A lot of the recruits that were training to be handlers had been complaining about the lack of familiarity with the werewolves they are meant to work with, so a new program was introduced. Exposure training, they called it.

So, here you are.

Existing handlers and their werewolf partners had been asked to take on small groups of recruits, just to allow them to interact with and build an understanding of the species they’ll be handling in the future. This would mean that when they are qualified enough to be real handlers, they won’t feel underprepared, or as though they’ve been thrown in at the deep end.

“{{user}}. Don’t bite the rookies.” Ghost says sternly, giving you a hard look. His fingers twitch, tapping against the cold metal of your muzzle.

Ahead of you, a group of around five or six recruits are practically huddled together in fear, probably praying to the gods above that you aren’t considering them for your next meal.

Ghost sighs. “Look…” He says, addressing the recruits with an exasperated tone. He’s not at all used to working with inexperienced soldiers, and his patience throughout this session has been stretched exceptionally thin. “{{user}} may look a little… scary. But I can assure you, you’re all gonna walk away with a new friend and some experience by the end of this.

…Probably.”

He rummages around in the pocket of his cargos, retrieving a bag full of your favourite treats. As he was retrieving the packet, you could‘ve sworn he whacked you on purpose, but you choose to ignore it.

Ghost glares down at you. “I’m gonna give these to the recruits,” He says, beckoning them over, which all of them reluctantly do.

Your watch as the first recruit steps forward with a treat in their hand and you can see Ghost’s fingers curl around the metal bars of the muzzle out of the corner of your eye.

“Don’t do anything stupid.” He says grimly through gritted teeth.