looking shards. I don’t trust you!” she laughed. Aylen raised and eyebrown and grinned at her, then turned away and piled the pieces together at the perfect angle.

“whatever you say, swing dog.” 

And right then, the broken shards revealed a mimicry of the northern lights. A small one, but visible enough in the dawn.

“W-what... How did you do that Aylen!?” Saomik gasped, taking a step back. 

“My father taught me.” She smiled. She circled around Saomik and sat next to her as they watched the tiny spectacle, while the sun was still low enough in the sky for them to see it. “When I was a little pup, I was afraid of the dark. Pa showed me this trick, and made me my own little night light.” 

Saomik grinned. “The dark? C’mon Aylen...” 

“No! Really! I got constant night terrors. I still have them... even now. Not as often... but still. They are horrific.” Saomik didn’t understand the full extent of Aylen’s fearful nights, but knew it must have been terrible. She didn’t want to ask her to explain them, but she hated to know the hybrid had to go through all of this. “It’s beautiful, Aylen, the lights... But you don’t need these anymore.” 

Aylen was taken aback, and lowered her ears. She could already see Saomik teasing her about being afraid of the dark, and telling her she was too old for that kind of stuff already, or how uncool it was... However, it wasn’t exactly what she was expecting. 

“I’ll protect you from those nightmares. I’ll be your light every night from here on out.” Saomik declared. Aylen blushed slightly, but wasn’t sure of how to react. Was she just being a protective friend.. or was this just some kind of joke...?

The tan dog then advanced toward the dark red wolfdog slowly. Aylen looked around awkwardly as Saomik continued to move forward, without bit of hesitation. The tan dog pressed a paw on Aylen’s shoulder, lowering the hybrid onto her back. Aylen felt her face flush hard, and she turned her head to the side, just looking at the snow on the ground. She had no idea what her friend was up to. 

Saomik then lowered herself onto the girl, and Aylen jumped in shock. “S...Saomik?!...” she squeaked. Their faces were only centimeters apart. Aylen could feel her friend’s soft breathing on her’s. Saomik’s crystal blue eyes were locked onto Aylen’s chocolate colored ones. Saomik felt her heartbeat speed up intensely with nervousness... 

“Aylen... I love you.” Aylen’s muddy eyes widened as she stared into Saomik’s.

“I love you too Saomik... so much... I always have. But... you don’t think...” Aylen paused. 

“What...? What is it Aylen?” 

“You don’ think that... this... this is wrong... do you?” Aylen looked up at the tan dog with such a deep look of concern, and slight fear. Saomik could only smile at the beautiful hybrid below her, and she slowly gave Aylen a lick on the neck. 

“Of course I don’t. I never would Aylen. You’re the most amazing thing in the world to me.” 

“I’m glad... Saomik.” she relaxed into the snow, and the sun fully rose into the sky as the time passed. 

The news spread very slowly, of their secret love. At this point both Balto and Jenna were fully accepting of their daughter, as well as their son Kodi. Kodi was extremely happy for his sister, and his mate Kirby was, as well. Bea was also very happy with her, despite her constant questioning on how the couple could possibly raise pups, or if they should even be called mates. All was well, until the fateful night when Gunner’s owner came to Saomik’s home.

Gunner was Steele’s son, and a champion racing dog. Saomik, being the sister of another champion racing dog, Patch, was requested by Steele’s owner to breed with his Gunner. Saomik listened to the two men talk and discuss the profits on the litter, and Saomik’s owner finally agreed. 

Saomik’s heart sunk, and she panicked. She looked outside to see Gunner standing there, in the distance. He was boasting to his friends about having yet another litter, with another female. Saomik wanted to cry. She wanted to run away. But how could she possibly betray the man who raised her and trained her to do what she does best? How could she possibly turn on her owner like that? 

...She couldn't. And... Aylen... What of her true love, her best friend? She had to end it now. Before it happened. Before... she heard Gunner and his group let out a huge cacophony of laughter. She began to sob. Despite all of this.. she knew what she had to do, for the safety of herself... her pups... and especially Aylen. 

She came into Aylen’s home the next morning. Instead of the usual cheery feeling she would get upon seeing the red female, she could only feel heavy, empty, loss.

“Aylen.. we need to talk.” she started, as the red hybrid sat down. She cocked her head to the side innocently, wondering what Saomik would say.

“I think it would be best... if we didn’t see one another anymore.” 

It shocked Saomik to see her friend suddenly get angry, as opposed to the expected depressed.

“What? I don’t understand... Why?” 

“Just... for the safety of us both Aylen.” Saomik couldn’t tell her the truth. She would tell her once it was all done and over. She wouldn’t be seen by any dog in town anyway, she’d be cooped up in her home for two months, carrying Gunner’s pups. The thought sickened her. 

But while the news of her and Aylen was still fairly low, she had to cut their ties. If Gunner found out about them.. He’d surely attack them both. But worst of all, Aylen, or the pups. They were still going to be her pups, and she refused to allow anyone to hurt them. And for Aylen... She wouldn’t be there to protect her. She wouldn’t be able to. So she had to keep her safe from Gunner and his group, too. 

“But you said you’d protect me... and that this would be okay...” Tears began to form in Aylen’s eyes, and she started to cry. 

“Aylen... I wish things were different but--” she raised a paw out to her, but Aylen swatted it away.

“Just get out. I need to be alone.” the red wolfdog snarled. It was the first time Saomik had ever seen her get so aggressive, and she did as Aylen commanded. 

A few days later, Saomik found out she was pregnant, much to her dismay. Hima accidentally overheard Saomik’s owners discussing it while passing her team mate’s home, and she gasped in shock. She couldn’t believe what was going on... and she knew that it would be best if Aylen knew. Although she was still very nervous to even speak to her crush... especially about such awful matters as these, she knew it would be the right thing to do, as opposed to just watch the scenes unravel before her eyes, as she always had. She refused to do that, not today, and not ever again.