Jenna Can’t Dance Forever Part 8               The dog’s breath came out in cool spurts, causing his lungs to ache. He ran as quickly as his own paws could carry him across the snowy plains of Alaska, his heart beat with every paw step. He swung his head behind him to search for any followers but none were in sight. He sighed with relief and continued sprinting towards Nome, the town stretched ahead of him as he continued his trek. “Almost there.” He muttered.             “Almost.” A voice whispered beside the dog and he stopped in his tracks, the voice seemed to linger near by and the dog apprehensively sniffed about the perimeter. Suddenly a creature was upon him, clawing and tearing. The dog screeched in agony, the animal seemed to move quicker as the screaming escalated, “And you were so close.”   Ø                      Raven’s body grew rigid as she stepped out into the cold. She sniffed absently and snorted when she could not detect any scent of her scout. She had sent him out some three days ago and he had still not arrived; none of her scouts had returned alive and she grimaced at the thought. She sat down and gazed at the beauty of the sunset, as its orange and purple rays cast a glow upon the snow. “Hey Ray.” Riley was a few feet behind the black wolf, Raven didn’t look at her.             “Hi Riley,” Raven said as Riley plopped down beside her.             “Has Jack reported back yet?” Riley asked, nervously.             “No, no one has seen him since I sent him.” Raven said without waver in her tone.             “Should we go looking yet?” Riley glanced at her eldest sister.             “Take the first line and go search the surrounding forests.” Riley nodded and rose to her paws.             “Raven…” She paused, “everything is going to work out, don’t worry.” She nuzzled her sister.             “I know.” Raven was wary of the comfort and sat, as if she were a statue. Riley pulled away and sprinted towards the boiler room, she cracked open the door with her snout and stepped inside.             The jeers and whistles of the male dogs was something that she was accustomed to by now; her skinny figure had transformed into a slim, toned gray body that cast a shadow onto the floor as she gracefully trotted over to Czech, one of the first line dogs. “We have to go find Jack, he hasn’t returned and Raven is worried.” She muttered, trying to keep her voice low.             “Alright, I’ll round up the rest of the first line.” Czech said, he was one of the few dogs that treated Riley with respect. She nodded and turned to face the rest of the males that were scattered about the room, on the floor and atop crates, talking loudly. She tried to slink away without being noticed.             “Hey Riles!” Riley snarled.             “Jael, hush!” She glared at him as he approached her. His body had undergone a shift as well, he no longer was an awkward, lanky adolescent but he had gained a muscular, handsome figure that caught the attention of every female within a ten-mile radius.             “Why should I? I thought you enjoyed this kind of attention?” He gesticulated towards the males who were now ogling over Riley.             Riley groaned, “Now look at what you have done.” The volume picked up as the crude comments were tossed about the small room.             “Come on,” Jael chuckled, casually. He shoved Riley out of the room and laughed as he kicked the door shut.             “I think I had to wait in there for the first line dogs.” Riley said nervously.             “You don’t need to hear that,” Jael nodded towards the closed door.             “I could have handled it.”             “You didn’t look like you wanted to do anything about it.” Jael smirked.             “Ugh! You are such a pain, honestly, out of all the wolves you had to be the only one Raven befriended.”             “Riley you could really let up on the insults, you are practically an adult. It’s not very ladylike.” Jael said, looking down upon Riley.             “Really Jael? Do you honestly think I could be ladylike?” Riley sighed.             “Have you looked at yourself lately? You are gorgeous! Are you aware that practically all the dogs of Nome are checking you out and want you for their trophy mate?” Jael said, forcibly.             “Well…uh…I don’t know.” Riley looked down at her paws. Jael moved closer to her.             “Trust me, you are so beautiful; don’t ever discount yourself because you are so amazing, Riles.” Jael smiled as Riley lifted her head, her eyes were glistening with unshed tears. She had spent the majority of her time here trying to please Raven, and Jenna; and all the while she was trying to be just like her sister. She had tried to keep the straight-face attitude and not reveal any affection for anyone. Riley flicked her tail and crouched down on her haunches. “What are you do-” Jael was cut off as Riley flung herself upon him. He chuckled.             “You’re it.” She whispered and scampered away. Jael laughed and raced after her, tackling her lightly, they tumbled together into a snow bank.             “Oof!” They both said, as they smacked into the snowy embankment. Riley looked at Jael as he turned his attention back to her and she pinned him to the ground, and licked his cheek. “I thought you didn’t go for dogs like me?” He asked, smirking.             “You aren’t just any dog.”             “I didn’t think so,” He said and Riley laughed.             “Ms. Riley!” Czech called from near the boiler room, “Riley?”             “Do you really have to go?” Jael asked.             “Yes, sorry, I’ll see you back at the house though.”             “Please be safe,” Jael muttered and licked Riley’s nose, “Riles.”             “I promise I will be safe, bye.” She jumped off of him and sprinted back towards the boiler room, “Ready?” She asked.             “You look winded, do you want to rest before we take off?” Czech asked.             “No I’m fine,” Riley breathed, she took account of the group that was going on this search mission: Simon, Lars, Rob, and Vance, along with Czech and herself. “Let’s go.” Ø                      Jenna paced absently about the living room floor the next morning, Balto and Dusty sat nearby, observing her. “Jenna dear, please relax.”             “How can I relax when my daughter is out there, facing the elements and the threat of whatever killed Jack?”             Balto had no response, he placed a paw on Jenna’s back, which caused her to sit and take deep breaths. Dusty glanced out the window and took in the scene with helplessness.             Jael and Raven sat beside each other, waiting for the return of the first line. “Shouldn’t they be back by now?” Jael asked.             “Not necessarily, it took

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