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man’s hand I got scared and messed things up. McKinley, what’s going to happen to me? Or to Lupin? And you,too, McKinley. All the way home, Redburn was bragging that he was going to be head dog.”
    McKinley growled.
    â€œSays he has the right to challenge you now. Does he?”
    McKinley lifted his head. “Don’t worry about me. I’m just trying to find a way to get you free.”
    â€œMcKinley . . .”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œPromise me something.”
    â€œSure.”
    â€œFind Lupin. I never thought it would be possible, but she needs help.”
    â€œWill she accept it from me?”
    â€œI . . . don’t know. But promise you’ll try to find her.”
    â€œThe weather’s changing. Could be snow.”
    â€œPlease try.”
    â€œOkay. Sure. Don’t worry about it.”
    Duchess sighed. “Thank you. It’s just that I was so . . .” She started up, scrambled to her feet. “McKinley, Pycraft just came out of his house!”

14
    M cKinley could not see Pycraft, but he could smell him. He barely suppressed a growl.
    â€œYou dumb dog,” the fat man shouted at Duchess. “Come on out from behind there.”
    McKinley heard the greyhound whimper.
    â€œWhat do you think you’re doing?” Pycraft demanded. “Not trying to escape again, were you? You’re not going back to that wolf. He’s a goner. Trying to steal you away. Not a chance. Now, come on, I’ll feed you inside. That-a-girl. Here we go.”
    McKinley heard the man’s steps recede, and adoor slam. He sniffed, then edged forward and peeked into the yard. No one was in sight.
    Anxiously, McKinley dragged himself forward to the far side of the fence. Once there he shook his body free of leaves and dirt, then scampered away to safety.
    After he’d turned down a couple of ways he stopped and tried to make sense of what he had heard Pycraft say. He was certain of the wolf word. There was anger in the man’s voice, too. When humans were angry they did things. McKinley knew them well enough to know that when they did not like a dog, they sent him away or killed him. If Lupin hasn’t gone, he thought, they will try to get rid of her, too. Or kill her.
    McKinley wondered if Pycraft himself would do it. No, not alone. Not the type. With other humans, he thought. That would be good. The more people there were, the easier they would be to sniff out and avoid.
    But still, he had to learn their plans. How, though?
    Pycraft was the important one, but dealing with him was tricky. The man knew McKinley and would make instant trouble. It would be smarter to get another dog to go find the humans. Dogs could pretty much go where they wanted around Steamboat Springs. He’d find someone.
    As for Lupin herself, he had promised Duchess he would try to help her. Perhaps she had already headed back to the wilderness up north? If it started snowing, all the better. Her tracks would be covered. But what if she was seriously wounded, and could not go? Snow wouldn’t hide the scent of blood. Maybe she needed help just to stay alive.
    Finally, there was Duchess. There had to be a way to free her for good.
    As McKinley trotted on toward home, he let out a bark of frustration. With so much to do he found himself thinking again about what life would be like without people. The idea was becoming more and more tempting.
    As he turned the corner onto Toward the Park Way, he halted. Waiting in the middle of the way, in front of Jack’s house, was Redburn.
    The big setter was standing tall, ears forward, nose wrinkled, bristling tail up. His lips were curled back, exposing his teeth. Here was the challenge McKinley had been warned to expect.
    He stood quietly, body slightly sloped forward, front feet braced as he took in the situation. Feeling a surge of anger, McKinley lifted his head and let out a long howl, proclaiming to all who could