Chapter 1. The mission begins
It didn't take long for the whispers to start. They always do. At first, it was behind closed doors—just a few side glances, muffled voices in internet forums. But soon enough, Ashton Turfurr couldn't take a step without hearing his name spat like poison. "Groomer," they'd sneer, like it was a fact, like the truth didn't matter anymore.
One fucked-up rumor, that's all it took. Someone decided Ashton was an easy target. First, it was just small things, but when they realized no one was coming to his defense, they went for the kill. Now, it wasn't just "creep" or "weirdo"—it was full-on accusations on internet. and yes, that will be your imagination for the context why he got wrongly accused. Because the internet is a cesspool of forged evidence. They said he was a predator. That he'd been grooming "victims". Didn't matter if it was true. Didn't matter that there was no proof. People just needed a villain, and they picked him.
Every day was the same. His locker trashed. Notes stuffed into his bag with "nice try diddy" and "sick freak" scrawled in red ink. Eyes followed him everywhere, burning holes into his skin like they were waiting for him to slip up, waiting for him to prove them right.
And then there were the managers. Useless. Some of them bought into the bullshit. The rest? Too afraid to step in, too cowardly to stop the onslaught. As far as they were concerned, Ashton was already guilty. It didn't matter that he'd never touched anyone, never looked at anyone wrong. In their eyes, the damage was done.
Months passed, and the isolation gnawed at him. Every friend he'd had turned their back, every smile turned to disgust. Even his family, the people who were supposed to be in his corner, started asking questions with suspicion in their eyes. "Are you sure you're not involved in something?" they asked, as if he was the one fucking up.
Alone. That's what Ashton had become.
But there was one person—just one—who didn't seem to give a damn about the rumors. Hartiel.
Hartiel was quiet, like she had her own shadows to deal with, but she didn't look at him like the others did. She didn't flinch when people whispered about him. Maybe she saw through the lies, maybe she just didn't care. Either way, Ashton clung to her like a drowning man. She was his one shot at something normal in a world that had turned to shit.
For the first time in months, Ashton had someone to talk to, someone who didn't treat him like a monster. Hartiel was different. She understood what it was like to be on the outside, to be hated for reasons beyond your control. But she wasn't a victim like him—she was stronger. She had something darker under the surface, something that made Ashton realize that maybe this world wasn't what it seemed.
Then, one night, she dropped the bomb.
"There's something you should know," she said, her voice low, barely audible over the hum of the streetlights. "My husband—he's not like us."
Ashton raised an eyebrow. He didn't know she was married, but that wasn't the weird part. Her eyes shifted, and for a second, he thought he saw something—something other—behind them.
"He's a Draconian," she whispered. "Not human. He never was."
Draconian. The word hit Ashton like a punch to the gut. At first, he thought she was fucking with him. But Hartiel was dead serious, and there was something about the way she said it that made Ashton's skin crawl. A dragon-blooded creature. Something straight out of nightmares.
That's when it clicked. If shit like that existed, if dragons and god knows what else were real, then maybe his life wasn't as small and fucked-up as he thought. Maybe he wasn't doomed to be the scapegoat of some small-town bullshit forever. Maybe there was something more out there. Something darker. Something powerful.
He started digging. With Hartiel's help, Ashton dove into the world of taratology—the study of dark forces, creatures, and the ancient, forgotten knowledge of the world. That's when he first heard the word egregore—a force, an entity created by the collective thoughts and emotions of people. A monster made from the hatred of others.
He realized that's what they had turned him into. They thought they could bury him under lies, make him into a villain, so they'd created one. But they didn't know who they were dealing with.
Ashton wasn't just going to roll over and die. No, if they wanted a monster, he'd give them something they couldn't handle. Something worse than their worst fucking nightmares.
The more he learned, the more he changed. The old Ashton—the kid who tried to prove he was innocent, who begged for people to listen—he was gone. In his place was someone harder. Someone who knew the world was full of liars, of people ready to tear each other apart just for the hell of it. And if that's how they wanted to play it, fine.
With Hartiel at his side, Ashton embraced the egregore—let it take root in him, let it grow. He could feel it, this dark power built from the collective hatred of those who had tried to destroy him. But instead of being consumed by it, Ashton became it. He owned it.
Now, he wasn't the victim anymore. He wasn't the falsely accused, pathetic kid they thought they could break. No. Ashton Turfurr was something else now. And the people who made him this way?
They'd pay.
This version maintains the dark tone, incorporates the themes of bullying and false accusations, and dives into the transformation of Ashton into something powerful without using extreme slurs. It sticks to the edge you were looking for, while still being suitable for platforms like . Let me know what you think or if you'd like further changes!
Ashton's mind was racing, and he couldn't keep it all in anymore.
"Holy shit! Does that mean I can be, like, an isekai hero now?" he said, half-joking but with that manic spark of hope glinting in his eyes. "Or, hell, maybe I can finally clear my name and shove it in all those assholes' faces!"
Hartiel gave him a sideways glance, trying to gauge how serious he was. Ashton, though, was already spiraling off into his own world.
"Wait, wait—what if I get my own hellhound waifu? Like, Loona from Helluva Boss! But not her, of course," he said, waving his hand dismissively, "someone like her, y'know? Or better yet, my own OC—yeah, Lucina. That's the ticket. My legally distinct hellhound girlfriend, Lucina. I can make that happen now, right?"
He was grinning now, his mind racing between possibilities—vengeance, fantasy, and a future that didn't suck.
Hartiel shot Ashton a sharp look, snapping him out of his wild fantasies.
"You need to keep your mind clear, Ashton. Pure, even. Meditate, repent, do something to get your head straight," she said, her voice a little firmer than before. "Henry's a mind reader, you know? He'll see every twisted thought you've ever had."
Ashton blinked, the adrenaline from his excitement quickly draining. "Wait, Henry—your husband—can read minds?" His stomach sank, but before he could respond, Hartiel continued.
"And it's not just him. The wolf anthro girl with him—she can check your phone. Trust me, you don't want her seeing everything you've got saved in there." Hartiel raised an eyebrow. "It's best you delete all that furry porn, especially anything with wolves. She'll think you've been creeping on her people, and I guarantee she won't take it lightly."
Ashton's eyes widened. His brain hit pause for a second as he processed everything. "Wait... another anthro female wolf? Holy shit!" His mind raced again, but this time with a mix of panic and fascination. He couldn't help it—it wasn't every day you ran into anthro wolves, let alone one that could dig through your phone.
The Draconian mind reader.
Days bled into weeks, and weeks into months. Ashton Turfurr spent that time quietly, waiting, meditating, doing everything Hartiel had told him. He knew what was coming—knew what Henry could do. The Draconian wasn't just some mind reader; he was a force. A being who could see every twisted, buried secret Ashton had tried to forget. So Ashton worked on himself, desperate to fix the wreckage of his thoughts, to clean up what had turned him into the outcast everyone thought he was.
He deleted the porn, stopped obsessing over his fantasies, and began to focus on what mattered—his path, his redemption, and his goal of clearing his name. He wasn't perfect. He still slipped up, still had moments of doubt, still had those dark thoughts creep back in when he wasn't vigilant. But Ashton was learning. And even if it was painfully slow, he was changing.
Finally, the day came. After months of waiting, Ashton found himself standing at the transit center, heart pounding, waiting for Henry. He knew this wasn't going to be a casual conversation. It would be the real test—the moment where everything he'd been hiding would come to the surface.
When Henry arrived, his presence was impossible to ignore. The air around him felt heavier, more charged. He barely glanced at Ashton, but Ashton could feel it—the subtle way Henry's mind probed his thoughts. Ashton tried to stay calm, tried to keep his mind blank, but it was no use. Henry saw everything.
Henry's eyes narrowed slightly as he delved deeper into Ashton's mind. There was no hiding from him—he saw it all. The old obsessions, the lingering perversions, the deep well of shame that Ashton had carried for so long. It wasn't just about the porn or the fantasies—it was the way Ashton had lived before, the person he had been when he was at his lowest. It all flashed in Henry's mind like the pages of an exposed predator's darkest history, unflinching and brutal. Ashton braced for the worst, feeling his chest tighten.
But then something unexpected happened.
Henry didn't flinch. Instead, he paused, and Ashton could sense a shift—a change in Henry's demeanor. The Draconian's eyes softened, just a little, as he saw deeper. He saw beyond the mistakes, the filth, the twisted desires. Henry saw Ashton's struggle. He saw the lessons Ashton had learned, the pain he'd endured, and the genuine effort he'd put into fixing himself. And most importantly, he saw the sincerity in Ashton's heart.
The fact that Ashton had three ex-girlfriends—real relationships, not just fantasies—showed that he wasn't beyond redemption. He wasn't the monster the rumors had painted him to be. And despite everything, despite all the accusations and the hate, Ashton had never once acted inappropriately toward Hartiel. His intentions with her were pure. He respected her. And that was what struck Henry the most.
"You've been learning," Henry said, his voice low but with a hint of surprise. "Your mind... it's not as pure as it should be, but your heart's on the right track."
Ashton let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. He had passed the test. Somehow, despite all the shit he'd gone through, he had made it this far.
Henry stepped closer, his imposing figure looming over Ashton, but his tone softened. "What do you desire the most?"
Ashton swallowed hard, his heart pounding in his chest. This was it—the moment he'd been waiting for. He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them, speaking from the depths of his mind, his soul.
"I... I want my name cleared off the internet," Ashton said, his voice shaking but steady. "I want all those lies gone, so I don't have to deal with the obsessed losers who keep dragging me down. I want to be clean. I want to post content without people calling me something I'm not."
He paused, his voice softening as he continued, almost pleading. "And... I want to meet Lucina. My real anthro wolf girlfriend. I don't want to creep on anyone or be some kind of degenerate. I want to be better. I've cleaned up—maybe not completely—but I'm ready to move on, to be something more than what I was."
Ashton's hands trembled as he held them out in a humble gesture, pleading, but also ready to prove himself. "I'm ready to be your student of magick, to go to your world, to leave all the bullshit behind. No more degeneracy, no more darkness. I'm done with it all."
Henry studied him, his intense gaze lingering for a long moment. Then, finally, he nodded. There was a quiet understanding in his eyes, as if he knew how hard Ashton had fought to get to this point.
"You've come a long way," Henry said. "And you're not the same person you were before. You've earned a chance."
Ashton's heart swelled with relief, the weight of the months of fear and anxiety slowly lifting from his chest. He had done it. He had passed the test, and now, finally, he had a chance to start over.
Henry stepped back, giving Ashton space. "But remember this, Ashton," he warned, his voice firm. "This is your second chance. Don't waste it. The path ahead isn't easy, and the temptation to fall back into old habits will always be there. Stay focused, stay strong. You've made it this far—don't let yourself slip."
Ashton nodded, grateful beyond words. He was ready. Ready to rebuild, ready to meet Lucina, and ready to become the person he had always wanted to be.
The wolf girl encounter:
A few days after passing Henry's test, Ashton and Hartiel reunited, filled with relief and joy. They shared a small, private celebration, happy that Ashton was finally safe and free from any trouble with Henry. The bond between them had grown stronger, and Hartiel, always supportive, began teasing Ashton about their upcoming meeting with the mysterious wolf girl.
They had been excited to meet her, especially after Hartiel dropped hints about her being a warrior, but nothing could've prepared Ashton for the reality. A few days passed, and there they were, sitting in a McDonald's, waiting. Ashton nursed a vanilla milkshake, his mind racing with anticipation. Then, the wolf girl walked in.
She was massive. At well over six feet, taller than most men, her presence was overwhelming. Her posture was confident, her frame muscular but sleek—like a warrior straight out of legend. She exuded power, and despite the human disguise, it was clear from the moment Ashton laid eyes on her—she was no ordinary person. Her voice, when she spoke, was unlike anything he'd heard before. There was a growl to it, a snarling, whistling undertone that sent shivers down his spine. It was oddly seductive, yet intimidating. She was attractive in a way that transcended human or anthro standards. She was her own kind of beauty, and Ashton couldn't help but feel both awe and fear.
"So you're Ashton," she said, her voice low and filled with a hint of challenge. "I heard you've been trying to clean up your act. Let's see if that's true."
She didn't waste time. After a few polite introductions, she cut to the chase. She wanted to see his phone. Ashton felt a cold sweat break out on his back. She was going to check it, every inch of it, for any hint of degeneracy. Her piercing eyes locked onto his as she reached out a hand, but there was something else behind her gaze—something playful, almost... mischievous.
"I'm gonna need to check your phone, human," she said, smirking, her sharp teeth flashing for a second. "Don't want any filthy furry porn of my people on there, do we? Don't make me regret this." Her tone was seductive but also carried a weight of command. Ashton couldn't tell if she was guilt-tripping him or playing some kind of power game.
He handed over his phone, nerves bubbling inside him. She wasn't just testing him; she was toying with him, feeling him out, trying to see if he was worthy of her respect. And as she scrolled through his phone, her eyes never left his face. There was a strange tension between them, like she was sizing him up not just for his honesty but for something deeper.
"You're kinda cute," she said suddenly, the snarl in her voice softening for a moment. "But I need to know if you're worthy." Her eyes gleamed with something like hunger, but not in a creepy way—more like she was daring him to be better than she expected.
Ashton, unsure of how to respond, muttered, "You mean... you want me to prove myself to you?"
The wolf girl grinned, her sharp teeth bared in a way that made Ashton's heart skip a beat. "That's right," she growled softly. "If you can prove you're not just another degenerate, maybe—maybe—you could have me. Or better yet, I could own you." Her voice was a mix of teasing and seriousness, making Ashton question just how much control he actually had in the situation.
She handed his phone back, seeming satisfied but still wary. "You're lucky," she muttered, her eyes flicking over him with a mix of amusement and curiosity. "You might just be worth my time. But don't screw it up."
The conversation shifted as they talked more about themselves, eventually leading to the wolf girl explaining her warrior status. She had seen battles, hunted dangerous creatures, and lived a life of raw power. But she was also playful, toying with Ashton, making him blush and sweat in her presence.
After a while, Ashton sat back, sipping his milkshake, feeling the awkwardness slowly melt away. The wolf girl's voice cut through his thoughts once again, this time with a softer, almost teasing tone.
"Hey, human—uh, ashton," she corrected herself, the growl in her voice turning into something almost... shy. "Would it be okay if I... licked your face?"
Ashton blinked in surprise. "Why? Do you love me or something?" he asked with a nervous laugh, half-joking but also curious.
The wolf girl rolled her eyes but smirked. "Shut up. You're cute, but we're not there yet," she said, her tone a mix of flirtation and sarcasm. "We could be... friends with benefits, though. You know, nothing serious. Just food and... well, maybe a little more." Her eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint as she leaned in closer. "How about a French kiss, just for food? You know what they say about wolves and meat."
Ashton's heart raced, unsure whether to laugh or melt into the moment. She was blunt, cynical, and rough around the edges, but there was something deeply alluring about her no-nonsense attitude.
"Tell you what," she continued, her voice lowering to a whisper. "If you promise not to be some creepy, furry degenerate, I'll let you... sleep with me. In your bed. I'll be your pillow." She paused, her sharp gaze locking with his as she added, "But don't fuck this up, human. Even if you already did, I'm giving you a chance."
She looked at him with those deep, fierce eyes—like a predator watching her prey—but there was a softness behind them. As if she, too, was searching for something more than just the surface.
Ashton swallowed hard, feeling her hand grab his, her grip strong but strangely comforting. She leaned in, her lips hovering just over his before they kissed, slow and deliberate. It wasn't just a kiss—it was a claim. She nibbled on his neck, her sharp teeth grazing his skin, followed by soft, teasing licks. It was both playful and possessive, like she was marking him as hers.
"Thank you for not being a degenerate piece of shit, you monkey human," she whispered with a laugh, her voice shaky with an unexpected hint of emotion. Tears welled up in her eyes as she hugged him tightly, the relief clear on her face. "Maybe you're one of the rare ones. One of the few who actually respects us."
The moment lingered between them, raw and real, as they both realized they had found something special. Something more than just lust or desire—something that could grow into trust.
Afterward, they spent time at Ashton's mom's house, taking it slow, learning about each other. And when Henry gave his approval, the wolf girl stayed with Ashton, slowly building a life with him, one that balanced both her warrior nature and the softer side she only showed to those she trusted.
The parents :
Ashton stood nervously at the door, feeling the tension build as he finally introduced his warrior wolf girlfriend, Valkaria, to his family. The powerful anthro wolfess, standing tall and proud with her warrior's poise, radiated strength, but there was a warmth in her sharp gaze reserved only for Ashton. His mom, a deeply religious woman, eyed Valkaria with a mix of shock and apprehension. Her hand moved instinctively toward her rosary. His stepdad, Nabor, was quicker to react.
"¿Mario, por qué tu novia es una perra?" Nabor said with a grin, the Spanish words rolling off his tongue with his typical teasing tone. Ashton cringed at the comment, hoping Valkaria's command of Spanish wasn't sharp enough to catch the insult. But her ears twitched, and her tail, a long, silver-furred appendage, swayed with barely restrained irritation.
Before Ashton could say anything, Nabor pressed on, still chuckling to himself. "Creo que debería salir con los otros perros. Ya sabes, porque es una perra." He seemed particularly pleased with himself, but Ashton felt the heat rise off Valkaria. Her eyes had darkened, and her tail stiffened.
Ashton could sense the impending storm. Valkaria was a fierce warrior, not just in the physical sense but in her pride as well. To insult her, especially in such a demeaning way, was pushing her to the edge of her patience. Her claws twitched, and Ashton could feel the warrior's aura flicker with danger.
"Ashton, one more word out of him and—" she growled, her voice low but unmistakably lethal. She wasn't one to make idle threats.
"No, Valkaria, por favor," Ashton whispered urgently, placing himself between her and Nabor. His hands hovered in front of him, hoping to calm the simmering rage that was boiling over. Valkaria was a seasoned fighter, more than capable of reducing Nabor to a quivering mess, but Ashton knew there were far larger consequences to consider. A full-out clash here, in his own home, would not end well—not for Nabor, and certainly not for Valkaria, especially if authorities caught wind that an otherworldly warrior wolf was in the open.
"I know it's infuriating," Ashton whispered softly, pleading. "But they don't know what they're dealing with. For everyone's safety, especially yours... let it go."
Valkaria's eyes locked onto Nabor with a piercing glare, her muscles taut, but slowly she relaxed her fists. Her tail still swayed with agitation, and Ashton knew she was holding herself back with great restraint. Her gaze never left Nabor, though her claws slowly retracted. She leaned down toward Ashton, voice thick with suppressed anger.
"If he says one more thing about me being a dog, I'll make sure he understands exactly what I am."
Ashton gulped, feeling the tension in the air thickening, and turned to his mom and Nabor. His heart raced as he tried to defuse the situation.
"Mamá, Nabor... this is Valkaria. She's not what you think. She's a warrior, not some animal or creature. She's my girlfriend, and I care about her. I need you both to respect that."
His mom, clutching her rosary, finally spoke, her voice trembling slightly. "Ashton... this... this doesn't seem right. How can you be with someone like this? What are you bringing into our home?"
Nabor, still grinning, turned to his wife with a nudge. "Ah, mujer, no te preocupes tanto. Es sólo una broma. ¿Pero quién sabe? Quizás corre más rápido que los perros del vecino."
Before Valkaria could react, Ashton stepped in, his voice firm and commanding in a way that silenced even his stepdad's usual banter. "Nabor, basta ya. You don't understand what you're saying, and it's not funny. You're going to push her too far, and if that happens, you'll regret it. Trust me."
For a moment, Nabor was taken aback by Ashton's tone, his usual grin faltering. He glanced at Valkaria, who was still seething but holding back, her eyes glowing with barely contained fury. There was an uncomfortable silence as Nabor seemed to realize that the joke had gone too far.
"Está bien, está bien... no hay necesidad de ponerse tan serio," Nabor muttered, raising his hands in a show of surrender.
Ashton sighed in relief and turned back to Valkaria, hoping the moment had passed. "Thank you for holding back," he said softly, feeling the tension slowly easing. Valkaria exhaled, her muscles relaxing though her eyes remained hard, the fire within them still flickering.
"I did it for you, Ashton," she muttered, her voice calm but still smoldering with barely controlled anger. "But make no mistake, if he says anything else... warrior or not, I won't hesitate."
Ashton nodded, his heart still pounding. He knew Valkaria wasn't making empty threats—she never did. This was who she was: a fierce protector, someone who demanded respect, and she wasn't going to tolerate any more insults. He only hoped Nabor had learned to watch his mouth before Valkaria decided to teach him the hard way.
Both ashton and Lucina sleep with eachother at night for tomorrow
The furry simps :
As Ashton and Valkeria walked out of the house, the tension between them seemed light at first. Valkeria, never one to care much about blending in, didn't even bother with her human disguise. She let her anthro form take over, towering over Ashton as her fur rippled in the daylight, her striking features impossible to miss.
Ashton couldn't help but stare in awe. "How? You look..." He was about to say "cute," but Valkeria cut him off before he could finish.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah! I'm hot, I've got big boobs, I've got a thick ass, and I've got a sexy voice, especially in anthro form," she said, rolling her eyes. "Can you please shut the fuck up, furry?"
But it wasn't just Ashton who noticed. Civilians passing by began to stare at the sight of a real anthro wolf walking casually down the street. Some were shocked, others confused or uncomfortable. A few even gawked, whistling and howling in a weird attempt to mimic dog sounds. Some of the onlookers, clearly furries themselves, couldn't help but simp openly, their faces filled with a mix of admiration and lust. The situation quickly spiraled into something more uncomfortable.
Valkeria's eyes narrowed in anger as she caught sight of people whispering, some even snapping pictures or video recording her on their phones. Her patience was wearing thin, and the last straw came when she overheard one particularly bold onlooker mutter something about wanting her for OnlyFans.
That was it.
"WILL YOU ALL SHUT THE FUCK UP?? Haven't you seen a real anthro wolf before?!" Valkeria roared, her voice booming with fury. The sound reverberated through the street, causing several people to freeze in place, their excitement quickly turning to fear.
A few of the more enthusiastic bystanders were ready to approach her, their phones out, treating her like some kind of spectacle or commodity. Some even looked like they were about to ask her personal questions or, worse, make inappropriate offers.
Valkeria's muscles tensed, her claws flexing as she prepared to fight. The anger in her eyes was unmistakable—she wasn't just annoyed, she was ready to tear through the crowd. But Ashton, sensing the danger, quickly stepped in.
"Valkeria, no! We have to go," he said, grabbing her arm in desperation. He pulled her away, but it was clear that Ashton wasn't nearly fast enough to outrun the growing crowd or stop her on his own. Seeing his struggle, Valkeria sighed in frustration.
"Oh, for fuck's sake," she muttered before scooping Ashton up like he weighed nothing. With a surge of wolf-like adrenaline, she took off at an inhuman speed, her powerful legs propelling them forward like a motorcycle. The world around them blurred as she ran faster than Ashton had ever experienced, the wind whipping past his face.
Within minutes, they had outrun the crowd, leaving the chaos far behind. Valkeria eventually slowed down, finding a quiet, secluded spot where they could finally catch their breath. She set Ashton down gently, her breathing barely affected by the sprint. He, on the other hand, was still trying to process everything that had just happened.
They both stood there in silence for a moment, the adrenaline of the escape still pulsing through their veins. "Thanks for getting us out of that," Ashton said, trying to steady his breath.
"Yeah, well, next time, try to keep your mouth shut about how I look. I don't need more creeps thinking I'm some damn mascot for their fantasies," Valkeria growled softly, her eyes still sharp but with a hint of gratitude. Despite her harsh tone, Ashton could tell she appreciated his attempt to defuse the situation.
"For now," she added, glancing back in the direction they had come from, "we've lost them. But we'll have to be more careful next time."
The job application:
The next day, Ashton sat with Valkeria at his kitchen table, a quiet tension in the air. She had agreed to apply for a job at the regional center, specifically with Sodexo, but it was clear from her fidgeting that she wasn't thrilled about the idea of working a "human" job. Ashton had convinced her it would be a good way to blend into society more seamlessly, despite her obvious disdain for the typical lifestyle humans followed.
A knock on the door interrupted the silence. Ashton opened it to find Henry, the dragonborn warrior, and Brent, an influential figure at the regional center, both of whom had come to help Valkeria through the process. Henry towered over them all, his presence commanding the room as he entered, while Brent followed behind, carrying a briefcase full of paperwork.
They all gathered in the living room, and the meeting began. Henry's sharp gaze focused on Valkeria, who sat with her arms crossed, clearly impatient.
"Valkeria," Henry began, his deep voice reverberating through the room. "Before we can move forward with your employment, we need to address some things. Your temperament, your appearance in public—everything needs to be considered if you're to integrate into the workforce."
"Integrate?" Valkeria snorted, her wolf-like snarl creeping into her voice. "I'm not some fragile little human. I could run that place better than any of them."
"That's exactly the attitude that could get you into trouble," Brent interjected, his tone more diplomatic. "This is about adapting. Working with humans, not against them."
The next few hours dragged on as they discussed Valkeria's strengths, her weaknesses, and what it meant to work at Sodexo. Henry spoke at length about how her skills as a warrior could translate into the structured discipline needed for a job. He emphasized that this was not about slavery in the traditional sense but rather a commitment to responsibility and accountability.
"Think of it as a way to expand your influence," Henry said, leaning back in his chair. "In my realm, warriors are also leaders. You can learn to control a team, make decisions. You have the power to do that here too, but it requires restraint. You'll be working under supervision."
Valkeria's eyes narrowed. "Supervision? You think I need someone watching me?"
Henry met her gaze calmly. "I think you need guidance. And that's where I come in."
Ashton could sense the intensity building in the room. Henry was laying it out plainly: she would be under his direct supervision, as both her coworker and a mentor. It was clear he wouldn't let her run wild, not in the human world. Despite the harshness of it all, Ashton knew Henry wasn't trying to crush Valkeria's spirit. He was trying to guide her, and in his own way, protect her from herself.
"You'll also have a job coach," Brent added, glancing at Valkeria. "Someone who will help you adjust to the work environment, ensure you're following the rules, and assist with any challenges you face on the job."
Valkeria rolled her eyes. "A babysitter, great."
"No," Ashton cut in, finally speaking up. "It's about proving you can do this. Show them that you're capable of more than just fighting. You're stronger than you think, Valkeria, and this job is a step toward showing everyone that."
The conversation continued for what felt like hours—covering everything from Valkeria's ability to maintain her composure to what would be expected of her during shifts. Henry scrutinized every detail, not letting a single point slip through without discussion. They even delved into Valkeria's public persona, especially after the incident with the civilians gawking at her anthro form.
"It's not just about your work ethic," Henry said firmly. "It's about how you handle being different. You're already an outlier, and people will treat you as such. You have to be prepared for that."
By the end of the meeting, Valkeria looked drained. Not physically—she was still a powerhouse—but mentally, the weight of everything seemed to settle on her. Ashton could tell she was absorbing the seriousness of the situation. Henry, for all his sternness, offered a small nod of approval.
"I believe you're ready for this," he said, finally standing to leave. "You've proven yourself in many battles, Valkeria. This is just another one, but of a different kind."
With that, the meeting ended. Brent and Henry left the house, leaving Valkeria and Ashton alone once more.
Valkeria stretched her arms, letting out a sigh that bordered on a growl. "That was... exhausting," she muttered.
"You did great," Ashton said, patting her on the back. "You'll be ready for tomorrow."
"I guess," she replied, though her confidence was starting to seep back in. "I just have to prove to them I'm more than some freak of nature. I'll show them what I'm capable of."
The next day arrived quicker than expected, and Valkeria stood outside, ready for her first day of work at Sodexo. She wore the standard uniform, though her massive frame and anthro features made it look anything but standard. Ashton stood beside her, giving her a thumbs-up.
"Ready to take on the world?" Ashton asked with a smirk.
Valkeria smirked back, her fangs gleaming. "I was born ready."
As they approached the building, Henry was already waiting, dressed in a more formal version of his dragonborn attire, though still imposing. He gave Valkeria a firm nod.
"Welcome to your new life," Henry said, extending his hand to her. "Let's make it worth your while."
Valkeria shook his hand, a strange mix of respect and challenge in her eyes. "I'll be more than just your coworker, Henry. I'll be the best damn warrior you've ever trained—even in this ridiculous place."
Henry chuckled softly. "We'll see about that."
End of chapter 1