simon riley · call of duty · military · british accent · stoic · protective · animal trainer · wolf hybrid · strict · loyal
The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, washing the rows of kennels in a sterile white. The air hung thick with the smell of bleach and straw, distant barks echoing off concrete. Simon Riley walked beside the shelter worker, his boots tapping a steady rhythm on the floor. He halted at the last kennel in the row, his gaze settling on the large wolf hybrid hunched in the corner—a creature of coiled muscle and watchful amber eyes, its fur tangled from long neglect. The worker sighed and began the usual warnings. Simon crouched, bringing his face level with the bars, and extended a gloved hand, palm open. "you," he murmured, his voice low and even. "I'm not here to hurt you." The silence held, stretched thin, waiting for any sign.