Pirate and Shasta were enjoying a wonderful walk by the beach. They listened to the waves lapping the sand and the breeze playing around. Shasta smiled. "Hey Pirate…"

He turned his head to face her. "Yes Shasta?" Her smile told him whatever it was it had to be good. His tail started to wag.

"I haven’t even told you and you’re wagging your tail already!"

"Your smile brightens my world." Pirate smiled and Shasta lightly blushed.

"My family is unable to keep me any more." Pirate turned his expression to sad. "But Avalanche’s family is taking me in because you know…the families are related and ah the little one begged his parents for me to stay."

Pirate was the happiest dog at that moment. His tail wagged like the speed of the Shelby GT. His smile wide with his tongue sticking out. His blue eyes locked on her. "So you’re staying in Nome?" Shasta nodded.

"Yes!" Pirate became a puppy. Hopping all around with some excited barking.

"Pirate I’ve never seen you like this!" Shasta watched him, wide eyed. Pirate broke out laughing.

"Oh I’m so happy you’re staying!" Pirate came to a stop but his tail still wagged. "What are we waiting for? Let’s tell the rest of the gang!"

Shasta barked happily before the two started toward Nome with high spirits.

Pirate barged into the shed with Shasta close behind. "Jeez Pirate! You nearly tore down the place!" Ralph exclaimed.

"And I have a good reason too." Pirate replied. Avalanche chuckled.

"Oh he found out about Shasta staying." The gray husky spoke up.

"Really?" Kirby lifted his head. Shasta nodded her head yes.

"That’s great news!" Dusty said as she leapt down from her high place. Dusty and Shasta had a good friendship. They nearly were like sisters.

"I do agree." A voice from the back piped up.

"Oh hello Matt." Pirate sunk his head. Here came Matt to rain on his parade. Matt even got more annoying after him and the team saved Ashley.

Matt trotted up next to Shasta and brushed his shoulder against Shasta’s side. Shasta growled. "So that way I can watch your pretty figure even more." Matt grinned.

"Shut it Matt." Ralph growled.

"I would watch it chubby!" Matt growled back and stuck his muzzle in Ralph’s face.

"We don’t need a fight this early in the morning." Pirate snapped. Matt snorted before backing away.

"Tracker’s right." And as Matt started to walk outside he whispered to Shasta. "See you around pretty gal."

Right when he was out of range Shasta growled. "Who does he think he is?"

"A high class dog." Kirby answered.

"I’m going to fix that…" Shasta muttered.

"Hey let’s not let Matt take us down." Kodi piped up. Pirate nodded.

"Let’s take a walk around town. I heard someone from Montana was coming up for a moose trip. He has to have a dog with him." Avalanche spoke.

***

Pirate, Shasta, and the team strolled down the main street of Nome. Suddenly, a roar bellowed from the sky. "Well I guess Avalanche was right." Ralph spoke. Avalanche simply smirked.

As the plane landed on the outskirts of town some people looked to the plane before going back to their business. A broad shouldered man with a goatee peered out into the sunlight before stepping down. He picked up two bags, and shouldered the rifle bag. He whistled and a black/white husky hopped out. Her tail wagged as her owner patted her head.

"Come on girl." His gruff voice sounded soft as he spoke to his loyal dog. The husky barked then followed at her master’s side as they made their way to the local café. "Stay here Kiska." The man spoke again before walking inside to grab a bite to eat.

Avalanche sprung onto the sidewalk. The husky looked at her. "Oh hello." She smiled and wagged her tail. Avalanche returned the smile. The others joined the greeting.

"I’m Kiska. Who are you?" While everyone introduced himself or herself, Kirby was frozen. He hadn’t seen a husky as beautiful as her. She was smaller than he was but she was well built and firm. He would have fainted if Shasta hadn’t nudged him in the ribs.

"And I’m Kirby."

Kiska smiled. "It’s really greet to meet the mail team as well as you two." She looked at Pirate and Shasta.

For some reason the scent of Kiska seemed familiar to Pirate but he didn’t think about it. "It’s also really cool to meet you too." Shasta spoke.

"I haven’t met a female husky that hunted moose." Ralph said. "Hey Pirate I bet you can track down moose."

Pirate raised his head and imitated a voice of some pro, "Give me a scent and I can track it." Everyone broke out laughing.

"My owner is a skilled hunter. He’s always looking for a challenge. And so do I. When you’re hunting dangerous game, you’re always nervous but the rush of the chase that flows through your veins…is quite fantastic." Kiska spoke.

"Are you the only dog that he uses to hunt?" Kirby asked.

"Yes I am."

The little bell of the café rung as Kiska’s owner stepped out. Pirate barked. He knew this man. And he knew him well. "I see you’ve made some friends Kiska." He stooped down to kneel beside his dog. Kiska panted then licked the man’s hand.

"Pirate why are you so excited?" Shasta asked.

"I know him!"

The burly man patted each of the huskies’ heads. When he came to Pirate, Pirate reared on his back feet and planted his paws on the man’s chest. Kiska growled to warn him. "It’s okay Kiska. Wait a minute…Pirate is that you?"

Pirate barked. "Well it’s good to see you boy!" The man stroked the top of his head. "How about leading me home." Pirate barked again before he jumped down from his two-legged stand. "Come on Kiska."

"I’ll see you guys later." Pirate called out to his friends as he trotted away leading the man and Kiska toward his home.

***

Pirate and Kiska were playing outside. It turned out the man was Mr. Baker’s brother and so uncle to Ashley. Inside Ashley was telling her uncle how Pirate saved her even though he got the letter.

"I can’t believe you nearly risked your life to save her!"

Pirate looked at Kiska with a concerned look. "Wouldn’t you go find someone you loved as well and risk your very life?" Kiska became quiet.

"Yes…yes I would risk my life." Pirate nodded and Kiska smiled.

"Good…we’re on the same page." Kiska chuckled at Pirate’s response.

"How do you like Nome?" Kiska was going to change the subject.

"I like it well enough. Kinda nice to get out of the crowded city." Pirate smiled and Kiska chuckled.

"You lived on the outskirts of town!"

Pirate gave a sheepish grin. "Still…"

Kiska smiled. "That one dog Kirby…is he a friend of yours?" Pirate looked at Kiska like a teacher peering over her glasses.

"He is a good friend of mine. As so is Ralph, Avalanche, Kodi, Dusty, and Shasta." Suddenly his mind was wandering over the very image of Shasta in his brain.

"Uh…Pirate?" Kiska looked at the red husky. Pirate didn’t respond. Kiska blew into Pirate’s ear. He flicked it and shook his head a bit.

"What?"

"You have a bit of drool hanging from your mouth."

Pirate spat and Kiska laughed. "Got a girl on your mind?"

"Oh shut up!"

***

The next day Pirate was showing Kiska around town. Even though she would only be there for a week, Kiska was curious about Nome. That morning she met Mel, Dipsy, and even Jenna. "So what now?" Kiska asked.

"Well I don’t…" He paused for a second. "There is someone I want you to meet!" Pirate wagged his tail before sprinting off with the black and white husky at his side.

Meanwhile, a brown husky was watching them from afar. He chuckled deeply. "I wonder who this is…" Matt snickered.

Pirate rounded the bend and nearly knocked into Star. "I’m sorry Star. I didn’t mean to run you over."

"Oh Pirate! It’s good to see you and don’t worry about it. Oh hello! You are?" Star looked toward Kiska.

"I’m Kiska." Kiska smiled and Star gave a lopsided grin.

"Is Kaltag home?"

Star looked a Pirate. "Yes he’s home. Sunning himself on the porch."

"Thank you. Come on Kiska." Pirate took to a steady trot with Kiska behind him. As he neared the home of his father, he slowed to a walk.

"So who is Kaltag?" Kiska could feel curiosity yanking her leash.

"Oh he’s my dad." Kiska nodded to show she understood.

As they came closer, Kaltag could hear them and so he awoke from his doze. "Hello Pirate!" Kaltag rose to his feet and stretched to loosen his muscles up.

"Dad I want you to meet Kiska. She belongs to Ashley’s uncle who is staying at my house for a week."

Kaltag nodded. "It’s nice to meet you Kiska."

"The same to you Kaltag." Kiska bowed her head.

"So you up for just a visit or what?" Kaltag asked as he sat. Pirate and Kiska did the same.

"Actually, up here on a hunting trip. My owner likes to hunt moose once in a while." Kaltag’s eyes widen.

"Moose? Isn’t it a bit dangerous to hunt moose for such a pretty, little thing like you?"

Kiska smiled a bit. "That’s what everyone says. But it’s quite exciting." Kaltag chuckled.

"So how is everyone today?"

"I’m doing good." Kiska replied.

"Fine here." Pirate answered. Kaltag smiled as he looked at his son. He still couldn’t believe the handsome husky was his offspring.

"Kaltag!" Kaltag looked in the direction of the front door. The door opened to reveal his master. "Hello Pirate!" Kaltag’s owner knelt and Pirate went up to him. He started to

1 2 3

Next page