what Flann wanted, but he found out soon. As they entered little meadow, Flann lay down rolling in tall grass. Then she lounged lazily and smiled at Steele who watched her with interest. “Come on, love…” Flann giggled and knocked Steele down. Steele was surprised, but he let Flann to do everything she wanted. He let her to lay her head on his chest and whisper: “I love you more than you can even realize.”

Steele got it. Flann wanted to prove how much she loved him. And he wasn’t against it.

“I love you, too…” He kissed her and then it was beautiful…
 

After a wonderful time Flann was lying by Steele’s side and was panting from exhaustion.

“You were amazing, honey…” She smiled and brushed her nose against Steele’s.

Black and white husky looked at her and when their muzzles met he said: “You too, Flann… I love you so much…”

They lay for about an hour more there. Then Flann kissed Steele and got up. “We should go home…” Steele didn’t say a word and followed her. But when they entered White Mountain Steele had one of the worst meetings in his life. He noticed the female from the morning and although he tried to avoid her, it was too late. She saw him and slowly walked towards them.

“Steele… Don’t forget about the evening, yes love?” She kissed him infront of Flann like Flann was nothing but air. Then she giggled and walked away smiling.

“Steele?” That was all Flann could say.

Steele turned his head and saw just pain and disappointment in Flann’s eyes. “She is… she is… my friend from childhood…” But he knew Flann wouldn’t believe him.

Flann shook her head. “Steele… I thought-“

“Flann, I love you! I need you!” he yelped.

Flann turned her head and closed eyes. “So… what did it mean?”

Steele knew he was caught in lie and there was just two ways to get out. He chose easier one: “Flann, we haven’t seen each other for almost a year. And she wants to talk with me in the evening.”

“Can I go with you?”

Steele sighed. “Love… I would like you to be with me, but… But it’s private… I promise I won’t do anything wrong.”  

 
Evening came. Steele kissed Flann and whispered something like ‘I’ll be back soon’.

Sorley never locked the door, so Steele had no problems to get out.

As he was closer and closer to the boiler room, he was more and more curious.

I’ll bring few friends…

Door was almost closed, and just the light coming from the thin gap between the door and casing, showed that someone was in. Steele looked in carefully…

So this is what she meant when she said few friends…

He took a deep breath and he entered. Room was almost full… filled by dogs from the city, mainly females. They cheered when Steele stepped in, making large ad comfortable place for him in the hay.  Steele gulped when all heads turned at him. He knew they expected something from him. He lay down to the hay and wanted to say: ‘Uh, hello, but-‘. Alas, the female who’d met him in the morning nuzzled him under his front paw, making space for her head. And when she felt his paw on her head she smiled. “So Steele, how’s to be famous?”

Steele was lost.

“Yes… and so successful?” a young dog yelped.

“You are so great!” the female licked Steele’s cheek, but other dogs wanted to get Steele’s attention as well.

And that was the time when Steele realized how great is to be popular and favoured. He got recognition he deserved. And it was fantastic. He smirked.

“It’s something I can’t describe… but you need to work hard to be like me.” It was selfish but others just nodded. “I’ve never seen dog so devoted to his goals…” another female murmured when nuzzling Steele’s shoulder. “And you don’t know the best yet…” Steele licked his muzzle.

 
Flann didn’t sleep for whole night. She was waiting for her love. And she was afraid. Afraid of losing him. She tried to convince herself that dog can’t change so quickly. But then he looked at Connell. So, it was possible… Flann was fighting herself. She trusted him and on the other hand she wanted to go and see this meeting with the ‘old friend’. Finally, she decided to go. She trusted him, but… there was the word BUT…

 
Steele knew that going home with all the dogs around him would be really strange, so after a pleasant time he left the boiler room. He’d been in very good mood until he met Flann. Luckily, he was almost home when Flann noticed him.

“Oh, love, I see you aren’t asleep…” The black and white husky whispered. The second with reddish fur sniffed and after a while it growled. “Steele… how many of them?”

Steele’s expression changed. Now, he was looking like Flann offended him and accused him for the thing he didn’t.

“Ah, please, calm down… Yes, there were more… she brought her friends in, too. And I can make you sure it was just about talking. Or do you think I could replace you with somebody different? Flann, I love you. And I won’t leave you.” Steele’s voice was smooth and Flann felt so stupid… of course! Steele loved her! How could be she so blind?

“I am so sorry, Steele. I… I just… can you forgive me?” She sobbed and brushed her head against dense fur on his chest.

“I can… there is nothing to forgive, you were just afraid…”
 

Whoa, Steele thought, that was really close!
 

Steele was more and more popular and welcomed everywhere. He visited the boiler room almost every two days and Flann was more and more convinced there was something Steele was trying to hide. So one day she decided to take a close look. She waited until Steele left and then she sneaked out. Steele was sure Flann wasn’t following him. He thought she believed every single word he’d told her. Boiler room was near. Steele trotted in and dogs cheered as usual. Steele just smirked and lay near an old boiler, ready to boast again. So he started and everybody was listening. And everybody was impressed… everybody apart from Flann who looked into the room carefully. And she couldn’t believe her ears and eyes…

“Steele?”

And then she saw Steele kissing other female. Her jaw dropped and tears began to fall down from her eyes. Her fears came true. Flann turned away and ran. She ran home. And she cried. Tears of deceived and cheated one… Everybody was sleeping when she jumped into the room. Just Connell noticed her and watched.

And then…

Flann ran to him and hugged him. Connell was shocked. And Flann, too. It was difficult to say who was more surprised. Flann just cried on the shoulder of the one who had tried to rape her.

“What… happened?” Connell whispered finally.

“Steele…” That was all Flann managed to say between sobs. Connell licked her cheek. He knew Steele hurt her. And what was strange… Connell felt sorry for her. He had had a lot of time for thinking and although he was ‘bad one’, he tried to change. And now he wanted Flann to be happy.

Flann knew it. She hadn’t forgiven him yet, but she was close to it.

Ironic… She had known nice, good Steele but she’d seen egoistic deceiver in the boiler room… and she’d known Connell who had been full of anger and hatred. Now she was hugging understanding one. She felt asleep still hugging Connell.

Steele returned in the morning the Golden collar around his neck and proudly entered the room. He just wanted everyone to know he was the best. It seemed that he was turning into the second Connell. And for the worst - Steele thought Connell had been doing something well for he had been successful and respected leader. But Steele didn’t see one thing. Connell hadn’t been respected because he was nice and friendly. It was because he was cruel and determined to do even the worst things for achieving his goals. Trying to kill Steele… Almost raping Flann…

“Steele, we have to talk…” Flann sat down in front of him. She couldn’t call him love no more. Not after thing she’d seen. “Tell me… It’s normal to boast in front of your so called friends and kiss female ones? “

Steele smirked. “Ah… What are you talking about?”

“I know where you have been. And I know what you’ve done there.” Flann’s voice was shaking with disappointment and sadness.

“And? It’s nothing you should know…”

When she heard this, she gasped: “Steele… you… you said you loved me! So why-“

Steele sighed like he had to cope with something really annoying and non essential.

“I just think I found dogs that are good enough for me.”

“Do you want to tell me I am not good enough for you, Steele? That I am not worthy enough for you?”

Steele rolled his eyes: “Yeah… something like this. At last they are able to see who I really am. They can appreciate me in a way I deserve!”

Flann’s world was in ruins. “But Steele… I… I love you. Don’t you remember the old times? When you were a scared pup and-“

“That’s past! Nobody cares!” Steele interrupted her and then - like by the way – he pointed at the Golden collar around his neck.

“Isn’t it too tight?” Flann smirked with pretended care, trying to keep calm for now.

Steele wondered: “No? Why?”

“Because… because it seems it’s strangling you… it’s strangling your brain!” Flann yelped. Steele was clueless for a while but then his eyes narrowed. “No, it doesn’t… and moreover… it shows me a lot of things I haven’t seen before…”

Flann raised her eyebrows: “Like?”

“Like who is jealous, like who is real friend… like who loves me. It shows me where I belong!”

“Steele, face it! You became so big headed! Tell me, where is the old Steele I used to know? Where? Where is Steele I loved? Where is friendly Steele who was nice to everybody? Where is that Steele who… who sacrificed the race because of his team mate? And who wouldn’t be able to cheat the one he loved?” In her eyes tears appeared, but Steele growled.

“I don’t know… but do you know what? I bet you are just jealous too!” He shouted.

Flann couldn’t look into his eyes. She was crying silently. “Steele… what are