Chapter 8: Journey Home
With the company consisted of Nero, being the leader of the journey and his dog sidekicks, Rodney and Geed that were, along with wolf sidekicks, that were Naia and Sirius, they were heading to their home located on the far west - Nome.
"Nero, how are you keeping up that Elizabeth's heirloom?" Rodney asked him later that same day as they escaped the town of Nenana, knowing Nero stuffed it inside Amanda's bandanna, which he was wearing around his neck. Looking at the spot where the heirloom was, Nero nodded.
"It is keeping up slight well, don't worry about that." Nero assured his brother-in-law, wanting to make sure that there was nothing to worry about! With Elizabeth's heirloom in their possession, they could be quite relaxed by the fact that it was not taken in Anchorage and sold on auction.
Then, Geed spoke: "I may have been crazy smashing through that closed window, but no one takes away what belongs to my mom, you understand me?" Now that everyone knew what Geed had done back in Lizzy's old home, they were fascinated not by the fact that he did a crazy thing, but that he sustained no wounds whatsoever!
"You know, be glad that none of these humans actually hurt you. If they did that, I'd retaliate as fast as possible." Sirius spoke in a manner that sounded a bit off for them, knowing that as a wolf, the only reason why he'd attack the human would be if only he felt endangered. But it could also be taken on the account of his companions.
"Now, now, Sirius. I know how much you care for the safeties of us all, but I think you shouldn't do that. What if the other humans saw you?" Naia asked him that, dreading the fact to have her beloved mate hunted down far from their home, far from their young puppies... At least he didn't do that.
Nero looked back at Sirius, and seeming to favor Naia's opinion, he spoke: "Naia's right, Sirius. Rodney and I were the ones who'd retaliate at these thieves if they hurt Geed. For now, we can relax... and possibly get something to eat. I'm starving." He was not the only one, as the others were showing the unpleasant faces.
Sirius noticed that so he looked at his sidekicks, saying: "Alright, Naia and I shall go hunt some prey here. Rodney, Geed, Nero, settle up on that clearing near the river. We shall be back as soon as we can! Let's go hunting, Naia!" Naia approved that while nuzzling her beloved black mate before both of them headed off for hunting while the dogs settled down.
The next day, the company was having a rough return home. The blizzard started kicking in pretty much early in the morning and by the early afternoon, they were quite slowed down by it. But the thing was - they could not just let the blizzard get the best out of them. They just had to carry on.
"Uhhhhhhhh, this blizzard is making our journey like a complete mess!" Naia yelled loudly, doing her best to let the others hear her. The others couldn't disagree on that one, seeing how much they were mad to go through this terrible weather. At least they could stand it.
"As long as we are by the river and if we find the shelter, we shall take the cover there!" Rodney recommended to them all, knowing that as long as they were keeping up with the riverside, they were on the right path towards their path to their home.
Sirius, who had the most advanced senses among his company, wasn't looking really the greatest among them, trying his best to cover his eyes as they were making through. He shouted: "It's ridiculous that a wolf like me would be overpowered by Alaskan blizzard!" He wasn't kidding, it was indeed a strong one.
Geed, who was taking this blizzard the hardest, looked at Nero and asked him loudly: "Nero! How's the heirloom looking?! I hope it is not freezing from this snow and ice!" It was buried in Amanda's bandanna and he made it sure it was going to be just alright.
Turning his head a bit to his right side to speak to Geed, Nero spoke: "Don't worry, Geed! It's just fine! I'm telling... AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" He couldn't finish what he was saying as je tripped into something in snow. Due to being out of balance, he rolled with his body in front and rolled for a few times before getting a hold of himself. The others gasped in shock.
"NERO! Are you okay?!" Naia, being the most shocked by this, rushed to her cousin to make sure he was alright. Nero rose his head and just said: "Naia! It's alright, I think I hurt my paw a bit, but I can walk!" That was a great relief for Naia, hoping that her cousin was not going to hurt himself again. However...
"Wait... the heirloom... where is it? WHERE IS IT?!" Nero suddenly felt something, as if the bandanna he was wearing seemed to be lighter. Suddenly, he realized that it was no longer in there, causing the general panic to the group... until...
"Look! The heirloom! It's down here!" Sirius spotted the glowing gems on the heirloom in the snow, being quite near the edges of the river bank of Yukon. As Nero was about to get up and pick it up, Rodney walked by his side and said: "Lemme handle this, Nero. You've hurt yourself." Nero couldn't object.
Heading down to the edge of the river bank, Rodney was careful enough to get near the heirloom and being equally careful enough, with his jaws, he grabbed the heirloom. Exhaling in relief that nothing happened, Rodney turned around and proclaimed: "It's fine! I have the heirloom, now to..."
He didn't finish his sentence as there was some kind of ground rumbling and shaking heard. Much to their horror, the company were looking around what was the spot that was causing the ground rift. And then, when they spotted it... "RODNEY! Get out of there, NOW! The ground below your paws is giving up!" Geed screamed at the top of his lungs.
He was not joking, because when Rodney looked below himself, much to his horror, the ground was giving up below him! Wasting no more time, he rushed towards his companions to the safety, with them watching in despair. They were hoping that Rodney was going to make it.
"Uffffffff!" Rodney let out a painful exhaling as he tripped on the rock of the rumbling stone below him, causing him to spit the heirloom in the snow. He was no longer having the balance on this rock, knowing that if someone was not going to help him, he was going to fall into that river! But he heard Nero screaming: "GEED! GET THE HEIRLOOM! I'M GOING TO GET RODNEY!"
There was no point for Geed and Nero to argue, as the younger dog did the exact thing Nero told him to do. However, Nero rushed to Rodney's spot and grabbed him by his neck scruff. With his voice muffled, he said: "Hang in there! I'm getting you on the safety, Rod!"
"Nero! I'm slipping!" Rodney screamed in horror as he felt that despite Nero giving the strongest grip, he was still slipping out of it. Having no more options, Rodney bit Amanda's bandanna by the knot, hoping that he'd get the hold of his falling. Nero just screamed: "I'm pulling you up NOW!"
But as he was pulling Rodney up, he felt something on his fur and skin - the bandanna was untying itself due to the burden in form of Rodney. Both looking at each other in despair, Nero screamed: "NO! PLEASE, NO! I MUST GET YOU ABOVE NOW!" But as much as he wanted to help Rodney up onto the safety.
The bandanna untied itself and still being in Rodney's jaws, Rodney let out a terrifying scream out of his lungs as he was no longer being held by Nero, but was now falling down in the river. His scream was silenced as he hit the water, and once hitting it, he didn't resurfaced.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOO! RODNEY!" Nero screamed in horror once again, seeing that his brother-in-law, Rodney, fell in the river... and didn't resurface. Still looking at the river, Rodney didn't emerge from below... not even as the minutes passed... how could he let that happen... HOW?!
After looking in the wild river for a while, thinking how both Rodney and Amanda's bandanna ended up in a river... not even bandanna resurfaced... Nero turned around, shocked by this unexpected loss... towards his companions... Naia and Sirius, both looked at Nero in an utter shock, not believing what just happened... it just could not happen!
And looking at Geed, whose face was beyond distraught, with the heirloom in his jaws... his step-brother, Rodney... falling in the river and not resurfacing... he was beyond shocked... how could this happen?! How could they handle this kind of unexpected loss at the moment...
"Nero, Nero! Look at me!" Naia was shaking Nero as she was trying to speak to him, because he was just not paying attention to any of this. The loss of his brother-in-law was going to leave completely major consequences, bad ones. But Naia kept saying: "Nero! Don't blame yourself, it is not your fault this occurred! None of us was expecting this!"
But as Nero was going to burst into tears and rant about how he let this happen, Sirius was faster, by saying: "Nero! I wish this didn't happen either, but WE STILL CANNOT LOSE THE HOPE! Geed, we'll help you find Rodney, okay?!" Geed didn't say anything, only he nodded weakly, being barely able to sustain any of these.
Sirius shook Nero once again and he said: "Come on, if we are fast enough, we will be able to find him as soon as we can, okay?!" Sirius was really determined to help them for any kind of cause. Nero looked at his close friend, nodded and said: "Alright! Let's hope that Rodney is going to be alright!" He just didn't want to accept this loss!
"Geed, come on! We need everyone's help, right now!" Naia called for Geed, who not only was holding Elizabeth's heirloom in his jaws, but was still shocked by all this. He did follow his companions, but silent and shocked, knowing what kind of consequences could be.
Despite the effort of them all, the result of their search for the fallen comrade was - fruitless. Rodney was nowhere to be found nor Amanda's bandanna he had with himself before the fall was also unable to be found... how could they let this all happen?! What they were going to tell to Rodney's family about this!?
"Nero, Geed, come on, guys! You need something to eat!" Sirius called both Geed and Nero to come to eat that evening, with both of them being apart and also unable to look at each other. Geed had given him the heirloom previously, but didn't say a word. Nero felt the hollow disappointment in this, as if Geed yelling at him would at least stir things up.
While Geed came to Naia and Sirius, looking at Nero from his back, Nero was still looking down in the snow, muttering: "What am I going to say to Kiana... that I let her mate drown in river? Neve and her siblings... losing their father unexpectedly... but not to mention Rodney's siblings or even Steele and Shira... Especially Steele... he's never going to let me be with Amanda ever again!..."
"Nero?! Come on, you have to eat at once!" Naia suddenly showed up behind him and shook him by his back, causing him to snap back into reality. Looking at her with the eyes filled in with grief, Nero shook his head and said: "No... I don't want to eat anything, Naia... I just... don't. Please, don't nag me to eat..."
As much as Naia was trying to talk to her cousin, she realized how broken he was for Rodney's loss and how he was still muttering the consequences awaiting him home for this... looking at him hopelessly, Naia sighed in content sadly and returned to Sirius and Geed, having a dinner by Sirius' side.
Eventually, all four of them went to sleep, with Sirius and Naia being cuddled to each other. Geed was on one side of their sleeping place whereas Nero was having the other side. All of them were sleeping, uneasily. Nero's dreams were the uneasiest one of them all.
Even if his sequences were fast, he could have seen the nightmares of these sequences... Kiana with her puppies being beyond heartbroken. Amber estranged from her only brother. Taiga, Sarah and Tayer looking at him as the grim stranger. Amanda being heartbroken for their relationship stranded beyond. Steele and Elizabeth repelling him away for letting Rodney slip... especially Steele, along with Shira there!
Then there was the growl... but the growl did not come from anyone in the dreams...
The louder growl occurred and it was strong enough to cause Nero to stir up, eventually opening his eyes. Exhaling in relief that the nightmare was over, only to realize it was bound to happen sooner or later, Nero was searching around for the source of the growl... and he found it... his stomach!
Frowning deeply, considering the fact that he didn't have dinner, earlier, Nero thought to himself: "I hope that there was some leftovers from Naia left behind." Even if there was a tiny bit of something, only to please his hunger so he could sink back to his dreams all the way to his nightmares.
Walking silently towards the place where Sirius and Naia supposedly left the meal behind, Nero searched for the bushes where the scent of the meals was stronger than usual. Sniffing there, he was pretty much to the source of the meal, muttering: "Oh well, lemme get this over with."
But as he neared his muzzle towards the meal, he realized that there was someone else watching him, being black and looking wild. Wondering for better, Nero whispered: "Rodney?!" Sadly, it was not Rodney... it was a wolf, but wait, wasn't Sirius sleeping? Before he could look back towards Naia, he felt something piercing his paw, the claws!
"Aggggggggghhhhh!" Nero groaned in pain as he felt it a bit too late, with the wolf fully revealing himself. Despite him being the lonely wolf here, he just asked: "Hello there... remember me?" The voice of that wolf... was oddly familiar... and the scent of that wolf... oh no, it could not be that same wolf who...
"No! It cannot be you!" Nero whispered out of shock as he was dealing with the pain in his paw, seeing that the wolf in front of him was that same wolf who attacked him one year ago, the intruder! But the intruder wolf just said: "It appears to be it is me... and I have returned, for my revenge!"
But Nero didn't want to fight this wolf back, with him saying: "Please, don't do any of this! Let me go, I didn't want any harm to you at all!" While that was the truth, the intruder wolf spoke: "Yet you still think that you dogs are superior to us wolves?! I'm going to teach you a lesson that's going to be seen by your companions."
Then, the intruder wolf released his claws out of Nero's paw, but as quick as the flash, he smacked him in the head with the stunningly quick slap that made Nero fall on his back, out of the sight of his companions. The wolf put the paw on Nero's throat, being ready to pierce his claws out again.
"When I am done with you, I'm going to get that shiny thing you've been keeping and never return it while your friends will be traumatized by your sudden death." While the wolf was smiling diabolically at his supposed victim, he was too busy to notice the stirring in the bushes behind. "As is the matter of the fact, I have been following you for days, and now is the time for me to announce you... Ligh...!"
SCHLAP!
That was the kind of slap that not only smacked the wolf right into his face and stunned him, but also surprised both Nero and the wolf out of their furs, considering the fact that they were not expecting any kind of arrival. Who could that have been?! Saving Nero in the dark of the night!? Unless...
The canine was standing in the dark, tall, black and carrying something in his mouth. It was already above the wolf, who was on his back. Fuming with anger, the canine growled in a familiar voice: "Get away from my brother-in-law, you scumbag!"
With the wolf seeing that the tides of fight was going to go in Nero's favor and that he stood no chance, the wolf ran away out of the fear all the way in the heart of the wilderness. With him gone, Nero exhaled in relief as he was unexpectedly saved. But that voice, with some kind of clothing in his mouth and being tall...
"Nero, what the hell are you doing up awake here?!" The canine asked him with a quite worried voice and the voice was getting more familiar. Eventually, as he was getting the scent in... could it be?! Was it a miracle?! It had to be a miracle as Nero screamed out of the joy: "RODNEY?! OH MY GOODNESS, YOU'RE ALIVE!"
Rodney smiled at Nero, but then he was stunned when Nero embraced him tightly in a brotherly fashion, almost squeezing the air out of his lungs. When Nero released him, Rodney coughed several times out of relief, but Nero was already back to his company, screaming: "NAIA, SIRIUS, GEED! WAKE UP, RODNEY IS ALIVE!"
While Rodney stepped ahead to see Nero waking his companions up, he was smiling widely to see that his companions were alive and well. And of course, when they woke up, all three rushed to Rodney, saying: "Rodney! I'm so happy to see you alive!"; "We almost thought we lost you!" or even: "You have no idea how shocked I was to see you fall in the river!"
With him being released from the such embraces, Rodney approached Nero, gave him something that was in his jaws - Amanda's bandanna, but it was quite wet. Looking by Nero's side, Rodney just let him know this: "Nero, you don't need to blame yourself for what happened early last night. I'd never ever give up to the fate of the nature!"
That was more than relieving for Nero, but now that they were all fully awake, they were wondering if they were going to be able to go to sleep again. Thankfully, Rodney also said this: "Good news, the town of Ruby is not far from our position. They have a boiler room where we can sleep over and not to mention that Amanda's bandanna can get dry there."
Seeing that they were not too far from the human settlement, the group of five headed towards the town of Ruby, with Nero carrying Amanda's wet bandanna and Geed carrying Elizabeth's heirloom. In the matter of the minutes, 15 to be exact, they managed to reach the town of Ruby and they also found the boiler room.
Once they were in there, Rodney settled them all down and narrated them how after he fell in the river, he was trying to resurface, but due to the fall, he passed out and once he was awaken, he was resting on the bank near the town of Ruby, recovering his strength. Amanda's bandanna was entangled on his paw.
When the night fell, after he was fully ready to move on, he let them know that he knew they were behind because their scents hadn't passed throughout the town. Once he had found them, he saw the wolf sneaking near their settlement, knowing that was one chance only.
Once Rodney was done, Geed gained his cheerful personality back again so he could say: "Alright, now that we have heard this all... we are happy to see you back, brother. But we shall head to sleep everyone, the day awaits us later on!" He was right, they needed the sleep. When Nero put the bandanna on the warm spot in the boiler room, they were all heading to sleep.
With the journey ahead for the five canines the next morning, they were making sure to return to Nome safely, staying close to each other and relying on their wits if necessary. Despite the dangers being imminent over the course of the next few days, surprisingly, nothing had happened to them at all!
Then, at the evening of the third day...
"Do you think that this could be the trail used for the mail delivery?" Geed asked Rodney as they were travelling throughout the familiar trail on their way. All in all, with Rodney's look full of hope, it was obvious what his answer was. The others were quite relieved by that.
"Keep in mind, you three, that we'll be there for you until we reach the den. Then you may proceed safely to the town of Nome." Naia let them know, indicating the possible dangers on their way despite the fact that they were really pretty near their territory. Then, as they were walking, Sirius was sniffing something in the air.
The others spotted that and with them being high in hopes, Nero asked him: "Sirius? Is this the beginning of the territory?" The answer was more than relieving, as Sirius was smiling for good reason - they were indeed near their territory, considering the fact that they had went through White Mountain early that morning already.
"Come on, we're almost home!" Sirius nodded to them all, indicating that they were home in a matter of the minutes. But as Naia knew that, she just placed her paw on Sirius' and reminded him: "Have you forgotten to indicate them we are coming?" It came to him that he realized what was she talking about.
Rodney, Geed and Nero saw how their wolf companions were stretching themselves and raising their heads up, both of them let out the powerful, loud combined howl and once they were done, they were waiting for the signal. That signal, which was supposed to be the returning howl - returned to them!
"That has to be Tundra!" Naia cheerful yelled as she could recognize her sister's howl despite the other howls being there. Looking back at the others, she just cheerfully said: "Come on, y'all! We better get moving for the wolf reunion here!" Wasting no time, Nero, Rodney, Geed and Sirius followed Naia gracefully as they were entering Tundra's territory.
While they were moving through the bushes and trees, Geed had a bit hard time going through as he had to carry the heirloom quite carefully. Thankfully, with the howls being clearer and louder, they were near the den! And there they could see the wolves waiting for them.
Then, the familiar voices were heard, such as: "Sirius, my brother! You're home!" That was Orion, Sirius' brother who awaited his brother with a proper brotherly embrace. Then there wer the other familiar voices, such as: "They're back!"; "Naia, our baby sister!" or even. "Oh my goodness, you are back!" Denahi, Tundra and Aki said these upon noticing the company.
While they were being greeted warmly by the wolves there, all five of them, including the good friends of Denahi and Akiak, the high-pitched voice, belonging to the wolf puppy, yipped: "Mama! Papa! You're home!" It was little Frost, one of four puppies of Naia and Sirius. Along her were her siblings, who cheerfully rushed to their parents, rushing to hug them by their legs, with them delightfully laughing.
Now that they were all cheerfully greeted by the wolves, now the next thing was that Rodney, Geed and Nero had to return to the town. Knowing for sure that it was safe now, Tundra walked up to them and just said: "It's okay. The town awaits you, guys. And Nero... In the name of us all, we wish you all the best with you and Amanda!"
Accepting his cousin's wish, Nero embraced Tundra once again before he had to head back towards the town of Nome, with his brother-in-law and Geed accompanying him. What was for sure was that they were going to be safe thanks to Rodney!
"Come on, you two! We are almost home!" Rodney shouted to his brother-in-law and his stepbrother as they were nearing the edge of the forest that was having a good look on the beach with the old boat out there. For days Rodney was longing to see his beloved mate Kiana and his pups, Neve being among them. She must have been missing her father by now!
And there it was... the end of the forest and the beginning of the beach outside Nome. It had a really good view on the town of Nome in the distance. Now that they were standing there, Geed and Rodney whispered both in awe: "Nome... home sweet Nome." But Nero didn't whisper in awe.
He howled.
With his loud and powerful howl, he was finally indicating to all canines of Nome and around that he had returned from his long and exhausting journey. Along with Nero, Geed and Rodney howled to let everyone know that they had returned home!
And then, just few seconds later, some of the howls in the town of Nome echoed and Nero immediately recognized one of them - Amanda! Along with Rodney recognizing Kiana's howl and Geed recognizing his mother's howl and Amber's howl, they could all run towards Nome out of happiness!
With them running at full speed towards their hometown, they had spotted several canines heading towards them, and Nero spotted Amanda in front of him! The other canines that were there, Steele, Lizzy, Amanda's siblings, his own siblings, Rodney's siblings, Kiana and her pups, Amber... to count them all, the closest of the families of theirs were there!
"NERO!" Amanda yelled in an excitement, seeing her boyfriend after a long while home. With him going at the full speed, he managed to stop just in time in front of Amanda. She also managed to stop, but then they both embraced each other quite emotionally, with the tears in Amanda's eyes out of joy and Nero laughing out of delight to see Amanda again! "Nero! You're home, I cannot believe you're home!"
Nor could he, being with his future mate home, wrapping his legs around Amanda's back and hugging her as if he hadn't seen her in ages! Then, it came to Kiana, Amber, Yukon, Yin and Yang to greet their family member in a very beloved fashion. Their brother, their son, his nephew, home after a long while.
Then, after being embraced by his family, Nero once again looked at Amanda and lowered his head, dropping her bandanna down. Picking it out with his jaws and looking lovingly at her he said: "This belongs to you. Thank you." And with Amanda nodding as if she was saying: "You're so welcome.", Nero gave her bandanna back.
Looking at Rodney, who was not only being embraced by his siblings, his mother Shira, his mate Kiana and by their pups, but he couldn't hide the urge to embrace his own father Steele, telling him: "I did it, dad... I have protected them all with every wits I could rely on!" And while Steele was flattered to be called "dad" by his son, with whom his relationship was stranded, he did embrace him.
"Oh, Nero! Did you find it?!" It was Elizabeth, as she was hugging her future son-in-law for going on a such journey. Then, Geed let out one "Ahem" and looking at her beloved son, Lizzy found that her son was holding the heirloom in his jaws, with him said muffled: "I think this belongs to you, mom." Without any doubts, she embraced him tightly.
Now that Geed let down the collar so she could take it, Elizabeth indeed took it and turning towards Amanda, she just said: "Amanda, my darling, this is yours now." While Amanda didn't put it on immediately, she did gran it with her jaws and said muffled: "Thanks a lot, mom." This meant one thing - she and Nero were going to become mates easily now!
"Where's our brave and adventurous grandson?!" The familiar voice was heard and of course, both Balto and Jenna rushed to Nero, embracing him as if they hadn't seem him in ages. Now that Nero was laughing out of joy to see his heroic grandfather and his grandmother, Jenna spoke: "You have to tell us what happened out there!"
Looking at Geed and Rodney, who were at the brink of exhaustion, Nero looked at his grandparents and said: "Now that we went through a lot these days, mind if the five of us, with Naia and Sirius in the forest, tell you about our adventures tomorrow? We are really, really exhausted!" And of course, Balto and Jenna nodded in an approval, with Balto saying: "You deserve it."
Now looking at Amanda, with her still holding the heirloom in her jaws, she came to nuzzle him affectionately again. Not wanting to ruin anything at all, Nero had to ask: "Amanda, you don't mind if our romantic night... is not going to be tonight? I had gone through so much!" And thankfully, Amanda whispered: "It's okay, we'll have it in a day or two! Let's go to sleep at once!"
And of course, since the others were heading home, with sharing joys and promising the stories to tell tomorrow together, Nero and Amanda headed back into the town. Since Nero was through many things, Amanda decided to treat him by going to sleep at his place! As if it couldn't get any better than that!
Then, with the next day arriving, Nero, Rodney, Geed, Naia and Sirius had the entire afternoon to tell the others about their incredible journey, how they managed to prevent the heirloom being taken to the town of Anchorage, how Rodney fell into the river and how he saved Nero from the ferocious wolf. While Rodney's incident was a bit surprising, the others were delighted by the fact that he was too tough to meet his destiny, for now.
When it was all done with the talk, and the fact that there were more to be heard from the dogs of Nome what was happening there, there was something important coming up. That came in form of Amanda happily heading towards Nero, nuzzling him affectionately and she whispered: "Are you ready to come with me on a special night?"
He knew what was she saying - this was going to be their night, the night where they were going to seal their relationship once and for all. Embracing her tightly, Nero said quite satisfied: "Always... I shall come to your place and we may go together, alright?" Amanda laughed in delight as she knew that this was going to be the best night of her life!
And as the evening was nearing by, Nero was getting ready for this date, grooming himself with the help of his sisters and his mother, making sure that he was going to look the finest for this memorable night. In fact, with Kiana, Amber and Yin's assistance, there was no doubt that Nero was looking beyond perfect!
"Look at yourself! You must be the most handsome looking dog in this town tonight!" Yin praised her son as she presented Nero in the mirror, who was literally looking perfect with him being groomed. Chuckling nervously, he added: "I guess so, mom." But Kiana and Amber just said: "There's no "I guess so"! You ARE perfect, Nero!"
Not wanting to argue with his sisters, he nodded in an approval and now was ready to head out there and meet up with Amanda, who had to be grooming at home. Making his progress towards her house, he had noticed that Steele, Balto and Jenna were there, with the latter one noticing: "And here's our proud groom!"
Chuckling once again nervously, Nero headed towards them and just said: "Ahhh, come on, grandma Jenna." He couldn't say anything, as he actually had nothing to say anymore. Looking at the doors, he wondered: "Now all that's needed is for Amanda to come." Steele approved that greatly.
"Don't worry, Nero. Now that you have her, make sure that you cherish every single moment of your life with her!" Balto recommended him, knowing that with him being determined to keep up with Amanda, he was going to look after her. Then, the dog doors were heard creeking, with Elizabeth being the one exiting, with a huge smile on her face!
"There she comes!" Elizabeth spoke, with her looking at Steele and Nero, with them both looking so excited to see Amanda come out. Then, the human doors were opened and both Noir and Annabeth were standing there. Annabeth looked towards the room and said: "Come on, Amanda!"
Once that Amanda revealed herself, Nero looked at her and could not believe what he had seen. Amanda had to be looking like the prettiest dog he had ever seen! With her perfectly groomed fur and that beautiful diamond collar around her neck, Elizabeth's heirloom that was - his jaw dropped in awe.
"Hey, Nero!" Amanda greeted him delightfully as the diamonds on the collar sparkled strongly. Heading towards him, she nuzzled Nero deeply and asked him for the last time: "Are you ready for this?" She was obviously referring for their romantic night, with him saying: "I am ready, Amanda."
With him raising the paw to go for their romantic night, Amanda accepted his offer and both of them could go now. The others who remained behind looked in delight. Steele, who was quite heartwarmed by all this, said to Balto and Jenna: "Well, here comes the stronger bond between our relationship, in hopes of improvement." Truth to be said, Balto and Jenna accepted that greatly.
Back to Nero and Amanda, who were passing by the last houses of the town while making it to the top of the snowy hills above the town of Nome. Their date was going to be up there, with the shiny stars of the bright sky and with the chances of Aurora Borealis to snow. This was meaning one thing - unforgettable night for them both!
"Well, here we are!" Nero suddenly stopped in his tracks as he found the exactly perfect spot for both himself and Amanda to stop. Sitting down in the snow, with Amanda doing the same thing, they cuddled closely to each other and lovingly, knowing that his was going to get progressively better!
Looking around themselves, Amanda was pretty much pleased by this beautiful sight so all she had to say was: "Oh, Nero! You're a wonder to start with! This is a really beautiful place!" All that Nero did was a slight blush, but nonetheless, remained cool by his girlfriend! Looking at her collar, he could see the star reflections in the diamonds, making Amanda even more stunningly beautiful!
Sighing in content, Nero couldn't resist the urge but to say: "Have I told you before that you are looking marvelous with that collar?" Looking at the collar she was wearing, Amanda giggled softly and commented: "Now you did. Though, I decided not to keep it. I shall give it back to my mom. Or I shall give it to one of my sisters or one of my brother's girlfriends, yeah?"
While he did feel the slight disappointment that Amanda was going to wear Elizabeth's heirloom only once so far, at least she had chosen the right time when to wear it. Suddenly, there was something in the diamonds, shining brightly and colorfully, indicating something amazing. Being faster than Amanda, he whispered: "The northern lights!"
At first, Amanda didn't hear him quite well because his whisper was a bit too inaudible, but when she noticed the colors of the Northern lights completely surrounding them, she was pretty much amazed by the mosaic of the lights around them!
Then, out of the surprise and mischievousness, Amanda felt like she was being tackled on her back and before she had a chance to get up, she noticed that Nero was laying on top of her and was wrapping his paws around her neck, smiling quite romantically on that sight. Amanda blushed slightly and giggled as well on that one.
"Oh very funny, Nero!" Amanda's giggling turned into sweet laughing, as well as Nero laughed with her. Looking at her boyfriend from below, she couldn't believe how handsome he was looking like that from that view, she just said: "I have never though that you'd be this handsome from my view."
Much to Nero's delight, who not only was amazed by the diamond reflection of the lights, but the fact that Amanda was looking so incredibly cute from there. He just had to add: "And let's not forget how cute you look like this, much cuter than I'd ever thought."
With him having her and vice versa, the flashes of Nero's moments with Amanda, such as playing with her as a puppy, protecting her from her ex, taking care of her the best way possible all the way till the recent journey... that made him smile dreamily. But then, he went on to ask: "Amanda, will you be my mate?"
Just as they were both expecting, Amanda's eyes widened in happiness upon being asked that. She couldn't deny that, not after everything he had done to her! Smiling sweetly once again, she commented: "Only with you, Nero. Only with you." With that said, he delightfully nuzzled her as they were cuddling with each other on the hills, under the starry night and the veil of the northern lights.
