that?” she asked, “Even though I don’t have much experience?”

“Hey, no one is experienced on their first day,” Misha replied, “But you have talent. Talent that only a lead dog can have.”

“I know this is hard for you; it sure is for us, but we’re a team Sonya,” Jake continued, “You aren’t alone anymore. We’ll always be there for you. Besides, someone has to lead us and you’re the best dog for the job.”

“Even though I’m only half dog?” she asked.

“Hey, there are some things that a dog can’t do,” Jake replied, “But that a wolf can.”

----------

Epilogue: A New Deal

Sonya had been resting for the past few days, and during that time, she had been mulling over what to do with Steele. Before, she had wanted to tell everyone what she had learned, but after that run, something in her head was telling her not to. She knew that it would result in him being banished, but that didn’t seem like the right thing to do anymore. He may have gotten Marcus lost, but he had also helped her get him home, along with making sure she got home safely as well.

“Balto was willing to give me another chance, as long as I gave him another one too. We decided to bury our past feelings and leave them behind.”

She had mostly been thinking over Kaltag’s words. Like Steele, he had been a bully before, but Balto still decided to let him start over. Could she forgive Steele the same way Balto had forgiven Kaltag? Could she just bury what he had done to her? “Well, if I’m going to be on the same team as him, I may have to. However, I will need a way to keep him on a tight leash.”

As she lay in front of the fireplace, she heard a faint rustling under the floorboards. Curious, she got up and walked to the door, passing by Marcus, who was resting on the couch. His leg had been wrapped in a cast, and other than needing some time near the fire to warm up after being out in the cold for so long, he had suffered no other injuries. She left the house and crept around the side until she found the open board that led into the crawlspace. She poked her head in and saw that it was Steele, hiding under her home.

“So that’s where you’ve been,” she said, “I haven’t seen you since we got back home.”

“Yeah, well it’s probably safer here, considering you’ve probably told everyone that I’m a big liar by now,” he replied.

“Actually, I haven’t told anyone yet,” she replied, “I’ve been spending the last few days thinking about what to do with you, and I’ve made my decision. I’m not going to tell them and I’ll let you stay in White Mountain,” she said.

“R-really?” he asked, “You’re letting me off the hook?”

“Not exactly. There will be one condition that I expect you to follow,” she replied. He may have helped her out, but she wasn’t going to let him off with a slap on the paw. She would have to make sure that there wouldn’t be a repeat of what had happened before, “First thing’s first; on this team, I am the lead dog. Not you, me. I expect you to follow my instructions and I don’t want any back-sass from you about me being part-wolf. You may have helped me get Marcus home, but don’t think that means I’ll instantly forgive everything you did to me,” she said. She may have been willing to accept him into her team, but he would still have to earn her trust, “Now, is that too much to ask? Can you run under the orders of a half-wolf, or do you want to try your luck in the next town?”

“I’d rather stay here,” he replied, “If it means I can stay here, then I suppose I can tolerate being around you,” he may have accepted her offer, but Steele would always have his prejudice against half-wolves.

“Good,” she finished and turned to leave. However, another thought came to her, and she stopped, “Oh, and Steele, thanks for not leaving me behind.”

“It was only fair. After all, you did save me from falling off that cliff,” he replied, “Not even Balto did that for me.”

----------

Sonya, Jake, Sierra, Jonathan, Ellie, Marcus, Maddie, Bruno, Misha, Tom, Felix and Amak belong to iWolf231, and may not be used in any way without my direct permission.

All other characters belong to Universal Studios and Amblimation