“We can’t wait for everyone,” Damian growled. “Let’s begin.”

His triangular ears cast an eerie shadow on the alleyway. Surrounded by the other neighborhood pets, his aura was demanding, dark. No one dared speak against him or out of turn.

“My owner replaced my food this week with something … healthier,” he said, eyeing a poodle in the front row. “I know that happened to you too, last week, Morris.”

Morris shook their head. “It did, and it’s making me languid.”

“We need to fight against this,” Damian said, his collar vibrating. “We need to treat them as they treat us.”

Cats screeched; dogs barked. They agreed.

“Tonight, when you go home, prepare your claws. Strike your owners. Then flee back here. We can discuss next steps after. The takeover.”

Damian turned with a snarl.