Storm of Dogs Read Online Free PDF Page B

his fur. Alpha . . .
    Had Sweet gone through the same ritual, when she became the Pack’s Beta . . . when she had sworn her loyalty to the half wolf? Lucky’s eyes trailed over Sweet’s long neck. The short fur looked smooth and velvety in the light of the Moon-Dog. But was there a mark underneath it, a sign that no other dog could see—that only Sweet and the Pack’s former leader knew about?
    Jealousy pricked at Lucky’s whiskers. He could hardly stand to think of his mate so close to the dog-wolf.
    Sweet gazed at him unblinking. “You have accepted your role as my Beta. In turn, as your Alpha, I promise by the Moon-Dog to always be honorable, honest, and courageous. I will reward your loyalty by always protecting you.” She lowered her muzzle but held his gaze. “If I ever break this promise, or I’m no longer Alpha, the connection between us will be broken. And if it is broken because I do something wrong—because I fail you as your Alpha—it can never be repaired.” Lucky caught a glimmer of anger in Sweet’s brown eyes. Was she thinking of the dog-wolf’s treachery?
    He took a step toward her and she licked his nose, her eyes softening.
    â€œNow the secret ritual is over,” she murmured. “With the Moon-Dog as our witness, weare bound together, and together we will lead the Pack.”
    Sweet and Lucky padded back to their den and curled up alongside each other. In moments, the swift-dog was fast asleep, her head resting against Lucky’s side. But Lucky couldn’t sleep. He wondered at the strange events that had brought him here—and his dark dreams, which warned of change to come.
    It seemed an age till the Sun-Dog stretched under a heavy gray sky and Sweet opened her eyes. “How’s your neck?”
    Lucky blinked at her, realizing to his surprise that he could hardly feel the bite. “It’s fine,” he murmured.
    â€œGood. It’s time for the formal ritual.” She licked his ears and led him out of the den.
    This time the rest of the Pack joined them in the clearing before the trees. They formed a loose circle around Lucky, placing their individual offerings between their forepaws.
    Lucky looked from the reassuring face of Martha to Daisy, Snap, Dart, and Storm. His eyes trailed across the rest of the Pack, over to Moon and her pups. He shifted from paw to paw, feeling strange. He wasn’t used to rituals beneath the light of the Sun-Dog, and he felt awkward sitting alone with his Packmates staring at him.
    Standing between Bella and Mickey, Sweet raised her muzzle. “My chosen Beta stands before the Pack. Make your offerings.”
    Bright-eyed Snap was the first to step forward. She placed her gift in front of Lucky—the bones of a small creature, recently caught and killed. Small lumps of red gristle still clung to the curving ribs. Lucky sniffed the offering, then looked up at Snap. As their eyes met, she spoke solemnly.
    â€œI bring you this gift so that you will lead successful hunts and make sure that the Pack never goes hungry.” She reached forward to touch his nose, then stepped back to rejoin the ring of dogs.
    Martha was the next to step into the circle. She laid a bright-yellow stone in front of him. He recognized it as one of the pebbles from the bank of the pond. She had probably gone to collect it with Sunshine, who was proudly clutching a white water stone in her mouth.“This stone was particularly clear and smooth,” said the great black dog in her deep, gentle voice. “I bring you this gift so that, as the River-Dog softens the hard edges of the bank, you will smooth over the cracks and divisions in the Pack to keep us working as one.” She touched his nose, and he closed his eyes. There was something so warm and reassuring about her company. For a moment, Lucky remembered his Mother-Dog.
    My dear pup, the world outside may feel large and dangerous.