Author's Note:

My first attempt at writing sucked! Hopefully this fic will show how much I've improved

Chapter 1: The New Girl In Town

Spring was here in Nome. It still was cold, but not cold enough too freeze to death. Kodi as always delivered the mail on a daily basis, Balto was now a house pet to Duke, The pilot he saved, nothing could get better than this.

Balto awoke early that morning with a bright smile, spring was the best time of the year. Flowers blossomed, and he could spend more time with Jenna. The love of his life. He now no longer lived at the rusty boat anymore with Boris, he now had a home, a home of his own, Duke the pilot was kind enough to take him in, and once and a while he would take Balto flying in that plane of his.

“Balto breakfast's ready!” Balto wagged his tail happily as Duke called him into the kitchen. He had prepared a big breakfast for him. Balto grinned and ate it happily. After that he went outside to breath the fresh, morning air. It was a beautiful day to be outside.

“Someone's bright and cheerful this morning.”

Balto's ears perked up. “Jenna?”

Jenna looked bright as usual, her red fur shimmered in the sunlight. “Good morning to you too.” she said with a laugh, nuzzling him.

Balto chuckled and nuzzled her back.  “You wanna do something?” he asked hopefully.

Jenna nodded. “Of course, you know I could never refuse. What did you have in mind?”.

Balto gave her a sly grin “Well... I was thinking, just the two of us could go down to the beach.. and you know have a picnic. Duke would organise the snacks and...”

“... Sounds good Balto.” Jenna cut in with a grin now forming on her own face.

In the boiler room, that moment the sled team was having a meeting. Mel and Dipsy had a important announcement to make. “What is it you two? What is it you have to tell us, that just can't wait?” Kirby asked irritated.

“W-well...” Mel began.

“-Put it this way!” Dipsy cut in. “That pilot is still offering to deliver the mail!” she snapped.

The crowd gasped. “What? I thought saving him taught that monster a lesson?!” Ralph exclaimed.

“That's bad news.” Dusty said sadly keeping her head down.

Kodi sighed, it was too good to be true. Still. Duke was nice guy and now his father's owner. He remebered his father's words 'there day was coming'.  “Look guys... my dad, did say there time was coming.” he said nervously.

Kirby scoffed. “That human needs to get a life! I regret saving him. We should've let him die!”. All the other team members nodded with Kirby in agreement. “It was all your fault!”.

“My fault? How is all of this 'my fault?!” Kodi snapped.

“ENOUGH!” Dusty yelled. “Kodi isn't the one to blame. If we didn't save him, Balto's life would've been lost as well”.

Kodi sighed. “I don't regret saving Duke..I'm proud of my actions” he said softly walking out of the room.

Kirby rolled his eyes. “Good riddance”.

The team had been harsh on Kodi lately. He was now their leader, but ever since he became lead dog. The team hated him, they thought he was 'bossy', 'annoying' and 'irritating'. “I'm just trying live up to my dad's standards” he thought. “Why can't they understand that-OW!” Kodi thoughts were interrupted as he ran right into someone.

“Oh my! I'm so sorry I wasn't watching where I was going I-” she was babbling.

Kodi found it cute, he chuckled. “Hey, it's ok. ” he said with a smile. The husky was cream coloured, had crystal blue eyes and she wore quite a fancy pink collar. She was probably from a wealthy family.

She took a deep breather and smiled nervously.  “I'm Claire.” she said introducing herself.

Kodi smiled back “Kodi.” he said. “You new here? I haven't seen your around before?”.

Claire nodded.  “Me and my family just moved here from the city.” she explained.

Kodi loved the sound of her voice it was girly but sweet “Liking Nome so far?” he asked.

Claire laughed.  “It's a quiet town..everyone seems nice. I haven't had the chance to explore yet ...” her voice trailed off.

“Maybe I could give you a tour?” Kodi suggested hopefully.

Claire nodded, she didn't know him and her father always said not to talk to strangers but she was desperatley looking for someone to show her around. “Sure.. uh why not.” she replied with a small smile.

“Balto this is wonderful! You did this yourself?” Jenna asked. Her eyes were on a beautifully set out picnic, Balto wasn't wrong about that, he had prepared a variety of snacks all spread out on a blanket.

Balto laughed “No, Duke helped.” he said.

Jenna rolled her eyes playfully “Something tells me, he knows about our relationship” she said helping herself to a chocolate covered strawberry.

Balto chuckled.  “Everyone does."

Jenna's eyes fell on the seaside it was a beautiful view. Balto nuzzled her affectionately “Beautiful day huh?”.

Jenna nodded.  “Yeah.” she admitted softly. There was something she had been meaning to tell Balto, something important.  “Did you know about the mysterious killings around town?” she asked.

Balto raised an eyebrow “Killings?” he repeated.

Jenna nodded now looking worried “Yeah... few dogs have disappeared and then found a few weeks later”.

Balto frowned. “This is serious.. have they been occurring lately?”.

Jenna nodded again “Yeah.. they found a body last night... Balto I'm scared for you, and Kodi-”.

“-Hey Jen, don't worry It's gonna be ok” Balto said comforting her. This meant wolves were in town.....

“How is life in the City?” Kodi asked with curiosity as he and Clarie took a stroll around town. He had shown her already in 20 minutes various places and introduced her to various dogs.

Clarie sighed Kodi regretted to ask that question she looked uncomfortable. “It's good, but way to crowded.” she replied.

Kodi frowned.  “Something tells me, your life before wasn't so pleasant.”

Clarie laughed.  “Oh it was, it was just too much.”

Kodi chuckled.  “too much?”.

Clarie nodded rolling her eyes. “As you've noticed I come from a wealthy family”.

Kodi smirked “That still doesn't explain why you moved here. Your life sounds... perfect”.

Clarie scoffed. “Perfect? More like a nightmare” she smiled slyly. “So Kodi... I've told you a little bit about myself so.. what's your story?”.

Kodi smiled. “I'm a sled dog here in Nome, I lead a team who specialises in delivering and runnin' the mail”.

“Oh! I've heard about you guys on the radio back home.” Clarie said sounding interested. “I hear you guys also run in harsh conditions?”.

Kodi nodded.  “Yep, Let me see if I can remember my team's motto....”.

Clarie now looked amused.  “Your team's motto?”.

Kodi nodded. “It goes like this: neither snow, nor rain, nor sleep, nor hail shall stop the US mail!”.

Clarie laughed. “You are such a nerd."

Kodi blushed she was starting to enjoy his company, he could see that by the way she acted around him.

“Clarie!”

Clarie rolled her eyes and groaned irritated as a same cream coloured husky came dashing towards her. “Clarie where have you been? Dad's worried sick-”.

“-I'm ok Ryan. Kodi here was showing me around town” she said giving Kodi a small smile.

The husky known as Ryan chuckled nervously. “Sis, aren't you going to introduce me to your new boyfriend?”.

Kodi and Clarie both blushed at the mentioning of the word. “Kodi this is uh... my brother Ryan, he's quite a chatter box”.

Kodi smiled. “Nice to meet you man. Say... thinking of trying out for the team?”.

Ryan gave Clarie a quick deadly glare before turning back to Kodi. “Team?” he repeated with interest.

Kodi nodded. “Yeah, were looking for some strong built dogs like yourself”.

Clarie laughed. “How did you know about his obsession with sled teams?” she asked.

Kodi smirked. “Lucky guess. So Ryan... you think you got what it takes?”.

Ryan nodded quickily grinning widely. “When are tryouts?” he asked.

“Tomorrow morning.” Kodi replied.

Ryan smiled. “Well... I'll see you tomorrow then.” he said trotting off with Clarie following behind. She stopped and turned back to Kodi. “Will I see you tomorrow?”.

He smiled slightly. “You bet.” he had to know her, she was beautiful inside and out, Claire was perfect....

Soon it was dark, Balto wanted to visit the trio. He hadn't heard from them in a while, they had just got back to Nome a few days ago. “Balto buddy is that you? It's been so long!” Kaltag exclaimed.

Balto chuckled. “Good to see ya too Kal”.

Kaltag frowned. “Something on your mind?”.

“Yeah? What's up Balto?!”