Alpha took a step forward, puffed up to his full height. He stood over Lucky with his lips curled back in a snarl. “Need I remind you that your punishment remains outstanding, traitor?”

Lucky glared back at him but didn’t speak. He was so angry that he didn’t trust his voice. They were going to let their protests be pushed aside just like that, after all he’d done for them.

Alpha turned to the rest of his Pack, his voice soft and reasonable. “Considering the ordeal that we have been through, and the fact that Omega acted with some degree of bravery when we left our old camp, I would be prepared to spare him the wounds he deserves, and let him off with simple exile.”

“Alpha’s right. Omega would be better off if he just left.” It was Sweet. She looked at Lucky with her big brown eyes and he sensed her hurt. He blinked back at her, sorry that he had let her down. Could she ever forgive him? And what good would her forgiveness do if he never saw her again? But something in his face must have angered Sweet, and she pulled back her lips. “You betrayed both Packs.” The iciness of her snarl shocked Lucky. “How can any dog expect to be trusted after such dishonesty?”

Lucky flinched, no longer able to meet Sweet’s eye. He turned to Bella instead. It had been her idea to spy on the Wild Pack in the first place—Lucky had just carried it out, thinking he would be finding a way for them all to share prey and territory together. He hadn’t even wanted to do it—but his littermate had insisted it would help the Leashed Dogs.

Bella looked at him with a blank expression. She said nothing.

“Bella?” he yelped, and she dropped her gaze. What was she doing?

The other dogs stood by, staring at their paws. Even little Daisy would not look at Lucky, though she whimpered by his side.

They’re all going to fall into line with Alpha . . . even the Leashed Dogs!

Their abandonment stung Lucky deeply. He would have expected some loyalty from these dogs, after everything they’d been through together. But there was none.

He exchanged a quick glance with Bella. She looked sad, but stern. Then he turned from the dogs without a word, scrambled up the rocks, and began to retrace his way to the forest.

He might discover a road, or another field. He would chase rabbits, drink from streams, find somewhere warm and dry to sleep.

I’ll be free again, he told himself, willing his tail to wag. Instead it drooped behind him.

Freedom was all I ever wanted.

He had thought such things before and meant them, but now the words echoed through his mind. Had he become a dog who yearned for the same things the Leashed Dogs did—company and friendship . . . a Pack?