this, for Sunny.” Saba thought.

She took a deep breath, and swung her body out away from the rock. When she swung back into it, she scrambled the rest of the way up the wall, and over the edge. Then she ran into the cave.

It was a small cave, and Saba had little trouble finding Sunny. The small and very frightened pup was overjoyed to see her mother.

“Mommy!” Sunny yelled, as she ran over to her mother.

“Shh.” Saba said. “We’re getting out of here.”

“Oh really?”

The voice startled Saba, and she turned.

Stripe stood behind her.

A furious anger suddenly bubbled up within Saba.

“Sunny, run, now.” Saba said.

The pup did as her mother had said.

“Uh-oh.” Stripe said with a smile. “Mommy looks angry.”

Saba growled at him. “Mamma is angry.”

Then she leapt at him. She didn’t know where the sudden strength she felt coursing through her came from, but it was welcoming, and Saba embraced it.

She found that without even knowing it, she was winning the fight. It seemed like hours later when Saba awoke from this delirium.

She was on top of Stripe, her jaws at his throat. He was pretty beat up, and it surprised Saba that she was able to do this.

Saba growled and prepared to end the wolf’s life.

“Saba!” A voice called.

Saba opened her jaws.

Suddenly she felt herself being pulled off of Stripe. “It’s over.” Dash said. “Sunny is safe, Timbre is with her. Come on let’s go.”

Saba nodded, and turned to leave.

Stripe struggled to his feet. “You should‘ve killed me Saba!” He yelled. “I swear I’ll find you! No one makes a fool out of Stripe, no one!”

Saba and Dash retreated out of the cave.

Saba was back at Aleu’s cave.

Sunny was safe, and Everest would be fine. Shadow had set his leg as best he could, and as long as he stayed off it for a while he’d be alright, though he’d probably have a slight limp for the rest of his life as a result of his injuries.

The cut over his eye was healing, but it would scar, giving Everest a somewhat frightening appearance.

Saba was talking to Aleu now. An idea had come to her.

“…so Aleu, that’s why I was wondering if we could stay here.” Saba finished.

“Here!” Aleu said. “You mean with the Talbourne?”

Saba nodded.

Aleu remained silent for a while.

“Well, I’ll have to talk to the council. They have to approve all our new members, but I don’t mind personally.”

Saba smiled.

“I’ll talk to them at the meeting we’re having.” Aleu said. “I’m actually supposed to be in there already, so if you’ll excuse me.”

Saba nodded, and walked back over with her family.

“…I guess that wraps up the meeting.” Kema, a gray wolf said.

“There is one other matter that has come to my attention.” Aleu said. “Saba and Everest have made it known to me that they wish to join the Talbourne clan.”

“Can they survive like us?” Nava asked.

“From what I understand Everest has been living like a wolf for the past four years, though Saba was a pet, and will need to learn.”

“Why were they banished from Nome?” Haroe, an orange wolf asked.

Aleu sighed. “They were both banished from Nome because they wish to be mates… and they are brother and sister.”

The wolves of the council looked surprised.

“Any other questions?” Aleu asked.

Each council member shook their heads.

“Then let’s put it to a vote.” Aleu said.

“Nava, I guess you’re first, stay, or go.”

“I vote they stay.” Nava said. “I know their story, and I think they really do love one another. Though it is a little unorthodox, I find no reason to fault them for what they have done.”

Aleu nodded. “Very well, Haroe?”

“I vote stay as well. They have broken none of our laws. Why should we hold them accountable to the laws of the dogs of Nome? We are the Talbourne, and we have our own laws.”

“Alright.” Aleu said. “Kema, what about you?”

“I vote stay too.” The gray female said. “They need a home, and we have always said we would help the helpless. They have three young pups that may not survive if we don’t.”

“Good.” Aleu said.

She turned to Shadow. “Shadow, any military concerns?”

Shadow shook his head. “No Aleu, none that I can see.”

“It is agreed then?” Aleu said. “Saba, Everest and their family shall be members of the Talbourne?”

The council members all nodded.

About an hour later, Aleu stepped out of the chamber. Saba ran over to her. “Well, what did they say?” She asked excitedly.

“They approved it.” Aleu said. “Yourself, Everest, and your pups are now part of the Talbourne Clan.”

Saba grinned. “Oh thank you Aleu!” She said.

Aleu smiled. “…but you’re going to have to do a lot of learning. Living out here is not like it is back in Nome. Certainly no one will bring your food to you in a bowl. You have to dedicate yourself to learning how to be a wolf, and to teaching your children.”

“I will!” Saba said. “Oh I will, I promise!”

Aleu smiled again. “Good, I’m going to hold a Clan meeting to introduce you to everyone and make your membership official; you’ll hear when it is. Just meet me in my chambers about ten minutes prior.”

“I’ll be there Aleu, I’ll be there.” Saba said. Then she went off to tell her family the great news.

Epilogue

Aleu stood in front of the Clan.

“Good evening my family. I know this meeting wasn’t planned, and I appreciate your attendance. The reason I have called this meeting is to introduce the five newest members of the Talbourne Clan, and to make it known throughout the land that these are now ours, anyone who has a problem with them, has a problem with each of us. I consider all of you my family, and a family we are.” She turned and looked at Saba, giving her the cue for her family to walk out beside Aleu.

Everest was limping fairly badly, but he made it out with the rest of his family.

“This is Saba, and Everest, their daughter Sunny, and two sons, Rife and Tram. I want each of you to take Saba under your wing. She comes from Nome, where she lived as a pet to the humans. Aleu looked over at Dash and Melody, who sat beside her, and smiled. “Now we all have seen pets turned into wolves before.” She said. “So I know it can be done.”

Aleu turned back to face Saba and Everest. “I’m going to ask you Everest, do you swear to defend this Clan, it’s ideals, it’s Alpha, and it’s members at all costs, to the death if necessary?”

Everest nodded. “Yes I do.”

“…and Saba.” Aleu continued. “Do you swear to defend this Clan, it’s ideals, it’s Alpha, and it’s members at all costs, to the death if necessary?”

Saba nodded. “Yes I do.”

Aleu stepped back and smiled. “I give you the Talbourne’s newest members, Everest and Saba.”

All the wolves below cheered.

“Now let’s all welcome this family into our own.” Aleu said. “You’re dismissed.”

The wolves began to mill around in the main chamber, talking amongst themselves.

Aleu turned to Saba and Everest. “Why don’t you two go down and meet some of them? You’re going to be living with them now.”

Saba nodded and turned to Everest. “Ready?”

He nodded. “Ready.”

Saba turned and looked at the small pups behind her. “Kids come along now, let’s go meet our new friends.”

Saba and Everest walked down the shelves to the main chamber, ready to start their new life…

together.

Saba and Everest are the son and daughter of Balto and Jenna. They have always been close, maybe even closer than a brother and sister should be. Is it possible that the laws are wrong? That Saba and Everest should be together, and what will come of this forbidden love if it occurs?

Balto: A Forbidden Love