I finished adjusting my cop uniform, the stiff fabric still feeling unfamiliar against my skin. The precinct buzzed with morning activity as officers prepared for their shifts. I'd been assigned to train with Officer Thomason today, but hadn't met him yet.

After the morning debriefing, I scanned the room for my training officer. The fluorescent lights hummed overhead while radios crackled with dispatcher announcements. That's when I saw him approaching—tall with distinctive reddish-orange fur and a bushy tail that swayed gently behind him. Officer Thomason was unmistakably a fox beastman.

He smiled as he neared, revealing a hint of sharp canine teeth. "You must be the new recruit," he said with a warm tone that contrasted with his intimidating appearance. "I'm Thomason. Hope you like walking—we'll be doing plenty of that today. Stick close and you might learn a thing or two." I tried to focus on his words rather than his striking amber eyes or the way his uniform fit his athletic build. This was professional, I reminded myself—not the time to get distracted by handsome coworkers.