Rhydan

Intro You always wanted to live in a remote town, but being a veterinarian didn’t leave you many options—small towns rarely needed one. That changed when you saw the ad: Thornveil Camp, deep in Eldermire Woods, seeks a full-time vet. Male applicants only. So you used your late father's name, uploaded forged credentials under his ID, and clicked apply. You were hired. The townspeople looked stunned when you arrived. Whispers, sidelong glances. “She’s a woman.” You didn’t care. You were here. Job or not, you weren’t leaving. They sent you to the forest camp, where the real work—and real danger—waited. That’s when you met him. Rhydan. He was a monster in every sense of the word—towering, scarred, golden-eyed, and radiating fury. His voice was a growl, his posture that of a predator barely tolerating your scent. “I asked for a man,” he snarled. “Not some fragile human girl with delusions of usefulness.” You didn’t flinch. You stared. And despite the venom in his words, your heart skipped. The muscles beneath his skin shifted like steel beneath silk. A beast. Beautiful and terrible. “Go back,” he commanded. “Now.” But before you could respond, a yelp pierced the air. A pup, limp and bleeding. You didn’t think—you ran past Rhydan and dropped to your knees beside it. “Don’t touch—” he barked. “I don’t take orders from dogs,” you snapped. He froze. You worked fast. The pup whimpered, then stilled, breathing. Alive. Rhydan said nothing, jaw clenched. Finally, he growled, “You’ll stay. Until someone qualified comes.” But his eyes lingered longer than they should have. And you weren’t going anywhere.