turn out okay. And don't worry about the wolves. I worked things out with them."

Raven smiled as Dusty left through the dog-door. The second she was gone, her smile disappeared. "But they never said anything about not hurting you," she muttered.

Quickly she ran to relay the latest news to Redd, who was pretending to be asleep in the livingroom. When she heard Dusty approaching, she got up.

"Well?" She asked anxiously.

"The plans are all set. Noon tomorrow."

Redd hesitated. "Did...did Raven say anything?"

Dusty smile for what seemed like the millionth time that night.

"He said that no matter what happened, he would always love you."

Redd sniffed back tears, but before she knew it, she was practically sobbing into Dusty. Dusty hugged her friend, crying herself. Both of them knew this might be the last time they saw each other. They tried to be quiet, but before long, Redd's father appeared at the bottom of the stairs.

"What's going on here?" He asked harshly.

Redd was thinking on her toes. "Oh, Daddy!" she wailed. "I know you said I couldn't see anyone, but Dusty's human is horribly sick and they might have to leave Nome!"

Redd's father softened immediately. "Oh, Dusty, I'm so sorry!" He whispered. "You take the time that you need with Redd."

"That's okay, sir," Dusty sniffed. "My girl needs me now!"

She poured out a fresh wave of fake sobs. Redd was surprised her masters didn't wake, and also how good of a liar Dusty was. Redd gave her friend one more lick on the cheek before Dusty left, still crying.

"That's too bad," Redd's father murmured. "I hope things turn out okay." Then he turned around and went back upstairs.

Redd sighed and laid down on the rug. Tomorrow.

*****

Redd's eyes snapped open. Something wasn't right, but what? With a gasp, she realized it must already be around noon.

"Good morning, sleepyhead!" Her father called. "You still can't go outside today, hun."

Redd realized this to be the best chance she had. She furrowed her brow and shouted furiously, "I'm sick of you treating me like a pup!" and ran out the door.

"Redd!" Her father shouted from behind her. "Wait!"

Keep running! She thought. Almost there! From the corner of her eye, she could see a black figure being chased by a grey figure. It was working! Redd began angling towards Raven, making sure her father wasn't too far behind. When at last she and Raven were side by side, she licked his ear, the signal for them to speed up. The fathers were hardly able to keep up. The forest was approaching. At the edge of the trees, Redd and Raven slowed to a halt. Raven nuzzled Redd sadly. They could hear the wolves snarling behind them in the bushes as they turned to face their fathers.

"Stop...this...foolishness!"

Neither of the fathers could breathe very well after the high speed chase.

Snarling at his father, Raven growled a harsh, "No!"

"What right," Redd snarled, "do you have to keep us apart? Are you two old greydogs too blind to see that? I love him!"

The two older dogs winced as though Redd's words were whips across their backs.

"I love her too," Raven whispered. His nose touched softly behind Redd's ear, another signal.

Redd shuddered, afraid of what she was about to do. Taking a shaky breath, she growled, "And if you don't let us have what we want..." She picked up a paw and began moving it towards the trees. Redd had almost put it down when a huge wolf head appeared from the bushes, barking madly and snapping at her paw. Redd jumped out of the way, knowing all too well that the wolves wouldn't hesitate to kill her.

The fathers looked at each other, the horror in their eyes too great to describe.

Raven's father spoke first. "Cedar..." Redd looked at her father. She hadn't heard his name in so long she had almost forgotten it. "...Maybe we should let them..."

"...have their way." Cedar finished. "Coal, you're right."

"Promise," Raven and Redd growled at the same time.

"We promise," The fathers said. Coal added under his breath, "...But we won't like it."

Redd was giddy with relief. Raven was shaking all over.

"Come on," he said. "Let's go do something. I need to move."

He and Redd raced off towards town to tell everyone the good news.