“I don’t wish to talk about it,” Alpha growled. “Especially not with you, City Dog!” He tossed his head. “Why do you have so much faith in these pups? Everyone knows they’re killers.”

“I have faith in the Pack,” Lucky told him. “With the right support, even young Fierce Dogs can learn to be good. Look how well they’re responding to Daisy.”

“I’m impressed that you think so highly of the Pack,” said Alpha, relaxing onto his side. “But the truth is, a dog never changes. I’ve been around long enough to know that. Look at you—you’re a Lone Dog; it’s in your blood.”

Lucky grew cold and his hackles started rising. He took a deep breath and fought the impulse to snarl back at Alpha.

The dog-wolf went on: “Your Lone Dog nature will always get the better of you. First you joined the Leashed Dogs, then the Wild Pack. Now you have taken it upon yourself to foster the Fierce Dogs. I doubt your commitment will last. I’ll wake up one morning to discover you’ve deserted the Pack, including your precious Fierce Dogs. We’ll be left to pick up the pieces.” He stared at Lucky as if silently inviting him to rise to the goading—to fight back.

I won’t give him the satisfaction, Lucky thought, turning his face away and trying to hide the disgusted curl of his lip.

There was no point trying to reason with this half wolf.

Alpha yawned again. “The problem with you, Lucky, is that—”

Crash!

The sound of branches breaking had both dogs leaping to their paws, their ears pricking and bodies tensing. Beyond some nearby pines, the thump of heavy, lumbering paws rose through the dusty soil. Hackles up, Lucky watched as a dark mass shifted between the trees. From the noise it was making, and the snatches of movement, he knew it had to be huge. He sniffed, catching its thick, musty scent. He heard another crash as whatever it was shoved more branches aside. Spraying the air with pine needles, the thing burst out from the tree cover and stumbled onto the rock plane.

The beast was many times larger than the biggest dog Lucky had ever seen. Its fur was black, thick, and shaggy and it thumped its paws as it moved. Its body was broad and tailless. A giant head was covered in the same shaggy, black fur, with round ears, small, angry eyes, and a snout the color of scorched earth.

Fear shuddered through Lucky’s body. “What is it?” he gasped. He could barely breathe.

Alpha was frozen to the spot, his eyes wild. “A giantfur! They live in forests and hunt alone. They are stronger than the fiercest dogs. Even wolves are scared of them!”

Thankfully the beast had not noticed Lucky and Alpha. He turned with lumbering strides, moving toward the white ridge.