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nudging her until she was half upright. Her body swayed groggily on her forepaws, but she tried to sniff at the withered leaves.
    Her stomach roiled. “I can’t.” The water looked unappetizing, even though thirst was raging in her mouth and throat.
    â€œBut you must.” He nudged her again, and pulled the curved bark a little closer with his teeth. Water gleamed in it.
    â€œI’m not thirsty.” She flopped down onto her side.
    â€œYou are, Moon. And you must chew the leaves.” His gentle voice was insistent. Oh, why can’t he leave me alone?
    â€œ . . . Leave me alone,” she echoed the voice in her head.
    â€œNo, Moon, I can’t do that.” Fiery’s tongue caressed hercheekbone. “It doesn’t matter if you don’t feel like eating or drinking. You have to do it. For your Pack.”
    Moon blinked. She remembered imagining her family. Star and Beta and Alpha, all standing together. Pack is everything, Moon.
    Every muscle and bone in her body hurt as she hauled herself up again. She sniffed at the water, then touched her tongue to it.
    At once she realized how thirsty she really was. She lapped desperately, weakly, but the clear cold water slipping down her throat felt like a gift from the Sky-Dogs.
    â€œGood,” murmured Fiery. “Now, the leaves. Just one—you can do it, Moon.”
    In fact she managed to chew and swallow three of the dried-up leaves before she flopped down again in exhaustion. “I can’t eat any more, Fiery.”
    â€œThat’s all right. You’ve done great. They’ll help you, Moon, I promise.” His tongue licked her ear, gently and rhythmically, soothing her. “There’s something else that will help, too. You must sleep now.”
    She couldn’t answer him; her mind felt as weary as her body. Closing her eyes, she let herself go limp. The last thing she felt, before darkness enveloped her, was Fiery’s warm flank touching hers as he lay down beside her.
    It was a good place. A cool, dark place, one without pain. Time here means nothing. I think I’ll stay. . . .
    She didn’t want to swim up from the comforting depths of sleep, but Fiery made her do it. She felt his tongue licking her; heard his low voice urging her back to wakefulness.
    Moon whined in protest as the pain returned, but he was insistent. Another drink, another mouthful of leaves, and he soothed her to sleep again. “Well done, Moon. Your Pack needs this. Now sleep.”
    But you won’t let me sleep, she thought miserably as he nuzzled her awake yet again. How long had she slept? She didn’t know. She remembered only the wildest blur of dreams, but she knew they had been bad ones, and was glad they were only vague memories.
    If only he’d let her sleep for more than a few moments. Is it only that? That’s how it feels. . . .
    Time and time again Fiery nudged her awake, coaxing her to drink and to chew the leaves.
    â€œDo it for your Pack, Moon,” he’d say, pawing the water closer.
    Each time he roused her, she wanted to bite him, but she didn’t have the strength. Don’t wake me again, Fiery. Please don’t. Let me sleep.
    But he wouldn’t. “One more leaf, and I’ll leave you to rest. Just one, Moon. Now the water.”
    The last time he woke her, though, she remembered her dream clearly. She’d been in the jaws of the Earth-Dog.
    I was in the dark and I didn’t know which way to turn. Terror clutched her heart as she recalled the nightmare. She was holding me down. She wouldn’t let me go. I couldn’t breathe. . . .
    As Fiery pushed the leaves toward her, sickness rose in her throat, and she knew she couldn’t touch them again. Couldn’t even sniff them. Never. I’ll die if I have to!
    She was grateful Fiery had woken her from that terrible dream, but thanks were not what spilled out of her aching throat. “Why can’t you