Note: (In the previous story, Jasper assumed the worst when he saw Maverick unexpectedly kiss his sister. Jealousy and anger building up inside, and a fight breaks out. Although it is a dangerous and unpredictable time, Onyx is surprised of how much good can come from it.)

... “Jasper!” cried Onyx the instant he hit the rock...

Burying her head in the fluff of Maverick's chest, Onyx sobbed her crystal eyes out. Jenna wasn't without tears either, although Balto, Silver, and Blaze showed their sorrow by hanging their heads low. The huskies from the extinguished party departed from the disastrous event. Only Tundra clung to Blaze's side as Winter mourned for the one who would have been her mate. Onyx's eyes were dry by the time Balto suggested them to move on.

“The humans will find him soon enough.”

Going back to the boat, Onyx found relief with Maverick by her side. Stopping just before the wooden platform that projected out of the snow, she turned to face him.

“I'll be here if you need me. I live in a hole under the meat locker's main floor, so you know where to find me,” he reassured her.

“I'll be fine. Listen, Maverick. With everything happening so drastically back there, I don't know really all that I said. If you want to be mates, that's great, but I really just rushed it passed you. I understand if you want to dump the whole thing. I may not be your type of dog.”

“Are you kidding? Onyx, you're the one of my dreams. It would drive me crazy to let go of the one that I love. If you want to give it more time, be my guest. I will be willing to wait an eternity for you. Just take your time.”

“I may need some time to think about it. I just don't know what to do at the moment.”

“First of all, get a good night's sleep. Talk to Balto about it. That's what he's there for. I'll come by in the morning and see how you're feeling. Good night.”

“Thank you, Maverick. Good night.”

After nuzzling, and spotting Balto spying on them in the window, they each went their own way, Maverick to his place, and Onyx, up the ramp and into the boat. Balto was there, looking at her as if she had chased Boris off a cliff.

“What?” she questioned him.

“What do you mean 'what'? You know what I mean,” he joked with a kidding smile.

“Okay, so I love Maverick. I didn't promise him anything...yet. I just said that I would think it over and talk to you about it.”

“Talk to me? What is there to talk about?”

“Oh, Balto, you've always been a dad to me, more than a dad. I need your opinion. Maverick gave his life to protect me today. He proved that he really loves me. I love him, but I don't want to rush into anything, even though I've practically completely made up my mind. What do you think I should do?”

“Onyx, I can't decide for you.”

“Just tell me what you would do. What do you think of Maverick?”

“Onyx...”

“Come on, Dad.”

Balto's eyes widened. This was the first time Onyx had ever referred to him something other than “Balto”. His face morphed into several colors as a smile forced its way onto his lips. He couldn't hide it, not for Onyx. There was that special bond that he shared with her that he didn't have with Aleu. Even though she was not actually his daughter, he felt a connection so strong that nothing could have told him otherwise.

“I like him. I think you two fit perfectly, actually. I don't know about Jenna, but I think...”

“Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!” Onyx yelped, nuzzling him after practically tipping the boat over with her powerful leaps. “I know I'm not your real daughter, but I hope I feel like one to you. After all, you feel like my real dad.”

“Onyx, I wouldn't trade you for anything. As far as I'm concerned, you are my daughter whether you like it or not.”

Onyx smiled so large, he sides of her mouth nearly touched her ears. They nuzzled again, then fell asleep in the warmth of the boat. Morning came faster than expected. Onyx felt that it was seconds after she closed her eyes, she opened them to the dawn of morning. Awaking from dreamless sleep, her head reminded her of the events in the previous day. It was Maverick's voice that shook her from her deep emotional world.

“Rise and shine! Anyone awake in there?”

Balto stuck his head out of the boat before Onyx could. “She's still sleeping!” Onyx pushed him aside so she could view her caller.

“I'll be right down!” she answered. Balto laughed and saw her out the door. She took her place beside Maverick as they walked away, chatting veraciously. Balto left his boat in search of a warm rock to lay on. It was at that moment when a shadow fell upon him.

“Hey, wolf-dog!” said a familiar voice.

“Steele?” asked Balto, turning around. It was, bigger and bolder than ever. “What are you doing here?” A smile crept across his face at the appearance of a long-lost friend.

“Come to see my kids. I've been a wreck these past few years, and I'm completely sorry for all that I have done to you.”

“It never happened, Steele. But, I think you should apologize to your children. It's going to be hard for them to forget, especially Onyx. She's been through the mill because of you.”

“What happened?”

“I'll let her tell you. Jasper died yesterday, so you only have three left.”

“What?! How did it happen?”

“I'd rather not say, but let's go see Jenna. No doubt she'll want to see you...”

So Balto led Steele through the town, dodging the stares and gaping expressions of curious onlookers. At last they made their way to Jenna's, who was overjoyed that Steele had returned. But one other canine at the house wasn't. Onyx and Maverick, who were visiting Jenna, had no idea what was going on. However, Onyx had a gut feeling that it wasn't good.

“What's going on?” she asked.

“You're dad's come back!” shouted Jenna.

Onyx face melted into something awful. Her eyes were locked on the stranger, fearing the worst. Mouth was tightly clenched, yet one could tell the thoughts that sped through her mind, quick as lightning. Hardly breathing, Onyx's position gave everyone the impression that she had become stone.

Feeling the tension build, Steele decided to break the silence.

“I'm back, baby,” he stated. “You don't have to live with Balto and Jenna anymore. I'm going to make things right.”

“You've never done anything right. Because of you, my brother is dead! Everyone hates me because of you. I have no friends because of you. I'm not allowed in the sled teams even when I win because I am your daughter. Just by coming back, you've made all that feel numb to me. Nothing compares to this! How dare you come back.” 

“But, I'm going to make things right for you and your brothers...”

“Ha!” she laughed, her face barely changing. “My oldest brother is dead. Can you make that right? I always knew you were a jerk, but that statement proves how foolish I am. You're nothing more than dust to me. Don't ever speak to me again!”

She took off running toward the beach, sand flying as she kicked up each and every particle. The morning wind blew her fur in all directions, touching the bare places. Chills ran down her spine, but not from the cold. The next thing she knew, Maverick was at her side, placing his head over hers. No tears ran down her cheeks, for they melted from the heat of her anger.

“Calm down,” Maverick cooed. “He won't bother you anymore.”

“I just can't believe that he had the nerve to come back!”

“I won't let him bother you anymore. Now, cool off, Onyx.”

Her breathing subsided into normal inhaling and exhaling. The wind stopped and tiny particles of ice began filling the sky with light.

“Onyx, look! It's snowing!”

“You act like you've never seen snow before, Maverick. It just means that I'm going to freeze tonight.”

“No, I don't mean that! The races can be scheduled now that there's snow. Do you think that I'll be able to get in?”

“Beats me. I think you're pretty fast,” she replied with a monotone voice.

“It's more than that. It's strength and rate and all those things. It makes you feel like you have some purpose.”

“Yeah, I wouldn't know what that feels like, to have a purpose, I mean.”

“You could have a purpose if you decide to be my mate, Onyx. I love you, and I'll die for you. You would have a purpose. My purpose to go on is to be with you. Do you feel that way about me?”

“Yes, I do. I'll be your mate, Mave,” she answered, a smile coming upon her melancholy face.

“YES!” shouted Maverick. He raced around in circles and howled, acting crazy, just as Jenna approached.

“What's going on? Onyx, are you alright? What's wrong with Maverick?” she questioned.

“Nothing! Nothing's wrong with us. We're going to be mates from now on. Ain't that great?!” replied Onyx to Jenna. “And no one can make me change my mind.”

“That's great news! I'll tell Balto,” said Jenna, hurrying off.

“Oh, man!” shouted Maverick. “I've got to find a place for us to live. We can't live in a hole under the meat locker from now on.”

“Maverick, don't strain yourself. We can move in your old place. I don't have a problem with that.”

“Yes, but I do. You deserve much better. Let's go look around.”

Later in the day, Maverick and Onyx stumbled across an old shed on the outskirts of Nome. Collecting old rugs and blankets from around town, they made it a desirable and comfortable place to dwell. To keep the interior warm in the harshest of winds, Maverick rolled a heavy barrel in front of the door to keep it shut and chewed a hole in the east side of the structure, allowing an opening that wouldn't face the wind. Onyx tried it out for size and found her new home very comfortable.

Balto and Jenna came over later in the evening to check everything out.

“Very nice,” stated

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