Vella met them at the entrance and announced their arrival to the pack. Almost instantly, three pups, one brown, one gray, and one white, came bounding up to Balto.

“Hi, Uncle Balto,” Kemen said, “did you come to see us?”

“Why else would I come?” Balto replied, patting him on the head.

“Uncle Balto,” said Laila, “why do you have scars on your back?”

“I bet he got in a fight!” replied Kantu, pouncing on his sister. As they rolled around, Vella stepped in.

“Now children, behave please.”

“Do you know why Uncle Balto has scars?” Kemen asked her. Kantu and Laila stopped fighting and came running back to hear her explanation. Vella thought for a moment.

“Well, some bad wolves tried to hurt him and Jenna, so he fought them.”

“I knew it!” Kantu exclaimed.

“Shh!” said Laila and Kemen in unison.

“Did they win?”

“Yes, Laila, Uncle Balto won. With a little help from Uncle Kaltag and Krystal of course, but they’re still asleep so let’s not wake them.” The pups groaned, but nodded reluctantly and started to walk away. Balto whispered a question to Vella, who listened and nodded.

“Hey kids,” Balto called. All three turned their heads. “How would you guys like to see where I live later?”

“Really?” they chorused.

“Of course,” Vella said, “but no one else in Nome knows, so it’ll be our little secret.” All three pups nodded happily and ran off to play in their cave.

“Speaking of secrets…” Balto said, looking at Jenna, “You’ve been pretty quiet Jen, is there something I need to know?”

“Yeah,” Gunther put in, “what are you, pregnant?” Balto turned to say something to him, but Jenna didn’t answer. He turned and looked back at Jenna just as a smile began to creep across her face. Balto understood instantly.

“Jen, when did you find out?” he said, barely containing his excitement.

“Just this morning,” she replied, not containing her happiness at all. Balto bounded up to her and nuzzled her as Echo raised his voice.

“Three cheers for Balto, ‘cause he’s gonna be a father!” He lifted his muzzled and howled, and the rest of the pack joined in.

The End