as her heritage called her. Looking at the hill above town Rosa saw a white wolf watching her, seeing her Rosa wagged her tail, excited at seeing a wolf for the first time. For a moment blue eyes looked into to golden before the wolf walked away. Jumping down from the roof Rosa raced down the gang blank into the water.

“So she can howl,” Jenna whispered. “I prayed she would not find out how to do that.”

“You cannot prevent it. How are you coping with them?” Sylvia asked watching the pups.

“It’s hard for me every time I see them I see Balto looking back at me. I don’t know what I would have done without both you,” Jenna replied looking between Kaltag and Sylvia. “Both you, Star and Dixie have been amazing.”

“That’s what friends are for Jenna we help out when we are needed. Being with them helps me to remember all the joy in the world,” Kaltag replied watching as the pups raced with Star through the water. “Balto risked his life back then, the least I can do repay him is to take care of his pups. I don’t want to see them persecuted for their wolf blood nor have to suffer as he did.”

“I agree with Kaltag. They deserve to be judged on their own merit not by what happened in the past,” Sylvia replied giggling at the sight of Rosa and Dingo jumping on Dixie.

   As Jenna feared Rosa’s wolf looks did affect how people saw her, though Dingo, Saba and Kodi were adopted Rosa was not. Humans could only see the wolf in her, their memories and fears of Balto surfacing. For the first time in her life Rosa experienced what her father had faced on a daily basis. Sitting with Jenna that night Rosa wondered why humans saw her as different. The pain in Rosa’s eyes broke Jenna’s heart as she told her daughter about her mixed heritage. Rosa listened with confusion and sadness at the cruelty of the town dogs.

“We have to keep her,” Arthur said sitting with Violet that night.

“Of course we do, Balto was Rosie’s friend and she is named after Rosie,” Violet replied taking her husband’s hand.

“The last thing we want for her is to be out on the streets,” Arthur replied looking down at the pup sitting by the fire.

    Hearing the comments Rosa left her place by the fire. Walking up to the first floor she climbed onto the window seat in what had once been Rosie’s bedroom. Putting her paws on the window she looked out at the stars, wondering if her father was looking up that them.

     Wandering wolves

     Out in the wilderness deep within the forest Balto stood on a hill looking up at the stars.

“Jenna I wish you could see how beautiful the stars are out here…NO STOP IT BALTO! She’s in the past, forget about her.” 

   A howl ripped through the air, turning around Balto saw Arden, Eagle, a she wolf black and light blue with blue eyes called Nada and a dark grey male called Pukiq (meaning smart) sat howling around the days kill. In the months that had passed since Balto had left Nome a lot had change, Nada and Pukiq joining them at different times. Nada was from a pack on the coast that was lead by a wolf called Nava. Nada had originally left the pack to find the mother who abandoned her and her twin brother Neju when they were cubs, but she had met Arden and plans had changed, deciding to join the pack instead. Pukiq had joined them a month later after Balto had alerted him to a hunter. Grateful for Balto’s help Pukiq had joined them, at first for a few days, seeing how easily he had been accepted he had decided to stay.

“Were you thinking about Jenna again?” Arden asked as Balto rejoined the pack.

“Yes, I’m having a hard time forgetting her,” Balto sighted sadly.

“You could go back, if she means that much to you go back,” Arden replied, seeing pain flicker across his brother’s face.

“I can’t go back Arden. I have to forget her and all that happened back there. It’s just hard………..part of me dreams about how it could have been. Stupid fool that I am,” Balto replied shaking his head.

     Over the next few days the wolves continued on their search for a territory of their own, avoiding any packs as best they could to avoid conflict. None of them had any clear idea on where they were going but something seemed to be pulling them west. Hunting and running together their bonds increased, becoming clear that something was beginning between Nada and Arden. Arden was the alpha of the pack with Balto the male beta, though the dog blood of Arden, Balto and Eagle meant either of three often took charge. Though at first Nada and Pukiq had been surprised they did not see the fact as important.   

     After a while the pack reached the outskirts of Fairbanks, the wolves nervous and on edge, Balto confused at the sight of the town. Standing on the edge of the town they heard a clang followed by a howl. Looking at each other they ran to where the sound had come from. In a clearing with his paw caught in a trap was a rather scruffy light brown and cream male wolf. Seeing them the wolf breathed a visible sight of relief despite the pain glittering in his eyes.

“Help me please,” the wolf gasped. “Please help me humans have captured a friend of mine.”

“Relax we’ll help you before the humans come,” Pukiq replied studying the trap. “This will spring back if we bite through it.”

“There has to be a way to free me,” said the wolf.

“There is…..it’s very rusty if we put a stick….” Balto began.

“We could pry it open,” Pukiq finished his eyes lighting up.

“We have to be quick.”

“Please listen to me,” the wolf coughed. “My friend is trapped in a cage please help her.”

“I’ll go,” Balto replied. “You guys can take care of this………tell me where she is.”

“A wooden den near those large metal things that move……the human side she would fetch big bucks if sold to a zoa, er sou.”

“Zoo?”

“One of those,” the wolf replied as Eagle appeared with a thick stick. “Tell her I send you……my names Mannitok (is rugged) Mat for short. As a cub I had matted fur all the time so Mat matted.”

“I’ll tell her,” Balto called leaving as Pukiq positioned the stick.

     Running towards town Balto heard a howl of pain followed by the clang of metal hitting the ground. Under the fading light Balto slipped ghost like into the town, skirting the train station for any sign danger or humans. Sniffing the wind he caught the scent of humans, dogs, coal, food, engine oil, food and at last wolf. Climbing into the station yard via on old train engine Balto immediately caught the scent of dog and the unmistakable smell of alcohol. Walking around to a cabin the source of the smell become apparent, three station workers were laid passed out on the cabin floor. Several open bottles which had once contained whisky sat on a thick blank of wood laid over two upturned barrels next to a pile of cards and money. What’s more the key was in the open door, grinning slyly Balto gently pushed the door shut, with his teeth he turned the key locking the men inside.

“Well that is one problem solved no point having witnesses to raise an alarm,” Balto thought wickedly.  

    With the key in his teeth Balto jumped inside the old train placing the key inside what remain of the boiler. Leaving the engine Balto’s ears pricked up, a mournful howl ripping through the air. Instantly his fell on a building with the worlds LIVE CARGO STORAGE printed boldly on a sign swinging from the roof. Running over he put his head around the open door, his eyes meeting those of two teams of huskies, a couple of beavers, three snarling wolverines, a pair of bald eagles, several mink  and in a cage near the door, a beautiful she wolf. Seeing him the dogs began to bark and snarl, their teeth barred in open hostility to him, itching to be free from their cages.  In her cage the she wolf looked up as she caught Mats scent, her eyes looking at him with curiosity. Looking at her Balto saw at her coat was a mixture of light grey, and blue that was similar shade to lightest part if Nada’s coat. Hazel and bright yellow eyes gazed calmly at Balto as he approached.

“Hi my name is Balto I’ve been sent by Mannitok to help you.”

“Mat send you, thank Aniu is he safe?” asked the she wolf springing to her paws. 

“He’s hurt a paw my pack is helping him, he got caught in a trap.”

“Tell me more later, can you free me?”

“Somehow,” Balto replied looking at the cage.

“That human he drew those things across the top of the cage.”

      Looking up Balto saws that the bolds were drawn, though the main door was locked a little way above the wolf’s head was another door, one which was only bolt but not locked. This was the door through which food was lowered, as the bolts were on the outside of the cage the human had not thought it necessary to put a lock there. Seeing this Balto jumped up onto the cage, with his teeth he drew back to bolts opening the door.

“Stand back Balto I don’t want to send you flying,” the she wolf said.

    Using all her strength she sprang through