Lucky gave a nod, relieved that the Pack’s decision to move had nothing to do with the giant birds. He wondered at how casually Daisy spoke about members of the Wild Pack—like they were old companions. It hasn’t taken her long to adapt to Alpha’s rules, he thought with a twinge of resentment, wondering what he would find when they were finally reunited with the Pack. Had they shared the Great Howl in his absence, weaving Leashed and Wild Dog closer together?

Daisy scratched her ear with a hindpaw. “They all said you were both gone for good, but I knew you would return! I’ve come here a couple of times to check. I couldn’t smell anything until now.” Her happy barks became sad: “Oh, Lucky, I really am so sorry that you left. The Pack is going to be so happy to see you both! Bella, Martha, everyone!”

Lucky looked to the lake. They won’t all be happy that I’m back. His mind strayed to Sweet, and he tried to imagine how she would respond. His chest tightened with sadness as he remembered that angry glimmer in her eyes. Would she ever forgive him?

“Lead the way,” he told Daisy, forcing lightness into his yelp.

The little dog turned on her short legs and began retracing her steps through the long grass, looping around the water. Lucky stood aside so that the pups could go ahead of him with Mickey. Wiggle scampered past, his wagging tail a perfect target for Lick, who nipped at her litter-brother.

Grunt walked just ahead of Lucky, his tail straight behind him, ignoring his littermates. He glanced back once, his expression blank—empty.

A crackle of nerves ran through Lucky’s bones. He wondered how Grunt would handle life in a large, mixed Pack. He doesn’t like being told what to do . . . and he certainly doesn’t enjoy being questioned. If the pup challenged Alpha the way he had stood up to Daisy, there could be serious consequences.

But for who?

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

A row of pines masked the air with their sweet fragrance, but Lucky could already pick out the scents of Pack members as they drew nearer to the riverbank. His tail gave a wag as he realized that Martha was close. It drooped when his nose detected the musky odor of a half wolf. . . .

Alpha.

Daisy pawed the ground, then turned an excited circle. “It’s beyond those trees. You’ll love it! The shelter is really safe and warm; it’s a large cave and there are sharp vines hanging over the entrance to scare off intruders. Oh, Lucky—everyone is going to be so happy to see you!”

Lucky wasn’t so sure about that. But they hadn’t come this far to turn back now. He lowered his head to address the pups: