Come Home

Chapter 23

Alice walked up and down the kennels and looked at all the dogs who were barking and wagging their tails excitedly. "Who has been here the longest?" She asked the worker.

"Sally," the worker as she walked over to another kennel. "She has been here two years and came in as an abused stray. She really is a sweet girl, but she is constantly overlooked because of her sweet disposition."

"Show me," Alice said as she nodded. She followed the lady over to the kennel and looked at the red dog that looked like it was a mix of lab and something else. "What breed?"

"Not sure," the worker shook her head. "She's very smart though and soaks up any attention she receives. I think she would be good for you."

"Let's see," she nodded as the worker opened the kennel. Sally quickly rushed over to them and tried to jump up. Alice turned her back to her and Sally immediately sat down. "Good girl," Alice smiled when she turned back around, and Sally didn't jump. "Come on," she patted her leg and began following the worker towards the yard. Axel, North, Raven, Luke, and Kota followed behind with dogs of their own.

She walked along the yard with Sally on a long leash and found out that she already knew sit and stay. Those were great basics for the prisoners to start off with. She spent a few hours with the dogs and talking to the workers before leaving.

Before she pulled out of the parking lot, she sent pictures to Romeo with details of the four dogs she thought would be good. She started to pull out of the parking lot when her phone started ringing. She hit the answer button on the screen without looking at the caller ID, "Hello?"

"Hello Il Mio Cuore (My Heart)," a deep rich voice came through the speakers making a huge smile break out on her face.

"Il Mio Cuore!" she beamed, making pain go through Kota and Luke's hearts but they kept their emotions masked. "I miss you."

"I miss you too, Pet," he admitted. "How are you?"

"I'm okay," she said truthfully. "I'm currently leaving a shelter after looking at some puppies."

"Did you find any good ones?" He asked interested.

"Yes, four," she nodded even though she knew he couldn't see.

"Are you alone?"

"No Sir," she shook her head. "Lucian and Dakota are in the car with me and Axel, North, and Raven joined also. I'm only alone when I go to the bathroom or go to bed it seems now."

"Good," he said in relief. "And your wounds?"

"Getting cleaned three times a day on the clock," she said tiredly.

"Are you sleeping?" he asked concerned.

"Yes, this is just my first day out of the house and I think I may have pushed my limit. I didn't realize how much energy I used until I stopped moving," she admitted. "I'll pay better attention from now on."

"You said two of your exes are with you?" He asked.

"Yes Sir, Lucian and Dakota."

"Pull over and let one of them drive," he commanded. "You don't need to be driving when you are tired and hurting."

"Yes Sir," she said as she pulled over to the side of the road.

"Is everything okay?" North asked as he pulled up behind her in his Jeep.

"Yeah," Kota said as he got out. "She's just getting tired so I'm going to take over driving for her."

"Okay," North said nodding. "I'll phone ahead so a bath can be ready when we get there."

"She's too tired for that," Kota shook his head. "And she is starting to hurt."

"Okay, I'll make sure her medicine is ready then."

Kota nodded and got into the driver's seat as Luke helped her into the passenger seat and buckled her in. "Thank you, Lucian, Dakota," she mumbled as she closed her eyes.

"Of course," they said at the same time.

"Yes, thank you," Jackson said through the speaker. "I will hopefully be there soon, the judge will hopefully make his decision tomorrow."

"Good," she yawned. "Can't wait to see you and Jasper again."

"I'll let him know how it went today so you don't have to worry about it," Jackson said.

"Thank you, Master," she yawned again.

"I want you to go to sleep after taking your medicine when you get back to the ranch," he commanded. "No more work today and no riding your little pony today. Only rest, I mean it Alice."

"Yes Master," she nodded.

"Good girl," he said, "I love you, Pet."