Steele lounged at the center of the old meetinghouse where the dogs gathered, basking in attention as he spun his latest tale, gnawing lazily on a bone.

“Of course, as you know, I just…” He paused for effect, sucking on the bone dramatically. “I swam, and I swam, it was freezing cold.” He tossed the bone into the air, catching it effortlessly between his teeth. “And then… then finally, I just said, ‘Steele, you’re just gonna have to gnaw your way to the surface.’ So I—”

A distant howl cut through the air. The door burst open as a dog exclaimed.

“It’s Balto, with the medicine!”

Silence. Steele’s grin faltered for just a second before he waved it off, flashing Dixie his usual charming smile.

The elegant purple Pomeranian tilted her head, her tail flicking as she studied him. Her voice was smooth, almost sweet.

“Steele, you are positively—” Then, with sharp finality, she snapped, “—dis-POSABLE!”

With a flick of her paw, she slapped the bone from his mouth. It clattered to the floor, the sound echoing in the tense room.

A low growl rippled through the crowd. One by one, the other dogs turned away, their admiration dissolving into disgust. They moved toward the door, leaving Steele behind.

“Okay, okay… I-I can explain,” Steele stammered, his smooth confidence cracking.

Dixie huffed, tossing her head as she sauntered past him, her fluffy coat swaying with every step.

“You guys weren’t there, so you don’t… wait a min, guys! Wait just a second… please?” Steele’s voice wavered, his desperation growing.

“Get lost!” one dog barked over its shoulder as the door slammed shut.

---

He stormed farther from Nome, the icy wind biting at his fur. Betrayed, or so he thought. The town had cast him aside, but Steele wasn’t done. He would make them regret it, and from now on, he’d live in the wilderness.

"Those fucking mutts," Steele snarled, fury burning as he walked through the snowy tundra, claws digging "They think they’ve seen the last of me. I’ll make them all suffer..."