by Bentley, Sue
“I bet Honey would have loved this,” Della said wistfully.
Storm nodded.
It was late when they got back, and Della went straight up to bed. “Sweet dreams,” she said, cuddling Storm in the darkness. A loud growling and snapping sound from outside woke her an hour later. Della shot upright and switched on her bedside lamp.
She reached out to see if Storm was awake, but he wasn’t on the bed. “Storm?” she whispered.
There was no answer. Where could he be?
Chapter
* NINE *
Della heard a tiny whine of terror. It was coming from under the bed.
She jumped out and bent down to look beneath it. Storm was curled into a tiny ball, pressed up against the wall. She saw that the little puppy was trembling.
“What’s wrong? Are you sick?” she asked worriedly.
“I sense that Shadow knows where I am. I heard those dogs outside and I think he has sent them after me,” he whimpered.
Della felt a stir of alarm, but the barking and growling was already beginning to fade, and soon everything was silent, except for the odd buzz of the cicadas. She went over to the window and opened the shutters a crack so that she could peer out.
“There aren’t any there now. Maybe it was just the farm dogs,” she told him. “How will I know they’re Shadow’s dogs, if he does send any?”
Storm lifted his head. “They will be ordinary dogs, with fierce pale eyes and extra-long, sharp teeth. Shadow’s magic will make any dog I meet into my enemy now.”
“Then I’ll have to make extra sure to keep you well hidden,” Della said. She reached right under the bed with one hand and gently stroked Storm with her fingertips.
The terrified puppy slowly uncurled. He crawled toward her with his ears flattened and little tummy pressed to the ground.
Della gently picked him up and got back into bed with him. She could feel his heart beating rapidly against her fingers.
“You’re safe now,” she crooned. “I hope that horrible Shadow will keep on going and never be seen again!”
Storm twisted around to look up at her, his little pointed face serious. “He will never stop looking for me. If he comes back I may have to leave suddenly, without saying good-bye.”
Della nodded sadly as she was reminded again that she couldn’t keep Storm with her forever. She kissed the top of his soft little head and rubbed her chin in his fur, sure that she wouldn’t sleep a wink now. But seconds later she was fast asleep.
“Hola!” Carmella called at the kitchen door, her arms full of clean towels. “How are you?”
Della was helping herself to orange juice from the fridge. She looked up and smiled at the Spanish girl. “Hi! I’m fine, thanks.”
Carmella smiled back. She came inside and had a word with Della’s mom, who was in the front room writing postcards.
After a few minutes, Carmella reappeared with the laundry. She paused on her way out to speak to Della. “See you tonight for the barbecue at the farm! You are all invited.”
“Great. See you there,” Della said. She turned to Storm when Carmella had gone. “Sounds like fun!” she whispered and she had a thought. “I wonder if Honey will be there.”
Storm looked up at her with his sparkling blue eyes. “I hope so. That would be fun.” There had been no more signs of any fierce dogs, and Storm seemed back to his usual self.
Della wondered what would happen if she and Honey met up again. It was three days since the beach trip. Would Honey be glad to see her? Or would she just ignore her?
“Maybe I should go over to the villa and talk to her. Or I could write a note and slip it under the door,” Della said to Storm. “I can’t decide what to do. What do you think?”
Storm put his head on one side. “What do you want to do?” he woofed.
Della was silent for a moment. “I want to be friends with her again,” she said finally. It was true, she realized. She missed Honey. “I know—I’ll buy her a present! I can give it to her at the barbecue.”
Storm nodded. “I think Honey would like that.”
Della went to find her mom to ask if they could drive into town. Mrs. Walton agreed readily. “I want to get some stamps and mail these cards anyway.”
Della and Storm went into a shop with her. There was a display of stuffed animals, and Della immediately pounced on a gorgeous, realistic-looking Labrador puppy toy. It had plushy cream fur and melting brown eyes.
“Any girl would love this,” she said, reaching for her teddy-bear-shaped purse.
Storm nodded agreement.
“What a cute toy. I didn’t know that you were so into puppies,” her mom commented as they returned to the car.
“Oh, I am—hugely!” Della said, grinning. If only her mom knew! “But it’s not for me. It’s for Honey.”
“Ah. I see,” her mom said, sounding as if she understood completely.
Della could hardly wait for the barbecue. As soon as it was dark, they all strolled down the hillside to Maria’s farm.
Guitar music floated toward them. Strings of colored lights glowed from the trees, and a delicious smell rose from the barbecue, where meat was sizzling. Maria, her husband, and Carmella welcomed them. Farm workers stood around chatting and smiling in a friendly manner.
Della looked around for Honey, but the Green family hadn’t arrived yet. “I hope Honey’s coming,” Della whispered to Storm, looking at the toy Labrador.
There was no reply.
With a whine of terror, Storm raced toward the grove of orange and lemon trees.
Della whipped around and saw two small dogs running into the courtyard. They raised their heads and she saw their abnormally long teeth and fierce pale eyes.
Her heart skipped a beat. They were here for Storm! Her friend was in terrible danger. Della dashed toward the trees. Just as she reached them, there was a bright golden flash. She blinked as her sight cleared. Storm stood there as his real wolf self. His dazzling silver-gray fur gleamed with bright sparks, and his midnight blue eyes glowed like jewels. A she-wolf with a gentle face and kind eyes stood next to him.
And then Della knew that Storm was leaving for good.
A sob rose in her throat, but she forced herself to be brave for her friend’s sake. “Your enemies are close. Save yourself, Storm!”
Storm raised a large silver paw in farewell. “You have been a good friend. Thank you for helping me, Della,” he said in a deep, velvety growl.
There was an ache in Della’s chest, and her eyes stung with tears. She was going to miss Storm terribly. “Good-bye. Take care. I’ll never forget you,” she whispered hoarsely.
There was a final bright flash, and a silent explosion of sparks sprinkled harmlessly around her like glittering sand.
Storm and his mother faded and then disappeared. The mean dogs ran through the trees. Della saw their teeth and eyes instantly return to normal before they turned and slunk away.
Della blinked away tears as she went slowly back toward the farmhouse. At least she’d had a chance to say good-bye to Storm. She knew she’d never forget the wonderful adventure she’d shared with the magic puppy.
“I know you’ll be a wonderful leader some day. The Moon-claw pack is lucky to have you,” she said breathlessly.
A figure ran toward her. “There you are! This is for you,” Honey said. She held out a toy puppy with fluffy ginger-and-black fur. “It reminded me of that puppy on the beach.”
“I absolutely love it!” Della said, gathering the toy into her arms. “I bought something for you too.” She gave Honey the Labrador puppy.
“Wow! Thanks. It’s adorable!” Honey gave a shaky smile. “So—does this mean we’re friends again? I’m so sorry, Della.”
“Definitely friends again. But no more silly pranks. Okay?” She remembered the plastic spider in her
wardrobe. “This isn’t a trick puppy, is it?”
“Not exactly!” Honey showed Della the secret pocket, like a tiny furry pouch, which had a small card inside. On it was printed I AM YOUR SPECIAL FRIEND. MY NAME IS . . . There was a gap to write the name of your choice.
“No contest. I know exactly what I’m going to call my puppy!” Della said, her heart lifting, as she linked arms with Honey.
About the AUTHOR
Sue Bentley’s books for children often include animals, fairies, and wildlife. She lives in Northampton, England, and enjoys reading, going to the movies, relaxing by her garden pond, and watching the birds feeding their babies on the lawn. At school she was always getting yelled at for daydreaming or staring out of the window—but she now realizes that she was storing up ideas for when she became a writer. She has met and owned many cats and dogs, and each one has brought a special kind of magic to her life.