He’s changed his mind!

Mickey stepped forward, dropping his glove to lick Lucky’s muzzle. Then he turned to Martha and Daisy and did the same.

Little Sunshine yipped, bounding out from beneath the rocky overhang.

Mickey lowered his head and licked her white ears. “I hadn’t forgotten you,” he murmured.

Lucky’s tail sank. “You’re still going?”

Mickey turned to him. “I have to.”

This time Lucky didn’t try to stop him. He stood between Martha and Daisy, watching as Mickey picked up his glove and turned away from them one more time.

The last time, Lucky thought, sadness like a claw lodged in his flesh.

The Farm Dog’s outline soon merged with the creeping darkness. Several of the Leashed Dogs stood a while longer, but Lucky returned to the camp beneath the rocks and sank to the floor, listening to his friend’s retreating pawsteps. The crunch of stones on the rocky path disappeared as Mickey scrambled up the rock shaft. Then there was only the rippling water on the lake and the wind in the cool night air.

CHAPTER FOUR

Dogs snarled and spat at one another, tearing at one another’s throats under a boiling black sky.

But this was no honest battle of Pack versus Pack. Litter-siblings had turned against one another. Dogs who had fought side by side bit and clawed indiscriminately at their comrades.

Is this the Storm of Dogs? When Packs tear themselves apart?

Lucky barked desperately, pleading with the shadowy dogs to cease their battle.

We must stick together!

But the fighting went on and on, until the field was soaked in the blood of friend and enemy alike. . . .

Lucky’s eyes flicked open and his ears pricked up as he awoke to the sound of angry growls. Looking around, it took him a moment to remember where he was. The Sun-Dog was rising behind the valley and touching the lake in the distance with shimmers of light.

Beneath the rocks it was shadowy and cool. Most of the dogs were still sleeping, curled up close to one another for warmth. Lucky got to his paws with a yawn and stretched. He felt stiff and tired. His head and hind leg still ached from the clash with the foxes.

Then he heard a growl. Just beyond the rocks he saw Bella and Sweet. He couldn’t make out exactly what they were saying but by their postures he knew that their peace had been short-lived. He stepped warily around the sleeping dogs and out into the low light of sunup.

Sweet was snarling at Bella as Lucky approached. “Your Pack has brought us nothing but trouble since the moment you arrived in our territory. You’d better get out of here before everything falls to pieces!”