The long grass parted at Blade’s sides and more black-and-brown faces appeared, the dogs standing in formation along the edge of the pine trees. All the Fierce Dogs are here!

Dart was the first to cry out. “We’re under attack!”

Panic erupted in the meadow. Whine howled with fear, backing into Bruno. Bruno smacked into Snap, who leaped into the air with a volley of high-pitched barks. Only Sweet moved protectively to the front of the Pack, but Lucky could see her flank heaving with tension as she howled:

“Take position!”

Lucky shivered. The Fierce Dogs formed a neat group behind Blade, three to a row, their pointed ears perfectly aligned. That was a Fierce Dog trick through and through.

The Pack all looked toward Alpha, waiting for his order. Alpha hesitated as if he was just as unnerved by Blade’s display of discipline as Lucky.

Bella charged forward, her lips pulled back into a defiant snarl. “You heard her!” she barked. “Form a line! Let Alpha and Beta through, and protect the pups!”

Lucky’s heart swelled as the Pack scrambled into a loose group in front of the three pups. But Bruno and Whine were frenzied with fear and didn’t listen; they spun around chaotically, yelping. Their panic was catching and Spring pawed back and forth on the spot while Sunshine trembled beside her. Alpha started moving toward Sweet, but froze when his yellow eyes fell on Blade. Lucky caught the flash of panic on his wolfish face. Is he going to fall apart, like he did when the black cloud appeared?

“Dogs! Group!” boomed Blade in her powerful voice. The Fierce Dogs responded immediately, flowing around her and spilling down from the trees to the meadow.

“We have to defend the camp!” Bella howled, bravely holding her position alongside Sweet at the front of the Pack.

“We won’t be defeated!” Sweet barked.

Lucky watched as the Fierce Dogs marched across the meadow. Their square faces were set, but their mouths were closed. He remembered how disciplined the dogs had been in their attack at the Dog-Garden, when they had caught the Leashed Dogs unknowingly stealing their food. If they were going to fight out in the open now, Lucky knew it was no good for his Pack to be running around, panicked.

They needed to gather their wits—and fast.

Alpha rose to his full height, his yellow eyes meeting Lucky’s. He’ll hold me responsible for this, thought Lucky. I brought the pups to the camp, I convinced Mickey to help me . . .

“Pack! Be still!” Alpha commanded in a wolfish howl. Martha trod over Daisy, who yipped, twisted, and bumped against Moon, but the panic in their eyes subsided a little.