Moon's Choice Read Free Page A

land?”
    Moon’s Father-Dog did not lower his eyes; he watched the other Alpha coolly. My Father-Dog knows who averted the fight and devised that plan, thought Moon with secret pleasure, and it wasn’t that half wolf!
    â€œMy Pack and I will discuss this,” her father announced calmly. “We’ll make our decision together.”
    â€œI thought I was talking to an Alpha.” There was a sneer on the half wolf’s face, his lips curling back over one corner of hismuzzle.
    Moon was proud to see that her Father-Dog’s hackles didn’t even stir. He was unruffled as he growled softly, “ As Alpha . . . I have learned the value of my Pack’s counsel. You will have to be patient while I confer with them.”
    Moon couldn’t help glancing back at the big dog Fiery as she withdrew with the rest of the Pack to a hollow between two overhanging willows. She felt a rush of gratitude to him for defusing the conflict, and she found her tail was wagging of its own accord. Embarrassed, she dropped her eyes and turned quickly back to her Pack.
    â€œI’m inclined to try this plan, at least,” murmured Alpha. “That dog Fiery is a smart one.”
    â€œSmarter than his leader,” growled Beta dryly, and Alpha gave her an affectionate lick. “We have a lot of dogs to feed, after all, and this Alpha and his two biggest Packmates look like strong hunters.”
    â€œBut they came to challenge us for our territory!” objected Hunter, his ears swiveling toward Alpha in surprise. “Do we really want them living right next to us? Hunting with us?”
    â€œBetter to make an alliance with them, surely?” suggested Moon. “They’re aggressive and strong, and I’d rather hunt withthem than have to guard our borders against them.”
    Hunter bristled at her side, his face rigid with disapproval, but Moon found she didn’t care—especially when Mulch spoke up in her favor:
    â€œMoon’s right,” he yelped. “As long as they don’t enter our territory, this seems to be the best way for both Packs.”
    Alpha and Beta exchanged long glances, and Moon waited, quiet and patient. She knew it was their way of consulting each other; the two were so close, a glance could say everything. I can’t imagine it being that way between me and Hunter, she thought wistfully.
    But you never know, she reminded herself. One day we could very well have a connection like my parent-dogs!
    â€œVery well.” Alpha shook his coat, then lashed his tail as he turned back to the strange Pack. “We agree to this plan. Our hunt-dogs will come to this place next sunup, and yours can meet them here.”
    The half wolf gave a complacent dip of his head, twitching an ear as if slightly amused. “Good. It’s settled. We meet at sunup.”
    As he began to stalk away, his big Packmate Fiery half turned, his dark eyes meeting Moon’s. She thought she saw his ears prick forward as his head gave the tiniest of nods.
    A thrill ran between her fur and her skin, making her shakeherself in unease. Tearing her gaze away from his, she hurried after her Father-Dog and Mother-Dog.
    â€œI like that Fiery,” Alpha was telling Beta, as Moon trotted up alongside them. “He advised his Alpha without showing him a grain of disrespect. And his plan was a clever one.”
    I like him too, Moon realized, picking up her paws more jauntily. He does seem clever. And gentle. And kind.
    And their Packs were going to hunt together. . . .
    Perhaps Fiery and I can be friends. . . .

CHAPTER THREE
    Groggily, Moon lifted her head. The air against her hide was cold and very still, and only a faint light filtered into the den—she could tell that it was early, and the Sun-Dog had not yet stretched and risen. But something had woken her. . . .
    Alarmed, Moon glanced at her sister. Star was curled up close by, her sides trembling, and despite the chilly