him. You know, I think you are little bit strict, dear...”

“Jenna, I just want her to be safe. That`s all. I love her, but that doesn`t mean I will let her do everything she wants. Oh, here we are... I need something to do... see you later, love,” and Balto kissed Jenna.

‘They are so happy. So why am I not? I ever thought when I fell in love, I would be happy.’

Jenna walked towards her. “Hello, can I help you?”

“Oh... what? No, no, thanks, I am okay, really!” Connie said quicker than she wanted. “I am just new here, so I am quite confused, haha... my name`s Connie.”

“Jenna, pleased to meet you, Connie.”

“It seems you have the great husband.”

“Oh, thanks... Balto is the best dog I know...”

“Balto...?” Connie blurted out. Her mouth was once more quicker than her thoughts.

“Something wrong about it?” Jenna wondered.

‘Oh god... where heard I this name for the first time? Oh yes... that time...’

“No, no... Everything is okay...” Connie smiled widely. Jenna appealed her. She never had anybody to discuss female things.

“And what about you, have you got any ... you know....”

“Hehe, I think I have,” she giggled, “he is great, too...”

“Can I know his name?”

“Yes, Steele.”

Jenna didn`t know what happened to her, exactly. Was it just the state of deep shock? Or deep amazement that someone called Steele great? Or her mind refused to accept the fact this pleasant girl had something to do with the one who nearly destroyed Balto`s and her life?

“Uhh... sounds great.” It was all she could say.

“But it seems he had a lot of enemies, here...” Connie continued sadly. “I don`t care about his past, though. He is nice to me and he saved me, too.”

‘Oh, girl... stay away from him!’ Jenna thought.

“If you say so... “

‘I wish I have the strenght to tell you the truth about him... but sorry... I don`t have...’

Then Connie turned her head: “Oh sorry, I have to go... I hope I will see you soon, Jenna!”

“So do I... Hi, Connie!”

Connie went away and after a while Balto came. “Something happened, Jenna?” he asked.

“Nothing important...”

------------------

The next day Connie arrived home. She didn`t say a word and she laid herself very close to Steele. “Something worries you, love?” Steele whispered.

“A lot of things, Steele.” She nuzzled him. “Maybe I can help you.” he replied and nuzzled her, too. “Who are you, Steele... I don`t know. Please, tell me!” she cried.

Ooooooh, great! So that`s what I needed!

It was obvious she would ask about this, and what will you do now? Just don`t tell me you will do the right thing. I know, you love her, too. So, tell her...

I DON`T LOVE HER! I... I... DON`T!

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CHAPTER 9: LOOK, WHO IS IN THE TRAP!

Later that day, Robert was setting traps in the forest. This time he decided to catch a wolf alive. Trap was crude wooden cage with bait inside. Wolf would go inside, bite the bait and... it would be caught, and a living wolf, that was good sum of money. And he needed some money since he spent almost all his savings on Steele. He tried if the trap works and then he walked away, blinding all his trails.

----------------

Aleu ran once again to the forest. Wolf blood was singing in her veins while he ran down by the forest. It was something wonderful. She was so free and careless. She didn`t even sleep at home for two days, she just tell her mum she will be late. And mom told dad that she is at her friend`s.

Jenna really spoiled her.

And then she smelt the scent of fresh meat.

‘Well, something to eat would be great.’ she thought and after a while she found the meat. It was fresh and looked tasty. Aleu dug in, but when she bit off, something behind her back fell down. She realized she was in a trap, but it was too late.

‘Oh... dad will be angry. I am sure.’

----------------

Robert realized he left his knife near the trap, so he headed back. And how he was surprised when he saw there was something in the trap.

‘That worked so quickly...’ he thought.

“So, let`s take a look at you....” he said and then he found out it was little wolf pup. Better than he thought. Aleu saw him and she knew instantly she had the great problem. She moved quickly to the furthest corner of the cage where she crouched.

Robert took his knife, he sheated it and then picked up whole cage and headed home.

All three dogs were sleeping, when he arrived. He put the cage near the fireplace, opened it and put bowl with water into it. Aleu, although she was thirsty, didn`t touch it.

“Oh, I know it. But it will be good. You will get used to.” And after a quick dinner, he fell asleep.

Aleu was lost. She was in the trap, far away from home, among the ones she didn`t know. She curled up and began to cry quietly.

Few minutes later one Ryan woke up and headed to his bowl. He really needed something to drink, but he stopped when he noticed “newcomer”. Aleu saw him, too. She was scared. Ryan really looked like beast. He sat near cage and whispered: “Who are you?”

“I am Aleu...”

‘Oh, again! First think, and then speak!’

“They call me Ryan.”

“Please, Ryan, can you tell me, where am I?”

“You are in the cabin of my master deep in the forests. About a day from Nome.”

“But... but... I want to go home! Mom and dad will be worried! But I bet they are worried already...”

Ryan didn’t say anything. He turned his back and after a while he said: “I know how hard it can be for your parents. I am father, too. But I won’t help you. I won’t oppose my master.”

He walked away, leaving Aleu in despair.

About twenty minutes later, Connie opened her eyes, yawned and she was instantly attracted by the cage. She came near to it and noticed Aleu. Aleu tried to fall asleep, but she couldn’t.

“Hi, little one, what are you doing here?”

Aleu stopped sobbing and took a look at Connie. She was different than Ryan. She was young, nice and pleasant. ‘She is like Clay…’ Aleu thought.

“Don’t cry, it won`t be better…”

“I know… uhhh...”

“Connie.”

“I know, Connie, but look. I am in the trap, my dad and mom are far away and… it’s all my fault!”

“I wish I could help you… but…,“ Connie sighed, “there’s nothing I could do.”

Aleu was about to cry.

“Easy… morning will make a lot of things clear, believe me.”

Next meeting Aleu had was quite disturbing. In fact, it was very, very disturbing. It was Steele.

Aleu knew him from Jenna`s and Balto`s tellings. But Steele didn`t know Aleu.

He slowly proceeded to the cage.

“Oh, look who is in the trap.”

Aleu said nothing.

‘If he finds out who I am, it won’t be good. Okay… now, it isn’t good, but it can be worse.’ She thought.

“I see, you are not interested in a conversation with me. What a pity.”

“I know you well, Steele!” Once more, her mouth was quicker than her thoughts.

Steele raised his eyebrows: “That’s cute. But I don’t know you, and to be honest, I am not interested in… Hey, wait a moment! You look like a wolf. Yes. So, how can little wolf pup know my name?”

Although wicked, he wasn’t stupid.

“You have to be from Nome. Aaand…,” he began to circle around the cage, “In Nome, there is not a pure wolf. Just…,” he stopped and his eyes opened wide and he grinned, “Well, present like this…”

Aleu knew he was thinking about. “No, I am not from Nome and I don`t know what you are speaking about!”

“Really? Good, let`s say I believe you.”

“Steele?” That was Connie

“Yes, love?”

“Let her be. She’s just scared.”

Steele nodded and then he turned his head to Aleu and whispered: “I know your father will come here for you. And if he is, who I think he is, then… you know…” And then he headed to Connie.

‘It’s possible Clay is his brother and Connie his mate?’

And the last meeting was disturbing, too.

Connie woke her up in the middle of the night and she asked her a lot of questions. Aleu told her almost everything she was asking for. When they ended, Connie had tears in her eyes.

------------------------

CHAPTER 10: STEELE`S WORST ENEMY

Great… I have everything I need and even without any effort. Balto will seek her and that’s my chance. I will kill him.

I am afraid it won’t be such easy, something said.

You again?

Yes. Me… or you. What about Ryan and Connie and… Jenna?

Connie’s naive fool, I don’t care about Jenna, she betrayed me and Ryan is out.

He is NOT out. He will go after you. And there is one more point. You said Jenna betrayed you. You know she didn`t. And now, you want to betray Connie and ruin her life, although - you say - you know how it is to be betrayed by someone?

Steele looked down on Connie. She slept smiling and no doubt she was happy the one she loved was near.

So what now? Do you think you can deceive her now?

I… I… of course I can! I don`t need her!

But it seems she needs you.

I don`t take care of her anymore!

You lie.

And who the hell ARE YOU?

I am your best ally and your worst enemy. I am your