tense, his muscles trembling slightly, and she realized he was holding his breath.
If the half wolf rejects us, I will accept that. I wonât beg. Iâll walk away with my Packâs pride intact. I donât know how weâll manage, how weâll survive, but we will leave with our heads held high.
Determinedly, Moon finally raised her eyes to the half wolf. He watched her a moment longer, then slid his gaze to Fiery. Finally, he looked back to Moon and nodded.
âVery well,â he growled at last. âWork hard, obey my orders, and you are welcome in my Pack.â
A wave of relief washed through Moon, making her almost dizzy. âWe will. And thank you. My Alpha. â
There was a yelp of joy, and Fiery bounded forward. All of Moonâs nervousness and uncertainty melted into happiness as the huge dog shouldered the red Beta aside and hooked his head over Moonâs neck, nuzzling her and growling with delight.
âWelcome, Moon. To you and your Pack. Youâve made me happier than I can say.â
CHAPTER TEN
Blissfully, Moon stretched her paws, basking in the rays of the Sun-Dog, which warmed her fur. In her moments of relaxation she loved to watch the life of her new Pack bustling around her. Snap lay talking quietly to a lean chase-dog named Dart; Mulch was comparing hunting tactics with Twitch, who was demonstrating his techniques for pouncing despite his bad leg. Omega had been disappointed to find himself at the bottom of the ranks in this Pack, just as heâd been in the old one, but he had settled into his work anyway, although with a rather bad grace. Moon watched as he dragged the old bedding from Betaâs den, his expression grumpy. But then it always is, she thought with reluctant fondness for the ugly little dog.
It had taken them several hard journeys of the Sun-Dog to reach this new territory, but it was a good one. Moon was surprised by how comfortable she felt, not just in the new land, but with hernew Packmates. The sheltered valley felt like home already. The prey was plentiful, with rabbit warrens nearby and a forest that teemed with life. A freshwater stream ran within their boundaries to a broad, glittering lake; they would certainly never go thirsty.
I hope this will be our permanent home, Moon thought dreamily. At least, I hope we can stay here as long as my old Pack lived in their territory. That was a good life. But this will be, too. Iâm sure of it.
The new Pack could never replace her family, and she still missed Star and her parent-dogs with a constant aching regret. But they were safe in the paws of the Earth-Dog, she knew; and this Pack was the next best thing.
Best of all, she was certain that her Mother-Dog and Father-Dog would have approved of her new mate. Fiery was everything they had both admired in a dog: strong, courageous, kind. I think if you could see me, Father-Dog, you wouldnât be sorry that Iâm not with Hunter. I know youâd be glad I made the choice I did. . . .
She blinked, sighing. As for her other choice . . .
Well, she had a feeling her Father-Dog would understand that, too. This wasnât what heâd planned for her, but it was what sheâd wanted, and it was what suited her best. Iâm lead Patrol Dog. I have responsibilities, important ones. Thatâs what matters. I donât have to be Alpha to serve my Pack.
Moonâs heart swelled with pride and happiness. Yes, I think my Father-Dog and Mother-Dog would be very happy with me.
And Iâm happy too. Happier than ever, today . . .
She pricked her ears as she heard the sounds of the returning hunters. Jumping to her paws, she trotted eagerly to meet them. Fiery was in the lead as the four hunters padded into the clearing; his jaws were clamped around a fat squirrel, but he dropped it to greet Moon happily, licking her jaw and nuzzling her neck.
âFiery,â she murmured. âIâm glad youâre back. The hunting was
If the half wolf rejects us, I will accept that. I wonât beg. Iâll walk away with my Packâs pride intact. I donât know how weâll manage, how weâll survive, but we will leave with our heads held high.
Determinedly, Moon finally raised her eyes to the half wolf. He watched her a moment longer, then slid his gaze to Fiery. Finally, he looked back to Moon and nodded.
âVery well,â he growled at last. âWork hard, obey my orders, and you are welcome in my Pack.â
A wave of relief washed through Moon, making her almost dizzy. âWe will. And thank you. My Alpha. â
There was a yelp of joy, and Fiery bounded forward. All of Moonâs nervousness and uncertainty melted into happiness as the huge dog shouldered the red Beta aside and hooked his head over Moonâs neck, nuzzling her and growling with delight.
âWelcome, Moon. To you and your Pack. Youâve made me happier than I can say.â
CHAPTER TEN
Blissfully, Moon stretched her paws, basking in the rays of the Sun-Dog, which warmed her fur. In her moments of relaxation she loved to watch the life of her new Pack bustling around her. Snap lay talking quietly to a lean chase-dog named Dart; Mulch was comparing hunting tactics with Twitch, who was demonstrating his techniques for pouncing despite his bad leg. Omega had been disappointed to find himself at the bottom of the ranks in this Pack, just as heâd been in the old one, but he had settled into his work anyway, although with a rather bad grace. Moon watched as he dragged the old bedding from Betaâs den, his expression grumpy. But then it always is, she thought with reluctant fondness for the ugly little dog.
It had taken them several hard journeys of the Sun-Dog to reach this new territory, but it was a good one. Moon was surprised by how comfortable she felt, not just in the new land, but with hernew Packmates. The sheltered valley felt like home already. The prey was plentiful, with rabbit warrens nearby and a forest that teemed with life. A freshwater stream ran within their boundaries to a broad, glittering lake; they would certainly never go thirsty.
I hope this will be our permanent home, Moon thought dreamily. At least, I hope we can stay here as long as my old Pack lived in their territory. That was a good life. But this will be, too. Iâm sure of it.
The new Pack could never replace her family, and she still missed Star and her parent-dogs with a constant aching regret. But they were safe in the paws of the Earth-Dog, she knew; and this Pack was the next best thing.
Best of all, she was certain that her Mother-Dog and Father-Dog would have approved of her new mate. Fiery was everything they had both admired in a dog: strong, courageous, kind. I think if you could see me, Father-Dog, you wouldnât be sorry that Iâm not with Hunter. I know youâd be glad I made the choice I did. . . .
She blinked, sighing. As for her other choice . . .
Well, she had a feeling her Father-Dog would understand that, too. This wasnât what heâd planned for her, but it was what sheâd wanted, and it was what suited her best. Iâm lead Patrol Dog. I have responsibilities, important ones. Thatâs what matters. I donât have to be Alpha to serve my Pack.
Moonâs heart swelled with pride and happiness. Yes, I think my Father-Dog and Mother-Dog would be very happy with me.
And Iâm happy too. Happier than ever, today . . .
She pricked her ears as she heard the sounds of the returning hunters. Jumping to her paws, she trotted eagerly to meet them. Fiery was in the lead as the four hunters padded into the clearing; his jaws were clamped around a fat squirrel, but he dropped it to greet Moon happily, licking her jaw and nuzzling her neck.
âFiery,â she murmured. âIâm glad youâre back. The hunting was
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