[First in Genre, Action/Adventure - The Shadow Awards]
[Best Heartbreaker - The Shadow Awards]
Alema (aw-leh-may) is the dominant male of a small African wild dog pack, dedicating every day of his life towards his family. He has remained blissfully...
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"It wasn't that bad," Alema said as the pack started to head home.
Rudo glared at him. "The antelope ran right past me!" He licked his chin, which was all scraped up from when he collided against the ground.
"Point is we caught it," Alema said. "That's all that matters."
"Good thing I was there to finish the job," Zuberi said proudly. "Or else we'd all be empty-bellied right now."
Esi sneered, bumping knowingly against Zuberi's side.
Rudo's head hung low. "Maybe if I wasn't stuck watching the pups all the time I would have more practice."
"Not this again," Alema moaned. "Don't pretend like you don't love your younger siblings."
Rudo didn't respond.
Adanna slowly crept up beside him, her gaze sympathetic. "I thought you were wonderful, Rudo," she chirped.
Rudo gave her a half-hearted smile.
"He failed," Kayode chastised with a smirk, drawing out the word.
Adanna nudged her littermate. "Like you could do better!"
Kayode held his head up high. "I could have brought down that antelope with my eyes closed and my nose covered."
"Be kind to your older brother," Kamaria scolded. "Remember, he's put aside several hunting sessions to take care of you three." She paused and caught a glance at Alema. "You don't want to end up like the baobab trees, do you?" she said to Kayode.
Kayode lowered his ears. "Sorry Rudo."
"We don't need to point muzzles at who did what," Kato said calmly. "All we need to remember is the antelope valiantly gave up its life to provide us food."
Alema flicked an ear. It was just like Kato to mourn over prey. Perhaps it was how he was raised in his birth pack. He gazed at Esi and Zuberi, wondering what kind of haughty pack they grew up in.
Zuri looked up at Kato questionably. "It didn't seem to want to give up its life."
Kato looked at the pup. "That is why we should be even more gracious towards the animal."
"And gracious towards me for catching it," Zuberi added.
Rudo released an annoyed huff. "Please let me catch something before we reach the territory," he said. "For the sake of my dignity."
"We already ate," Esi chirruped.
"I'll be really quick!" Rudo promised. He lifted his nose up in the air. "I already smell something," he claimed.
Zuberi muttered something in Esi's ear, and the female didn't even attempt to stifle her amused chirps.
Rudo glared at the older wild dogs. "I am going to catch something," he said defiantly.
