Lucky took a last careful sniff at the rocks under a sandy bank, then leaped up it to join Twitch and follow him into the next stretch of woodland. “Moon would usually lead this patrol, is that right?” he asked. Alpha had said that Moon wasn’t patrolling because she was caring for her pups, and the respect the other dogs treated her with made Lucky think the Mother-Dog must be higher in the Pack hierarchy than Twitch or Dart.

“Yes,” Twitch replied. “When she’s on patrol, nothing escapes her. She could be a hunter, but she’s so good at tracking and scenting—the best in the Pack.” Twitch’s voice held an awe and respect that told Lucky a lot about Moon’s status. “But of course she’s nursing her pups now—hers and Fiery’s. They are such strong dogs, that pair, and so experienced. They’ve been running with Alpha for a very long time.”

Lucky tilted his head as he walked beside Twitch. “And has Sweet—Beta—been with him a long time too?” He was very curious to learn what had happened to his friend since he’d known her in the city. . . .

“Beta? No. She’s the newest member of the Pack!” If possible Twitch’s eyes grew even bigger and rounder. “She joined maybe half a Moon-Dog journey after the Big Growl. But she is so fast, and clever—and ruthless. She became Beta very quickly!”

“That’s . . . impressive,” said Lucky, feeling a strange twist of pain deep in his belly.

“Enough,” said Twitch, putting his paws up against a tree and sniffing thoroughly at a hole in the trunk. “It’s really important we check the boundary just the way Moon would, or she’ll have something to say to us about it later.”

Lucky cocked his head thoughtfully. But how would Moon know if you had done your job well or not? Is she really so terrifying that you think she can see you from back at the camp? You are so afraid of Moon and Fiery and Alpha—and Sweet—you don’t dare do anything even the tiniest bit different. . . .

The tree shadows had shortened since they had set out. Lucky followed carefully in Dart’s and Twitch’s tracks, but as he sniffed and peered, he noticed that they were following old paw prints. When the other two stopped to scent-mark, a stale, similar odor was easily detectable in the same place. As his nostrils flared, Lucky tasted the same scents on his tongue, but even older.

They’re following the same tracks they follow every day, Lucky thought, astonished. The same routine, every time. This is crazy! When Dart glanced up anxiously at the Sun-Dog and yapped, “sun-high,” they turned back toward camp as if ordered by an invisible Pack leader.

Now their route took them deeper into the forest, where there were hollows and hillocks and thick scrub to check and double-check, and Lucky had time to think. He doubted that Moon would approve if she knew how slavishly these two followed her old example. Any strange dog who watched the patrol for two or three Sun-Dog journeys would notice the pattern and know how to avoid it.