Lucky’s heart sank. He supposed he should have known after Mickey’s and Daisy’s reaction to the pups, but he’d hoped for more from his old Packmates. These dogs lived through the Big Growl—and they’re scared of three tiny pups?

Snap dropped to her haunches, her ears pressed back and her lips quivering. She was usually so easygoing. Lucky stepped around the pups, standing side-on to the hunting dog—he did not like the look on her face. Grunt sniffed in Snap’s direction and scowled. Lucky wondered if he had sensed the hostility rising from her fur.

“What were you thinking, foolish City Dog?” Alpha rasped. “Is this how you take your revenge on me—by bringing evil, vicious creatures to our camp?”

Lick whimpered and Lucky could not contain his snarl. “They’re just pups! Their Mother-Dog is dead, and their Pack left them in their lair to die.”

“Where is their lair?” whined Dart, her shoulders trembling.

“Far away, back through the forest toward the city,” Lucky assured her.

“What if you were followed?” asked Bella. They were the first words that she had spoken to Lucky.

Mickey replied before Lucky could. “We were not followed. The Fierce Dogs had left their camp, and the pups were starving to death. Lucky’s right; we could not have left them.”

Alpha eyed the pups with wary, narrowed yellow eyes. “They may be small now,” he snarled, “but they will grow into Fierce Dogs soon enough. Nasty, wicked creatures.”

Wiggle yipped and pressed himself against Lucky’s flank as Lick and Grunt watched, their short tails low.

“They don’t have to grow up that way,” Lucky countered. “No dog is born vicious. Just like I wasn’t born streetwise. The Fierce Dogs are taught to be aggressive . . . their lives make them what they are.” He looked around the circle of dogs, meeting suspicious expressions. “Alpha, you’re half wolf, aren’t you? Yet you lead a Pack of dogs.” Lucky knew he was treading a dangerous line.

Lick lifted her muzzle to Lucky’s ear. “Why don’t they like us?” she murmured.

He met her bewildered gaze. “They’re confused,” he murmured. “They think you’re something you’re not.” He knew this wouldn’t make much sense to the pup, but he did not know what else he could say. Mickey had taken a step closer to Grunt, who was still looking defiant despite his lowered tail.

Alpha ignored Mickey and the pups. “What does my bloodline have to do with it?” he rasped. “I may be half wolf but I’m also half dog, and I know how to lead my Pack!”