The sun came up as usual. It was Saturday morning and the dogs woke up one by one. The musher came in to feed his dogs and left. He placed six bowls lined up next to the door. Ralph was the first to wake up. He licked Dusty on the neck and walked towards his breakfast, still half asleep. Dusty woke up a few minutes later and walked up to the food laid out for her. Ralph looked back and saw her walking towards him. He turned his body to face her and nuzzled her. She also returned his act of love. She then walked to her bowl and ate. Ralph also resumed eating.

Lily woke up feeling different. She was colder than usual. She lifted her head slowly and examined her surrounding. Kodi was gone. She couldn't see him anywhere. She stood up and looked again. He was no where to be seen. All she saw were two dogs eating and another two dogs still sleep on the floor near the hot boiler.

She ran towards Ralph and Dusty who stopped eating to look at her. She asked them in a calm voice where he was.

"Um, sorry Lily. We haven't seen Kodi." Dusty responded

"Yeah, maybe he's outside running or catching some air. He sometimes does that in the morning." added Ralph with his deep voice.

"Thanks you guys. I'll go out and see if I can find him. Where does he usually run?"

"At the beach, just a half-a-mile from here." said Dusty.

"Ok. I'll be right back."

Lily then ran outside and towards the beach. It was starting to become cloudy and much colder. She can feel the temperature drop all around her. She stopped and shivered. She then took this time to look around. The beach was near. She could hear the waves hitting the shoreline.

She ran a bit more. The musher would come by soon and Kodi was still nowhere in site. He would leave him if he was nowhere to be found and that would get him really angry. She was also very hungry. She didn't eat because Kodi was missing. She had a horrible feeling about this.

She ran a few yards more until a little brown down jumped in front of her.

"Hello Lily. Where are you running too in such a hurry? The musher is coming soon and we need to make a delivery" said Hank.

"I'm trying to find Kodi." She said looking around and over his head. "Have you seen him?"

"Oh, no I haven't, but let's not talk about him. I'm worried for you. We have to go. The musher will be here soon. You're a new dog. You don't want to end your first week not showing up, do you? That will make the musher doubt your abilities as a good sled dog."

He was right. Lily looked at him as he had a small grin growing in his face. She wanted this job so bad. She loved to run, but Kodi is still missing. She was in a big problem. If she continues to find Kodi, she may get kicked off the team, but if she goes with Hank, she may lose the greatest dog in her life. Oh Kodi. Where can you be?

"Well, so what will it be?" he asked

She stood there looking down and thought really hard. She then looked at Hank with a saddened look.

"Tell the team that I'll be there as soon as I find Kodi." She then ran pass Hank and continued her search.

He looked as she ran away from him. He was shocked by her reaction. The love for that dog is more important then the team? Kodi has done too much damage to her brain. She must know his secret.

After a few minutes of thinking and plotting the right moment to tell her, he ran to find her.

o

What now seemed like hours to her has passed since the short meeting with Hank. Lily was now running around town even more worried. She was scared now. Oh my goodness. Where are you Kodi? Please be alright...please.

There were so many things that were going to her mind. Horrible things. Things that she hoped were not going to happen. She had thoughts of what could have happened to him. She shook her head while running to escape those thoughts. She was near the outskirts of the small town. She stopped to take in breaths. She was very tired and exhausted. This was because she didn't eat anything.

She looked up as she was still taking in breaths. She saw a red dog sitting at a foothill, looking out into the mountains. She didn't know what he was staring at, but she knew he was the dog she was looking for.

"Kodi!!" Lily yelled in happiness.

The red dog looked back and saw his love run towards him. He wanted to run to her too. He took one step, but then stopped himself. He remembered what Hank told him. She only loves me for who I'm not. I want to tell her, but she may not love me back.

The sad dog closed is eyes and faced the mountains again. Lily was still running, but stopped after he looked away from her. She was very confused.

Lily slowly waked up behind him. With her head tilted slightly to the side, she said his name.

"Kodi? Kodi, is everything alright?"

The young dog just looked down as he heard her sweet and gentle voice. His back was still facing her.

"Kodi, I've been so worried about you. We have to go. The musher will came by soon and he'll leave us if he doesn't find us there."

Kodi still remind silent, as if there was no one behind him. Lily then walked up to him and sat next to him. She looked at him as his head was facing down.

"My love, please answer me. Is everything alright?"

My love? She doesn't know me, but do I want to lie to her? Is she worth the truth? Is she worth knowing who I really am?

"Why are you acting so different? Is it because of what Hank said? Look, if it's that, I don't care. If it's something really bad, then, we'll work it out. I love you and you love me. We can work anything out, together."

Lily nuzzled him softly. She did this to show him how much she really cared about him. Kodi also returned the nuzzle with love. He was so happy to hear her say that everything will be alright.

She does love me. How could of I have ever doubted her. She deserves the truth. She has to know everything.

"I love you too, Lily. I'm sorry that I acted this way. I need to tell you something very important." said Kodi looking at her eyes.

"Sure Kodi, you can tell me anything."

Kodi took in a deep breath and started.

"Ok, I want you to know tha-"

"Lily! I found you!" said Hank as he jumps in between them. Kodi almost fell down the hill. Lily moved back. She was now really frustrated.

"What do you want now Hank?" asked Lily very annoyed by his presence.

"I was looking for you to tell you about Kodi. You know Kirby right? The dog that……was eaten by wolves?" he asked.

Kodi was stunned by this. He wanted him to stop, but his body was shaking. He was too nervous to move. He was also very shocked that his friend, his teammate, was going to tell her his deepest and darkest secret.

"Yeah, I know him. Well, I never seen him, but he was the lead dog before Kodi. What does he have to do with Kodi?" she asked still annoyed.

Kodi looked down and closed his eyes. He wasn't ready for what was coming next. He closed his eyes shut and lowered his head, hoping for the best.

"Well, your lover-boy over there loved him." Spat Hank as he said that.

"What? What are you talking about? Of course he loved him, they were like brothers." She said trying to defend Kodi from his stupid remark.

"No, I mean, they 'loved' each other. They loved each other with such passion; passion that is only found between two mates."