Darkness Falls (26 page)

“How are you feeling today?” asked the thickset old dog.

“I'm fine,” said Lucky, pushing away thoughts of the pups. They were gone now—he had to accept that.

“Alpha has called a meeting,” said Bruno. “Are you coming?”

Lucky heard the chirping of birds in the branches of a tree and turned to gaze in that direction. He had a powerful impulse to wander into the forest, to follow the path of the river to wherever it led him.

That was my old life
, he reminded himself.
My life as a Lone Dog, my life of freedom
. . .

He shook himself and went to join Bruno. The two of them made their way back to the meadow. Most of the dogs were already there, forming a circle around Alpha and Sweet, who stood by his side. She acknowledged Lucky with a dip of her sleek head as he and Bruno joined the gathered Pack.

Alpha had already started talking. “We will have to be better organized,” he was saying. “Our standoff with the Fierce Dogs was a disgrace. Not one dog acted with sufficient discipline or bravery, except Beta”—he glanced at Sweet—“and Bella, who gave sensible commands when needed.”

Bella's ears pricked up at the rare compliment from their Pack leader.

Lucky watched. This was close to an acknowledgment from Alpha that he had failed to act appropriately in the face of the Fierce Dogs. Lucky's eyes trailed to the scar on the curve of the half wolf's forepaw.

Alpha continued: “Beta ordered the Pack to take position, but instead there was panic and chaos.”

Bruno dropped his head guiltily. Dart shuffled on her paws with a small whine.

Alpha's ears twitched. “I don't want to go over that now except to say that in the future, we must be much better organized, and more responsive to threats. I would like to see fighters move to the front, defenders move to the back. There will be no desertion or failure of duty!”

“The Pack is much larger than it used to be,” Sweet pointed out. “Most of the dogs could probably use some training.”

Alpha gave a nod. “Good idea. We should have a better system of alert and Pack formation. I will put you in charge of that.”

Sweet returned the nod.

“That leaves me with another matter,” said the half wolf, rising to his paws. “The Fierce Dogs came here. They know how to find us. This time they were only interested in claiming their pups. Next time we might not be so fortunate.”

“What are you saying, Alpha?” asked Moon.

“I'm saying that it is time for us to leave.”

“Leave?” Spring yapped. “But we just arrived!”

“This camp is perfect,” added Bella. “Look how well the Pack has settled here. The hunting is good, and the cave provides us cover from the wind and rain.”

“Where would we go?” asked Sunshine in a small voice.

“Back to our old camp,” said Alpha. “The black cloud has passed. It should be safe.”

The Pack erupted into barks, yelps, and whines.

“But that's so far away!” whimpered Sunshine. “It was such a tough journey to get here.”

“We can't walk forever,” agreed Whine. “We need a permanent territory.”

“The old camp is closer to the Dog-Garden,” Mickey pointed out. “How do we know it's safer there?”

“It's easier for us to protect,” said Alpha. “Here in the meadow we're a sitting target. Anyone can spy on us from the hill—they can sneak up on us and take us by surprise. . . .”

“Not if we place a watch-dog by the pine trees,” said Bella.

Daisy shuddered. “But any dog up there would be all alone, with the others down in the valley. It would be dangerous.” Her eyes shot up to the pine trees. “If the dog raises the alarm, they will just be the first dog to be killed!”

Whine and Sunshine whimpered, and Dart yelped in agreement.

“Settle down!” snarled Alpha, thumping his paw impatiently. The dogs fell silent. He spoke again in a low growl. “It is dangerous here—we have
all
seen that. Our old camp was more defendable, even if it was closer to the wrath of the Sky Dogs and the Fierce Dogs. But there is another possibility.” He paused, making sure all the dogs were listening. “We could travel in the other direction, over the white ridge.”

Lucky saw several of the dogs visibly tense at this. Even Sweet seemed shocked, turning to watch Alpha closely.

“But what about the giantfur?” Bruno yelped.

“In the end, he was no threat,” said Alpha. “He only attacked because that pup provoked him.”

“There could be others out there,” said Moon. “Lots of them! Packs, even!”

“Giantfurs are not Pack creatures—not from what I can tell. They act alone.” Alpha glanced pointedly at Lucky when he said this.

Lucky knew what the half wolf was implying.
Whatever he thinks, I am a Pack Dog now
.

Lucky pictured the white ridge. It had been tough terrain on the approach: parched, rocky, and unforgiving. He thought about small dogs like Whine and Sunshine—they would struggle out there. It would be even worse for Nose and Squirm. But maybe Alpha had a point—the Fierce Dogs were unlikely to stray that far, and their thick, heavyset bodies were not suited to climbing rocks.

“We didn't get a good enough look at the land beyond the white ridge,” said Lucky. “It was very dry, and it might not be an easy place to make a camp. But maybe Alpha's right. I can't imagine other dogs living out there. Daisy, you got the closest of any dog. What do you think?”

All eyes turned to the little dog, but before she could reply, Sunshine let out a loud yelp. The Pack all turned to see that she was gazing up at the pine trees. She stiffened; her ears pricked up. “Someone's coming!” she barked. “I can smell them.”

“Dogs?” Lucky's eyes shot up to the edge of the hill. Sunshine was right! Something
was
moving up there. His stomach clenched and he took a step forward, his eyes trained on the shivering grass beneath the pine trees. He saw a small, dark creature—too small for an adult dog—and instantly relaxed. It had to be some sort of prey.

“Yes, a dog!” yelped Sunshine. “But just one . . .”

Mickey was standing at the edge of the circle of dogs, nearer to the pine trees. “It's a pup!” he yelped.

The Pack watched in amazement as a small dog tumbled out from between the long grass and scrambled over the hill, half running, half stumbling.

It was Lick!

Lucky's heart drummed in his chest as she flung herself toward the circle of dogs. He stared into the tree line. Where were her littermates? Why was Lick alone?

“She's hurt!” Martha cried.

The big water-dog was right. Lucky watched in horror as Lick loped over to them in broken, jolting strides. Her fur was torn with multiple wounds, the metallic tang of blood mingling with her sweet, milky pup scent. She made the final stretch on trembling paws and collapsed against Mickey, who covered her in gentle licks. Martha and Lucky rushed to join them.

Alpha surveyed the scene with his pale eyes. He spoke with surprising gentleness as he addressed Lick. “What has happened to you?”

Panting heavily, Lick broke away from Martha, Mickey, and Lucky's affectionate embrace. She took a couple of wincing steps toward Alpha. Her body was a mess of bite marks and tears, but she addressed the wolf-dog bravely.

“It was Blade!” she yelped. “She attacked us when we were on the road. She kept saying, ‘You're not my real pups! You're not my real pups!'” Lick gasped, struggling to control her breath. Her small chest moved rapidly, and her whole body shook. She seemed desperate to speak, to fight her exhaustion and get the words out. “Then she killed him!” she howled. “She killed Wiggle.”

Lucky's breath caught in his throat. For a moment it was as though the Sun-Dog had vanished, and the whole world was black and icy cold. He could hear Lick's voice, but saw nothing.

Then warmth returned to his cheeks and he opened his eyes. Sweet was licking him. “Lucky, are you okay?”

He gave a slow nod.

“The Fierce Dogs killed your litter-brother?” asked Alpha.

“Yes,” whimpered Lick. “Blade killed him. She was going to kill Grunt, but he begged her not to. He promised that he was a real Pack Dog, and that he would earn his place. That he would be useful to her. He made her believe him. He didn't seem sorry about Wiggle at all.”

Alpha lowered his head though he still towered over her. “And how did
you
get away?”

Lick gazed up at him, her eyes wide. “Blade caught me and started biting and scratching. Then, from nowhere, the air was white. One moment Blade was attacking me; the next it was like I was invisible! The whiteness covered everything and I managed to escape. I don't know what it was.”

“Fog,” said Alpha.

Lucky remembered how the mist had covered the land. His eyes shot up. The Sun-Dog blinked down at him—there was not a single cloud overhead. He gazed in wonder.
Thank you, Sky-Dogs
. . . .
You heard me; you sent the mist
.

Lick swallowed. “I could hear them following me. They were furious that I had escaped. I rubbed myself in leaves and dirt to cover my scent—just like Mickey taught us.” She threw the black-and-white dog a grateful look and he took a step forward.

“You have been so brave,” he told her.

“You're my Pack,” she replied. She turned to Lucky, then to Alpha. “You've always been my Pack. I am not one of them. I am no Fierce Dog. This is the only place for me, and I'll do whatever it takes to fit in.”

Lucky's chest burned with pride. Lick was a remarkable little dog—loyal and resilient. “You'll let her stay, won't you, Alpha?”

The wolf-dog watched Lick, then turned his yellow eyes on Lucky. “You really believe in this pup, don't you?”

“She will be a valuable Pack member,” said Lucky. “She won't harm these dogs. One day she may protect us all with all her courage and passion. There is nothing to fear in letting her stay.” He cocked his head, holding Alpha's gaze. “I think you see it too. Don't you?”

Lucky wanted to beg Alpha to let Lick stay—or to bark and howl, to force the dog-wolf somehow—but he controlled himself. He had to let Alpha come to his own decision.

He hates me enough to cast her out again simply to spite me
.

Lucky looked around the Pack. There was only tenderness in their faces as they watched Lick. It would all come down to the will of Alpha.

Their leader raised his muzzle, staring out toward the pine trees. Then he looked the other way, beyond the cave and the forest, in the direction of the white ridge.

There was finality in Alpha's voice when he spoke again. “We have to move now; we have no choice. The Fierce Dogs will soon come after Lick. We leave today.”

“I can stay?” Lick breathed in a small voice, her short tail wagging hopefully.

“You can,” said Alpha. “We will see if you can be all that Omega has promised. The Pack needs loyal fighters, dogs who are brave and strong. For now, you should rest and clean your wounds. We must depart before the Sun-Dog greets the lake.”

Bruno and Sunshine exchanged glances and Whine shivered. Lucky knew it would be a tough journey for these dogs, but there was nothing they could do now—Alpha had made his decision. Martha and Mickey led Lick away and the Pack dispersed, resting before the long journey ahead, bidding farewell to the peaceful meadow that had briefly been their home.

Relief flooded through Lucky's limbs. Lick was going to stay with them.
I'll do anything it takes to keep this pup safe
, he promised himself.
Even if it kills me
.

Only he and Alpha remained in the meadow. He turned to the dog-wolf. “Thank you. She won't let you down, and neither will I.”

Alpha's yellow eyes were unreadable. “It will not be easy, keeping a Fierce Dog among us. Blade will come searching for her again.”

“We can get a head start if we go at once,” said Lucky. “And there's an advantage in being mixed—Leashed and Wild, large and small. The Fierce Dogs all think the same way—they only know how to follow orders.”

Alpha stretched out his forepaw and examined his scar. “That's all they
need
to know.”

Lucky shook his fur. “There are other things. We have skills and experience. Together, we are smarter than them. We have wit and cunning. That's what you need to survive.”

“I hope you're right, City Dog,” said Alpha. “Because wherever we go, we will need to be one step ahead of them.”

Lucky thought of the Sky-Dogs who had brought the mist. “The Spirit Dogs are on our side; I feel certain of that. We will need their help for the long journey ahead. The world changed when the longpaws left. Maybe things will change back, and the longpaws will return. Or perhaps there will be another Big Growl to change the earth again. But for now, there's only one thing we can do. We have to keep moving.”

Lucky and Alpha gazed over the landscape. They had traveled long and hard to get here, and now they faced yet another journey. But at least the Pack was still together. At least Lick had returned to them. And for what it was worth, Alpha seemed to have accepted Lucky.

It was a start.