his parents.

They woke up early in the morning the master checked harnesses and sledges and gathered his dogs. He knew very well Steele had got potential and was really good. And since he knew this, he believed they could win this year. Last year, they almost managed to win, but there was Quinlain’s team. Quinlain was musher living near White Mountain who did something really unusual. He picked a wolfdog as his leading one, although he was warned about nature of these mixed ones. But Quinlain didn’t care about such gossip and lot of successful races proved his choice was the best.

The wolfdog was called Ulf. And he knew he was special. He knew it very well… And he was acting according to it. His self-confidence was almost greater than his ego which grew to really amazing dimensions.

Now, Ulf and his sidekicks were sitting down and rating the other teams.

“Hey… who is this?” Ulf suddenly frowned as his eyes met Steele. This well-built stranger was nothing pleasant for him. He knew other dogs well and his observation skills were so good he could tell how will dog run or how good sledge dog it is. But he was unsure about Steele.

“That? Heh, just another junk from Connell’s team,” one of the sidekicks smirked.

“Junk? Do you know him?”

“Well… uhm… no, but I am sure-“

“So then shut up!” Ulf snapped. “I will find out… I don’t want to underestimate anybody.”

Flann was walking by Steele’s side. And she was proud of him. Her little Steele was now her boyfriend. Yes, she knew it sounded really weird, but she fell for her ‘pup’.

But suddenly, she was pushed aside. No, she was thrown aside and her left rear paw hit the sledge standing nearby. She yelped. Steele turned his head, but instead of his love, there was somebody different. Ulf. Steele growled: “Hey, who do you think you are?”

Ulf smirked and he showed off his collar. It was the Golden collar. Golden for the greatest lead dog. But Steele didn’t know that.

“If you think you can toss other’s friends, you are terribly wrong, you…” Steele looked at Ulf better, “You mutt!”

Ulf smirked. “Mutt... oh. But it’s better to be mutt champion than purebred zero.” And when Ulf saw there was nothing to do, he went back to his team. And he was sure Steele was nothing but useless scum.

Steele’s master entered the race on short track. It was sprint long about one mile, ideal for showing top speed and musher’s ability to control the sledge in great speed. Rules were simple. Two teams started and the one which won made it to the next leg, while the second team was out. Simple eliminating way.

And the prize for the fastest? Money and the golden collar for lead dog. And there was somebody who wanted the golden collar more than Steele. Connell. So therefore he was quite worried when he made out Steele was right behind him. He had two choices.

He could ruin the race and make Steele responsible for it.  But if he did this, his dream for the golden collar would disappear.

Race began. Crowds of people were standing along the track for this race was really quick and attractive. Flann kept watching other racers then she turned to Steele and whispered. “Steele... promise me something. It’s your great day, so... don’t look after me. I mean, don’t pay attention to me... just don’t stop.”

Steele wondered, but when he noticed her look slipped at her paw which had hit the sledge, he scowled. “No, Flann... I don’t want to win at the cost of your health...” But Flann growled. “No... It’s your day. You promised you will be the greatest sledge dog. And don’t break your promise.” She let master to harness her and smiled at Steele. Steele looked forward and saw Connell’s tail. And then Connell turned his head and hissed. “Don’t even think of ruining this... do single mistake and I’ll kill you.”

“Whatever, Connell...”

First leg was really easy. Everyone knew there were two teams which were much better than the others. It was Connell’s and Ulf’s. And of course these two teams made it to the final.

Crowd was restless. People knew this race would tell who was the best. Teams gathered in front of starting line...

“Oh... so Connell... do you really thing you can win?” Ulf taunted him.

“I am pretty sure, mutt...” Connell smirked.

Just few seconds more...

They started.

Both teams were just warmed up... each dog was saving its true power and strenght for this last round. Ulf’s reaction was slightly quicker than Connell’s, so his team advanced a little bit.

But Connell accelerated. Track was really smooth and quick, and no wonder. Many of sledges had ridden there. But now, there were just two teams... all or nothing...

Steele felt great as his paws were hitting the ground and helping his team to run. And the finish was closer and closer. Yes... now, Connell was in front of Ulf... just keep running and they would win...

Flann yelped. All this running was so much for her leg. Something cracked... And Steele realized there was something wrong. He looked back quickly and saw just Flann’s face. Face full of pain. But she was quiet. She didn’t want to ruin Steele’s great day.

But no...

This isn’t right...

I don’t want to win at such cost... 

Steele slowed...

Connell gasped when he felt sledge went slower suddenly. He glanced back. Steele. Of course...

They lost.

 
Crowd cheered as Ulf’s team ran throught the finish and didn’t pay attention to Connell’s.

Musher got off the sledge and amazed why dogs slowed so suddenly. He unharnessed all of them and when he set Connell free, and then.... Lead dog jumped at Steele, snarling. His eyes were full of hatred, anger and his expression was full of madness.

“You bastard! You d*mned bastard! You ruined everything you could! Why did you stopped?” Connell’s fangs were unpleasantly close to Steele’s throat. “And think twice... this is going to be your last sentence!”

Steele was shocked. Connell obviously knew about Flann’s injury. But he was pretending he didn’t. “It’s not my fault! Flann is hurt! Can’t you see?!”

Connell laughed. “And what?!”

And in that moment Steele realized there was the one who wanted to win at all costs...

“But... you ruined it for whole team! Guys! Get him!” Dogs didn’t wait, jumped at Steele and began biting and tearing him. There was nothing but pile of dogs and pain and blood. Flann jumped and tried to protect Steele, but Connell pushed her away.

“Connell, you son of a-... it’s not his fault!”

Connell stopped ripping Steele’s fur off. “Yes? And whose, then?”

“Leave him be! He did it because of me! You see!? He has got heart! He can see other’s feelings, not like you! And therefore I love him, whereas you... you are nothing but worthless scum!” She cried when she saw Connell’s smirk.

It’s told that gunshots bring death. But this one saved Steele’s life. Steele’s musher was standing near, holding his smoking gun. And he was scowling. That was the first time he was with his dogs and he was scowling...

Reaction was sudden. Dogs pulled their tails between their legs and lowered ears, crowd stopped shouting and every dog and man was looking at Steele’s musher. He kneeled in front of Steele and patted him.

“My Steele...” he whispered, lifted Steele’s body and then he loaded him onto the sledge. Then he let Flann to jump on the sledge, too.

He didn’t say a word, grabbed the sledge and headed away followed by his dogs.

There was somebody who was laughing all the time. It was Ulf.

-----

Few hours later

Steele opened his eyes. Pain was still there, but it was not as great as it had been when Connell and the rest had been tearing him. He tried to move, but it was hard. He noticed bandages over different part of his body and the bandages were stained in blood. He blinked four or five times... yes... he was in his bed. He was at home.

“Steele! You are awake!”

It was Flann. Her paw was bandaged too.

“Flann?” Steele murmured and looked at her like he couldn’t believe his ears. His look fell on her paw. “Flann? Are you hurt?!” He yelped, but even speaking was hard.

“It’s all right, Steele... it’s not broken. I will have to rest for three or four weeks, though. And they say you will have to take good rest, too.” she smiled happily.

Then his thoughts caught up with his tongue.

“Connell? Where is Connell?”

Flann grinned. “Master was really furious but he didn’t punish him... for he doesn’t believe punishments are good and so on. But don’t think about him.”

“Flann, I ruined the race...” Steele was desperate. Flann nuzzled him. “No, Steele... you didn’t. You did just the right thing. I am so happy that I wasn’t wrong about you. You are completely different than Connell.”

And that was more then stupid Golden collar for Steele. Flann was proud of him. And his parents would be proud as well.

But still... Now it seemed he could be punished even for doing the right thing.

Next four weeks were the four happiest weeks in Steele’s life. Master and the rest of the dogs left early in the morning each day, so he could be with Flann alone. And now it wasn’t just plain phrase: ‘I love you.’ they fell for each other more than they would ever imagine.

Steele found out Flann grew up in White Mountain and her former master sold her on dog market because he was leaving Alaska. So she met her new master and had lived relatively easily until she met Steele.

As it was said it was the four happiest weeks in Steele’s life. Even Connell stopped to show him his hatred and anger and Steele thought it was all right. And he was wrong.

But time can’t stop. It’s going on. And that’s pity... or maybe for the best.

Flann’s paw was all right. She was even able to run, so she was happy and optimistic as usual. And Steele’s wounds? They healed quickly, too.

And tomorrow, they will return to their duties as sledge dogs.

Steele was lying in is