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Your alarm shot off at 4:00am. Owen said he wanted to go down to the raptor paddock by 5 in the morning. You quickly got out of bed and did your morning routine. Before getting ready you sat at your kitchen table with a hot cup of coffee and some oatmeal. You flipped through social media and realized it was too early to call your mom or sister. You would just have to call them that night.
'You awake?' your phone buzzed through. It was a text from Owen.
'Unfortunately' you responded back and he sent back a thumbs up.
You smiled and headed to the bathroom. You decided to put your hair into a high poinytail and left some strands loose around your face. You threw on a pair of addidas running shorts, and debated if they were maybe just too short. You shrugged and kept them on concluding that the island was too hot. You threw on an oversized t-shirt and tied one side to your waist while the shoulder slightly slid off revealing your sports bra strap. You slipped on your running shoes and grabbed your backpack and water bottle. You stepped outside to see that Owen had already left, so you hopped in your jeep and drove down to his paddock using the map that Claire had given you previously.
Even at 5am the paddock was busy with people. Barry met you as you pulled up.
"Ready Doc?" He asked as he helped you out of the car.
"I think i have to be. The paddock is huge" You said
"Yeah, it was actually just built over a year go. It's not open to the public" Barry explained walking you over to the paddock.
"So it's just mainly for research?" You asked he nodded and pointed up. You looked up to see Owen at the cross walk above the paddock holding a bucket.
"Come with me, you have to watch this" Barry said taking you inside a secured area within the paddock.
And that's when your heart froze.
There standing meters away from you was 4 large velociraptors. You had to take your sunglasses off because you were in disbelief. You were about to walk up to the bars, when Barry pulled you back.
"Don't get too close" He warned and you nodded.
You heard three clicks and then Owen's voice.
"Eyes up here!" He shouted with confidence and all the raptors stared up at him.
"Good, and let's move" He said as he walked down the cross walk until he was in front of you and Barry. The raptors were at thing of beauty.
You dropped your backpack to grab your notebook, but the sound caught the attention of all four raptors. Their eyes and bodies aimed at you. You froze as you made eye contact.
"Hey, eyes up here!" Owen shouted, clicking the clicker. But they didn't listen. Two of them screeched as one, with a blue stripe, began approaching the bars. She started growling as you backed up, even though you weren't close to the bars. Owen looked down to realize you were standing there with Barry.
"Blue! Get back in line!" He shouted with anger. But she didn't listen. Her eyes were on you. Her sisters followed her lead making you realize she might be the Alpha in the pack.
"Barry, do you mind taking Dr. Parker into my office. Seems like the raptors are extra curious" Owen said.
You didn't even register what Owen said. You were fascinated by the raptors. They began screeching and growling as Barry pulled you away.
"Oh my god, i'm so sorry. I didn't mean to disrupt his training" You said to Barry, feeling nervous that Owen seemed annoyed.
"Don't worry, it's the first time in the past few weeks where they haven't followed his commands. Seems like they are interested in you" Barry said as you both stepped into the cool office.
"Owen should be in soon. I have to get some stuff done. Do you need anything?" Barry asked.
"No, thank you though" You said as you sat down.
You closed your eyes in shock of seeing these creatures. The door suddenly bursted open making you jump up a bit.
"Owen I'm so sorry!" You apologized, standing up
"It's okay! Sorry if I came off angry. You caught my raptors off guard" He said
"They are beautiful" You said softly making him smile.
"Want to meet them?" He asked making you smile.
"Yes!" You said
"They can smell fear, so be confident. Show them you are a pack leader" He said
You laughed.
"I know Owen. I've survived studying lions and tigers. I think I can do this" You said opening the door to walk out.
"Okay, we'll see" Owen said sarcastically and followed behind you.
"Let me lead, I'm their alpha" He said opening up a gate for you. Inside were four harnesses where the raptors would be held. You watched as Barry locked in all four raptors. They seemed agitated, like they didn't like the harness. You heard them chirp and communicate iwth one another once they realized you and Owen were standing there.
So moving left to right we have Echo, Charlie, Delta, and Blue. He said
"Blue must be the Beta" You said remembering the other raptors following her lead.
"Yep, whatever she does, her sisters follow" Owen said.
"So let's start with her" You said walking towards her.
Owen quickly grabbed your arm and pulled you back towards him. In that moment the raptors began snarling and screeching and you felt electricity go through your arm as he pulled you to face him.
"Hey, i know you have experience with wild animals, but these girls are unpredictable. I will always take the lead. Got it?" He snapped. Your eyes went wide with surprise because of Owen's sudden aggressiveness. He let you go and the raptors stopped growling.
"Stay close" He said as he walked over to Blue. You stood slightly behind him as he slowly and softly rubbed her cheek.
She hummed under his stouch and even closed her eyes. She was comfortable with him.
"Give me your hand" Owen said, his eyes not leaving Blue. He gently took your hand and slowly brought it to Blue's cheek. Her eyes snapped open and made contact iwth yours. Her yellow eyes shifted from Owen to you then back to Owen. Owen nodded at her for reassurance.
"It's okay. She's our friend" Owen cooed as your hands finally touched her skin. She jumped a bit, making you slightly jump closer to Owen. He chuckled but kept your hand on her.
"Shhh, she's here to help us" Owen cooed at Blue again. She snarled a bit but eventually gave in to your touch. Owen let your hand go so you could do it on your own. He stepped back away from you so you could place both hands on her. She let out a chirp as she studied your face.
"Hi Blue, you're so beautiful" You whispered to her. She chirped in response. Her sisters were looking at the both of you
She began communicating with her siblings. You took a step back and stood with Owen.
"She's letting her sisters know that you are okay" Owen said. You met the other three and watched Owen do a command exercise with them again. You took notes on their behavior and had the chance to take blood samples and check their diets. Around noon Barry came by to take you to the T-Rex paddock.
"Hey, don't go in the paddock!" Owen warned
"Why the hell would i do that?" You questioned making him laugh.
"Seems like something you would do" Owen said making you nodded realizing he was right.
By 3pm you had the chance to see, study, and research all the carnivores at the park. You were exhausted after updating diet plans, and talking to handlers. You headed back to the bungalow around 4pm and decided to make a sandwich and sit out by the lake. As you sat out, the familiar sound of Owen's motorcycle got louder. You watched as he pulled in front of his home.
He waved at you and you waved back, sandwich in hand. He jogged down the lake over to you.
"First day, what did you think?" He asked sitting on the ground next to you. Sweat was glistening off his forehead.
"Great, i'm exhausted" YOu said with a mouth full of food. He laughed and snatched your sandwich out of your hand and ate the rest of it in one big bite. You looked at him bewildered.
"Hey! Make your own!" You snapped making him laugh.
He swallowed the sandwich and burped.
"Thanks, i was starving" He joked making you push his shoulder.
"You owe me one now" You laughed.
"So which enclosure is your favorite?" He asked
"Don't let it get to your head but I'm stuck between the T-Rex and the Raptors" You said
"Oh, tough one. But i'm biased so obviously the Raptors are the best" He said making you smile.
For the next five months you worked about 10 hours every day with the dinosaurs. You spent more time with the Raptors, building a bond with them. You made more friends and had a solid friendship with Owen.
Owen definitely learned that Julissa was pretty much the female version of himself. He didn't realize how much of a playboy he was considered until rumors flew around the trainers and staff that Julissa got around as much. At one point it was a competition to see who could bring someone home the most. It was a weird feeling for Owen, every time he saw a guy with Julissa. A slight pang of jealousy, anger, and amusement all in one. Owen pushed down those feelings, not wanting it to ever come between them.
What do you guys think? Leave a comment!