Moon's Choice Read Free

richest.”
    Moon glanced anxiously at her Father-Dog, waiting for his response. What the wolfish stranger said was true; their large Pack, whatever the season, always had more than enough food. Alpha looked as if he was thinking hard, but he still didn’t rise to the aggression of the newcomers.
    But the red Beta could not, it seemed, contain herself any longer. “We will fight you for this land,” she barked, scratching at the earth with her claws. “You have no right to stop us fromchallenging you, and I don’t think your Alpha has the stomach for a fight!”
    â€œI said, enough. ” The strange Alpha—who Moon had decided must be at least half wolf—pinned his ears back and bared his teeth, but he didn’t snap at his Beta again. His eyes slanted toward Moon’s father, a sharp and cunning light in them. “Beta is impulsive, but what she says is, of course, true. We have the right by Forest Law to challenge you for this land. And if you don’t concede the territory, we are more than willing to fight you for it.”
    Moon felt the other members of her Pack drawing closer to her and her parent-dogs. Snap was at her flank, and she heard a low, constant growling from Mulch and Pebble. Hunter bared his fangs.
    â€œAlpha, we’re a peaceful Pack,” snarled Rush, “but I don’t like these dogs trying to push us around.”
    â€œI agree,” growled Snap. “There are more of us, and this is our territory. Sometimes dogs have to fight for what’s theirs, Alpha.”
    â€œDon’t worry.” Alpha spoke through clenched fangs. “I don’t want a battle with these dogs, but if they ask for it, we’ll happily give them one.”
    A chill of excitement and fear swept through Moon’s fur as she felt her own hackles rise in anticipation of the fight. Bunching hershoulder muscles, she lowered her head and gave a savage growl at the red Beta. All around, her Packmates were drawing together in their battle line, grim with determination.
    â€œWait!”
    It was the voice of the huge black-and-brown dog, who hadn’t so much as growled until now. He paced forward, and dipped his head briefly to his wolfish Alpha.
    â€œIf I may speak, Alpha? You told us that our best course would be to take a territory close to this one, and demand that we share the good hunting land in common.”
    For a long moment, the half wolf watched him with those cold, frightening yellow eyes. At last he nodded slowly.
    â€œYes, Fiery. Perhaps I did say that.”
    Despite his size, the dog called Fiery lowered his eyes again in respect, and thumped his tail once. “If these dogs are reasonable, Alpha—and they seem to be—they will agree to your terms. I think they will see the wisdom of your plan.”
    Moon felt her neck fur lower and her muscles relax as a surge of reluctant admiration went through her. She stared at the big dog. Some of the tension had drained from the atmosphere as the half wolf considered Fiery’s words. Moon realized how clever the big dog had been to cool the confrontation without showingdisrespect to either Alpha, and making sure his own leader did not lose face. Now he glanced at both Alphas and cleared his throat politely.
    â€œMy Alpha thought that instead of being in direct competition, we could all hunt together and split the prey fairly. That would save both Packs a lot of energy and effort, too.” He nodded at his Packmates. “We have excellent hunt-dogs, but your Pack knows this territory far better. It would be to every dog’s benefit if we work together.”
    The half wolf was still fixing him with his unsettling yellow gaze, but at last he growled, “Yes. Fiery’s right. That was my plan.” He swiveled his fierce head back to Moon’s parent-dogs. There was still a light of haughty arrogance in his eyes. “Do you agree to my plan? Or shall we fight for the