Kia walked over to where Jamie was sitting and laid his breakfast near her.

Kia watched as she used her front paws to hold the meat so that her teeth could tear the fat and sinew into eatable bites.

Kia imitated her and tore off a chunk.

Kia chewed the meat for a minute and then swallowed.

This actually is very good, thought Kia with some surprise, maybe its part of the transformation, but either way I’m glad I can stomach it.

Suddenly he heard someone walking into the shed.

“Hey Jamie,” a voice said,” You want to…who is that?”

Jamie immediately looked up.

“Oh hi Balto,” Jamie said nervously, “this is…”

“Kia,” Kia cut in, “nice to meet you.”

“What are you doing here wolf?” asked Balto.

“Well that’s rich coming from another wolf,” said Kia, “I could ask the very same thing.”

“I live here,” said Balto, “I can’t recall seeing you around town. Oh, and I’m only half wolf.”

“I new in town,” said Kia. “Say, want to join us for some breakfast.”

“Well I don’t know,” said Jamie, “The human might not like it?”

“Oh,” said Balto with a wounded expression, “I see how it is. You can offer him something but you can’t even give your best friend something. I know when I’m not wanted.”

“Wait,” said Kia, not wanting a confrontation, “is the human you’re talking about young, kind of tall, and has green eyes?”

“Yes, “said Jamie slowly, “why?”

“Well,” said Kia, “I saw a human like that on my way over here. He saw me and petted me and was nice. I think that he would be fine if Balto had a piece of meat.”

“Um,” said Balto a little taken aback, “okay.”

Balto grabbed a piece of meat and came over to join Kia and Jamie.

“So,” said Balto, “what’s your story?”

“Well,” said Kia, “I lived over by the hills on the north side of town. I came here after my family was killed by wolves.”

“Why not just go to another pack,” asked Balto, “why come here?”

“Well,” said Kia, “I’m not like most other wolves, or like other dogs for that matter.”

At this, Kia stopped and tried to think of how to confirm that statement.

Maybe if I say I’m half and half, thought Kia, I’ll keep them happy. After all Balto said he was half and half, but he still looks more like a dog than me apparently. Oh well, it’s worth a try.

“What do you mean,” asked Jamie while he was thinking about this.

“I’m part wolf,” said Kia quickly, “just like Balto.”

“But,” said Balto, “you look more wolf than even me and most people and dogs around here think that I look pretty wolfish.”

“Well, “said Kia with a cough, “might just be a genetic thing. Now, you said you wanted some food?”

“Oh yes, thank you,” said Balto walking over to the bag.

After he got a sizable piece, he came back and sat down with Kia and Jamie.

“So Balto,” said Kia after a few minutes of silence, “how do you know Jamie?”

Both Balto and Jamie sat up and looked at each other.

“Well…,” Jamie began.

“I saved her from getting run over,” said Balto. “After that, we just started seeing each other from time to time.”

“Seeing each other,” said Kia with a questioning glance, “as in seeing each other or seeing each other?”

“Oh no, no, no,” they both said at once then looked at each other.

“Just seeing each other as friends,” said Balto quickly.

Then he asked, “Why?”

“Oh, no reason,” said Kia returning to his food.

“So,” said Kia looking over at Jamie, “since I’m new here, you want to give me a tour of this town.”

“Uh-hum,” said Balto, “what about me? Don’t I get to come?”

“And why,” said Kia with a smirk, “would you want to do that? What do you think I will do, steal your girlfriend right from under your nose?”

“She’s not my girlfriend,” said Balto roughly, “we’re just friends.”

“Whatever,” said Kia dismissively, “so Jamie, what time sounds good to you?”

“No time if Balto doesn’t come,” said Jamie firmly.

“Aw, come on,” said Kia trying to look indignant while trying not to laugh.

I wonder how long I can keep this up, thought Kia. This is kind of fun, playing with their heartstrings and all. I might as well give it a rest. They are getting rather flustered.

“All right,” said Kia with a defeated look. “How about first thing tomorrow?”

“Sounds good,” said Jamie, “but why not go this evening?”

“I’ve got some things I need to do,” said Kia, “see you tomorrow.”
“Um,” said Jamie looking a little put out,” bye.”

Right before walking out, Kia turned around.

“Oh Balto,” said Kia with a laugh, “I was just messing with you earlier.”

With that he walked out the door.

Interesting updates, thought Kia, there is a dog named Balto who is friends with Jamie. He seems real nice to me, even though he was a bit abrupt with me at first. I think that this could be a good pair to hang around. I’ll change back and go in human and make sure that Balto accepts the human me.

Kia transformed and went in the shed.

“Hey girl,” said Kia, “I’m back. Where are you?”

Kia looked over at Balto and Jamie who had been eating and had looked up sharply at him. Kia tried to look like he’d seen Balto for the first time.

“Well now,” said Kia walking over, “who is this? I see you’ve made yourself at home. By the looks of it, this isn’t your first time here.”

Kia stretched out his hand but Balto shied away.

“It’s okay,” said Kia gently, “I won’t hurt you. Promise.”

Balto slowly stepped forward and Kia scratched him behind his ears.

“Told ya,” said Kia, “now, let’s see if you have a name.”

Kia reached down to Balto’s neck where there was a rope collar with a tag on it.

“So,” said Kia after a minute, “your Balto. I heard tell of some family owning a wolf dog. I guess that was you.”

Kia sat down on a crate and looked at the two dogs who were sitting and looking at him.

“So,” said Kia after a minute, “you two a couple?”

Jamie started to nuzzle Balto, but Balto leaned away at the last moment. Jamie looked at him, whacked him with her paw and walked away.

Kia walked over to Balto who had his head bowed and was just sitting looking at the floor.

“Ouch,” said Kia sitting down next to Balto, “I see you have a way with women.”

Balto looked over at Kia and nudged his hand with his muzzle.

Kia put his hand on Balto’s head and let it rest there.

“I’ve never had much luck with women either,” Kia said after a minute. “But then, I haven’t met many in my life. I’ve been out it the woods mostly. Never really had much of a chance to get to know many people.”

Kia looked over at Balto who was staring at him now.

“Surprised to hear a human talk to a dog like an equal,” Kia asked? “You’ll find that I’m not like most humans. I’m sort of what you’d call a half and half.”

Balto looked at him strangely as if seeing him for the first time.

“Well,” said Kia getting up,” it’s getting late and I’d better get some sleep. I was going to sell that meat in town, but they might not take it after dogs have touched it.”

Balto looked over at Kia and whined.
“Oh don’t worry,” said Kia with a smile, “it seems to be paying me the rent in this shed for a while. Are you going to stay the night or go home?”

Balto sat motionless for a minute and then got up and headed out the door.

I guess Jamie is giving Balto the cold shoulder for making her look foolish in front of me.

As if on cue, Jamie walked out from behind a crate and looked at the door.

“You could be a little nicer to him,” said Kia softly.

Jamie just turned her head away.

Kia rested against some bags and closed his eyes.

Tomorrow should be very interesting, thought Kia before falling asleep.