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have your champion, Moon; now Twitch has his. That makes this a more equal contest. Do you agree, Alpha?”
    The swift-dog dipped her head in acknowledgment. “I do agree.” She and Lucky shared a resigned sigh.
    Storm felt a prickle of guilty pleasure in her fur. Woody was a lot bigger than Thorn, and he had much more fighting experience; she remembered very well how skillfully and fiercely he’dfought in the Storm of Dogs. Thorn, as far as Storm was concerned, deserved a good beating for her unjust challenge. She pricked her ears and watched with a new sense of hope, as Woody clawed the earth aggressively.
    Alpha still seemed hesitant; this kind of conflict, Storm knew, was not what the swift-dog would want for her Pack. But Alpha spoke firmly.
    â€œThorn, you issued the challenge. You may withdraw it if you wish, and without shame, but it is your choice.”
    Thorn didn’t tear her gaze from the burly form of Woody. All she did was stiffen her shoulder muscles and inhale a deep, determined breath.
    â€œNo,” she said. “I won’t withdraw. I’ll fight Woody.”
    Tension hummed in the still air of the clearing as the dogs formed a circle around the two challengers. Storm found she could hardly breathe; Thorn might be of her original Pack, but she very badly wanted Woody to win this fight.
    It was Thorn who made the first move, hurling herself at Woody in a full-on charge at his throat, as if she hoped to end the fight before it had really begun. I taught her that move , Storm realized, her neck fur bristling with resentment.
    Woody, though, was too big and strong to be knocked downso easily. He shrugged Thorn off, twisting away from her jaws and shunting his body hard into hers while she was still off balance. Thorn thudded to the earth, rolled, and sprang back onto her paws. She attacked again with barely a pause for breath, but Woody was obviously expecting such a rash move from the young dog. He dodged, ducked, and charged with his full weight, crashing into Thorn’s exposed belly and sending her tumbling. As she tried to rise, he grazed his teeth harshly along her shoulder, nearly drawing blood. Thorn yelped and slithered sideways, then struggled to her feet. They faced each other, panting and snarling.
    It’ll be a lesson for her , thought Storm with grim satisfaction. A painful one, but maybe she needs it. Especially if she’s too stupid to back down right now.
    â€œStop!” The bark rang out in the charged silence, and every dog turned. Twitch limped forward to the center of the circle, and stood between Thorn and Woody.
    â€œTwitch?” Lucky asked, after a quizzical pause.
    â€œStop the fight,” growled Twitch. He nuzzled Woody’s shoulder lightly. “I appreciate the loyalty you’ve shown, Woody, but my rank in this Pack isn’t worth injury to two good dogs.” He nodded at Thorn. “Nor is it worth a fight between you. Let Moon be the lead patrol dog. She’s welcome to my position, and she’ll do afine job. Let that be the last of this.”
    He turned, a little awkward on his three legs, and dipped his head respectfully to a surprised Moon. After a moment, she nodded back.
    Most of the Pack dogs were speechless, and that, thought Storm, was probably a good thing. She couldn’t think of a thing to say herself; she felt as if Woody had butted her in the belly.
    Some of Twitch’s former Pack, though, were muttering under their breath, growling complaints. Woody looked shocked, as well he might; Breeze and Chase, Ruff, and Rake looked downright sullen. The rest of the Pack shifted uneasily, but no dog raised a voice in objection.
    Alpha got to her paws, eyeing all three of the dogs in the circle. She nodded thoughtfully. “I understand why you were Alpha of your Pack, Twitch. You put the Pack above yourself. That’s why you earn such loyalty, I think.” She touched Woody’s shoulder with her