Storm of Dogs Read Free Page B

circles.
    â€œLet’s get them!” growled Thorn, throwing down her black-and-white forepaws.
    Lucky rose to his paws. “Before we do anything, we need to see what the longpaws are doing. It will be no-sun soon enough.”
    â€œWe’re not going anywhere tonight,” said Sweet with a firm look. “The Sun-Dog’s journeys are short during Ice Wind—he’s already high overhead and he’ll soon run for his den. I don’t want us traveling during no-sun; it’s dangerous. In the morning I will lead a larger patrol, and we’ll find out what the longpaws are up to. Lucky, I want you by my side. Also Bella, Moon, Mickey, Martha, and . . .” She surveyed the gathered dogs. “Omega.” Her eyes rested on Sunshine.
    The dirty white long-haired dog yipped in surprise, her eyes round. “You want me ?”
    â€œYou have experience with different types of longpaws, and that could be valuable.”
    Sunshine’s tail wagged furiously. Lucky turned to his mate. He was glad that under Sweet’s leadership, the dogs’ talents were more important than where they fit in the Pack ranks. Sunshine had been overlooked so many times, and he knew it meant a lot to her to be able to contribute.
    His thoughts were interrupted by Storm, who had sidled up to Sweet. “I should come too,” insisted the Fierce Dog. “Just in case anything goes wrong. I’m a good fighter.”
    Lucky stiffened. The last thing they needed was a confrontation, and if Blade’s Pack was still in the town after all, it would be dangerous to have Storm with them. They might seek revenge against Storm for beating Fang in the Trial of Rage, or challenge her to another trial. “It’s important that you stay here,” he said quickly. “With so many of us in the town, who will defend the camp? You’re strong and brave, and we need you to look out for the others.”
    Standing beside the young Fierce Dog, Sweet gave Lucky a grateful look. He knew shedidn’t want Storm in the town any more than he did.
    Storm snorted. She didn’t seem particularly thrilled at the prospect of staying behind, but Lucky’s praise had reassured her. “Okay,” she replied. “I’ll make sure the camp is safe.”
    The next morning at sunup, Sweet led the patrol along the rugged cliff path toward the Endless Lake. Lucky peered at the lashing waves as they rolled over the sand far below, breaking in bursts of mist. The cold expanse of water still scared him, but he was used to it now. As the dogs hopped down the rock crags toward the bank, he noticed that the water smelled less salty than it had when the air was warmer.
    The path became narrow, and Lucky fell back behind Sweet. He glanced over his shoulder to see Mickey, Bella, and Moon. Martha was walking slowly, helping Sunshine over the steeper rocks.
    The route down the cliff took them alongside a small stream. Lucky paused to drink but hesitated. The water looked different. He stepped closer, his paws crunching on the frosty grass. He prodded the edge of the water with his paw. It tingled with cold. Ice . . . well, more a sort of sludgy half ice. But he could see that the water was growing harder, just like . . . Lucky’s ears flicked back.
    Like a dog’s body after death.
    He had seen puddles freeze in the city, but could that happen to the mighty River-Dog? Was the Spirit Dog sick? Lucky’s eyes darted over the narrow path of the stream, which gleamed pale blue, frozen still. It must have been so cold for the River-Dog; she couldn’t escape over the horizon like the Sun-Dog. Lucky whimpered, his tail drifting to his flank. He tried not to think about the River-Dog as he followed Sweet down the last of the rocks onto the high bank of the Endless Lake. They prowled along the edges of the town.
    Sweet turned to Lucky. “I can hardly smell the Fierce Dogs.”
    It was