A plane flew low and circled Nome a few times, spiraling downward. It landed with ease just outside of town. The passenger door opened and a tall built man stepped down into the late snow of March. His pale, shallow, high jaw face looked around Nome. He had come to Nome for a fresh start as he had finished his years in the army. He picked up a few bags that contained his belongings. He whistled a low whistle and two dogs hopped out. Both huskies he bought from people who didn’t want the dogs anymore. The tan one looked around the place with a disgusted look. But he was happy about leaving the small enclosure of the plane. The other husky was joyful of coming to a new place. She sniffed around, her eyes trying to capture each subject. "Thank you." Their owner paid the flyer. "Come on Brian and Karlee let’s head to our new apartment." He was able to rent a large apartment for himself and his two dogs.

"I wonder on how many new people will meet!" Karlee spoke cheerfully as they walked along. She was hoping to lift Brian’s spirit. Brian looked at Karlee with a bored stare. Brian had come from a rich family in California. Karlee had come from a family in Tennessee who weren’t the richest but looked toward each new day with hope.

"Why should I care what you do in this little Sirius forsaken place?" Karlee was a bit offended but chose to ignore Brian’s dark mood.

"Just try to look happy." Karlee nearly begged. Brian gave her a sarcastic grin that was scary than the Joker from Bat Man. "Never mind…" She sighed. His face returned to normal.

Meanwhile, Steele and his new trio were strolling through the main street. "First I’m wanted by everyone then that damn Balto turns everything upside down! Could things get any worse?" Steele complained. He was an outcast. All he wanted was to be loved.

"Dixie mentioned she never wanted to see you again." Dalton a husky spoke. Steel rolled his eyes at Dalton. Captain also a husky and Nikki followed Steele. Steele decided to not bother discussing anything. Kaltag and Star had left the group long time ago. At least he didn’t need to deal with pitiful Star.

 

***

Karlee and Brian were sitting outside the apartment building watching everyone walked by. Or at least Karlee was. Brian was busy checking if his nails were even. "I’m going to walk around town. You want to come?"

"No." Brian didn’t even bother looking up. Karlee sighed and started down to the main part of town. Their owner, William or better know as Will was trying to find work. As she was looking around her surroundings she didn’t notice the group of dogs in front of her.

"I swear my luck has dried up." Steele was speaking to his group. He wasn’t paying attention in front of him. He collided with a smaller husky. "Oof!" Karlee was on the ground and Steele had his body on top. Steele growled as he stood. He shook his head a bit to focus.

Karlee rubbed her head. She quickly stood. "I’m sorry! I’m truly sorry. I should be watching where I’m going." Captain shoved her aside.

"Sorry won’t cut it. You don’t run into the boss." Captain spoke with a deadly tone. Karlee laid her ears back and she wanted to growl but she didn’t want to get in trouble this early.

"Give her a chance Cap." Dalton said. Captain growled then backed away still keeping his eyes on her. Karlee looked at each of the canines’ face before her eyes fell upon Steele. Their eyes locked. His blue to her odd violet eyes. Karlee looked away first and trotted past them.

 

"She should watch where she’s walking." Steele barked trying to cover up his trance. But somehow a little spark was lit. Karlee traveled on as she scouted out each new object. When she finished her exploring she was heading back to the apartments.

"Hey guys I’ll see you later." Nikki called out as he turned to head for his home. Captain, Dalton, and Steele all headed to the boiler room after saying their good-byes. Nikki shuffled along through the snow toward the apartments. As Karlee neared the building, she saw Brian wasn’t outside but rather upstairs in the room. Karlee sighed. She missed her open farm in Tennessee. If she could she would have returned to it. As Karlee raised her head she spotted a familiar figure coming toward the building. It was that big, brown husky with very small ears from that one group she ran into. She decided to at least become friends with one of the group.

"Hey!"

Nikki looked up to see the husky they had run into earlier. He felt kind of sorry for her because Captain was giving her a hard time. He stopped and let her approach him. "You’re the one that ran into Steele." Nikki spoke.

Karlee blushed a bit. "The boss?"

"The huge black and white husky…yep that’s Steele. Sorry for Captain being a bit over protective."

Karlee just smiled a bit. "That’s okay. I was just wondering who you were."

"I’m Nikki. Steele and I’ve been pals the longest of the group." Karlee nodded to show she understood.

"I’m Karlee. Brian and I just moved up here." Nikki looked confuse.

 

"Brian?"

Karlee rolled her eyes. "A pooch that a rich family didn’t want any more. He’s so spoil and such a city dog."

Nikki chuckled. "Well he sure doesn’t seem to fit with you. Where did you come from?"

"I came from a Tennessee family who couldn’t afford to take care of me. So my now owner bought me as well as Brian. Then moved up here to get away from his troubles or trying to." Karlee became a bit sad and her expression showed it.

Nikki really felt bad for her. He nudged her and she looked up with moist eyes. She didn’t need to deal with the bitterness from Steele’s gang. "Let’s get inside from the cold." Nikki said softly. Karlee nodded and followed Nikki inside.

 

***

"Hey boss!" Steele turned around to face a panting, running Nikki. Nikki stopped and wheezed for a bit.

"What is it?" Steele asked harshly.

"I found out about some things on the husky that we ran into yesterday." Steele sighed. Captain and Dalton listened to Nikki.

"Her name’s Karlee and her family just moved up to Nome." Steele was a bit interested now.

"Any male dogs with the "family"?"

"One by the name of Brian but she’s not into him." Steele smiled. Captain also was interested. He always wanted to be leader of this gang but he never knew how to overthrow Steele.

"Boss let me check her out. To make sure she’s good enough for you." Captain spoke. Dalton rolled his eyes. Steele stepped up to Captain and faced him with a cold expression.

"You can keep dreaming." Captain flattened his ears.

 

***

William headed to his work in the sawmill. Karlee walked him to the door of the apartment building. He knelt down and stroked her. "What would I do without you?" He whispered to her. Karlee just wagged her tail and gave him a smile. William chuckled before out the door. Karlee sat there before she heard Brian lumbering downstairs. "Brian you really need to lose weight." Karlee pointed out flatly.

Brian just growled. "I didn’t work for my supper like you farm girl." Karlee rolled her eyes before exiting the building by the back door. Brian followed because he really had nothing else to do.

"I could so beat you in a race." Karlee said with a bit of cockiness.

 

"You wish." Brian growled back. They heard some laughter coming from behind them. Karlee spun around to see an Australian Shepherd/husky cross and an Elkhound.

Close enough to see but far enough to not be seen by them, Steele watched them. It looked like a race was brewing up. He smiled as he spotted Karlee

"Sorry to say fat mate, but she could whip you." The cross dog spoke. Karlee smiled at the handsome dog.

"I agree quite as much." The smaller dog said. Brian growled.

"I’m Karlee and this is Brian. And who might you be?" The cross stepped closer to her and looked her over with his blue eyes.

"I’m Austin. It’s a pleasure to meet you." He bowed his head low and Karlee’s cheeks went red.

"And I’m Zip. Like Austin’s little brother." The Elkhound chuckled. Karlee giggled. "How about we have a race to see who’s fastest!" He suggested with a furious wagging tail. Karlee lit up. Her tail started to wag and her eyes bright.

"I see the little lady’s up to it. Come on to the beach!" Austin called out. Karlee and Brian walked between Zip and Austin. Austin was close to Karlee and when too close crossed the border, Karlee gave him a bit of a growl and he just smiled. "I noticed your eyes." Austin spoke a little nervous. Karlee smiled.

"They’re like my mother’s eyes." Karlee said. Austin nodded.

"They’re the most beautiful I’ve ever seen." Karlee blushed and Austin just gave her a smile.

"Alright!" Zip barked to get their attention. "To Balto’s Boat and back to this line." Zip drew a line in the sand.

"Balto’s Boat?" Brian asked as Karlee studied the half-mile. Austin explained the hero of Nome for a bit.

 

among the males. He wanted to see what she had. "How’s it going?" Steele didn’t face Nikki but simply answered, "A race."

"Ready…" Karlee’s mind was

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