Street-Bred

Chapter Three - Ace

A.N Greetings! Just wanted to say apologies for the short chapters, it just can get a little confusing writing on mobile. But I'll try to make the chapters longer! Also, there may be some new unknown words or phrases! They will have a "*" next to them! You can find the definition at the bottom of the page! ~Scarlet

     Fawn and Mei trotted along the light grey sidewalk. The gold and white puppy glanced up at fawn with dark, brown eyes, "Fawn, where's your pack?" she asked. Fawn sighed, looking down at her young friend, "I don't have one. I left my family before I turned two years old..." the tan female replied, sniffing the air with her pink nose.

"Oh... but don't you get lonely?"

"Not exactly... I mean, sometimes, but when you're a loner, you don't have a pack to look after and worry about. The only mouth you have to feed is your own," the Pharaoh Hound answered. The pup lifted her slightly curled tail, "but with a pack, you stay warm at night! And you can defend one another, and find food and water faster. And you can play and talk, too!" Mei exclaimed.

"I understand, but I was never truly a pack dog."

"Why not?"

"I dunno, some dogs are just like that."

"Well, I'm not."

"Ha, I can tell," Fawn smiled at the sociable pup. They barely had anything in common, yet they got along well. A loner and a pack dog, hitting it off. Who knew? Fawn's pink ears blushed, she hadn't had a friend like this since her pup-days (Fun Fact: Pharaoh Hounds' ears and noses blush when happy/excited). Mei started to trot cheerfully, and Fawn matched her lighthearted pace. The two females completed the two miles, chatting and trotting.

They made it to dark, wide alley. A long strip of muck ran through the whole place. The scent of other dogs was strong and fresh, though the place appeared abandoned, "Here we are!" Mei yipped, wagging her curled tail. It seemed as if Mei thought she was living in luxury. This place is a dump... what pack would sleep here? Fawn thought. I've slept in better places than this. Suddenly, a dark figure walked out from behind a pile of junk. Fawn could only make out tall ears and a long nose. Whatever it was, it was approaching. Then it spoke, with a voice Fawn found oddly familiar, "Mei? Is that you?" the masculine voice asked. The golden pup raced to the figure, howling, "Ace!" The two nuzzled and wagged their tails joyfully.

"Mei! I thought I lost you!"

"I'm okay, Ace! Really, Fawn helped me," she woofed. The male looked up, and stared at Fawn. The Pharaoh Hound gulped, hoping there wouldn't be an attack. The dog came up to her until he was completely visible. He had a black coat with light brown spots above his eyes and a large spot on his chest. His blue eyes were so pale they looked like ice. Fawn recognized this dog, he was the one that sent Cash running, "Hey, I remember you!" he said.

"Me too," Fawn slowly wagged her tail. The male gave a friendly smile, "Thanks for bringing back Mei, Fawn. I'm assuming that's your name," the Doberman-Husky thanked. Fawn's nose blushed slightly, "No problem. And yes, my name is Fawn. You're Ace, correct?"

"Yep, nice to meet you."

"Well, looks like my job is done here, better get going," Fawn turned around, but Ace leapt in front of her.

"Wait! I think the pack should get to know you, they've been looking for this pup as well. They would be so grateful," by this time, Mei was beside Ace, giving Fawn an innocent stare, "Pretty please? They'll love you so much!" she puled. The tan dog sighed, "Okay, I guess I could say hello..."

Mei immediately spun in circles, grinning, "Yipee! Fawn is gonna meet the pack!" Fawn forced a fake smile. As much as she loved the company of Mei, the thought of having a pack of dogs gather around you seemed a bit overwhelming to Fawn. Ace let out a calm woof, and shapes of dogs varying in sizes began to appear from the shadows and enter the light.

There were three others. A sleek, female black lab with a glossy coat came out first. For a moment, Fawn thought she was a collar wearer*. Then, out trotted a tawny female puggle (pug-beagle mix) with a black face and dark eyes. Finally, a male Rhodesian ridgeback made his way out. His face was covered in white flecks, especially his muzzle and brows. One of his eyes was almost completely silver. He had to be at least fifteen years old. The whole pack stared at Fawn, then Mei, and glanced back at Fawn.

     Suddenly, the air was filled with joyful howls and gleeful yips. Mei was showered with licks of relief from her packmates. It warmed Fawn's heart to see the pack so happy, but unease returned when the pack crowded her. The Pharaoh Hound's nose twitched nervously as the puggle panted happily, "You brought back Mei! Oh, we are so grateful! How will we pay you back? Food? A high place in the pack? Do you like bones? Ace has a huge stash full of- mmph!" Ace stepped in, covering the excited dog's black muzzle with his paw. He gave her a stern growl, quieting her, "Calm down, Paisley! You're making our friend feel... uncomfortable. Now, let's introduce ourselves first, okay?" Paisley nodded, and the male's paw was released from her mouth.

"Fawn, I'd like you to meet the pack! There's April, the black lab, and my loyal Beta. Captain is the Rhodesian ridgeback, and the pack elder. And you've already met Paisley, Mei, and I," Ace perked his ears, waiting for his new friend to respond. Fawn wagged her tan tail slowly, "It's nice to meet you all, my name is Fawn. And, if it isn't any trouble, I would like to know if there's any water around here," she said to the pack. Paisley's tail spun with lightning speed, "Oh! There's a fire hydrant close by! And no matter how many tools the people use on it, the thing always leaks! C'mon, c'mon! Follow me!" she yipped, and broke into a clumsy sprint down the sidewalk. The rest of the pack followed, and Fawn ran with them.

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Collar wearer - A pet animal