A New Beginning by Sue Bentley

Prologue
    Storm whimpered as he crawled into the cave. Behind the young silver-gray wolf, stars glimmered in the purple sky.
    Suddenly, a piercing howl echoed in the night air.
    â€œShadow!” Storm gasped, trembling with fear.
    The fierce lone wolf who had attacked Storm and the Moon-claw pack was close by. Storm knew he had to disguise himself, and quickly!
    There was a dazzling gold flash and a fountain of golden sparks that lit up the back of the cave for a brief second. Where the wolf cub had just stood, there now crouched a tiny, sandy golden retriever puppy with floppy ears and twinkling midnight-blue eyes.
    Storm’s little puppy heart beat fast. In that split second of light, he had seen his mother, the she-wolf, lying crumpled against a rock.
    â€œMother?” he whined, plunging deeper into the cave.
    â€œStorm?” Canista lifted her head to answer him in a velvety growl.
    In the dim light Storm could see his mother’s heaving sides and hear her rapid breathing. He felt a new surge of panic. “You are hurt! Did Shadow attack you, too?”
    Canista nodded weakly. “His bite is poisoned. It drains my strength.”
    Storm’s blue eyes flared with sorrow and anger. “Shadow has already killed my father and my three litter brothers. I will face Shadow and fight him!”
    â€œBravely said, my son. But now is not the time. You are the only cub left of our Moon-claw pack. Go to the other world. Use this puppy disguise to hide. Return when your magic is stronger. Then, together, we will fight Shadow.” Canista’s head flopped back tiredly as she finished speaking.
    Storm bowed his head. He did not want to leave her, but he knew his mother was right.
    The sound of mighty paws and a thunderous snarl echoed from the mouth of the cave.
    â€œGo, Storm. Save yourself,” Canista growled urgently.
    Storm’s sandy fur ignited with gold sparks. He whined softly as he felt the power building inside him. The golden light around him grew brighter. And brighter . . .

Chapter ONE
    Lily Benson felt a leap of excitement as her dad pulled up outside Greengates riding stables.
    â€œYay! I love Saturday afternoons. I get to spend hours and hours with ponies!” she cried, jumping out of the car.
    Lily went around to the open window and bent down to kiss her dad’s cheek.
    Mr. Benson laughed. “Careful you don’t get pony-overload!”
    â€œThere’s no such thing,” Lily said. Her bedroom walls were covered with posters of ponies and her bookcase was crammed with riding books and magazines.
    â€œWhat a shame. I was hoping you might stop bugging your mom and me to buy you one!” her dad said.
    He was only joking, but Lily felt a pang. She was desperate for a pony of her own. But her parents were worried about the hard work and amount of time it would take to care for it. Lily knew they were hoping she’d be satisfied with having free rides in exchange for helping out at Greengates.
    â€œI’ll never stop asking in a zillion years. Ponies rule, Dad!” she said.
    â€œYou’ve got a one-track mind, Lily Benson. Have a good time. See you later,” he called, steering away from the curb.
    Lily sighed. She waved good-bye and then went into the stable yard.
    The main stable buildings were built around two sides of a square. A large gate at one end led to the grazing field. Just beyond the field Lily could see the house where Janie Green who ran Greengates lived.
    Janie was outside the tack room with Treacle and Taffy, two of the smaller ponies. Two young children in riding gear stood waiting ready to mount.
    Janie looked up and smiled warmly as Lily approached. She had a round pretty face with twinkling brown eyes and was always cheerful. “Hi, Lily. I hope you’re feeling energetic. We’re fully booked this afternoon.”
    â€œHi, Janie,” Lily said. She patted Taffy’s neck and stroked Treacle’s nose.