Calling from the Mist

Revelation

Just like everything else in the quaint resort town, the animal centre hadn’t changed much at all. Well, except for the introduction of someone Misty had never met before.

“Welcome back Misty, I hope you’re settling in well!” Doctor Janice greeted the young woman with a smile matching her own wrinkled one. She was getting on in the years but still had that same spark that drew Misty to working with her in the first place. “I have someone I want to introduce you to.”

Doctor Janice led Misty through the front of the building and into the break room first. She had wanted to go and see the rest of the facilities, especially the rehabilitation centre, but of course, there was no hurry. The break room was still the same as it had been, with second-hand furniture and a coffee machine older than Doctor Janice but somehow still managing to work just fine. What wasn’t the same was the presense of an attractive man sitting at one of the tables.

There must have been something added to the town’s water to have so many beautiful men around! Or else maybe Misty had been in an accident on her drive home from the big city?! 

The man was a few years older than Misty, lithe and built like a swimmer with a skinny body, a narrow waist and broad shoulders. His hair was a dark black much like Misty’s own but cut short on the sides and long on top. His dark skin was flawless and soft looking, with the most vivid green eyes Misty had ever seen. She must have been staring for far too long.

“Misty? Hello?” Doctor Janice somehow managed to interrupt Misty’s spiralling thoughts as she shook her head and smiled in embarrassment. 

“S-sorry! I just thought you looked familiar!” Misty lied quickly, although there was definitely something about the man that made Misty believe in her own lie. The stranger stood up with all the grace of a wild cat as he reached out a hand to take Misty’s own to shake. But the second their skin touched a jolt of electricity zipped through her body and Misty recoiled in surprise.

“Apologies for shocking you my dear~” The man’s voice was smooth like silk as he continued to smile down at Misty. She somehow managed to pull herself together, shaking her head in order to compose herself.

“No worries at all, I must have built up a charge when I entered the building!” Misty chuckled softly, feeling a light blush dust her cheeks and praying to whatever god that might listen to strike her down and put her out of her misery of embarrassment.

But the man didn’t seem to mind Misty’s strange behaviour, reaching out a hand to hover nearby in order to guide the young woman out of the break room. Doctor Janice followed close behind, finishing, or repeating herself from earlier.

“Dr. Jake Benson is new to town, only arriving a few months ago, hmm? You might have grown up here Misty but there are several things that have changed in the three years since you’ve been gone. Please make sure Dr. Benson feels welcome.” With that final sentiment Doctor Janice took her leave with a gentle nod, not one to stay too long on her feet if she didn’t need to do so.

That left Misty and Dr. Benson alone as they headed over to the rehabilitation centre.

“Dr. Benson-” Misty began, only to have the handsome man wave her off.

“Jake, please. I would much rather get to know you more personally, Misty.” Those vivid green eyes seemed to drink down Misty’s entire body as she shivered in response. It didn’t feel strange, or gross even, as Jake stayed nearby but did not move to touch her.

“Jake then, will you be showing me what I will be doing?” Misty asked, peeking over at the mysterious man as questions raged through her mind. Who was he and why did he seem familiar yet not? That touch from before, and those eyes…

Before Misty’s mind could trail off any further they had reached their destination. Jake opened the door to the rehabilitation centre and stepped back to allow Misty through first.

The sight was not at all what Misty had been preparing for the last three years in college.

“What is…” Misty began, trying to make sense of what she was seeing.

There were animals in rooms lining either side of the room, easily seen through floor-to-ceiling glass walls. Some were sleeping or resting, others pacing and restless, while a few seemed injured and were hooked up to various machines. It wasn’t as if Misty hadn’t seen animals in need before, but it was the *type* of animals that were such a surprise.

Wolves for one, a few foxes and a bear. Those were all animals Misty had come to see ever since she had started her volunteer work back in high school. But there was a panther, an enormous cat with black spots, as well as a… hyena? And a lion as well?! What was going on!

“I know you have questions, and I have been tasked to answer them for you. But first, can you give me your hand again?” Jake had moved closer to Misty as he spoke in that soothing voice that seemed to wash over her in warm waves. Misty barely even realized she was raising her hand and placing it in Jake’s own before she felt that same spark of electricity.

Except for this time she didn’t let go.

Every creature in the facility turned towards her, a look of hope, expectation on their faces. How was that even possible? They were animals! What the hell was going on-

“Calm, Omega, your questions will be answered in time before our King arrives in town.”

Misty relaxed at Jake’s words but let go of his hand. He let her, bowing his head in what Misty could only describe as submission. She frowned, a pout pulling at her lips before she finally began to feel like herself again.

“What the hell is an Omega?!”

~