much of that did you hear?”

Ryan blushed. “I didn't hear much.” he lied.

Dusty smiled hopefully. “Could this be possible?”

Ryan raised a eyebrow. “What?”

“that... you actually have feelings for me?”

Ryan was speechless. 'oh no... how did she find out!' He hung his head low. “Yeah- I mean no! I mean- Whoa!” He felt himself being pushed to the floor. “Dusty what-”

Dusty was on top of him with a bright smile on her face. She licked his cheek. “-I love you too Ryan.”

He was speechless.

Dusty bit her lip, she was getting nervous. “Please say something.”

Ryan finally smiled. He licked her cheek back.

Dusty chuckled and licked him again.. this was definitely the start of something new....

Chapter 3: A Love Triangle Begins

Alue sat alone in her chambers. It had been a long day, sighing she started to curl into a deep sleep.

“Alue.”

She opened her eyes. “Nava?” she asked with a yawn.

“Someone wants to see you.” Nava said.

Alue frowned. “Who does?”

Nava didn't reply, instead Shadow answered that question by stepping into view. Alue sighed.

“Leave us.”

Nava nodded and left the two alone. “What do you want?” Alue asked.

Shadow sighed deeply. “To apologise about earlier today.”

“That was nothing” Alue said.

“No, I should've have yelled at you like that. I'm sorry.”

Alue finally smiled, amused. “Apology accepted.”

The two stood with a awkward silence for a few minutes before Alue finally decided to say something. “So... where does this leave us? Can we try this again?”

Shadow's smile softened. “For now... lets just stick to us being friends.” with that he finally left the chamber.

“You sure you wanna go home? You can always stay at my place.” Claire was a little nervous about going home due to her earlier encounter with Damon. Kodi was offering her to stay at his place. After what his father had told him about Steele, he wasn't so sure about leaving Claire alone.

Clarie smiled and nuzzled him. “I'll be fine. Thanks for today, I had fun.”

Kodi chuckled and nuzzled her back. “Hope my dad lived up to your standards.”

Clarie smiled amused. “Your dad's sweet and your mom... she's really cool.”

Kodi frowned noticing her a little down. “I can stay over if you want.” he offered again.

Claire rolled her eyes playfully. “Stop worrying about me. I can take care of myself.”

Kodi smiled as he licked her cheek. “Ok, goodnight.”

“Goodnight.” Claire replied licking him back. Making her way inside she spotted Marvin in the living room snoring. Claire couldn't help but giggle.

“So who's the rebound guy?.” Clarie growled once she found out who that voice came from. “What are you doing back?”

Damon who emerged from a dark corner, smirking “You didn't answer my question.”

“His name is Kodi and he actually cares for me unlike you.” Claire snarled.

Damon's smirk faded. “Do you actually think I cheated on you?”

“It's what I saw Damon! Don't bother to deny it.”

Damon sighed. “I regret ever doing it. It kills me to think I did that to you.”

“But you did and you seemed to enjoy it. Damon why did you really come back?”

“Because I love you! Claire I came back for you.”

Claire's eyes welled up with tears. “What you did... is unforgivable.”

“I didn't want to do it! Claire I regretted doing it, I wanted to take it back, I wished it never happened at all.” Damon said now in a pleading tone.

Claire sighed. “I'm sorry Damon. I just don't have feelings for you anymore. You came back too late”

Damon growled. “fair enough.” he started making his way out of the living room. “I will fight for you if I have to” with that he was finally gone leaving Claire alone in the living room stunned.

“Where have you been boy!” Duke exclaimed relieved. “I've been so worried about you.”

Balto barked in reply. Duke chuckled. “Let me guess... Jenna?”

Balto licked his face. Duke smirked. “She must mean something to you.”

'Your damm right about that.' Balto thought.

Duke laughed. “Get some rest boy, you need it.”

Balto barked in reply. Duke left into the kitchen leaving Balto in the living room. He made his way to a couch and started to drift off into a deep sleep.

“Well if it isn't the famous Balto.”

Balto's ears perked up. “Who's there?”

Out of the Shadows stepped out a familiar malamute with black and white fur and piercing blue eyes. Balto growled once he found out who it was.

“That won't be necessary, I won't be staying long.” Steele said calmly.

“What do you want?” Balto snarled. “Have you come to finally kill me? Do it then, I'm right here!”

“Killing you would be quick and painless... I want you to suffer, I'm to kill all your friends and family one by one and there's nothing you can do about it.”

Balto sighed. “Why are you doing this?”

“Revenge is sweet, you kinda deserve this.” Steele said with a amused smile.

“Steele kill me, I'm here now, you can rip my throat open, but please don't harm anyone else, this Is between you and me.” Balto said.

“They are involved in this as much as you are.” Steele stepped aside to reveal a badly bruised body of Star. “This is only the beginning.” with that Steele left the room.

Balto rushed to the husky's side. “Star! Talk to me buddy!”

The husky coughed weakly. “Balto?” Various bruises covered his body, he was good as dead.

Balto's eyes welled up with tears. “I'm so sorry. It's my fault-”

Star cut him off weakly. “-T-this wasn't your fault buddy.”

“Your gonna be ok Star, It's not that bad.”

Star smiled weakly  with that the husky became a limp body. Fear and emotion flooded through Balto as Steele's words haunted his mind....

"this is only the beginning."

To Be Continued...........