end."

"Again," Balto thought sadly.

"Always remember that I am with you every step of your journey, my son. Draw strength from your wolf heritage, as you are pure and untainted by the corruption and division of the wolves that your daughter is beginning to unite and heal."

Suka leaned down to kiss Balto's head. "I'm happy we had this time together, my son," he said gently. "I always wanted to tell you how proud I am of you. I love you."

"I love you too, papa," Balto said, his voice trembling. Suka gave his son one last hug and stood up to go. Balto sat up and looked at the two of them, one pure white and the other black with brown markings. His parents. He had been without parents for so long, it was strange for him to think of having parents at all.

"Goodbye, little one. I will walk with you always," Aniu said as she and Suka began to fade away.

"Goodbye mother, papa," Balto said quietly.

"Thank you for my life."

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Epilogue

Balto awoke to the morning sunlight streaming into his boat. He felt refreshed, better than he had in a long time. He got up and walked out to the deck to look out at the ocean and think about his dream that wasn't really a dream. He yawned and watched the sunlight play with the waves, and thought about everything his mother had told him over the course of the night.

"Good morning, my love," said a voice from behind him.

"Jenna! It's so good to see you," Balto said happily. He turned and walked to her, and they kissed deeply and sat down together on the deck. "What are you doing up here so early? Not that I mind, of course." He nuzzled her face gently.

Jenna smiled and nuzzled him back. "Well... just a little bit ago I woke up because I thought I heard something outside. I looked out the window and I didn't see anything, but something in the sky caught my eye. It was a raven, Balto. It was circling above my house. I knew it wasn't a coincidence, so I went outside and followed her. I saw her fly out of town to your boat, and I knew what she wanted. So, why does Aniu wish for me to be here with you right now, my love?"

Balto smiled. "I had an amazing dream last night, and my mother knew I would want to tell you all about it. She likes you too, you know," he said. "She thinks very highly of you actually. She even said it was your gentle demeanor that is allowing our daughter Aleu to lead her wolf pack with wisdom along with the strength of her wolf side."

Jenna stared at Balto. "She... she told you all that? When? How? Is Aleu all right? I miss my baby, tell me she's all right!"

"She's fine, love," Balto assured her. "Like I said, it was an amazing dream. Come here, and let me tell you all about it." Jenna lay down against Balto, and he lay down and curled up around her. He wrapped his front paws around her shoulders and lay his head down against her neck. Jenna sighed in contentment and licked his nose.

"It was incredible," he began. "I was leading my own sled team across the mountain pass and into the forest, and it was the fastest I had ever run before..."

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-Xaqtly