Ulli hunkered down as close to the new bitch as he dared. The gleam in her blue eyes could mean interest, or "watch out." Tanya was a fine, powerful female and if he was wrong about the message she was transmitting, he knew she could do him damage. But there had been no time during the day to get acquainted as they worked, side by side, each adept at following their leader, Rudy's, commands. With the blue-gray twilight came rest, food, and a chance for Ulli to risk making an overture.

"You have beautiful eyes, Tanya."

"Why? They are just like everyone else's on the team."

"No one else has eyes that fascinate me. Yours do."

"We are working. I don't think we have time for flirting, Ulli."

"Will you move closer so that we touch? Flank to flank? If you move to me, these other macho Siberians won't get feisty. They'll accept your preference."

"Maybe. It might be a tad warmer near you. Oh, why am I being so aloof? The truth is I've wanted to touch you all day."

Tanya rose and repositioned herself so that she was lying against Ulli's muscular body and his soft, thick, black, and white fur. He was a handsome dog, but his markings were not quite of her "show dog" quality. As she nestled next to him, the team heard the faraway howl of a lone wolf. Most of the dogs barked in response to their wild comrade.

"We will sleep close to each other-just like this Tanya. Your fur is warmer than the flames of our Musher's fire. I think I am already in love with you." Ulli's moist black nose nestled in Tanya's neck. Then she turned her head toward him, and gently licked his face. Ulli politely waited until she was through, then he licked her once on the mouth.
Tanya's eyes darkened, then closed. Ulli adjusted himself so that he was as close to Tanya as possible, lying more on her straw bed than on his own. He looked at Musher, and saw his human master frowning at them. "Why?" the husky wondered. "It was Musher's choice to tether us close together."

Tanya and Ulli slept deeply until one of the horrible human machines roared into camp. Along with exhaust, oil, and gasoline, they caught the scent of a stranger. Like the other dogs, they were both quickly at full alert, barking, and pacing on the hard snow. Musher spoke to Rudy, and their leader made sure the dogs stopped their noise.

"There is no cause for alarm, good friends. No threat."

The dogs heard the men speaking to each other in friendly tones.

"Hey, Don. Good to see you. I was afraid you wouldn't make it before sundown. The stew is hot. My Nancy does a mean Brunswick. Have some hot coffee."

Don hopped off his noisy, smelly, snow-traveling machine and clasped Musher's hand.

"Where's my beauty, Ted? I can't wait to get her back to my kennels. She'll have-star quality pups. I'm betting you'll want one yourself. Wait a few months and you'll see."

"Tanya's already in love with Ulli. Look at them snuggling over there."

"Well, damn! They're spooning. Poor dogs. They've got tonight, but that's it. Tanya comes with me in the morning. She's gonna be in heat soon, and I've got the best stud from Skagway to Juno waiting for her. I'm not leaving your team too short, am I?"

"Not at all", said John, filling bowls with steaming food. "When we picked Tanya up at the breeders, she joined us as an extra runner."

Ulli was second in line to Rudy, with enough intelligence and spirit to become a leader himself one day. He sensed two pairs of human eyes staring intently at them. His sharp wits warned him that Tanya's fate lay with the stranger. The wolf in him wanted to fight for her, but all he could do was howl at the moon with his great, courageous, broken heart.

In the shadows, young Katrina listened to Ulli, and dreamed of someday becoming Ulli's cherished mate.