Storm of Dogs Read Online Free PDF Page A

no dog but myself.
    He belonged with this Pack now, and he felt a warm, comfortable certainty about his place at Sweet’s side. But could he really have gone from a Lone Dog to a high-ranking Pack Dog in such a short time?
    Am I really ready for this?
    As the sky darkened, Lucky padded over to the den he shared with Sweet. The swift-dog was out with the others, searching for offerings for the Spirit Dogs. Lucky settled onto the bedding of moss and leaves with a long yawn.
    Bella appeared at the entrance to the den, panting with amusement. “All the stress about the ceremony tiring you out, Yap?”
    Lucky’s fur bristled with irritation. “The ceremony doesn’t bother me,” he said gruffly. “It’sthe responsibility that comes with being Beta.”
    Bella sat on the bedding with a snort. “You’re practically Sweet’s Beta already—nothing will change after the ceremony. Anyway, it’s the perfect role for you.” There was a playful glint in her eye.
    â€œWhat do you mean by that?”
    â€œWell, this way you get to tell the other dogs what to do, without being the one who every dog looks to for answers.” She leaned over and nudged him affectionately.
    â€œWhat nonsense!” yapped Lucky, nipping his litter-sister’s ear. She gave him a good-natured lick, and he relaxed against the bedding, panting.
    Bella’s face became more serious. “I’ve been watching Sweet grow into her role. I know I challenged her for it, but I have to admit she makes a good Alpha, and the two of you make a good team. Having both of you in charge has given the Pack a lot of confidence—the dogs are happier than they used to be. So why not make it official?”
    Lucky looked at her gratefully, feeling truly close to her for the first time since they’d joined the Wild Pack.
    After Bella left to find her offering, Lucky nestled down and went to sleep. His dreams were peaceful. He saw a long, murmuring stream winding through a valley. The light was golden and the air was warm. Small flowers dotted the grassy bank, and the branches of a tree shifted in the wind, one low-hanging branch tapping him on the flank. The wind picked up and the tapping grew more insistent. No. That wasn’t tapping. It felt like . . . a muzzle.
    Lucky’s eyes snapped open. Sweet was butting his ribs with her wet nose. The light of the Moon-Dog was weak inside the den, and he could barely see her.
    â€œFinally!” Sweet drew back her head. “I’ve been trying to wake you for ages!”
    Lucky rolled onto his paws, shaking away his sleepiness. “What’s wrong? Is there trouble?”
    Sweet shook her head. “The camp is safe. I need you to follow me quietly.”
    The two dogs stepped out of the den and crept around their sleeping Packmates. Moon sat with her back to them at the edge of camp, watching for danger. Mickey and Snap werecurled up beneath a low bush, and a short distance away old Bruno was stretched out by himself, snoring loudly. A twig snapped under Lucky’s paw, and Bruno’s lip twitched but he didn’t wake up.
    Lucky watched Sweet’s long legs step lightly over the cool grass as they left the camp for the circle of trees. He wanted to ask her what they were doing, but somehow he knew not to. She was walking with purpose, kicking aside foliage. I guess I’ll find out what’s going on soon enough.
    When they reached the pond between the trees, Sweet finally stopped. The air was damp and smelled of the Earth-Dog, as it did after heavy rain, but the sky was cloudless and illuminated with a silvery light. The Moon-Dog flicked her tail over the surface of the pond and the water shimmered, rippling slowly. Would it also turn to ice, just as the stream had grown cold and hard?
    Sweet stood gazing into the water, and Lucky joined her. Their reflections appeared faintly on the surface.
    The swift-dog spoke without