Brother? Brother?! Why would Max want a brother, let alone a mangy mutt for a brother?! He stared at the larger dog in horror. This new canine, presumably Duke according to Katie, was a mountain of a dog. He had big paws, a big head. Overall, he was massive. He was covered from nose to tail in brown fur. Meeting the smaller dog's gaze, Duke wagged his tail ecstatically while a big toothy smile appeared on his face. In response, Max arched his back and growled.

Duke backed up real quick.

"Woah! Max, easy! It's okay Duke," Katie chimed in, trying to calm down both dogs. She had one growling and one whimpering. Stroking Duke's soft brown fur, the young woman reassured the Newfoundland mix, "It's okay big guy, Maxie won't hurt." She then gave him a gentle nudge towards the Jack Russell terrier. By now, Max wasn't growling anymore but he was on high alert now. Watching as Duke came closer for a sniff, the small dog was quaking in anger until finally he felt that was enough of his personal space being invaded. Baring his teeth, he let out a sharp bark. Taking a step back, Duke leaned forward and gave Max a big lick to the face.

"Aww, see? He likes you," Katie remarked, trying to sound reassuring as Max sat there looking traumatized.

———

"Here you go," Katie spoke softly, laying an old blanket on the floor. She patted it as an invitation for Duke. Watching from his very own basket, Max tensed when the bigger dog came closer. But he wasn't heading for the blanket, he was making a beeline for the basket. Standing up with stiff legs, Max growled. That sent the message as Duke corrected himself and laid down on the blanket. Glaring at the mutt as he settled back down in his bed, Max lightened up when Katie came over.

"Love you Maxie," Katie stated, gently ruffling the top of the Jack Russell terrier's head playfully. Smiling happily, Max wagged his tail. The good mood was dashed away though when she went over to Duke and gave him a kiss on the nose. "I love you too Duke," she declared, patting the mutt on the head. The mutt gazed up at her with delight. Seeing this, Max turned his head away. He couldn't bear to watch anymore. Glancing up as Katie walked by to the hallway, he listened quietly as she called out, "Good night boys." And with that, she disappeared. Sighing softly, Max closed his eyes.

"Hey, little guy," a voice whispered hoarsely. His ears perking up in interest, Max was able to figure out it was Duke trying to speak with him. Groaning, the Jack Russell terrier squeezed his eyes shut tighter. He did not want to converse with this stranger. However, the mutt was not gonna be ignored tonight. Tapping the smaller dog on the back, Duke repeated, "Hey! Little guy!"

"Leave me alone," Max muttered through clenched teeth. He kept ignoring the other dog. Sitting up on the blanket, Duke tapped Max on the back again as he pointed out, "I can't sleep, I can feel the floor through the blanket." His eyes still closed, Max grumbled, "Not my problem. Be grateful you have the old blanket. After all, you're an old blanket kind of a dog, it suits you."

"Could we trade for tonight, or perhaps every other night? Tonight I get the bed, then you can have it tomorrow night," Duke suggested. Looking around, he added, "If it helps, the one who doesn't get the bed could always sleep on the couch if the floor is that uncomfortable-"

"Listen here Duke, and listen closely," Max snarled, finally lifting his head. Glaring at the larger canine, the small dog growled, "This is my house, Katie is my owner. Anything of mine is not yours. You are not staying here, you're merely a flea who will be gone from my life tomorrow morning. Heck, you can even leave early if you would like. The door is right over there. Good night." Satisfied by the silence that met his words, the terrier curled up in his bed thinking the conversation was over.

Spoiler alert, it wasn't.

Max had no idea what was going on. But he quickly found himself getting sat on by a much larger dog. Gasping for air, he snapped in annoyance, "Hey! Do you mind?!" Having no regrets for his actions, Duke bared his teeth and muttered, "No, not at all. You have said your share of words so now it's my turn. I don't care if you hate me or not, but I need a place to stay. I need THIS place. And if it comes down to you or me, it's gonna be me!" At that last part, he kicked Max out of the basket. Finding his footing, the Jack Russell terrier whirled around only for the mutt to bark right in his face. Yelping, Max rolled over onto his back submissively.

Huffing, Duke laid down in the basket. Snatching the old blanket, he draped it over himself. This left Max with nothing to lay on. There was the couch but in order to get to it was to get around Duke. The mutt had one eye open, staring at the Jack Russell terrier. It was like he was challenging him to try. Feeling defeated, Max padded out to the kitchen with his tail tucked firmly between his legs in shame. Hopefully there was a good sleeping spot in the kitchen.