lot of energy” Ralph whispered with concern. “You noticed this just now?” Kodi asked humorously.

     Meanwhile Balto was resting with Jenna at her place. “Jenna, you okay?” Balto asked. “I’m fine,” Jenna replied “why do you ask?” “you’ve been very quiet lately” Balto replied. Jenna rested her head on a pillow. “I know,” Jenna replied as she yawned “I’ve just felt exhausted recently, you know how I was right before we had the first litter.” Balto remembered back to when the first litter was born. He remembered when his children were still young pups. He couldn’t believe that they had grown up so fast. He knew that these feelings would be repeated with the second litter.

     “Balto?” Jenna said to her mate. Balto snapped out of his thoughts, and turned toward Jenna. “Sorry, Jenna,” said Balto “I was distracted for a moment there.” Jenna laughed at Balto’s response. “You know, Kodi’s going back to work, soon,” said Jenna “and Laura is joining his team, too.” Balto smiled as he thought about his son. “Kodi’s probably bouncing off the walls” Balto laughed. “If Kodi’s bouncing, I’d like to see what Laura’s doing!” Jenna laughed. The two mates looked at each other and smiled as they thought about their children. “They’re gonna be even more excited when the second litter comes” said Jenna happily “let’s hope they can control themselves then.”

     That night Kodi’s team was resting in the old barn that served as the meeting hall for the town’s canines. Kodi looked at the boiler at the end of the barn. He thought about the fact that he was going to be an older brother. Kodi had always looked up to his father. But Kodi realized that his siblings would be looking up to his father as well as him. Kodi was excited, but was somewhat nervous at the same time. “You still with us, Kodi?” Dusty asked. Kodi glanced back at his teammates. “Yeah, I was just thinking about something” he said to Dusty. “Something wrong, brother?” Laura asked. “I don’t know” Kodi replied. “I want to make our little siblings proud, you know?” Laura walked over to her brother. “I don’t want to let them down, I want to be to them what Dad is to us.” Laura didn’t like seeing her brother nervous like this. “I’m nervous, too,” said Laura “but if any one of us would make the little guys proud, it would be you.” Kodi smiled back at his sister. “Thanks” he said calmly. “Besides, the race next week should be your biggest concern right now” said Kirby. Kodi looked at his teammates, his concern giving way to confidence. “We’re gonna win, guys” said Kodi. “Heck yeah, we will!” the rest of the team cheered.  

Chapter 4: The Rivals

     Kodi and Laura watched as a sled team came into Nome. Laura didn’t recognize the sled team that was coming in.  “You think that’s our competition?” Laura asked Kodi. “Probably” Kodi replied. The sled team stopped near the Post Office. Kodi and Laura watched as the musher got off and looked around. The musher had a very rough black beard and was very tall. There was something about the man that didn’t seem right to Kodi. He couldn’t put his paw on it, but he knew something was off. As the man walked into the Post Office, Kodi and Laura walked toward the musher’s dogs. Kodi didn’t have a great feeling about the dogs hauling the sled, either. But Kodi decided that he was just being paranoid. The lead dog turned to look at Kodi, and the look on the dog’s face wasn’t friendly.

     “Hi, there,” Kodi said to the lead dog “welcome to Nome.” The lead dog growled in response. Kodi decided to introduce himself. “Hi, my name’s Kodi,” he said with a forced friendliness “this is my sister Laura.” The lead dog stopped growling and instead gave Kodi a stare of contempt. “You two don’t look so tough” the lead dog said. Kodi was baffled by this response. “I’m sorry, what did you just say?” Kodi asked. The lead dog continued to stare at Kodi. “You’re not gonna win…” the dog said ominously. Kodi’s confusion turned into frustration. “I just wanted to welcome you to-.” Kodi was suddenly interrupted when the musher forcefully pushed him aside to release his sled team from their harnesses. Kodi was becoming more frustrated by the situation. Laura became concerned that Kodi was going to become furious. “Kodi, it’s not worth the trouble” said Laura, her face also showing a degree of frustration. “I know, Laura,” Kodi said calmly “I know.” Kodi and Laura now knew for certain that this team was the rival group that their team was going to race against.

     Just as Kodi turned around to go home, a paw tapped him on his shoulder. Kodi looked around and noticed that it was another one of the dogs on the rival team. The dog didn’t have a mean look on her face. In fact, something about her face calmed Kodi down significantly. “I’m sorry about our leader,” the dog said “he doesn’t think much of his competitors.” Kodi’s frustration faded away as he turned to look at the dog. “My name’s Emily,” said the dog “what’s yours?” Kodi was glad that someone on the rival team was nice. “My name’s Kodi” he said to Emily. Kodi turned to his sister. “This is my sister and teammate, Laura.”  Emily smiled at Kodi and Laura. “So are you the ones we’ll be competing against?” Emily asked. “I guess so” said Kodi. “Well, I wish you guys good luck” Emily sad kindly. “Thanks” Kodi responded. Kodi watched as Emily walked away. Kodi had an unusual feeling about her. But it wasn’t a bad feeling. Something about Emily actually made him happy. “You okay, Kodi?” Laura asked. Kodi took one more glance at Emily before he turned to his sister. “Yeah…I guess.” He said quietly. Laura gave Kodi a reassuring nudge on his shoulder. “Come on; let’s go hang out with our team. I think she’s the only friendly face among our competition.” Kodi looked to the ground and smiled. “Yeah,” he said to Laura “you’re probably right.”

Chapter 5: A Friendly Face

     Kodi rested inside the old barn, thinking about Emily. For some reason, Kodi had an inexplicable fascination with Emily. She was all he could think about. The way she moved, the kind expression on her face, the twinkle in her eyes; it made Kodi feel very calm and relaxed. He continued to ponder on the day’s events.

     “Hey, Kodi” a voice called from the door leading into the barn. Kodi looked behind him to see Saba at the doorway. Saba walked toward her brother with a curious look on her face. “Laura said you were in here,” said Saba “You alright, brother?” Saba had heard that Kodi’s attempt at greeting the rival sled team didn’t go quite to plan, and felt that she should talk to Kodi. “I heard about what happened, don’t let that bother you” Saba said in a reassuring voice. “Thanks, sis,” said Kodi “but I’m fine. I’m not worried about our competition, we’ll win.” Saba smiled, glad that Kodi had cooled down. “Why are you in here by yourself?” Saba asked, aware that something was on Kodi’s mind. Kodi continued to stare aimlessly in thought. “I just needed some time to think” said Kodi. “What about?” Saba asked. Kodi turned around to look at his sister. “There was this girl on their team, Emily, and she seemed really nice,” Kodi began “and she didn’t even say anything at first; I just calmed down right then and there for some reason.” Saba let out a little laugh, recognizing the feeling that Kodi was describing. “You’re in love” Saba said bluntly but kindly.

     Kodi gave Saba a confused look. “Wait, what?” he said in confusion. “You have a crush on Emily, Kodi,” said Saba. Kodi gave Saba an odd look, as if his sister had lost it. “What, no, no! Emily just seemed nice, that’s all!” Kodi said insistently. “Kodi, it’s perfectly fine to have a crush on someone,” said Saba “why do you think Dad loves Mom so much?” “That’s different, though. It’s not the same thing at all!” Kodi said as he began to blush. Saba laughed playfully as she watch her brother blush in embarrassment. “Kodi, don’t be embarrassed” said Saba “Everyone has this feeling at some point in their life.” Kodi stared at Saba for several moments. “Okay, fine, I like Emily, happy Saba?” Kodi admitted in embarrassment. “But I can’t, you know, be her mate or something; she’s on the other team.” Saba then remembered back to the story her father had told her when she was young: How he was an outcast before the serum run; how he loved Jenna, even though her owners wouldn’t have it; how, even with all that, everything worked out in the long run. “Mom and Dad loved each