Storm of Dogs Read Free

Bella and Martha took turns practicing the blocking. Even Whine, usually the first to complain about fight-training, was watching with interest. Lucky gave an inward sigh of relief. None of the dogs seemed to mind taking instructions from Storm, regardless of rank.
    It’s good for everyone that the rules are more relaxed than they were under the half wolf. Storm has skills that she can share; it would be foolish to let rank get in the way. Working together . . . that’s what a Pack’s all about.
    â€œDaisy, can I demonstrate the move on you?” asked Storm. “It won’t hurt.”
    The wiry-furred white dog gave an excited yip of agreement and stood at attention. Storm jabbed at her with fangs exposed. When Daisy moved to block the Fierce Dog, Storm dived down, dodging Daisy’s teeth and seizing the small dog by her neck. For a moment, she pinned Daisy to the ground. Then she sprang back and Daisy rolled onto her paws.
    Storm gave her a friendly lick and turned to the others. “Now you try it.”
    â€œIt’s harder for me,” whined Thorn. “My muzzle isn’t as big as yours. Even when I’m fully grown, I’ll never be able to close my jaws around another dog’s neck.”
    Storm barked insistently, “Any dog can do this move, even smaller ones. It’s not about size, it’s about confidence. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have the best hold. An enemy— any enemy —will panic when he feels fangs at his throat.”
    Lucky didn’t doubt that this was true, but he wondered how Storm knew it. And wherehad she learned the dive-and-block technique? She had been raised by the Wild Pack, not the Fierce Dogs. She had never been taught these deadly moves.
    She must know how to fight instinctively.
    He was glad that the traitorous half wolf wasn’t here to see this. The old Alpha had never trusted Storm. Lucky’s tail dropped a little at the thought, and he watched as Beetle took his position in front of Thorn. The pup’s dark muzzle quivered, and he took a step back. He’s scared that his litter-sister is going to rip his throat out! Lucky realized. Was the exercise too tough for the young dogs?
    Thorn sprang at him, jabbing with her teeth, as Storm had, before diving down to Beetle’s throat. The young dog moved quickly, yipping in triumph, but her litter-brother shook and freed himself, tipping her off balance. Thorn rolled onto her side, and Beetle threw his forepaws on her flank, pinning her down.
    Then he glanced nervously at Storm. “I’m sorry . . . that wasn’t supposed to happen, I just . . .” He dropped back, head lowered, as his litter-sister rose to her paws with an apologetic whine.
    A ripple of apprehension ran down Lucky’s back. Moon’s pups were only a little younger than Storm, yet they cowered before her. Is it something Storm’s doing—some kind of natural dominance?
    The young Fierce Dog gave Thorn a little nudge. “Don’t worry, you’re learning—it takes practice to get it right.” She turned to Beetle. “And you shouldn’t feel bad for having good instincts—they could save you in a fight.”
    Lucky’s tension drained away, and his tail rose with a relieved wag. Storm isn’t the angry attack-dog that Alpha took her for. She’s showing patience and understanding. She’s more like us than the Fierce Dogs.
    Feeling a wave of pride, Lucky turned and started padding between the trees. Storm didn’t need him standing over her. I trust her. His paws crunched over the frosty grass as he made his way to the edge of the camp where the cliffs hung over the Endless Lake. The air was salty and so cold that it cut beneath Lucky’s fur. Gray clouds gathered in the sky,bringing with them the promise of harsher weather. He closed his eyes, remembering the swirling snow he had seen in the dreams he used to