that he would do that to me. He didn't apologize; he just stared at me with the same desperate eyes as before. I shook my head and brushed passed him. For the first time ever since we started liking each other, I was incredibly angry with him. If he continued to do that, especially to Stunner, I would never forgive him.

I shook my head at those terrible thoughts about my mate. Surely, he didn't mean it. He is much stronger than me; he must not know his own strength. But even still...the thought of what he did tugged at my mind. I felt his eyes digging into my back as I entered the doggie-door, but to get my point across that I wasn't happy with him, I didn't dare look back.

I made my way through the dark into Meg's room where she and Stunner were sleeping. I hopped onto the bed and snuggled beside the two of them. I stared down on my precious daughter. She was going to grow up very beautiful. I looked at Meg and hoped, as I slipped into slumber, that Iron wouldn't try to "protect" me from her.

Stunner woke me up early the next morning, but I told her that we had to wait for Daddy to start his training before we could go. I also told her to keep our little trip a secret, and she agreed to it. When the right time came, Stunner and I padded to the beach together, meeting my father there. He enjoyed spending time with his granddaughter and did so as often as he could. I splashed around in the cold water for a bit, but I didn't want to be cold so I stayed on the shore and watched my father and daughter play. He taught her that if her paws ever got wet, to dust dry snow on them to keep from freezing. She thought it was a very clever trick.

I noticed a familiar form approach me. I looked behind myself and seen that it was Iron. I gasped and stood abruptly, feeling a pang of fear for a single instant.

"Iron!" I exclaimed. He smiled at me, in a way that seemed like he was hiding something.

"Saba, I thought I said not to come here?" he said, his voice sounding a bit cold.

"You did, but Stunner needed to get out." I stated, scooting myself towards the beach, away from Iron. I didn't know why, but something told me to stay away from him.

"I won't argue with you in front of Stunner," he said watching her play with her grandfather. "Tell your Dad to keep a close eye on her. Follow me." I told my father that I would be right back, but he seemed as uneasy as I was. I noticed that Stunner was about to chase after me, but my father found an innocent way to keep her from doing so. I felt terrible leaving her to talk to her father, when we never left the other's side once since she was born.

We stopped behind a house, once we were just out of Stunner's sight. Iron still had his back facing me, while I stood firm in my ground.

"I'm going to be starting a very long race tomorrow...I won't be able to see you or Stunner for a long while..." He stayed silent for a moment or two. I remember thinking that I would dread the day Iron had to leave, but somehow when he told me the news, I felt relieved. "Remember when I found out that Meg scolded Stunner?" he asked, his voice still cold. "When I found out that our daughter was struck for the first time, I was scared. I was afraid that she was going to keep hurting you two. But it scared me the most when you were having our pups...you were in so much pain...I never wanted anyone to give you that pain ever again. And I still worry for the two of you."

Thinking he was done, I began to spoke. "Iron--"

"For our daughter's sake, I don't want you to ever return to Meg."

"What?" I exclaimed. That was a very drastic change; I couldn't even bear to think how Iron came to this unreasonable decision. A life without my human pup would be terrible. We grew the greatest bond together; me, Meg, her mother, and Stunner. We've grown so close and stood by each other through all these years and Iron wanted me to simply throw it away? I wasn't about to let that happen.

"Iron, you are being dramatic," I told him, making him face me. "I care for you and our daughter dearly, but Meg means a lot to me as well. And if you're asking me to choose between you, I can't do that. And I'm not sorry." I started walking away; thinking about what my life would be like without Meg. My life wouldn't be complete. I grew to be as kind as I am because of her kindness towards me. My mother almost lost her good relationship with her human pup, and I refused to let history repeat itself.

Iron snorted at me and pushed me to the ground, scaring me half to death with growls and snarls, even if he never physically harmed me. When I struggled to get out from beneath him, he clenched his jaws around my collar, grabbing some of my neck in the process, and pushed me back to the ground.

"Stunner, no!"

I looked up and seen my daughter watching me and Iron fight with a horrified look in her eyes.

"Momma!" she cried, running to my aid. I couldn't bring myself to tell her to get away. Stunner clenched her little fangs around Iron's front paw.

Her father cried out in surprise and pain, and swiftly moved his leg, swinging Stunner from her grip. She landed roughly in the snow and whimpered when she landed. I gasped at the night of seeing Iron hurt her. Something inside of me snapped and I leapt up from Iron's grip and went for his throat. I could taste his blood in my mouth and that somehow stopped me from hurting him worse. Iron ran away, and at that time my father approached me.

Not even paying him any mind, I quickly went to Stunner's side. She limply laid in the snow. My eyes widened in shock.

"Oh, dear God, please..." I begged, whispering out loud. I leaned closer to her. "Please, don't take her from me..." I prayed. I felt my father staring down at us, holding his breath, praying for a miracle.

I lowered my head down to her small body. I felt her faintly breathing. I gasped. She was alive. I licked her face, coaxing her awake.

"Stunner...Stunner, honey, wake up," I urged, smiling on the inside knowing that she was ok.

"Momma...?" she whispered.

"Shh...I'm here." I comforted her, and she slowly came back to me. I nuzzled her, thankful. I looked back at my father, who looked both relieved and wary.

"Saba, it's late," he said. "Maybe its best that you two just stay on my boat for the night." I agreed and followed him to his home, carrying Stunner in my mouth.

I laid Stunner on my father's blanket in the captain's quarters and I stayed outside with my father.

He let out a sigh. "I'm sorry; I didn't tell you this sooner." I stayed quiet, waiting for him to continue. "He's just like his father, Steele. He was always after your mother and would do almost anything for her attention. He moved on, yes, but he was obsessed. I knew Iron was the same way...but when you told me that you two were going to be together, I knew that nothing me or your mother could say, at the time, would make you change your mind about him."

I was aware of that fact. At the time, I loved him dearly and would've done everything for him. But now all kinds of anger were built inside of me and all of it was caused by Iron. I loved him. We had a family together. But he let petty fears get to him. He wished things of me that would endanger my happiness and he didn't care. I knew he didn't care when he assaulted me. When he hurt Stunner. My daughter. I would never forgive him for that. The mother within me wouldn't let me.

"Momma, why did Daddy hurt me?" I heard Stunner whisper.

Not thinking, I lashed at her with words, "Don't dare mention him right now, Stunner!" I growled. She shied back from me with a whimper.

"Saba, don't take your anger out on her...she doesn't know." my father stated.

I sighed, and comforted Stunner telling her that it was ok. I turned to my father. "He's leaving tomorrow. I'm going to say good-bye to him in the morning." He nodded.

The next morning, I left Stunner at home with Meg, while I went to the edge of town to say my good-bye to Iron. There was his team, hooked up and ready to travel to the nearest train station to their next destination. At the head of the team was Iron, standing proudly. He felt my presence and smiled at me as I approached him. I didn't get close enough for him to nuzzle me.

"Don't worry, Saba," he said. "I swear I'll return to you."

I stayed silent for a moment. I didn't understand my feelings. Deep down I was confused; I hated him for hurting me and Stunner...but I still loved him. This feeling of love was a mysterious thing indeed. Maybe none of us will ever understand it. Just for that possibility, I simply said to him, "I don't want you to return...not until you come back changed into a better individual."

No other words were spoken. I stood in my original spot outside of town and watched Iron run away. I didn't bother to watch him until he was out of sight.


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