Note: (In the previous story, Onyx finally found someone she could share her feelings with, but Jasper has other ideas about Maverick. Maverick asked Onyx to go to a gathering with his friends at sunset, but Jasper tells her to be at Balto's boat at the same time. At the moment, Onyx is facing trouble deciding if she should be loyal to her brother's wishes or to her heart.)

“...I'll swing by Balto's at sunset, and if you're not there, I'll take matters into my own paws. How would you like to live with me from now on?”

“You wouldn't!”

“Count of it! See you tonight at Balto's, right, sis? And remember now, sunset.”

Gulp!...

Onyx was nearly trembling in terror. Confusion made its way into her mind and turned everything she knew to be true into a maze. All that could be determined was that she had a big choice to make. Maverick was the best thing that ever happened to her. She couldn't just let him go. She felt in her heart that she really liked him in a way that she never liked anything else before. Above all, she could tell that he had daggers for her, something else that was completely new to her.

On the other hand, if she didn't show up at Balto's this evening, Jasper would get his way. She knew that Balto wouldn't care if she had a date. He would most likely congratulate her, but Jasper would flip. If there was no meeting at Balto's tonight, Jasper meant he would force Onyx to live with him and her other brothers. There would be no going in or out without an escort, something that she could never deal to live with.

Oh, Jasper! You no-good freak! I ought to kick your tail, but I have more dignity than that! I'll show you! I didn't win the race the first time, and I didn't win the second time, but just try to keep me away from Maverick. Just try!

 

Evening was approaching, and the sky burst into marvelous orange, pink, and yellow colors. Onyx's eyes reflected the sherbet skies as they looked down upon her, changing shape and form every moment. The bleeding sunset marked the time where she went down to the beach to meet Maverick. She found him waiting for her, just a short distance from Balto's boat. She could plainly see that he was practicing lines.

“Hi,” she said, surprising him from behind.

“Hey!” he answered, more genially than startled. “I didn't hear you come up. Ready to go?”

“I'm as ready as you are,” she whispered, trying to sound like she was really sure of herself.

“Great, then let's go! I'll show you the way.” He began walking up the shallow slope that lead to the path off the beach. Onyx's glassy eyes glanced back at Balto's boat. Jasper's words echoed in her mind.

“Here we go,” she said to herself. 

The party was being held at Dusty's house, who apparently was a friend of Maverick's friend. Onyx recognized many of the familiar faces, but she was surprised at who she saw in the middle of the room.

“Blaze!” she cried out.

“Hey, sis! What are you doing here?” he greeted. His reddish coat seemed more distinct tonight, as the huskies began piling in.

“I'm with Maverick. Do you know him?”

“Sure I do. I hang out with Mave more than anybody in this town. Hitch'n up with my sister are you, Maverick?”

“I guess, if that's okay with you,” answered Maverick.

“My sister's got a brain. She can figure it out. Nice talking to you, guys. See you around!” barked Blaze as he returned to Tundra, his mate.

“You're family's really nice. You're lucky to have a brother like him,” sighed Maverick.

“Well, it doesn't make up for my rotten brother, Jasper. He drives me bonkers. What a control freak he is.”

“Hey, I know you've had a tough day, so just try to enjoy yourself the best that you can. If you want to go home anytime early, just tell me. I'll walk you there.”

“Thanks.”

Maverick strolled over to Dusty and Kodi to begin a conversation.

“Kodi! Who invited you to this shindig?” asked Onyx, a smile coming over her face.

“Well, I...” he began.

“He's tagging along with me,” interrupted Dusty.

“Yeah,” agreed Kodi.

“Maverick, who's your girlfriend?”

Onyx marveled at the word girlfriend. She had never belonged to anyone before. Just as she was about to take in the way Maverick answered Dusty's question with such style, Kodi blew it.

“That's my sister, Onyx, adopted sister, really.”

“Oh,” replied Dusty. “You guys make a cute couple.”

Onyx found herself making excuses that they just came together and they weren't really going steady until she noticed that Maverick had been doing the same thing to. They looked at each other with the same awkward smiles and blushed.

“Nice of you guys to come. See you around,” said Dusty.

“So, you want to stay?” asked Maverick after a long awkward period of silence.

“Sure. Besides, I enjoy just being with you, Maverick.”

“I love being with you, Onyx.”

A smile stretched from one ear to another on each of their faces just as Jasper made his way to the door along with a bunch of pushy malamutes. The rough dogs bumped into Maverick, just enough for his lips to accidentally match up with Onyx's, right in front of Jasper's eyes. After a shocked smile, Onyx slightly turned her head just enough to view her brother's angry pose. Her eyes sunk to the back of her head.

“Oh no!” she whimpered.

But by one look at Jasper, she could tell that he had seen all. Lips were curled, brows were slanted, eyes were squinted, ears were backward, fur was sticking up in the back of the neck, and his teeth were barred. There was no chance now to explain.

“Onyx! I thought I told you to go to Balto's!” he growled as she quietly walked over to him. Everyone in the room had silenced and made a ring around Maverick, Onyx, and Jasper, who stood in the door to Dusty's basement.

“I can make up my own mind. I don't have to obey you!”

“You do as I tell you to, female! And DON'T let me hear another word about it! I suppose that you are Maverick,” Jasper growled, referring to the tallest dog in the room.

“Don't answer him, Maverick!” instructed Onyx.

“Are you afraid of me?!”

“I am not afraid. Do not talk to Onyx like that or you're asking for it, buddy,” answered Maverick with a growl.

“I can do what I please with her, unlike you! How dare you push my sister into kissing you!”

“I wouldn't have it any other way,” snapped Onyx to her raging brother.

“Don't make me tell you to be quiet again!” Jasper barked.

“Leave her alone!” warned Maverick.

“Watch it, pup! Or you'll get yours. Come on, Onyx. We're going home. I'll deal with Maverick later when you're not around. You'll be staying with me from now on, you intolerable female,” Jasper ordered as they walked out the door. Maverick chased after Onyx and called after Jasper.

“Do you think that it's fair that you order her around like your daughter? Leave her be! Why don't you let her decide where she wants to go. Choose, Onyx, me or him,” asked Maverick.

Onyx wistfully looked from Maverick to her brother whose teeth where spying her. Willfully, she walked to Maverick and stood tall beside him.

“This is where my loyalty stands. Now, you leave me alone, Jasper,” Onyx replied.

Maverick and Onyx began to leave the scene when Jasper cried out and leaped on Maverick's back, tearing his shoulder. Maverick pushed him off and knocked him into a pile of trashcans. Sliding across the snow, Jasper picked himself up and thrust himself against Maverick, forcing him to fall to the ground, Jasper grasping the throat.

Onyx's feet shifted from the place she once stood watching the terrible fight. Leaping into action, she aided Maverick by pulling Jasper off him and throwing him into the snow once again. As Onyx tried to keep him pinned as Maverick got to his feet, Jasper grabbed Onyx's throat and swung her to the opposite side of the yard.

“Don't you dare lay a paw on her!” threatened Maverick, hot breath visible in the cold air.

Jasper lunged and Maverick knocked him down. Grabbing a foot, Jasper thrust his opponent to the ice, making him land hard on his back. He laughed at Maverick's defeat.

“Onyx!” Maverick called, but there was no reply. Onyx was laying on her side, back facing him.

“This will teach you not to piddle with my sister!” growled Jasper, just as he was aiming for the throat.

But before he could grasp it, three more dogs ran from up the alley, attacking him with all their stored strength. Two of them were Silver and Blaze who ran to get Balto, the third attacker. Even with their new energy, Jasper was the first born son of Steele, and he was built like him. Silver and Blaze had gained more of their mother's traits, although she had been ¾ wolf.

Jasper was down in a moment, and he finally announced that he had given up. Maverick was on his feet when he noticed Onyx at the edge of the crowd.

“Onyx!” he cried out a second time. “Talk to me! Please! Talk to me!”

She shifted her weight a little and opened her eyes. “How long was I out?”

“Long enough. It's all over now. You're free.” They nuzzled and licked each other's faces.

Jasper got up, bruised, his body and his dignity. Winter, his girlfriend looked down on him in shame. Her black paws and stomach compared to her white coat showed as much contrast between her personality and Jasper's. Silently she shook her head in disbelief and left the scene, leaving Jasper with more anger. He turned his head to look at Onyx, hoping he hadn't hurt her badly. Seeing she was alright, he stayed put, watching the scene.

Balto made his way to Onyx, Jenna at his side.

“Onyx, oh, Onyx, are you alright?” asked her 'mother'.

“A little bruised, but I'm fine,” she replied, making it to her feet.

“I

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