The Hunter Dogs ate next, led by Fiery, and then the Patrol Dogs. Whine tucked in with his usual abandon, as if he was trying to leave as little as possible for Sunshine and Lucky, the only two dogs lower in the Pack than he was. Lucky hid his annoyance with a yawn. He couldn’t let Whine see that being Omega was getting to him.

By the time Lucky was allowed to eat, the prey pile was almost gone. He swallowed down a last bite of rabbit and a tiny bird that had already been dead when Bruno had found it.

There was no Great Howl tonight—the Moon-Dog’s face was only a dim sliver in the sky. The dogs scattered as they headed for their dens. In the Patrol Dogs’ den, Moon stretched out her legs, forcing Whine to curl up in a dim, damp corner. Lucky saw Bruno sniffing the bedding in the hunters’ den and then panting gratefully across the camp at him. Grunt, Lick, and Wiggle were nestled alongside Martha in the open section of the cave, while Moon and Fiery watched over Nose and Squirm in the pup den.

Lucky shivered in his Omega place near the cave’s entrance. He turned restlessly, thinking about the Fierce Dog pups. It’s not fair to test them, they’re so young. . . . He spotted Sweet’s lean silhouette as she trod lightly between the sleeping dogs. She stood over Lucky, waiting for him to get up and follow her. His stomach tightened.

What did his Beta want in the middle of the night?

He climbed soundlessly to his paws and padded after Sweet. She walked to the far side of the cave, where Daisy was curled up beside Sunshine. Lucky watched, his stomach churning, as Sweet tapped Daisy on the nose.

Why is she waking Daisy? he wondered.

Daisy opened her eyes and blinked at Sweet. Her worried glance drifted to Lucky.

“Come with me,” Sweet murmured.

The little dog yawned, then struggled to her paws. “What’s going on?” she asked.

“I’ll explain when we’re outside,” Sweet replied, leading Lucky and Daisy past Bella, who stood sentry at the entrance. Bella eyed them curiously but turned away as they stepped out of the cave.

There was a bite in the air. The Sky-Dogs were at rest, the Moon-Dog floating alone in a cloudless no-sun sky. A breeze lifted over the surrounding trees and brushed back the fur on Lucky’s throat. Daisy shivered and looked up at Sweet and Lucky.

“What’s going on?” asked Daisy, bewildered. She looked from Sweet to Lucky, her ears twitching anxiously.

“I was about to ask Sweet the same thing,” said Lucky. “Is this about the pups again?”