How did he get to be a hunter? I can’t imagine he’s caught much prey, thought Lucky. He quickened his pace. Can’t he just leave me alone? Like it isn’t bad enough being Omega; he has to rub my nose in it!

“Lucky! Slow down!” Bruno was wheezing.

Lucky paused, his fur itching as he pawed the ground. A few days of being called Omega had been enough for it to stop stinging—but now he almost resented Bruno using his real name. You wouldn’t call me Lucky if Alpha were nearby. . . .

“It’s so hard, hunting out here,” Bruno whined. “Fiery decided we should split up to sniff out small prey, but I’ve been searching for ages and I haven’t caught so much as a mouse.”

Lucky grunted, looking back over his shoulder, but instead of meeting Bruno’s eye he scanned the surrounding forest. It was growing dark. He would have to hurry up with the bedding to avoid giving Alpha something to hold against him. From the corner of his eye, he saw Bruno dip his head.

“I’m sorry, Lucky,” he said. “I should never have helped trap you like that. I honestly don’t know what came over me. I don’t blame you for being angry.”

The older dog sounded so forlorn that Lucky felt a stab of pity. Then he remembered how Bruno had thrown him down at Alpha’s command.

If the black cloud had not appeared, I would have been scarred forever!

Lucky turned on Bruno angrily. “What were you thinking? You acted like a fox, or a sharpclaw. Sneaking up and attacking like that is not a dog’s style. Where’s your sense of honor? And after everything we’ve been through!”

Bruno’s nose sank to the forest floor. “You’re right,” he whimpered. “I’m so sorry. I was scared . . . scared of Alpha and the whole situation. I couldn’t believe what happened with the foxes—everything got out of control so quickly. I thought being part of a Pack would make me feel safe. . . .” His ears drooped. “Lucky, do you remember when I drank the bad water and got sick?”

“Of course I remember!” snapped Lucky. “It was me who saved you. Do you remember that, Bruno?”

The other dog flopped onto his belly with a whimper. “I do. And I haven’t forgotten. My point is, I didn’t know water could hurt you. Even things that used to be harmless have been turned dangerous by the Big Growl. I thought I was coping with all the changes, adapting to life in the Leashed Pack. But . . .” He trailed off in a pitiful whine. Lucky could see this wasn’t easy for him.