stupid it sounded.

                “Of course we do. Mine’s Aniu”

 “I’m Tundra”

There was an awkward silence and even though I was usually outgoing, I had to force myself to break the silence.

            "Do you live by yourself?"
Aniu's expression turned sour for a moment.
                               "I do right now..."
Aniu explained how she was angry at her pack and her father, Ataneq. She didn't know how she had gotten here and found all of these people, but she wanted to know more about them. I told her my story: being born at a breeder's, me and Tally being sold to a musher and the race we were in...
                               "You let them tie you to something?!"
 I couldn't help but to smile at Aniu's disgust. My smile melted when I heard sounds inside the tent announcing that my musher was awake. Aniu leapt up, breathing fast.
                                "I should go..."
Why was she so afraid of people? I always thought that we were smarter then them... But Aniu swiftly flew back into the trees before I could even think about convincing her to stay. I sighed and rested my head on my paws. I started to close my eyes when John's overly cheery voice woke us up.

"Rise an' shine dogs! We got not more n' twenty miles to go!"

For once, I actually grumbled as I forced myself to stand back up. John did his best to hurry hooking us up but another team passed us. As tired as I was, I was determined to get the lead back even if I had to fight them! 
John yelled out and I tried to jump forward, but after a night of no sleep, I wasn’t nearly as enthusiastic as I had been. Tally jumped as far as she’d usually have to stay behind me, as did the team for once in their lives, but Tally landed right on me. Both of us tangled in the lines and fell, causing a pile up.

“Are you okay?” Tally asked.

                                    “Yeah”, I mumbled. “Just a bad night sleep”

John rushed to untangle us before the other team, approaching in the distance caught us. The team didn’t know whether to be shocked or angry at me but I promised myself I’d make it up to them. John righted me and hopped back on the sled. He called to move forward slowly but we eventually built up enough speed to slowly, very slowly close the gap between our team and the one in front of us.

            We stopped earlier that night and as I was tied to the ground, I felt my insides bubble with excitement. a few days ago, I would have felt sad about stopping but I was waiting for Aniu this time. Her way of life seemed so much funner…I shook my head. I was and was going to be for the rest of my life, a sled dog. And that was the life I knew I liked!

I threw myself to the ground, frustrated with my own thoughts, but they melted quickly. Aniu’s form peered out of the trees, checking to make sure my team was fast asleep, and then grew as she made her way toward me. I wagged my tail, this time for joy and couldn’t help myself. I sprang up and bounded along like a puppy again. Aniu hesitated but darted forward and batted me playfully. I wanted to talk but I was way too tired. I plopped right down on the ground, as far as my rope would let me. Aniu smiled at me and lay down next to me. I closed my eyes and fell right asleep, my dreams filled with Aniu’s warm smile and soft voice.

I woke up early like I was supposed to. John was moving pots around inside of his tent and the team was asleep. I looked around to greet Aniu, but only a melted shape in the snow proved she had been there. It was still warm so she must have just left.

Running was easier this morning; much to the delight of my team. Only Tally was able to pick out anything unusual.

“Eww! What’s that awful smell?!”

“It’s not a bad smell at all!” I said, inhaling Aniu’s sweet scent. How did she manage to get in front of us? I thought I was running my hardest…

Subconsciously, I looked into the trees. There was a flash of white and I excitedly darted off the trail. It had to be Aniu.

            “Tundra!!” Tally and John’s voices rang out in unison.

I tucked my ears back and moved back onto the trail. I wanted to be done with running today! I wanted to see Aniu…

The team in front of us came closer and closer until our sled was swiftly passing them. I pulled up next to the lead dog. He did a double take. I grinned and nodded my head. The poor husky strained against his harness but it was too much for him. I kept pace easily. I could have run past but I wanted to stay behind a few seconds just to taunt him. John yelled and I let out my strides, passing the poor dog with ease.

“See you at the finish line!” I called over my shoulder.

Even though we were in the lead, John stopped us early. He handed out little slivers of dried meat as he talked to us. He gave me an extra piece and once again lowered himself down to me.

            “Think you can win this race boy? We cross the finish tomorrow…I’m counting on you”

He smiled and retired to his tent. Instead of joy, I felt… sad, maybe even shocked… I started to chew on my rope; it let out a little of what I was feeling. I almost didn’t notice Aniu when she got there.

            “What’s wrong?”

She had only known me for three days and she could read me like a book.

“I’m leaving tomorrow. John said we’d cross the finish line tomorrow.”

            “Then come live with me and my family!”

I dropped the rope in my mouth and looked up at her in disbelief.

“You know I couldn’t do that! I can’t just leave them, I’m their leader! They need me!”

I picked the rope back up aggressively and chewed it harder. Aniu lay gently down next to me. She licked my cheek and I stopped chewing, taken aback. I closed my mouth and the last strings of the rope snapped. The rope fell clear of my mouth. I stared at it in disbelief.

“I broke it.”

                        “What?” Aniu asked, clearly confused.

“I broke my rope”

            I jumped at her and nipped her playfully. She took in the leash and sprang after me. I ran away and she followed right behind and tackled me. I crashed clumsily after her, wishing I could be as quiet as she was. Aniu knew this area better then me and hid among the trees. I followed her scent, realizing it had a kind of new sell, a good smell. Then I saw her, waiting for me to follow. The moonlight almost seemed to make her glow. I ran to her, never wanting to be with anyone else this much as I did right now…

When I woke up, it was still dark and Aniu was still next to me. Panicked, I stood up. Where was I?! Then memory washed back over me. Aniu’s eyes fluttered open and she smiled at me lovingly. My heart melted and I licked her forehead, even though I was flustered.

“I have to go back! I’m going to miss the finish!”

            “Go then!” she urged.

I looked at Aniu one last time. She got up, stretched and licked my face.

            “I love you. Good Luck”

I nuzzled her, missing her already, then spun around and took off.

 John had just started harnessing the team when I ran in.

“Where have you been?” Tally growled.

            “Uh… out …I guess”

                        “And what is that smell!?” she scoffed, smelling my fur.

            “Nothing!” I growled back, jerking away.

I couldn’t believe what I had done. I ran away with a wolf no matter how right I thought it had been. And Tally was going to tell the whole team too.

                        “There you are!” John chuckled, dragging me by my collar to the lead. Suddenly, the team was passed yesterday shot by us. John muttered under his breath and sprinted to the back of the sled. He wasn’t even all the way on when I took off, dragging the entire team behind me. The dogs behind me barked their complaints, but my sled dog bloodlines kicked in and nothing was going to stop me now!

 I moved my legs faster, catching up to the team until we were almost even. The lead dog growled at me. I glanced on