Still, he had a feeling that comfort was not the only advantage of this camp. On most of its edges it was hemmed in by thick thorn scrub that would be impossible for any large animal to penetrate without giving themselves away. Even Daisy would struggle to make her way through this dangerous undergrowth. Lucky would have liked to stand at Sweet’s side, but he respectfully held back by her flank, constantly aware of the three smaller dogs at his rear who blocked his escape route. One of the shafts of sunlight fell onto a large flat rock near the center of the clearing, warming the hide of the huge sleeping dog-wolf. Of course the most prominent part of the camp, and the warmest, had been reserved for the ferocious Alpha.

Lucky held his breath, while Sweet casually swished her tail. Three more dogs had come forward to greet her, and to sniff suspiciously at him. One was the huge black dog he remembered from the fight, almost as big as Martha but without her gentle face. The others were a tan-and-white smaller dog and a long-eared, shaggy-furred black dog with soulful eyes but a nasty expression.

“Who is this?” growled the big dog, snuffing the air. “Don’t tell me it’s another of those pathetic Leashed Dogs.”

Lucky bristled at the insult but he stayed quiet. The Forest-Dog would think him stupid, and unworthy of protection, if he lost his temper in this situation. But he wasn’t going to cringe. If he showed too much submission, a dog as arrogant and powerful as this might simply kill him for fun.

Sweet was not intimidated, even though the black dog was nearly twice her size. She gave him an imperious twist of her muzzle. “He’s with me, Fiery. Do you have a problem with that? If so, we can take it up with Alpha.”

The huge dog glowered, but he clearly did not want to take his argument to Alpha. Before he could say anything, the nearby undergrowth rustled.

Lucky flinched aside as a female black-and-white Farm Dog—not unlike Mickey—poked her nose out of the scrub. “What’s the commotion? My pups are trying to sleep.”

“I’m sorry, Moon.” The old softness was back in Sweet’s voice as she lowered her nose to the Mother-Dog’s. “Go back to your pups. We’ll try to be quiet.”

“I’m sorry, too, Moon.” It shocked Lucky to hear the massive Fiery apologize so meekly. Clearly the Mother-Dog commanded a lot of respect around here.

“Well, since I’m here . . .” Moon stretched out her forepaws, and Lucky caught the scent of warm milk and squirming pups. “I’m very hungry; the pups are growing fast. Someone get me some food, please.”

Instantly Sweet turned and barked toward a little dog skulking at the edge of the clearing. “Omega! Bring food for Moon at once!”

Nervously the small dog trotted out of the shadows; he was a stocky, oddly shaped creature with tiny ears and a wrinkled face. His beady black eyes were suspicious as he paused to stare at Lucky. Something about his sly expression gave Lucky a ripple of unease in his bones.