very well to you, and I didn’t want you to feel offended. I just wanted to explain myself.”

“That’s really not necessary.” Balto said. “I understand.”

“I don’t think you really do.” Astarre said. “My father was a wolf dog, and… and he abused me… quite often.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” Balto said. He sighed. “Unfortunately wolf dogs seem to have a penchant for that sort of thing.”

Astarre nodded. “So you could imagine my feelings when I found out my childhood hero… my first crush, was a wolf dog.”

“What did you say?” Balto said.

“So you could imagine my…” Balto cut her off. “No, not that, after you said I was your childhood hero.”

“Oh, I… I said you were my first crush.”

“Really?” Balto said. “Why? You’d never even met me.”

Astarre smiled. “Everyone I knew wanted to be with you. You’re a hero, females tend to like that sort of thing, especially younger ones.”

“I never thought of that.” Balto said.

Nothing was said for a few moments.

“Anyway, I just wanted to appolagize.” Astarre said… and to talk to you about one other thing.”

“Well, I accept your appolgy.” Balto said. “What else?”

“I… uh… I really like Blaize.” Astarre said.

Balto smiled.

“…as in like, like?” Astarre continued.

“I think I know where this is going.” Balto said.

Astarre got a little embarrased. “Yeah… well, he uh… he saved my life. My… my father was going to kill me. Blaize saved my life and… well, he killed my father doing it.”

“Blaize did?” Balto asked.

Astarre nodded. “He didn’t tell you?”

Balto shook his head. “No, he never mentioned that.”

“Oh…” Astarre said.

Balto smiled. “So this is serious, huh?”

Astarre smiled and blushed slightly. “Well, neither of us have said so… but I really hope it is. I just wanted to let you know.”

Balto nodded. “I think you and Blaize will make a fine couple, I’ll support that decision.”

Astarre smiled. “I’m glad… I really hope Blaize feels the same way. That’s actually what I wanted to ask you about.”

“Oh I think he does.” Balto said.

“Really?” Astarre said. “I know we’re really good friends, but beyond that…”

“I don’t think that’s going to be a problem.” Balto said.

“Good.” Astarre said.

She yawned.

“You tired?” Balto asked.

Astarre nodded.

“Got anywhere to sleep?” Balto asked.

Astarre shook her head. “Not with Blaize gone to Applegate.”

“Well, you can sleep here if you want.” Balto said. “I can on the rug by the fire, and you can have my bed.”

“No,” Astarre said, “I’d hate to impose, and to kick you out of your bed? No, I’ll be fine. I’ll find somewhere.”

“It’s fine.” Balto said. “I don’t mind.”

“Really?” Astarre asked.

“Really.” Balto said. “You’re the one that said you were cold, stay here. You’ll keep warm.”

Astarre smiled. “Thank you Balto.”

Balto smiled. “Anytime.”

The two walked into the living room.

True to his word, Balto slept on the rug by the fire, and Astarre laid in his bed, on the other side of the room. Soon, they were both asleep.

Chapter 7:

Blaize arrived in Applegate the next morning. He’d made good time, but the journey had made him very tired.

He had contemplated finding somewhere to catch some sleep, after all, Shep wasn’t expecting him until tomorrow, but, the sooner the sooner he learned what Shep had to teach him, the sooner he could return home.

He’d been having a thought here recently that scared him somewhat, but made him happy at the same time.

He really liked Astarre, and was pretty sure she liked him too. Since she had no home now, he thought that it was the prime time for him to ask her to come live with him.

He’d have to find somewhere else to live though, it just wouldn’t do for the two of them to live with his father.

Now, don’t take that wrong, Blaize loved his father very much, but… he was still his father. There came a time when a young dog had to split from his parents, to set out on his own life, and for Blaize, that time seemed to be now.

It was for this reason that Blaize had spent the last hour trying to track down the older police dog that was to train him, and that search had led him to the dog barn he now stood in front of.

Blaize walked into the barn and saw three dogs, one German Sheppard, and two huskies. They were talking to one another. Blaize heard the tail end of the conversation as he walked in.

“… and go to the doc, talk to Jason, see if any dogs have been through there recently. If there have, find out what they look like and where they live. I may want to talk to them later.”

One of the husky’s nodded and turned to the other. “Let’s go.” He said.

The other husky nodded as well, and the two dogs walked toward the entrance of the shed, eyeing Blaize suspiciously as they walked past him.

“Sir?” Blaize asked.

The German Sheppard sighed, but didn’t turn around. “Dotty, I thought I told you to leave. I don’t have any facts yet, and I’m not about to have you spreading your useless gossip all over town.”

“Sir?” Blaize repeated, stepping forward. “I don’t know who this Dotty is, but my name is Blaize, and I’m from Nome.”

The German Sheppard turned around. “Oh! I’m sorry.” He said, walking over to Blaize. “I thought you were our resident gossip, Dotty. I spoke to her earlier. No, you’re the dog from Nome, the one that’s replacing Drake?”

Blaize nodded.

“My name is Shep. Nice to meet you.” The German Sheppard said.

“Likewise.” Blaize answered. “Look, did I catch you at a bad time, I can come back…”

The German Sheppard cut him off. “No, actually, the timing is pretty good, follow me kid.”

Shep walked toward a door at the back of the shed. Blaize followed.

When he stepped into the door he gasped.

“Never seen a dead one before, eh?” Shep said.

Blaize shook his head. “No, I have, just not…”

“I know kid.” Shep said. “This was a bad one.”

Three husky’s laid on the straw that covered the floor of the shed. A black male, a white female, and a gray pup.

The male’s throat had been torn out, and the female had been gutted. Their crimson blood soaked the yellowish straw and stained the floor beneath. The young pup’s head had been crushed.

“What happened?” Blaize asked, swallowing the bile that had risen in his throat at the sight.

Shep sighed. “Don’t know yet kid. One thing’s for sure though, whoever killed them was seriously pissed at the male. I think the female and child were killed first, probably as he watched.”

“How awful.” Blaize said. “How could anyone kill a child like that?”

“It happens.” Shep said.

He sighed. “A lot of the things you’ll see in this job will surprise you, well, at first anyway. I’ve been doing it for so long I don’t think anything really shocks me anymore.”

Nothing was said for a long while, and Blaize just stood there, staring at the slaughtered family.

“Anyway, I’m done here.” Shep said. Let’s get out of here kid.”

Blaize nodded and followed the German Shepard out of the room.

As they walked out of the shed, Shep started asking Blaize a few questions.

“So, how old are you kid?”

“I’m almost two.” Blaize answered.

Shep laughed.

“What’s funny?” Blaize asked. “I can hold my own.”

“I’m sure you can kid.” Shep said. “It’s just that… almost two years old, that’s real young to take on a responsibility like this.”

“Like I said, I can take care of myself.”

“Got a family yet kid?” Shep asked.

“No…” Blaize said. “…least, not yet.”

“Sounds like there’s a prospect.” Shep said.

“Somewhat…” Blaize answered.

“Well, take it from me kid, I know this from experience, don’t let her get involved with your job, in fact, keep her in the dark about it as much as possible.”

“Why?” Blaize asked. “I wouldn’t want to lie to her.”

“For her safety.” Shep said.
”There are dogs out there that will take advatage of your feelings for her, use it as leverage against you. Just take your feelings for her and hide them, deep inside. You can’t let the bad guys know about how much you care about her. I mean, there’re mates, and then