us.

I knew I was the only one who had the will to break the connection. Reluctantly I pulled away and watched Scout’s shining eyes gradually grow dimmer. He stared at me and said, “I love you, Aniu. Now go. I’ll be here, watching…”

“I love you, too,” I said in a raspy murmur, then took the plunge and fell to Earth’s beautiful blue and green with my family in mind.

And now you know of my past. But what of my present? What of my future? Well, I can tell you that I have found everyone in my family and relieved their sadness. I found my Balto, alone and discouraged, in a cold valley with hopelessness staining his golden eyes. Heart cracking, I howled to him to be proud of his heritage and not to give up. He looked at me, and after a few moments courage filled his spirit once more, and he howled back to me.

I found the Anvil Creek pack and appeared to them in my old form of a white wolf, while offering an explanation of how I had survived the battle. In my new spirit form I discovered I could become flesh again for short amounts of time, and could even shape-shift into different creatures. I showed myself to my family as a white wolf.

After growing pale beneath his fur, Sirius ran to embrace me while Lakota jumped upon me. It was as if their grief was a dark veil that had been lifted too suddenly.

I lived among the Anvil Creek pack during the day and as a spirit I flew to Scout each night.

I even found my brother Nava, and I was surprised but happy to hear he was the great leader of a strong pack. I contacted him through a dream when I was helping one of Balto’s daughters find her place in the world, but it was as much a message of sibling love to Nava as a warning of my granddaughter.

Yes, I found everyone in my family…except for my daughter. I have seen her many times from heaven, but I have never been able to meet her or tell her of how she came to be of mixed heritage, or how she came to live with two kidnappers. Thus, I will continue searching for her until we meet, mother to daughter; until I let her know someone will be waiting for her in heaven, and that in life she has my blessing.

The day is growing dark. It is nearly time for me to return to Scout up in the heavens. I promised you your time and patience would not be in vain. I trust that my promise was kept.

I will always be Aniu, the white wolf, the alpha female of the Anvil Creek pack, a grandmother, a mother, a spirit. But granted I am no longer a mystery.

Now that you have heard my story, I hope you will see me in a different light.

Balto, Aniu, Jenna, and Nava © Universal Studios

Wildfire, Silver Snow, Kalim, Ice Moon, Seminole, Snow Paws, Ranger, Scout, Jewel, Rora, Roan, Soran, Balto’s sister, Sirius, Sage, Kiowa, and Lakota © redwolf03

Author’s Note: This story took me FOREVER to type up, so I hope ya’ll enjoyed it!