Dedication

Special thanks to Inbali Iserles

For Isabella Maya

Map

PACK LIST

LEASHED DOGS

BELLA—gold-and-white thick-furred female, Lucky’s littermate (sheltie-retriever mix)

DAISY—small white-furred female with a brown tail (Westie/Jack Russell mix)

MICKEY—sleek black-and-white Farm Dog (Border Collie)

MARTHA—giant thick-furred black female with a broad head (Newfoundland)

BRUNO—large thick-furred brown male Fight Dog with a hard face (German Shepherd/Chow mix)

SUNSHINE—small female with long white fur (Maltese)

WILD PACK (IN ORDER OF RANK)

ALPHA:

huge half wolf with gray-and-white fur and yellow eyes

BETA:

small swift-dog with short gray fur (also known as Sweet)

HUNTERS:

FIERY—massive brown male with long ears and shaggy fur

LUCKY—gold-and-white thick-furred male

SNAP—small female with tan-and-white fur

SPRING—tan female hunt-dog with black patches

PATROL DOGS:

MOON—black-and-white female Farm Dog (mother to Squirm, a male black-and-white pup; and Nose, a female black pup)

DART—lean brown-and-white female chase-dog

TWITCH—tan chase-dog with black patches and a lame foot

WHINE—small, black, oddly shaped dog with tiny ears and a wrinkled face

LONE DOGS

OLD HUNTER—big and stocky male with a blunt muzzle

PROLOGUE

The air split with a piercing crack and thunder growled in the distance. Rain poured from the sky, rushing along the clear-stone in furious streams. Yap buried his face against his Mother-Dog’s belly with a whimper. His litter-sister Squeak pressed next to him, trembling.

“Hush now, pups; there’s nothing to be scared of.” Mother-Dog licked their ears comfortingly.

Yap lifted his muzzle, feeling safer at the sound of her voice. For a moment, he was blinded by another flash of light before everything returned to darkness. His neck fur prickled as his littermates whimpered and curled together for comfort.

Mother-Dog scooped them toward her with one large paw, pinning them down and washing them with confident strokes of her tongue. “I know it sounds frightening, but it’s only a storm. The Sky-Dogs and Lightning are play-fighting. To them, it’s a game.”

Lightning flashed across the sky once more, followed by another rumble of thunder. The churning winds howled overhead. It didn’t sound like a game.

“But won’t they hurt each other?” Yap remembered how Mother-Dog had urged the puppies to play together gently.

“No, they won’t do each other harm. They’re just having fun.” She nuzzled each of the puppies in turn. “The Sky-Dogs were littermates, you see, just like you, and Lightning is their friend. Friends and littermates stick together through thick and thin.”

“But they seem so angry,” Yowl whimpered.

“Are you sure they’re only playing?” added Snip.

“Yes, I am sure,” said Mother-Dog firmly. “Now, my pups, it is time for rest. Soon the Sky-Dogs will sleep too.”

Something in her voice made Yap look into her deep brown eyes as his littermates nestled together, close to the soothing beat of her heart.