Beast Tamer's Rebirth National Treasure Edition novel Chapter 7

Chapter 7 Tank’s Love Story

Henry hesitated for a second, but eventually decided to trust Sierra. “Look, Sierra,” he said, “believing you is one thing, but you’ve gotta show me proof.”

Sierra nodded. “I get it. Just give me a shot to prove myself.” Truth was, she couldn’t run a zoo all on her own. She needed backup.

Henry wasn’t just anybody. On paper, he was the dean of Northbel University’s vet school. But back in the day, he’d been an international wildlife conservationist. Age and health had forced him to slow down and stay behind the scenes.

So for someone like him, Sierra’s offer was seriously tempting. Honestly, Sierra was surprised he trusted her so quickly.

Before they’d even finished coffee, Henry stepped out to make a call. A few minutes later, a black car pulled up. A couple of tough-looking guys in dark jackets walked in.

Sierra laid out the situation again. Things went quiet. They’d already looked into her zoo. The paperwork checked out, but it made no sense that someone with zero experience ended up running a zoo.

Then one of the officials spoke up. “We’ve got this problem with a K9,” he said. “Tank, a police dog, got sent back from Coliburg last month.

“Ever since, it’s been moping. Won’t eat. Won’t train. If you can figure out what’s going on with it, we’ll back you from here on out.”

Sierra didn’t blink. “Deal.”

They headed straight to the K9 unit. Tank was a three-year-old dog, black and tan, ears standing sharp.

When Sierra got to Tank’s kennel, it was belly-down on the floor, totally bummed. Its trainer shouted commands, but Tank didn’t even twitch.

Knowing the visitors were all animal experts, the trainer sighed, “Tank is a real hero. It took down poachers and saved lives.

“But last month it hurt its leg and had to come back. Since then it’s just checked out. If this keeps up, we might have to retire it.”

Sierra watched for a moment, and then asked, “Mind if I go in and talk to it?”

The trainer looked puzzled but agreed.

The gate opened. Tank didn’t move.

Sierra stepped inside and met its sad, droopy eyes. “Tank,” she said softly.

Tank, who’d been sulking on its own, lifted its head instantly. It stared at Sierra without blinking, and then let out a low whine. “Miss, are you talking to me?”

She nodded. “Yeah, I am.”

Tank’s eyes widened. “Wait. You understand dog? What do you want?”

Outside, the trainer lit up. “She got a reaction. First time since Tank came back.”

Sierra kept her voice low. “Tank, they say you’ve been shutting down since you came back. What’s going on?”

Immediately, Tank threw her what looked like serious side-eye and let out a frustrated bark. “Finally, someone asks. I need to go home. My wife and puppies are waiting.”

Tank lifted its muzzle toward the ceiling and howled dramatically. The trainer rushed over. “What happened? What’d he say?” Sierra held back a laugh and repeated Tank’s words.

But the trainer shook his head. “No way. Tank’s not exactly a ladies’ man. All the female dogs its age turn it down. It’s single.”

Tank jumped up and barked right at its trainer.

The bark said it all. Everyone went silent.

Tank straightened up, chest puffed out like the proudest dog. “My wife isn’t some ordinary dog,” it declared. “It’s the most beautiful and respected snow wolf in all of Coliburg. But now I’m stuck here, and it probably thinks I abandoned them.”

Sierra got it right away. Wolves mated for life; they’re incredibly loyal. From the wolf’s perspective, Tank’s sudden disappearance must have felt like a total betrayal.

With Tank gone, the wolf most likely returned to its pack for good. No wonder Tank was so depressed. It finally found the love of its life, only to lose it like that. Anyone would be heartbroken.

When they found out Sierra was actually working in the entertainment industry, the senior experts were practically banging their heads against the wall. “Sierra,” they pleaded, “animal whisperer or not, what were you thinking going into showbiz? Just quit and come work with us.”

Sierra looked a little embarrassed. “I plan to quit,” she admitted, “but my agent just booked me on an animal reality show yesterday.”

The experts were floored. “You’ve got to be kidding. We have a conservation star on our hands, and showbiz is trying to steal her? Who’s your agent? I’ll give them a call.”

Sierra knew these old-timers had serious connections, far beyond anything she could match. She’d never been one to just let things slide. After everything Natalie and the Sterlings had put her through, she was determined to make them pay, bit by bit.

“My agency got the show through normal channels,” Sierra explained. “If I back out now, the breach-of-contract penalty is tens of millions.”

The experts fell silent. The wildlife conservation association wasn’t exactly rolling in money.

With time running out, Sierra made sure Payton was settled, and then caught a flight that very night, heading straight for Coliburg.

The moment Sierra stepped out of the airport in Coliburg, a blast of freezing air hit her. The wind howled, whipping up a sandstorm that stung any exposed skin.

She was just figuring out how to get to the conservation station when a tall guy in a rugged trench coat suddenly appeared in front of her. “Sierra?” he called out, his voice rough and gravelly.

Hearing her name, Sierra looked up slowly. The man was well over six feet, probably in his thirties, with a deeply tanned, weathered face. His hair was dusted with sand, like he’d rushed over in a hurry.

Sierra stared at the man. He looked strikingly familiar, but she couldn’t quite place him. “I’m Sierra,” she confirmed.

The man’s eyes lit up. “Mr. Carter was right,” he said with a broad grin, revealing straight white teeth. “You’re the easiest to spot in a crowd. I’m Ethan, your senior.” Ethan Woods stretched out a rough, calloused hand.

Sierra froze. Her eyes widened as she stared at Ethan in front of her. A wave of shock washed over her. In her previous life, Ethan fought poachers for days to save snow wolves, only to be captured and tortured to death.