“She will be Omega,” growled Alpha. “Do you know what that means, pet dogs? She will fetch and carry for the Pack, take all orders without complaining, and if she has any time to sleep she’ll be in the Omega den, drafty and damp. That can be justice for Mulch. When a full turn of the Moon-Dog has passed, she can challenge if she likes. If she survives that long.”
Bella stood up, her hackles raising. Lucky’s fur shivered. Was she deciding whether to fight after all? Around her, her Pack muttered and whined.
“Don’t do anything you’re not comfortable with,” said Martha.
Bruno growled: “Show them you can survive!”
Lucky longed suddenly to be one of them, to be able to guide and advise them like he used to. Becoming Omega for a turn of the Moon-Dog was Bella’s best hope, he knew. Surely she did, too? But he couldn’t interfere. He didn’t dare.
I’m not one of them. Not openly. Not if I want to live. . . .
This whole battle, everything that had happened, was his fault. He’d agreed to Bella’s suggestion of becoming a spy, not thinking for a moment that she would deceive him. Worse, he’d told Bella about Whine and what a poor patrol dog he’d be; he’d given her the information about when the hunters would be away from the camp. All his spying hadn’t helped Bella and her Pack; all it had done was harm all the dogs, and in the most horrible way. When Bella and her friends made their choice, what would he do?
Will I remain with a larger Pack? Or if they stay separate, will I stick with Bella, or find a new place here with the Wild Pack?
Or will I do what I always meant to do, and strike off alone again?
Bella and Alpha were still staring each other down, but Bella was licking her chops nervously now. At any moment she’d make her choice.
“Well?” sneered Alpha. “The decision’s yours, Bella the Leashed Dog.”
“Wait,” barked a new voice.
Lucky took a breath, startled. As all the dogs turned, the pudgy dog who’d gotten Lucky into this mess trotted forward, head and tail high, an expression of cocky vindictiveness on his snub-nosed face.
“Don’t decide anything yet, Alpha.” Whine sat down, tilting his head at Lucky.
Sweet snapped her teeth at him. “Who are you to interfere, Whine? If Bella rejects our offer you’ll be back to Omega, and don’t you forget it.”
“Oh, but I have something interesting to tell you.” Whine’s tongue lolled as his mouth stretched in a wide grin. “Alpha needs to know this, before he takes any new dogs into our Pack. You see that City Dog?”
Alpha glanced at Lucky, irritated, and back at Whine. “What about him?”
Lucky’s heart was frozen in his chest. Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. Whine was watching him closely, licking his teeth. Lucky felt himself shrink, his forequarters ready to bow, ready to beg uselessly for mercy.
“He’s one of them. One of the Leashed Pack.” Whine gave a bark of angry excitement. “He’s been spying for them all along!”
Silence. Lucky’s tongue felt thick and unwieldy in his jaws, and his coat prickled all over with icy fear. Bella’s friends watched him with horror, giving him away just by their aghast expressions. The Wild Pack were all turning to him, one by one, their shock and disbelief plain.
Sweet bounded an abrupt pace forward, swinging a paw across Whine’s face. He squealed, but didn’t back off.
“That isn’t true!” she barked angrily. “You’ll take a beating for that lie, Omega.”
“Stop!” barked Lucky, lunging forward between Sweet and Whine. His jaws opened as he panted for breath. Terror filled him, but he couldn’t let yet another dog suffer for his misdeeds. Not even Whine.
“Lucky?” Sweet sounded bewildered.
“It’s true.” Lucky lowered his head, then jerked it up again to look her in the eyes. He owed her that, while he told her the truth. “He isn’t lying, Sweet. What he says is true.”
Sweet’s eyes were wide and hurt, disbelieving. “No!”
“Yes. Sweet, I’m so sorry. I never meant for it to go this far. I . . . I wanted to belong here too.”
She stared at him in silence for moments that seemed like days. Behind her, Alpha was ominously still.
Sweet’s throat sounded tight. “You couldn’t . . . You wouldn’t . . .”
“Yes, Sweet. I did. I’m sorry.”
“But you’re one of us now,” Sweet barked suddenly. “Even if it is true, you’re . . .” She broke off and slammed her jaws shut.
Lucky opened his jaws. There was so much in her eyes: anger, hurt, fear, betrayal. A plea for him to say what she wanted him to say.
Lucky swung around to look at Alpha, and then at Bella. Glancing at the other dogs in the circle, he caught sight of Whine’s smug scowl, and Snap’s bewilderment, and Fiery’s gruff challenge. Daisy and Sunshine were trembling. He could smell the tension in the air, sense the raising of hairs and the racing of blood.
Time to choose, Lucky. Time to choose where your loyalties lie.
Then the great dog-wolf paced forward toward him, and Lucky stood to meet him, shaking.
Perhaps there was no choice for him to make at all.
Perhaps it was only time to die.
Lucky froze, his legs trembling. Silence fell over the circle of dogs.
Alpha’s broad, wolfish face was unreadable. He drew himself up on his rock, towering over the two Packs. By his side on the grass was Sweet, the beautiful swift-dog, staring at Lucky. Lucky could scarcely look at her.
Little snub-nosed Whine’s tongue lolled and his jaws gaped. “You see, I was right! The City Dog was spying for the Leashed Dogs. He met with that one, the one who looks like him!” Whine turned to Bella, who glared until he cringed and cowered. “I saw them. . . .” The little dog’s words trailed off.
Lucky fought to keep his tail high. He could not let it droop in submission. That would show weakness—it would be the end of him in the eyes of this fierce Wild Pack.
They were all waiting for an explanation, but what could he say? He had spied on them, just as Whine had said. He had never imagined, though, that Bella would use the information he’d provided to attack the Wild Pack’s camp.
Lucky searched the faces of the dogs in the circle.
What do I do now? If I show loyalty to the Leashed Pack, the others will kill me. But how can I turn my back on the Leashed Dogs? Bella’s my litter-sister. . . .
He had been through so much with the Leashed Dogs. But the Wild Pack had accepted him as one of their own. He had shared the Great Howl with them, where Spirit Dogs ran before his eyes. He had felt the power of their bond, even as he balked at Alpha’s strict hierarchy.
Then there was Sweet. . . . He stole a glance in her direction and she met his eye. He saw pain and confusion there, but also hope.
She raised her muzzle. “Lucky fought bravely to defend the pups from the foxes. Whatever he may have done before . . . he’s no Leashed Dog. He’s one of our Pack now.” Her velvety ears twitched and she looked away. Her voice was uncertain, despite her words.
It’s as though she wants to believe it, thought Lucky. She wants to believe that I’m who she thought I was. . . .
Lucky barked gratefully, even though he wasn’t sure where he belonged.
He looked at his litter-sister. Bella stared hard at him, head slightly cocked.
She knows it’s true. A part of me has grown loyal to the Wild Pack.
For a moment he felt guilty. Then he reminded himself that it was because of Bella that he had joined the Wild Dogs in the first place! And it was she who had brought the foxes into their home! She must have been crazy to trust those wily creatures. They’d betrayed her as soon as she’d led them to the camp, attacking Moon and threatening to eat her pups. He remembered how dogs from both Packs had broken off their battle to defend the pups when the foxes attacked them—first Daisy and Mulch, then the others. They had come together, repelling the vicious foxes. They had worked as a single, powerful Pack. . . .
Lucky noticed
Moon and Fiery standing a few paces behind the others, their pups Squirm and Nose—the ones who had survived—nuzzled between them. Lucky’s chest tightened with sorrow when he remembered the terror and turmoil, the frenzied barking, and the dogs who hadn’t made it: little, helpless Fuzz, and poor Mulch.
Alpha growled low in his throat. “Lucky may have served our Pack for a time, but that does not excuse his treachery. What do you have to say for yourself, City Dog?”
Lucky licked his leg where the fox had mauled it, playing for time. His quick thinking rarely let him down, but this time he couldn’t find anything to say in his own defense.
It was so much easier when I was a Lone Dog. A Lone Dog answers to nobody. But what if I’m not meant to be a Lone Dog at all?
BACK ADS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ERIN HUNTER is inspired by a fascination with the ferocity of the natural world. As well as having great respect for nature in all its forms, Erin enjoys creating rich mythical explanations for animal behavior. She is also the author of the bestselling Warriors and Seekers series. Visit her online at www.survivorsdogs.com.
Visit www.AuthorTracker.com for exclusive information on your favorite HarperCollins authors.
OTHER WORKS
Book One: The Empty City
Book One: Into the Wild
Book Two: Fire and Ice
Book Three: Forest of Secrets
Book Four: Rising Storm
Book Five: A Dangerous Path
Book Six: The Darkest Hour
THE NEW PROPHECY
Book One: Midnight
Book Two: Moonrise
Book Three: Dawn
Book Four: Starlight
Book Five: Twilight
Book Six: Sunset
POWER OF THREE
Book One: The Sight
Book Two: Dark River
Book Three: Outcast
Book Four: Eclipse
Book Five: Long Shadows
Book Six: Sunrise
OMEN OF THE STARS
Book One: The Fourth Apprentice
Book Two: Fading Echoes
Book Three: Night Whispers
Book Four: Sign of the Moon
Book Five: The Forgotten Warrior
Book Six: The Last Hope
DAWN OF THE CLANS
Book One: The Sun Trail
Warriors Super Edition: Firestar’s Quest
Warriors Super Edition: Bluestar’s Prophecy
Warriors Super Edition: SkyClan’s Destiny
Warriors Super Edition: Crookedstar’s Promise
Warriors Super Edition: Yellowfang’s Secret
Warriors Field Guide: Secrets of the Clans
Warriors: Cats of the Clans
Warriors: Code of the Clans
Warriors: Battles of the Clans
Warriors: Enter the Clans
MANGA
The Lost Warrior
Warrior’s Refuge
Warrior’s Return
The Rise of Scourge
Tigerstar and Sasha #1: Into the Woods
Tigerstar and Sasha #2: Escape from the Forest
Tigerstar and Sasha #3: Return to the Clans
Ravenpaw’s Path #1: Shattered Peace
Ravenpaw’s Path #2: A Clan in Need
Ravenpaw’s Path #3: The Heart of a Warrior
SkyClan and the Stranger #1: The Rescue
SkyClan and the Stranger #2: Beyond the Code
SkyClan and the Stranger #3: After the Flood
Book One: The Quest Begins
Book Two: Great Bear Lake
Book Three: Smoke Mountain
Book Four: The Last Wilderness
Book Five: Fire in the Sky
Book Six: Spirits in the Stars
RETURN TO THE WILD
Book One: Island of Shadows
Book Two: The Melting Sea
Book Three: River of Lost Bears
MANGA
Toklo’s Story
Kallik’s Adventure
CREDITS
A WORKING PARTNERS BOOK
Cover art © 2013 by Julia Green
Art direction and cover design by Cara Petrus
Cover design by Megan Stitt
COPYRIGHT
A Hidden Enemy
Copyright © 2013 by Working Partners Limited
Series created by Working Partners Limited
SURVIVORS: A HIDDEN ENEMY. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this ebook on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins ebooks.
www.harpercollinschildrens.com
ISBN 978-0-06-210260-7 (trade bdg.)
ISBN 978-0-06-210261-4 (lib. bdg.)
13 14 15 16 17 LP/RRDH 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
FIRST EDITION
EPub Edition © MAY 2013 ISBN: 9780062102638
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Erin Hunter, A Hidden Enemy
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