Jenna's eyes were overflowing with tears by the time Onyx and Maverick arrived.
“Jenna!” Maverick cried. “What happened?!”
But Jenna was too emotionally broken to answer his questioning. Onyx's irrepressible mind bore apprehension, the fear that something had terribly shattered Jenna. It wasn't what she had said the other night was it? She tried to apologize to Jenna, but no words came out of her mouth, and if they did, she felt that they would pour out into an unscrambled mess. Trying to say something of some comfort, Balto gave her the “no” look and pulled she and Maverick aside. His face made it obvious that he was trying to hide a deep pain within his heart.
“Balto, what's wrong?” asked Onyx after a long period of silence when Balto scrambled for the right words.
He sighed. “Aleu knows that she's a wolf. I...uh, had to tell her.”
“What?! Why?” snapped Onyx.
“A hunter took aim at her.”
“Good, I hope it got her,” she grumbled. Maverick nudged her with the side of his arm. Onyx hadn't noticed, but Balto's eyes seemed hurt by her sharp remark. “I'm sorry. Is there more?”
He nodded. “She took the news hard and ran away. I found her eventually, but we got entangled in a big deal with a wolf pack. Apparently, they had been waiting for a new leader, a wolf. They all thought it was me, but...”
“Oh, how awful,” stated Maverick, but Onyx didn't seem so upset.
“So, she's never coming back?” asked Onyx, fighting a smile.
“No, she finally found a home. But, Jenna's taking it hard. I don't know if she will get over it so easily. I hope she does...”
Onyx looked over at Jenna. Her crying had not subsided, but had gotten worse. Balto went to her and they nuzzled softly, sharing each other's sorrow. Onyx admired the way that they had each other to lean on. She had Maverick, but it didn't mean anything to her. He could take care of himself and didn't really rely on her for anything but love. She recognized love as a frail bond that could easily be broken. That's how she dealt with it in her life. Maverick licked her face gently to relieve her of the moment wasted.
“Let's leave. I think they want to be alone,” he whispered.
Onyx obeyed and walked with him to the middle of town. They ran into Kodi who was pacing back and forth outside of his house. They were all puzzled by his strange movements. Onyx, herself, had never really bonded with Kodi, but they were still close, and she wanted to know what was wrong with her step-brother.
“Good grief, Kodi!” she barked. “What the heck are you doing?”
“Can't talk now, Onyx. I'm busy,” he replied. She watched him walk parallel with the front porch, turning around and walking the other way once he had reached the end of the walk-way. He passed her by and again made a U-turn at the end of the porch.
“Spit it out, Kodi! What's eating you? There's something wrong with you if you call your pacing back and forth busy!”
“Onyx, it's Dusty. Doc's over because she's having her pups!”
“Now?!”
“Yes, I've been pacing since sunrise and it's simply torture!”
Suddenly a large basset hound exited the small house and announced that Kodi was a new father. Kodi rushed in, followed by Onyx and Maverick. By Dusty's side, there were five fresh new-born pups. Kodi's face had frozen and Onyx laughed at him.
“I'm a father,” he repeated over and over again.
“Poor, Balto. He probably feels old. Wait a minute! Kodi, did you even bother to tell him?” asked Onyx.
“No, how could I forget?! I'll be back in a flash, Dusty.”
Kodi was out the front door faster than a bullet. It made even sore Dusty laugh. Her smile nearly stretched to her ears. Onyx admired the squirming pups around Dusty's body. Her eyes softened and her happy expression lessened into a drag face of almost depression.
“Look at those tiny little paws,” she said to herself, but quiet enough so no one would hear.
Kodi rushed back in with Balto and Jenna at his tail. They gasped in surprise and came to the basket, making a fuss over the new additions to the family. Everyone scrutinized each and every detail with a smile upon their faces, all except Onyx. Her melancholy eyes glanced at every object of new life. It was at that time, when Doc told everyone to leave since Dusty needed rest.
Jenna, who was feeling better, walked with Balto, Onyx, and Maverick back to the center of town.
After parting ways, Maverick and Onyx were left alone. They began walking back to their home. “Something's eating you,” Maverick said after a long time of silence. “Why do you say that?” she replied. “Ever since we left your brother's. You're not the same.” “Perhaps...” “What's wrong?” “Nothing. I was just thinking.” A smile broke over her face as she paused in the tiny layer of snow. “I was just admiring Dusty's pups. They're so small and cute.” “They sure are,” Maverick agreed, not totally conscious of the subject. “They're little toes are so tiny, and their ears are all floppy...” “Mmm Hmm,” Maverick said, his mind not focusing. “And their eyes aren't even open.....I want one.” “Uh, huh, wait! What did you say?” “I want one.” A whiny tone came into her voice as if she were trying to persuade him of something. “A what?” “A puppy. I want one.” “Well, Onyx. Don't you want to talk it over?” “Oh, there's nothing to talk about!” “We've only been together for a few days.” “So what? Why wait? We both know that it would happen sooner or later anyway.” “That's true, but why don't you think about it some more.” “I don't want to. My mind is made up.” “Well, okay. But, if you ever change your mind, don't say I didn't tell you.” “Oh, Maverick, I'll never regret it. In fact, I...” “Hey, Onyx,” came a voice from behind her. It was Steele, as Onyx had feared. The easily built irascibility was climbing inside her. How dare he come back again and speak to her after all he did! “What do you want?” she snapped. “I thought maybe we could get reacquainted again,” he proposed with informality. “Again? When did we ever before? You don't know me and I don't know you. In fact, if Balto hadn't introduced us, we would have never been able to find each other, even if we lived in the same town. Got that?!” “Sorry, but I would still like to get to know you. After all, you are my daughter and I am your father, so I...” “Huh! Do you mean to flatter me by that? Well you're wrong! In fact that phrase is insulting!” “Listen, I don't know who you are, but you have know right to come here and frustrate Onyx, so...” began Maverick, standing as tall as Steele. “Who are you?” asked Steele. “He's my mate, so step down,” growled Onyx. “You're mate? But, you're too young!” “I am not! And who are you to tell me otherwise?!” “I am your father! That's who!” barked Steele, his voice booming. Onyx shuddered and stepped closer to Maverick, who took a step closer to Steele. “If you dare threaten her again, you'll get yours!” “You couldn't beat me if you tried,” chuckled Steele. “Wanna bet?” Onyx jumped between them. “Lay off! Don't you have anything else to do than pick on us? I have my life, and you have yours. Let's try to leave it like that, okay?” “Onyx, I didn't mean to frighten you, but I am your authority, and I say you are too young to mate with him. Besides, you can tell he's part wolf.” “What's with you and wolf-dogs? You left me to fend for myself, but a certain wolf-dog helped me survive and took care of me! If it wasn't for Balto and Jenna, I wouldn't be alive! Thanks to you anyway!” “I told you that I'm sorry for that! Why don't you listen?” asked Steele. “How do I know that you aren't going to ditch me again?” “I've already made that mistake. Consider forgiving me. You're all I have now.” “Go bug my brothers, all that is left of them.” Steele left in a hurry, without saying another word. Onyx was hot to the touch, overflowing with fury. Maverick was still in the attacking pose when he began licking her face. “It's done now.”
However, if she only knew that the shortcut taken would forever change her life, she probably wouldn't have taken it. The alley that stretched before her was dark and spooky, never taken by any dogs because of its reputation. Balto had told her before that it once was a walkway traveled by both dog and human alike, but something terrible happened that closed the doors forever. The buildings on either side of the alley were tall and blocked out much of the sunlight.
Onyx hesitated before the brink of the passageway, standing before its ominous structure.
“If I'm going to beat Maverick home, I have no choice. Don't be stupid, Onyx! You always have a choice,” her inner thoughts battled. “Do you want to surprise him or not?”She took a step forward without another thought. It was followed by several other steps, and her confidence returned to her. She held her head up high with pride that she conquered the forbidden alley that none other had the guts to cross. About half way through it, a voice stopped her.
“What are you doing here?” the voice snapped.
Onyx halted and looked behind her. Steele had seemed to come out of nowhere. He blocked her way out of the alley, almost as if he had no intentions to let her out.
“What do you want?” she said in a flat tone.
“Only a moment of your time.”
“What for?”
“Is that a question you want me to answer?”
“Maybe not.” She glanced behind her, the way out. It was sealed by a high pile of trash dumpsters, impossible to escape. “Why are you here in this alley. Don't you know that it's practically forbidden?”
“Well, no one would bite me for coming in here.”
“I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean,” she replied.
“Did Balto never tell you about this alley?”
“He said that it was forbidden. And that is that.”
“But there's a reason that nobody comes in here.” He could tell by the puzzled expression on Onyx's face that she did not get his grasp. “It's very simple. A wolf hybrid came to Nome one night in search of a home. She came to me searching for a way to fit in, and I told her how. By working for me, I assured her a place in society.”
“How is this relevant to...”
“I'm getting there! Anyway, we fell in love. Well, I thought she was in love with me, but she went after Balto. She was already expecting pups, but she went with him anyway.”
Onyx began connecting the dots. He wasn't talking about her mother, was he?
“So, you had a lot of girlfriends?”
“Well, yes, that's true, but she had become my mate.”
Onyx's face began to sweat. She quickly glanced at the the pile of junk blocking her path. A huge leap might get her onto a trash can leading to almost a “stairway” of junk over the pile.
“Jenna found out about the thing going on between her and Balto. It wasn't becoming, of course. I might as well let on. It's your mother I am talking about.”
“That much I figured,” Onyx answered harshly.
“After she had you pups, Jenna became so angry...she thought that you and your brothers were Balto's pups. She killed your mother right then and there, right in this alley, actually. To avenge my mate, I attempted to go after Jenna, but Balto spread a rumor and got all the dogs of Nome on his side. After all, I wasn't so popular after the incident with the diphtheria epidemic. They exiled me from Nome for two years, telling me if I came back, they would kill me.”
Onyx felt her face burn up. She came close to tears. “Why hadn't I heard it that way before?! Balto said that my mother died in childbirth!” She spoke through her clenched teeth.
“Well, he had to say something to get you to believe him. That was close enough to the truth.”
“Close to the truth?!”
“Onyx, I...” Steele began and he started to close in on her.
“Get away from me!” she screamed as she broke for the trash can. With a powerful leap, she landed on the silver can and climbed over the pile of junk. Steele followed after her with no problem.
Landing hard on the snow in front of Balto and Jenna, Onyx went ballistic.
“You!” she cried, real tears streaming down her face. “How could you! Both of you! I thought we were a family!” Bursting into sobs, Onyx ran to the edge of town, leaving Balto and Jenna clueless.
“What's wrong with her?” wondered Balto aloud.
“I don't know, but we've got to stop her,” answered Jenna.
“Why?”
“There's a warning about thick snowbanks over on the west side of town!”
“We've got to follow her!”
They took off after Onyx just as Steele fell from the pile of junk behind them that closed off the alley. He stared in shock.
“Oh no, if they catch Onyx, she'll explain the entire thing to them!” he exclaimed, following them.
Onyx was crying so hard, she could barely see where she was going. The world around her was a blinding blur of white. She lessened her pace, unaware that she was being followed by fast perusers. She looked back at the lonely town of Nome, getting smaller and smaller as each step took her farther away. Then, the ground under the extended fore paw that held all her weight gave way from underneath her. Slipping into a deep hole with freezing melting snow made her panic.
“Maverick!” she cried out, but there was not a sound after that.
“She's over here! I saw her!” called Balto to Jenna. They ran to the snowdrifts, yet were unaware of where she was. There was no cry for help or any other obvious signs that she was alive. Jenna burst into tears.
“My baby! I've lost two daughters in the same week! What do I do now?”
Balto's head dropped between his front paws as he mourned for the pup he loved most. As his ears came closer to the snow, he detected a very faint sound. It sounded like Onyx crying.
“Jenna! Do you hear that?!” he shouted.
“Hear what?” she wailed.
“I think I hear Onyx!” He placed his ear on the snow, unaware of the bitter cold that bit into it. “She's somewhere over here!” His feet almost displaced more snow as he found the hole that she had sunk into. In a dark hole about five feet deep, collecting with ice water, Onyx sat whimpering like a lost puppy.
“Hey, what are you doing down here?” asked Balto with a triumphant laugh.
“Balto!” shouted Onyx. “I don't want your help! Get out of here!”
“You'll freeze to death, baby.”
“Then so be it! Why should you care?! You're the reason I've been isolated so long!”
Balto looked puzzled, then returned to Jenna.
“I can't get her out alone. I have to leave to get Maverick. You stay by her and keep her company. I'll be back as soon as I can!”
“I'll try my best.”
Jenna gracefully made her way to the pit where Onyx sat. More water filled in around Onyx's feet from underground. At this point, she was too cold to think about crying.
“Onyx,” began Jenna. “It's all right, sweety. Balto just went to get Maverick. They'll be along shortly. Don't worry about a thing. Just hold on.”
“Leave me alone, you traitor!” Onyx growled.
“Onyx, I don't know what you mean. I'm trying to help you.”
“Why? If you wanted to help me, why did you kill my mother?!”
Jenna sat up, flustered just as Steele joined the party. He was panting so hard, he could see his breath in the air.
“Onyx? Where is she?” he asked through pants.
“In the...pit,” said Jenna softly, still in a daze.
Steele carefully crawled to the place where Jenna sat in front of Onyx. The water was up to her ankles, but she made no hint that she was the least bit concerned.
“Onyx, I'm going to get you out. Just hold on!” explained Steele.
“Leave me alone! You're good at that!” she snapped.
“Onyx, try to climb out so I can grab you,” he ordered.
She made it to her frozen feet and attempted to climb out of the pit, but her numb limbs wouldn't allow her. She fell back in the deep puddle with a splash. Steele fought for another plan.
“Onyx, if you can make it half-way up, I can grab you.”
“I can't! Just leave me alone!”
Jenna looked over her shoulder. Maverick and Balto were nowhere in sight. Steele thought quickly.
“Jenna, give me your scarf!”She threw it off and gave it to Steele. He grabbed it and threw half down to Onyx, while keeping a paw on his end. “Onyx grab on!” She bit her end, but lost grip and slip back down, almost too cold to try again.
“I can't do it.”
“Onyx come on! I promise, I'll stay right here.”She looked up at him. His eyes pleaded with her. “Onyx, I won't leave.”
These were the words of gold. Onyx grabbed the scarf in her teeth and made a death lock. Nothing could pry open her jaws. Pulling with all his sled dog might, Steele lifted Onyx out of the pit just as Balto and Maverick arrived.
“Onyx! You're all right! I was so worried about you!” said Maverick, licking her face.
“I'm fine,” she said dryly.
“Thanks to Steele,” included Jenna.
“Thank you,” Onyx muttered.
“No trouble at all,” Steele gleamed.
Balto made his way over to Onyx. “I'm so glad you're okay.”
“You liar! Did you also care about me so when you ordered my dad to leave Nome? And, Jenna, were you really concerned about my growing up when you killed my mother? Thanks guys! Yeah, you're really pals! Next time I need a job done, I'll call you!”
“What on earth are you talking about?” asked Balto.
“As if you didn't know! Well, I had a little chat with my real father today. He explained everything!”
Steele's face turned red. He stepped back a little as Balto looked his way.
“Oh, so that's what's going on around here,” he said with a nod. “Is there something you'd like the say, Steele?”
“Okay, I admit. I lied about you guys. I wanted...Onyx to care for me in the way that she cares for you. She treats you guys like her real parents, and as far and I go, you are. I'm sorry.”
“You led me to believe that Balto and Jenna where behind me being an orphan?!” stormed Onyx. “How dare you?!”
“Look, I know you're upset. All I can say is I'm sorry. I've been a rotten father.”
Onyx turned to Balto and Jenna. “I'm so sorry, guys. Forgive me?”
“Of course we do,” replied Jenna.
Onyx felt relieved. She sighed in satisfaction and turned back to face Steele. To her surprise, he was no longer there and there was not a trace that he ever was. “Where did he go?” Maverick walked beside her and nuzzled her. “Oh my gosh! You're freezing cold. We've got to get you inside!” “No really, Maverick. I'm no special case. I just...” But before she could finish, Maverick had her walking to the shack that served as her cozy home. Jenna wrapped her bandanna around her and Balto walked on the opposite side of her to keep her warm. They reached the shack in no time, but to Onyx, it was the second longest trip there. Balto, Maverick, and Jenna insisted that she should be wrapped up in blankets, which rather smothered her, but she was glad to have such a caring family. She winced at the pain involved with thawing out her feet. It hurt worse than the frostbite itself. “I wonder where he went,” she whispered loud enough for everyone to hear. “Don't worry about it, Onyx,” said Jenna. “Sometimes he's here, and the next day he's not. But I wouldn't worry about it. It won't be the last time you'll see him. He'll come around again someday. It's just a matter of time. It's in his blood. Once you come to Nome, you can't stay far from it.” There was a wistful tone in her voice. “And if you're like him at all, you'll be the same way.” Onyx looked at her mother's eyes, brown and understanding without an ounce of anger. They soothed her in a way she only felt around her. Suddenly, she remembered that she still had something to tell Maverick and her family. “I forgot to tell all you guys the good news.” “What's that?” asked Maverick. She turned to look in his green eyes. “We are expecting puppies.” His eyes grew large and sparkled with excitement. “Congratulations, Onyx!” stated Balto, a smile literally stretching to his ears. Jenna also congratulated them and told them all the wonders of raising a family, but Onyx didn't hear. She was lost in Maverick's eyes as he was lost in hers. Jenna shooed Balto out of the shack, and she left as well with a grin on her beautiful face. Maverick and Onyx weren't aware of their departure, but it didn't matter all the same. There was a deep penetration between the two. “I love you,” stated Onyx. “I love you,” answered Maverick. “When did you discover that?” joked Onyx. He smiled. “I'll always love you.” “How long?” “Dawn 'til dusk. And don't you ever think otherwise.” "Know what I think love is?" He leaned closer to her to hear the answer. "The strongest bond I've ever known." The snow of winter began to fall on the lonely little shack. Winter had come, and with it, the certitude of undeniable excitement. The End