Few things of much note happened after that fight. Chase made a public announcement that anyone who didn't want to be part of the "army" was free to leave. Sadly, about a dozen dogs opted to do so even after the revelation that Groven's plan had been a plot to get his revenge on Chase for something she had no part of. On the other hand, most of the former rebels decided to stay with her. As one of them philosophized, "Somebody's always gonna boss us around. Better to follow a leader who works."

Groven's body was taken out of town and buried in an unmarked spot, and everything returned to normal after a day or two. Almost.

Over the next several days, Toby and Luna observed a change in Arrow. She pecked at her food like a bird, her face seemed to have a sad air about it, and she spoke far less than usual. Finally, one day, when they were alone together, Luna decided to find out what it was. "Arrow," she queried, "is something wrong? You haven't been yourself lately."

Arrow hung her head. "Well…there is something I need to tell you."

Luna tilted her head. "What is it?" she asked.

Arrow twiddled her paws. "The reason I knew your aunt was in trouble is because…because Groven told me to keep you busy."

Luna blinked. "Come again?"

"He didn't want you getting in the way, so he told me to pretend that I really wanted to be adopted so you and Toby wouldn't get nosy."

Luna looked hurt. "What?"

Arrow's eyes dropped to the ground. "It didn't seem like I had a choice."

Tears began to fill Luna's eyes. "You mean everything you did to get us to take you in…was a lie?"

Arrow nodded remorsefully. "I'm sorry. I didn't want to do it, honest. But he said if I didn't, he'd throw me out or worse."

"Arrow…" Luna's heart moved into her throat. "You mean to tell me that you coming around here…was an act?"

A lump so hard that it hurt to breath formed in Arrow's throat. She was quiet for a long time, and when she finally spoke again, her voice was sad. "You must hate me now."

Luna was sorely tempted to agree, but she bit back the words. After taking a deep breath she said, "I don't hate you, Arrow, but…" She paused and willed her tears not to flow. It didn't do much good. "Do you have any idea what you did to me?" she asked. "You took my dream and made it nothing but a lie! I really cared about you, and you lied to me!"

Arrow licked Luna's cheek. "Honest, Mom―I mean, Luna―I didn't want to do it, I just did it because…because…" She fumbled for an excuse. Because Groven would have killed her? She could have played double-agent. Luna would have kept her safe, especially with Toby and his dad to help. She hung her head. "Forget it," she finished. "It doesn't matter why. I used you, and that's all there is to it."

Luna stared at her, her eyes barely visible through the tears. "Leave me alone," she sobbed. "Please. Just go away."

Arrow got up. "Okay," she whispered. And she walked out the pet door. On the porch, the muffled sound of Luna's pained sobbing was almost more than she could bear. Now what do I do? she wondered miserably. Luna doesn't want me anymore. I can't go back to the strays; they wouldn't have anything to do with me if they found out. And Toby… What could she tell Toby? That she had used him too? That she had wormed her way into their trust and played his mate like a harp? That both he and Luna had been duped? No, there had to be another answer. But what? She could just imagine what Luna would tell him. Vividly, she pictured Luna's tear-streaked face, almost heard her choked voice describing the betrayal…

She shuddered. Well, he's going to know sooner or later, she decided. I might as well tell him myself and take my lumps. To Arrow's surprise, Toby listened quietly as she told him the truth. Though his voice was silent, his emotions hopped all over the scale like nervous crickets. "I didn't know what else to do," she concluded.

Toby's face was a mix of anger, sorrow, and strangely enough pity, then settled on disappointment. "You know," he said softly, "I really wanted to see Luna happy. And I cared about you, too. You made me feel like I really was your dad."

Arrow felt her eyes starting to leak. "Let's just pretend I already feel bad and you don't need to rub it in anymore," she suggested.

Toby just stared at her for a long moment. "There's only one thing I want to know," he said. "You say you were supposed to keep us in the dark, but instead you warned us. Why?"

Arrow took a deep breath and was silent for several moments before she answered. "Well…I saw that you and Luna cared. Not just about having me as your kid, but really cared. About me. And…well, I guess I learned something from you guys."

Toby's face softened. "Well," he said at last, "I'm glad we were at least able to do that."

Arrow nodded. "Can I ask you something?"

Toby considered. "Go ahead."

She stared at the ground, then looked up at him shyly. "This is going to sound silly…" she began.

And then her stomach made a noise like a miniature earthquake. Toby nodded. "Very silly," he agreed.

"No, not that!" Somehow her stomach's sudden call for nourishment made it easier for Arrow to speak. Taking a deep breath, she asked, "I was kind of wondering if I could still call you…Dad?"

Toby looked at her with a gentleness that made Arrow's heart scream for it. He lowered his head to her level, and in a soft, fatherly voice said, "I wouldn't have it any other way."

Now Arrow screamed and wept for joy. Never in her entire life had she felt so wanted, so needed. With her parents, it had always been more of a you're-here-so-we'll-take-care-of-you kind of relationship. But now, as she hugged Toby's leg and he held her close, she knew, beyond the darkest shadow of a doubt that this was what she wanted.