Sweet's Journey by Erin Hunter Page B

stalked toward her, followed by her Packmates. The taste of the meat in her jaws was like acrid dust; she couldn’t even swallow it.
    â€œSweet.” Alpha’s bark was thunderous. “This is the worst offense a Pack member can commit.”
    â€œAlpha, I—” Her whine was so hoarse, she could barely hear it herself.
    â€œIf you really did this, Sweet,” Alpha growled, “you will be scarred both as punishment and as a sign to every dog of what youare. What do you have to say for yourself? How do you respond to Beta’s charge?”
    The half wolf’s yellow eyes were entirely unreadable. Sweet stared into them, transfixed with horror, searching for a trace of pity, or a trace of doubt.
    I won’t be scarred for something I didn’t do. I will not let it happen!
    But how can I stop it? I have no witnesses to speak for me! Beta planned this, she planned it perfectly from the start. . . .
    She could spring to her paws right now, she thought, turn and run. No dog here could catch her if she was determined. She was the fastest of all of them.
    But then she could never come back. Never . Finally tearing her eyes away from Alpha’s, she met Fiery’s steady clear gaze.
    Fiery wants me to deny it. He wants me to prove myself—he wants to know he and Moon were right to trust me. . . .
    Something churned in Sweet’s belly, and a spark of fire flared in her heart.
    I will not be the Dog Who Runs. Not this time. I will be the Dog Who Stands Her Ground .
    Sweet raised herself to her paws. She stood foursquare, her legs so rigid she was afraid they would tremble. But she gazed once more, this time with defiance, into Alpha’s eyes.
    â€œAlpha. Dogs of my Pack,” she barked, and her voice rang out clear and strong. “I reject Beta’s charge. She is lying. I will prove myself, here and now, in combat.”
    She turned to the red dog, and gazed at her icily.
    â€œ I challenge Beta .”

CHAPTER NINE
    The air in the camp crackled with tension, lifting the roots of Sweet’s fur. Dogs were drawing back into a wide circle, their eyes wide and their ears pricked in nervous expectation. There were small whines of anxiety, and a few excited growls of anticipation, quickly stifled.
    Sweet kept her eyes on Beta, who stood rigid, as if in shock. The red dog’s jaws were slightly parted, but as Sweet watched, she recovered, and her lips stretched in a sneer over her sharp fangs.
    At Sweet’s side, Moon murmured, “Is this what you wanted all along, Sweet? To challenge Beta and become Alpha’s second in command?”
    Sweet cocked one ear at her friend. “Of course not. That has nothing to do with this.” She frowned. “I’m tired of putting up with her, that’s all. Taunting me, playing tricks. The Wind-Dogs wouldn’t put up with it from the Hare. If I tolerated it from Beta,I’d be letting down Alpha Wind-Dog herself!” A fierce thrill of determination went down Sweet’s spine as she said it. Wind-Dogs , she thought, be with me! Give me the speed I need!
    â€œHear me, dogs of my Pack,” barked Alpha. “Sweet the swift-dog challenges Beta.” He glanced around them all, then stepped back and nodded to the two challengers.
    â€œBe careful, Sweet,” Moon whispered, licking her ear. “Beta is a good and clever fighter. And she’s ruthless.”
    â€œI know she is.” Sweet nodded calmly. “But I can either stand up to her, or I can run. And I won’t be the Dog Who Runs, not anymore. I’ve tried that, and I always regret it. Now, I’m going to be the Dog Who Stands.”
    â€œYou’ll stand,” snarled Beta, “till I grind you into the dust.” She flung herself at Sweet, fangs snapping, claws lashing.
    Sweet whirled, ducked, and flew beneath Beta’s charging body. If Beta had hoped to catch her off guard with a single violent charge,