Cathán snarled. “Come on Aniou lets go.”

   Together both walked out of town, well aware of the repercussions that their actions would have but at that moment neither cared. 

         A couple of days after the race Cathán sat in the train station, next to him sat Fire, both talking about the events of the past couple of days. It had been Fire’s team that had won the race, and his team had also witnessed the fight with Flint. Despite the three year age gap between the two dogs they were friends, though Fire did live in Nome and not Fairbanks.  

 “Things have gone too far Cathán, that fight with Flint…..he said what a lot of dogs are thinking” Fire said watching the midday service from Nenena pull in.

 “Many have told me….not to mention what Amelia said to Aniou during the race….that conniving little…what she said….”

“Well she was only airing public views, I understand how you feel, I am willing to accept it…..but others are not….After I met her, I believe more than ever that you two are perfect for each other. I’ve talked to a couple of the wolves around Nome they have been pleasant to me.”

“You are one of few who do…..jeez why are dogs so blind that they cannot see past her looks? I wish they could all see the amazing, beautiful, kind hearted creature I see inside, if they saw that the other dogs would understand” Cathán sighted.

 “Well some do but the majority will not. Listen Chocolate Paw you have to make a choice, either you choose your career or you chose Aniou. I’m sorry to say it but both worlds cannot work together. Most half wolves we have met have had husky mothers and wolf fathers, the fathers have never been around.”

“You have a point, heck I have been thinking a lot about…She is amazing, being with her, I feel alive, as if I someone to be proud of. She is amazing, like an angel that has fallen to the earth, someone so amazing she could not possibly be real. I would do anything for her.”

“You really love her” Fire gasped in reply. “She is not just another fling to you.”

“Never, I want to be with her forever, I used to think I had all everything but my life was just a game until she came along. I cared only for racing.”

 “You’ve changed Cathán, you’ve been changed because of her… I never thought I would see the day. Once years ago…..when I was younger… I fell in love with a wolf…she was beautiful but I was young…….I was torn between her and my sledding life. I ended it because of our differences as I was unable to handle the pressure we faced. You are stronger than I was, you and Aniou have a chance to be happy, think on it” Fire replied leaving Cathán with his thoughts.

  Betrayal

    That evening Cathán made his way to the old train station where that the sled dogs used as a club house. The station workers were well aware of this and in the winter they kept a fire burning out of appreciation of the dogs work. Sled dogs and their friends/family were allowed in, a place to catch up on the news, play ball and have a singing session without trouble.

 “Alright Chocolate Paw time you sorted this out once and for all. This cannot go on any longer not after what Amelia said to Aniou. These are your friends, you know all theories and fears surrounding wolves. Explain this to them tell them those theories are untrue. Tell them what Aniou is like and how much she means to you. They might listen and be willing to change their behavior. They are your friend they will understand if given the chance, they are acting like this out of fear and distrust of wolves. For heaven’s sake you no need to be nervous, you have grown up with these guys. They all have girls, once they see how much I love her they will come round.”     

   Reaching the station Cathán walked into the room to find a crowd of his friends sitting around chatting about the recent race. Seeing him they called greetings and wagged their tails, with many of the visiting team’s dogs also present, among them Iron and a pretty black female.

 “Long time no see Chocolate Paw” called one, a red and cream dog called Red.

“Was wondering when you would turn up” called a Flint, sitting next to grey and white male called Giant.

 “It’s good to see you guys” Cathán replied walking over. “I’m not here just for fun I am here to explain the situation with Aniou.”

“Oh here we go again with that wolf!” Flint snarled shaking his head.

“Listen to me guys we need to talk about this cause I am pig sick of the way you are treating her. Let me explain things and you will understand.”

“Alright then Choc explain your little thing for this she wolf,” Giant replied looking at his friend.

 “Aniou maybe be a wolf but she is not like the wolves in the stories we hear. She has never hurt a human, her kind shy away from humans at all times. Her kind do not attack dogs or livestock, they stay away from towns at all cost.”

“If at that stuff is true then how did you meet her and why has she come into town?” asked Red in a sarcastic tone.

“We met by accident when I was out in the forest. She has come into town because I have invited her to see my home. When she has been in town watching races she has stood next to Franklin, he has stroked her, given her sweets and not once has she attacked him. In fact she is very good friends with him, she respects him and treats him well. If she was as vicious as you guys are making out she would not be so gentle with him.”

 “But Franklin is special to you Chocolate she may be acting nice around him to please you.”

 “Untrue. You know Red I’m shocked by your attitude, your own brother understands my love for her, why don’t you?”

“Fire always was sympathetic towards wolves.”

“So tell us Choc why did you chose this wolf over Amelia, what has she got that a pure bred husky like Amelia did not have? Is Amelia not good enough for you?” Flint asked.

 “Aniou is different to Amelia. When I am with Aniou I feel alive. She is amazing, I cannot put my paw on what it is but….”

“You’re under her spell Choc, that little she wolf has bewitched you” said Iron, a large black and white dog, walking over to the group. “That filthy she wolf has seen a respectable dog, in her jealousy she has decided to turn you against your own kind. You and I may not see eye to eye all the time but even I don’t want you to do something rash. Listen have a bit of fun with her if you like, I mean wolf she may be but she is pretty. Heck lots of dogs have done it, had a little fun with a pretty she wolf before getting a serious mate. Leave it at that though, tell her it has to end when you’re ready, I’d do it soon if I were you.”

“Well said Iron. Listen to him Choc, your ego has been given a boast by her attention and with all your success, well stress happens” Flint said placing a leg around Cathán.

  “My point exactly. You don’t want to throw away your career just for a little she wolf. She is unworthy of you. I mean Amelia was upset but she’s calmed down and understands how things are” Iron said as the other dogs nodded.

  “You guys don’t get it. I love Aniou! I love her, this isn’t just a fling for me. I know your history Iron, we all know about that she wolf you met in the forest last month. This is not the same. I want to be with Aniou, I want you guys to accept our relationship.”

 “WHAT” Flint, Iron and Giant gasped looking at him with shock.

“You cannot be serious Cathán” Flint said staring at him. “Aniou is a wolf. You cannot be with her. She is not good enough for you, she is…”

“Chocolate this is madness. She is a wolf you are a dog.  You are not meant to be together, my god she has bewitched you” Giant said shaking his head.

 “I never imagined I would here this from you Chocolate Paw” Iron said as he stared at Cathán in shock. “Wolf and dog should not be together. A dog is better than a wolf, wolves are dirt and you know it. No you are making a mistake falling in love with this she wolf. Snap out of it.”

“Iron is right Chocolate Paw” Red said standing up and walking over to him. “This is madness. You have a great career ahead of you, throwing all this away for a wolf is utter madness. You came here asking us to accept this, well we won’t. This Aniou is wolf dirt you can do far better than her.”

    Hearing his friends words Cathán stepped back in utter shock, unable to believe what he was hearing from his friends. Aware though he was of their prejudices he had hoped they would come to accept his love for Aniou. In utter shock he walked to the door, his eyes full of disappointment and pain. Then a feeling of anger entered him, turning to face his friends Cathán glared at them.

 “I thought you guys were my friends, I though you would accept my feelings for Aniou. I was wrong about you guys. You have all betrayed me. So fine stuff your opinions. I love Aniou and nothing you say can or will ever change that.