Survivors - Sweet's Journey by Erin Hunter

Author:Erin Hunter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins

CHAPTER SEVEN

Sweet had too much time the next morning to gnaw at her worries, turning them over and over in her skull. She’d been detailed to the sunup corner of the camp and told to keep watch for a group of strange dogs, strays that had been scented but never fully seen. Alpha was so concerned, he’d told the hunters to join the patrol dogs for now, making sure the camp was fully guarded.

“We have to be particularly vigilant,” Alpha had told her. “I’m relying on you, Sweet.”

And she had kept a close watch on every shadow and every movement in the forest, but that didn’t provide enough distraction from her worries about her place in the Pack. Will I ever really fit in here? It’s so different from my swift-dog Pack. What was that sound—a snapping twig? I wonder if Beta will ever soften her opinion of me. . . .

A high, agonized howl shattered Sweet’s thoughts, sending her leaping to her paws. Despite the awfulness of the sound, she recognized the voice.

Moon!

Fiery’s mate must be about to give birth to her pups, Sweet realized as she raced back to the camp. But something must be wrong for her to cry out like that—

Sure enough, when Sweet broke out of the trees, she saw Moon lying on her flank, legs stiff and twitching, her muzzle twisted in pain. Other dogs were milling around her, looking worried, but scared to go closer.

Sweet pushed through their bodies. “Somebody has to get Fiery!” she barked.

“He’s out on patrol,” growled Spring nervously. “Hold on, Moon! It’ll be over soon.”

“He’ll want to be here, especially when Moon’s in pain,” said Sweet urgently.

“Well, you’re the fastest,” Twitch pointed out. He had a lame leg himself—it had been like that since he was a pup—and he nudged it now with his muzzle, as if to point out the hopelessness of sending him.

“But I’m on guard!” Sweet looked desperately at the other dogs as Moon gave a series of yips, full of pain.

To her surprise, Beta trotted to her side. “I’ll cover your area,” she growled. “Twitch is right, you’ll get to Fiery quickest. Go on, I’ll take your place.”

Sweet had no time to express her shock—or her gratitude. Beta’s words made all her worries crumble away like a sandbank in a drought. If the red dog could put aside their differences for the good of all dogs, it seemed this was a true Pack after all. Sweet gave Beta a brief relieved nod, turned, and bolted out of the clearing.

Fiery’s scent was not hard to pick up; when Sweet followed the usual patrol trail, she caught his odor in her nostrils straightaway. He’d been here only minutes before, she realized, leaping a fallen log and darting on. Through the next line of trees lay a broad meadow, and in the full light of the morning sun she could make out the shapes of the patrol on the low horizon. Sweet raced to catch up.

“Fiery!” she barked, her tongue lolling as she panted.

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