A Pack Divided Read Online Free Page A

Enough to feed her and her unborn pups, but not too much. She’s a thoughtful leader as well as a strong one.
    Lucky was next, as Pack Beta. Like Sweet, he took a reasonable but not greedy portion, choosing a smaller rabbit. When he had settled back at Sweet’s flank, the Alpha nodded to her third-in-command.
    â€œGo ahead, Snap.”
    The sleek lead hunter nodded and stepped forward, but Stormcouldn’t help but notice the tension that rippled through some of the Pack. Twitch’s former comrades , she realized. There seemed to be an undercurrent running through those dogs, an unseen force she could feel, like the frightening pull of the deepest part of the river. Storm flicked her ears nervously. One of Twitch’s former Pack growled softly, but no dog reacted, and none said a word.
    After Snap, the hunters were summoned in strict order of rank. Storm felt proud to be called in the middle of them, and she was careful to follow the example of Sweet and Lucky, selecting a modest half of one of the rabbits she’d caught. She felt even prouder when Mickey, the steadfast Farm Dog, growled to her quietly as she passed him.
    â€œSensible choice. And well done on your catch, Storm. A good hunt!”
    She lifted her head higher as she resumed her place in the circle, her belly comfortably full, her heart light with happiness. It felt good to be respected for more than her part in a violent, bloody battle; to be appreciated for what she could bring to the Pack’s day-to-day existence.
    The hunters of Twitch’s Pack ranked below the original hunters of Sweet’s Pack, and Alpha let them wait almost till the end—only Arrow, the lowest-ranked hunter, who had been oneof Blade’s Pack, was left to follow them. Woody, Whisper, and Breeze fidgeted and muttered among themselves, looking agitated, and when it was his turn, Woody glanced hesitantly toward Twitch, as if waiting for his former Alpha’s permission to eat. Twitch said nothing, however, and when Sweet prompted Woody again, he stepped up to the prey pile. Whisper looked relieved that the awkward moment had passed—but Breeze glared sullenly at the dogs of Sweet’s original Pack. A nervous tingle unsettled Storm’s back fur, and she felt a creeping sense of unease.
    â€œPatrol dogs next,” announced Alpha, turning her warm gaze on the dogs who came below the hunters in the Pack hierarchy. “Twitch?”
    The buzz of tension instantly intensified, as if Lightning had leaped from the sky and run unseen through every dog. Storm glanced around, alarmed. Moon’s hackles were bristling, though she said nothing; Thorn, on the other hand, gave a single angry yelp. Beetle’s low growl was hostile.
    â€œMy Mother-Dog Moon has always led the patrol dogs,” he grumbled.
    Beetle, shut up , thought Storm, nervous and angry. What does it matter? Can’t you see there’s enough for every dog? Sweet and Lucky made sure of that!
    Twitch took no notice of the tension in the atmosphere, but simply limped up to the prey pile, silent and dignified. Alpha turned her elegant head to stare at Beetle, then at his litter-sister Thorn.
    â€œYour Alpha makes the decisions here,” she said sharply. “Remember the Pack.”
    When Twitch finished eating and returned to his place, Moon stepped up. The two dogs did not look at each other.
    Storm was relieved when at last the meal was over, when Sunshine the Omega had gulped down the two little mice that were left for her. Sharing the prey had been an unnerving experience tonight. Though every dog had eaten, none seemed satisfied, and each dog shifted and scratched with nervous energy.
    Storm got to her paws and turned to Beetle and Thorn, dipping her head slightly and letting her jaw fall open in a friendly grin. “Play-battle some more?”
    â€œI don’t think so.” Thorn’s growl was stiff, and Beetle shook his head and turned away to nibble