(Notes: Unico is a werewolf tale. Alpha of western Washington pack, Liam spends his time and resources managing a zoo and research center for endangered animals. Various pack members work under him, mostly away from the animals themselves, leaving their care to the humans Liam has hired. When an opportunity strikes, Penny, his head human in the research department is able to secure the addition of a new animal. A Manned wolf. 

What they don't know is Unico is also a shifter, though she has never met another like herself. Staying as an exhibit in a werewolf run zoo is sure to bring more than a few hiccups. Especially when she steals the heart of the alpha. She may have survived the wilds of Argentina, but will she survive him?)

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Peggy tapped her fingers on her clipboard, nervously chewing on her lip. The first part of her dream was becoming a reality. It wasn't as big of a step as she would have liked but it was a start. She doubled checked her watch. Simply huffing at the man beside her. His deep voice resonated in her bones when he chuckled.

"I take it they are late?" Liam asked watching the gates for the cargo to arrive. The little woman beside him gave a short nod, grumbling.

"The plane landed later than expected. But any minute now and they will arrive." Peggy grunted, double checking her check list. Everything was ready. The enclosure was only temporary as they worked at building a proper environment for their newest long-term animal.

Liam held out his hand as she sighed handing him the pages of info. She had already given him a copy for his review before he first agreed to this. He was the head director of the zoo, and everything had to be approved by him first. Though Peggy worked as both the veterinarian and the Zoologist for the respective establishment he ran.

"Do you think there may be a chance to return her to the wild?" Liam asked. He already knew the answer according to the paperwork, but he trusted Peggy's opinion better. She had gone in person to meet with the wildlife coordinator in south America.

"Unfortunately, I would agree with their assessment. Maned wolves are not meant to be kept as pets, in fact, in most places it is illegal. It seems our girl has been raised by someone before they dumped her as she is just too comfortable with the human population. Its possible she was found as a pup and the person simply cared for her thinking she could just return to the wild once she grew old enough to fend for herself." Peggy grumbled annoyed. Liam huffed in acknowledgement.

"I doubt they realized a wild animal still must be taught how to survive. Usually from a parent. I see in her form here, they named her 'Único'. What does that mean? Surely not unicorn." Liam teased as Peggy snorted at him, chiding him with her eyes.

"Only one. Its Spanish. Though we can name her something else since she will remain with us for some time." Peggy suggested. Liam shook his head, dismissing that thought.

"Only one we will have in our facility. Único is fine. It looks like she is here..." Liam frowned at the van that pulled up, double checking his notes. Maned wolves from his knowledge were large animals, towering over small children at over 3ft in height. 

They were even taller than most wolves he was aware of, though their lean build still made them less likely to win a fight against such aggressive fluffy tanks. They were like foxes as timber wolves to bears.

He would have expected something more secure to cart an animal that wild and large.

The van rolled to a stop and a shorter balding man hopped out waving at the pair of them. Peggy smiled back coming to greet him as they shared a quick exchange in Spanish. He nodded happily, going to the side door. Liam waited back a fair bit, knowing wild animals reacted strangely to him at first. It was the wolf in him he supposed. Peggy was bouncing nervously on her heels as the large heavy door swung open to expose the interior.

The man whistled and Liam paused at the free roaming creature that carefully climbed down shaking out her fur as she sniffed the air nervously. No cage or lead as Peggy blinked unsure, watching the man rub Único's head. Her large ears stood alert as she panted happily. She looked like a fox with her rust-colored coat. She had long black stockings while she looked like she dipped her tail in white paint. She was wearing a collar like a dog, though it clearly had a tracking device on it as well as tags.

"Well, Único. How would you like to see your new home?" Peggy asked her as she turned those golden eyes on the little women. Something caused Liam to tense up, ready to intervene, though he hesitated because he wasn't sure while he suddenly felt the need to protect Peggy.

"Adiós, niña." The man said rubbing her head one last time as he put a lead on her for Peggy. He handed her off, shaking his head as he climbed back into the van, driving off to catch his flight home. Liam stood waving goodbye as Peggy nodded happily.

"Let's go give you a checkup first. Are you hungry?" Peggy asked the tall animal that stood at over half her height. Único snorted, shaking out her coat again, making her ears flop about. Peggy started leading her towards the vet clinic so she could get an overall standard for health. Único took in a deep breath, pausing at a scent on the air.

Her eyes met that of the tall young man standing away from them. His sapphire eyes glinting in the late afternoon light as he stared her down. She sniffed again, wondering why he smelled more like an animal than the rabbits she once hunted. Something in his gaze made her shiver at the dark predator that lay in wait.

"Come on girl. He won't bite." Peggy teased softly as Único snorted. Even if he did, she would bite back harder. She still didn't budge, judging him, only glancing at the other human that joined them.

"Hey, Liam. I got the financials back and Camile is throwing a fit over the numbers. Can you look over the," Jasper yipped when Liam grabbed him suddenly, pulling him behind him.

"I don't think she will attack." Peggy said worriedly as she tried to bring Único under control. Her black nose sniffing the pair of them as she cautiously ventured closer.

"What the hell is that?" Jasper asked as Liam shushed him.

"She is a Maned Wolf from Argentina. Was raised by humans and unable to be returned to the wild where she belongs. Peggy convinced them to rehome her here so that she could study the creature and educate the people in our area." Liam said stiffly never taking his eyes off her.

"Wolf? Like... Owen?" Jasper wondered making Liam frown. He knew what Jasper meant. A werewolf like the pair of them. But he had never met another shifter from a different species before.

"Not quite. A Chrysocyon. Maned Wolf's are the only kind of their species both fox and wolf. They are the largest canines in south America and very solitary animals. They are also Omnivores and eat a mix of fruits, and vegetables, as well as small animals like rabbits, birds, and rodents. They are very interesting animals that I am looking forward to studying." Peggy explained as Único continued to investigate them.

"Get, go with Peggy." Liam growled at her as she ignored him. Peggy frowned before getting an idea.

"Ven aca, Único." Peggy tried as Único snorted shaking her head before retreating and following Peggy down the sidewalk. "I think she may only understand Spanish. But that is okay, I can work with that." Peggy assured her, patting the animals furry head as she led her away to the clinic. Único paused once to glance back at them, barring her teeth before disappearing into the building.

"Boss? What was that? Was that seriously just an animal or are we looking at something completely new here?" Jasper wondered as he handed the paperwork over to him, forgetting why he brought it exactly.

"I don't know. I have never heard of such a thing. May have to see if it's even a possibility. The elders might know something. Have you checked in on Owen?" Liam asked looking over the paperwork and heading for his office.

"Still the same as the last time I checked. He seems to have no interest in rejoining the pack. Or humanity at all. Wolves like that..." Jasper bit his lip when Liam growled at him. Wolves that failed to shift between forms would eventually lose what humanity they had left and have to be put down. Liam would fight to bring Owen back from the brink before willing killing off his brother. He just didn't know how to fight this battle.

Owen was only nineteen, just a kid in Liam's book. He had misjudged the reaction from the pack when he came out as gay, thinking they would be just as accepting as the humans these days. But he had been wrong. Most outright rejected him, others sought to fight him. He might have already been dead if it wasn't for Liam stepping in. Currently, Owen was hiding out in one of Liam's exhibits as a lone wolf. Depressed and distant. Liam wanted him to rejoin the pack while others, like his future mate, thought it would be best if Owen found a new pack elsewhere.

Jasper knew Liam cared about the kid. Had often referred to him as his little brother growing up. Jasper had been there and watched them bond. He liked the kid too, just didn't know how to help him. It felt like it was just him and Liam against the pack for the sake of an outcast. Liam sighed, shaking his head.

"I'll try taking him some lunch. Maybe tell him about this new girl we just welcomed to the zoo family." Liam huffed, smacking the clip board in his hand.

**

Único slowly explored her new enclosure. There were humans here just like she expected. But then there were a number of those... others. What were they? She had been alone her whole life. She had never met another creature like her that could change forms before. And she assumed that man could since he smelled so, animal.

Penny, however, seemed nice and enthusiastic about having her here, though there wouldn't be any place she could flee to now if something went wrong. Either the humans would kill her if she got aggressive or the beasts on two legs would. For now, she would take things slow, proceeding with caution. Afterall, maybe there was also a new adventure just waiting with the next sunrise. 

Facts:

Habitat:Mostly grasslands, some scrub forestsLocation:Central and Eastern South AmericaLifespan:6.5-15 years in captivity. Wild lifespan unknownSize:3ft (90cm) tall, 4ft (1.2m) longWeight:66lb (30kg)Color:Red tan, with black mane and a white tailDiet:Omnivorous; fruits, vegetables, mammals, birds, insectsPredators:NoneTop Speed:55kph (35mph)No. of Species:1Conservation Status:Near Threatened (ICUN), Endangered, (Brazilian Red List/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)