Read Online Storm of Dogs by Erin Hunter - Free Book Online Page A

but instead she changed direction and sprang down the side tunnel, away from the Fierce Dogs.
    Blade’s eyes widened with rage. “After them!” she barked.
    The Fierce Dogs charged. They were powering down the passageway straight at Bella, Storm, and Lucky.
    â€œDo what you like to the Mongrel Rats!” cried Blade. “But don’t let the pup go! I want the pup! ”
    Bella had picked up pace. She turned the corner and disappeared down the side tunnel, reaching it before the Fierce Dogs. Storm was not far behind Bella, and Lucky was fighting to stay with her, tripping on his exhausted legs. We have to follow Sweet and Bella into the side tunnel before Blade reaches it! He gritted his teeth and ran through the pain. He found he was gaining on Storm. She’s slowing down, he realized with surprise. Why would she . . . ?
    A tremor of fear ran through him as he realized Storm wanted the Fierce Dogs to catch up with her. She doesn’t want to run—she wants to fight!
    Somehow this thought gave Lucky the surge he needed to catch up with Storm. “Come with me!” he barked. “We need to stay with Sweet. We haven’t gone this far to fail now!” He caught her eye and saw rage there.
    â€œI have a score to settle with Blade!” she snarled.
    â€œNow is not the time for that! There’s too many of them! Do you want Sweet and Bella to get hurt? Do you want to die yourself?” With a wince he forced himself to run faster, doing his best to ignore the pain in his forepaw. To his relief, Storm drew up alongside him, picking up speed. They scrambled into the side tunnel just ahead of the furious Fierce Dogs.
    We’re going to make it! thought Lucky with a burst of elation.
    But something was wrong. Sweet and Bella had stopped up ahead. Lucky and Storm slammed to a halt, panting heavily.
    Lucky squinted through the gloom. His heart thumped, and his tail was stiff behind him. He could see the thick shapes of three Fierce Dogs. Their heavy collars glinted at their necks—all except the middle dog, who wasn’t wearing one. He was smaller than the others, barely more than a puppy, but his thickly muscled body made him look much older. Lucky recognized the roughly cut ears—torn by the teeth of another dog. Fang . . .
    He heard the scuffle of paws and turned to see Blade and the rest of her Pack. It was no use—there was nowhere left to run.
    Storm’s hackles rose and she dropped her head, a growl in her throat. Ignoring her littermate, she squared up to Blade. “This is how you act, with trickery and deceit!” she barked. “You’re not even brave enough for a fair fight.” She took a step toward the Fierce Dog Alpha, but Sweet and Bella leaped in front of her, blocking her way.
    â€œStay calm,” urged Sweet in a low voice.
    Storm’s voice quivered with rage. “I should have known. The leader of the Fierce Dogs is nothing but a pathetic coward! ”
    Blade became very still, her eyes wide with outrage. “You run with the Mongrel Rats!” she spat. “How dare you accuse me of dishonor?”
    Lucky licked Storm’s ear, trying to coax her to keep calm. “Blade wants you to fight,” he reminded her. Then he remembered what the Fierce Dog Alpha had told him.
    A young Fierce Dog will bring about the final battle, the one that will tear the sky in two and fill the world with snow and blood.
    Fear crept along Lucky’s spine. Blade didn’t want Storm to fight—she wanted her to die .
    The leader of the Fierce Dogs lifted her muzzle. “Fang, get over here,” she snapped. “By my side, you’ll have the best view of your litter-sister’s death.”
    The young Fierce Dog gave a quick nod. He started limping toward Blade, pressing between Sweet and Bella. He passed his litter-sister, keeping his gaze straight ahead.
    Lucky couldn’t help feeling sorry for Fang,