moment.

''Jenna, I've got something to tell you. And when you've heard what I have to say, you'll understand why I'm smiling'' Doc smiled.

*************

Balto looked into Carvers eyes, his own burning with an intense hatred.

''You...what have done to Jenna?'' he snarled, trying to get to his feet despite the pain.

Carver chuckled ''Oh she's safe. For now at least''

Balto growled ''If you've hurt her...I'll kill you!''

''Don't make idol threats Balto. Your hardly in the condition to make such a threat. Besides, I'd hate for you to get hurt'' Carver smiled.

Balto shuddered. The pain was excruciating, and it coursed through every part of his body. Even now, he could feel it trickling through his veins, slowly taking over.

Carver leaned down ''Don't worry; the pain won't last for much longer. And then, you'll be free!''

Balto winced as a stab of pain went through his head, blurring his vision ''Free?'' he whispered.

''Yes. We've released you Balto. You finally belong somewhere! It was fate''

''Fate? No...'' Balto stuttered.

Carver nodded ''It was fate that brought us together Balto. From the day you were born, your whole life has been leading up to this moment. You and I, we were meant to meet. You were meant for 'The Pack' Balto''

Balto shook his head ''No! No...no''

''Yes! Balto, you and I have so much in common! Both of us were outsiders, ridiculed by all the others. But fate decided to bring us together, and you can't fight fate! It is inevitable!'' Carvers eyes bored into Balto's.

''I know all about you Balto. Part dog, part wolf. Victimized by everyone, cared for by no one. Oh yes, I know all about you Balto. But now, you finally belong!'' Carver smirked.

Balto's eyes suddenly glazed over for a split second. Carver noticed.

''See? You can't fight it Balto. You can't fight fate''

Balto's eyes flickered, and he slipped back to the floor, his eyes closing. Carver smiled.

''Don't fight it Balto. Embrace it''

Carver lifted his head up and turned to Grant.

''You've got a lot to answer for''

Grant looked at him in puzzlement ''Me?''

Carver leered at him ''One of your old friends has just shown up in town. I think you know who I mean Grant''

Grant smirked ''Chester?''

Carver snarled, wiping the smirk off Grants face ''This isn't a laughing matter Grant! If he finds us, we're finished! And all because you couldn't keep your paws off his daughter!''

Grant shrugged ''Hey, she was hot! You can't blame a dog for noticing''

''But I can blame a dog for killing the daughter of the leader of the Anchorage racing team against orders! And I can blame a dog for making said team leader track us three hundred miles into Nome! Do you realize that the whole team has tracked us here?''

Grants eyes twinkled ''Really? All because of me?''

Grant glared at Grant ''We lost five guys in Anchorage due to your sordid euphoria! And now that Chester the super dog is here, we run the risk of losing everyone!''

Grant frowned ''Look, when I meet a girl I have two thought processes. One side of me wants to meet her and take her on a date. But the other...well, the other wants to rip her apart. And that’s what I did''

Carver rolled his eyes in exasperation ''Women!''

Grant smirked ''Speaking of which...''

''Carvy!''

Carver groaned as Karla flung herself at him, licking his muzzle and nuzzling his neck ''Did you miss me Carver baby?''

''Not in the slightest Karla baby'' Carver replied.

Karla smiled ''Oh you! You and your jokes!''

''Who's joking?'' Carver smirked, shoving Karla off of him. The female malamute batted her eyelids at him.

''I love it when you show off your strength Carver!'' she purred.

''Don't tempt me Karla, I'm not in the mood'' Carver muttered.

Karla brushed by him, flicking her tail under his muzzle as she did so. Carver flinched.

Grant looked on in amusement ''She doesn't take a hint does she?''

Carver snarled ''Why don't you make yourself useful and take her on a 'date'?''

Grant shook his head ''Nah, she's not my type. Besides, she's your property''

Carver rolled his eyes, then looked back down at Balto.

''Ah look, he's fallen asleep'' Carver chuckled. Grant leered at Balto.

''You sure? I don't trust this guy, he has a tendency to snap at you when you least expect it''

Carver snorted ''He's hardly in the condition to put up much of a fight. No, he's still thinking of that insufferable Jenna. That’s the problem''

Grant eyed Carver with a twinkle in his eye ''Should I...''

Carver smirked ''Do what you do best Grant. In fact, I'll come with you. This is something I don't want to miss''

Both dogs padded away out of the factory. After a few seconds, Balto's head snapped up, his eyes blazing. Staggering to his feet despite the pain, he tested his weight on each paw. Satisfied, he silently padded out of the factory, before breaking into a run.

''Hold on Jenna. I'm coming''

*************

Back at the house, Doc had finished telling Jenna the truth about Balto.

''Jenna, he was telling the truth all along. This evidence proves it. And I call myself a judge for ever believing Karla!''

At that moment, all Jenna could do was smile. She was so happy she could hardly stand it.

"I believe you Balto," she thought. "I was stupid not to. I've caused you so much heartache, I just hope you're okay."

Doc saw how happy she was ''See? I told you I'd make you smile''

Doc was caught off guard as Dingo barreled into him, and pulled him into a bear hug.

''Hey, easy Dingo! I'm not as young as I used to be!'' Doc stuttered, slightly short of breath.

Dingo laughed out loud ''God, I was so stupid! How could I not believe him?''

''Hey, that Karla is a pro believe me'' Chester replied.

Dingo padded over to Chester ''Thank you. You've saved our family'' he beamed.

''Hey, no problem kid'' Chester smiled.

His smile vanished, and he padded over to Doc ''Hey, this Balto? When was the last time you all saw him?''

''He came here. He was acting really strangely, and I...told him to leave'' Jenna felt tears come to her eyes as she realized what she had done.

Chester’s face went grim, and he padded past Jenna and out of the door without stopping.

''Well...what was all that about?'' Doc asked, puzzlement on his face.

Jenna stifled a sob ''Oh Balto...what have I done?''

Dingo nuzzled her ''It'll be okay, we'll find him. Okay?''

Jenna nodded. Dingo turned to Doc.

''Seeing as how we can't walk alone at night, will you help me find my Dad?''

Doc nodded ''I'd be delighted to. I've got some apologizing to do!''

He turned to Jenna ''Will you be okay? I mean, I don't want to leave you on your own considering...''

''I'll be fine Doc. Besides, Balto might come back here. If he does, I want to be here'' Jenna replied.

Doc nodded ''Okay. Come on Dingo''

Dingo looked at Jenna with concern ''Are you sure? I could stay and...''

Jenna shook her head ''Just find him for me Dingo, please?''

Dingo smiled and nuzzled her, then padded out the door behind Doc.

Jenna immediately padded over to the window, and stared out at the frozen landscape.

''Balto, please forgive me'' she whispered.

*************

Jenna was asleep at the window; her front paws still resting on the windowsill. Outside, it had begun to snow lightly, covering the window in a faint frost.

She didn't hear the front door beyond pushed open, nor did she hear the sound of paws clicking on the floor. But she did snap awake at the next sound.

''Hello Jenna''

Jenna's eyes snapped open at the familiar voice. Looking up, she found herself gazing into a pair of cold puppy blue eyes.

''Did you miss me?'' Carver smirked.

Jenna gasped, and shot to her feet. Carver raised a paw.

''Ah ah! I wouldn't if I were you Jenna''

Jenna stared into Carvers blue eyes, the eyes that she had first been attracted to when she had first met him. Now they were cold and lifeless, and were boring holes in her head.

''What...what have you done with Balto? What have you done to him?'' she stammered.

Carver sniggered ''Nothing. I wouldn't dream of hurting him. He's my protégé!''

Jenna backed away as Carver took a step forward. She noticed for the first time the white froth bubbling round his lips, and she shrank back in terror.

''Ah, I wouldn't go too far Jenna. I've brought a friend over''

Jenna screamed as a paw clamped onto her shoulder from behind and span her round.

''Jenna, allow me to introduce Grant. He's been looking forward to...meeting you'' Carver sniggered.

''Too right I have!'' Grant smirked, revealing razor sharp teeth. Jenna pushed him off her, and she staggered back into Carver.

''Nothing personal Jenna, but your in the way. But I promise it'll be quick''

Jenna screamed as Carver shoved her to the floor. She looked up in horror as Grant loomed over her, his jaws dripping froth.

''Grant, you know what to do'' Carver smirked.

Jenna shut her eyes tight as Grants jaws reached for her throat.

''Touch her, and I'll kill you!''

Jenna heard Grant shout out in surprise as something slammed into him. She opened her eyes a fraction, and gasped at whom she saw.

''Balto!''

Balto placed himself firmly between Jenna and Grant, who was staggering to his feet. Grant snarled viciously.

''I've had just about enough of you pally!''

Balto bared his teeth, and tensed himself up ready to strike. Grant took a step forward, only for Carver to grab him by the bandanna.

Grant yelped ''What...get off me! I'll kill him!'' he snarled, struggling to get loose.

Carver growled ''Enough! Remember the plan!''

Grant snarled in frustration, as Carver released his bandanna. Grant glared at Balto, who snarled back.

''Come on Grant!'' Carver ordered, walking around Balto and Jenna towards the door.

Grant growled ''This isn't over! I'll get you!'' he leered at Jenna, who shrank back in terror.

''It's okay. Your safe'' Balto reassured her.

Grant padded round Balto and Jenna, his eyes never wading from Balto. With a frustrated snarl, Grant walked out of the door.

Balto sighed with relief, and