really let Rosie’s cousin died and abandon your own son?”

“Be quiet Star or I swear to Aniu you will be sorry,” Balto snarled, his sharp teeth flashing.

“You’ve changed Balto,” Kaltag said stepping back away from Balto. “You are not who I remember or who I thought you were.”

“You are right Kaltag I’m not, I’ve changed,” Balto replied harshly.

“All this time…….not once have you asked about Jenna……..” Star began.

“She is the past, a dog who I knew once in a former life.”

“Is that all she is?” Star asked in amazement.

“Yes,” Balto replied meeting Star’s gaze.

“You used Jenna back then you and that is why you refuse to lead us back,” Kaltag stammered in disgust.

 “I never used Jenna I loved her at the time but I realized that grief had clouded our judgments. I should have left town the day after Rosie’s funeral but in my confusion I naively thought I could make a life with Jenna. I was wrong on that score and I’m sorry for the pain caused to Jenna. I never intended things to turn out like this. I do not regret my actions so don’t try tricks with me.”

“We helped Jenna raise you pups, you owe us for that you cowardly wolf scum,” Kaltag spat.

   Balto, Arden and Eagle sprang to their feet snarling, their eyes burning with anger, their hackles raised. Not only had the insult been at there brother but at the second highest ranking male in the pack, and one who often led the pack when Arden or Nada were elsewhere. In a flash Eagle had Kaltag pinned to the floor, the dog looking at her with terror.

“Don’t you dare say that to a beta wolf you little dog,” Eagle hissed revelling at the fear in Kaltag’s eyes.

“You just crossed a line. In pack circles a wolf would be punished for that insult to a beta wolf.  We see dogs as omegas, at the bottom pack regardless of the dogs standing in dogs circles. I am not a coward,” Balto spat looking down at Kaltag, while Arden snarled at Star who was watching in fear.

“Then lead us back Balto,” Kaltag croaked barely able to breathe. “Do it for Kodi and the girl,” Kaltag said softly, in an effort to persuade Balto and to relieve the tension.

“I cannot lead you, appearing in Nome will only bring heartache to Jenna,” Balto replied bitterly as Eagle let the dog up.

“No it will bring joy. Think about Balto you will be a hero, you will be accepted,” Star replied smiling widely. “Everything you ever wanted you will have, acceptance and Jenna.”

“I no longer want those things, my heart is here,” Balto replied as Kaltag climbed to his paws.

       Walking towards them was Mist, seeing her Balto’s heart soared, his tale swishing from side to side with joy as she sat down next to him. Gently Mist licked his cheek, Balto placing a paw across on of hers.

“Balto what is she doing here…?” Star and Kaltag asked with wide eyes.

“I’m Balto’s girl,” Mist replied grinning slyly.

      Star and Kaltag exchanged a look of utter shock while Mist flicked Balto a smug and seductive look. Mist was totally different to Jenna in every way, Star and Kaltag could not believe he had fallen in love with a girl like her or that he no longer loved Jenna. Not only that, but Mist had been openly hostile to the dogs and was distrusted by them as a result.

“Surprised?” Mist asked flicking her tail. “Well we are lower ranking wolves after all such things are normally clamped down on swiftly by the alpha pair. But the dog blood combined with plenty of prey allows this pack to differ slightly. I suppose dog blood does have some advantage.”

“Balto are you mad? Jenna……..Rosa,” Kaltag stammered in disbelief.

“You don’t understand do you?” Balto replied shaking his head. “Rosa knows and she accepts, in fact she sees Mist as her stepmother. Kaltag it has been three years since I left Nome, as I told you before I have changed. Jenna belongs in a past that is best forgotten, Mist is my future.”

 “I cannot believe I am hearing this” Kaltag replied sadly. “You truly have changed………I don’t know the Balto standing in front of me.”

“Neither do I,” Star said, sadness in his eyes.

“I’m glad we’ve got that sorted out.”

“It still doesn’t change my opinion that you can lead us home though” Kaltag replied. “I don’t care about your life alright but we are stuck here.”

“Rosa doesn’t have the experience to lead us,” Star chipped in before Balto could speak. “Not in this situation.”

        Turning to face the dogs Balto glared at them a before letting a sigh of resignation. In his heart he knew his next words would lead to terrible pain but knew that he had no choice.

“I will lead you home,” Balto said with sadness.

“YOU WILL!” Star and Kaltag shouted with shock and delight.

“Balto are you serious?” Eagle asked looking at her brother in awe.

“Unfortunately I am the only one who knows the way to Nome and has the experience to lead. Rosa could show them the way but she is too inexperienced to lead, if something were to go wrong she could panic, we cannot take that chance. It has to be me who leads,” Balto replied.

“As you wish Balto, I don’t see any other way,” Arden replied angrily.

“So be it, but the pack will have to be told first. If you are certain of this course then I will support you,” Mist replied, a hint of anger in her voice.

“I don’t have a choice Mist, we all know the outcome if they remain lost, they will be dead within a week. You’ve seen how dependant they are on us for food.” Balto replied turning to face Star and Kaltag. “I will make this clear Kaltag, I will lead you back but that is where my involvement in your lives ends. I will leave Nome as soon as I am strong enough.”

         Returning to the pack and sled team that evening the news was broken. The sled team were euphoric, the wolf pack resentful and angry. Harsh words were exchanged culminating in a fight between Mat and Kirby, Arden and Pukiq having jump in between the pair to end it. Looking at the blood from cuts Kirby glared angrily at Mat who was laughing at what he saw as Kirby’s weakness as Mat barely had a scratch on him. The tension between the groups was at breaking point as both sets of leaders spoke to Kirby and Mat.

    At dawn’s first light the following morning the team set of from the pack territory, Kaltag laid on the sled while Balto took his place as lead dog. Emotions ran high, Kodi’s eyes were filled with delight, his father was leading them home, his dream of running with his father had come true. Though she could not understand what has happening Matilda smiled at Balto, part of her knew he was helping her.

      Running next to Balto was Rosa, who had decided to accompany the team, arguing that in the circumstances another set of eyes would be useful. This had come as a both a surprise and worry to Balto, glad for another set of eyes yet concerned about her motives. It was clear to Balto knew full well that Rosa considered to pack her home and he couldn’t help but suspect that there were unresolved between Jenna and Rosa. Watching her father and brother interact Rosa knew she had made the right choice to accompany them. She alone had lived with both parents and knew how the events of the past had affected them, in her heart she dreaded what was come when both met and Jenna was forced to see the wolf Balto had become. Balto had answered the dog’s plea for a saviour but he had answered as a wolf and on his own terms. A return to Nome perhaps but it did not mean a return to a past life or past love.

A place of Tragedy

       Three weeks had passed since Balto and the sled team had begun their journey, at last looming in front of them was Nome, the snow covered buildings glittering in the morning sun. The hearts of the dogs lifted as their home came into sight, against all the odds they had made it. The journey had been difficult for all but somehow they had survived, partly through the hunting skills of Balto and Rosa and the catching of rabbits and hares by the dogs. Spirits lifted to the stars and the dogs began to bark with joy. Running into town people watched in amazement, they had believed the team lost. Finally the team stopped outside the hospital, instantly people gathered around, helping Matilda out of the sled and hugging her. Moments later Violet and Arthur ran out of the hospital, both embracing Matilda tightly, utterly relieved she was safe.  Slowly the eyes of the towns folk turned to the sled team, Mr Connors helping Arthur release the dogs from their harnesses. Then like a ton of bricks Balto’s presence hit the humans, all seeing him for the first time and realizing who he was. Mummers of amazement and utter shock rushed through the humans. The fact was none had seen Balto for three years, for him to appear suddenly leading a dog team was just extraordinary.

“You saved Tillie’s life Balto, I don’t know how you found her,” Arthur said kneeling