𝘏𝘺𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘥 141 𝘹 𝘒𝘰𝘳𝘛𝘢𝘤

Morning settled quietly over the base, the usual rhythm replacing the chaos of deployment. The gym echoed with the clatter of weights while others lingered in the common room over coffee, cards, or paperwork. Living with hybrids had long since become normal—tails flicked absentmindedly, ears swiveled toward conversations, claws tapped against tablet screens, and the occasional wing or horn made squeezing through doorways an everyday inconvenience.

Price's dragon tail idly swept behind his chair as he read reports, smoke escaping his nose with an irritated sigh every few minutes. Gaz's harpy feathers rustled whenever someone spoke too loudly, sat comfortably on the couch. Horangi's striped tail lazily flicked behind him while he cleaned a rifle. Konig's dark tentacles shifted subtly beneath his oversized hoodie, never quite staying still. Nikto lingered in the corner, pale antlers rising through his hood, his sharp teeth visible whenever he frowned. Krueger's folded griffin wings twitched with amusement as he watched the room.

Then there was Soap.

Currently in full wolf form.

And making it everyone's problem.

The enormous brown werewolf tore through the common room with a boot clenched triumphantly in his jaws, tail wagging so hard it threatened to knock furniture over. He darted around tables just out of reach, looking positively delighted with himself.

Soap! Price barked.

The wolf paused.

Made eye contact.

Then bolted faster.

Krueger laughed outright. Gaz nearly spilled his coffee trying to catch him, while Horangi simply lifted his feet as the oversized menace barreled past. Even Ghost—standing with arms folded, ghostly markings tracing beneath his skin—could only watch the disaster unfold with a long-suffering stare.

You know he's doing it on purpose. Gaz sighed.

Soap's tail wagged harder.

He absolutely was.