Strider had returned to the cave in the mountains and began hunting ibexes. He managed to kill two and dragged them back into his den before going out to hunt another. The dusk cast a low fog on the snowy plain, warning of a snowstorm when Strider found his target. The ibex didn’t last ‘till nightfall and by the time the moon had rose, Strider had claimed his prize. He walked into his den and ate the ibex he’d left there as a store before climbing down from the mountain and heading to the den by the swamp. Once there, he continued to wander around, finding left over carcasses to feast on. Once full, he headed through the rain which slowly began to transform into a snowstorm to refresh the scent markers he’d previously placed.

Kodi eventually caught up with the wolf, which was licking his wounds and smiled. The wolf looked up, the look in his eyes said; ‘I’m going to kill you’. Then, he got up and leapt at Kodi with rage. Kodi recoiled with a yelp of alarm.

“No don’t! I’m not going to…” he was cut off as the wolf pinned him. As he got closer Kodi panicked and somehow managed to wriggle free. “No wonder Strider was so rude to you.” Kodi growled, raking into his fur and giving him yet another wound.

“Ow!” he screeched. But then Kodi bit into his muzzle, coating it in dog slobber in the process before running back to Balto and the others.

All three of them ran back to the den and Balto licked Kodi to congratulate him. He looked up directly into Strider’s eyes. Something seemed off about them. They looked hypnotizing. Balto flopped over and slept for what felt like a month. When he woke up, he realized that he was truly the happiest wolfdog alive. It felt new and exciting and he didn’t want his life to ever change.

Balto woke up from his sleep really confused. He wasn’t sure how he’d got here but he enjoyed it. He was standing on a cliff with Strider, tall, long furred and perfect. This was his life. Living like a wolf, not a measly wolfdog. Jenna or the others never crossed his mind, just Strider.

He thought about the others for the second time. Mostly Kodi though. He didn’t appear to be around anymore. Balto approached Strider. He turned around; blinking at him and a smile pierced his lips. Balto’s pace quickened and eventually he kicked it up into a trot. Strider was his.

After an enjoyable day, Balto lay beside Strider. The others weren’t enough to fill this emptiness inside him anymore. It was as if a physical part of him was missing. If only the others were there. It might help to fill this emptiness inside him. He rolled closer to Strider and sighed loudly on purpose to get his attention. Strider looked over at him, the moonlight catching in his icy blue eyes. They looked shiny, appearing to glow in the sparkles shining off of them. It made them look kind of unnerving, or creepy. Balto whispered to him.

“I want more wolf.” His voice was deep, just like a real wolf. Strider liked it.

“Me too. Wolf life forever.”

They reached the ledge of the cliff. Balto let his wolf spirit take over for him. His wolf side had finally turned on him. Strider lay down limply but it was easy to tell the wolf was having a blast out here. Later that night they jumped into a moonlit pool, ripples surrounding them as they floated in the water, using all four paws to keep their necks and head above the surface. The two just stared at each other. “I always want to see your face.” Strider said. The moonlight reflected off the water in his eyes and even sent sparkles dancing through them from the sky. It made him look like he was almost crying.

“And there’s no other face in the world I would ever want to see.” Balto paused. “Except for you.” The two drifted closer and hugged each other. The night was almost over, but that wouldn’t stop them.

They figured if they were going to continue their adventures then they should leave the den. Balto had forgotten about the others by now and so had Strider.

Strider’s plan was to remain with Balto for three years and he didn’t plan to stop now. Strider kind of hated life deep down inside but mostly he hated the fact that they didn’t think he existed. His plan was to sabotage the others, make Kodi run away and probably get lost, killing himself or dying from starvation or dehydration or whatever, then freezing Balto in place, alive and well, but remaining with him for three years. New Years he would spend with Balto. He thought to himself whether or not this was too elaborate but if it wasn’t would the chances of failing be higher? But the main reason was to get a companion who wanted revenge on life.

Yes, Darkness had started this all off in the end after being killed by Silver, who had also been killed. Strider really didn’t know much of this history. His family had been killed one by one, and then there was Balto and his daughter Aleu. Strider thought he was being a little manipulative but then he thought about eating.

Strider was looking forward to the new years coming in roughly two weeks but he was also worried about Balto and Kodi. Sure they might not find each other again but what would happen when Balto was alone? Strider could not stay by his side forever. Wolves were wolves, they had to leave to find mates and have their own pups and stuff. If a friend wasn’t a pack mate, they usually get left out.