Moon's Choice by Erin Hunter Page A

leader,” she growled slowly, choosing her words with care. “I value loyalty in a mate. You’ve shown none. Of course I won’t accept you as my mate, Hunter.” Her voice rose and she almost spat her anger: “I reject you with every part of my dog-spirit.”
    His ears tightened against his skull, and Moon caught a glimpse of that vicious light in his eyes, the gleam she’d never noticed when her parent-dogs were alive. “Then you’re a fool,” he snarled.
    My parent-dogs always thought Hunter would be a strong leader, because he was a strong fighter. But I don’t think they would choose him now, if they’d witnessed his behavior. Any Pack deserves better.
    Moon stiffened her muscles and lashed her tail, hiding her aching heart behind a frosty coldness. “I may be a fool. But I willsay this: Snap, Mulch, and Omega are my Packmates, and I am their Alpha, but I do not choose for them. It’s possible they think I’m a fool too.” She turned to Snap, and nodded. “If you three wish to follow Hunter, I won’t try to stop you. He’s strong; he’s right about that. He’ll lead you well.” The strength of her voice faltered slightly as her gaze moved to Mulch, and then to Omega. “I’m not interested in ordering dogs around, and you should all have a say in what happens to this Pack. You must make your own choices. I won’t follow Hunter—not if he was the last dog left in the world—but if you want to go with him, I won’t try to stop you.”
    The three of them glanced at one another, and Moon couldn’t help but hold her breath. Please don’t leave, she found herself begging them inwardly. I don’t want to be the last of my Pack. I don’t want to be alone.
    But she wouldn’t ever say it aloud. She only licked her jaws nervously as Snap stepped forward.
    The tan-and-white dog gave Hunter a cool stare. “I too value loyalty in a leader,” she said. “And if my Alpha is true to me, I will give that loyalty back till the day I go to the Earth-Dog.” Snap swept her gaze contemptuously away from Hunter, and looked at Moon with much softer eyes. “I will not follow Hunter, and I won’t submit to him. He’s proven himself a coward and a betrayer.You are my Alpha, Moon.”
    Mulch sprang forward to Snap’s side. He didn’t even look at Hunter, but focused his gaze on Moon. “I’m with Snap,” he said. “Everything she says is true. You’re my Alpha, Moon. I follow you, and no other dog, not as long as you want me in your Pack.” For the first time he slanted his eyes at Hunter, who was clenching his teeth in fury. “We’re better off without this false dog.”
    Hunter rose to his four paws, trembling as he glared at the squat little Omega, the last dog to make his choice. Omega twisted his already wrinkled muzzle, and his pink tongue darted out to lick his ugly jaws. He looked very uncomfortable—and no wonder, thought Moon, when Hunter was several times bigger than him—but he spoke firmly.
    â€œHow could I trust Hunter?” he whined. Backing away from Hunter’s furious eyes, he tucked his tail between his legs, and went on stubbornly. “I couldn’t trust you ever again. You’d abandon me in the flash of a rabbit tail. I’m staying with Moon.”
    Moon closed her eyes briefly, feeling a wave of relief and gratitude wash over her. But as Hunter growled, she opened her eyes again and met his gaze steadily.
    â€œYou’re pathetic,” he snarled at her. “Choices? Omegas don’t make choices! Hunt-dogs and Patrol Dogs don’t vote for theirleaders! Your Pack’s mine for the taking. It’s my right! Your Father-Dog gave me that right. He chose me to be Alpha!”
    â€œHe did not,” barked Moon, her fur bristling with anger now. “And if he’d seen how you’ve