my mind”

            “Atka! Think about it!” Yukonpleaded.

“Yeah, Atka… we’re not wolves. You could die out there! You have to get your own food…”

            “And there are other animals out there too! Like bears! Remember dad got attacked by one?”

“Then see you later” I said, shaking off. “All three of us are part wolf. We could survive”

Before they could argue any more, I took off, leaving my old life far behind me. I probably couldn’t say goodbye to my mother since she was inside her own house but at least I had to say goodbye to my father.

I trotted up the ramp leading onto Balto’s shipwreck. The blanket that he was sleeping under stirred and my father stood up to see who was visiting.

“Atka? What are you doing here now?”

“I’m leaving”

“Why?!” he said, raising his eyebrows in surprise.

“I want to be free. I hate living here. Emily ignores me, I’m chained to an old dog house and I other dogs just insult me” I blurted.

I studied me, reminding me of Yukon, and then nodded.

“At least find Buck and stay with his pack” he said giving in.

“Who’s Buck!?”

“Your uncle. He was here a few weeks ago and I’m pretty sure that he’s not too far from here”

I didn’t even bother to ask why I never knew I had an uncle.

“Bye daddy” I said, nuzzling him. “I’ll be careful. I promise”

He gave me a warm smile, kind of offset by worried eyes, but I promised I’d be careful. I smiled back, then turned away and broke into a run. I sailed over the railing and started in the direction of the woods… leaving everything I had ever known far behind me for good…

Atka, Buck, Yukon, Nero and Maya (c) me

Balto, Aleu, Kodi and Jenna (c) Universal