It was as though she had read Lucky’s thoughts. He looked up, his hackles rising instinctively. The sky was dark blue overhead, the sun sinking low. “It will be dark soon.”

Bella stepped forward. “Then we haven’t a moment to lose.”

The Sun-Dog was diving toward the lake when the Pack arrived at the top of the rocky overhang. Bella and Lucky bounded down the side, skidding on pebbles. The ground was damp, with grainy earth that clung to their fur in wads. Snap followed, scurrying toward the rocks. She barked encouragement at the others, still good-natured despite their long journey.

Then it was Martha’s turn. With surprising grace for a dog her size, she glided down on her webbed paws as though following the course of a stream. Once at the foot of the rocks she shook her fur. The other thicker-built dogs had more trouble—although it wasn’t as bad descending the rocks as it had been climbing the hill, most of them struggled to keep their balance.

Bruno half jumped, half tumbled over the pebbles, his paws scrambling on the grainy earth. Fiery almost lost his grip on Nose, leading to a torrent of anxious barks from Moon, who was waiting for them at the bottom with Squirm. She nudged the puppy away from him with her muzzle, gathering both pups to her protectively.

Lucky turned toward the lake. “The water looks fresh.” He led the dogs to the bank of the lake, where they drank eagerly.

Once they were revived by the cool water, the exhausted dogs retreated to the sheltered area beneath the overhanging rocks. The Pack gathered together, their mood miserable. Lucky’s neck felt stiff and his leg still throbbed, but it was good to take the weight off it at last.

Spring lapped at a gash in her tail. She cast an angry look toward Martha. “That was your work,” she snarled. The water-dog dipped her head submissively and took a place next to Daisy.

While the jagged rock overhead would protect them from the worst of any wind or rain, the shelter was far from comfortable—the earth beneath it was sandy and damp. Twitch limped to the edge of their new camp and slumped to the ground, nursing his injured paw.

“It’s been a difficult journey but this will do for now,” said Sweet, treading over the damp ground.

Spring yelped in frustration. “It would have been easier if we weren’t carrying unnecessary weight.” She cast an accusing eye toward Sunshine and Whine, who stood next to each other. “Those two are too small to hunt or fight. What use are they to the Pack? We should have left them behind. They’re nothing more than a burden.”

“We do not leave any dogs behind!” snapped Sweet. “All dogs have a role.”