Chapter 4: Titanium's First Delivery
When it was found out by the rest of the family that Titanium had become a sled dog, he became the center of the attention, with his siblings and parents, along with his step-siblings and Shira praising him. It was a truly remarkable change in their lives, to have a sled dog in the family that was.
"Oh, Titanium, do you have any ideas how proud we are at you now?" Elizabeth asked her beloved older son as she was embracing him as if she didn't see him in ages! Titanium was glad that his mother appreciated his success, though she hoped she'd at least ease the grip of her embrace. He just said: "Mom, it's fine, I know that..."
Not to forget that Timber was present. He was pretty much feeling down for his failure, but being powered by Tenana's affection and comfort, he did feel like this evening wasn't going to be that bad. He could be sure that no one was going to look at him as if he was some kind of failure, at least for now.
With Titanium receiving praise, he looked up to his younger brother and let his parents know: "Please, even if Timber didn't become a sled dog, at least show him some support." He was right, this celebration could not be only reserved for Titanium's success, but also a good way to provide some support for Timber.
Timber smiled to Titanium, yet he remained on his spot, not really willing to go there. But Steele actually headed towards Timber, knowing how much he cared for his son. Looking at his son, Steele just softly spoke: "Don't worry, Timber, there's still time and place for you to be a sled dog, ain't it right?"
Thinking how his father had a foul life previously and now that he was generous and compassionate now, Timber nodded and leaned his head to nuzzle his father by his chest, saying: "I really hope that I become a sled dog like you used to be, dad." Steele patted his son by his back, knowing how nice it was of Timber to look up to him.
Hearing what was happening, Timber was approached by his dearest stepsister Taiga, who placed his paw on his back as well, saying: "Don't worry about what happened today, Timber. Tenana spoke to me earlier and she really hopes you become a sled dog one day." Upon saying her name, Timber looked at Taiga, full of surprise in his eyes.
Feeling like there was some kind of relief, Timber suddenly had the urge to place his head on Taiga's chest. In fact, he did that and Taiga was not even surprised by it. Knowing that he was pretty upset about losing the place, all that she could say was: "You will have the chance the next time. I shall make sure that Tenana buys your talent."
Now at this point Timber felt like Taiga was reading his mind! What if she knew that he and Titanium were buying for Tenana and Allina?! Wanting to change a subject, Timber just said: "I find that pretty appreciative of you, Taiga. Say, have you heard anything about Amanda and Geed?"
"You talking to us?" The female voice spoke to him and turning around, it was obvious he was facing his younger siblings Amanda and Geed. The way Amanda said this was nothing mad, but quite happy, as she just said: "Nero and I are doing very well with each other. You won't believe how nice he is!"
"Actually, I'd say I will." Titanium hopped in, wanting to bring in some humor and relief among them. While he didn't know Nero the best, he did see how he and Amanda were doing with each other. Patting his sister by her shoulder, he just added: "And I dearly hope that both of you are going to have a strong relationship soon or later." Little he knew that he was right.
Looking back at his father, Timber replied with: "And since you and Allina are in the same team, I do wish you two many lucks, you know." They couldn't hide anymore that they both had a crush on Kodi's daughters. Noticing that his brothers were hitting on someone, Geed said: "I must say, guys, it's funny how this unbelievable is."
Noticing the hint in Geed's tone, that this was actually looking funny, Timber looked at his younger brother and asked: "Is it true that you already have found someone for yourself? Or should I ask... how did you do that?!" He was surprised that his younger brother, who was mostly on and for himself, found a crush female for himself.
Smiling shyly, Geed thought in his head what to say precisely and eventually, he spoke: "I'm seeing Nero and Kiana's sister Amber. She has a bad tendency of being clumsy, but I decided to step in and help her. Must say, that works really well." When he was done saying that, Titanium and Timber were amazed by their younger brother's success.
Now that they had that discussed, Timber was now wondering where could Taiga possibly be. It didn't take him too much to find her, as she was by her mother Shira. And of course, it was Shira who spotted Timber first, saying: "Timber, I want to tell you something. Taiga told me about your attempt."
Looking up to his stepmother, he couldn't lie to her. Mustering the courage, trying to think that his failed attempt was not the end of the world, Timber said: "Yeah, Shira. I was so close to earn the spot in the team, yet I was at the same time far beyond than I expected." He felt like he was crumbling out of that pressure now.
Then, Shira placed her paw on his shoulder and Taiga placed her on his other one. Looking at them both, Shira just said: "Don't worry. There is nothing bad about being outside the team for a while. I can assure you that when Taiga's delivering mail, you may take care of Leela."
Now that Taiga had her turn to talk, she added: "As you know, Koda is also going to be with her. Therefore, while I'm off on the delivery, you and Koda could be friends and then you could be closer to Tenana, isn't that fun?!" It sounded like lots of fun, as Timber adored Taiga the most and puppysitting Leela was not going to be that hard.
The summer was passing, with Titanium practicing every day for his future career. Even if Timber was not the sled dog yet, he was still training aside his brother. It didn't matter to him anymore when he was going to be a sled. It could be tomorrow, the next week, next month or even a year if it takes that much!
With multiple teams training for the season, Ryan's team, or formerly Kodi's team, was doing very well on their practicing. Tenana and Taiga were pretty much outstanding in their exercises, much to Timber's joy. Seeing his crush female and his stepsister being good in this, he dreamed to be closer to Tenana soon or later.
Dingo's former team, now being Tayer's team, was also doing pretty well. There was one funny thing about it - Tayer's team was literally his entire family. Sarah being his sister, Kassan and Harath being his brothers-in-law and Atta and Ian being step-siblings. This made the two brothers in distance how funny that all was.
Titanium was exceeding the expectations with his exercises. While Allina wasn't that fast as expected, she did possess the running spirit of her parents, thus easily making her parents proud. Furthermore, Titanium got to meet the rest of his team and he made several decent friends, or at least they seemed like that.
With the summer being over, there were some new things happening around the town and in the den of the wolves nearby. For now, what mattered was that the new season of the mail delivery was up. This time with the fresh new recruits. The first team to start off the season was Ryan's team, hence the fact that his father, Kodi, was the winner of the previous season.
"Alright guys, are you ready for our very first mail delivery?!" Ryan asked his entire team, hoping that this was going to be a success. Now that he was a sled dog, Ryan did have a purpose in his life to start with, living all these years with his parents and grandparents. His entire team replied with the cheer.
"Tenana, Tenana! Wait!" That was Timber shouting, who was seen coming to Tenana from the side. Tenana didn't seem to be much shy around him, but somehow this arrival of his was like a surprise to her. Then again, she smiled warmly to her friend as she dared herself to ask: "Timber! What brings you here?"
Blushing slightly and smiling meekly, Timber looked Tenana in the eyes and just said: "Tenana, I just want to tell you this - good luck on your first mail delivery." Hoping he didn't ruin anything, the others looked at them surprised, with Ryan having more mischievous look than a surprised look. But before Timber turned around, he added: "And you have a pretty violet collar if I must say."
Indeed, while the others were wearing black sled collars, Tenana was the only one not to wear the black one, but rather a violet one. Blushing slightly, Tenana said gratefully: "That's really nice of you, Timber." With that being said, Timber nodded to her as a sign of a good luck and headed off the road to make place.
As he melted in the crowd there, Ryan turned towards Tenana and just said: "Tenana, I can't believe that you and Timber are hitting it off pretty well here!" That made her blush again, but she couldn't reply back as Rodney was heard saying: "Alright, here comes the musher, we better get set now!" As Rodney was right, the musher was about to place the post bag in the sled and hike.
Watching from the sides as Ryan's team was about to departure for their first time on the mail delivery, Timber was sitting and watching. Seeing how they were running fast, that made him envious a bit. While he was watching, he heard an older voice speaking to him: "It seems that you wanted to be a sled dog, isn't that right?"
Looking at his side to see who was calling him. Noticing the copper red husky, it was none other else than Kodi. As he watched two of his pups heading off to White Mountain, he was looking really proudly at them. Timber mustered the courage to say: "Yeah, Kodi... Titanium made it in the team, yet I stay."
Kodi came closer to Timber and placed the paw on the shoulder of the younger dog, saying: "Don't be ashamed. You can learn from your failures and then you'll find the road to the success, isn't that right?" Of course that was right, yet Timber didn't want to say how he failed in the practice race.
He just nodded, as if there was no need for him to explain how or what. Then, Kodi just said: "Tenana told me that you'd be looking after Taiga's daughter. I hope she was really meaning that." Wondering what he was trying to say, as Timber was about to go puppysit Leela for Taiga, he briefly noticed Kodi winking to him, as if he was going to say: "She's right for you."
Trying to remain silent about his possible future relationship with Tenana, Timber just said: "I am sure about that too... In fact, I think I could go puppysit Leela now..." Kodi approved, thinking that he was being shy because he was being told that both Titanium and Timber were looking at him as role model, yet he had no clue about him being in love with Tenana.
The day went as quick as the flash, with both Koda and Timber looking after little Leela. Few hours before midnight, the team returned with the mail. The dogs could not hide their joy about them delivering mail. Furthermore, they all felt like they were going to be the champions, except for Taiga and Tenana, who were glad that Taiga's mate and stepbrother did a good job puppysitting her daughter.
Now the next team that was going to set off for White Mountain was surprisingly not Tayer's team, but Titanium's team. All these young dogs were in their harnesses, with Titanium being in the lead while Allina was being in the second one to the right behind Titanium. It was everything or nothing now!
"My, I have been waiting for this mail delivery for a long time!" A young brown husky next to Allina said, Logan being his name. Him being brown with the mixture of tan and with his grayish-brown eyes, he seemed like a happy young dog. Though he was still wondering, why he didn't get the lead spot?
Titanium looked behind him, quickly glanced at Allina and then looked at Logan, asking: "Just don't get too overexcited, Logan, then we'll have to quit the delivery." The others upon hearing that laughed loudly while Logan looked down and sighed in embarrassment. Then again, no one was blaming him for his excitement, because the others were too!
Allina looked back at the sled and noticed their musher putting the post bag in the sled. She turned around and added: "Alright, musher is about to hike!" And before musher could say "Hike!" Titanium heard someone calling him from the side. Looking at his left, he indeed noticed Timber there, who was trying to come closer.
"Titanium! Titanium, over here!" That's what Timber was calling him. While Titanium couldn't go there because he was in the harness at the moment, he could look at his brother and ask: "What is it, Timber? Is there something you wanna tell me?!" Indeed, if there was something Timber was going to say, then why wouldn't he be there?
Having a chance to talk, Timber just said: "Titanium, good luck! I really hope that you are going to have promising career! All in all, good luck!" While it was nice of him to support his older brother, the others raised their eyebrows because Timber said "good luck" twice. But then, the musher yelled: "Hike!"
And at that moment, all the sled dogs that were in their harnesses started running as fast as possible. As they were exiting the town, it came to Logan to ask: "Titanium, why did your brother wish you luck twice?" Somehow Logan knew that Timber and Titanium were brothers, it was really easy to connect.
Titanium knew very well why Timber said that twice. But instead of revealing why, Titanium just said: "He's just excited that if he one day becomes a sled, we'll both share the luck." At that statement, while they were getting near the forest, everyone thought it was pretty much accurate. However, Titanium briefly glanced at Allina, knowing why Timber said "good luck" for the second time!
The run for these young dogs were followed with some pantings and barks, yet these youngsters had lots of strength and speed to pull the sled and get to the destination that was White Mountain. The day went as quick as flash, not to mention that the fall had started so the days were getting shorter.
Then, at last, the sled team was in front of the town of White Mountain, with the team being happy to know they made it. It was getting pretty dark that night. The musher went on to grab the mail bag and was about to deliver it to the post office. Once he gave it to the postmaster, there was a talk between them.
"What do you think they're talking about?" Allina asked the others in her team, feeling like the musher was not going to give the good news now. To make sure what they were talking about, Logan leaned closer and perked his ear to find out what was their musher talking about. His face turned into disappointment.
Titanium noticed that first so he asked: "What's wrong, Logan?" When Logan backed up, he looked at his friend, at Allina and at the rest of the team and just muttered: "It seems that we are going to sleep over here tonight." The others widened their eyes in surprise, but didn't say anything. What if the snowstorm was coming?
Indeed, when the musher had finally turned around, he unleashed Titanium from his harness first, then he did the same to Allina, saying: "Alright, everyone, looks like we are going to spend the night here! Blizzard is imminent tonight!" While the dogs didn't want to sleep over here for their first mail delivery, they didn't complain.
The musher led the dogs to one shack, which would provide them comfort and some sleep for the night, while the musher went to his room near that shack. The dogs found themselves in a dimly-lit place, with the worn out pillows laying around. There were enough pillows for them all.
Knowing that he was the lead dog, Titanium turned towards his teammates and said: "Alright, get some sleep now. Save the energy for tomorrow as we are going to need it for our journey home!" The way he said it sounded so determined and as if he was a good leader. The dogs went to take their places.
In the end, Logan took the pillow that seemed to be in best condition. The others took whichever they wanted. In the end, Allina and Titanium were looking for their pillows. They found one in a pretty good condition and one in a not really good condition. Knowing what to do, he turned to Allina and said: "Here, take this good one, I'm sure you'll need more rest than I do."
Surprised by that gesture, Allina giggled silently as she laid down on the pillow. Feeling the warmth and the softness of it, Allina whispered back to Titanium: "That's very nice of you, Titanium. Thank you!" As she said that, that rendered him speechless. Yet he nodded in response as he was trying to say: "You're welcome.", before laying down on his pillow.
Half an hour later, almost the entire team was now fast asleep. Titanium was the only sled dog so far to remain awake. It didn't bother him that the pillow was not comfortable nor the fact that the blizzard outside was gaining on strength. In fact, there was something else in his mind.
Looking from his position, he was eyeing her... Allina. Being pretty as ever, with that gorgeous maroon red fur, matching that blue sled collar around her neck... how come that no one had taken her before?! She was marvelously stunning! Not to mention that at the moment she was single! Since she was in the team, this could be a good chance for him to be in a relationship with her!
Suddenly, something like chuckling was heard in the distance. That did startle Titanium a bit, thinking that everyone was sleep. Then again, as he was going to get some sleep, it could mean that the wind howling outside produced the similar sound like chuckling... But this chuckling... it seemed like it came from inside!
"What is that sound?" Titanium asked himself as quiet as possible, not wanting to awake his teammates. As he was eyeing Logan, he noticed that it was him who was chuckling. Yet his eyes were closed, so it could be that he was chuckling in his sleep. But as Titanium was about to search further, he heard Logan saying: "I know your secret, Titanium."
Being startled and confused at the same time, Titanium swiftly moved his head at Logan and asked him: "What are you talking about, Logan?! I have no secrets!" Of course, he was lying, but how else he'd protect his affection for Allina? Logan then continued: "I know one thing: You're in love with Allina!"
Knowing that Logan was going to reveal it to everyone as he was quite a gossip, Titanium still said: "Logan, Shut up! That is not true!" But it was true, even Titanium himself knew it. Then again, he was keeping his secret as tightly as possible. Logan, on the other paw, didn't want to shut up yet.
"You're in love with Allina, you're in love with Allina!" Logan started mischievously repeating that line over and over so the others would wake up and hear Titanium's secret. Suddenly, Logan was pounced by none other else than Titanium, who kept his muzzle shut, whispering: "Shut up already! Why are you doing this?!"
Suddenly, they heard someone faintly groaning inside. Looking around, they noticed that it was Allina who was partly awakening. She looked around the darkened room and asked: "Titanium, Logan... what are you doing? It's late and we need to get some sleep!" She wasn't lying, as she wanted to sleep badly at the moment.
Seeing that he was keeping Logan's muzzle shut, Titanium stuttered twice saying: "N-n-nothing, Allina. Logan had a bad dream and I-I... uhhhh, shut his muzzle so he wouldn't wake us all up with his screaming... Isn't that right, Logan?" Then he looked at him with a bit threatening look, knowing that would work easily. Releasing his muzzle a bit, Logan stuttered: "Y-yes, I had a... a really bad d-dream."
She didn't suspect anything, but yawned slightly, turned around and said: "Alright, night you two." And in the matter of the seconds, she was fast asleep again. Looking back at Logan, Titanium asked him out of frustration: "What do you think you are doing, Logan?! You better not tell anyone else about... my secret, okay?!"
Seeing that he was pretty much cornered and having no other options, Logan nodded slightly, as he whispered: "Okay, okay. I won't tell anyone your *lovely* secret." The went silent as Titanium looked at him menacingly. Logan corrected himself by saying: "Fine, my mouth is going to be shut!"
Noticing that Logan was really meaning that, Titanium smiled in a slight pleasure and said: "That's more like. Now go to sleep at once." Even Titanium returned to his pillow and waited for a few minutes to fall asleep. Logan was already sleeping as that could have been heard by his rhythmical breathing. Titanium eyed Allina, who looked like a sleepy beauty, before he himself had fallen asleep.
The next morning...
After having a decent meal, being given by the humble residents of White Mountain, Titanium's team was ready to set off for the mail delivery back to Nome. The dogs were already in their harnesses. Looking around each other and around the streets, they indeed noticed how the blizzard thickened the snow layer everywhere.
"Alright, everyone, are you ready for the mail delivery?!" Titanium asked them all, being the lead dog. Noticing how his teammates, despite some of them showing small traces of exhaustion, were actually ready to deliver mail all the way back to Nome. Even Logan, who spent a bit more time awake, was fully ready.
Allina turned around to see their musher coming with the bag of mail, thus causing her to turn back and just say: "Now we are all ready!" As the musher was placing the bag on the sled and got on the end of the sled, the dogs were waiting for their signal. In the matter of the seconds, the musher yelled: "Hike!"
And in a few moments, all seven sled dogs started their run with barking and yipping, knowing that there was going to be the another period of hours for them to arrive to their hometown. As exhausting and long as it sounded, that was no challenge for these young and energetic dogs!
Since they had left by the sunrise, it was expected from them that their arrival was expected in the early afternoon. True to that, despite some thick snow layers on the way, the sled team made it through the trail and encountered no dangerous animals. Once they were in Tundra's territory, they did gain the attention of the curious wolves.
Thankfully, as the entire pack was under the leadership of Tundra, these wolves were taught not to attack any dogs so the peace between the wolves and the dogs could be kept as mutual. While Allina didn't see her wolf cousins, she was glad that she saw their friends. And then, in a few minutes, they found themselves on the clearing that led them directly to Nome.
With the last few miles being passed, the team was now in the town, heading straight to the post office. Once they made it, all the dogs laid down in the snow and they were given some water as a refreshment while the musher had taken the mailbag inside. While exhausting at first for the young dogs like them, they did prove themselves worthy.
"You know... I really do... have that... spirit of a... sled dog... my dad... has..." Titanium said panting as he was resting on his back now. Wondering how it was back then when his father was a sled dog, he was happy to be the son of Steele, despite him knowing that his father did some terrible things back then.
Eventually, Allina added: "You are... not the only... one if... I have to... say... My dad... was also a... sled dog..., just like... my mom... was... I am proud to... be their... daughter..." She did seem quite exhausted, as she was not really for a sled dog. Then again, her owner decided to take her for a test run so she was a sled dog now.
As Titanium was resting on his back, he did hear someone approaching him from the front. Lazily leaning his head backwards, Titanium looked at the newcomer. Immediately noticing the white ears, he realized that it was his brother Timber who was heading towards him. Turning around to get on his paws, he let his teammates know: "Okay, I gotta go with my brother now."
The others were quite fine with that, as it was known to them how Titanium and Timber were close to each other. Raising on his paws, Titanium already noticed that Timber was in front of him three meters. He was happy to see his brother after the successful delivery. Furthermore, he asked: "May I speak to you in private?"
Knowing that it was already the time for the team to disassemble for today, Titanium just said: "Of course, let's speak." The teammates were still present and were resting on their backs. That made Timber pull Titanium by his back to the nearest alley. Once they were there, Titanium just asked: "What is it that you need to tell me?"
Making sure that there was no one who'd be eavesdropping them, Timber glanced back at his brother and asked him quietly: "How did you mail delivery go? Or should I say... did you and Allina hit it off?" He was hoping that his brother was going to bring him some good news indeed.
Titanium just replied: "I can't say that we are in relationship, for now. But I can say that she's starting to notice me. I offered her my pillow so she could sleep comfortably. That is something for the start?" While Timber was expecting more than that, he just said: "I believe it is. Similarly I had the experience with Tenana."
Knowing that Timber and Tenana were doing just fine with each other, Titanium placed his paw on Timber's shoulder and said: "If possible, I'm going to ask Allina out. As far as I know, you and my teammate Logan are the only one who knows about this, I hope... make sure that Logan won't gossip about this." Of course, being good with his brother, even Timber wasn't going to let some gossip dog say anything about this relationship!
Titanium continued: "So, do you have any big plans for Tenana anytime soon?" That kinda caught Timber off the guard. Sure, he did want to be with Tenana and date her, but the question was... how he was going to impress her? There just had to be something he'd impress Tenana. He just replied with: "I shall think of something."
Nodding in agreement, just to see how Timber was thinking slowly, but wisely, about his date with Tenana, Titanium hoped for the bright future of his brother. Furthermore, Titanium just said: "If possible, I shall be talking to Allina more and more. If she buys my charm, I am asking her out for a date!"
That was a pretty solid idea, both brothers agreed. Looking at each other, both said simultaneously: "I wish you luck for the first date!" Knowing what and how they said it, they both laughed and patted each other by their backs. Then Timber walked away to his home as Titanium was watching him leave. He knew exactly what to do next.