knows you in this town. No one would notice if you suddenly...disappeared without a trace, would they?'' he sniggered.

Hex backed up as far as he could go before he made contact with the wall.

''Lo..lo..look Fitz. M...maybe you should..g...go. Your starting to creep me...out'' Hex stuttered.

''What’s the matter Hex? Scared of me? Believe me, you should'' Fitz sniggered, his eyes blazing.

Hex gulped ''Look pup, I don't want to hurt you so don't..p..p..push me, okay?''

''You should have stayed in Anchorage Hex'' Fitz leered at Hex, baring his teeth as he advanced.

Hex glanced at the door. If he could just make it he could...

Fitz noticed ''Please. You wouldn't even get half way'' he smirked.

Hex growled ''Who are you anyway? Don't you threaten me pup''

Fitz stopped, and smiled ''Haven't you ever heard the saying Hex? Never underestimate the little guy''

Hex made a break for the door, but Fitz caught him round the neck. Hex tried to shake him off, but Fitz clamped his jaws shut. Hard. Hex felt the blood seeping from the wound, staining his fur. Fitz began to shake his head side to side, tearing the wound open further. Hex felt his legs give way, and he collapsed to the floor.

The last thing Hex saw was Fitz's bloodstained face leering at him, then everything went black.

''Stupid mongrel'' Fitz sniggered, blood and froth oozing from his mouth.

He turned and walked towards the door ''First kill of the week. Wasn't too bad'' he sniggered, opening the door and disappearing back into the swirling white.

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

Grant was looking for something, but the blizzard was preventing him from seeing anything but a white blizzard. He shook his head, clearing the snow from his eyes and white fur, and struggled on.

He was getting frustrated, and then suddenly he spotted something. He gasped.

There in front of him was a yellow dog. She was one of the most beautiful dogs Grant had ever seen in his life. He smiled and padded over to her. She was alone.

''Well hi there. And what’s your name?'' Grant smiled.

She looked down at the ground; obviously embarrassed ''I'm Sasha''

Grant smiled ''Nice to meet you Sasha. Are you alone by any chance?''

Sasha nodded ''Yep. Just me, at least it was until...you showed up'' she blushed.

''Well, I'd hate to see a beautiful lady such as yourself alone in this weather. Have you got anywhere to stay for the night?''

''Yes I do. There's an old shed a little further down. I was just on my way there'' she smiled.

Grant moved closer ''Mind if I escort you there?''

Sasha turned away, an embarrassed smile on her face ''I don't know. We've only just met, and I don't even know your name'

Grant hit himself over the head playfully ''Where are my manners? It's Grant''

Sasha smiled ''That’s a nice name'' she looked down at the floor again, blushing.

Grant stepped closer ''Not as nice as yours Sasha. Shall we?''

Sasha giggled ''Okay''

The two of them started walking down the street, hampered slightly by the thick falling snow. Finally, they reached the shed.

Sasha opened the door and padded inside. Grant stepped in and closed the door. Sasha smiled as he padded up to her.

''Have...have you been in Nome long Grant?''

Grant shook his head ''Only just arrived. But I'm liking the looks of it already'' he smiled, causing Sasha to blush.

''Stop, your embarrassing me'' she giggled and turned away from him.

''Make me''

Sasha stopped laughing and looked at Grant. His tone of voice had changed completely, and it had frightened her.

''I'm sorry?'' she asked nervously, sensing the change of temper in the room.

Grant grinned ''I said...make me'' he snarled, walking towards her.

Sasha was afraid. Grant had changed completely. The smile that had drawn her in had changed to a maddened smirk. She backed away.

''Where are you going Sasha?'' Grant snarled, advancing on her.

''Please Grant, your...your scaring me'' Sasha stuttered.

Grant sniggered ''Am I? What’s the matter Sasha, I thought you liked me?'' Grant snarled, baring his teeth.

''Please...please don't...'' Sasha sobbed, unsure what to do. There was nowhere to run.

''I hate it when women cry. Here, let me help'' Grant smirked, raising his paw and in one swift move smacked the side of her head.

Sasha cried out as she fell to the floor. The side of her head was wracked with pain and her vision was blurred. Grant stood over her.

''Oh, did that hurt Sasha? How about this?'' He sank his teeth into her front paw and bit down hard. Sasha screamed. Blood seeped from the wound, staining Grants fur from white to red.

''Grant please! Your hurting me!'' Sasha sobbed. Grant pinned her shoulders to the floor.

''Don't beg love. Your embarrassing yourself'' Grant sniggered, and placed his jaws over her neck. In one swift execution, he bit down, crushing her windpipe and feeling the blood ooze and flow over his muzzle.

After a few seconds, he dropped her lifeless body to the floor. He swigged the blood inside his mouth and spat it out, along with a frothy white substance, onto the floor.

''Don't feel bad love. I enjoyed your company. But it'll take more than that to impress Red Grant!'' he sniggered.

Calmly, he turned and left the shed, his laughter dimmed out by the swirling wind.

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

Balto woke up the next morning. He sighed and stretched, shaking the sleep out of his system. He opened his eyes, and started.

''Where am I?'' he muttered, before realization came to him. He smiled and shook his head.

''I was worried for a moment there!'' he chuckled. He then remembered Karla, and he padded over to the other side of the barn.

''Karla? Are you there?''

There was no sign of the malamute. Balto sighed, and then smiled faintly.

''I must have really disappointed her!'' he laughed, and then he noticed something.

The tightness round his neck wasn't there. When he looked down, Jenna's bandanna was missing. Balto frowned.

''Where's it gone?'' he muttered. He began searching the barn for the red bandanna, but no matter where he looked he came up empty pawed.

''Was I wearing it last night?'' he thought, then shook his head ''Of course I was, I remember!''

He had one last look round, but found nothing. He sighed.

''Jenna is going to kill me for this'' he sighed, before padding over to the door. He had a quick look round outside for the bandanna, without success.

''Great. Just what I need first thing in the morning!'' he muttered, before starting off for home.

Suddenly, two dogs walked in front of him, blocking his way.

''Excuse me, but your in my way'' Balto said.

''Mr Balto, we're here to escort you to the old mill for your trial'' one of the dogs replied.

Balto was taken aback ''Trial? What for?''

''Adultery sir. If you'd care to follow us''

Balto was stunned ''Look, you must have the wrong guy. I mean, I...''

''Save it for the judge sir'' the other dog snarled, shoving Balto forward.

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

Jenna had been awake for at least half an hour, and was thinking about visiting Kodi and Dusty. Despite his promise the night before, Carver was still asleep in the house. Jenna had smiled.

''Poor guy'' she had thought, remembering the events of last night with amusement. Kaltag, although still slightly miffed, was in much better spirits.

''Good morning Jenna. Well, looks like the weather has cleared up'' he had told her.

''Yes. How's the leg?'' she asked, forcing down a laugh.

Kaltag chuckled ''Not too bad now. Listen, I want to apologize for what I said last night. I didn't mean it''

Jenna gave him a look.

Kaltag smiled sheepishly '''Well, most of it anyway''

Jenna tutted then padded outside. Though the snow was significantly deeper, the storm had cleared up completely, and the town sparkled in the morning sunshine.

She had just been about to set off when Dingo came padding up to the house. Jenna smiled and walked over.

''Hi sweetie. How are you?'' she smiled.

''I'm fine. Is dad around?'' Dingo asked.

Jenna shook her head ''He went on a mail trip last night. But he'll be back by tomorrow evening. Come on in, there's someone I'd like you to meet''

She padded inside, Dingo in tow. Carver looked up from where he was lying.

''Oh, good morning Jenna. Sorry did I oversleep?''

Jenna smiled and nodded ''Fraid so. This is my son Dingo''

Carver smiled ''Nice to meet you Dingo. Pardon me for not introducing myself. I'm Carver''

''Nice to meet you. I'm not sure I've seen you around before'' Dingo replied.

''I just got in. Actually made an acquaintance of young Kaltag over there'' Carver laughed.

Kaltag scoffed ''He all but crippled me last night, clumsy git''

Jenna gave him a look. Dingo laughed.

''Sounds like you two are the best of friends already! My dad'll like you Carver. I'll introduce you when he gets back''

''Thank you my boy, that’s very kind of you! I've heard a lot of things about your dad, I'm just dying to meet him!'' Carver smiled.

Dingo nodded ''He's a great guy. But don't tell him I said that!'' he chuckled.

''Perish the thought! He's a fine dog your dad, real fine dog'' Carver replied.

Jenna found this choice of words a little odd, but she didn't say anything.

''So, are you here long Carver?'' Dingo asked. Carver shrugged.

''Depends. Usually I drift around from place to place. If I like where I am, I stay. If I don't, I leave''

''And what do you think of Nome so far?'' Jenna asked.

Carver smiled ''I like it. I'd love to see more of it''

''Well, we can give you a tour sometime if you like'' Jenna replied. Carver beamed.

''Thank you so much! I like Nome even more!'' he laughed.

Jenna smiled ''Well, I'll leave you boys to get better acquainted'' she said, before padding outside.

Carver smiled at Dingo ''Tell me Dingo, got a girlfriend?''

Dingo shook his head. Carvers smile faded.

''Oh, boyfriend perhaps?''

Dingo was stunned ''No! That...that’s just wrong!'' he stuttered. Carver laughed.

''Believe me kid. When you've been round as much as I have, you find that stuff like that isn't as rare as you may think!'' he