malamute.' He passed through the treeline and onto the open tundra. The spots on the ground free of any snow were empty at the moment, but with the coming of spring, grass would sprout up and blanket the area in a green carpet.

He knew the prejudice against wolves was far from gone, and there was almost a sure chance that they would encounter at least one person with that predisposition. 'I don't want them to be exposed to what I had to be during my time here. I don't want them to feel like they aren't as good as everyone else because they're different. Things would be so much easier if they weren't part wolf as well, because then they wouldn't have any trouble fitting in like I did.' While Balto had accepted his wolf half for the most part, there was still that part of him that remembered the pain, frustration and isolation that wolf half brought him. He was not eager to repeat it, and the thought of one of his pups going through it tore at his heart.

As the sun touched the horizon, he had retraced his steps from that morning back to Jenna's home. He took a quick sniff and found that she had returned to her shed, probably to start settling down for the night. He scratched the door to announce his presence, before poking his head in.

"Jenna? Can I come in?" he asked.

"Balto?" she said, turning to face him. "Of course you can; what would make you think you couldn't?" she replied as he padded inside.

"The reception this morning certainly comes to mind," he replied dryly as he sat down beside her.

"Balto, he's only one man. When it comes to me or Rosy you're always welcome."

"I know, but the fact that there are still people who think that way about me… it's a good thing I got out of there when I did 'cause I think I was close to losing it," he uttered coolly.

"To be honest, I would've marched right out with you if I didn't have my family holding me back," she said. "I tried to find you during my walk today, but I couldn't. Where'd you run off to?"

"At first not really anywhere, but I eventually made my way to see Maska. Did you know he has pups too?"

"I think I've seen them at least once before," she replied.

"Yeah, he thought it'd be fun to let me, the soon-to-be dad look after them today," he told. "A word of warning: when our pups come be ready to do a lot of chasing."

She chuckled a little. "I'll try to keep that in mind. One thing's for sure, when they do come, it'll help me get rid of this saggy, baggy stomach."

"I've told you before, you're still the same beautiful Jenna I've always loved," he cut in, leaning over to nuzzle her neck. His soft touch earned a contented sigh from her and when his nose poked her ear, he heard a small squeak.

"Oh, are you ticklish today?" he joked.

"No… I can feel them kicking," she replied. "Go ahead, feel it."

Curious, he padded towards her side and gently placed one of his large paws on her side. At first all he felt was her breathing, but then the poke came through the side. It was small, but many others quickly joined it, all wanting to announce their presence to world outside.

"Heh, they sure are going strong," he noted, before placing the side of his head on her side. The kicks continued against his cheek as he tuned his ears in the hopes of being able to pick up something from inside. "Wow, they just keep on going… how many do you think are in there?"

"Six."

"Really? How can you tell?"

"I'm a mother… I don't know, it might be the kicks or the weight, but I think there are six in there."

He held his head to her side and started counting the kicks. However, they were so miniscule and seemed to come from several different spots at once that he couldn't get a good count of them. "I can't tell how many there are in there – too many feet kicking at once," he sighed, standing back up.

"Yep, it's like there are a few runners in there," she stated.

"Well if you can tell so much, then do you know how many boys and girls are in there?"

She giggled a little. "Now that I can't tell. We'll have to wait for them to be born to find that out… and before you ask, no I don't know when that will happen either."

"Darn… but still, six will be quite a handful," Balto mused.

"Yes, but they'll be our handful," she replied. He paused for a moment to think about looking after six little pups, and how much fun he could have with them… and how much work it would take to keep them out of trouble as well… especially if they were to run afoul of someone who didn't like part-wolves.

"Jenna, I've been thinking," he started. "Do you think our pups will be okay, even if they're part wolf?"

"Of course they'll be okay. They'll have us to protect them and love them."

"I know, but Maska and I were talking today and I realized something. Even if we can protect them from the physical harm of prejudice, what if that isn't enough?"

"Balto, what are you trying to say?"

"I don't want them to go through everything I did. I'm not just talking about the bullying - I don't want them to feel the lack of self-worth I did because I was so different. All through my life, and even a little bit today, I still feel like I'm different from everyone else. Yeah, I can come and go as I please and most of the dogs here are welcoming, but there's still that sense that I'm coming from somewhere else."

"But it's not like you're always pushed to the side because of it."

"No… I don't know if you can understand what I'm getting at, but I'm still the only part wolf in this town. I still feel like I stick out, or that I have to act differently in order to get by. While I'm used to it, I don't want our pups to go through that. I want them to live a better life than I did when I was young. I want them to feel like they can belong in this town, and can do everything anyone else in this town can… and that they don't need to worry about being part wolf."

"Actually, I think I do understand what you're getting at," Jenna replied. "You want them to feel like they won't be judged for what they are. You want them to be able to fit in and let their actions show who they are, instead of having some label put on them that would make them think otherwise."

"Yeah. I want them to become what they want to be, instead of what they think they should be because of their breeding," Balto said.

"So what should we do?" she asked. "We can't ignore their heritage, but I have to admit I know where you're coming from on this. I don't want our pups to feel they can't live up to everyone else because they're part wolf either. Knowing you has shown me that dogs really do have it easy in this town."

"Would it be easier if they didn't know?" he asked. "Maybe it would be best for them if they didn't know they were part wolf. It might not require much of a stretch anyways, as they're already three-quarters husky."

"I don't know. It just sounds so… dishonest."

Balto knew she was right, and decided to not push something like this after a rough day like today. "Look, we don't have to make the decision now. We can wait a while and see how we feel about it down the road." She nodded in agreement, and he gave her another nuzzle before starting to depart. The sun had set, leaving only the pale remnants of its light in the sky that evening. He took a deep breath of the crisp night air before turning back to her. "Good night Jenna… sleep well."

"Thanks, and the same to you," she returned. "Sweet dreams."

'I hope so, because that raven certainly isn't very sweet to me.'

----------

The next few weeks passed in peace for Balto, but he still held back on telling Jenna or Maska about his dreams, even though they continued to come every few nights. The weather continued to warm and the renewing winds of spring wiped the snow from the land, revealing the tundra that had been concealed for months under the cold blanket. What had once been a white expanse became a multi-colored mosaic as the land's true colors were revealed. The ice that had locked up Nome's harbor soon cracked and disintegrated as the warmth freed the water from its icy state. With the open water, the residents quickly pushed the boats from their onshore storage and into the waiting ocean. Soon crafts of all sizes were coming and going, making the town a bustling hive of trade and commerce once again.

It was a time for new life and new opportunities, and none knew this clearer than Balto. He continued to visit Maska and his cubs, gaining much practical experience when it came to looking after them. Despite his absence during these visits, Jenna was proud to see him take the initiative, with her friends filling in to support her when she needed it.

After a fun night with everyone at the mill, Jenna was on her way home. Balto had gone out for another day of 'pup training' with Maska and she knew he'd be back late. A tan Chinook named Kaltag was more than happy to walk with her home that night, not wanting her to be alone during the evening.

"Did Balto say when he'd be back?"