The summers in Nome usually flew by, but to the young lovers Redd and Raven, fall was upon them before they could blink. With fall came the first snows of the season, and that meant one thing to all the sled-dogs of Nome: time for work.

Redd and Raven's team was a racing team; they traveled to towns nearby and competed in races for money. The season was just beginning, and the teams buzzed with excitement. Of course, the musher wasn't about to let his top dogs start racing without training first...

"Keep...going!" Redd panted to the tired dogs behind her. "Almost...there! Only...the ice...now!"

The little red dog lead her team out of the forest, where they were faced by a large river that had iced over and was covered in snow. This was the part Redd disliked the most, but as lead dog she knew she had to be brave. Besides, with her lover, Raven, right behind her, she had nothing to fear. He would always take care of her. She knew that.

Raven threw all his weight into his harness. The only reason Redd was lead dog was because of an injury he and Dingo had gotten last season

, when the dogs had slipped on the ice. Even though he and Dingo were healed, the musher, Danny, didn't want them up front just yet.

Raven was a big dog, and a canine to be feared. The only thing he feared himself was losing Redd. She was the center of his life. He was the earth, and she was the sun. Without her, he could not survive. He'd told her that little analogy before, and it always made her so happy.

As Redd barked back about the ice, Raven felt a subtle wave of hysteria wash over him. This river was very similar to the one that had caused his fall last season, the reason they had not won that last race. None of the team held him responsible, but Raven had still been overcome by guilt. Now, as his feet hit the ice, he let his thoughts go and concentrated on staying upright.

Redd felt the slight increase of slack in the lines, and looked back to see Raven staring hard at his paws. Redd chuckled at the sight and leapt nimbly up to shore on the other side. They ran through the woods, clearing the last leg of the trip with flawless perfection. Nome came into view, and with newfound energy, Redd raced towards town.

Moments later, Danny began unhooking the panting dogs. Redd licked his face as he set her free of her harness. Danny laughed then continued taking care of the rest of his dogs. The butcher came by and shook Danny's hand, then began placing dishes of raw beef mixed with salmon in front of the tired dogs.

Redd ate her dinner gratefully and, after a good ear-scratch from Danny, headed over to the boiler room with Raven by her side. As she opened the door, she noticed just how popular the boiler room was. The place was jam-packed, making it all the warmer. Kodi's team was there, and so were his brother Narthas, and also Akeela and Saba, and many more. They were all surrounded by their cliques talking happily. Dingo's team joined them.

They were congratulated on their victory in the training race, and made welcome in the tight space. Raven's father called to him from the door, beckoning him out. Raven sighed and got up.

"What's up, Pops?" he asked, his mood light and airy.

"Son, I just wanted to congratulate you on a job well done." Coal said, his eyes full of pride. "That was a wonderful run."

Raven smiled bashfully. "Thanks, Dad, but most of the credit goes to Redd. She's a great lead dog."

At the mention of his rival's daughter, Coal's pleasant expressions soured. "Oh. Well, with any luck, you'll be up front soon."

Raven shook his head. "That's Dingo's job. He was hurt in that accident too, Dad."

"Oh." Both Coal and Raven knew the conversation had been spoiled. "Well, it was a good race."

Coal turned and walked away without saying goodbye. Oh, how he despised his son's love for Redd! If only he wold meet a...decent female...one that stood to his standards. Coal scowled. He knew that Raven held no interest in any other girl in Nome.

Coal found himself in front of a house. A new family had just moved in. He wondered if they had a dog. With a shrug, Coal turned away to head toward home.

"Hey! Wait!" At the shout, Coal turned. To his amazement, a stunningly beautiful husky, about the same size as Redd, was jogging toward him. With a smile, ideas began forming in his mind.

"Hey there!" he called back. "What's your name?"

"Nicole!" the pretty female called back. She met up with Coal, flashing him a dazzling smile. "You?"

"I'm Coal," he replied. Nicole smiled.

"Weird! You know, Coal, Nicole. Cool! Anyway, I was looking for someone to give me a tour of the town. I'm new, if ya couldn't tell."

Coal smiled. This female was ditzy and over-energetic, but so beautiful it hurt. Excellent. She was perfect.

"How about I take you to meet some dogs your own age?" Coal offered. "I'm too old and grizzly to 'hang out' with a pretty young thing like you."

Nicole giggled. "Sure. Thanks!"

They approached the boiler room, but stopped. A huge crowd of dogs were in a big circle outside the door, barking in encouragement and excitement.

"Come on, Raven!" Dingo howled. "Take him down!"

"Oh no," Coal moaned. He pushed his way to the front of the crowd, Nicole following curiously. When he reached the sidelines, he saw his son and a brown dog jumping and snapping at each other. A horrified-looking Redd stood off to one side of the circle, her greens eyes wide in fear. The brown dog leaped at Raven, who stepped out of the way. As the other dog landed, Raven grabbed him by the back of his neck and flung him across the circle. He hit with a thud, and groaned. Raven stood over him, head and tail held high. With a grunt of effort, the brown dog got up and, tail between his legs, slunk off. The crowd of dogs went wild.

Raven jogged over to Redd, whose small figure was shaking violently. He rubbed himself over her in attempt to calm her. Redd disappeared into Raven's soft belly fur.

"Who is that?" Nicole asked, bewildered. Coal smiled with satisfaction. Nicole's stare was focused on Raven. She didn't even seem to notice Redd.

"That's my son, Raven." Coal answered, pride coating his voice. "I'll introduce you."

The circle disappeared as Coal made his way over to his son.

"Nice fight, my boy!" He called. Raven's head snapped up to look at his father. For a second, his gaze flitted over to Nicole, but they held no interest and landed again on his father.

"Thanks, Dad," Raven replied. "Who's your friend?"

"This is Nicole," Coal said casually. "She just moved to town with her humans."

"Oh," Raven said. "Cool."

"Yeah. I'll let you get acquainted."

Coal jogged off, his fur bristling in anticipation. Raven didn't notice. He smiled politely at Nicole.

"So, how do you like Nome so far?"

Nicole's response surprised him. "Cut the small talk, baby. You're hot, I'm hot. We belong together. You and me. I want you."

Raven's stunned silence seemed like an 'I want you too', because she walked closer, until their noses were almost touching. She took a deep breath in, as if to say something, but she was cut off by vicious barking.

Nicole stumbled back as Redd shot out from under Raven, her fur standing on end. Her eyes were shining furiously as her lips drew back to reveal glistening teeth. Snarling lethally, Redd walked toward the now-cowering Nicole.

"Back off, Floozy!" Redd's snarl echoed off the buildings. "Raven is mine! Come near him again, and that pretty fur of yours won't stay on your body for long!"

Raven was snarling too. "Nicole," he growled through his teeth. "It would be best if you left us alone."

Nicole's huge blue eyes widened further. Obviously she wasn't used to rejection. Her lower lip stuck out in a doggy pout. Redd's hackles rose further as her snarl crescendoed.

Nicole shrunk back and scampered off. Raven and Redd walked off together just as Coal found Nicole again.

"What was that about?" He asked, faking bewilderment. That was exactly the response he had pictured from Redd.

"The red dog won't let me get to Raven!" Nicole wailed.

"Don't worry, my dear." Coal crooned. "I have a plan to get you with him."

"Why do you care?" Nicole whined.

Coal's smile turned devious. "Because I hate Redd being with my son. Now, do you want to hear that plan or not?"

* * * * *

The next day, Raven was up at the crack of dawn, pacing outside of his house. He was too frazzled to sleep. His mind kept wandering back to his meeting with Nicole. Not that he liked her. But about why his father had introduced them...

Raven knew his father hated him being with Redd, but last summer he had promised not to interfere... He wouldn't go back on his word, would he?

When Raven looked up again, he was near the outside of town. Out of the mist, a brown figure walked toward him.

"Oh, great!" he snarled as he recognized the form of Nicole. She jogged neatly toward him.

"Hi, Raven!" she chirped perkily. Had she not heard his warning yesterday?

He growled in reply, "What do you want, Nicole? I thought I told you to stay away."

"I know, I just wanted to apologize for my actions, yesterday. Here, let's go for a walk..."

* * * * *

Redd stretched and yawned as she woke up. She hadn't slept very well the night before. All she could think about was that horrible Nicole. With a snarl deep in her throat, Redd decided to run it off.

She burst out the front door and took off like a rocket. A red blur, she did not stop until she heard Nicole's voice up ahead. And then, even more to her surprise, Raven's

Redd began to look around. And there, out in the field, walking side-by-side, were Nicole and Raven. Redd snuck closer.

"Thanks a lot, Raven," Nicole said smoothly. "And thanks for keeping this between us."

Redd could have sworn she saw Nicole's eyes dart over in her direction. The snarl that was building in Redd's throat threatened to overtake her. What was going on?

"Sure," Raven replied.

Then Nicole reached over and licked his face, pushing her body against his. And Redd lost all control.

She hurdled out into the open and smashed herself against Nicole, sending her flying. Nicole hit the ground and wailed, "Oh no, Raven, she found us!"

"What?!?" Raven yelled. "What's to find? Redd, it's not what..."

"Then what is it?!?!?" Redd screamed, tears streaming down her cheeks. She was too mad to be rational right now. "I can't believe you'd do this to me!"

She turned tail and fled. If she hadn't, she knew she would've killed Nicole. Her wolf side was hard to contain sometimes. only Raven knew about that anyway. Redd was blinded by red fury as she sped away, past Nome, past Balto's boat, out onto the beach, and away. Maybe she'd never go back. It depended. Had Raven really lost his love for her?