[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...
Oops I forgot to mention, but this chapter is dedicated to ZaraDaywoodfor taking the time to review this book!
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"Giv'im another chance!" Laleh begged. The pups hid behind her.
"Somebody give that slurring girl a knock to the head!" Hadley barked, not taking her eyes off Alema. She lowered her head and bunched her shoulders. Then she lunged. She tore across the ground and smacked her paws against Alema's flank, knocking him off his feet.
Alema struggled under the dominant female's grasp, letting out pained whines as her claws dug into his shoulders. He yipped as he felt her teeth grab hold of his ear and pull. She yanked her head back in one clean motion, tearing off a piece of his rounded ear.
The pack stayed silent.
Alema clambered to his paws, his ear burning. He could smell a hint of blood dripping from the wound.
"That's your first warning," Hadley snarled, spitting out the piece of ear. "Do as I say and you won't lose the whole thing." She turned to her mate. "Bahadur!" she barked. "I'll give you the honors."
Bahadur dipped his head and approached Alema, his tall stature blocking the sun. "As it has been done with every newcomer," he growled, "you will be asked a series of questions. Answer them honestly, and you will not be further harmed."
This was sickening, Alema thought. What kind of welcoming party was this? He looked around and noticed that several other dogs sported torn ears. His stomach lurched. "I'm not even joining your pack!" he whined.
"No matter how temporary the stay is," Hadley growled, "we need to trust that you will not do us any harm."
What kind of harm? They were the ones doing the harm! Alema kept his mouth shut. His pelt shook with horror.
Bahadur bent down his head to look at Alema. "Where are you really from?" he asked with a growl.
"I'm from a savanna north of here," Alema whined.
Hadley shot forward and snagged onto Alema's ear before tearing off a bigger chunk. "Liar!" she spat, tossing the piece of ear into the gathering audience.
"I'm telling the truth!" Alema yipped. His ear screamed with pain. He could feel the warm lines of blood run down his cheek.
"There is no northern savanna," Bahadur barked. "Only Upwalker Places!"
"Yes, there is!" Alema insisted. He backed away before Hadley could leap at him again. "It's something called a 'reserve'!"
Bahadur and Hadley's ears pricked up in surprise. The pack began muttering.
"A Reservie," Hadley hissed in an inhale of shock.
This time it was Bahadur who pinned Alema to the ground. "Why are you here?" he roared in his injured ear.
