Steele's Surprise (Part Two)

"Well, now what do we do?"  Jenna looked to Balto anxiously.  The two mates were trying to solve a new and unexpected problem; new because they had just discovered it five minutes ago, and unexpected because it involved their arch-enemy, Steele.

"I really don't know, Jen.  I don't know how we can tell him about it because, well, you know how he feels about wolfdogs.  If he finds out that he's DATING one-"

Jenna put a paw over his mouth.  "Hush," she said, as several other dogs glanced their way as they passed by.

"Mmmph."  Jenna took her small paw off Balto's muzzle, and he continued in a whisper.  "What I'm trying to say is, we need a plan of action, and fast."

"Well," Jenna contemplated, "we could catch Treble alone-that is her name, isn't it?"

"Yes," Balto urged her.  "Go on."

"We could catch her alone sometime and tell her how Steele feels about wolfdogs like herself.  After all, she's got to know if they're going to become mates."

"But what if he finds out that we told her?  He'd hate me even more than he does now, if that's even possible."

Jenna chuckled, though whether because of Balto's dry comment or her own idea, he didn't know.  "Then what if we came and told her..."  The whispering dropped to a low murmur, and the plan was discussed and the details agreed upon.

"I never thought I'd be doing this," Balto muttered fifteen minutes later, standing up, "but I'll do it.  Not for Steele, of course, but for Treble."

"Agreed," said Jenna solemnly, and the two of them went their separate ways for the time being.

The following morning dawned over the small town of Nome.  It peeked over the horizon just in time to see Treble go out on a walk.  By now she knew Steele well enough to know that he wasn't awake just yet, and while she was all alone, she decided that a peaceful stroll was just what she needed.  Besides, she reasoned, there'll be no other dogs out and about yet.

Or so she thought. 

A shaggy-looking dog was approaching her lazily.  He was lean, and his brown legs were long, but he wasn't particularly tall.  When they neared each other, he greeted her with a drawling, "Hello, miss."

"Hi there."  What's he doing up so early? she thought.

"I heard Steele's taken a fancy to you.  A big, solid black-and-white fella, isn't he?"

"Why, yes."

"Well, he likes wolfish girls, and you seem to be the type.  No wonder he likes you."

"You think so?"  Balto caught the flicker of fear dancing through her chestnut eyes, but they soon cleared.

"'Course I do.  You better know that he likes a good howler!"

"You're kidding."

"No'm, I'm not.  And he enjoys a good growl when he's frustrated.  Thinks it's a good quality in a girl.  But don't sweat it, I'm sure he likes you just the way you are."  With a wink and a slow smile, the brown shaggy dog swung back up the street and continued on his meandering way.

"My goodness," Treble breathed.  "Howling.  Growling.  Who'd have thought?"  She continued her walk at an even slower pace then before.

At Nome's outskirts, Balto finally turned around.  He'd imagined that Treble's questioning eyes had been following him.  But he'd played his part well.  Now it was Jenna's turn.

Steele rose when the sun was high enough in the sky to wash over him in his trash can.  Shaking himself off with a rattle, he stepped out, yawning.

"Oh, I'm sorry to interrupt your morning ritual, Steele."

He jumped.  A gorgeous red-and-white husky that he recognized all too well was standing before him.  He swallowed.  "Hi there, uh, Jenna."

"Hey.  Congratulations on finding the right girl."  She winked, then stepped primly along.  Steele felt inclined to follow her.

"Yeah.  Nice-looking, isn't she?"  Steele puffed himself up.

"A little rough around the edges, but pretty in a-wild sort of way."  Jenna was tempted to look over her shoulder to get his reaction but resisted.

Steele raised his eyebrows.  "You think so?"

"Yeah.  Have you ever noticed how she-howls a lot?  And growls when things get her frustrated?"

"No, I haven't, actually."  There was a slight, barely perceptible edge to his voice.

"Well, you should watch for it sometime, but still she's a nice girl.  Anyways, I've gotta run.  See ya."  The female husky trotted down the street and broke into a gallop once she was out of sight of her former admirer.  I hope Balto got through his part of the plan.

To Balto and Jenna's surprise, Treble and Steele weren't together that day.  "I hope we didn't..."  Jenna bit her lip as they walked down the street that evening.

"Break them up?  I doubt it."  Balto shook his head.  "They're probably trying to decide what to do with our advice."

"I hope so, Balto."

Treble glanced nervously at herself in a cracked and frozen mirror in a dumpster.  I hope that guy's right.  She shrugged.  He seemed like he knew Steele pretty well.  But why, then, has Steele never mentioned him?  Gazing at herself one last time, she headed over to Steele's proprietary trash bin.

"Hey, there!"  He greeted her.

"Hey."  Treble didn't meet his warm gaze.

"Are you okay?"  Steele peered at her.

Treble swiped him on the cheek with her tongue.  "Of course I am!"

Steele shrugged.  "Whatever you say."

Nearby, Balto and Jenna watched closely as they walked out of sight.  As soon as the coast was clear, they both slid silently across the ground.  Balto pricked his ears as they talked.

"Hey Steele," Treble began, "I met this guy the other day."

"Mmm."

"He was kinda brownish, and long, but not tall," she said slowly, trying to describe her thoughts.

"Mmm."

"He said-he said you like wolfish qualities in a girl.  Is that true?"  The words were out before Treble could stop them.  Time seemed to stand still.  Five yards behind them, Balto and Jenna froze, exchanging nervous glances.

"Who said this?"  Steele's gaze was stern, reprimanding; yet he refused to look at her.  She didn't like the looks of that.

"I-I told you.  I don't know his name.  Is-is it true?"

Steele looked away.

Jenna chose that moment to step out into the street.  Balto nearly cried out, but he held his tongue, hoping upon hope that his mate had a plan.

"Hey, guys."  Her face was composed, but Balto knew her well.  He could tell by the way she carried herself that she didn't have a plan.  He sighed softly.  We're doomed.

"Oh.  It's you.  Hi."  Steele glanced at Jenna.

"Balto, where are you?"  Jenna called out, pretending to look for the wolfdog.  Not sure what Jenna was doing, Balto decided to step into the open on a flash decision.  "Here I am!" he coughed out.  His throat was dry.  "You're fast, Jen," the hybrid choked, attempting to sound casual in front of his bitter enemy.

Jenna said nothing but continued to walk by Treble and Steele.  It didn't take Treble long (she was a clever dog) to figure out who Balto was.

"I know you!" she cried.  "So you're Balto.  Why didn't you tell me your name earlier?"

"You've met before?"  Steele's eyes flashed fire.

"Yes.  He's the dog I-I told you about," his girlfriend replied, stumbling over her words.  Steele looked more dangerous than she'd ever seen him.

"Jenna, duck!"  Balto growled between clenched teeth.

"Balto, this is no time to be bringing Boris into this-"

"Jenna, I mean DUCK!"  He whirled around to face Steele a second before a giant white paw would've smashed into Jenna in rage.

"BALTO!" Jenna cried out in horror at the exact same moment that Treble screamed, "STEELE!"  The two females cowered behind a barrel as their male partners clashed in the street, sending snow flying. 

The waiting for the fight to end soon became unbearable for Jenna.  Unlike Treble, she knew that this wouldn't be a quick and easy fight.  Balto and Steele were going to fight to the death if something didn't happen to stop them.  "Treble," she half-shouted over the din of the battle ensuing before them, "we've got to stop them!"

"Right," said Treble bravely.  Suddenly, Jenna felt admiration and respect for this female wolfdog.  Steele wasn't even her mate, and yet, even facing his bad qualities, she was willing to fight for his life.  "Let's go."

The fight was ferocious; the upper hand was changing by turns constantly.  First Steele would weigh Balto down with his purebred mass, then Balto would slip away and repeatedly pound his opponent with his agile, wolfish agility.  

"Why are you doing this, Steele?"  Balto grunted as he swiped at the husky's shoulder.  "Why do we have to fight it out like this?"

"Because I'm strong and fearless, and you're a wimp.  Always refusing to fight, you were.  And you obviously-haven't--CHANGED!"  With a roar he hurled Balto to the ground.  Balto smashed against a crate and fell limp.

That was the signal for the two femme fatales.  Jenna and Treble, hackles raised and teeth glittering, advanced towards Steele.  "Oh, Balto's changed, all right," Jenna muttered.  "Changed in that he's smart enough to PLAY DEAD!"

Steele looked aghast first at Jenna and then at Balto's still form, and the plan seemed to be working, but Jenna and Treble needed Balto to rise up to complete the scheme.  But he didn't.  They