I am… I am sorry for him.”

Steele smirked. He wanted to say something painful to Balto, but he didn’t want to hurt him. 

Instead of it he took a drink and continued…

**********

Now, he was a lead dog. Now, he was the most important… and finally he got something he deserved. But he hadn’t thing he wanted the most. The Golden collar. He was the best in white Mountain, but he wasn’t the best in the whole Alaska. Yes… be the best… to be worthy for Flann and his parents. And he knew it’s not just because of him. It was because of the team. They hadn’t been showing their best, but after little training they improved greatly. Steele was good leader… he had respect, he had love, friends and fame. And he was popular for he was friendly and modest. He never forgot to mention his team, Flann and family. But there was one dog he never spoke about. Connell.

Connell led sad and lonely life. Steele didn’t hate him. In fact, Steele wasn’t paying attention to him and that was much worse than words of hatred. But other dogs teased him. Their former leader was nobody now. And one day, when they returned from race, one of the younger members of the team trotted close to Connell, smirked and stretched his legs saying: “So… another great race. It was great… we were running like the wind… running!” He hissed into Connell’s ear. Connell growled, but he couldn’t do anything. He had to listen to these taunts… worse than the death. He just pretended he didn’t hear, but his face was full of helpless anger. Dog shook his head. “Anyway, I need a rest. My paws hurt now little bit… but yours, of course-“

“Stop it!” Dog turned his head in surprise and saw growling Steele behind him.

“What?” the dog asked, “I am just having some fun, no?”

But Steele growled. “Try to do it once more… and I’ll make sure it’ll be the last fun in your life!” Dog whispered silent sorry and headed to his bed. Steele glanced at Connel who averted his eyes. Now, Connell felt like completely useless waste. It meant just one thing. He was so unable his enemy had to help him… Steele just sighed and went back to Flann who was waiting for him. And she was smiling. Her Steele did another good thing. He helped his enemy. Not much, but he showed to Connell that he cared. After a while, dogs were asleep and Sorley was doing something in kitchen. Connell raised his head and did something he’d not done in three or four months. He said: “Thank you, Steele…” it was silent, but Steele heard it. And he knew Connell was still his enemy even though that thing happened.

Year was gone so fast… again…annual race was held again. And again there were just two teams who were favourites. Ulf’s and Steele’s. Ulf hadn’t heard anything about thing that happened between Connell and Steele. Moreover he hadn’t been showing any interest in things that weren’t related to him, so therefore he was really surprised when he saw the new lead dog of his opponent’s team. He smirked and slowly stalked behind Steele who was giving last orders to his teammates.

“So…” he laughed as Steele jumped in midair and turned to him quickly. “So Connell hasn’t shown up and he sent … you?” Ulf’s voice was full of disdain. “I see… things must be very bad when the team is led by someone so worthless… do you remember the last year? You screwed up whole race for them… I wonder you are still alive.”

Steele smirked. “And what, mutt? Afraid worthless one can beat you?” Of course he remembered the last year. And the thing Ulf’d done to Flann. “Well, to be exact, I didn’t ruin anything… I would say throwing my teammate against a sledge was the true reason… but what could I expect from a wolf?” He grinned.

Ulf gasped. He wasn’t used to talks like this. “You… you…”

“Me? Me?” Steele laughed. “Get off, wolfdog.” He turned to his teammates again. Ulf was mad. But he tried to control his anger… maybe it was just a trick to make him less concentrated on the race. Ulf hissed something rude and came back to his team while Steele just smirked.

Race was going smooth like the last year. But with one difference. Steele’s team was leaving its opponents far behind unlike Ulf’s. Wolfdog was making a lot of mistakes. He barely made it to the final round.

You would say crowd was bored when it saw the same teams in the final again, but you’d be wrong then. This last race promised the best of the best teams… And not only crowd knew this… mushers and dogs, too. Ulf was really nervous. He watched Steele and he realized Steele’s team was much better than his. And now it was too late for cheating. Everyone would see him and that would be end. Nevertheless it wasn’t the end. Teams were standing in two straight lines, leaders had paws on the line marking starting position, and mushers greeted themselves and then just prepared for the starting shot. Steele closed his eyes…. So this is his first and maybe last chance to achieve-

And then the starter fired his gun.

Ulf accelerated like bullet but Steele kept staying on the starting line.

“Steele?” Flann whispered.

No… not yet…

Ulf was further every second

No…

No…

Now!

Steele started…

It was amazing race. At first, Ulf noticed Steele’s team didn’t leave its position and smirked. But after a short while he realized something. It was deliberate. It was Steele’s showing off. And Ulf made another mistake. He looked back and saw advancing Steele. And he had to admit Steele was quick. Whole Steele’s team was quick. Ulf tried to run faster…

Steele outran him fifty metres before the finish line…

And then Steele’s dream came true… Sorley shouted with excitement, teammates barking and Flann kissed him. But the best was still to come. After he was unharnessed his master gave him the Golden collar. And the crowd was cheering… new champion was born…

Flann jumped and hugged Steele. She was exhausted like the rest of the team, but happy. Her love, her man, her everything got all he wanted: the Golden Collar for which he had worked so hard. “Flann… I am so happy!” He yelped and hugged her tightly.

“I am happy too… and I bet your parents are proud of you…” she whispered.

Sorley patted Steele gently knowing he was worthy replacement for Connell.

And then the thing that can change a lot of things came… popularity.

While they was going home, Steele was centre of attention. Younger dogs looked up to him and whispered words of admiration. And one pup standing few steps behind Steele nuzzled its mother and squirmed: “Mum… I want to be like Steele…”

And Steele attracted not only pups. Young females were sighing for him and would give everything for being his mate. But Steele had chosen his love already. Flann. And he knew she knew it.

As they entered their house, Steele realized that Connell didn’t know. And he suddenly felt like he had stolen Connell’s dream. But then he recalled how Connell behaved towards him and he trotted in, followed by the rest of his team. Connell just sighed when he saw Steele, but when he noticed the Golden Collar, he turned his head away. He had to think about that the Golden Collar could have been his… And now, Steele got it. Nobody was paying attention to Connell, but he found it useful. At least nobody teased him.

Steele lay down with Flann by his side.

“Well… I just want to thank you for your excellent work today. I want you to know that this collar is the result of our work. And every one of you should get one. I am so glad I can be in a team with such great dogs.” He smiled and his teammates cheered. They’d never heard words like these from Connell.

Night came. Steele hadn’t got any dreams… because his dream came true.

Steele woke up early the next morning. Like he was afraid the Golden Collar was just a dream. Dream that faded away when a new day was dawning. But… that wasn’t a dream. Collar was still on his neck. Steele smiled and decided to go for a short trip. Well, nothing changed. At least first five minutes were normal. Then one female trotted closer and smiled.

“Good day, Steele.”

Steele was surprised. They hadn’t talked too much to him before the race. And now it seemed everybody wanted to be his friend… or in this case: lover.

“Well, good day…” Steele replied. Female brushed her body against his and nuzzled him. “You are great, Steele… now, you are famous and you can have everything you want… even me…” She whispered seductively and lustfuly.

“Uh… I am sorry, but Flann-“

“Forget about her, you deserve somebody much better!” Female kissed him.

‘Well… Flann is sleeping now… she won’t know if I-‘ Steele thought. He kissed her back.

‘But I shouldn’t cheat her… after all, I love her…’ weak voice in his head said, but the new thoughts silenced it. After all, he had worked hard for his success. And now he thought it was his right to enjoy all he achieved.

“Hmm…” Steele nuzzled female too.

“Today evening – boiler room. I’ll bring few friends, yes?” And female walked away.

Steele returned home proudly. He enjoyed his fame and he started loving to be centre of attention. He entered the room and noticed Flann was up. She was lying in her bed and looked at him. She didn’t ask: ‘Where have you been?’ She trusted him and Steele felt bad. He almost betrayed the one who loved him so much. He sighed and lay down near her. “Good morning, Flann.” He smiled and licked her cheek. “Morning, Steele.” Flann nuzzled him. “You know, master decided to give us a day free. Shall we go somewhere?” She giggled and bit his ear gently.

“Yes, we can, love…” Steele smiled and let her to chew his ear. “And where?”

“You know… that place where Connell tried to… well, there is very nice meadow near it… and I have a gift for you, honey.” She whispered into his ear. And after a while, they left the house and headed to the forest.

Steele wondered what Flann wanted,