somewhat looked like Dusty. Kodi stared at his daughter, her life fill of sparkle. He dreaded the thought of telling her about Dusty, really dreading it. He sighed and looked at the chicken on the table and smiled. As Mr. Simpson carved the chicken and served, Hope was already resting her head on Betty's thigh, staring at her with her beautiful eyes, she had inherited them from Dusty. Betty laughed and ruffled Hope's head while serving the vegetables. Hope sneezed as the steam from the vegetables overpowered the room. Kodi, Kirby, Ralph, Pheonix, Earl, Yoyo and Mary were all sprawled across the floor, tired because they had a race today, and won. "Here, may I make a toast," Mr. Simpson asked, looking at everyone in the room. The dogs sat upright as Mr. Simpson raised his wine glass. "A toast to Kodi, Kirby, Ralph, Pheonix, Earl, Yoyo and Mary, Betty, and of course, our brave girl, Hope!" He clinked his glass against Betty's and drank. Hope blushed as the dogs cheered. She wasn't even part of the team but always felt like she was there with all the tales she had heard, she still didn't understand why they call her 'brave'.

After the dinner, after the plates and table was cleared, it was 10:00pm. Mr. Simpson and Betty checked the dogs had water and then gave everyone a goodnight pat. When they walked into their bedroom, the dogs cheered. Kodi smiled and shook his head, "OK guys, bedtime, Hope needs a good night's rest," Kodi smiled at Hope. Hope rolled her eyes and smiled.

"Pop, you treat me like such a baby," Hope chuckled.

Kodi gulped, remembering that's how his sister, Aleu had run away, because Balto was being concerned about her, he hoped Hope wouldn't do that same. Kodi gestured his head towards the hearth rug and looked at Hope sternly. Hope sighed and glared at her father for a moment as she reluctantly curled up into her hearth rug. Kodi sighed and glanced at Hope as she closed her eyes. Kodi, after a few minutes, was positive Hope was asleep. He quetly manouevered out of the room and entered Mr. Simpson and Betty's bedroom. After Kodi was gone, Hope opened one of her eyes. She very silently stood up and opened both of her eyes. "Nobody tells me what to do," she murmered very silently to herself. She quietly walked towards the door and opened the dog- flap with one of her paws. She squeezed through the flap quite easily. When she was out of the door, she sighed happily. She ran at the low fence and jumped over with ease. She landed on all paws and lifted her nose to sniff the air. The air was sharp with a slight tint of warmness. She grinned happily and walked down the street. Nome was pretty deserted at this time at night. The only life that roamed the streets were drunken men gallavanting about. Hope rolled her eyes at them as one came to stroke her. She bit his finger and ran towards the boiler room.

When she felt safe, she slowed to a walk. The boiler room was on the other side of Nome from Mr. Simpson's house. As she was about to nudge the door open, she heard a series of unfriendly snarls behind her. She turned around sharply and gasped, as a huge brown malamute towered over her. Beside him where two small huskies.

"Hi darlin'," the giant roared, "Haven't seen you 'round 'ere before," he nudged Hope until she fell over backwards. The gang sneered and laughed.

"Hey boss, should we bag her now or cause pain first?" the grey husky sneered.

"Bag and pain, is like soooooooo strange that those two words, like go together!" the bony tanned one added in a dumbfounded tone.

"Boys, boys let's get 'er name out first," he sneered as he turned back towards Hope.

"Parlay!" Hope screeched, "How dare you! My father has the whole of Nome's calvary on his side! Step aside!" Hope added defensively.

"I don't think so poppet," he laughed coldly, "What's your name 'en?" he made a grab for Hope's collar and read the tag aloud, "'Hope' is it?" he sneered as Hope struggled under his grasp, "Nice name poppet."

Hope glared at him and bared her teeth, "You beast! Wait until my father finds out what you've done!" she snarled.

He laughed and the two huskies joined in. "And how will 'he find out, darlin'?"

Hope thought for a moments, then dropped her head, "He will, somehow," Hope answered, barely above a whisper.

The huskies laughed and the malamute smirked, "Come on boys, let's get it over and done with."

The huskies grabbed hold of Hope fur, while the malamute smirked.

Hope screamed, "Leave me ALONE!" trying to fight them off, but failed because she was outnumbered.

"Any last words poppet?" the malamute sneered, as he held his paw up high as he was about to whack her, very hard.

Hope tried to say something, but the grey husky covered her mouth. The malamute sniggered and thrust his paw down. When he was a few inches away from hitting the petrified Hope, an angry snarl came behind him. The malamute paused right there and turned around. But as soon as he had turned round, a large black and white husky pushed him over. Hope sighed with relief, but still had her large violet eyes wide with fear.

"Leave her be, Mac," the husky snarled, baring his large, pearly teeth.

The malamute, Mac looked at the large husky, stunned, "Zaq, you're gonna pay for 'at," but he was still laying on the snow covered ground.

The large husky, Zaq, snarled more ferociously, "Leave her BE," he growled.

Mac looked at him and started to snarl again, "If your grandfather wasn't the great Steele, I would of killed you from the start!" Mac grunted, starting to stand up, "Come on boys, let's go 'nd find some dead birds or somethin'," he snarled once more and started to walk away, the huskies followed obediantly.

Zaq watched them leave and then stepped forward, "Are you alright?" he asked, in a rather shy tone.

"Yes, I think so," she answered, shaking of nervousness from the attack.

For the first time, Zaq smiled, "Don't worry about Mac, Jake and Grant, they're just a bunch of losers," Zaq replied, less shyly this time.

Hope nodded nervously.

Zaq broke into a friendly smile and answered, "Don't worry, they're gone now."

"Thanks," Hope replied, just above a whisper.

"Did those saddos hurt you?" he asked, anxious this time.

"Nope, I don't think so," she clutched her name tag on her collar.

Zaq smiled, "That's good. Very good," he sighed happily.

Hope smiled and nodded, "My name's Hope by the way," her eyes twinkled in the moonlight.

Zaq smiled, "That's a nice name, I hate my name, it was chosen by my grandfather," he gulped at the end of his sentence, "I hate him."

Hope nodded, "My grandfather is Balto, no big deal really,"

Zaq's eyes widened, "You're..... You're Balto's grandaughter?" he asked, gobsmacked.

Hope looked at him curiously, "Yes............."

Zaq widened his eyes more and replied, "Oh."

Hope looked at him normally.

Zaq lowered his head, then raised it again, "That's cool," he paused, "Balto's a hero, very awesome."

Hope nodded confusingly.

Zaq smiled, "So your that dog... Kodi's daughter? You look just like him."

"Yeah......" Hope replied.

Zaq nodded and changed the subject, "I think you should go home now, back to your family."

Hope rolled her eyes, "Okay, hopefully my dad didn't wake up while I was gone, I sort of sneaked out," Hope chuckled slightly.

Zaq smiled, "We better get you back then. Do you want me to escort you back? So those losers don't come back?"

"That would be great," Hope smiled and started to walk towards home, closely followed by Zaq.

When the long walk back to the shabby cabin was over, Hope looked reluctant to go back in. "Goodbye Zaq, hope to meet you again," Hope smiled.

Zaq nodded shyly, "So do I........."

Hope smiled and moved her muzzle closer to his. When they were a few inches away from kissing, Hope turned away. "Thanks," she added, very quietly, her smile vanished as she scurried inside.

Zaq's eyes were wide with shock, "Oh God! I'm so stupid! Why did I have to mention Steele, well why did Mac have to?" he said to himself very angrily, he then started to walk away through the dark streets of Nome.

Chapter 5, Surprise Meeting

The next morning, Hope was sound asleep on her comfortable hearth rug. Kodi quietly walked into the room. He smiled as he watched Hope on the hearth rug, he had no idea that she went out last night. Hope then started to stir, she slowly opened her eyes and yawned.

"Good morning darling," Kodi said happily.

"Dad. Why do you have to watch me sleep? It's really freaky." Hope laughed.

Kodi grunted, "Enough of the cheek talk," Kodi paused, "There's an important race today, veterans race, and your grandfather is going to be the leader on one of the teams, I would like you to spectate with all of the rest of the family on the sidelines."

Hope grunted, "God sake." She stood up and stretched, "What should I wear then?"

"It's up to you, but you better look half decent. And that means NO camaflouge collars this time," Kodi shook his head.

Hope rolled her eyes, "Fine them. I'll wear that sad frilly flower collar then," Hope pulled a face.

"Good, I think you look very pretty in that," he smiled, " Anyway, Mr. Simpson has already decided for you to wear that, it's actually up to him, afterall."

"Whatever." Hope sighed.

Kodi frowned, "Betty will come in any minute to put your collar