“He’s one of them. One of the Leashed Pack.” Whine gave a bark of angry excitement. “He’s been spying for them all along!”

Silence. Lucky’s tongue felt thick and unwieldy in his jaws, and his coat prickled all over with icy fear. Bella’s friends watched him with horror, giving him away just by their aghast expressions. The Wild Pack were all turning to him, one by one, their shock and disbelief plain.

Sweet bounded an abrupt pace forward, swinging a paw across Whine’s face. He squealed, but didn’t back off.

“That isn’t true!” she barked angrily. “You’ll take a beating for that lie, Omega.”

“Stop!” barked Lucky, lunging forward between Sweet and Whine. His jaws opened as he panted for breath. Terror filled him, but he couldn’t let yet another dog suffer for his misdeeds. Not even Whine.

“Lucky?” Sweet sounded bewildered.

“It’s true.” Lucky lowered his head, then jerked it up again to look her in the eyes. He owed her that, while he told her the truth. “He isn’t lying, Sweet. What he says is true.”

Sweet’s eyes were wide and hurt, disbelieving. “No!”

“Yes. Sweet, I’m so sorry. I never meant for it to go this far. I . . . I wanted to belong here too.”

She stared at him in silence for moments that seemed like days. Behind her, Alpha was ominously still.

Sweet’s throat sounded tight. “You couldn’t . . . You wouldn’t . . .”

“Yes, Sweet. I did. I’m sorry.”

“But you’re one of us now,” Sweet barked suddenly. “Even if it is true, you’re . . .” She broke off and slammed her jaws shut.

Lucky opened his jaws. There was so much in her eyes: anger, hurt, fear, betrayal. A plea for him to say what she wanted him to say.

Lucky swung around to look at Alpha, and then at Bella. Glancing at the other dogs in the circle, he caught sight of Whine’s smug scowl, and Snap’s bewilderment, and Fiery’s gruff challenge. Daisy and Sunshine were trembling. He could smell the tension in the air, sense the raising of hairs and the racing of blood.

Time to choose, Lucky. Time to choose where your loyalties lie.

Then the great dog-wolf paced forward toward him, and Lucky stood to meet him, shaking.

Perhaps there was no choice for him to make at all.

Perhaps it was only time to die.

Lucky froze, his legs trembling. Silence fell over the circle of dogs.

Alpha’s broad, wolfish face was unreadable. He drew himself up on his rock, towering over the two Packs. By his side on the grass was Sweet, the beautiful swift-dog, staring at Lucky. Lucky could scarcely look at her.

Little snub-nosed Whine’s tongue lolled and his jaws gaped. “You see, I was right! The City Dog was spying for the Leashed Dogs. He met with that one, the one who looks like him!” Whine turned to Bella, who glared until he cringed and cowered. “I saw them. . . .” The little dog’s words trailed off.