“I am sorry that I brought the foxes to your camp. It was unwise, and it was stupid of me.” Her tail fell limp behind her. “I was duped into believing that foxes would act honorably. It was a mistake I will never make again. Truthfully, we wanted only to share in what you have here. We didn’t intend to harm your Pack.”

Alpha growled at this, his ears erect and his upper lip peeling back to reveal his fangs.

Lucky watched in astonishment as Bella lowered herself onto the ground submissively. With a whine she rolled to expose her belly. “I make you a solemn promise, Alpha, on behalf of my Pack. If you let us stay, the Leashed Dogs will serve you faithfully. We will obey your commands and fight alongside you, making your Pack even more formidable. We are better hunters than we look and we are keen to help with the tasks of the Pack. All we ask is to share in your food and water, and that you spare Lucky. He meant you no harm. He didn’t know our plans; I swear it. And he did his very best to defend the pups when the foxes attacked; the Mother-Dog said so.” Bella looked briefly at Moon, then lowered her muzzle.

Moon whined her agreement. Guarding the two remaining pups, Fiery licked their heads as they leaned against his forelegs.

Lucky’s heart swelled in his ribs, his anger draining away. He knew what it had cost Bella to surrender to Alpha in front of both Packs. He was sure that the last thing she wanted was to serve the ruthless half wolf. She was doing it to provide for her Pack—and to save Lucky’s skin.

She hasn’t deserted me.

He remembered her as a puppy, when she was still known as Squeak, bright, bossy, curious, and loyal—she had always been loyal.

Alpha shook his shaggy gray fur and scratched a large, pointed ear with a ragged claw. He was looking around at his Pack, gauging their reaction to Bella’s submissive speech. Dart’s hackles were still raised, but Twitch and Spring seemed more relaxed, and Snap’s tongue was lolling from her jaws in a grin. Whine turned away while Moon and Fiery stood tall and gazed back at their leader.

Lucky held his breath, waiting for Alpha’s verdict.

“I am willing to let you join us,” the dog-wolf said at last, “but you will take low positions. You will be trained as Patrol Dogs and given the most tiring routines. If you believe you are capable of joining the more prestigious hunting group, you will have to earn that right through hard work and honorable combat. Those are the rules of my Pack.”