“and I will make your deaths short and painless.” Balto stepped between Jenna and the black leader, planting his paws firmly in the ground.

“I make deals with no one,” Balto replied.

“You had your chance,” the black alpha said, turning to his followers, “Kill them all.” Six of the young black males leapt forward, teeth bared. Two began to clash with Cloud Runner; two others struggled with Silver Snow and the third silver wolf. The last two leapt at Balto. Even now, as she watched them, Jenna could tell Balto was no match for the stronger, well-rested wolves. She leaned backwards, preparing to jump on the one nearer to herself, but suddenly a familiar gray wolf stepped in front of her.

“Come quickly,” he panted, “We must get you out of here.”

“Jenna, go with him, now!” Balto cried, dodging another bite from his assailants, “Go!” Jenna nodded and followed the old gray male to the far side of the clearing. He brushed snow away from behind a bush and said,

“Stay here, I’ll try to help your friends.” With that, the old gray male dashed back out into the clearing to aid the Balto and the others. Silver Snow and the other silver female had beaten down their attackers and were helping Cloud Runner. The old gray male joined them, and soon they had beaten back the last of the attackers. As she stopped to catch her breath, Silver Snow panted,

“Has anyone…seen Balto?” Just as she and the others were regrouping, the gray male saw the black alpha in the clearing, advancing slowly toward them once again. Silver Snow and the others turned to face him…

…and were completely surrounded.

“Where did they all come from?” the old gray male asked, looking around in desperation. The black alpha laughed.

“Did you forget about my elite corps? How unfortunate. I kept them in reserve in case of a rebellion, and now they have come of use.”

“Will you not fight us yourself, coward?” Cloud Runner growled.

“Name calling helps no one,” the black alpha replied, “And no one can help you now.” His elite corps closed the tight circle around them, teeth bared. Cloud Runner and the others prepared for the onslaught.

Suddenly, an angry howl rose above the clearing, resonating against the cliff and echoing among the trees. The black alpha and his elite corps turned in surprise. For racing toward them was Echo’s pack. Before they could react, the members of the black alpha’s elite corps were overpowered and knocked to the ground. They bowed their heads in defeat. As his wolves surrendered, the black alpha tried to slip away into the forest, but was met by three silver females, who quickly surrounded him and led him back to where Echo’s pack had formed a ring around the defeated wolves. Pushing him into the center, Cloud Runner growled,

“You are leader no more.” She then turned to face the rest of them. As she opened her muzzle to speak, Silver Snow nudged her and pointed beyond the group. Everyone, even the defeated wolves, turned to look.

Near the rock face, Jenna padded up to the unmoving body of a grayish-brown canine. Echo left his pack and joined her. Jenna had tears in her eyes.

“Balto?” She padded closer and licked him on the cheek. Then, to her great surprise, he moved! Shaking his head, Balto struggled to his paws as Jenna bounded up to him.

“Jenna…”

“Oh Balto,” she whispered, nuzzling his neck, “you scared me.”

“I’m not leaving you Jenna.” Behind them, Echo breathed a sigh of relief. He smiled and returned to the where his pack and the silver females had the defeated wolves surrounded. He nodded to Silver Snow, who stepped into the ring and looked at Cloud Runner.

“Before you begin your judgment, I have known several of these wolves for years.” She gestured to a small group nearby. “They are honest wolves and I am certain they were tricked or forced into serving Vanuk. I would ask that you give them another chance.” Cloud Runner thought for a moment and nodded. The small group rose to their paws, much relieved, and exited the circle. Silver Snow followed them and left the rest to Cloud Runner, who looked the rest over and said,

“Each and every one of you have willfully served Vanuk and carried out every order he gave, even his order to treat us as dirt.” The defeated corps nodded, most of them in shame. “And you all know the penalty for such crimes,” Cloud Runner continued. More nods. “However, if you wish to avoid this punishment, you have but to swear honesty to our new pack and you will be granted amnesty and treated as equals.” She paused to let the shocked wolves decide. Many nodded, eager to redeem themselves. Echo’s pack stepped aside to let them through. Vanuk and few close followers, however, remained in the circle by choice.

“I assume none of you wish amnesty?” Cloud Runner said. Their cold eyes gave her the answer. “Alright. The trial will now begin.”

A while later, after hearing testimony from many sources, which included several former elite guards, Cloud Runner called Balto forward. He and Jenna stepped up beside her.

“Balto, would you turn around please.” Balto nodded and turned to face the forest. The crowd of onlookers gasped. On his neck and chest were several deep gashes; a few still oozed blood. “This,” Cloud Runner proclaimed, her voice seething with anger, “is the type of treatment he endured, by Vanuk’s specific orders. This will not be allowed to continue.” She then turned to Balto and Jenna, her face calm and collected, “Thank you.” They nodded and returned to their spots among Echo’s pack members. Cloud Runner then faced the two packs. “Based on the evidence given me and the testimony from multiple witnesses, I hereby banish Vanuk and his captains from our lands. Returning to our territory will mean death. Am I clear?” Vanuk and his captains said nothing. “Go,” Cloud Runner hissed, pointing into the forest. The guilty wolves stood and left without a word.

“May they never return,” whispered Cloud Runner. She turned on her paws and padded up to the forgiven members of Vanuk’s pack. “The first thing we must do is choose an alpha.” Everyone’s eyes went to her. She looked around for a moment and nodded. “Well then, we’ll have to find some food. I assume most of us haven’t had a decent meal in a day or two.” The new pack stood and followed her to the forest. A few asked to remain behind and she nodded. Then with a howl, she and the rest set off in search of game. Among those who remained behind was Silver Snow. She padded slowly up to the cave entrance and sighed. Just then, Jenna padded up beside her.

“Is something wrong?”

“No, my friend,” she replied, a smile growing on her face, “I am simply choosing the best whelping den.” Jenna’s eyes widened.

“You mean you’re…”

“Not much longer now,” she replied, “But they will be in good paws.” As she spoke, one of the silver males stepped up beside her.

“They certainly will,” he said. Jenna smiled and left the couple alone. Balto met her and they both walked back to where Echo’s pack was preparing for the journey back to their own territory.

“Balto, Jenna, why don’t you both come with us? There’s a storm not far off and it’s a long walk back to Nome.” The couple agreed and followed Echo’s pack into the forest. Not an hour later, thunder boomed and the pack quickened their pace. Just as the first snow began to fall, they reached Echo’s waterfall cave. While the rest of the pack shook themselves dry, Balto and Jenna lay down close together further back into the cave.

“Jenna,” Balto said, “how did you end up in their paws?”

“Shh, I’ll tell you all about it when you wake up, but for now, rest.” Balto nodded. There was no arguing with her. He laid his muzzle on his paws and Jenna snuggled close before laying her head down beside his. Before long, both were asleep. Echo and the rest took notice and decided to rest as well. Soon the only sound that could be heard was the whistling of the wind as the storm raged on.

Chapter Five

Jenna woke to a kiss on her cheek. She turned and kissed Balto back. He winced when she nuzzled him and she remembered the scars on his neck. She licked the wounds and Balto nuzzled her. The two stood and stretched. As they padded out of their small cave, a warm voice welcomed them.

“I trust you slept well, my friends?” Vella smiled at them as she nursed her young pups.

“Yes, but how long have we been resting?”

“Most of the day,” Vella replied, “From the looks of things you needed it.”

“Where are Echo and the others?”

“They are out hunting; these little bundles suckle relentlessly.”

“Have you named them?” Vella nodded and pointed to each of the three pups in turn.

“The brown male is Kantu. This is his brother Kemen.” She pointed to a gray ball of fur. “And the white female is their sister Laila.”

“Oh, what beautiful names, Vella,” said Jenna. “Echo must