Socially Awkward. Chapter One.
Socially Awkward
Chapter One
By Roofles
It was late. The gym was closed. The old building had boards over the windows, a chain wrapped around the front handles with a pad lock. The parking lot was empty with a wired fence around it. From all appearances it had been closed for a long time.
Reese park off to the side, near the woods. He kept low as he moved quickly across the road with a pack slung over his shoulder. He stopped next to the fence, using one bare hind paw to find the latch in the dark of night. It was hidden amongst the brush; it took a grunt to lift it up.
It only brought him to the other side of the fence where he hid the opening the best he heading across it, making his way towards the building. He had the nagging feeling he was being watched as he reached the side entryway door, used back in the day for the staff entrance. There was a brand new numeric lock installed next to it. There was also a working camera watching him just overhead.
The password was easy enough to remember by now, coming here every month or so. The heavy lock slid out and the metal utility door swung open easily enough. Reese slipped inside, hoping to go unnoticed.
He was greeted by a disgruntled looking Bernese Mountain dog that stopped him in the pitch black hallway.
"Your late." The other dog said with a gruff throaty voice. Reese ignored him, pushing past and moving inside. The door locked behind and he heard the heavy steps of the other canine following him.
CT, or Chew Toy, was another Alpha in the town and an old friend of Reese's. A no-nonsense type of guy that rather let his fists do the talking instead. A guy that would have your back in a firefight and even take a bullet for you, and had. For Reese.
Reese had half a mind to make a joke that a wizard is never late and arrives precisely when he means too. He somehow knew the other canine wouldn't get it, let alone find it funny. Instead he just gave him a coy smile, fucking with CT as the other canine's ears folded back at the meek expression on the wolf's face.
"Uh," CT muttered a bit. Flustered and looked away. The other dog was terrible with that kind of confrontation. Stick a .45 in his face? The dog wouldn't even flinch or twitch an ear. Yet, bat an eye in his direction and his whole face would flush bright enough to turn his floppy ears red inside.
Reese enjoyed fucking with him, giving him a good punch after and splitting ways in the hall. Or he had planned too but CT followed him into the locker room.
"What?" Reese snarled at him. It wasn't out of pure aggression though; the wolf was just frustrated. He always felt like this having to come to this place. It brought back bad memories. Dark things he rather bury in the back of his mind forever.
"Duke is here." CT just said with a growl of his own. The dog crossed his arms, resting back against one of the locker. Reese instantly spied the gun tucked underneath his arm in a holster.
"Shit." Reese only growled back, turning away and hiding his thoughts on the matter. Things were different with dogs. They could smell emotion, smell things most the other species couldn't. Still it wasn't wise to keep your heart on your sleeves, especially in a place like this. "Just can't let sleeping dogs lie, huh?"
CT only grunted at that, looking away as Reese stripped down. The wolf could care less if the other dog looked but knew he wouldn't. CT really couldn't handle some things; yet the Bernese mountain dog had been a marine at one time, long ago. He was now a cop.
But he was a good guy despite that. Most the others thought he sold out to the humans. Becoming one of their "Pet," a common phrase that ran around a place like this often. Reese could care less about it; he wasn't much better these days. Maybe that was why he and CT had kept in touch after all these years. They could at least rely on one another.
"The fuck does he want?" Reese ended up growling, turning back around in a fresh pair of gym cloths. Shorts, a groin cup, a mouth guard he'd put in later and shoes that left his toes free to breathe. It was so he could use them to grip the floor for better traction rather than comfort.
The wolf took a seat on the bench and began wrapping both hands, one at a time, in white bandages.
CT finally looked back, giving a heavy shrug of his shoulders. Reese just continued to grumble to himself as he slipped the fingerless glovers over them. He shoved his mouth guard in and moved past the other canine without another word on the matter.
One thing at a time.
The wolf could smell it before he saw the arena. Blood, piss and vinegar. The last of which was to clean up the mess from the other two. It stunk. Both his ears stayed where they were, he had to force them too. It wasn't smart to let your emotions get the best of you, a dog could read that a mile away. A tuck tail, a twitch of an ear, a wiggle of a nose. And in a place like this? They'd take advantage of that in a tail wag.
The noise was growing ever louder as the two made their way down the hallway and into the back room.
Bleachers had been set up, booths were next to them selling everything from coca cola to coke. The lights were off, save for those on the pit; spotlights shining into it. An had been built into the very concrete floor with a large metal cage over it. There were two dogs already fighting inside.
There was a giant difference between wrestling and cage fighting. This was closer to street fighting though.
The pit bull was bloodied in the face by the time they could look in, one of his eyes had swollen to the point he couldn't see out of it anymore. He was breathing heavily as the other canine, a fox no less, closed in. The pit bull swung wipe, a desperate last attempt. The fox ducked under it and gave him three quick pops to his snout, with a sickening crack at the end. Blood ran down the pit bull's face and the fox's bandaged hands were covered in that same blood.
The pit bull teetered back and forth before collapsing backwards with a loud thud.
The large crowd up on the bleachers cheered wildly with barks, woofs and shouts as prize money was handed out. Illegal betting, drugs, unconscious dogs being dragged off? Nothing had changed from last month it seemed. Reese spat to the side and moved over to look done into the cage.
The fox spied him first, giving him a sly grin and walked out.
"Conner," Reese grumbled. The fox usually didn't show up, preferring to be a loner amongst them. Every now and then he did show up, kicked some punk ass bitch in the arena just to make sure he let the others know he was still around. Showboating dumbass, Reese rolled his eyes as the fox came up from the side to join them.
Most didn't know but foxes stunk, bad. You could spy the wild fox from a tamed inbred pet a mile away; Conner's fur was coarse and red like the setting sun with highlights of orange and white markings. It wasn't fluffy like a house dog but sharp and sleek giving him that animal look humans tended to stay away from. With those keen eyes, Reese could understand why. Conner was the kind of guy that was always three steps ahead of you, just waiting to turn the tables and reap the rewards for himself.
"A fox true and true." Reese turned his golden eyes down to look at the smaller male. Conner was still sleek, thin like most foxes. Over the years he had put on a decent amount of muscle, nothing like Reese or a body builder. Something elite athletics had. Not to show off but to get the job done with.
"Enjoy the fight?" Conner asked, teasing the wolf's tail with his own bushy one.
"Missed it." Reese grunted back, turning his eye toward the cage. There was a Chihuahua cleaning up the mess. As canines, they were all too aware of leaving evidence behind and had a tag team of the smaller dogs to clean up after it all in case someone got wind of what they were up too here.
"Too bad." Conner just grinned, resting both hands behind his head and looking down into the pit. "Was so one sided. Never could get a real fight." He added though, looking at the wolf. "Unless your game sometime?"
Reese spied the wad of cash in his jacket though.
"What?" Conner looked away, folding those large ears to the side. He covered his jacket with both arms quickly. "Not my fault a rumor went around that I was going soft in my years." And the fox gave him a sly smile at that. "That I'd be easy game this time."
"Careful." Reese only warned, as he often did. It was a bad habit he had to admit; he just felt like a father to some of these dumbasses. Not wanting them to get plugged for stupid antics like this. "Duke is here."
That made the fox flinched; his eyes growing wide and ears laying back flat. "Shit," Conner only scowled looking around quickly. "Why?" He hissed between clenched teeth. He took a step closer to the wolf.
CT only grunted in reply, making the fox jump once more. Foxes were usually skittish creatures.
"Shit, when the hell did you get here?" Conner cursed under his breath looking past Reese at the Bernese mountain dog.
"CT has always been here." Reese just explained. CT gave the fox a toothy, threatening smile at that. "My turn." The wolf sighed heavily and stuck his mouth guard back in and left the two to watch.
It'd be over quick.
A fat corgi was standing next to the betting table. A large Rottweiler was standing off to the side, watching it carefully to make sure no stupid pup tried to get more than what he was owed. Reese nodded to the rottie, a fellow he was too familiar with. Or at least with his work. Baxter had a habit of tossing the idiots into the arena during a match.
And you did not want to get between two adrenaline junkie, testosterone flowing muscle heads while they were trying to fight for more than just a few bucks.
"Reese, darling!" The corgi tossed his arms up with a beaming smile on his small face. Reese chuckled down at the corgi, crouching down to his height before they exchanged a hug. Chubbs had been doing this far longer than anyone thought he could. Corgi's were on the lower part of the food chain in their group and if it wasn't for Baxter, the corgi probably wouldn't be here today. "I've missed you."
One reason why Reese liked the Rottweiler, he kept his tiny friend safe. "It's good to see you too." Reese had to take the mouth guard out once more. He didn't care that people knew he used such things, unnatural protections. He wasn't an idiot and didn't mind bending his pride for it. A lot looked down on him because of it wanting the fights to be natural; like the "good times."
That phrase alone made Reese growl. It was too familiar to his childhood home.
"How've you been?" Chubbs just asked, wagging his stubby tail quickly.
"I've been." Reese only replied with a soft smile. "And you?" He asked moving the corgi away so he could look into his face. The black fur wolf's face fell at the sight.
"OH, you know how things are." The corgi laughed, looking away. There was a nasty cut on his cheek, his eye was still healing from where someone had punched him and the smaller canine had even winced at the hug. "I've been better." Chubbs just chuckled with a meek smile.
"You know I have room for you, if you ever need." Reese offered, going down on one knee. His bad habit was rearing its ugly head again. Taking in broken, beat up dogs from abusive homes and lives.
People, humans, could never understand the shit they had to go through. The hierarchy that was being a canine and what it meant to be born on the lower end of the food chain. There was a reason why someone like Conner had to work himself thrice as hard as the next canine to just get some damn respect.
"I'm good, really. Ok, maybe not good but doing ok." Chubbs just shook his head quickly. "I've got Baxter." And he thumbed over to the Rottweiler who grunted, watching the two carefully. The Rottweiler was suspicious of everyone and thing.
"Ok," Reese just nodded. He could only take in those who wanted to. It was like going to rehab; pointless unless they themselves actually wanted the help. Otherwise things just went south quickly and he wasn't about to put up with that shit again.
"We doing this or not twinkle toes?" A voice barked from inside the arena up at Reese. The wolf stood slowly and look down at him coldly. The deerhound lifted up his fists, bouncing on his toes and ready for a fight.
"Shut your god damn, fucking mouth." Reese just snapped his jaws down at him, spittle flying in the air. That made everyone in the room grow quiet. "Or I'll rip you goddamn, fucking throat out!" And Reese turned away to look back at the corgi.
Chubbs was shaking, shivering from head to toe but smiling up at him. The corgi didn't know Reese was a load of shit, lying about doing such a thing. It was best to put up airs in a place like this. You show your softer side even once and people get the idea they can walk all over you, chew you up and spit you out like yesterday's trash.
If you even lasted that long.
Reese just gave a nod to the Rottweiler who walked over with a set of keys, undoing the side panel of the cage and letting the wolf slip inside.
Reese landed with a heavy thump, slowly rising back up to his full height. Nearly Seven feet if he stood on his toes; like most anthro's he had digitigrade legs. He cracked his neck side to side, rolling one shoulder and then the other.
The bell rang; once both set of paws were inside it was fair game after all.
The deerhound took every advantage he could get and charged the second the bell sounded. He struck fast, putting his full wait into it. Reese couldn't dodge like the fox could. The wolf just used his superior strength and size to deflect the punch to one side and brought his own up right into the deerhound's gut, using the dogs own momentum against him.
The other canine nearly barfed, pulling back and wiping the drool away from his face. The deer hound chuckle, putting up his fists once more. Reese didn't give him the two seconds to recover. It was best to make this quick and painful.
The wolf closed in quickly, taking another punch in return for it and brining his own right against the deerhound's face. Another on the other side and finally one kick to push the deerhound right back against the concrete wall.
The other dog was coughing, violently trying to stay in the fight. But Reese couldn't lose. He couldn't afford too as he took that gray face in his whole hand and brought the deerhound head right back against the concrete wall.
There was a sickening sound as the back of the deerhound skull hit the concrete. It made the crowd silent as they watched the one-sided fight.
There was always some punk ass bitch who challenged Reese. Some up and comer that thought they could fight the wolf on even ground. Trying to make a name for themselves or an easy buck, as all the bets were placed on Reese. There was always someone foolish enough to try. High? Drunk? Hyped up on their own self-worth. Whatever the reason.
And Reese couldn't afford to go soft.
If he lost, it didn't mean just losing some money. It meant losing respect. Honor, whatever you wanted to call it. And he could lose his Alpha status, his dog house and every one of his dogs he took in to save from this kind of shit was at risk of being given to another alpha.
Reese turned his back coldly without making sure he was still down, adding insult to injury. He walked towards the exit without looking up at the crowd who was cheering now. It was always easy money to place bets on Reese after all, even if the odds were clearly in their favor.
"Reese!" Conner shouted from above and the wolf had enough time to turn around to see the deerhound charging him with a hidden switchblade drawn.
Then there was a crack like lighting and the room fell silent. And the deerhound fell dead with a hole in his head.
"Clean up, aisle 7." A voice said in great amusement as he put away the silver desert eagle back into his jacket. Reese didn't look up, didn't acknowledge the man who had just taken another's life as easily as he breathed. Making a crass joke about it after. The wolf didn't need too.
He knew Duke had done it.
The great Dane was a large dog, dressed in an expensive suit with golden rings on his fingers, earrings in both ears and even an encrusted diamond tooth he loved to show off. Reese was sure it was fake, that diamond, but no one was dumb enough to get close enough to check.
"How many times have I told you bitches." Duke went on, shouting now even though everyone had gone silent. "We are not animals! We have rules we follow. We are not like those fucking humans out there!" And he jabbed a finger towards the outside. Yet, there was that smug smile on his face the whole time. Two other large dogs stood close behind the great dane serving as guards.
Reese ignored it. It was a lot of hot air as usual. After all, he grew up with Duke. The wolf just walked down the exit, back up the stairs and into the locker room away from it all.
There was a badly beat up pit bull to the side on a stretcher. Conner's victim. A Dalmatian was in a doctor's coat treating his wounds. Everyone knew Donnie license to practice medicine was a forgery. Still in a place like this, it was better than nothing.
"Who was it?" Donnie asked; the Dalmatian turning to face the wolf having heard the gun shot. He had a bloody mask over his snout. It was those cold, dead eyes though that made Reese shudder.
"Does it matter?" Reese only said, looking away and heading to get his things. CT was already waiting for him. The two were in the same mind. Get out of here before Duke dropped by to pay them a visit. Reese didn't have time to change or collect his earnings.
After all he only showed up here to make sure everyone knew he was still around and could kick ass if need be.
"Duke! Sooooo, good to see you again!" Conner said loud enough for them to hear from the hallway.
"Figures." CT growled, looking towards the wolf with pleading eyes. The Bernese mountain dog didn't like dealing with the Great Dane. No one did.
"I got this." Reese just sighed heavily, shaking his head as he wiped his hands off. Not cleaned though. These hands could never be clean.
"Is Reese in there?" He could hear Duke ask from outside. "You wouldn't be... hiding him from his dear old friend?" The Great Dane ask casually but the threat behind it was clear.
"Oh, you're not that old." Conner just said back, trying to buy the wolf as much time as he could risk. Reese did appreciate that. But it wasn't needed.
Duke laughed at the joke. A sound that was as fake as the smile on the great dane's face.
"In here." Reese said loudly before Duke got tired of the fox.
Hearing his voice, Duke all but forgot about the fox as he headed into the locker room. The great dane's face twisted and he covered his nose from the smell.
Blood, piss and vinegar.
"H-hey there, if it isn't my favorite wolf." Duke said trying to put on a friendly smile. The smell was still getting to him though and one of his eyes was twitching.
"Want to talk in the hallway?" Reese just asked, frowning a bit. The fox had snuck behind the great dane and moved over to join CT off to the side. Better than being out in the hall with the great dane's two bodyguards.
"No, no." Duke waved it off. "Like I'm too good to hang out in a... locker room." The large dog looked around though, glaring over at the Dalmatian after spying the mess he was making.
Donnie caught on and closed the curtain around his work. It didn't stop the moaning of the pitbull though. The sound didn't seem to mind the great dane as he turned back to give Reese a forced smile.
"What do you want then?" Reese just jumped straight to the point, not about to play games with his old friend.
"It's been ages!" Duke just said, dusting off one of the benches before taking a seat. Reese thought he looked ridiculous. The suit he wore was striped, who wore striped suits? He had so many rings on he couldn't close his fingers fully and the large metal necklaces hung around his neck looked more like choking hazards than anything else. "Can't we just talk, like old times." And the great dane placed a hand on Reese's knee.
CT and Conner exchanged a look, both thinking the same thing. CT's fingers itched for the gun under his arm. He was ready if things took a dark turn. Conner was ready to bail, run back down the hallway towards the arena or out the side window. The fox had three escape routes already planned out.
"That's in the past." Reese just said, pushing the hand off. He sighed though. "I'm glad to see you're still kicking though." The wolf knew not to push him too far but also, a part of him, still saw him as that childhood friend he grew up with. "Really." He added, his face softening a bit.
Duke took off the dark sunglasses he wore and put them away neatly in his coat pocket. He took a full minute of doing this before speaking up once more. The great dane always did like to make a chore out of the most miniscule tasks.
"I see you're still playing caregiver." And the great dane looked over at the two other canines with a smirk.
"It's in my nature." Reese just said back.
"It's in your nature to be on top!" Dane shouted suddenly, the great dane lips were bared and his fur was raising up on his neck. The two outside had looked in to see if they were needed. Duke calmed down, lifting both hands up in piece. Showing his palms as if to say there was no tricks or switchblades hidden up his sleeves as he took a seat once more.
"It's in my nature to protect the weak." Reese just said once more, like he had done countless times before over this same argument. "That's what it means to be an Alpha. To protect the pack." Reese voice was softer this time than it had been in the past, trying to convince his friend of this. Even if he knew his words fell on deaf ears.
Duke just gave him a blank look, his eyes calculating a hundred things behind them as he stared at the wolf. "So strong," the great dane finally said standing back up slowly with a huff. "Yet, you waste it on these pieces of shit." Duke didn't look at the other dogs, ignoring them as he put his glasses back on. They even had a golden trim to them. "You know how great you could be. How much you could do for us, for dog's everywhere!" Duke's lip was quivering but he kept his cool. "And you waste it!" He just spat the words.
"I never said I was perfect." Reese only shrugged his shoulders, standing up to meet the great dane's eyes with his own. Reese wasn't about to be looked down on by this dog or any. There was a reason why Duke didn't fight in the pit like the rest of them, he was afraid. And Reese could smell it underneath all the cologne he was trying to use to hide it.
Dogs didn't use cologne or scented soaps unless they were trying to hide something.
Duke had always been scared, ever since they were pups. No matter how much money he spent on what he wore, no matter how many guns he carried. He was still just that crying pup Reese had rescued all those years ago.
"Just, keep an open mind." Duke snagged something in his jacket and Reese tensed. The great dane only pulled a card from inside, handing it to him with a flick of his wrist. "In case you actually want to do something with your life." And he tucked it into the opening of Reese's shirt, patting it several times after. Duke left his hand there for a second. "Think about it, for me."
And the great dane left. Not even giving the other two a glance as he headed out. The large dog just gave a signal and the two guards followed after him.
"For every coin...." Reese huffed, shaking his head. He looked over at the two. "You ok?"
"Yeah..." Conner spoke up first, looking to the side. He couldn't meet the wolf's eyes. There was a reason why the fox stayed out of all this. Why he didn't visit the wolf or hang out with any of the other canines.
CT just gave him a nod. The Bernese mountain dog had his hand on his gun's handle and had to pry his fingers away from it. Apparently, Reese wasn't the only one tense.
All three sets of ears lifted as they heard the pitter patter of small feet heading their way. Chubbs the corgi came sliding by, having to catch the door from slipping.
"Hey there you are!" The corgi walked over on stubby legs, licking his thumb as he counted out the wad of cash he was carrying. The Rottweiler from before followed behind looking like a secret service agent, carrying a briefcase in one hand and the other tucked into his suit. The large dog looked around the room before taking a spot in the corner, keeping his back to the wall where he could watch everyone.
"Hey Chubbs." Reese took a seat on the bench he had before and patted the spot next to him. The corgi was oblivious to what had happened as he scrambled up onto the bench and finished counting out his earnings. "You really don't have too." Reese frowned at the money.
"But I do! It's the rules." Chubbs just shook his head side to side quickly. "Can't break the rules." Reese frowned further at that, he hated that saying. It's something Duke said often. And he didn't want this blood money anyways. "Don't want to get in trouble." And the corgi eyes looked over at the Rottweiler before back at Reese with a nervous grin.
"Baxter wouldn't do anything to you." Reese just placed a hand on his shoulder. The Rottweiler snorted in reply to that. "He's a big softie in the end." The wolf just smiled.
Baxter growled warning him.
"All you have to do is just, scratch his belly." And Reese scratched the corgi's stomach with both hands making the smaller canine giggle and nearly drop the cash. The corgi had a vice tight grip on it though.
"Yeah, go ahead and do that. See what happens." Baxter growled loudly, popping his knuckles. Reese just laughed at that.
Chubbs put the wad of cash into Reese's hand when he stopped and clamped them shut around it. The corgi gave him a wink and hopped down from the bench, heading back out.
"We still have a few more fights if you want to stick around and watch. We're just... cleaning up, from before." Chubbs offered at the door with a smile before heading back down the hall. Baxter gave them a simple nod and headed after the corgi.
"I wonder how that works?" Conner finally spoke up, taking a few steps forward to look around the corner after them.
CT was the one to ask. "What?" Reese covered his face though.
"Baxter and Chubbs." Conner grinned lewdly turning back to them. He even gestured with his hands, sliding a good three fingers into the tiny circle his other hand made. "No baxter, you're too big. Slow down. Oh, I'm paying you double for this!" Conner moaned and CT ears fell back as a bright flush took the dogs face.
The Bernese mountain dog looked away, turning his whole body so he wasn't facing the fox.
Reese chuckled. "It's not nice to tease Chew Toy." The wolf looked at the fox who gave him an innocent smile.
"Me?" Conner placed a white fur fingered hand on over his heart, batting his eyes. "I would never! I was honestly asking." He said sickenly sweet.
"We know you want Baxter to give you the one two, double dip." Reese rolled his eyes with a snort standing back up and walking over to mess up the fox's already messy hair. "Or maybe that's what your hoping CT will do?"
And then the Bernese mountain dog just walked out of the room.
"Damnit, CT! I was kidding!" Reese growled following him quickly with the fox tailing behind, laughing the whole way.
Conner watched Reese's ass the whole way.
"So, we're we heading boss?" Conner asked slipping out the side gate after the two. Reese just flicked an ear, looking back at the fox who was grinning from ear to ear.
"Home." Reese just grunted, walking towards his jeep.
"Come on, CT and I want to go have some fun!" Conner waved a few of his earnings at him. The fox was like the wolf, both still in their fighting outfits.
"W-what?" CT stammered, trying not to focus on the fact the fox was hugging his side. "I never s-said that!"
"Pleeease, Mr. Wolf sir? Can't we have some more?" Conner gave him big puppy dog like eyes, which didn't seem to fit with the fox's cat slit pupils.
The wolf just sighed heavily, looking at his phone checking the time. He had gotten a few text from the dog house. He sent a few back to Clemence, the boxer, he left in charge telling him he'd be back later.
"Fine. One drink." Reese growled as he unlocked his jeep.
"Yippie!" Conner bounced and spun and skipped his way to the passenger seat. CT ended up just picking the fox up from the scruff of his neck and tossed him into the back and took the front seat.
"I called shotgun." CT just said back at him with a smug look.
"When?" Conner grumbled rubbing the back of his neck.
"Just now." The dog chuckled and fastened his seat belt. Reese rolled his eyes at the two and got in, the jeep shifting to his side due to his weight.
Reese buckled in. Checking all sets of mirrors, readjusted the rearview one again and then turned around to look at the fox. "Buckle in." He ordered.
"Oh, come on!" Conner whined but did as he was told.
"I'll give you a ticket if you don't." CT warned, threateningly without a hint of a joke in his voice. The Bernese mountain dog took his job very seriously.
"Wouldn't you give Reese one, not me?" Conner asked, confused. The two larger canines exchanged a look.
"Nope. You. Specifically." CT finally smiled then, with one too many teeth. It was a bit unnerving and Conner just looked out the window.
"Where too?" Reese asked not really caring.
"Rose Red hide out?" Conner offered. "She wasn't here tonight so I guess her girls are busy."
Reese thought that over as CT desperately tried to convince him to go anywhere but there. They still ended up there fifteen minutes later.
Conner was excited as all hell but waited for the other two before going towards the back door to the club.
"Not you." The bouncer said, stopping the fox before he could take another step closer. The donkey gave him a cold look, flexing a bit as he stood up fully. "The other two are fine." He said, undoing the velvet rope and letting them in.
"Hey, come on. I said I was sorry." Conner said.
"No. No you never did." The donkey only said flatly.
"OH, right. That really didn't sound like me..." Conner thought that over before turning to Reese and asking for help.
"Tell Rose I'm here." Reese finally broke down and agreed, speaking to the donkey.
The bouncer frowned at that though. "Fine. Fine." He finally agreed. "She's not in a good mood, it's your problem not mine." And the donkey gave one final glare as the fox vanished inside.
CT whined softly as he hid behind Reese, the two coming into the night club.
The lights were dim. The smell of sex was in the air. There were dozens of tables, a bar counter to the corner lit up with dark maroon lights and several circular stages set up all over. Bars were fixed in the center of each stage and pole dancers were making a living. Most of them were from the Equidae family, horses of all types wearing tight leather harnesses and even tighter thongs, g-strings or nothing like the Clydesdale in the corner.
"Where's Red?" Reese just asked the bartender, walking over without batting an ear at any of the dancers. Conner was already in the far back, pulling singles out for the naked Clydesdale. A waiter had brought the fox his usual, even before he sat down.
"In the back." The zebra said, lifting up the side of the bar for Reese to come on in. He stopped CT though, just shaking his head. "Mares only." The zebra said much to the confusion of the Bernese mountain dog.
"I'll explain later." Reese waved him off and went into the back, up the side stairs and knocked on the office door. A mule opened the door for him, the secretary giving him the once more. "I'm here for Red."
"Reese! Oh, it's been too long!" The horse behind the counter got up and came over for a big hug. He had light brownish red fur with a rich black mane. He had a frilly pink scarf on with tight pink leather body suit that opened in the front and back where a black thong barely hid his junk.
"You weren't at the club, again." Reese said breaking the hug and looking at him. Red was as tall as Reese was and it was still something the wolf wasn't used too; the wolf was used to crouch or slouching to keep on similar eye level to others.
"Who has the time." Red just waved it off with a whinny. His voice was high pitch than it should be for a man of his size and the horse took great effort in order to keep it as such. "You canines are all the same. Got to sniff this, mark that. Rules, rules, rules."
Reese snorted at that, even he agreed to that. "Still." He said taking a seat on a plush chair. He wasn't sure how to feel sitting in this room. Everything was so bright and... pink. Even the chairs. "The other Alpha's aren't pleased about it."
"They want me to what? Fight in their little play pen for the amusement of sickos?" Red shook his head, his mane swaying back and forth as he did so. "I'm not about to break a hoof for such a silly thing. Nor is any of my girls!" He added slamming a hand on the table, then spied what Reese was wearing. "Present company excluded, of course."
"Cute." Reese added with a roll of his eyes as he tried to get comfortable in the chair. It slouched back too far and he was afraid of slipping off or rolling onto his back. "Still, make an appearance every now and then would be for your best interest." He just got up, pacing around the room now. "If not for you, then think of yours... girls." He said the word carefully.
He wasn't good at this kind of stuff. Drag queens could be so fickle. Sometimes it's he, sometimes its she.
"You are lead mare." Reese finally said spinning around to face the horse. "It's just part of the job, no one likes doing it."
Red snorted, shaking his head and finally giving in. "Ok, ok. Maybe next time. I'll send Reginald. Or something." He thought that over, before flicking his head to the side so his mane swung the other way. Reese frowned at that.
Red was an actress; he had done several commercials for hair products and now had gotten into the bad habit of flicking his mane like his life was some l'oreal commercial. He had been in several movies as background cast or supportive gay best friend. Never a lead role.
Which is what Reese figured the issue was. "What was it this time?" He asked, taking a seat on the edge of one of the chairs.
"Some super hero movie." The mule in the corner spoke up. He, or was it she being in drag? Reese couldn't figure it out. He was busy doing paper work for the club. Even in a place like this you needed a pencil pusher.
"Not some super hero movie! The hero movie!" Red stomped one foot against the carpet, Reese could hear the wood underneath the carpet. "Wonder woman! My dream role. I would've been perfect!"
Reese wanted to point out the fact that he had a penis. Which was rather hard to hide underneath a skirt, even with a thong. Reese looked away as Red marched around the desk, his junk bouncing with every angry step he took. Reese just covered his eyes with a groan.
Conner found this place a blast, dishing out all his earnings to watch someone strip tease for him. CT was sexually suppressed to the point Reese was sure he'd be completely plastered by the time he got himself back downstairs. Reese? Reese had to deal with this shit.
Which was saying something as Red was a drama queen, picking apart the whole interview that he would make the perfect she and that no woman could ever match the brute strength and elegant poise of his heroine. Reese just looked away as Red took a seat on the desk, lifting one leg up as he laid out on it, still unaware how uncomfortable this was for the wolf.
Reese decided to change the subject, even if he didn't want too. "Duke showed up."
That did stop Red who covered his mouth with both hands and gasped. "Oh, are you ok?" He asked, getting down on his knees in front of the wolf. Reese wanted to cover his face now; this was exactly why no one took the Mare seriously as an Alpha.
"Yeah. He was just trying to get me back into the... game." Reese chewed on his own words trying to think how much he was willing to tell Red. The two were close for Alpha's; the only other one he was on talking terms with was CT who was drunk downstairs.
Red wouldn't even be part of it all if it wasn't for Reese, who had only done it to get the horse's off their back. Back in the day that is when the turf war was still going on. Reese had done it though for his own selfish reason.
His last job. He got everyone square up, help formed the Alpha group and then wanted out as much as he could from it all. Wipe his hands from all the messy stuff from that point on. Of course, he had only done that for him though...
"Never did like that arrogant dick." Red said seriously for a moment, his high voice slipping into something far deeper and more natural. He cleared his throat, took a drink from a paper cup and wiped his mouth. "We never would've done it without you." He said in a far more sing song tone.
Reese grunted at that, frowning a bit. Which was exactly why he agreed to coming here. Even after it all, years later, Reese was still trying to put bandages and duct tape on the shaky alliance between the Alphas. Trying to keep the peace the best he could before everything came burning down.
"No one does." Reese just chuckled.
"You do." Red pointed out, taking a seat once more behind his desk. He folded his hands-on top of it. "You're probably the only one who does." Reese looking away at that. "Not his mother or father, whoever the fuck they are. Not his adopted parents. Not he orphanage. Not his own gang members. You, are the only one who actually does."
Reese got up at that and walked towards the door. "I know." He just said coldly on the matter. Red got up, concerned now. "I'm glad to see you again." Reese added before shutting the door, harder than he had meant too.
For being the big bad wolf alpha, he really was a softie.
"Come on." Reese said to CT who was face down on the bar in a drunken stupor. The Bernese Mountain dog was mumbling something about kibble and bits.
"And whose paying for all this?" The zebra asked motioning at the dozen shot glasses and several empty mugs.
"Him." Reese pointed to the fox in the corner tossing money up into the air as the Clydesdale grinded on his face. The zebra laughed at that and waved him off, beginning to count and add up the fee the fox would be paying.
"Later, Marty." Reese gave a wave to the bouncer as they left. The donkey counted the two, then smiled wide punching one hand into the other.
"Oh, ho ho. This is going to be fuuuuuun." Marty said, closing the door to the club slowly as he looked around for the fox.
It was nearly two in the morning by the time Reese was carrying CT into his house. There were several dogs snoozing in the living room. Reese knew each of them by name. Brigsby the golden retriever he had rescued from an extremely abusive relationship and set him up with Jasper, a sheep dog that lived out in the cabin Reese owned. There was Muff, a blue heeler, who had been jaded by Togo, a husky, during college and had tried to take his own life because of it. And Dodge...
"Who shouldn't be here..." Reese growled in annoyance. He carried CT to his own bed room, taking off the Bernese mountain dogs close which were covered in barf, drool and beer alike and set him safely under the sheet. He made sure his friend was still breathing before heading back into the living room.
"And stay out!" Reese snarled, throwing the Dalmatian, Dodge, out onto the lawn in nothing more than a pair of socks. "Sock stealing bastard..." The wolf grumbled, slamming the door and locking it once more.
That woke Muff and Brigsby up who looked around confused.
"Clean up this mess before morning or else!" Reese ordered the two before heading back into his room. He shut his own door far softer than he had the front door, locking it after.
The wolf stripped his gym cloths off and tossed them onto the pack he had brought with him. It was filled with money and his normal cloths, not having the time to change. Butt naked the wolf slipped into his own bed, lifting up his arm as CT woke up a bit.
"Reese?" He groggily said, hiccupping.
"Easy does it," Reese rubbed his back. "You drank half the liquor cabinet. Again."
"Oh. Right." CT blinked a few times looking around. "This is... my room?"
"My room, actually." Reese chuckled at him in the pitch-dark room. The two could see though from the light slipping underneath the door. "Just us." The wolf said softly.
"Oh, ok then." CT yawned loudly, making the wolf nose wrinkle. His breath smelled terrible. Still, he let the Bernese mountain dog snuggle in closer to him before laying the sheets over him and cuddling in for the night.
"Good night, Chewie." Reese teased, chewing on the other dog's ear.
Ct giggled a bit at that, pushing him away a bit. "Good night, you dick." The mountain dog just finally yawned and fell back asleep.
"G'night." Reese nuzzled the top of his head and took a slow, heavy breath of his close friend and would then fall asleep with him safely in his arms. He smelled like blood, piss and vinegar.