Bruno took a deep breath. “The truth is that my fears got the better of me. I never used to be scared of anything. I was the toughest dog on the street! Now I can’t sleep at night for fear that a fight will break out in the Pack. Even the light of the Sun-Dog doesn’t make me feel safe. You never know what’s out there, what’s watching from behind the branches. Now I’m scared of everything.”

Bruno’s eyes flicked across the trees and he started to shiver, even though it wasn’t cold. “I guess I wanted to fit in. When Alpha asked for help . . . I didn’t think to refuse. There was something about him that just made me want to do whatever he said, for the good of the Pack. He promoted me to hunter after you’d gone—said a loyal, tough dog like me was wasted on patrol. I should’ve been celebrating, but every time I’ve gone out to catch prey I’ve just felt guilty.” He gazed down his snout, as though talking to the earth. “Please, Lucky. You know I’m not a bad dog, really.”

Lucky turned to face Bruno, his anger melting away. “I know you’re not,” he said.

Bruno looked up at him with big, sad eyes. His bushy tail gave a hesitant thump. “You forgive me?”

Lucky sighed. “I guess so. . . .”

Bruno climbed to his paws. He panted happily, his tail beating the air.

Lucky relaxed his stance, but inside he felt a wrinkle of unease. He gazed up at the branches overhead.

If even kind dogs like Bruno can turn on their friends, what hope does the Pack have of nurturing Fierce Dog pups?

He shook himself. “Do you need help hunting?”

Bruno’s tail thrashed happily. “I thought you’d never ask!” he yelped, approaching shyly but falling short of touching noses.

“You realize that I’m the Omega?” said Lucky, throwing him a sideways look.

“That’s just a title,” said Bruno quickly. “That’s not who you are. I know what you’re capable of, Lucky.”

Lucky lifted his muzzle and took a deep sniff. He could smell the damp earth, the clean river water, the heat of dogs back at the shelter, even the hint of pine trees on the other side of the camp. There were small animals too, but none close enough to catch.

“Come on,” Lucky said. “Let’s go searching.”

The two of them strayed farther into the forest. Soon Lucky picked up the scent of prey. He dropped his snout, nosing through a pile of fallen leaves and identifying some tracks.

Bruno sidled up to him. “Lucky, do you think that scent is . . . a bit strange?”