Sweet's Journey Read Online Free PDF Page A

felt a new urgency and energy. She bounded up the last slope to the crest of a sparsely treed ridge, and gazed out across open country, letting the stiff breeze bring its many scents to her nostrils.
    But there were no dog-scents she could trace. Sweet’s ears lowered in disappointment. There was nothing but the smell of the forest, and the distant reek of the sick river, reaching even as far as this. There was certainly no sign of land she recognized from her Pack’s former camp.
    The longpaws must have taken us far from our home when they caught us , she realized miserably. I’ve no idea where to go from here. I’ve no idea if there’s a home left that’s worth finding .
    A ball of rage swelled in her gut, and Sweet gave in to it. Lifting her narrow head, she gave a furious bark.
    â€œWhy, Sky-Dogs? Why did you do this to us? Earth-Dog, what did we do wrong?”
    Of course there was no answer, only the moan of the wind inthe trees and the heedless song of birds.
    â€œIf I understood, I might feel better!” she howled.
    Silence. Sweet sat back on her haunches, tucking her tail tightly beneath her, and stared out at the distant hills, and the amber glow of the drowsy Sun-Dog as he settled for the night.
    If I wasn’t alone, it wouldn’t be so bad. Lucky, why did you have to be so stubborn?
    She missed the City Dog more and more, with a deep keen ache. It was odd, when she’d known him for such a short time, but he’d been strong when she needed him. And clever, and funny, and kind.
    And stupid! With all his Lone Dog nonsense!
    She gave a sharp bark of irritation, then a soft unhappy whine; then at last she got to her paws and shook herself. Whatever she thought of Lucky’s foolish notions, she had to follow his example. She was a Lone Dog for now, whether she wanted to be or not. So it was time to be strong, and look after herself.
    The Moon-Dog was rising, clearer now that the Sun-Dog’s light was dying, and the sky ahead was darkest blue. I need to get going. I’ll survive this, all of it .
    But where will I go?
    The Moon-Dog’s eye was full and round and white, hugeagainst the twinkling stars. Sweet took a breath suddenly, cocking an ear, straining to listen.
    Yes. Drifting on the light wind from far away, rising and falling, she could hear the echoing voices of a Pack singing to the Moon-Dog. A Great Howl , she thought, and longing tugged at her heart.
    She remembered her own Pack’s Howls, that sense of being one despite their petty daytime squabbles, the strong blood call of kinship and loyalty. She remembered how the real world seemed to fall away as they lifted their voices to the night, how she could sense the Wind-Dogs racing between them all, dodging and flying and howling with joy. She’d felt as if she herself was running, too, though she sat motionless among her friends, as if the Wind-Dogs were as one with all of them. Was that how other dogs felt? I want to Howl again , she thought. I want to be one with a Pack. . . .
    The eerie distant howling thrilled into her blood, filling her with a new determination. She thought she recognized one of those voices, or perhaps two. That deep intent baying; was it Fiery? And that wild cry that spoke of wilderness and loss . . . Yes , thought Sweet. It was the half wolf and his Pack; she was sure of it.
    I told them I wouldn’t return, but I also said I wouldn’t be a burden. And I won’t! I’ll earn my way into their Pack .
    A little way down the slope, a rustling in the grass made her ears prick forward, and her body tensed. A rabbit! She licked her chops as saliva pooled in her mouth.
    No dog could easily catch a rabbit alone. No ordinary dog. So no Alpha could fail to be impressed by a dog who could. Rabbits were so quick, so nimble, so very much faster than dogs. . . .
    But not as fast as me .
    The night was paling into dawn again by the time Sweet padded back into