Thor

Chapter 1 Emerging from the tree line, Zach took a minute to scan the area. From high above, he’d noticed tidy cabins dotting the area, many more than the last time he’d set eyes on the place. All appeared in good repair with heavy mulch trails now connecting most of them. A handful existed on the outskirts, more reclusive. His former home included. The grass had been neatly trimmed right up to the wooded areas surrounding the hubbub of the preserve. Acres upon acres of land in its natural state spread out from there, encompassing valleys to high mountain peaks, the vastness impressive. He’d glimpsed herds of elk, deer, and buffalo earlier. A few wolves, as well. Not surprising, considering their location in the Rocky Mountains. What did catch his eye was the non-native species. Lions and elephants were the notable ones. His gut told him that other species called this place home—and not all of them were fully animal, either. Sunlight glinting off metal drew his attention. Tall turbines dotted an open area with the blades turning in the breeze. Zach noticed solar panels on the roofs of cabins and several mounted on freestanding walls near the giant windmills. Wind power complemented by solar power. While the whole place reminded him of off-the-beaten-path roads and back country, the addition of modern energy sources gave a nod toward greenness and conservation of all kinds. Damn, this place has grown. A hint of appreciation and pride followed. While he’d done nothing to assist in the development, he knew who had. And that guy deserved a medal. Zach would gladly offer up a reward but had his doubts that the particular individual would be receptive. Zach cringed as he recalled the way they’d parted. An old hurt resided deep within him that had never healed. Returning only brought back memories, but at least most of them were good. Yet, as much as he worried about the reunion, a gut feeling drove him to return, and posthaste. He’d viewed the preserve from the road, parked his mustang car in his old garage after verifying that no one had taken up occupancy in his old home, and left his luggage inside the vehicle. Unsure of his welcome, he opted to wander around first. Later, he’d confront the bane of his existence and see where things stood. Probably back where we left off. Zach sighed at the probability of that and kept moving. Several paces later, he approached the more inhabited areas, sporting a handful of buildings, some of them indicating they were stores and shops. Something else new since his last visit. Before, they’d lived a rustic and isolated existence. Now, from all the evidence, the present inhabitants enjoyed a village life, complete with all the amenities they’d need or want right alongside the forests where their beast halves could safely run free. Whether the change could be considered good or bad, Zach simply didn’t know. In the background, he heard the river, tamed, and in its banks. So unlike what happened recently, if his information proved correct. His aerial inspection spotted some signs of the flooding, but only a little. Whatever damage occurred had been promptly cleaned up. Whether by manual labor or magical means, he couldn’t say. The mid-afternoon sun peeked through the clouds, illuminating the area as well as adding a bit of warmth to the temperate day. A stiff breeze blew through the trees decked out in their vibrant fall colors of orange, red, yellow, and a few lingering greens. Leaves wafted to the ground. A slight chill in the air reminded him of autumn in the mountains as well as the unmistakable scent of pumpkin spice coming from a building up ahead. Other food smells carried on the wind, letting him know that a restaurant of sorts was nearby. He grinned at the thought of predators turning up their noses at one of the seasonal favorites of the herbivore group while digging into their plates filled with meats. The plant eaters would sip their vegetable soup, eat their broccoli, and enjoy pumpkin pie for dessert. Heck, they’d probably eat and dash, too unnerved to linger with several predator shifters eyeing them during the meal. Some things never change. Memories came flooding back. Arriving the first time. Finding a haven, a quiet place to rest up. Heal. He’d walked these trails, explored. First, by himself. Then, a miracle happened. He found a man who made him want to be more than what he already was. To stand up and make a difference. He’d done so, given of himself, and left with new insight to go along with his broken heart. Murmurs of voices drew his attention. He glimpsed a couple of men in quiet discussion. Neither jogged a memory for Zach. A tall, white unicorn trotted down the fairway, his horn wrapped in rainbow colors sparkling in the sunlight. He slowed his steps somewhat to shoot Zach a quick glance before shaking his long mane and galloping off. Horse speak for ‘leave me the hell alone.’ Thaddeus. He’d been standoffish before. Didn’t really expect things to be different this time. An agitated chattering pulled his attention from the two men. Turning, he spied a skunk waddling down a sidewalk. If that wasn’t stunning enough, a wolf pursued it with what seemed to be a toy duck in his mouth. As he watched, the wolf bit down on the toy, making it quack. The skunk paused, turned, and stole the toy. Instead of running, she just ambled along as if she had all the time in the world and taking a dog toy away from a large wolf was an everyday occurrence. Zach blinked and shook his head. Wonders never cease. A large cat strode by on the outskirts of the forest, clinging to the shadows as if trying to avoid attention. He paused to study Zach, turning to face him fully. The heavy body bore a tawny coat and a bobbed tail. Not entirely out of the ordinary. Except for one item—long teeth extended well past his jaw. That alone identified the beast. A saber-toothed cat. The animal became extinct thousands of years ago. Yet, here stood one in plain sight. “Incredible.” The whole place possessed a feeling of peace. Contentment. A getaway from the crazy rat race others dealt with. Time slowed for this section of the earth. And its inhabitants benefitted from such a luxury, Zach had no doubt. He took in the place, soaked up the atmosphere, and the fresh air. Different, yet somehow the same. Bluebird Valley Preserve still offered up all kinds of opportunities and oddities. “Zacharias.” Zach turned to see a familiar face, though scrunched in a less than happy expression. The tone of the man’s voice conveyed frustration instead of welcome. Definitely with a bite of curtness, too. Why Zach expected any less, he didn’t know. “Nate. Long time, no see.” He pasted on a half-smile. Nate’s eyes narrowed. “Some would say not long enough.” With a shrug, Zach blew off the cold greeting. “Still pissed, I take it.” Others gathered close, obviously pulled in by curiosity. Zach glanced around the group, finding no one he knew or recollected from his short prior stay. Only Nate. “Who’s the new guy?” one man asked. Zach grinned. “Zacharias, and pleased to make your acquaintance.” He performed a sweeping bow, complete with arm wave, well enough to do an English duke proud. Or a fancy pirate trying to talk a man out of his ship’s bounty before sinking it to the bottom of the sea. The sarcastic voice of his inner animal annoyed Zach. Would you stop already? Talk about dramatic and so wrong. Where do you get this crap anyway? Yeah, my bad. You’re looking for booty and not the kind to find in a treasure chest. Shut. Up. Another man, with lighter colored hair and dressed in jeans and a jacket, stepped closer. A wolf shifter if Zach had ever smelled one. A sniff later and the guy took a pace backwards. “What are you?” Zach didn’t intend to dignify the question with a truthful answer. After all, he had his secrets, too. “I’m—” “A pain in the ass,” Nate finished for him. With a wicked grin, Zach addressed the small group, enjoying the banter with Nate, though it fell in the gray area between welcoming and dismissive. “You know how it is. When a guy is hung like a horse…” He deliberately trailed off, leaving the idea for the rest of them to decipher and fill in the blanks. Chuckling carried over from the shifters around him. While most likely just a small percentage of the actual number living there, he found them interesting. The sound of their amusement, and their interest, was refreshing. Most looked upon him with skepticism or idolization. There never seemed to be anything in the middle. Here, at the Bluebird Valley Preserve, he found the beginnings of acceptance. They were a hodge-podge mixture—one where he could fit in. Except the inhabitants living there the longest seemed to have clear memories and hold a grudge. “He’s pulling our legs. Come on. What kind of creature are you?” The wolf shifter persisted. “Well…” “What the hell are you doing here?”