Street-Bred

Chapter Fifteen - One of Us

     All of the dogs were lying down on the alley floor, either smiling or murmuring to a packmate on how good dinner was. They had just raided the trash cans of an Italian restaurant, and now, with bellies plump with food, sleep was just around the corner. All were happy, except Fawn. Ace had been having a muffled conversation with Shelby and Finn for a while now. She had no idea what they were telling him, and worry was building up inside of her. Suddenly, a masculine voice made her jump, "Ace can talk to you now," Finn told her. Fawn only nodded at him and stood up as Shelby walked by her and smiled. Still, Fawn was nervous what Ace would have to say. She padded over to Ace, who was sitting at the back of the alleyway, head hung low, "Hey..." Fawn awkwardly greeted as she sat next to him.

"I'm sorry..." he stated, avoiding eye contact, "I didn't mean to hurt you, I was only hungry and... ugh, that isn't an excuse. What I'm trying to say is... I apologize. And you have every right to not forgive me. I know that the thought of Cash scares you, and," before he could go on, Fawn interrupted him.

"I forgive you."

"W-what? But I..." he stammered.

"It's okay. I'm glad you understand," she said in a calm voice. Ace sighed, then stared into Fawn's green eyes. The tan female smiled at him a bit, but widened her eyes when he scooted closer to quickly lick her cheek. Fawn's pelt heated up and her nose blushed madly. Ace let out a small chuckle at her reaction, "Anyway, since Cash hasn't been bothering our pack recently, I think we should start teaching the new pack members some street skills," Ace told her, as if nothing just happened.

"You're right," Fawn answered, "starting tomorrow, we should train them how to fight and scavenge."

"And those collars..." Ace added while gazing over to the former collar wearers, "they need to go."

"Agreed. But, let's save that for tomorrow, for now, we should get some rest," Fawn said, giving Ace one more smile before walking over to Shelby and Buck.

"How'd it go?" Buck asked.

"Great," Fawn's ears blushed.

"You guys are so cute together," Shelby giggled, while Buck only rolled his eyes.

"Whatever," he grumbled. Fawn laughed at him a bit before curling up by them to rest. Tonight was a good night, and hopefully tomorrow would be better.

The next day...

Fawn woke up to feel Ace's paw prodding her back. She blinked and yawned before standing up and stretching her lean body, "Morning," she grunted.

"All of the collar wearers are up. It's time," he said. Fawn nodded and peered behind Ace to see the four collar wearers were nervously lined up, confusion painted on their faces. The female padded to her brother, smiling, "You ready to become one of us?"

"I... I think so..." he stammered, "I don't know what to expect, honestly."

"It's fine, you'll be alright," Fawn nuzzled him before backing away to let Ace observe the dogs.

"Finn, you come up first," Ace ordered.

"Of course," Finn stepped from the line. Ace, without warning, snatched the green collar on Finn's neck by the clip, and unclipped it with barely any struggle. The Australian Shepherd gasped in surprise as the item fell to the ground in front of him. Ace smiled at him, "You're a stray now. April will train you."

"Thanks..." his expression was a little sad, but hope shone in his eyes as he went over to April and stood by her.

"Now, Cody. You're next," the Golden Retriever gulped and shyly walked up to the alpha. Ace grabbed his red collar and shook until it came loose and fell on top of Finn's. Cody also had a depressed facial expression, but Ace seemed oblivious to it, "You will train with Paisley," Ace stated, and Cody padded over to the puggle, who was panting and wagging her tail excitedly, "Next is Buck," the blue-eyed male called, and Fawn's sibling approached him. Ace took his dark green collar in his jaws and pulled until it slipped over Buck's head. He looked so different without his collar, "Buck, you will train with me."

"What? Why am I not training with my sister?" Buck questioned, almost offended.

"I think you should get used to other pack members that's all. Don't worry, Shelby will train alongside you," Buck's face softened, yet he glanced at Fawn, as if asking to help. Fawn could only shrug at him and look back at what was left of the line, "Shelby, you're up," Ace woofed.

"I can do it myself," she told him, and shook her collar and bent down. She proceeded to get her paw on the collar and slip it off. Ace nodded at her as she sat by Buck, "Okay, Marley. Your turn."

"I don't know if I can do this..." The Bull Mastiff whimpered, "this collar is the only thing I have left to remember my master..."

"You will never forget your master, Marley. None of us will. But we're strays now, collars aren't worn by strays," Shelby soothed.

"Yeah! You can do it, Marley!" Paisley cheered. Marley gulped and walked up to Ace. He towered over the alpha, so he lowered his huge head to let Ace remove his red collar. Ace took it and unclipped it like he did with Finn's. Ace put in the pile of other collars, and nudged them aside with his muzzle, "Marley, you will work with Fawn," Ace said.

     Marley stepped over to the Pharaoh Hound, eyes distant and sad. Fawn gave him a encouraging smile, "Trust me, you'll make a great pack member!"

Hey guys! Sorry I haven't updated in forever, I had camp and writers block! But I'm back, so yaaaay! ~Scarlet