only lead to more hurt."

There was a pause, then Sonya spoke again, "I bet Steele wouldn't be so happy if he hadn't won that race. We were so close… and I was the one that tripped up."

"Hey, don't beat yourself up about that. You only tripped because Steele cheated, and despite that, we still managed to get second place. Considering this was your first big race that's amazing. We got second place, even though everyone said that you were only a scrub dog, good enough for pulling freight. Even dogs on our own team were saying that you would never be a racing dog and you proved them all wrong. You got us to second place and I'm proud of you for that. I'm sure your parents would be proud of you too," he finished. 

"But my parents are gone," she said sadly, "They would never know about this."

"Actually, they might," Amak said, "You know how on some nights, the aurora comes out?"

"Of course," she replied.

"Well, I have heard a story that says that the spirits of those who have passed watch over us when the aurora shines in the night sky. If that's the case, then I'm sure that your parents have been watching over you for a long time," Aniu couldn't help but smile at this. Amak had remembered the story from their first night stargazing.

"Really?" she said, and he nodded in reply, "Where did you hear something like that? I don't think I've ever heard any of the sled dogs talk about anything like that."

"Oh, you wouldn't believe me if I told you." 

"Oh she might Amak," Aniu thought, "She seems like a sharp kid." 

"Well, thanks for telling me that Amak," she replied, "I-I don't think I've ever told you this, but you've been like a father to me. You've always been there for me and I don't know how I'll ever thank you for that."

"Here's how: Try not to get yourself into any more trouble with Steele okay?" he replied, and she nodded, "Now go on, you should be getting home," Sonya ran off, leaving Amak alone in the barn. Once she was sure that the coast was clear, Aniu crept around and poked her head in.

"So, I take it you had a bit of an exciting night," she said.

Amak looked up in surprise, "Aniu? I wasn't expecting you," he said, "I guess you saw that little skirmish there?"

"Yes. Are you always the one breaking up the fights?" she asked. 

"Oh, you don't know the half of it. What you saw was only a small taste of the prejudice towards wolves," he replied, "I've done my best, but the others are so set in their ways, which doesn't help Sonya's mood much. The race that you saw was actually her first and she was looking forward so much to winning, but then Steele ruined it for her. For the past couple of years, he's been constantly harassing her, all because she's a wolfdog."

"It must be so hard for her," she said. "At least she has someone like you to look after her. I guess I know why you once called her 'your baby'."

"Yeah, she may be grown up, but I still think of her as my little girl. However, it's not all bad now; after the race, the others on my team have started to accept her more. Besides, she's always been a tough girl; she'd probably do okay without me. But enough about her; you're here, and I should be a good host for you," he said and leaned in to nuzzle her. She returned it with her own, and then the two left the barn.

"Last time I saw you, you said that you would have a surprise for me," she started, "What is it?" she asked. 

"I can't tell you; it wouldn't be a surprise then," he replied coyly, "Don't worry, you'll find out soon enough, but we have to get to my house first." They reached his yard and when they got there, Aniu took a moment to look up at the sky. The dark sky was dotted with stars, but the northern lights that she enjoyed watching so much were absent tonight.

"It's a nice night," she said, "Though, it's a shame the lights aren't out."

"Yeah, I would've enjoyed seeing the dancing spirits tonight," he said, "But I think I have something better in store for you. Wait here," he finished before dashing into his shed. He came out of it carrying a bag in his mouth that rattled when he dropped it. He went back into the shed for something else while she examined what he had first brought. Inside the bag was a set of colored, translucent chunks. They were somewhat like ice, except they didn't feel as cold and they were much clearer than ice was. While she wondered what he had planned that could possibly be better than the northern light, Amak soon came back out of the shed carrying a lit lantern in his mouth. 

"Amak, what are you doing?" she asked, "What's all this for?" 

"Creating the northern lights," he replied. 

"Creating the lights? How?"

"Well, if these pieces of glass are the polar ice caps…" he said as the arranged the glass in front of a small hill, "And if this lantern is the sun…" he continued, placing the lantern down on the ground so that he was in between it and the glass.

"I really don't see what you're getting at," she said.

"I'm not finished. Now, you have the ice caps and the sun, so if you look to the north…" he said as he moved to the side. When he was out of the way, the light shone through the glass and a dazzling array of color appeared on the hill. The reds, greens and blues all mixed with each other in an impressive show. They may not have been in the sky, but they were the close enough to the real northern lights that they left her breathless.

"Amak it's…… it's so beautiful," she said, amazed at the show playing out before her.

"Yeah…… beautiful," he said, not staring at the lights, but at her. She turned and looked at him, and as the light shone onto his face, it reflected off his eyes, making them glow. He was absolutely the most handsome sight that she had ever seen. His one ear drooped a little and he had a grin on his face. Not a large grin, just a small one that showed peace and contentment. She leaned in and nuzzled into his chest, and he licked the top of her head. She wanted this moment to last forever; it was just so perfect.

She didn't know what it was, but at that moment something clicked in her. That something told her that now was the right time. It was time for her to cement her bond with Amak. There's no need to go into details, but it can be safely said that on that night, it felt to her as though she and him were the only creatures in this world.

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Chapter 6: A New Surprise

In the early hours of the next morning, Aniu slowly woke up and found herself lying on something soft. Amak was fast asleep on his back, and she had fallen asleep with her head on his warm chest. As she lay there, listening to his heartbeat, the memories of the night before rushed over her. Every action, every feeling and every thought came back in full force. They were now mates, bonded for life. She started to get up and her motion stirred Amak out of his sleep as well.

"Good morning beautiful," he said as he opened his eyes.

"Good morning," she replied, giving his face a nuzzle.

"Is it morning already?" he asked.

"Unfortunately," she replied, "I wish I could stay longer, but I really don't want to arouse any more suspicion than necessary."

"That's true," he said before getting up, "While we're on the subject, how are things going with your pack? The last I heard from you, Mayak was giving you a little trouble."

"He was, but I told him that I wasn't interested in him," she replied, "He seemed a little put off by it, but I think he got the message."

"That's good to hear," he replied, "Well, shall we be off?" he asked, and she nodded.

The two walked side by side, occasionally stopping to nuzzle each other. They didn't need to say anything to each other by now; they could tell what the other was thinking simply by glancing at them. Amak seemed to have a new spring in his step, and Aniu felt like she had limitless energy. 

"So Aniu," he started, "Did you ever think you'd end up like this? Becoming mates with a sled dog?"

"Truth be told, I didn't even know dogs existed a couple of months ago," she replied, "So no, nothing like this was ever in my wildest dreams, but I wouldn't have it any other way. You will be the only one for me."

"Same here," he replied, "Besides, not many girls can say that they get to cuddle up with their champion at night."

"Amak, you could be one of the wheel dogs for all I cared; I'd still love you all the same," she said.

"Aw, thanks," he said, giving her a lick on the cheek. She returned it with her own and soon, their walk came to the edge of her pack's territory. It was time for her to say goodbye again, "Take care Aniu," he said, giving her a goodbye nuzzle.

"I will, and I promise I'll come back to you soon," she replied. She gave him one last lick on the cheek before dashing deeper into her