into a paper cup that was next to the pot.

"She's all white, and her eyes are fucking blue crystals. They look like they can pierce someone's soul if you stare too long. Plus, she's got to be one of the most obedient ones we've got. Trained like a dog to listen to commands." Arlen frowned as he drank his coffee. Blue eyes, this girl wasn't even an adult, and they put her in with a male to breed? What the fuck. "Hmm, bet she'll be a good breeder. Reaper's not a bad looking wolf himself." Arlen murmured.

Hearing the door open once more, Arlen looked towards the door and watched as the boss's daughter came into the office. It surprised him at first when she begged the boss to be a caregiver for the animals, not many could stomach it. Cleaning up shit, and feeding all of them could be quite a tiring and disgusting job. Not to mention she'd need to help care for the animals' wounds as well, possibly getting bitten in the process, but. She was becoming a pro and it surprised him quite a bit as it seemed like the animals like her. "We're going to the store. We're out of food for the animals." Was all Arlen said to Viv, then he walked towards the door and grabbed the keys to the work truck and headed out the door that the girl just walked in through it. Arlen didn't wait to see if the girl was following him as he walked down the rows of kennels, he knew she'd follow, like a well-trained animal.

Metal scraping against the concrete floor. The rattling sound of the kennel door opening was enough to stir Niro awake, but he didn't move. The large dark brown and black wolf was still exhausted from the fight the night before, his muscles aching and his back feeling completely bruised. Still he had won, and that was more than the other animal could say. You either won, or you didn't leave the ring and Niro never lost. There was still dried blood caked in the fur around his snout, and flesh from the poor dog he had been forced to fight caught under his nails. He hoped some caretaker would be by soon to clean him up.

His ears perked up when he heard the footsteps, the rattling off the chain link fence as something was thrown into his kennel. "Good luck, little bitch..." No, it wasn't someone coming to clean him. He knew what it was. Niro had heard men talk about how they wanted to breed him, how he was such an unstoppable force in the ring that his cubs would no doubt fetch a high price. They would line the ringleader's pockets, not like he needed it, though. They were already overflowing.

Niko could hear the poor wolf's breathing, she sounded scared. Raising his head, he opened his eyes and looked towards her. He had been forced to fight in this underground hellhole for the past two years, but he felt like he deserved it. It had been his own dumb decisions that led him here, he had ran away from his pack and then had been caught by the poachers. If this was his punishment, he'd take it. Snarling, he lifted to his paws, stretching himself out, his tail raising high. Moving his head from side to side, shaking off the sleep, he slowly came out sauntering out of his nesting box, closer towards the white beauty that had been dumped into his kennel.

Moving around her in circles, it didn't take Niko long to realize she was a shifter. What were the odds of that? Can you hear me? Niko asked her, as if he was unsure of himself. It had been a while since he interacted with another one of his kind. There were others here, but he didn't often find himself close enough to make friends. What's your name?

---

Vivienne sighed, her shoulders slouching as she heard the office door slam behind her as Arlen stormed out. He wasn't a very likable guy, often just grunting orders and expecting you to follow them. He had only been here for a few months, but already he had been trusted with so much. He had a ring of keys that allowed him entrance to nearly every part of the business and he was allowed to give her orders, that was enough to rub her the wrong way. But, her father seemed to like him, he trusted Arlen. Viv, on the other hand, wasn't so sure if he was loyal. Something seemed off about him.

Then again, Vivienne didn't know how loyal she was to her father's business either. The only reason she had begged and pleaded to be allowed to care for the animals was because it twisted her stomach to see the conditions they were forced to live in. It was already bad enough the poor animals were forced to fight for sick rich fucks to kick their rocks off, they shouldn't have to lie in their own shit and piss and starve to death either. There were only a few handlers for the animals, Viv could probably count them all on one hand, including herself. She wanted to try to make at least a little bit of a difference, make the animals lives a little more comfortable. She knew her father would never give up the business, so she had to do what she could from the inside.

Viv barely looked up at the co-worker that Arlen had been talking too, instead, just turning on her heel and pushing the office door back open. Trailing Arlen down the rows of kennels, he spun the truck keys around his finger, whistling like he was surrounded by a bunch of exotic animals that would sooner rip his throat out if they had the chance. It was creepy how comfortable he seemed here. Even Viv, having been around this kind of business her whole life, still tread carefully, glancing over her shoulders and making sure the kennels that they passed were locked tightly.

"Have you already taken your lunch?" Viv finally piped up as they walked out of the facility, locking the door on their way out.

@ FallenHope95

@ dezz
Watching as the dark-colored wolf crept out of the dark nesting box, Ripley felt another wave of fear wash over her. He was huge, towering over her. Emitting the sort of alpha intimidation that one would imagine when faced with a monster. Ripley shivered slightly as the male stepped closer to her. Bright blue eyes gazed down in submission as the male took her in, scenting her. Ripley lowered her body to the ground and rolled onto her back, acting as submissive as she possibly could.

She was about to offer him a small whine when she heard something. Her bright blue eyes flashed in recognition and she froze in her spot. Her eyes focusing on the males for a moment as she listened to him. Then, she quickly looked away. Not wanting to have his thing that she was challenging him, even if he was a fellow shifter. "Yes." She communicated quietly, rolling slowly back onto her belly. The cold cement of the flooring would have caused Ripley to shiver in her human form but in her wolf form. Her main form, it felt nice. It relaxed her shivering form slightly."The masters named me Ripley."

Lowering her gaze to the floor, Ripley slowly licked her muzzle out of nervousness. "Please don't hurt me." She said, remembering the rumors that circulated her home kennel. The wolf called Reaper was supposed to be a monster in the ring. Barely anyone could land a damaging blow to the male. Not to mention that he was born wild. That made him all the more dangerous. Wild wolves were said to be the best fighters in their world, outsmarting all of the cage born shifters easily. Having more muscles and better reflexes everyone Ripley's known dreamed of being able to become a wild shifter.

"I'm just here to be bred, then I'll be out of your fur." Ripley said through their link. Saying the words like it didn't just mean he could fuck her and then leave her. As it was how she was raised, it was how her parents were. She didn't know which of the males in the kennel were her father. Each male sired a litter in the kennel at some point in their life in servitude in the kennel, and this was her time to carry her own.

----

As they walked out of the facility Alren could feel his right eye twitch slightly. He hated it when Vivienne opened her mouth. Each word that left her lips caused the hair on the back of his neck to raise and his wolf urged to tear her throat open. It was mentally killing him that he had to act human around her. That he couldn't just bare his teeth at her in a show of dominance as he does to the others to get them to listen. Not to mention the bribes he's given the other shifters in the kennel. Giving them hints on the fighters and making it easier for them to survive. It was why the Kennel the Water's owned was so renown. Because he gave info on the fighters, and in return, he didn't have to deal with the possibility of a dead shifter on his hands.

"Not yet, too busy," Alren said as he got into the fancy work trusk. Alren heard that it used to be an ambulance, but Mr.Waters bought it and had it turned into practically a drivable freezer to keep the meat fresh as they brought it back to the facility. "We got the new wolf in, and Reaper needs to be cleaned when we get back," Alren said as he glanced towards Viv out of the corner of his eye. "Boss wants him clean, so good luck giving the dick a bath," Alren mumbled, remembering the couple of times the two got into it. Reaper actually sank his teeth into his arm when he found out he was a fellow shifter and was working with the humans. Although, after explaining some things, they got along decently. Still didn't like each other though. It was an alpha thing.

Pulling out onto the street, Alren focused on the road for a while. Not interested in listening to Viv talk. He needed to think of how to move things along. Maybe seeking some help from the other shifters, but. Who could he really trust? Reaper only knew that he was trying to help the fellow shifters. He didn't know that Alren wanted to destroy the whole operation. To save the animals that weren't shifters as well. Alren wanted to stop the underground fighting ring, at least for Mr.Waters.

When they arrived at the butcher shop in a little strip mall, Alren turned the truck off and motioned for Viv to follow him into the store. The place was moderately empty, except for a couple of elderly people eyeing the weekly specials in the display case next to the counter. "Yo, Rick, you got my order?" Alren asked as he laid eyes on the elderly store owner. A small grin appeared on the man's lips. "I do." The man said and nodded to the young viv. "forty pounds of meat in various forms, offal, and I even threw in the leftover bones and hooves from the other animals we don't use for free." A small grin appeared on Alren's lips. "Thanks, man." He said as he walked to the counter and placed the card that the boss gave him for the expenses for the animals. Then, he looked towards Viv. "Go into the back and start bringing things to the truck, Rick labels our things with a red tape," Alren instructed as he started to pay for their things before following Viv. After this, they'll need to grab fresh fruit and vegetables for the animals and shifters so hopefully the extra things won't take up to much room.

The rumors that circulated the kennel about Niro were true. He was a complete monster in the ring, usually ending his fights in mere seconds. He didn't like to fight, so he didn't play around. He knew what the outcome had to be, either he would win, or he would die. And Niro wasn't about to just lay down and die. He didn't want to live the rest of his life in this kennel, fighting weekend after weekend, only to be thrown back in his cage to be neglected until the next fight. No matter how beastly he seemed in the ring, that part of him stayed there. No one other than the bastard handlers needed to fear him.

I'm not going to hurt you, he assured her, slowly closing the distance between them. It had been so long since Niro had been in his human form, but he still remembered how. He wondered what Ripley looked like transformed, but something told him it must've been a lifetime for her since she walked on two feet, if she ever had. The white pup seemed so obedient, just like a dog. Especially with the way she spoke of breeding, like it was just what she was supposed to do. Like her life had no other meaning to it. It made him sick to his stomach. The both of them were such strong creatures, shifters weren't meant to lead lives like this. Raising his eyes to the ceiling, his tongue licking over his snout, he thought about his pack. They were out there somewhere... He wished he had never ran away.

Lowering his gaze back to Ripley, he even shuddered when she mentioned that her master had named her. Still, it was a name, but he didn't like who had given it to her. Nothing about cage born shifters seemed right to him. Call me Niro. He didn't want her referring to him by the pet name he had been given. Reaper... It suited him, especially with how well he did when he fought. He definitely brought death to anyone he stepped foot in the ring with. Niro felt connected to Ripley, even if they had never met before, they were both shifters. They needed to have each others backs and she was so small, not fully grown. She would need all the protection she could get, especially if what he had heard the masters speak of were true. If Ripley didn't breed... The nice way of putting it was, well, she wouldn't be here much longer.

---

Vivienne glanced towards Alren when he mentioned Reaper and how he needed a bath. "Aw, that poor puppy?" She teased him, remembering the commotion she had heard the day Alren had been bitten. Calling Reaper a puppy, was like calling a mountain lion a kitten, but she wasn't afraid of him. It didn't seem like Alren liked their prized fighter that much, but Reaper never gave her too much trouble. Usually when he saw her, he was relieved that he was finally being given some attention. "Maybe if you were a bit nicer, tried smiling, he wouldn't be such a dick to you. If I saw you coming in my kennel, I'd try ripping your arm off too." she rolled her eyes, relaxing against the seat as she stared out the window.

Once inside the butcher shop, Viv felt her face heating up when she heard Alren ordering her around, again. She knew she was just a handler, but she had asked for that position. It pissed her off that Alren didn't give her any respect. Even when she heard him speaking to his other co-workers he wasn't so bitter. She could never recall pissing in his cheerios, but she suspected she must've done something.

"Aye, aye, cap'n." She enjoyed getting on his last nerve. Moving into the back of the butcher shop, Viv started gathering all of the boxes that were lined with red tape. The men had been nice enough to package their meats up nice and tidy for them. Picking up two of the boxes, feeling as if they were about ten pounds each, she packed them out to the truck, before returning for the other boxes. Making sure to fit them neatly into the back of the truck, stacking them so they wouldn't fly around and make a mess, Viv stepped back and dusted her hands off before slamming the back of the truck shut.

@ FallenHope95

@ dezz
Keeping her gaze away from the male still, it felt like a wave of relief washed over Ripley. Like a wave of warm water washed over her. This male, Niro, wasn't going to hurt her. He was going to protect her, she knew it. She could feel it. His words spoke true, he was a real protector. None of the other males that she could faintly hear back home ever made Ripley feel so comforted. Not even her mother made her feel so safe. Forcing her into her wolf form when she was born and then never teaching her how to shift back. Rejecting their abilities to shift and favoring the wolf. The trained beast that they had become.

"Yes, sir." Was all that Ripley could think of to replay with. The sound of scratching nails on cement caught Rip's attention and she slowly shifted her gaze around the kennel. The other animals and shifters were waking up. She could smell the anxiety that filled all of them. The anger, the fear. This kennel was just like the one that she was born into. Filled with so much sorrow and despair. This wasn't a happy place, far from it. This was the only atmosphere she's been in though, she isn't familiar with anything else. This was like home for her. Which, for those born on the outside, was quite sad.

The sound of footsteps echoed through the halls once again and caught Ripley's attention. Her bright blue eyes shifted towards the door she was forced in through. Another handler walked past. This one with white-blond hair, almost the color of snow or her white coat. He didn't even pay her or Niro any attention as he walked. A metal stick in his hand, one that Ripley knew all too well. It was used to make them sleepy when they were injured, to protect themselves from the more wild animals when they needed treatment. "This place smells like it's got a lot of handlers." Ripley murmured through the link as she watched the human walk past and then turned her attention back towards Niro.

----

Lazy, that's what Alren considered those shifters who were being fed by human hands. Sure, they fought for their lives on the weekend, but stooping so low as to have the humans bring them food? Giving up the thrill of chasing their prey, of sinking their teeth into their prey, to feel the fresh hot blood running down one's throat? That's what a true beast should be feeling. Not sinking their teeth into this cold packaged meat, the practically dried blood having little no taste in the least bit, "Expensive animals." Rick said and chuckled as he rung up Alred. "Ah, it's the cost of owning a sanctuary," Alren replied, offering the man a small smile. Hating the lie that they use when buying the animals food.

Once things were bought at the butcher, Alren helped Viv put the last of the boxes into the truck. "Alright, let's hit the grocery store next door." Alren murmured as he pulled out his phone and checked some text messages he had. A few of the other handlers had texted him, letting him know of other supplies to pick up while they were out. "The new bitch is still young, so we have to find some calcium powder to add to her food." Alren murmured to viv, although he didn't know why he even bothered telling her. Alren may seem like a total dick to her and extremely indifferent to the other handlers, as well as the animals, but he still wanted to make sure that the animals and shifters were taken care of. While they were alive. He's seen too many animals and shifters in the ring that looked like they were starving, or were deformed because of terrible diety.

Once again, Alren didn't wait for Viv to follow him as he walked towards their next destination. He glanced around slowly once he stepped through the automatic doors of the grocery store. It was some small mom and pop shop, but they were sure to have a few things for them to buy. Grabbing one of the shopping carts, Alren held onto the handle as he and Viv started to look around the isles. "What's in season at this time of year?" He murmured out loud as he ran his eyes over the produce that the store had. Looking for something that was cheap, these were fighters, they didn't need the most expensive shit and if the others knew he was getting them fresh things, he'd get his ass kicked for being an animal lover or some shit. He just wanted to make sure they lived and he kept his job. It was why they had gotten the new wolf so cheap, the place she's from was going under because of the lack of good fighters. So they needed the money.

Niro kept his head down as the handler walked past, his nails raking against the cement floor. How long was he going to have to endure his stench before someone would come and wash him? The scent of the blood dried around his muzzle was dry, weirdly sweet, but metallic and he wanted it gone. Enough of them to keep us in our places. He moved his head from side to side, noting how the other animals were beginning to wake up and stand to their feet. It was almost time for their food, and Niro only hoped that someone would be by to clean him before then.

Moving closer to the small white wolf, Niro nudged her head with his snout, advising her to move towards his nesting box. Where did you come from? Niro was curious whether or not she was still close to her own family, or if she had traveled far to come here. He had heard some of the handlers talk about how they had paid a fortune for her and he could see why. Her coat was pristine and white wolves and canines always sold for higher, not to mention her eyes were like blue gems, twinkling like little glowing orbs. She was a very pretty pup, but Niro couldn't help but wonder what she looked like when she shifted. Catching himself assuming that she was just as beautiful, he gnashed his teeth to rid himself of the thoughts as he followed her over to his nesting box. Where they could have a bit more privacy. They were to mate after all, once she was in heat.

Lying down on the concrete outside of his nesting box, Niro relaxed, enjoying the smooth cold flooring against his stomach. Niro wasn't worried about the other animals in the kennel bothering him, or Ripley, while she was by his side. They knew better, every animal and shifter in this facility knew he was top dog. The only man to ever give him any actual trouble was Arlen, a shifter who worked for the fight ring. Just the idea of a shifter helping these people to force animals to fight... He almost wished he had more opportunity to sink his fangs into the man again. Even if he had tried telling Niro he was here to help, Niro didn't believe him. Something about the man, Niro didn't like it, and he wasn't sure if he could chalk it up to alphas just butting heads. Though, Niro was curious if he ever wanted to bust out, Arlen would probably be his only hope.

---

Viv watched as Arlen guided the shopping cart towards the produce, his eyes scanning over all of the fruits and veggies that were abundant this time of year. "I'll go find that calcium powder," she said, her voice barely above a mutter, knowing Arlen probably didn't care one way or another what she was doing. Leaving him to pick out his fruits, Viv moved out of his sight, towards the pet section of the grocery store. Anything to get away from the brooding man. The only thing that stopped Vivienne from complaining about him to her father was that she could see how he truly cared for the animals. He could be a dick to her all he wanted, as long as he had the animal's best interests in mind. For the most part, he seemed to. She didn't think anyone who worked for her father was a good person, all of them were there doing the same thing: keeping the cycle going.

After finding the calcium powder for the new addition, Viv found herself wandering down the pet toy aisle. The kennels were sad in their operation. Just a bunch of nesting boxes and bowls for their food and water. The animals never had anything to distract themselves, though Viv did try to take some of the more obedient dogs out for walks whenever she could. That wasn't enough. Knowing there was a new sweet girl in the kennel, Viv wanted to get her something as a welcoming gift. Her eyes scanned over the wall of toys before her eyes settled on a pink rubber ball that had grooves in it for texture. Picking it up, she barely applied pressure to the ball before hearing a loud squeaking noise. "Perfect," she laughed, before moving it into her arm and letting her eyes scan the wall some more. She also grabbed some braided rope toys and tennis balls.

Coming out of the aisle, she saw Arlen with the shopping cart and hurried over to him before dropping the calcium powder and the toys in with everything he had picked up. "Figured the dogs would like to play some tug of war," she laughed, before squeezing the squeaky ball again as she dropped it into the cart, "and a squeaky toy for the new girl." Viv knew Arlen would not give a shit either way, thinking it was all just a waste of money, but it was her father's money and she'd do whatever she wanted with it.

@ FallenHope95

@ dezz
Not needing to be told twice, Ripley slowly stood up and walked towards the nestbox that was in the corner of the kennel. She curled up next to the wooden structure, between it and the cement of the wall. A good hiding place because when Reaper came by and laid down, he practically hid her with his larger frame. The only real indication that Rip was laying in the corner was because of her blue eyes.

"I came from Master Mejai's kennel. It took four days in a cage to get here." Ripley told Niro as she rested her head on the cool cement floor. No real knowledge of where she was from where she was now or what was supposed to happen besides them supposed to be mating. She didn't really seem to care though, Ripley didn't know any better. She didn't know what was on the outside of scary handlers and the sound of animals fighting to their deaths.

Letting out a yawn, Ripley curled into a tight circle. Using her tail to cover her nose and eyes. "What about you?" Ripley opened her eyes and glanced over her tail fur at the darker furred male. "How did you get here?"

----

Packing the cart with a couple of pounds of apples, pears, blueberries, and raspberries. Arlen considered himself done. These shifters were better than him, and he wasn't the one that was in a fucking cage. Although, he guessed it was good to have fresh food before one died. It was a shitty thing to think, shifters were getting harder and harder to find, and yet, none of them are trying to escape from this hellhole that they're finding themselves in. Even worst is that some of these handlers know about the shifters, and are paying them instead of forcing them to fight. It was sick, it turned Arlen's stomach inside out.

Moving away from the produce, Arlen looked up just in time to see Viv coming towards him. He could clearly see the calcium powder in her arms, but it was the other thing that she had that caught his attention. "Toys?" He asked, his voice showing that he wasn't really amused. If he knew shifters, and he was pretty sure that he did. They'll all be scuffing at the thought of being given animal toys to keep them entertained. Then, when Viv squeaked that ball, he could feel his wolf itching to sink its teeth into it. To end it's existence.

"Let's go." Was all Alren said to Viv on the subject, not interested in telling the boss' daughter no on the toy front. Moving towards the checkout counter, Arlen used the business' card to pay once more and then brought the cart out to the truck to put everything away. "Hurry up, animals need cleaning," Arlen said, then smirked knowing that Viv was going to have to deal with those who fought the other day and were probably still all bloody.

(You can skip Viv back to the kennel if it gives you more to write.)

Patting over to his nesting box, Niro lowered his head, keeping his gaze on Ripley as she made herself comfortable. He figured if they were supposed to mate, their was no harm in her making herself at home in his bed. That and he suspected he would've offered his bed to her anyway. Climbing inside, he circled around until he found a place to lay comfortable. His large dark body completely hid the white wolf, subconsciously protecting her.

I've been here for a couple years, Niro looked down towards Ripley, his tongue licking over his nose. I was born wild, he assumed that she already knew that. She had heard the rumors about him. I was kidnapped, brought here. Been here ever since. It pained him to hear Ripley had been bred in this cycle, never having stepped foot outside of a cage. A low growl rumbled in his chest, emitting from deep in the back of his throat. Some strange part of him wanted to help Ripley see what it was like to truly live. Strange, because before now Niro had never really thought about trying to escape.

Hearing the clinking of the chain face and a high pitch squeaking, Niro picked his head up and looked towards the gate. One of the handlers had finally arrived, one he could recognize.

Vivienne was relieved to be out of Arlen's sights, even if she was back to her regular duties. Cleaning up the dogs after their fights was always the worst because their fur was caked with blood and even their jowls needed scrubbing. Still, it was better than trying to carrying a conversation with Arlen, better than hearing him run his smart ass mouth all day.

"Awe, there's the cutie," Vivienne smiled when her eyes landed on Ripley. The handler carried a bucket in one hand, with dog shampoo and a cleaning brush, but in her other hand, she held the squeak toy she had bought for the new addition. Coming up to Reaper's nesting box, she crouched down a few inches away and held the ball out to Ripley, squeezing it a few times. Her eyes glanced towards Reaper and smiled, "Ready to get cleaned up?" Her eyes flickered back to Ripley, before reaching the ball further out towards her. "C'mon, it's all yours."

@ FallenHope95

@ dezz
Questions flittered through Ripley's head as she listened to Reaper, Niro. Why didn't he just shift and leave? He was strong enough, he was one of the most feared in the ring. Surely, he could easily take out all of the handlers. Outthink them. He was the only one she's ever really met that had a chance to escape. Yet, he hasn't. Why? He was born wild, wouldn't his family worry about him? Rip knew that her mother probably worried about her, but she was also probably already nursing another pup as well and teaching it to never shift. Shifting was bad, even if her bones ached to do so at times.

The sound of the metal gate opening caught Ripley's attention and her ears perked up slightly. Her head raised slowly and she peaked up over Niro's back. Her gaze shifting from the things in the woman's arms to her face. Listening to her soft soothing voice. Her gaze shifted towards Niro's for a moment. Wondering if she should be wary of this human or not. Although, seeing as he was being pretty relaxed still. She started to think that she should as well. So, she looked back towards the girl and slowly reached out to take the toy and then rested her head down on the ground with the spikey squeaky toy in her mouth. She really had no idea what to do with it.

--

When they got back to the facility Alren didn't pay any attention to Viv. She wasn't his ward or anything, so what she did when they were back at her father's place didn't concern him. What did concern him though, was rather or not she was getting mauled or not by one of the non-shifter animals. Getting a couple of the other handlers, Alren and the others got things unpacked and the ones who's job was to feed the animals that day started to do their job. And since Alren wasn't one of those people, he decided to take one of his breaks. He was about to walk out for a quick smoke when he noticed that Viv was in the kennel with Reaper and Ripley.

"I wouldn't get to close. We don't know her personality yet." Arlen said casually as he walked towards the kennel. His eyes narrowing a little bit as he watched Reaper and the bitch that was given to him to breed with. Then, his gaze shifted towards Viv. His gaze looked back towards the shifters in the box as he took out his pack of cigarettes and tapped it against his palm as he tried to get one out of the box. It was a bad habit, one that he really didn't care to give up.

Viv gave Ripley another small scratch behind the ears before she moved to grab Reaper's collar and leash off the wall. Giving the animals their baths after their fights was easily the worst part of this job for her. She hated scrubbing the dried blood from their fur and how they'd flinch or gnash their teeth if she'd accidentally touch a wound or bruise. Frozen there, she didn't move until she heard Arlen's rough voice from outside of the kennel. Already graced with his presence again, huh? With Reaper's collar in hand, she turned back to the wolf and squatted down, securing it around his neck.

"I'm fine," was about all of the answer Viv was going to give Arlen. Linking the leash to Reaper's collar, staring at the beautiful wolf's eyes, Viv had to tease him. "but, I am bringing Reaper out, might wanna back up. He likes to bite." She ran her fingers through his fur before getting back to her feet. Leading Ripley out of the kennel, she locked the cage door. "Ooo, unless you're here to give him his bath?" It wasn't a serious request, knowing Arlen would never take that responsibility off of his hands, but anything to annoy him.

Reaper guided Viv down the rows of kennels, past Arlen without so much as glancing in his direction. A washing was more than needed, he was ready to be able to lick his snout without tasting the putrid metallic taste of blood. And he wasn't the least bit interested in their bickering. He pulled on the leash just enough to gather Viv's attention, so they could be on their way.

---

Viv returned Niro to his kennel after making sure he was all dry after his bath. His coat practically shined now and there wasn't one speck of dirt or one drop of blood left anywhere on him. "Alright, in ya go." Viv guided him, before stepping in only to take his collar off of him. Once that was done, she disappeared and he was once again locked inside his kennel. At least, this time he wasn't alone. Tilting his head, Niro watched the handler disappear down the hall, before he turned and stalked over to his nesting box. Back over towards Ripley.

That ones always been nice enough, he told her, as he quickly got into his bed. and the man she was talking to earlier, he's a shifter, too. If Ripley was going to be around, he figured she might as well know who she could trust. He says he's here to help, but I haven't seen him help anything yet. So be careful, regardless. Niro still didn't like thinking about what they were going to be forced to do. Either they mated, or she'd be a waste of their money and they'd dispose of her. The longer he thought about it, the more he hated it. He was hoping he could do something to help both of them before their time was up. To think, she was a shifter but she'd lived her whole life like this. He had to do something for her.

@ FallenHope95