looked at him pleadingly.

Balto frowned ''We have to be together. Forever. I promise it'll only hurt for a short time Jenna, and then we can start again. We can be...happy'' he smirked.

Jenna backed up as far as she could go, as Balto loomed up to her.

''Don't fight it Jenna. Embrace it!'' he reared himself up.

Jenna did the only thing she could do. Shutting her eyes, she slashed blindly at Balto, who let out a yelp of surprise. She opened one eye.

Balto watched as tiny beads of blood slowly welled up and dripped down his cheek where Jenna had caught him. He looked at her, and the full force of what she had done sunk in.

''I'm...sorry Balto'' she sobbed, unable to tear her eyes off him.

For a brief second, Balto stared at her in shock, his eyes full of sadness. Then, his features set, and his eyes pierced at her.

''Now that's really clever Jenna'' he snarled, wiping the blood off his cheek. Jenna shrank back at his gaze.

He sighed, forcing down an impulse to strike her down ''I'll tell you what. I'll give you a five second start. Then, I'm coming after you. Are you ready?''

Jenna stood dumbfounded, unable to let his words sink in.

''One'' he started to count. Jenna backed away.

''Two''

Tears pouring down her muzzle, Jenna turned and ran into the foliage. Balto smirked.

''Five. Ready or not Jenna...here I come''

With a laugh, Balto tore after her.

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

In the factory, Dingo and Kodi stared around at their surroundings as Chester led the way. All around them, the shadows clung to the walls, hiding their occupants. Chester suddenly froze. Dingo and Kodi looked up.

There on the top gantry, a wicked smirk plastered across his face, was Carver. At his sides were Fitz and Theo, and in his grasp was Dusty.

''Welcome to my nightmare gentlemen!'' Carver smirked, as Theo and Fitz descended the stairs in front of them. Kodi squared up to Carver, his eyes ablaze.

''Let her go!''

Carver smirked, his grip on Dusty tightening ''Fraid not Kodi. You see, if I did that then I'd lose my bargaining chip. And that would be pointless wouldn't it?'' he smirked.

Kodi snarled ''If you hurt her...''

''Oh don't make idol threats! You’re not up to challenging me! Not in that cast!'' Carver laughed. Kodi stared down at the cast in disgust.

''Kodi my friend you've caused me a hell of a lot of trouble! First, you were rude to me when I offered your mother help. Then, you took out poor Sanchez! Is it any wonder that I don't trust you?''

Kodi resisted the urge to charge at Carver, as Fitz and Theo began circling round him and Chester.

''What's more, your brother killed Renard! And I'm afraid to say, his brother isn't too happy with that'' Carver grinned.

Kodi snarled ''Where's my Dad you creep?''

Carver sniggered ''Oh, he's around. In fact, I believe he's getting reacquainted with your mother!''

Kodi struggled to hold down the boiling anger that clouded his mind. Taking a quick glance to the left, he noticed something.

Dingo was missing.

Kodi felt a chill creep down his spine, as he looked from left to right, searching for Dingo whilst making sure he didn't draw attention to himself.

Carver grinned evilly ''You know? Maybe your mother will see reason and join our happy little family. But I doubt it!''

Kodi suddenly spotted something in the darkness behind Carver. Several ropes hung down from the ceiling, and something had just moved. He resisted the urge to smile.

''So Kodi, what's it gonna be? I shall kill you anyway, but if you want your little girlfriend here to live...kneel before me'' Carver laughed, a noise devoid of all humor and emotion.

Kodi glared at Carver, a knowing smile tugging at the corners of his mouth ''Hey Carver! Do you want to know where Dingo is?''

Carver's smile vanished, and he leered at Kodi ''Where is he?'' his eyes shifted to the sides.

''He's...right behind you'' Kodi grinned.

Before Carver could react, Dingo barreled out of the shadows and impacted with Carver. The black dog released his grip on Dusty, and lunged at Dingo.

''Kodi!'' Dusty cried out, starting to pad down the stairs. Kodi looked up at her.

''Dusty, stay there!'' he shouted, as Fitz and Theo reared up at him and Chester.

Dusty froze, as Kodi and Chester tensed up. As the adrenaline kicked in, Kodi leered at Fitz.

''Your dead mutt!'' the pup growled, froth fizzing round his lips.

Fitz leapt at Kodi, and he had no choice but to meet the attack, as Chester and Theo squared up to each other.

Kodi struck out with all his strength, landing several decisive hits on Fitz whilst avoiding the pups jaws. He fought like the wind, blocking Fitz's strikes whilst jabbing here and there. Without warning, Fitz caught him round the muzzle, disorientating him for a split second. It was enough time for Fitz to strike out for his neck, which Kodi just managed to avoid. Nearby, he could here Chester and Theo fighting for their very lives.

Fitz suddenly lunged at him, jaws open. Kodi span to the side, dodging the attack and managing to pin Fitz round the back. With all his weight behind it, Kodi forced the pup down onto the floor and held him down. Gasping for breath, Kodi shut his eyes as he did what needed to be done. With one sharp twist, Fitz went limp.

Panting, Kodi opened one eye cautiously. Next to him, a similarly out of breath Chester grinned at him, Theo's lifeless body lying on the floor.

''You okay kid?'' the husky asked, wincing in pain from a deep cut above his eye. Kodi nodded, forcing a smile.

''Yeah, I'm okay. You?''

''Fine, just a bit...out of breathe'' Chester panted.

Kodi smiled, but it quickly vanished as a loud clanging sound caught his attention. Spinning round, he looked up at the gantry where Dingo and Carver were still fighting.

Dingo stared into Carver's eyes, the puppy blue eyes now wide with rage. He struggled for breath as Carver gripped his throat.

''Too bad Dingo. I kind of liked you'' Carver snarled, his claws digging into Dingo's neck. Dingo felt blood start to trickle down his neck, and looked round frantically for a way out.

And that's when he saw the ropes.

Tensing himself up, a plan quickly forming in his head, Dingo pushed forward with all his might. Taken by surprise, Carver was thrown backwards, colliding into the hanging ropes and impacting with the solid metal barrier of the gantry. The air knocked out of him, he collapsed to the floor. The ropes became tangled round his legs and neck as he struggles to get back up. Dingo padded up to the struggling dog, his eyes as hard as flint.

''I've got enough friends Carver'' he snarled. Grabbing Carver by the neck, he forced him up against the barrier until he was halfway off it. With one final shove, Carver was sent toppling over the barrier; the ropes wound tightly round his neck. A second later, the rope went taught. Dingo looked over the barrier, and watched as Carver struggled to untangle himself, blood seeping from his neck as the ropes cut into it. Dingo turned away as a wet gurgling escaped Carver's mouth, and the dog went limp.

Resisting the urge to throw up, Dingo slowly padded down the stairs. Below, Kodi and Dusty were snuggled in each other's arms, and Chester looked at him approvingly.

''Well done kiddo. You took out Carver''

Dingo shook his head, wincing as the puncture marks in his neck flared up ''I didn't have a choice. If there was any other way...''

Chester lay a paw on his shoulder ''I know. Believe me Dingo, I know''

Dingo smiled faintly, and then looked up as a barking sound caught his attention. A few seconds later, Lance and Stacy charged into the factory.

''Chester! Chester we've...'' Lance paused as his eyes rested on the bodies of Theo and Fitz. ''What...what the hell?''

Chester smiled ''It's over Lance. 'The Pack' is no more! We won!''

Lance stared at him quizzically ''What about Grant and Krest?''

Chester's smile vanished, and he looked round frantically, his nose in the air.

Suddenly, a low sniggering caught everyone's attention. Looking up at the top window, their eye's resting on the grinning face of a red and white husky.

''You think this is over? It'll never be over!'' Krest snarled, tears trickling down his face. His eyes rested on Dingo.

''You...you killed my brother. I...will...kill...you!''

With a snarl, Krest leapt off the window and launched himself at Dingo, who turned away at the very last second. Completely taken by surprise, Krest lost his footing and went careening across the floor towards the solid concrete wall. With a dull crack, he impacted with it, and went limp.

Dingo pulled himself off the floor, and turned to Chester ''Now is it over?''

Chester looked grimly at Krest's body, then forced a smile ''Yes''

Lance cleared his throat, and all eyes turned to him ''We found Jack up near the refinery. Looks like they were gonna hitch a ride on a truck leaving for Fairbanks. We took him out''

Chester nodded in understanding ''Is the sled okay Stacy?'' he turned to the female husky.

''Yes, and we've picked up Balto and Jenna's scent'' her face set hard. ''We have to go now Chester''

Chester nodded, then turned to Dingo and Kodi ''Okay guys, we're gonna help your Dad. Come on!''

With a last look round, Chester padded out of the factory with Lance and Stacy. Dingo looked back at Kodi and Dusty.

''You two stay here. You've had a hard night. I'll help find Dad''

Kodi just nodded, Dusty wrapped in his arms. With a final nod, Dingo padded after the sled team. Kodi looked on.

''Be careful Dingo'' he whispered.

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

Jenna pumped herself as fast as she could, her paws cutting through the snow. Behind her, she could hear Balto's ragged breath ever catching up to her. Jenna knew that she had to get away, but she could all ready feel fatigue setting in.

''Jenna! You can't run from me! Stop wasting time!'' Balto called out, his voice coming out as a low taunt.

Jenna heaved in breath, her chest burning each time she did so. She ran on and on, not knowing where she was or what direction she was taking, She just had to keep