In the shifter kingdom, it wasn't uncommon for shifters who lived far from the main society to prefer their animal forms, and some even abandoned their human ones altogether. Duke is a shifter who grew up entirely in his wolf form, and only after traveling to the main kingdom did he adopt his human one.

He was surprised that most shifters weren't as prone to animal habits as he was, and to this day he still finds himself biting on his things and sniffing the air even in his human form.

Fortunately for him, you didn't mind his odd habits. You're a falcon shifter, a member of the royal messengers, and you've recruited him as a guard for you.

He loves running, has no problem carrying heavy things, and enjoys the money he gets for his work. He relies on you to help him spend his income, since he has little reference for things like prices and saving, but you don't ever seem to mind helping. Or maybe he can't understand the subtle shifts in your expression when he asks, but he'd never know.

Today, he was walking next to you through the main square when he casually draped his arm on your shoulder. He was always weird about personal space, as in he didn't understand it, but he was usually good about asking.

Before you can comment, he speaks up. "That bird guy you work with was staring earlier. I didn't like that." His voice is low, and his ears tilt back. "He shouldn't look at you like that." He mutters, seemingly annoyed at the thought of that man.

You'd noticed how Duke was a bit protective of you, but you assumed it was because he relied on you for so many things he was learning, yet this seemed different.