this was going on, Lance approached the entrance to the alcove and perked his ears up to listen in.
"Mum, you’re embarrassing me!" Saba said in irritation.
"What's his name?" Jenna asked.
"Chris" Saba answered quickly. Lance felt his heart drop.
"Saba" he whispered, hoping he wasn't heard.
"So, how long have you know...Chris?" Jenna asked. Saba sighed.
"I met him when we arrived. But as I've already said, he's just a friend"
Lance perked up slightly, a hopeful look on his face as he continued to listen in.
"A friend whom you've been spending all your time with. Your father saw you and him outside yesterday when you came back hurt, and you sure seemed close. You even gave him a nuzzle"
"Mum!" Saba whined. Jenna chuckled.
"Saba honey, you can't keep anything from me"
Saba sighed "Okay, okay. So I like him. Is that such a big deal?"
Lance felt his shoulders sag. Shaking his head, he sadly padded away. A few seconds later, Saba padded out of the alcove.
"I'll see you later Mum. I'm going to talk to Papa"
"Okay Saba. Give my regards to Chris!" Jenna chuckled. Saba huffed and padded away. Though secretly, she was smiling.
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Balto climbed up the shelves to Aleu's chamber. When he reached the alcove, he scratched on the rock.
"Come in" Aleu called. Balto padded inside.
"Oh, hi Papa," Aleu said. "Sorry about not seeing you before, I've been really busy setting up for tomorrow"
Balto smiled "That's actually the reason why I came. I wanted to tell you something"
Aleu smiled as he padded over to her "What did you want to tell me?" she asked.
"Aleu...I'm going to try out for the team tomorrow"
Aleu stared at him "What? But...why the sudden change of heart?"
Balto sighed "Aleu...I've given this a lot of thought, and I realize now that you need all the help you can get. You’re my daughter, and I have a duty to protect you. And that's what I'm going to do"
Aleu smiled faintly "Thanks Papa. I understand why you were so apprehensive. Sirius told me about what you said"
Balto nodded "But I realize now that when this war begins I have a duty not just to you but also to your pack. If I do well tomorrow, I'll be proud and honored to protect you" he smiled warmly.
Aleu nuzzled him "Thank you Papa. Have you told Mum yet?"
Balto shook his head "No. I...I didn't know what to say. And I don't want her worrying"
"Worrying about what?"
Balto jumped as Jenna padded into the alcove "Oh...Jenna. How long have you been out there?"
"I just got to when you said about not wanting me to worry. Worry about what?" she asked.
Balto sighed "Jenna...I...I'm going to try out tomorrow for the team"
"What?" Jenna asked, shocked. Balto gestured to Aleu.
"Jenna, she and this pack needs all the help it can get. I need to at least try"
"But...Balto you could get hurt. Or worse, you could be killed!" Jenna said fiercely.
Balto sighed again "Jenna, she's my daughter. And I can't just sit back when they need all the help they can get. I have to try"
Jenna shook her head "I just...I just don't want you risking your life with a chance that you could get hurt. I almost lost you four months ago, I can't go through that again"
Balto’s ears drooped slightly at this "Jen, this is different. This time I have a choice, and I have to do this. I just hope you understand that I'm doing this for all of you"
He looked at her with his eyes full of sadness, then padded out of the alcove. Jenna sniffed, not wanting to cry in front of Aleu.
"Mom, are you okay?" Aleu asked. Jenna nodded.
"Yes, I'm fine Aleu. Don't worry, I'm okay"
Aleu looked at her quizzically "Mum, what did you mean about losing Papa again?"
Jenna looked up sharply, as realization came that Aleu knew nothing about the events of four months ago and 'The Pack'. She sighed before answering.
"Aleu, sit down. I'll explain everything"
Jenna told Aleu everything. About Carver, the murders around Nome, Karla, how she had disbelieved Balto after the trial, the attack on Kodi, how Balto had saved her from Carver and Grant, the attack on the vets, and finally how she had gone looking for Balto in his rabid state.
Aleu listened to all this calmly, not showing any emotion. But when Jenna had finished, she couldn't stop the tears that slowly trickled down her face.
"Oh, Mum" Aleu said quietly, as she lay her head on her mothers shoulder.
Jenna sighed "That's why I'm so worried. I don't want to lose him again"
Aleu nodded "I understand Mum, I really do. But, I'm just so confused right now. I didn't expect any of this to happen. Now I don't know what to do"
Jenna just nodded as Aleu quietly sobbed into her shoulder. They remained like that for a long time.
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Saba and Chris were walking back to the cave after another exhausting game of tag. Chris had won every time, but he had prolonged the game as much as possible, it was more fun to let her run.
Chris sighed. He was being to become attracted to Saba, and that was the problem. He had sworn to himself that he wouldn't get attracted to anyone that would jeapordise the mission, but that was exactly what he was doing. It was a pity that she was so nice to him.
It would be all the more difficult when the time came to take her out.
"So, are you ready for tomorrow?" Saba asked. Chris smiled.
"Hopefully. Why, you don't think I can do it?"
Saba giggled "Maybe. You weren't able to catch up to me for ages before! Maybe your getting slow"
Chris huffed "Me? Slow? How dare you! I'm one of the fastest wolves in Alaska!"
Saba smiled and nuzzled him "And one of the cutest"
Chris smiled "Thanks. Your not so bad yourself" he licked her cheek. Saba blushed.
"Why does she have to be so nice? It makes my job so much more difficult!" he thought.
They were walking towards the entrance to the cave when he spotted Sirius and Chester padding outside. But that wasn't all he saw.
On the ledge above, Chris saw one of the wolves from his clan sneaking up on Sirius. Chris forced down a smirk.
"This should be fun to watch"
Then suddenly, he had an idea.
"Saba, stay here!" he said, before charging towards the cave entrance. Sirius and Chester stared as he jumped over them and slammed into the other wolf who had just leapt off the ledge. The both collided in mid-air and rolled across the snow and into the foliage. Chris pinned him down and snarled at him.
"Get out of here!" he growled. The other wolf nodded, and Chris loosened his grip. The wolf jumped to his feet and bolted into the foliage. Chris smirked and padded out towards the entrance. Sirius was waiting for him.
"Chris that was amazing! Well done!" the black wolf beamed. Chris just nodded.
"Just doing my duty sir. Anyone else would have done the same thing in my place"
"Listen Chris, I was wondering. Were you planning on entering the contest tomorrow?"
Chris nodded "I am sir. Why?"
Sirius smiled "Don't bother. After that kind of a performance, you’re more than up to the challenge. Welcome aboard"
Chris forced a smile "Thank you sir"
"Please Chris, call me Sirius. I'll talk to Aleu about my decision, and we'll speak later"
Chris nodded, and Sirius padded back to the cave. Chester winked at him.
"Glad to have you on the team kiddo"
Chris smiled, and Chester padded after Sirius. Saba walked up to Chris, an amazed smile on her face.
"Chris, that was fantastic! How did you learn to jump like that?"
"Oh, I've always been able to do it. And guess what? I don't have to compete tomorrow! I got a place!"
Saba smiled warmly and nuzzled him "Congratulations. I'm really proud of you"
Chris smiled, and watched as Saba began to lean towards him. A second later, their lips met in a passionate canine kiss.
When they parted a few seconds later, Chris looked around "Saba, I've gotta sort something out here. I'll see you later, okay?"
Saba nodded "I'll be with Aleu if you want to find me" she smiled.
"Okay...Sabs" he smirked. Saba blushed.
"Is that my new nickname now?" she asked.
Chris shrugged "If you want it to be" he chuckled.
"Well, I like it" Saba smiled at him.
"I'm glad. I'll catch you later, yeah?"
Saba nodded "Don't be too long"
Chris nodded "I'll be real quick. Promise"
Saba smiled and nuzzled him one last time before padding towards the cave. Chris sighed.
"Why do you have to be so nice? And beautiful?"
Chris watched as she disappeared inside the cave, and then padded into the foliage. After a few moments, he came across a leering gray wolf.
"Boy you'd better have one hell of an excuse about that little stunt!" Maxwell snarled. Chris chuckled.
"Little stunt? I thought it was quite professional myself"
Maxwell leered at him "Don't act cocky Chris! Heller is after
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