stepped into my den,” the wolverine hissed his sharp teeth flashing.

“An accident, the pup did not mean harm, he believed the den empty. On his behalf I apologise. Now that is resolved, go on your way,” Rosa snapped, flicking her tail from side to side.

“Why should I? That little runt needs a lesson taught.”

“He meant no harm to you. Let me repeat myself,” Rosa replied walking over to the wolverine. “Leave or face the consequences, we have you outnumbered, then there is the pack to consider………Imagine what the pack would say if the pup was attacked, life would become unpleasant for you very quickly, living so close to the den site….”

  Hearing her words the look on the wolverine’s face changed from hostility to one of fear, realizing the true implications of any action. Brave as he was an angry wolf pack was a very serious threat, one which he had little chance of beating in a fight, he would be lucky if he escaped with his life. Rosa smirked as she watched the creature’s reaction, her eyes tracking the wolverine as it moved, a look of utter danger in her eyes.

“Keep that pup in line,” the wolverine snapped before vanishing into his den.

      Smiling Rosa turned to find her cousins gazing at her with utter pride, taking on a full grown wolverine was something to be proud off. Not only had that, she had left him with a permanent reminder without endangering herself or the other wolves.

“Wait till the pack hears about this! They will be so proud of you, you defeated a wolverine,” said a yearling female.

“A simple matter of reminding him of the dangers, our pack is not one to cross,” Rosa replied as they neared a lake.

“Our pack would have his head,” said a male yearling.

    Our pack. A phrase Rosa had spoken without thinking, a phrase used constantly by Nada and the wolves. Yet Rosa had never spoken those words before, words that had implications. They meant Rosa was part of the pack, not just a visitor but a member. Shaking her head Rosa banished those thoughts from her mind, wishing to enjoy the day and not dwell on the big questions. A pile of snow hit her face, shaking it away she saw one of the yearlings grinning mischievously at her. Smirking Rosa flicked snow back at him, hitting his in the eyes. With a yip the yearling sprang, knocking her off her paws. Taking to her paws Rosa chased after him, a play fight ensued between females and males, all laughing with delight.    

       Arriving back at the den site that evening the youngsters were utterly exhausted and the adults impressed, a quiet night for all was guaranteed. Sitting next to her aunt Eagle, Rosa listened to tales from the packs history, as she fell asleep that night, the words our pack drifted back to her.

    A few days later the pack set out on a hunt, Rosa among them as couple of the yearlings had been left in babysitting duty. The youngest pups were a little annoyed about being left behind but they had to obey their parents. With Nada and Arden in the lead the pack made their way to a herd of caribou. As they walked the pack talked tactics, forming the outline of a hunt and individuals places. Walking next to Eagle and Balto, Rosa felt her emotions lifted, a ferocious glint coming into her eyes.

       Reaching the herd the wolves waited in the foliage watching the herd keenly. With a nod to the pack Arden broke cover, the herd stampeding as the rest of the pack followed him. In and out of the herd the wolves waved, herding the caribou to find which one to take. Running through the herd an old female caribou caught Rosa’s eye, the female was sick. Letting out a short howl Rosa caught Nada’s attention, seeing the direction of her niece’s gaze Nada smiled with satisfaction. Calling to Arden, Nada pointed to the female, Arden then let out a call to the pack. Working together they separated the female from the herd, isolating her. The hunt took its natural course, the hunt a success for the pack.

     Feasting together the wolves chatted, delighted with the kill that would last them a few days the adrenaline draining from their bodies.

“You have keen eyes Rosa,” Nada said with pride.

“Impressive hunting indeed, you chase our target before I had seen one,” Arden said smiling proudly.

“I just saw her and knew she was the one,” Rosa replied blushing with pride.

“You are a true wolf Rosa, a first class hunter,” Nada said nuzzling her.

“I am very proud of you daughter, today’s success is your success,” Balto said with pride.

“Balto is right, tonight we eat because of you,” Arden replied. “You should feel very proud.”

“When I hunt I feel alive,” Rosa replied looking at the pack.

“That is our right. We all feel alive hunting, freedom that is our birthright. No one can tame a wolf,” Balto replied proudly, his eyes shining.

“I understand why you left Nome Father,” Rosa replied turning to face her father. “A town life in nothing compared to this. You chose freedom.”

“I will never go back to Nome. I cannot give up my freedom. I belong to this pack, I belong here,” Balto replied, his eyes shining brightly.

“Neither can I, I want to stay here with you,” Rosa replied looking around the pack. “I’ve been so happy here, happier than I ever was in Nome. I belong here, wild and free as the wind finally accepted for who I am.”

“Then welcome to the pack,” Arden cried jumping to his paws with delight.

“My daughter a member of this pack,” Balto said proudly, nuzzling Rosa.

“We are a family, welcome Rosa,” Nada said as the rest of the pack yipped with delight.

       Together the pack walked back to the den site, eager to share the news with the pups. Hearing the news the pups yelped with delight, they had grown fond of Rosa and were glad she was staying. Standing together under the stars the pack smiled and wagged their tales officially welcoming Rosa as a member. Happiness surged through Rosa, pride shining brightly in Balto’s eyes. Lifting her head Rosa howled a song of joy; one by one the pack joined her, their voices mingling. Balto and Rosa stood side by side, both howling, their eyes shining with happiness. The voices of the wolves carried far, we are here, we happy, we are family, we are free, they sang.

      Faces from the Past

     The months passed 1927 turned into 1928, the third anniversary of the diphtheria crisis came and went without Balto or Rosa acknowledging it publically. In private away from the pack they held a short memorial as Balto had done every year, the one day he allowed himself to think about Rosie. Seeing the pair arrive back, Mist, Eagle and Arden gathered around them in comfort, no words were need to express feelings. The pack worked as it should, pups all grew in skill and the oldest wolves started to rebel, they were becoming teenagers in humans terms, bringing a whole host of problems in the coming months. The relationship between Mist and Balto grew and become open to all, leading to some thoughts that problems could occur in the future. Yet on the whole the pack’s life was harmonious.

      It was early March, the entire packed were coming back from a hunt including the youngest pups had started to join the hunts. Nearing the den Balto stopped suddenly, the scent of dogs and human drifting in the wind. One by one the wolves stopped in their tracks, uncertainly running through them. Balto and Arden bounded ahead, their paws skidding to a halt on the snow beneath their feet. Down below next to the river was a sled team and with it a human. As the other wolves joined the pair they looked at the scene with concern, humans were a threat.

“What has happened here?” Arden asked looking down.

“This place is miles away from sled trials, I made certain of that,” Balto replied, his voice filled with concern.

“It is not hunters,” Rosa replied as she reached the pair.

      A look of horror crossed her face as her eyes landed on the team and her nose in took the scents. Stepping back from the cliff edge Rosa struggled to regain her composure though her mind was reeling.

“Rosa what is it?” Nada asked gently.

“I…..I…..Kodi is down there……..it’s his team,” Rosa stammered looking at Balto.

“Kodi……your brother,” Balto whispered with horror.

“Your son Father,” Rosa replied, her eyes wide with confusion. “They shouldn’t be here Nome is far away, something must be wrong.”

“Balto, Rosa,” Arden said speaking at last. “I want both of you to go down and find how the land lies. Everything you can, do whatever you have to, try to avoid a fight unless forced.”

    Taking to her paws Rosa raced down to the river, her heart pounding with fear and dreading what she would find. A thousand terrible scenarios raced through her mind, her speed so fast that Balto had to jump in her path to stop her running strait to the team.

“Hold it missy,” Balto said as Rosa skidded to a halt. “You are a wolf now you have to make the dogs fear you. We have the upper paw, they trespass on our land, and we control what takes place. I know this will be