fall apart around him. He told him about Tikani's plan for revenge and how they barely escaped with their lives. "We managed to lose them, but I don't think they're going to give up. That's why we have to get back home as soon as possible."

"Oh my, you two really have been through a lot," Mack agreed. "It's a good thing you have friends in such high places. I don't think I've ever heard of a dog having such allies in a wolf pack as you have with Maska."

"Being part wolf helps with that part," Balto replied. "Unfortunately, it's also been a source of trouble over the years."

"Well, trouble or not, what matters is that you two got out okay," Mack replied. "You said you're from Nome right? I think I might be able to help you out here."

"You know a way back?" Balto asked, his tail giving a few anxious wags.

"Of course I do. It may surprise you, but I used to be a sled dog too. Nome's pretty familiar to me," Mack replied. "You remember that gorge you crossed right? From here, you'd have to go back there, hang a left and follow it south towards the ocean. Over time, the gorge shallows out and you'll be able to cross near the coast. Once you're at the coastline, turn right to head west and that should take you to Nome."

Balto grinned, his tail wags becoming more rapid. "You have no idea how much you have helped me out here. Thank you, how can I ever repay you?"

"I'd like it if you don't mention that I'm out here to anyone," Mack suggested. "I've enjoyed my peace in my later years and I'd appreciate not having anyone else disturb it."

"I can do that," Balto replied. "Although, I'm curious how you yourself ended up here. Normally a dog like you would be with a human owner."

"I had a feeling you'd ask that," Mack said, smiling a little. "Unlike you, I'm here by choice because this has been my home since I was born. I did have a human family at one time, and a mate and pups too," he started, seeming to enjoy the reflection. He took a breath in and closed his eyes while he recalled the memories. "However, when my owner and his wife wanted to have children of their own, they wanted to move away to White Mountain to raise their family. It would mean leaving the only home I've known. Call me a hopeless romantic, but I felt a bond with this place, and so did Marion," he continued, opening his eyes as his expression grew sombre.

"By then our pups were grown and wantin' to move on, but we wanted to stay. Most of them thought we were crazy and tried to make us come, but not my eldest…" he continued, his smile starting to return. "Amak always was the level-headed and responsible one of the group. He told them to leave us be, as we felt somethin' they didn't understand yet. Even then, he understood the power love can hold over you, whether it's towards a home," he explained, before turning towards Jenna. "Or towards someone that's special to you… you know, you kinda remind me of Amak," he mused, turning to look directly at Balto. "I can't put my paw on it, but there's somethin' about you that makes me think of my son…" he trailed off, before remembering to get back to the story at hand. "Anyways, the day came and while the rest of them moved on, we stayed together back here. It was hard at first, livin' as strays, but I managed to support us by hunting, and we got by. We grew old and lived out our lives together… but last year… Marion's time came."

"I'm so sorry," Balto said.

"There's no need to be," Mack said, shaking his head. "We lived a wonderful life together and I wouldn't change a thing about it. Granted, I never saw my pups again. They may even have families of their own - which would make me a grandfather - but we made our choice and never regretted it. Every dog has their time; hers was then and I know mine will be soon. What matters is that you enjoy the time you have with those you love. You still have many years ahead of you, and I'm sure you'll enjoy them with Jenna. Do you get my meanin'?"

On hearing Mack's story, Balto found that he could identify with him quite well. They may have had different circumstances in their lives, but Mack had done many things out of love, just as Balto had done many things for Jenna. Looking over at her, he knew that he wanted to have as much time with her as he could - and with their new family. "Yeah, I think I do," he replied. "I'm a stray too, but that hasn't stopped us from loving each other. I want to have as much time as I can with her… and with my pups too," he said, earning a quizzical look from Mack. "I found out I'm going to be a father today," he explained, his expression morose.

"That's wonderful! If you're half as clever as you sound, you'll make an excellent poppa for them," he exclaimed, and noticed Balto's expression. "Hey, why the long face? Aren't you happy about it?"

"I am, but as long as we're out here, they're in danger. It's not fair to them because they did nothing. I was the one who messed up on this one."

"They may be in danger, but you can't blame yourself for it," Mack urged. "You did everythin' you could for the wolves and the dogs in town, and you're doing everythin' you can to keep your love safe."

Balto thought about his words, trying to clear his gloom, but he still felt like this was his responsibility. 'I can't fail now… others look to me as a hero and I can't let them down,' he thought, remaining silent for a moment.

"You know what? You need to focus on something other than your doubts. I would think that after a long day, you two would be pretty hungry. How's about you and I go out and get somethin'. Having a young guy like you would be a great help."

"I would, but I can't leave her, especially now," Balto returned. "I have to look after her."

"Alright, that's fine," Mack said. "Though, I can't guarantee you anything much on my own. I'm not as spry as I used to be."

"That's fine… if it comes down to it, Jenna can have it first. She needs it most and I'm no stranger to going a couple of days without food."

"Okay, you just take care of yourself."

"I will, and thanks for everything," Balto replied.

"It's nothin'. Just one stray helpin' out another," Mack finished before turning to leave the area, quickly disappearing into the dark night.

The day had been a challenge for him and Jenna, but they survived it and managed to find a new friend as well. It was the first good sign after a really bad day, and Balto could already feel like things were turning around. He returned to the cabin, lying with Jenna and letting himself doze off. However, both he and Mack failed to notice the canine-shaped shadow depart from a short distance away. The shadow had been watching them, listening in to their conversation. It raced through the dark wood back the way it came, towards the gorge Balto had crossed earlier. The bridge may have been toppled, but this one had managed to find a narrow spot to cross over. Crossing back at the same point, he was eager to report what he had found…

----------

"Tikani, I have news!" the wolf eagerly called, rushing towards his alpha. He'd made the journey back to his own territory in record time. By now, Tikani had recovered from his altercation, but was unable to catch up with Balto and Jenna, leaving him in quite a huff. He sent out scouts to scour the area, vowing that none would rest until his quarry had been found. "I found the wolfdog and the husky!"

"What? Where are they?" he demanded, his eyes wild with anticipation. There was another wolf with him who watched anxiously for what the next move would be.

"They're to the northeast of the gorge, near an abandoned human den," the wolf reported. "I managed to find a crossing across the gorge a few minutes north from where we last saw them."

"Yes… now we can right the wrong that was done to our pack," Tikani said darkly before turning to the wolf with him. "Alright Atka, we move as soon as everyone's ready."

"How many will be coming?" Atka asked.

"Everyone; they won't have a chance of escaping us again if we have everyone in pursuit," he replied, causing Atka to stutter in response.

"E-Everyone? Surely you can't be serious. We can't send everyone on a chase and leave our own territory unprotected," Atka protested. "They have already escaped our borders; I don't think it's wise to drag this out any further."

"I am not giving up! The quicker we find them, the quicker we can return to our homeland, so don't worry about it," Tikani snapped, but his words did little to assure his companion. "You go off and find those friends of yours. I want to leave as soon as possible."

Atka opened his mouth in response, but Tikani shot him a scathing glare that made him shut it before he departed. He still thought that sending everyone out was overkill, but his alpha had already made his decision. Soon enough, he found the two wolves he'd been sent for.

"There you are Atka; the pup and I were starting to get anxious," one of them