mutt...I have ever...'' he couldn't continue, uncontrollable giggles escaping his mouth.

Chester shook in anger ''You think what you did is funny? You-murdered-my-daughter!'' he snarled, his teeth tightly clamped shut.

Grant composed himself, the occasional giggle still escaping his mouth ''No, no it's not that Chester! What's so funny is...you haven't got a clue have you?''

Chester leered at him ''What do you mean?''

Grant's smirk widened ''Tell me, is Gareth around by any chance?''

Chester stared at Grant in bewilderment. A terrified whimper behind him caught his attention, and he spun round just as Gareth tried to slip back round the corner.

''Gareth? What are you doing?'' Chester stared at his brother, and was stunned at the sheer terror on his face.

Grant suppressed further laughter ''Oh this is too good to miss! I'm sorry Gareth, but you've outlived your usefulness'' he glared at Gareth who shrank back.

Chester took a step closer towards Gareth ''What is he talking about? Gareth?''

Gareth was shaking, his eyes wide in panic. He was beyond himself with fear.

''You see Chester,'' Grant continued, a sick grin plastered on his face. ''Back in Anchorage, you already know that I was the one who blurted out your information about where we were hiding, correct?''

Chester reluctantly turned away from his terrified brother, and faced Grant ''Yes, I know that. What exactly are you getting at?'' he demanded.

Grant cocked an eyebrow ''I didn't kill Trix Chester. You might not believe me, but it's true''

''Liar!'' Chester snarled, wanting nothing more than to wipe the smirk off Grant's face.

Grant frowned ''Listen to what I have to say or...'' he tightened his hold on Stacy, who cried out in pain. Chester snarled.

''Let her go you animal!''

Grant smirked, and loosened his grip ''Now be a good little doggy...and listen''

Chester snarled in frustration, and then nodded in understanding. Grant beamed.

''As I was saying Chester, I didn't kill Trix. Oh I wanted too, more than anything else in the world, but I didn't. But I know who did, and so does he''

Chester stared uneasily at Grant, and realized he was staring at Gareth. He turned round to face his brother, who was sweating profusely, his eyes wide.

''I see your brother understands what I'm talking about. Oh, he knows all right!'' Grant smirked, his eyes gleaming with malice.

Chester stared at Gareth ''Gareth? What...?'' the first seeds of doubt began to form in his head.

Gareth’s eye's stared at him pleadingly ''Chester...I didn't...I'm so sorry...please...'' he began to shake, struggling to remain on his feet.

Grant laughed ''Chester your dear brother here is the one you should blame for what happened to Trix. Your own sick, perverted brother who fawned after her, and didn't take too kindly when she rejecting him! But who can blame her, she had me!''

Before Gareth could react, Chester had thrown himself upon him, forcing him to the floor. Gareth stared up in a blind panic.

''Chester! Chester please! I...I didn't mean to...'' his voice was cut off by Chester's heavy paw on his throat.

''Murderer! Lying, filthy murderer!'' Chester snarled, his jaws tightening round Gareth's throat. Gareth tried to yell out, but his voice failed as Chester sank his teeth into his throat.

Stacy turned away in Grant's grip as Gareth's scream turned into a wet gurgling, and then fell silent. After a few seconds, Chester dropped Gareth's lifeless body to the floor and turned back to Grant.

Grant stared at Chester wide-eyed ''You know, I could have been lying!'' he smirked.

Chester shook his head ''After that performance?''

Grant nodded ''Good point. Oh, before I forget, it wasn't Balto who attacked him. It was me. Keeping with his side of the bargain and all that'' he smirked.

Chester leered at him ''Grant, you are without a doubt the most evil creature to ever walk this earth. But, I doubt even you would stoop to the evils which my brother committed''

Grant nodded ''True. So, back to the more pressing issue. Are you going to let me go?'' he ruffled his paws around Stacy's neck, who shivered.

Chester hesitated, then nodded in reluctance ''Let her go, and...I'll let you go''

''Chester...!'' Lance began, but Chester cut him off with a glare.

''That is my decision! He gave me the real identity of my daughters killer...so I owe him a debt''

''How noble of you Chester'' Grant smirked. Chester glared at him.

''This is but a one off debt of thanks Grant! Should our paths cross again...I shan't hesitate in killing you''

''And I the same Chester. But, I thank you!'' With a single movement, Grant shoved Stacy into Lance's waiting grasp and vaulted onto the windowsill.

''And Chester? Should you see Balto, tell him I said hi!'' with a final laugh, Grant disappeared out into the snow.

With a reluctant sigh, Chester turned away from the window and looked at Stacy who was hugging Lance tightly.

''Are you okay Stacy?'' he asked nervously. She only nodded, crying softly in Lance's fur.

He smiled faintly, which quickly vanished as he looked upon Gareth's bleeding form, and realization came to him.

''Oh my God! What have I done?''

Lance stared at him ''What are you talking about Chester?''

The husky stared at him ''I thought...he said Balto...and I didn't...the toxin! I didn't tell them about the toxin!''

Lance stared at him in bewilderment ''Chester it's too late! There's no way it could...''

Chester cut him off ''There's every chance! I made a mistake, and I owe it to his family that I right it! Come on!''

Chester bolted away down the corridor, a reluctant Lance and Stacy following slowly behind.

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

In the factory, Carver was pacing around frantically. Fitz glared at him.

''Okay, okay. Thing's didn't go exactly to plan'' Carver said. Fitz scoffed.

''Didn't go exactly to plan? It was a bleeding shambles Carver! We lost Vlad, Nick and Renard in one fell swoop, and Grant and Jack are missing! You all but crippled us, and all because of your wolfy little friend!''

Carver glared at him ''Okay! So it went completely down the tube! But I seem to remember you telling me that you ran from Balto, instead of trying to subdue him! Now, how is that my fault hmm?''

Fitz snarled ''This whole plan of yours has finished us Carver!''

''That's Mr. Carver to you Fitz!'' Carver leered at the pup.

''Sod it! You’re not fit to lead us Carver! Tonight just proved that!''

Carver felt the urge to belt Fitz round the head, but he resisted ''I-am-still-in-charge-Fitz! So what I say still goes!'' he growled through gritted teeth.

''But for how much longer?'' Fitz leered at him.

A potential bloodbath was interrupted as Karla padded up to Carver defensively.

''How dare you talk to my Carvy in that way you foul little mutt!'' she glared at Fitz.

Carver visibly flinched ''Karla, would you be so kind as to removing yourself from my sight? Now!''

Karla stared at him, making the saddest eyes she could ''But Carver baby, I want to be with you. I'm your girl''

He glared at her ''My girl? My girl? You really think that I would waste my time on a bit of fluff like you? God, I would rather run away with my mother than own some fawning little creep like you!''

She stepped back, stunned ''But...Carvy...''

He raised a paw ''My name is Carver! Not Carvy and not Carver baby! Get it? Got it? Good!''

Karla's eyes filled with tears, but her eyes were not filled with sadness. They were filled with rage. Her eyes burned holes in his head.

''So, your just going to push me aside? Throw me away like an old bit of cloth?'' she snarled, her voice as sharp as needles.

''That's the idea'' Carver muttered, turning away from her. She stepped in front of him.

''You can't throw me away Carver! I won't let you!''

He sighed, and then swung his paw at the side of her head. It impacted, sending her sprawling to the floor.

''Now, do I have to repeat myself?'' he stared down at her in disgust.

She spat blood, and leered at him ''You mangy...flea bitten fa...'' she stopped herself in mid sentence.

His head snapped up, his heckles rising ''What did you say?'' he snarled.

She shook her head and staggered to her feet '''You heard me! Your not good enough for me you mutt!'' she screamed.

Carver stood still for a few seconds, his face unreadable. Then, without warning, he lunged for her throat.

Karla’s scream caught in her throat as he bit down, blood flowing over his muzzle. He held her in that position until he felt her neck bones crack then he dropped her to the floor. Sighing, he turned to Fitz, whose face was plastered with a smirk.

''She never could take a hint could she?'' the pup smirked. Carver returned the gesture.

''Women! I can't be doing with them!''

A sudden noise caught their attention, and a second later Jack emerged out of the shadows, Dusty in his grasp.

''Let me go you creep!'' she snarled, struggling to get loose. She stopped struggling as Carver padded over, his muzzle drenched in blood.

Jack smirked ''Mr. Carver, look what I brought you!''

Carver frowned ''Jack, I've already gotten rid of one girl. What makes you think I'd want another hmm?'' he leered at Dusty, revulsion on his face.

Jack's smile broadened ''Ah but she's more than just some female! She's...Kodi's girl''

Carver stared at Jack open mouthed, before a savage grin plastered itself on his face ''Kodi's girl you say? Well, it looks like tonight wasn't so bad after all!''

He lifted Dusty's face up with his paw and stared into her eyes. Dusty looked away, unable to hold his gaze.

''Tell me my dear, what's your name hmm?''

She glared at him ''Get lost you creep! Don't you dare get any idea's!''

Carver laughed 'Oh don't flatter yourself! I am not interested in you. I'm interested in your little lover boy''

Dusty snarled at him ''Don't you dare hurt Kodi!'' she struggled to get loose from Jack's grasp.

''I've got a score to settle with him, and your the key to my whole plan! Now, I'll ask you once more. What's your name?'' Carver smirked, baring his teeth.

Fitz padded