A big white house hugged the outskirts of town. It belonged to a young man who had inherited his grandfather's wealth and had immediately invested in the mining companies of Alaska. It was last spring when the young Englishman moved to the small town of Nome where price for land was choice for Charlie Wilkerson.
Charlie Wilkerson had a pet from his home in England. She was affectionately called Primrose, daughter of two purebred huskies, and from a lineage of champion showdogs. Her fur was silky soft, the color of a sweet tea Charlie enjoyed so much. Her eyes were the color of a bloodred rose, where half her name originated from. Charlie's late mother was named Prim, so Primrose was choice name for his most beloved pet.
I, on the otherhand was a pet he had managed to adopt when he first arrived. Truth be told, Charlie had been skeptical when he arrived with me on the doorsteps of the empty white house. He didn't believe I could be so well mannered, especially for such a mixed mutt. He learned early on I enjoyed strolling along the streets of Nome and frequent visits with Mavis and Edward, my parents and Benedict, my brother.
It was a day, early in spring when Primrose arrived in a crate sent overseas.I had watched Charlie leave, in one of the best moods he had been in since I had begun living with him. I was left with the company of Edgar, our butler, and Charlie's cousin Helena. Helena had been good to me, and adored how my ears flopped whenever I tilted my head ever so slightly.
When Charlie had arrived half an hour later than usual I nearly ran downstairs to greet him. I caught myself, thinking even a dog with half the manners I aquired would wait politely at the top of the stairs for his master to call. I stopped at the elegant staircase and took a seat at the top.
"James!" Charlie called. He was in the kitchen, I could tell. His voice quivered with the faintest excitement. Was he betrothed? Had he brought home a new woman who would stay and give me the attention that Charlie had been neglecting to give me as of late? Questions had seared my mind as I streaked down the stairs. Just before I reached the kitchen door, I slowed and held my head high in an elegant manner.
I strolled into the kitchen and saw a female turn, her reddish eyes alight with surprise. Charlie grinned at me and left the kitchen to go to his study. The dog standing in front of me had been the one Charlie had been giddily talking about. Primrose.
"I suppose you're James." The female said, taking a seat on the hard wood floor.
"Yes, I am indeed James. I believe you are Miss Primrose?" I was a bit taken aback. She had carried an accent like Charlie and I, not to mention her voice was sweet, like the scent that clung to her fur. But I couldn't focus on that now. I had to meet Benedict near the old boat dock. He had news about our brother Edmond, and the female he, and I, fawned over many a time. Ink.
"Yes, I am Primrose. James, we need not keep quite formalities. I bet your kind doesn't keep such formalities." Primrose said 'your kind' as if I were some lowly mongrel, a mutt who had no home. Some kind of creature definately lower than her.
"Well Prim, I'd love to stay and entertain you, but I have things to do. So please, do not go bothering anyone. Someone with your snobbiness and lineage would not want to tally with us hicks." I said curtly before I turned my back on the female and dissapeared through the doggy door and out onto our lawn. Before I left, I heard an annoyed scoff escaped the aristocrat's muzzle.
As I trotted through the streets of Nome, I was accompanied by the young females who resigned in the tiny homes. I never cared for them, as I had no intention of settling down with a mate, but that never stopped them. No, the girl's wouldn't leave me so long as I didn't have any ties to a female.
I told the females I had a very important appointment with family, and when I had gotten to the beach, the crowd of admirers had thinned out. I heard Benedict before I saw him.
"HOW COULD YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HER?!" My brother's voice rippled with rage. My eyes widened and I raced forward to see my brother's brown fur pricked up and Edmond's green eyes in a cold glare. Never before had I seen my two brothers look as if they were to rip eachothers' throat out.
I jumped between them and looked at Benedict, "Stand down."
He glared at him, and I narrowed my eyes in response. Benedict looked dishelved and in his eyes was an emotion I've never seen. It looked upset and betrayed at the same time. I turned to look at Edmond, "Now, calmly explain to me what happened?"
Edmond looked at the snow, "Well... I, uh, invited Ink out for a night on the town."
I stared at Edmond. Usually when he invited girls for a night out, it ended with them swooning and he ignoring them afterwards. I didn't see how it was so bad that it got such a racous reaction out of Benedict. However, it annoyed me how Edmond always treated all the girls like rubbish play things.
"Ink's pregnant." Benedict spat out. My eyes widened and I felt anger boiling inside. My neck fur jumped up and I looked at Edmond. He didn't look sorry at all.
"And Eddie's the father..." Benedict whispered. I cared deeply for Ink and to think that Edmond had just waltzed into her life and act as if nothing happened... Didn't our dad, Edward, teach him anything?!
It took all of my control to not tackle Edmond to the ground. However, Benedict lacked less self control than I did. He smashed into me, sending me flying into the wet, cold sand.
By the time I managed to pull myself up to me feet, Benedict was ripping into Edmond, their muzzles mashing and snarling, claws flashing and fur flying. Blood specked the sand. I shook my head and dashed over, throwing all my weight into Benedict and knocking him over and away from Edmund.
"C'mon Ben, leave him. He's not worth it." I said.
Edmond struggled up, "You two flirt two and entertain girls. I dont see why I'm any different! Is it because I'm not as refined as you two?! Hypocrites are what you are."
I didn't turn around. I didn't want to. He was right, but we weren't as... I looked at Benedict and then down at my paws. We weren't beasts who didn't have enough morales to never lead a girl too far.
"BELT IT!" Benedict snapped at Edmond. I looked back to see Edmond limping away. I felt pitty, but any caring about him was replaced with disappointment.
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I had gone home, leaving Benedict to check up on Ink. I didn't feel like seeing her, nor was I emotionally charged enough for the hurt I would feel at looking at her beautiful eyes. I was absolutely miserable, and it showed by the time I pushed through the doggy door, my head low, my tail dragging on the ground.
Primrose was there to greet me, "Hello half-witt." For such a pretty dog, she was a real thorn in the side.
"Prim, I'm not in the mood for talking." I mumbled. She looked annoyed, and followed me as I pushed my legs up the staircase.
"It's Primrose, James. Learn your manners. I am a lady and you... Well, you're- I have no idea what you are."
I turned around to face her and spat in her face, "Get lost, Primrose! I honestly believe you aren't even a lady. More like an annoying bum who won't quit being such a snob because she's purebred! You have such an ugly heart and personality."
Primrose stopped and stared a me. It was the rudest thing I've ever said, especially to a lady. And even I couldn't believe I had said that.
"Prim-" I started, feeling horrid for saying what I had said.
She shouted at me, "Stuff it!" She turned and ran back down the stairs and out the door. I sighed and went to where Charlie slept. I hopped up onto his bed, flopping down and curling myslef into a ball. I squeezed my eyes shut and hoped desperately to forget everything, if only for a while.
I woke up the next morning, my eyes burning just a bit. I stood up and yawned. Primrose should be back by now, then I'd apologize and try and fix whatever I could. I hopped off the bed and dragged myself down the stairs. I could hear Charlie talking, "...Well, if you happen to see her, let me know. Oh yeah. I'm meeting Victoria today. You know, she might be the one."
I watched as he talked about this "Victoria". There was a new light to his eyes, but still he was saying something about a lost someone.
"Oh no." I said. "Prim." I quickly spun around, racing to the grand doors and pushed out of the doggy door. I could hear Charlie yell something to me, but I didn't care.
I reached Benedict's house first. It was a nice house with a cute front porch. It was nice enough. I jumped up onto the porch and scratched at the door, "Ben? Benedict!"
The familiar brown figure I knew well came from around the house. "Right here Jem. Woah, you look as if you've just seen someone get shot or killed or something. What happened?"
"Well, Charlie brought this dog with him from England. And she's been so rude to me and because of what happened yesterday," Benedict's eyes darkened, "I kinda... I took out my anger on her and she ran away... But I have to find her." I said.
Benedict sighed, "Oh Jem, why are you so charming to other girls but when it comes to your own maiden of beauty, you yell at
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