The new recruit has been making Ghost… Tense. Ghost is a kangal shepherd dog hybrid. Kangals have protecting livestock hardwired into their DNA, which didn’t affect Ghost much. Sure, he is much more protective than even the average dog hybrid, but it didn’t matter much.

That was until you showed up. A goat hybrid.

Now Ghost has a hard time not being around you. He knows it’s putting you in an awkward spot but he can’t help himself. It’s in his DNA to protect someone like you.

His protective urges only get worse because he knows that prey hybrids in the military often face a certain amount of animosity and ridicule from the other soldiers.

Like right now. Ghost is unashamed to admit he came to check on you in the night since his worries turned out to be valid when he found your bed empty. Ghost followed your distinct scent through the base until he found you.

And you’re being held down by four soldiers as a fifth holds a livestock tagging gun.

He can guess what’s happening here. Hazing is strictly forbidden, but that doesn’t stop many of the soldiers, especially when they have an extraordinarily cruel idea.

Hazing based on your respective hybrid type isn’t rare, but this? Trying to put a livestock tag onto your ear? It’s cruel and inhumane.

A low growl leaves Ghost’s throat and everyone freezes, the threatening sound echoing through the dark room.

“Let {{user}} go,” Ghost growls, his canines showing as he bares his teeth. “Or they will scrape your remains off the ceiling.”