said. "The image doesn't bode well with the business, you know that, James."
"I understand Elias, but-"
"You offered me the first-born female of your two most-prized huskies. Tara, an excellent show dog in her day, and Axel, also a good sled dog. Yet you present me this?" Jenna managed a growl. Tara barked once to grab her attention. Jenna looked around to meet Tara's stern face. She quietened immediately.
"Elias, I can relate with your concern, but you wanted the first born female of the litter and there she is," James said.
Jenna started to get shaky, scared of where this was heading.

"You have never failed me in the past James."
"I always try to please," he said, slightly nervous.
"...until you gave me... this rat."
Helene stood upright from the seat she was in and bumped the table forward by accident.
"Jenna is not a rat," she said, her voice raised.
"I would have thought you'd chosen a wife whom could hold her tongue better in business deals between men, James," Elias said, tempting James to lose his temper. James knew better.
"Please sit down, Helene," he said. Helene did as she was told, annoyed at Elias' attitude.
"Serah I could take. But this one will not cope," Elias stated angrily. Jenna started to pine for her mother. "Especially with that racket, that has to be ironed out of her."
"Jenna, quiet," James said calmly. Jenna turned her big brown eyes onto James and complied.
"I'm sorry James. The deal is off."

"What?" James asked, bewildered. "We arranged this, for month-"
"I don't care, I'm not taking this thing," Elias yelled. "I'm through with you!"
"But Elias-" At this point Elias Santiago became infuriated with James' attempted appeals.
"I don't care if you have to feed your damned dogs, or your silly little wife, I will NOT take this - this MUTT - a disgrace to her show heritage - in my kennels! You can have the stupid thing, I'M THROUGH!"
Then Elias did the unthinkable.
He threw Jenna and sent her sailing through the air and plummetting towards the cold, hard ground. She landed with a loud innocent yelp of pain.

Axel snarled, clearly losing control, and lunged at Elias, latching onto his arm. Helene was standing up yelling at him. James was stunned - he couldn't believe what Elias had done. Tara was barking angrily at the fight in front of her, while Serah stood stock still, terrified of everything.

Tara stopped barking, noticing Jenna could potentially be crushed. She was lying on the ground and couldn't seem to get up easily. She ran towards the scene, avoiding the wrestling Axel and Elias, and grabbed Jenna in her mouth. She left her at the next room's door and ran back for Serah. She dodged Elias stepping back onto where Jenna had been and went straight for her other daughter.
"Mother, I'm scared!" Serah cried.
"It's okay Serah, just hold on," Tara said, picking her up and placing her next to Jenna. She tried for the door desperately. James saw her struggle and opened the door for her. Tara picked Jenna up and ran in with Serah.

The door shut behind then. All of the noise could be heard through the door.
Tara turned around. Four little pups were huddled together, scared as anything.
"Mom!" one of the maroon ones called, and ran towards her. "What's going on?!"
"Amos, there's a bit of a commotion, I know, but-"
"What's wrong with Jenna?" another asked.
"Woodrow, I know you're concerned, but-"
"Where's dad?"
"Quiet!" Tara snapped. "Amos, there's a fight outside. Woodrow, Jenna's hurt. Everette, he's outside dealing with Mr Santiago. Any questions?"
One last pup sat away from the confused bunch. He was a darkish burgundy color and brown eyes, and asked the simplest yet most complex question to answer:
"Why do they hate each other?"

Axel had made a mess of Elias. His clothes were torn, he had several bite marks and had quite a bit of blood on him. James had pulled Axel away from him by the collar. Helene was trying to clean Elias and bandage the wounds. Tara wandered out of the room she was in, having dealt with her son Dimitri's question somewhat lamely. Helene finished cleaning Elias up and moved away.
"Is there anything else I can do for you? Perhaps lend you an overcoat?" Helene asked, not particularly wanting to help him, but it was her duty.
Elias ignored her and found his overcoat, which he had removed upon entering. He turned around and glared at James.
"They'll hear of this, Sidney," he threatened. The pups sneaked into the room to see Elias quickly don his hat and slam the door behind him.

Tara walked over to Axel, whom was panting and also blood-stained and had a few bruises.
"James won't walk free from this," he said. "I've ruined it all..." He looked over at Jenna, whom had been helped in somewhat by the other pups.
"All this mess because of our daughter..." Tara said, starting to tear up. Axel licked her muzzle.
"She's not just our daughter, and she didn't cause this. How could she? Look at her," he said. "She's our Winona."




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