know''

Karla smiled dreamily ''There's only one dog for me. My Carvy''

Grant scoffed ''Yeah, shame he doesn't feel the same way love!''

Karla scowled ''He will! He's just a hard nut to crack that’s all! You'll see!''

Grant snorted ''You just keep telling yourself that Karla, and maybe you'll start believing it yourself''

Karla huffed, causing Grant to convulse into laughter.

Grant noticed Balto's confused expression, and padded up to him, though keeping a distance.

''She keeps believing that Mr. Carver is going to sweep her off her feet. Daft girls only fooling herself''

''I heard that you mutt!'' Karla yelled.

Balto glared at Grant ''What is this all about anyway? Where do I fit into all this?''

Grant smirked ''Oh your very special Balto. Mr. Carver has taken a shine to you''

Balto frowned in puzzlement ''Who's Mr. Carver?''

''You might know him as Drake'' Grant replied.

Balto growled at the mention of the name. Grant tutted.

''Ah ah! That's not very nice is it? You should be grateful''

''Grateful?'' Balto spat out the word, his eyes burning holes in Grants head.

''Yep. He could have just killed you. The others would have, so count yourself lucky!''

Balto was at a loss for words. Nothing Grant was saying made any sense. Had Carver targeted him solely? Why?

Grant seemed to read his mind ''We came here especially for you Balto. All the way from Anchorage''

Balto reacted at the mention of Anchorage. Was it possible that he was talking to one of the dogs responsible?

''But I...they said it was wolves''

Grant shook his head ''Nope. Just us domesticates having a bit of fun! At least we were until they started shooting at us that is!''

Balto took all this in. The rumours about Anchorage had been that it was a pack of wolves who had attacked the town, not dogs. Then again, the rumours had been sketchy, but one thing was now perfectly clear. The rumours about rabies were true.

Balto's thoughts were cut short as he realized something. There had been four dogs who had pounced him, but only three had drug him to the factory. Where was the fourth one?

''Where's Fitz?'' Balto snarled, catching Grant by surprise.

''Fitz? Oh, he's...around''

Grant was taken aback as Balto's paw closed round his throat ''Where is he? Tell me!'' he snarled, tightening his grip.

Grant glared at him ''You think...you can threaten me? Red Grant? Your out of your mind pally!'' he struggled for breath.

Balto sensed a presence behind him, and then felt hot breath on his shoulder.

''Let him go!'' Renard snarled.

Balto snarled frustrated, before releasing his grip. Grant coughed raggedly, then leered at Balto.

''You just don't get it do you? Maybe when the conditions set it you'll realize who your dealing with!''

Grant gripped Balto's muzzle ''We can play with you gently, or we can bend you until you break! Either way, you will see it our way!''

Grant shoved Balto to the floor and padded away muttering under his breath.

''Oh dear, you've upset him now'' Krest padded out of the darkness.

''You know, if Mr. Carver wasn't so keen on you Balto, you wouldn't be in one piece!'' Renard snarled, inches away from Balto's face.

''Now now Renard! The poor guys had a shock, and he's confused. Besides, Mr Carver wouldn't be happy if you hurt him now would he?''

Renard glared at Balto, who flinched back ''Just don't get any ideas!'' he growled, before padding over to Krest.

''You have a rest Balto. I promise you; by tomorrow night you'll look back at this and laugh! That is, if you remember!'' Krest chuckled, before he and Renard padded outside.

Balto realized he was sweating profusely. His head ached and he felt nauseous. He lay his head down on the floor, and closed his eyes.

Before he fell asleep, he muttered a single word.

''Jenna''

*************

At the mill, Doc was summing up his speech to the congregation of dogs.

''As you will all understand, it is imperative that we all take measures to ensure we remain safe. That is why, from now on, no one will walk the streets in groups no smaller than three. Also, if necessary, refrain from walking the streets at night. It is important you all heed to these precautions. The threat of attack is very great, as I have already told you four bodies have been found around Nome. We have no suspects at the moment, so be on your guard at all times''

The congregation began murmuring amongst each other.

''This is dreadful! Four bodies!''

''I'm not leaving the house under any circumstances, and I mean it!''

''I heard Jenna's son was involved in one of the attacks''

''Dingo?''

''No, Kodi''

''Mm hmm, I heard the exact same thing''

Jenna meanwhile was seating near the back of the mill, with Dingo at her side. Near the door, Carver and Fitz were stood. Over the murmuring crowd, their voices were muffled.

''Nothing like a bit of hysteria to heat things up!'' Fitz smirked.

''Don't smirk! That’s the last thing we need, you blowing our cover!'' Carver reprimanded the pup.

When the meeting was over, and most of the congregation had left, Carver padded up to Jenna and Dingo.

''Jenna, I thank you for your wonderful hospitality''

''Are you leaving?'' she asked.

Carver shook his head ''No, but I'll be spending the night at my friends place tonight. Maybe you could give me that tour of Nome tomorrow?'' he smiled.

Jenna smiled ''Maybe''

She and Dingo padded out of the mill, leaving Carver alone.

''And in the mean time, Balto and I will be getting to know each other'' he sniggered.

A commotion outside caught his attention, and he peaked outside through the gap in the door. Fitz noticed.

''What is it?''

''Come here and look for yourself!'' Carver snapped.

Fitz glanced outside, and gasped.

''Oh...no'' Fitz muttered. Carver snarled.

''Chester'' they muttered in unison.

Outside the mill, a sled had come to a halt. There were at least ten dogs, each wearing harnesses, strapped to the front of the sled. The lead dog was a black husky with piercing gray eyes. Behind the sled, two men hopped off and unstrapped the dogs.

Carver looked away from the door, his face a mask of rage ''How did he find us? Tell me!" he snapped at Fitz.

The little pup looked scared out of his mind ''He must have...tracked us''

Carver glared at him ''And how could he track us over three hundred miles from Anchorage?''

Fitz gulped ''He must have picked up our scent somehow''

Carver suddenly creased his face up ''Oh no! Renard!''

''You what?'' Fitz asked, puzzlement etched on his face.

''He must have tracked the scent of blood! I knew it was too much of a risk bringing him along! Not after having his paw all but shot off! That scent must have carried for miles!''

A loud barking caught everyone still in the mill by surprise.

''What’s going on out there?'' Doc called out from the podium.

As if to answer his question, the doors suddenly flew open as the sled team marched inside led by the black husky.

''What is the meaning of this?'' Doc asked, stepping down from the podium as the lead dog padded up to him.

''Are you in charge here?'' the husky asked. Doc was taken aback by the fierce expression on his face.

''Yes...yes I am'' he replied.

''Good. We need to talk'' the husky said, gesturing to the podium. Doc stepped back up.

''Who are you?'' he asked.

''I'm Chester, lead dog of the Anchorage team''

''Anchorage?''

''We've got a problem, and I think you know what I'm talking about''

Doc nodded ''You mean the murders?''

''Exactly. We've been tracking the culprits all the way from Anchorage. How many victims have there been?''

''Four'' Doc replied.

''There'll be many more unless we can stop them. My boys are distributing posters bearing the faces of the culprits''

As if on cue, Doc was handed a poster by one of the sled dogs. On it were the faces of eleven dogs, a name under each one.

''These are the dogs that attacked Anchorage. They need to be found at once'' Chester pointed to each picture in turn.

''Drake, the ringleader. Fitz, Krest, Renard, Sanchez, Karla...''

''Karla?'' Doc cut him off. Chester glared at him.

''Don't interrupt! This is important! I'll ask you whether you've seen them or not when I'm finished!''

He stabbed at the poster ''Jack, Theo, Nick, Vladimir, and Grant'' he spat out the last name.

Doc stared open mouthed at the picture of Karla. There was no mistaking it. Balto was innocent all along.

''I've seen her. She was in here yesterday, accusing one of our citizens of adultery! Oh, if I'd of known...''

''You've seen her? Your sure?''

Doc nodded ''Positive. There's no mistaking...'' he stopped. His eyes focused on the first two pictures. One was a black dog with a white chest and paws, with puppy blue eyes. The other was a small gray dog little more than a pup. He knew them.

''Oh my good lord!'' he stuttered.

''What?'' Chester barked.

''Him, and him! They’re at Jenna's! Oh God...!'' Doc bolted for the door.

''Hey! Come back here!'' Chester called out as Doc bolted out into the street.

*************

In an alleyway opposite the mill, several dogs were huddled.

''This is bad, this is very very bad!'' Fitz stuttered.

''He'll kill us! He'll tear us apart!'' Nick gulped.

''After what Grant did to his daughter...'' Theo stammered.

''Shut up the lot of you! Let me think!'' Carver snapped.

Jack padded up to him ''Sir, I think I have a suggestion''

''What?'' Carver snarled.

''Well, you told us that Kodi was in the vets after his encounter with Sanchez right?''

Carver nodded. Jack suddenly broke into a grin.

''Well, what if instead of it being a surprise attack as planned before, we announce it? We could lure Chester and his team in and...'' Jack drew his paw over his throat.

Carver broke into a vicious smirk ''Perfect! My boy, you are a genius!'' he laughed.

Jack sniggered ''Plus, we could get your protégé involved as well!''

Carver sniggered ''I love you, you sick puppy!'' Carver pulled Jack into a bear hug.

''Boys! Back to the factory! We've got a plan to work out!''

As the other dogs bolted into the shadows,