Darkness Falls by Erin Hunter Read Free Book Online

dogs.” She glared accusingly at Daisy and Martha, who had gathered with some of the Wild Pack to watch the exchange from the distance of the rock cover, their tails low. “Maybe back at our own camp we could have supported you, but the Pack is too big for a place like this.” She turned to Bella. “It’s time for the Leashed Dogs to stand on their own four paws. You should move on to establish your own camp— somewhere else .”
    Daisy and Martha exchanged worried looks. Standing behind them, Bruno, Snap, and Fiery looked on warily.
    Bella ignored them. She would not be cowed. “Aren’t you rather full of yourself, Beta? It was Lucky who spotted the dark cloud and helped the Pack to safety—and in case you’ve forgotten, he’s one of us. You need the Leashed Dogs.”
    Lucky’s fur prickled uncomfortably. It wasn’t fair of Bella to bring him into this. He didn’t want Sweet to be reminded of his betrayal!
    Alpha appeared from behind the rocks, a shock of gray fur. He sprang down toward them and landed between Bella and Sweet, who both started back in surprise.
    â€œArguing won’t help anyone.” He paced between Bella and Sweet, his head held high. Lucky would have expected Alpha to take Sweet’s side, but his voice was actually level—reasonable. “There are a lot of nervous dogs in the bigger Pack now. Their courage will hardly be aided by this display of aggression between the stronger among us.”
    Lucky tried not to let his amazement show. You’re talking about courage? he thought. After your performance?
    â€œYou need to remember,” Alpha went on, “that these weaker dogs look up to you. You are my Beta. The Pack respects you.” He threw a dubious look at Bella. “And your dogs look up to you, too, I imagine. You must both demonstrate that you have courage and good sense. That you won’t compromise the security of the others by being reckless or selfish . . . the way Omega was.”
    Lucky froze, his tail stiffening behind him. What does he mean by that?
    Alpha stood up straight, his yellow eyes glinting with confidence. “All the bad things that have fallen upon the Pack happened after Omega showed up.” The dog-wolf turned to Lucky and narrowed his eyes accusingly. “We’re stronger together but not with the City Dog around.”
    â€œBut the cloud wasn’t Lucky’s fault,” Bella said in a reasonable voice.
    Alpha turned to her. “You will address him by his proper name,” he growled. “And whether or not Omega caused the black cloud, it took the shape of a Sky-Dog. I have no doubt of that. You saw it too!”
    Sweet stared at Alpha. “A Sky-Dog? What do you mean?” She hadn’t been there when Lucky and Bella had watched with Alpha as the cloud seemed to assume the form of a dog. She hadn’t witnessed Alpha’s panic and horrified certainty that an evil Sky-Dog was to blame for their miseries.
    â€œThe black cloud was a Sky-Dog,” Alpha barked. “I would not be surprised if his rage was punishment for Omega’s deceit in playing the two Packs against each other.”
    Lucky felt the blood drain away from him and he caught his breath. He’d heard that the Spirit Dogs could turn on a dog in anger. Hadn’t his Mother-Dog told him so when he was only a pup?
    Could this have been my fault? Lucky’s eyes shot to the sky, where the black cloud was concealed beyond the forest.
    The dogs watching from beneath the rocky overhang had crept forward, anxious to understand what was going on. Alpha turned to acknowledge them.
    â€œI have made my decision,” he said. “I will keep my word and not force the Leashed Dogs to leave. They may still have a role to play in this Pack. It is a dangerous, unknown world that we face, and it will be safer if we stick together.” He spoke softly, but with authority, like a