thing I knew, I was in the spirit realm. No one could tell me how exactly I died,” explained Aniu. Everyone’s expression was of awe and sadness. “We did get separated and I was calling for you, mom. I heard you coming and I stayed put. When the stampede cleared, I went looking for you. I saw you lying on your side. I at first thought that you were asleep or knocked out. I kept trying to wake you up but you didn’t. Dad came over and said that you were gone. I understood and went away with him and he started helping me grow up. Before we could get very far, he was killed while protecting me from hunters. That’s how I roamed into Nome,” explained Balto. Suddenly he burst into tears and fell to the floor.

Aleu stood up and went and sat down next to her father. “Its ok dad. What’s in the past is in the past. We have no reason to mourn over it,” she said. Kodi decided to turn the matters to a happier note. “What’s it like in the spirit world? Its such a mystery,” he asked. “I think that it should remain a mystery for you. For if you know what to expect, than there is no joy for what you have to come to.” Balto finally stopped crying. He stood up and hugged his mother again. “I missed you so much.”

Ch: 7

Steele could sense it. “There is a new presence around Jenna,” he thought. He was back and still had all the respect that he had before he left. Suddenly he saw Jenna and a white husky, which looked very much like a wolf, walk into the boiler room. Curious, he walked in too, to see who it was. “Jenna, Nome is so cozy. I don’t want to be a bother,” Aniu said modestly. “Oh no trouble at all,” assured Jenna. I just hope that Steele doesn’t… “Jenna! What a wonderful surprise. I was just thinking about you,” Steele said. Jenna only turned her back on him without responding for a few minutes. “Hello Steele,” she replied. “So who is your… WOLF!” Steele jumped up and bristled and snarled at her. He stepped in front of Jenna to protect her. “You don’t need to be protecting me Steele. Aniu is my friend. Aniu, meet Steele,” Jenna said without emotion. Aniu nodded at him. “You strangely look familiar. You look like that mutt, Balto!” said Steele. “And you look exactly like your father, Iron.” “How do you know my father?” “I’ve seen him before,” said Aniu choosing her words carefully.

Steele snorted at this and turned back to Jenna, who was now staring at him, an expressionless stare. “So Jenna, I just came by to ask you what you meant by what the mutt had that I didn’t. I mean, I’ve got the charm, good looks, best reputation,” he said. Jenna only continued to stare at him. Uh oh, do I have something in my teeth? Is my breath bad? Do I smell? Do I have something in my fur? “Excuse me Jenna, I must check on something.”

Steele ran out of the boiler room and went over to a broken mirror. His fur was perfectly brushed, he smelled like roses, his breath was as fresh as mountain air, and his teeth were as white as ivory. So what was Jenna staring at? Shrugging it off, he left for the boiler room again. When he reached it again, Jenna and the other husky were gone. He picked up their scent and followed it.

Balto was straightening things up for his mother to come back. When they walked in, he smelled Steele, but he didn’t bring it up. “So how do you like Nome?” “I think it’s very cozy. I know you smell a husky named Steele. He did find us but we were able to put off his suspicions,” explained Jenna. Balto nodded.

They all ate and rested for about a half an hour until the happy voices of Aleu and her family coming. When they walked in they all were quiet. Jenna knowing this sign was the first to ask. “So what’s the big secret?” “Two things. One we smell a husky coming this way, and he doesn’t smell friendly. Two, I’m going to have a second litter!” “Oh Aleu that is great news! When did you find out,” asked Balto. “Just this morning,” she replied. “We’re going to be big brother and sisters!” cried the pups. Everyone laughed and congratulated Aleu and Merlin. “My blessings upon you both!” said Aniu at last.

Ch: 8

Finally! Thought Steele. He reached Balto’s boat and smelled other company. The rest of them wolves. Great, just what I need. A wolf family reunion. But he walked on and barged right into the conversation. “So this is where you’ve been living Balto. I expected something more made out of stone,” he said coldly. “Nice to see you Steele,” replied Balto coolly.

Steele looked around the small room until he spied Aleu. He whistled under his breath. “Is that one of your first liter Jenna? She may look like her father, but she’s got your beauty.” “Flattered. I’ve heard of you Steele. From my father and all the other town dogs. Before you left, you were highly spoken of,” said Aleu stiffly. Steele walked over to her and looked at her. Aleu’s lavender eyes pierced back at him. “There is something about you. I think you deserve better than a wolf.” “No thanks, I’m quite happy where I stand,” said Aleu sharply. Steele backed off and said, “I know that wolf is your mother Balto, I’ll see to it that you are humiliated!”

Back in Nome, Steele couldn’t help but think of Aleu now. “Now I can see why that other wolf fell for her. She is the most beautiful creature that I’ve ever seen! Now I must have Jenna and her daughter.” The first dog that he saw was Dixie. “Hey Dixie, I hear that you are still the best gossiper around. You want to spread something for me?” Dixie looked at him and was speechless. All she could do was nod. “Good. Tell everyone that Balto’s mommy has come to see him!” Dixie laughed a little bit and took off to tell the next dog she saw. Good.

Ch: 9

The eclipse was nearly finished when all of the family took a walk. What they didn’t know was that Steele was tagging along. He had an evil plan in mind and he was going to follow through with it. It was half his and half of his fathers. It had something to do with a waterfall named Wolf Howl Falls. He saw Aleu again, just as beautiful as he remembered. He sighed and kept up the pace.

“The eclipse is almost over mom, you sure that you don’t want to go back to Star Rock?” “Not yet, we still have a few hours.” Once they reached Wolf Howl Falls, Balto went to admire the view. This was Steele’s cue! He leaped out of the bushes and attacked Balto. “STEELE!” roared Aleu, Jenna, and Aniu together. Balto quickly regaining his balance leaped at Steele’s side but Steele was too quick for him. He moved out of the way and pushed Balto near the edge of the waterfall. Aniu suddenly remembering her premonition howled “NOOOOOOOO!” Steele made a sneaky move for Balto’s hind- quarters and he fell off the edge. Aniu crumpled down and began to sob.

Aleu, not wanting to give up, dove at Steele. She knocked him down and began to bite and slash at him furiously. “HOW DARE YOU KILL MY FATHER! I’LL SEE THAT YOU PAY FOR THAT!” “You are a true warrior Aleu, you will make a fine mate for me,” said Steele under his breath. He pushed Aleu off of him and ran away.

Jenna started running down near the river. She saw Balto bobbing up and down the rapids as he came down the waterfall. “Balto! BALTO!” she barked furiously trying to help him regain consciences. Nothing was helping. Balto began to sink below the surface. Now Jenna was beginning to panic until she heard Aniu.

Aniu, at the peak of the waterfall, was howling. “I call upon the powers of all nature!” she said. “Wind!” A gust of wind went up and swirled around her. Jenna looked at the sun and it was almost out of its eclipse! Jenna looked in horror, expecting to see Aniu fade. But she didn’t she called out again more things. “Earth! Fire! Water! SPIRITS!” All parts of these things she called out came and swirled around her. She dove after her son.

Aniu swam as she headed for her son. She took a deep breath and dove after him. She arose again with him on her back. When she reached shore, Jenna noticed that Air and water were no longer swirling around her. She dropped him near some sticks and said “Fire.” “How did you do that?” asked Aleu and the others, who were obviously watching. “Very old magic. The old ones taught me how to use them wisely.” Balto looked like he wasn’t breathing. “Spirit.” And suddenly Balto regained conscience. The fire was beginning to help him warm up from the icy water. “Earth.” And a mound of dirt came over Balto to keep him warm.

“Thank you,” was all he could muster from his voice. Aniu nodded. When Balto was well enough they all ran to Star Rock. Here Aniu would be judged to see if she will be a wanderer, or a spiritual hero. She sat down and waited. Then a council of old wolves came in their spirits and gathered. “Aniu, after much thought and deliberation, you shall be accepted back into the spirit realm. You put your son in front of your return. We’re all very proud of you.” Aniu bowed her head respectfully. The council disappeared and the clouds were swirling creating the gate.

Aniu turned to her family saying, “I’ll always be watching. Don’t ever forget that.” And with a final gust of wind, Aniu was