too… after all, you're their father and you're part-"

"Star, shut up," Kaltag hissed at him, knocking him with his paw as Balto continued to glare at him.

"So, is that how you see them – still part wolf?" Balto asked, his tone flat.

"That's not all of it. Star didn't mean anything wrong by it… right?" Kaltag put in, taking a quick glance over at Star. The smaller husky nodded and Kaltag turned back to Balto. "See, we didn't mean any harm. We're your friends, remember?"

"Yes… but I just don't want everyone making a big deal over how they're part wolf and have a part wolf father," Balto explained, much calmer.

"Really? I thought you were all at peace and such with being part wolf. I mean, you've been visiting Maska and his pack quite a bit," Kaltag started.

"Most of the dogs here don't mind having you around," Star continued.

"Not to mention that youse saved us with those wolfy senses of yours," Nikki finished.

"I know, but that's because you know me already. My pups are just getting their start and I don't want them feeling like they're different from everyone else; it may make it harder for them."

"Or, it might make it easier. After all, who wouldn't want to be friends with one of the kids of the famous Balto?" Kaltag replied.

"I can tell you who - people and dogs who aren't exactly like you. Let's face it, I may have won most of the town over, but there are still those who don't like wolves and wolf hybrids," Balto explained. "Maybe not in this town, but what about other towns? I don't want them to be judged by what they are. Look, I don't expect you to know exactly where I'm coming from on this, but-"

"That's where you're wrong," Kaltag cut in. "Believe me, the three of us know what it's like to be seen as different. Think about it, we were a Chinook, a chow and a runt - no offence, Star - among a bunch of huskies. Yes, we got a little lip, but it got better. I mean, look at me, I'm the lead dog of the town's championship team and my breed is still a work in progress!"

"Maybe, but in the end you're still dogs. Wolves… they carry a bit more of a stigma than you guys would," Balto admitted. As much as he didn't like it, Kaltag knew he had a point. Wolves were in a class of their own compared to dogs. "Look, all I'm asking is that you have a little discretion around them. If anyone's going to tell them anything about being part wolf it should be me and Jen."

"Yeah, it's best if they hear it from you guys. Have you told them anything yet?" Kaltag asked.

"No. To be honest I don't know what I should tell them."

"Why don't youse just tell it as it is?" Nikki asked.

"Because that might not be the best thing for them. Being part wolf might be harder for them than just being another husky on the block," he explained. "I know it sounds a little dishonest to think about hiding it from them, but part of me just-"

"Wants to protect them from what happened to you," Kaltag finished, and Balto nodded. As much as they wanted to tell him to be honest, the three could sympathize, not only because they knew what it was like to be picked on as well, but because they'd also had a hand in the mistreatment towards Balto in the past. "Alright, if you want, we'll hold back on mentioning the 'w' word around them until you decide what to do for them. I'll make sure to pass that on to the rest of the team as well."

"Thanks guys… sorry for getting a little tense there. I guess I've been under a lot of stress, what with the pups and the restless nights I've been having."

"Yeah, your eyes are lookin' a little droopy dere," Nikki added.

"Uh oh, better make sure he doesn't fall asleep right in the street," Kaltag cracked, and the four of them chuckled. It was only after having a moment where he wasn't chasing the pups around that he realized how exhausted he really was. In part it was because of the work looking after the pups, but it was also because his dreams always managed to cut his sleep by an hour or so. After bidding his friends goodbye, Balto dashed off to reunite with his family, leaving the three sled dogs to think over what he'd said.

"I sure hope Balto doesn't end up lying to his little ones dere," Nikki stated.

"But he only wants what's best for them," Star countered.

"Yes, but he's forgetting one thing," Kaltag mused. "Not every dog out there is as bad as Steele was. There's more good in this world than he thinks."

----------

While he'd managed to get his friends to hold some restraint, Balto knew it would only be a temporary fix. Something better was needed for the long run, but he was still torn between telling and not telling his pups about his wolf half. While he was grappling with this, his dreams continued, but this time the wolves became more prominent. They were appearing quicker in the dream, but every time he tried to turn his back on them, disaster would strike and the dream world would collapse around him. Once, a slab of ice slammed into him, and when he woke up he swore his side was aching. They were becoming more disruptive, and one night he actually tried to stay up through the night just to avoid having the dream. His mind wandered as he stared out into the dark night, with the only sound being Boris' soft snoring. Inevitably, his mind turned to his pups and a sense of urgency started to overtake him.

'I have to think of something soon. It's only a matter of time before they start talking, and then they'll be asking lots of questions, including about me. I need to figure out what answer I should give them because I don't want to be caught unprepared. If I say the wrong thing then it could adversely affect them for years. I could easily tell five of them that they're huskies because they look the part, but Aleu…' His thought trailed off as he realized that as the days went on, Aleu was looking more and more like one of Maska's cubs than her siblings. 'How would I explain that? It's easy to do now because they're small, but what about when they grow up and leave? They'll be given away to human owners in a few weeks and I should decide how much they should know about themselves before they go off into the world.'

Conflicted, exhausted, and with nothing else to guide him, he felt utterly lost. He and Jenna had been so occupied taking care of the pups that they hadn't had much time to sit down and talk this through. Other than Jenna, the only other one he felt could help him was Maska. He hadn't visited his friend because of the time his pups demanded, but he remembered that this was a day where Rosy's family would be home and could take care of the pups. His absence wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

Jumping off his boat, he padded towards the woods, quickly finding his way towards Maska's territory. If there was anyone that could give advice on pups that was also wolf related, it was him. He'd been able to help him when he was having troubles with his wolf side before, and hoped he'd be able to do the same again. The morning sun was starting to clear the horizon and filter through the trees as he arrived, and he let out a howl to call him. It didn't take long for Maska to arrive, beaming at his friend.

"Balto, I haven't seen you for a while. How are things?" he greeted.

"For the most part, okay. The pups arrived a few weeks ago and I've been tied up with them since."

"So, is your pack as much of a bundle of fun as mine was?" he chuckled.

"That, and then some - they seem intent on destroying anything they can get their paws on. Even things I thought couldn't get destroyed they're managing to damage."

"Ah, yes. When you get a bunch of pups together, who knows what kind of ruckus they can cause - although with wolf cubs there are less material goods to be destroyed."

"Except they aren't doing damage as a group - they each go off in different directions at once. It doesn't help that there's only two of us to the six of them."

"You have six pups? Congratulations! What do they look like?"

"Most of them take after their mother, but they're different enough to tell who's who. There's really only one of them who takes after me. Her name's Aleu."

"Most look like their mom, eh? Hm, one would think there'd be more of you in there… but these things are always unpredictable. In the end they're still your pups and they'll bring you joy for years to come."

"Oh yeah… they joy of watching them devour the human's newspapers sure sounds like a great time," Balto said nonchalantly.

"Is that the only dilemma that's facing you?" Maska queried. "If so, I'd suggest getting them a bunch of sticks to chew on instead. My cubs love 'em, and sometimes I let them chase me around and try to grab a stick from my jaws."

"I'll keep that in mind. Truth be told, them chewing stuff up isn't what I'm really worried about. It's something I've been worried about since before they were born, but I haven't been able to think of anything to help it." Maska tilted his head to side as he tried to understand what he was getting at, so Balto decided to lay