Free Sweet's Journey by Erin Hunter Page B

the hard work and duties that would come with leadership, and Moon knew she was happy to be a free spirit. But surely Star realized, now that they were both older, that Moon didn’t have the same liberty to mess around and play pointless games?
    I must learn to be serious and dutiful .
    Before she could gnaw at her anxiety any longer, a new sound made Moon’s ears prick up. Those were pawsteps coming toward the camp through the undergrowth—yes, the hunt patrol was returning! The hunt-dogs’ shapes became recognizable as they drew closer and emerged from the bushes: Rush and Meadow, the wily terriers; Fly, the brown-and-white snub-nosed dog with the sad but watchful eyes; and in the lead, biggest and strongest of all, was Hunter. Moon felt her heart skip a nervous beat as Hunter’s eyes caught hers. He lifted his head slightly with pride; between his strong jaws was a plump and good-sized rabbit.
    Moon rose to her paws, ignoring Star’s snort of amusement. She dipped her head in solemn greeting, and Hunter gave a low whine of reply in his throat.
    He’s so well-named , she thought. He’s the strongest dog in the Pack, besides my Father-Dog, and he’s the best hunter. I’m glad my parent-dogs chose him for me .
    She sometimes wondered what it was going to be like, running the Pack with Hunter as her Beta. It couldn’t be anything but exciting, she decided, with a warm rush of gladness. She ignored the prickle of tension in her neck fur; nervousness and uncertainty were silly. She would be lucky to have such a strong and capable mate. Her parent-dogs had chosen carefully, and they were never wrong about such important Pack matters.
    She would go on making her Father-Dog and Mother-Dog proud, and she’d go on showing her gratitude to them and her favor to Hunter. I don’t care what Star thinks about it , Moon decided a little grumpily. It was true that she didn’t feel completely comfortable in Hunter’s company—he wasn’t the easiest dog to talk to, and he had a stern taciturnity that sometimes bordered on sullenness—but in time, they’d learn to get along. Why, she felt guilty for thinking even the mildest criticism of him; it felt like disloyalty to her parent-dogs. She and Hunter would make a perfect match in the end, she knew it.
    Behind Moon, the fir branches rustled as her Father-Dog emerged from the den and shook his fur. He waited expectantly as Hunter padded up to him and dropped the fat rabbit at his forepaws.
    â€œWell done, Hunter! Your day was good, then?”
    â€œIt was, Alpha,” replied Hunter, lashing his tail from side to side. “Plentiful prey, though some of it was too fast for the rest of the patrol.”
    It wasn’t the first time she’d heard Hunter criticize other dogs in his hunting patrol, but on this occasion Moon was a little startled. Rush and Meadow were very capable stalkers, after all, and long-legged Fly was a swift and agile runner. But as she glanced toward the brown-and-white dog, limping up behind Hunter, she noticed he did look stiff and tired. He placed his paws awkwardly, as if he was trying not to stumble, and his eyes seemed much duller than usual.
    â€œStill, you’ve all done a fine job,” Moon’s Father-Dog was saying. He didn’t seem to have noticed the change in Fly’s condition; he was too busy admiring Hunter’s rabbit. “The Pack will eat well tonight.”
    Hunter gave his Alpha a nod of acknowledgment and stepped back, his eyes still shining with pride in his catch, but Moon nudged her litter-sister with her shoulder.
    â€œFly doesn’t look well,” she whispered to Star. “Don’t you think?”
    Star cocked her head, frowning at Fly. He was sitting on his haunches now, his noble head drooping. His lolling tonguelooked dry and swollen.
    â€œIt was a long hunt,” Star muttered uneasily, “so he’s probably just tired.