Read Online Sweet's Journey by Erin Hunter - Free Book Online

thought Sweet, she was wrong. She twisted, raking her claws at Beta’s underbelly as the red dog tumbled and rolled off-balance.
    Sweet missed, but Beta had not laid a claw on her, either. Furious, Beta sprang back to her paws and charged again. This time Sweet’s haunches were bunched beneath her and she propelledherself upward so that Beta skidded in the dust, missing again. But Beta was fast, too, and one of her flailing paws caught Sweet’s flank, drawing blood.
    Sweet scrabbled to a stop, turning quickly to face her enemy. She could feel blood beading on her flank, and the warm trickle as it began to flow. She clenched her jaws.
    â€œYou’re pathetic, Bony Dog,” snarled Beta.
    Sweet resisted the temptation to return insult for insult. She was faster than Beta, but she was going to need all her breath and all her wits to stay out of reach of those savage claws. She dodged sideways again as Beta lunged, feeling sharp teeth graze her leg, but she’d escaped once more without a deep wound. As Beta stumbled, Sweet snapped her long muzzle at the red dog’s hind leg. Her jaws closed satisfyingly on flesh and bone, and Beta yelped. Sweet released her, and sprang back out of reach.
    Both dogs stood rigid, eyeing each other, panting hard. Around them there was silence from the rest of the Pack; Sweet didn’t hear so much as a whine or a quiet yelp.
    Beta began to circle again, and Sweet turned slowly, watching her.
    This time, Beta’s attack was still powerful, but she took more care, and Sweet darted forward to meet her, teeth bared. Betadodged her bite, and swiped her claws at Sweet’s eyes, one claw nicking her cheekbone. Sweet gave a yelp of anger.
    She’s fighting like Callie used to. Aiming for my eyes! She doesn’t care if she blinds me—she’d rather kill me than see me part of this Pack!
    The realization sent new strength and determination flowing into Sweet’s blood. This is one fight I won’t lose .
    Beta’s moves were slyer now, more considered, but Sweet could see the red light of fury in her blazing eyes. She’s not in complete control of herself. If I can tempt her in closer —
    Sweet bounded forward, head twisting as if to bite. Beta lunged for her eyes again, but this time Sweet ducked and rolled. Beta’s forepaw slammed into the dust beside her head, and Sweet took her chance. She snapped for the red dog’s foreleg, seizing it between her jaws and crunching down hard. Through the pounding of blood in her ears, she heard Beta’s screaming howl of pain.
    I can’t give her a single chance . Sweet twisted up onto her forepaws, Beta’s leg still clamped in her teeth, and yanked hard. Her teeth tore into the flesh, and against the soft inside of her mouth she felt something strain and snap in her enemy’s leg muscles.
    Beta’s howl turned into a shrieking yelp. Her big body collapsed sideways, thumping into the dust. Sweet flung herself on top of the red dog, releasing her leg and grabbing a tight hold onher neck.
    â€œYield!” she snarled through a mouthful of fur and flesh. “ Yield! ”
    Beta was squirming and wriggling and whining with fury beneath her, but Sweet had her pinned. At last, flanks heaving, the red dog went limp, her teeth still bared in a snarl.
    â€œI . . . I yield .”
    Sweet left her teeth in Beta’s scruff a moment longer, to make certain, then abruptly released her. She scrambled off the red dog’s sprawled body, letting her stagger to her paws and stand there, panting with defeated fury.
    Sweet lifted her head high. “You made me out to be a thief, Beta. You called me a food-stealer and a deserter in front of my Pack.” Her fangs clenched. “You lied.”
    Beta’s tail was low and her head hung down, but her face still wore its hateful snarl.
    â€œYou lied, Beta,” barked Sweet in her face. “Say it!”
    â€œI lied,”