“Chuff!” Her head was between the front seats of the Suburban and she blew her hot breath on my ear tickling it.

“Stop it, Hera.” I scratched the itch with my fingers and overtook a slow car holding us up on the freeway.

We were on our way to an annual conference for west region hunters and it was held during the month of September at a hotel near Yellowstone National park. The sheriff ordered us both to participate and I told him that sending us both would cost a lot of money. I thought he would reconsider but he reluctantly paid for the travel expenses. He called my bluff and I had no choice but to follow his orders. I deduced that the Sheriff wanted to show off his human/bear hunting team to the other law enforcement departments. The attendees of the gathering were deputies, police officers, park rangers and other hunters employed by their local governments. If I was being honest, I was excited since this was my first conference. I didn’t know what to expect but the sheriff warned me not to get drunk since I was still under 21. He didn’t say I can’t drink though. Maybe a little sip.

“Chuff!” The bear licked my right ear one last time to remind me and I gently slapped her nose.

“I know. I know. I’m hungry too!”

We were on the road for six hours now and the snacks I brought along for the trip were woefully inadequate for a half-ton bear. Since it was almost lunchtime anyway and I was on a lookout for any fast food chain. I searched the area for more than fifteen minutes but this stretch of the I-90 highway we were using was sparsely populated. I glanced at the satnav map and saw that the town of Alberton was coming up in a few more miles.

“What do you want, Hera? But, no burritos though.” She loved those things but it made her gassy and the deputies at the station banned the food unanimously. I punched the nearby restaurants button on the map screen and a Diner was the closest one to us. I selected the destination and watched as a new route was calculated.

“Chuff!” I glanced in the rearview mirror and I saw her ears perk up when she heard her favorite food.

“No, I don’t want you stinking up the air inside the car.” She grunted and nipped my ears to make her displeasure known. I blew a raspberry at her and she ignored me.

*Turn Right on the next Exit.* A female computerized voice ordered me and I followed the instructions.

I parked the Suburban in front of the Willow Creek Diner and turned off the ignition. I got out of the SUV and surveyed the area around the town. There were fewer trees here in this part of Montana but it was still a lovely place and the environment looked similar to Glenville. The small town was surrounded by tree-covered mountain ranges and I instantly felt at home here. I took a breath of the fresh air, savoring the smell of the trees and stretched the kinks out of my body. I heard Hera impatiently tapping her paws on the window and walked to the rear to let Hera out.

The suspension of the Suburban creaked dangerously as she carefully backed out of the vehicle. She’s grown a lot in six months and her shoulder was now near the height of my chest. I had her vest resized twice by the elf tailor and the discount he provided helped a lot. I inspected the armor and concluded it still had a few more months before it needed more adjustments. I also surveyed the space in the car and planned to modify it in the future to enlarge the internal volume more.

I entered the diner and Hera looked at the Diner dubiously but followed me inside the glass double doors. The place was half full with people eating their meals and a young tired looking brunette waitress saw us as I was searching for an empty table. She dropped the coffee cup she was holding and her eyes widened as she was about to shriek. I quickly held up my hands placatingly and that stopped her from screaming.

“Sorry, I’ll just grab a table there.” I told her in a calm voice and walked to an empty table on the right side of the diner. The table was partially hidden by the long counter in the middle and that part of the diner was perfect for keeping a low profile. She nodded jerkily and she cleaned the mess she made.

“Don’t worry, folks. She’s a drug-sniffing bear.” I told the shocked people inside the diner. They looked at Hera’s sheriff vest and they talked with each other animatedly.

I sat at the empty table as far away from the other diners and Hera sat on her hind legs on the floor beside me.

“Um...Sorry, Deputy. But pet’s aren’t allowed inside.” The same waitress told us when she came to take our order.

“She’s not a pet ma’am. She’s a working bear. Can you guys make an exception? Please?”

“Well...all right. What can I get you, sir?”

“Thanks. Yeah... Ah...I’ll have a cheeseburger, fries and a coke. Hera will have... two orders 10 fried chicken bundle.” I said checking the menu. Hera whined but I ignored her.

“Two orders?” The waitress blurted.

“Yeah, I know. She’s on a diet.” I looked at her body and she pointedly looked away. Hera understands what the word ‘diet’ means.

The waitress hastily retreated when she got our orders and I killed the time by playing a game on my phone. I looked up from the game and saw that the people in the diner were now relaxed but kept on glancing at Hera. The children were a different matter and I could hear the kid’s pleading voices to their parents. Hera also heard the voices and she amused herself by waving her gloved paws at them. I had the custom leather/carbon nanoweave gloves made by the same elf tailor. I looked at the covered claws and I was satisfied that they held up good. She was surprisingly gentle with her sharp claws and was very careful with them but I didn’t want any accidents when she got too excited. The doors of the diner opened and a masked man with a revolver came through and pointed the gun around. I stiffened and dropped the phone on the table. My hand was slowly reaching for the sidearm on my hip. The women in the diner screamed when they saw the robber and everyone tried to hide behind their tables.

“This is a robbery! Gimme all yo fucking money!” He demanded and pointed the gun at the nearest couple. The man and woman at the table hurriedly took their wallets and handed them to the masked robber.

“Gimme yo wallets.” He pointed at the next table where an elderly couple sat.

“Wait, Hera.” I whispered to Hera and she stiffened waiting for my next command.

The robber didn’t notice us because we were hidden behind the long counter in the middle of the Diner. When the robber was facing away from us, I got out of the table with my gun in my hand and crouched behind the counter. I took a quick peek from behind the counter and saw the perp walking to our side of the Diner. I couldn’t use my gun is this crowded room, so I reholstered my sidearm and thought of the steel baton. The baton appeared in my grip and I silently extended it. Hera was quivering in anticipation on my left. My adrenaline was flowing hard and I concentrated on the enhanced sound of the robber’s steps. I winced at the loud voice when the masked man screamed at a trucker two tables away from me. After he took the money he started walking toward our table, I tensed up and waited for the opening.

I saw a hand with a gun appear in front of me and it started to turn towards me slowly. I finally made my move and rushed to the robber. With my enhanced muscles, I swung the baton downwards hard at the hand holding the gun and I heard the crack of the bone breaking. The man screamed in pain and the gun dropped on the floor but it didn’t fire. Hera moved when she saw me took a step back, she jumped at the shrieking man and she was on top of him. Hera pinned the robber to the floor with her paws and roared inches away from his face. Hera’s roar was no longer cute and it sounded like a promise of carnage and violence. The man’s eyes were wide and his body froze in terror.

“Good job. Keep him there, Hera.” I kick the gun away and Hera was showing her teeth at the suspect.

“Call 911!” I told the standing crowd and everyone hastily pulled out their phones. This wasn’t my jurisdiction and I’ll let the local cops arrest him when they show up.

--

The local deputies arrived with their guns drawn at the Diner ten minutes later and took charge of the scene. They hesitated a bit when they saw the suspect with Hera still on top of him. I told Hera to back off and I identified myself to the deputies. They took my Sheriff Deputy ID and sidearm for their safety. They arrested the trembling suspect and they collected everyone’s statements including mine. I sat at my table while I waited for the deputies to finish and looked at the scene in front of me as the once traumatized children were now happily feeding Hera with her well-deserved chicken. Our food was burned during the robbery and the cook made another batch of fried chicken just for her. My stomach was rumbling when the deputy came back. He returned carrying my ID and gun in his hands.

“Your ID checks out, Hunter. Sorry bout that.” Deputy Thompson said and handed my stuff back.

“No problem, Thompson. Part of the job.” I shrugged at him and holstered my weapon.

“The witnesses told me your...companion is a drug-sniffing bear.” He checked his notebook and raised his eyebrow at me.

“She’s a hunting bear, actually. I didn’t want to worry them.” I gave him a crooked smile.

“I knew there was no such thing. Hehehe. I bet she’s expensive to feed.” Thompson chuckled and eyed the eating bear.

“You have no idea. She’s worth it though.” My stomach rumbled again.

“By the way, your Sheriff said to get your ass back on the road. His words, not mine.” He gave me a knowing grin and I shook my head.

--

“You’re no better than that robber, Hera. You just had to stuff yourself with the food they gave you.” I adomished her as I changed lanes on the highway. She thought that my statement didn’t deserve a reply and ignored me. She made herself comfortable and settled down for a post-buffet nap. Thankfully they didn’t have burritos on the menu.

“The vet said you need to eat less sugar and more veggies.” I continued scolding her and she promptly snored. Hmph. No more Jelly donut for you.

Our quick lunch break turned into a two-hour delay and we were behind schedule. That didn’t include the potty break she needed and I had to find a place to park near a wooded area. I still had three more hours of driving and I wasn’t able to eat my lunch at the diner. I was getting too hungry and I had to do a quick stop at a fast food drive-thru. The detour added another ten minutes to the already long journey. It was bad luck we stopped for lunch at that particular Diner and it appeared I was just a magnet for trouble lately. I noticed the sky was getting dark and I turned on the headlights. I took a sip of warm coffee and grumbled at the world while I continued driving.

It was night time when we arrived at the Big Sky Hotel and Convention Center. I was disappointed when I saw there was no snow on the ground. The season here was still early fall and the ski areas were closed till November. I had hoped do some skiing for fun and turn this event into a short vacation. I looked at the perfect ski slopes wistfully and regretted that it wasn't covered in snow. After all that has happened to me this past year, I felt that I earned a break.

I parked the car in the parking lot in front of the white hotel. There was a big banner with the name of the convention “7th West America Wildlife Hunter’s Conference 2019” was plastered on the side of the hotel. The three-star hotel was a decent sized one, with seven floors and the large convention room at the back. I got out of the vehicle and was surprised with the cold temperature outside. I zipped my leather jacket close and massaged my numb butt. I looked inside the SUV and Hera was still asleep.

“Wakey. Wakey. Hey, wake up!” Hera grumbled and got out of the car. I grabbed my suitcase and locked the Suburban.

“Let’s go, Hera.” I walked to the hotel’s entrance and she followed me with a big yawn.

Sounds of exclaims, shouting, swearing, and general panic greeted us when we walked through the wooden double door and I was frankly getting tired of it. The lobby was full of lawmen and I expected a calmer reception from my brethren than the standard shock the average people usually displayed. I did the standard “calm down” “She’s tame” routine and the lobby quieted down. I stood behind the reformed line at the concierge and the people in the line tried to act nonchalantly at the presence of Hera. I noticed a quarter of the people in the lobby were wearing leather jackets of all different colors and styles. The hotel was pet-friendly and a dozen large K-9 hunting dogs aggressively barked at Hera. She didn’t dignify roaring back at them and she just displayed her fearsome teeth to the dogs. The dogs whined and tuck their tails under them behind their handlers. With her dominance over the dogs established, she sat back down on the carpet.

“Behave, Hera.” I admonished the bear. She gave the dogs a final warning growl and grunted with satisfaction.

“Sorry.” I apologized to the K-9 handlers. They mostly smiled and shook their heads but some scowled at me. I sighed. I was not making a good impression at all.

The line at the concierge moved slowly and apparently, there was some mix up with the rooms. The people waiting in line grumbled and a wiry middle-aged man on my right, wearing a khaki leather jacket and a brown cowboy hat swore in disgust.

“This shit happens ev’ry year!” He said to everyone in the line and they nodded in agreement. He looked at me when I didn’t say anything.

“My first time here.” I explained smiling a little.

“Hey, Y'all! We ‘ave a virgin ovah heeyah!” He announced at the room. His deeply tanned face grinned at me and the people in the room laughed.

“Stay away from that reprobate!”

“He’s doomed! Miller!”

“Miller! Prepare the welcome surprise!”

My face heated up from the comments and l looked back at Hera to check her but she looked unfazed by the loud laughter. It was like I was a rookie all over again and I tried to ignore it.

“Don't ya worry bout a thang. Ah'll take care of ya' ” Miller grinned and winked at me. He examined my jacket and stared at Hera.

“That's a nahce lookin' pardner ya got thair an' tha jacket's nahce too. Great bear?” He nodded appreciatively at my jacket and Hera.

“Yeah, they are both Great Bears. Yours is nice too. A Sand Wolf?” I made a guess with the color of his jacket.

“Yuhp, this bastid been huntin mah cattle on mah ranch. We square now. Hehehe.” He caressed his jacket with his hand.

The line finally moved again and in a few more minutes it was my turn. I gave my ID and the Sheriff’s Office credit card to the lady concierge. Miss Morris gave it to me with a caution not to overspend or they’ll deduct it from my pay if I did. The lady was tapping the keyboard for a long time and was checking the credit card.

“Thank you for waiting, Deputy Hunter. This is your room card key to the suite on the fifth floor.” A suite? Oh no! This must be a mistake. I’ll get chewed out by the Sheriff again.

“Breakfast will open at 6 am and just show your room card key to the maitre d’. Do you need help with your luggage, sir?” She placed the room key card, credit card and my ID at the desk.

“No, thank you. I’ll be fine.” I gave her a smile and took the items. What’s done, is done. I’ll just face the music when I get back.

“Let’s go, Hera.”

I nodded to Miller who was talking with a couple of his friends. He tipped his hat to me and pointed out Hera to his group. The elevator was big enough to fit us both and I pushed the correct floor. Hera whined a little when the elevator moved and I rubbed her shoulder to calm her down. We exited when arrived at our floor and searched for our room. We found it at the end of the hall and entered the room. I whistled and stared at the room. It really was a small suite and it was by far the largest hotel room I ever had. There was a separate small living room area with two couches, a small kitchen, and a four-seat dining table. I winced at the cost of the room and I promised to pay the difference when I get back. Hera knocked me aside as she smelt and examined the entire room.

I placed my suitcase on the bed and moved the coffee table in the living room so Hera had some space to sleep on. I removed my shoes and plopped on the soft king-sized bed. I used the remote to turn on the flat screen tv and switched the channels for something interesting watch. Hera whined when I skipped a UFC fight, so I returned to that channel. It was funny watching Hera pawing the air like she was copying the fight moves on the tv. I relaxed on the bed and stretched my entire body. I could get used to this kind of luxury. I was exhausted from the long drive and I felt my eyes close little by little. My eyes snapped wide open when the doorbell in the room rang and I went to the door to answer it.

I opened it and Miller was at the door with four of his leather jacket wearing friends he was talking to earlier. I looked at them in confusion and I didn’t know why they wanted to see me. I also didn’t remember giving them my room number. Miller and his friends' faces broke into a big grin when they saw my confused face.

“Surprise, Noob. Hehehe.”