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Fiery was an able and friendly hunting partner.
    â€œNow I smell that deer you saw,” said the big dog. “We’re closing on it. But I’m still not sure we can catch it.”
    â€œI think we can,” Sweet told him confidently. “I’m faster than it is, and I know the forest better.”
    When she’d first caught sight of the creature, she could tell—even from a distance—that it was not at its strongest. Many animals were underfed and scrawny, in the aftermath of the BigGrowl, but the deer would still provide a good meal for the Pack—if they could run it down.
    â€œDeer are so easily spooked,” Fiery pointed out, “and this one will be even warier. It doesn’t belong in the forest, and it’ll be on edge. No dog in this Pack has managed to catch one before.”
    â€œWe need to drive it into the denser trees,” advised Sweet. “Then it’ll have far less space to dodge.”
    â€œStop talking about it.” The derisive snarl came from behind them. “Just take the deer down, or find something else.”
    Fiery paused to look over his shoulder. “Beta. I didn’t know you were joining us.”
    â€œI’m not,” growled the red dog. “I want to see how Sweetie manages a hunt.”
    Sweet ground her jaws together, hanging on to her temper. She knew Beta was waiting for her to fail at something—longing for it, in fact—and she’d gloat for days if Sweet failed to catch the deer now. The sneakiness of the red dog riled her so much, she could feel her muscles quiver beneath her skin—and that wouldn’t help her to keep cool and calm for the hunt.
    Drawing herself up, Sweet ignored Beta and turned to Fiery. “Are you ready?”
    Fiery inclined his massive head. “If you think we can do it.”
    â€œI know we can.” Sweet could sense Beta almost twitching with irritation. The red dog had been furious, Sweet knew, when Alpha had promoted her to hunter. If they didn’t make this kill, she was certain that the tale of her failure would make its swift way to Alpha’s ears. Deep in her throat, Sweet growled softly. Failure was not an option now.
    â€œFiery, if you circle the edge of the forest there, you’ll force the deer toward me. Don’t rush it, all right? Just walk in step with it; don’t let it escape past you. I’ll do the rest.”
    The big dog nodded. Without another word, to Sweet or to Beta, he padded off in a wide flanking movement. Crouching lower, watching silently, Sweet saw the deer’s head come up in alarm. Taking no more notice of Beta, Sweet began to lope carefully forward.
    The deer was upwind of her, and it was focused on the huge shadow of Fiery, slipping through the tree trunks to its left. It sprang forward, then hesitated, doubled back, and began to trot deeper into the trees. Again it stopped, scanning the forest, but its only concern was the threat of Fiery.
    Sweet moved smoothly and silently, a lean shadow, her long legs delicately finding the best path through the leafy undergrowth. Ahead of her the deer jerked to the side, uncertain now.Its eyes were huge.
    Finally panicking, the deer leaped into a run, bolting across Sweet’s path. But she was close enough now. As she sprinted to intercept it, it skidded to a halt, panicked into indecision. Sweet had only an instant, and she took it, springing and seizing the creature’s throat, then hanging grimly on as Fiery plunged through the bushes to join her.
    When the deer flopped limp beneath them, its kicking legs finally going still, Fiery drew back, panting. “We did it!”
    â€œI told you we could,” said Sweet quietly.
    No need for noisy bragging , she thought with satisfaction. I’ve proved myself to Fiery—and in front of Beta!
    Between them, she and Fiery hauled the deer’s carcass back through the trees to the camp. It wasn’t an easy job,