Animal Whisperer: Take Back My Life and Love Chapter 306: The Triumphant Return

Simon couldn't understand a word the cat said, but seeing him standing there with his chest puffed out made him smile. "Much obliged, your majesty," he said softly.

The prisoner, Howard, was a different story. He was tied securely to the back of a separate bull, looking entirely out of place against the quiet scene around him.

The massive procession of takins began its steady descent. The deep curtain of night was finally peeling back, replaced by the pale light of dawn as the first rays of morning sun began to ignite the forest.

Below the mountain, a crowd of locals and reporters had already gathered outside the police cordons. They stood on their tiptoes, peering upward and whispering among themselves.

A man with his hands tucked into his sleeves shook his head and sighed. "I’m telling you, they’re just too young and reckless. Three people charging into a mountain full of wild takins? That’s not bravery; it’s a suicide mission."

A woman nearby chimed in, her voice thick with forced concern. "You said it! I heard that lead girl is some kind of animal consultant. Sounds like a load of nonsense to me. It’s been all night. I’m betting they aren't coming back in one piece."

A reporter wearing glasses pushed them up his nose, offering a self-important analysis. "The way I see it, the police are under too much pressure because of the murder case. They’re grasping at straws."

He continued his lecture, warming up to his own voice. "Word is the man and woman who went in are high-profile figures from the city with deep pockets. To find their own relative, they actually dragged the local commander into the mountains to risk his life!"

"This is a serious criminal investigation, and she turned it into her own personal fantasy adventure. It’s ridiculous!"

His leading comments immediately rippled through the villagers.

"So they’re just well-connected brats. No wonder there’s such a fuss."

"Must be nice to have that much influence, but they shouldn't be gambling with a policeman's life!"

Sigrid Lavey, a young intern standing beside the reporter, felt her face flush with anger. She was a loyal fan of Nancy’s zoo videos and couldn't stay quiet any longer. She reached out and pulled on the reporter’s sleeve. "Mr. Handerson, we can't be that judgmental!"

She found her courage, her voice ringing out clearly. "Nancy is a consultant officially hired by the police. Her professional ability is certified. We shouldn't jump to conclusions before the facts are out. It isn't professional and it isn't fair!"

Damien Handerson, humiliated by a public rebuttal from his subordinate, turned on her with a snarl.

"Are you the intern or am I? I’ve forgotten more about this job than you’ll ever know. Shut your mouth!"

He glanced at his recording phone, hissing in a low voice, "I had the perfect emotional tone going, and you ruined it!"

Just then, an ambulance shrieked past, bouncing over the potholed road toward the trailhead.

Damien saw his opening and pounced. "Do you see that, everyone? The ambulance is here! What does that tell you? It means something went wrong up there. Either there are serious injuries or someone is dead!"

He adopted an air of smug foresight. "I said it from the start. Three people trying to take on a crazed herd in the mountains was an act of irresponsible vanity. It’s a total disregard for human life!"

His baiting words set the crowd on fire.

"Exactly! Those animals have already killed someone, and they just waltzed in like it was nothing!"

"I saw that man and woman yesterday! I warned them not to go in, but they wouldn't listen. Do they really think they’re tougher than wild beasts?"

"That’s how those city people are. They mess around, and everyone else has to pay the price."

Sigrid felt sick listening to the villagers agree. Her eyes welled up with frustration. "It’s not like that! You don't understand!" she tried to argue, but her voice was drowned out by the noise of the crowd.

Damien was done with his intern. He signaled his cameraman to frame the shot, fixed a somber, tragic expression on his face, and began his live report.

"Viewers, we are live on the scene. Regarding the takin attack, we have received some distressing news. A self-proclaimed animal consultant and a civilian forced their way into the mountains, dragging a local commander with them. They have been missing for the entire night. We fear... we fear they have met a tragic end at the hands of the herd..."

Just as he reached his sensationalist climax, the ground began to shudder.

Thump. Thump.

A rhythmic, heavy vibration traveled through the earth, sounding like an army marching out of the trees.

"What is that? An earthquake?"

The crowd panicked, looking around in confusion.

Then, a powerful, resonant bellow erupted from the forest, loud enough to make their ears ring.

"It’s the takins! The herd is charging down!"