A low mist gathered around the branches of the pine trees, drifting down to the meadow and wrapping it in a gray pelt. The Moon-Dog’s light pierced through it, but the stars were invisible in the murky no-sun.

Sitting between the pine trees and staring blankly beyond the camp, Lucky shuddered. The sharp fang of the rising wind caught at his fur. Still he kept watch for the puppies who never arrived. Several times he thought he could make out their shadowy shapes bounding along the lake toward the pines. From the corner of his eye he caught a flash of their glossy coats. His ears twitched at the imagined sound of their excited yaps, the soft crunch of their paws on the earth.

Lucky sighed and sank into the long grass. The pups would be far away by now, settling down for the night with the Fierce Dogs. How would they cope with such a brutal Pack? Even Grunt is more vulnerable than he thinks, and Lick has learned a lot, but she’s still so young.

Then there was poor little Wiggle . . .

The camp had been unusually quiet since the Fierce Dogs had left. Mickey had gone to find Martha, who sat despondently by the pup den. Fiery had led a hunting party; Spring, Dart, and Daisy had gone on patrol. They had eaten early, barely exchanging words as the food had been distributed by rank, as was the Wild Dogs’ custom. Then Alpha had retreated to the cave. No one had mentioned the Great Howl and Lucky was secretly relieved. I know it could help to make the Pack feel more whole again. But I’m not ready to share something like that with these dogs, not yet—not after they allowed the Fierce Dogs to take the pups away. Lucky thought bitterly of how panic had broken out among the Wild Pack—while the Fierce Dogs remained calm and regimented.

We let the pups down. . . .

He scented Sweet before he saw her. She had climbed the hill to the pine trees and appeared beside him, ghostly in the mist. Lucky felt a twinge in his chest, a confused emotion that he couldn’t place. He kept his gaze focused on the woods in the distance.

Sweet trod lightly and crouched beside him. “I guess you’ll be off again soon.”