well as Karlee had a temper of a wildcat.

Karlee noticed that Brian wasn’t just sad…he was a totally different dog. Brian didn’t eat much and didn’t want to get close to her. But Brian wasn’t the only thing on her mind…

"So Karlee?" Karlee looked around to see Sandy and Jasmine. They caught her when she was alone and that was rare. "When do you think they’ll be born?" Sandy asked.

"Now Sandy that’s personal!" Jasmine snapped. Karlee hushed her friend.

"It’s okay Jasmine. But she’s right it is a bit personal." Sandy looked a little ashamed of herself. "But Will took me to the vet’s the other day. He said sometime in May." Karlee smiled.

Sandy and Jasmine laughed a little. "Oh man is William going to have his hands full or what!" Karlee chuckled then stopped short. She spotted the eyes of Captain looking out from an alley.

"What is it?" Jasmine asked and looked in the direction Karlee was looking. But Captain was gone.

"Oh nothing." Karlee said. She then said in a little more cheerful voice, "Come on let’s meet the guys down by the beach!"

***

Karlee and Steele were lounging out on Steele’s owner’s porch. They looked at the beautiful sky splashed by the sunset. "Isn’t it beautiful?" She asked as she laid her head against Steele’s neck.

"It sure is but not as beautiful as you." Steele answered softly. Karlee smiled then licked under his chin. Steele smiled as well before nibbling her black ears.

"Karlee!" Karlee raised her head.

"My master’s calling. Good night my love." Karlee nuzzled Steele warmly. But Steele stood.

"I’m coming with you." Karlee just nodded and the two made their way to the apartment building. William was standing outside with Brian when they got there. Brian looked sulky at them but Karlee shrugged it off.

"So you must be the dog that has Karlee’s heart." William said to Steele as he dropped to his knees to stroke Karlee. Karlee licked his rough yet smooth hands. Steele barked before Karlee’s owner examined him with his eyes. "Well Karlee you’ve nabbed yourself a mighty handsome fellow here." William stroked Steele. Steele smiled. Karlee smiled as she found out William liked Steele. But she knew who didn’t. She looked to where Brian was but the tan husky was gone. "Come on Karlee it’s time for supper then bed." Karlee licked her mate’s nose.

"Night dear." She said as they nuzzled each other.

"See you in the morning." Steele said then watched his lady follow her owner. He smiled before heading back home.

Inside, Karlee just finished her dinner. Brian was lying in his bed like usual. William patted Karlee good night and headed to his room for sleep. Karlee walked slowly to her bed and turned circles a couple of times before plopping down. But she didn’t feel like sleeping. Her violet eyes were locked on Brian. She knew he wasn’t sleeping even though his back was to her. "Brian?" She whispered.

No response.

"Brian." She whispered a bit louder. There was a sniff then he moved his head where Karlee at least saw profile.

"What do you want?" He snapped. Karlee took a deep breath and exhaled.

"Brian what’s wrong?" She asked. Brian looked glum and his eyes moved to where they could at least see a little of her.

"Nothing." Karlee began to get a little annoyed.

"No there is something wrong. Now tell me!" She hissed. Karlee crawled closer just a few inches.

Brian raised his head and shifted his body where he could see her clearly. His ears flattened back, sad not angry. "Why do you love Steele so much? Yeah sure he’s handsome and all but he’s still a jerk!" He snapped. Karlee was taken back then she growled and rose to her feet.

"Listen here Brian, Steele has changed. He’s changed a lot! You would know that if you got up from your moodiness and hung out with the rest of us! For what reason that’s holding you back then I don’t know!" The husky was getting fed up with Brian’s attitude.

Brian just looked at her. His expression was mixed of sadness and angry. "You wouldn’t understand." He whispered then turned his back to her and laid his head down. Karlee growled lightly.

"We’re not finished yet." She muttered.

***

"What’s got Brian I don’t know." Karlee spoke to her pals. Sandy and Jasmine were both concerned for the tan husky.

"Maybe he doesn’t like puppies." Jasmine suggested. Karlee and Sandy both gave her a weird look. "What?" Jasmine asked. "It’s just a suggestion."

Karlee just sighed and continued walking. "Ever thought of him liking you, Karlee?" Sandy asked. Karlee stopped with a gasp. She never considered that. But if that was the case, why were they always arguing on everything?

Sandy watched her friend. Karlee was thinking from every point of view but her thoughts were interrupted. "Hey babe." Steele said as he strolled up to her. Karlee barked happily.

"Hello." Karlee said and greeted him with a kiss on the cheek. Steele licked the top of her head.

"How are you feeling?" Steele asked.

"Okay…but now that you’re here I’m feeling better." Karlee answered as she rubbed up under his chin. Steele smiled. "Sandy, Jasmine, and I were just walking through town. What are you up to?"

"Nothing but Austin and I are heading over to your place to say hello to Brian." Steele responded. Karlee nodded.

"That would be good for him." Sandy said.

***

But Brian wasn’t home. He was strolling through town, hoping to avoid contact with other dogs but it doesn’t always work out that way.

"Hey you!" Brian stopped in his tracks and looked behind him. There was a brown malamute coming at him with a pack of canines behind him.

"Boss you think we should chase him out?" One mongrel asked the malamute. Brian became uncertain.

"No." The malamute strolled up to Brian and started to circle him. "Aren’t you the dog who lives with Karlee?" Brian watched the malamute circle him.

For some reason the malamute reminded him of Steele. Maybe it was how he carried himself or whatever. "Yeah. Brian. You?"

"Captain." Captain was happy to finally bump into Brian. He was the last piece of his plan. "Tell me…Brian…why you hate my brother so much?"

That’s why he’s so much like Steele. Brian didn’t like the look in Captain’s eyes. He didn’t answer.

 "Is it because he did something to you that just tore your heart? Stole something from you?" Brian looked down. This was what Captain was looking for. "You wanted Karlee but she didn’t want you! She went for Steele!" Captain stopped his circling and came close to Brian and whispered in his ear. "I can help you. If you help me…you can have Karlee and do whatever you want with her. Just help me and you get the girl." Captain’s words were like poison seeping into Brian’s sense.

Brian was thinking about it. He then raised his head. "What do you need me to do?" Captain grinned a wicked grin. Brian may have been pampered but he wasn’t stupid or so he thought.

"Here’s what you got to do but not until I tell you when. We have to wait until the time is right." Captain spoke in his cold voice. The other dogs laughed to themselves at how naïve Brian was.

***

Karlee was now showing. She was a month along and had all the problems that came with a mother to be. Nesting, moodiness, wolfing down her food, and sleeping more. She was visited by her friends and by her mate everyday. For some reason Brian was nicer and more talkative to others. But that was the last of her worries. After her supper she was outside snoozing. Steele was busy all day so she had not seen him at all that day.

"Hey Karlee!" Karlee raised her head to see Brian running up to her. Brian, she had to admit looked handsome now that he was loosing weight. Even though he was still round he was running much faster. She would have to watch him in a race.

"What is it Brian?"

Brian stopped and took his time in gaining his breath. Karlee waited impatient. "Steele needs to talk to you. He’s over by the sawmill. It’s urgent." Karlee rose to her feet.

"Thanks Brian." She took to a slow run, as it was the fastest she could go. Brian watched her go with a grin before he followed her. Once Steele was dismissed he would have her.

***

"Steele!" Captain barked. Steele was walking with Austin and Zip. "It’s urgent Karlee, she needs to speak with you!" Captain stopped and Steele came closer. "This way!" Captain and Steele ran toward the sawmill.

Austin and Zip watched them then headed to the boiler room.

Steele reached the mill first and was looking around. "Where is she?" Steele snapped. But Captain disappeared behind a stack of lumber. Steele sat waiting.

Meanwhile, Karlee and Brian reached the sawmill. "Where’s Steele?" She asked." Brian pointed to the stacks of lumber. Karlee walked forward and looked between the piles of lumber. She spotted him. "Steele!" She exclaimed but a force from above landed in front of her. She barked in surprise as she was face to face with a strange husky. She backed away but bumped into two more dogs. She was trapped. Lumber on both sides and dogs in front and back.

Steele heard her yell