the song with her sweet alto. “Yes, reach for the light.”

There was a hush as the Aurora Borealis shimmered and swirled against the darkening heavens. The four siblings looked at each other, and in their eyes was the same message: Goodbye.

Kaila, Copper, Chase, and Dusty parted ways.

Kaila padded up to her mother and father and hugged first Jenna, then Balto. Jenna kissed her ear and murmured a loving goodbye. Balto hugged her as hard as he could and gazed straight into her eyes when he said he was proud of her. Kaila joined Silver Arrow with a nuzzle, and together they led their pack into the cave.

Copper trotted over to Taya and kissed her. She smiled and ran her head along his neck contentedly.

Chase went back to Ketch and leaned against him. He licked her nose, and she laughed, and kissed him briefly.

Dusty returned to Kira and playfully slung the pups onto his back. He waited for the rest of the group to catch up, and then Dusty led the way to Nome for his family.

Balto and Jenna hung back from the others for a moment.

“Jenna, I just realized something,” Balto said slowly.

“And what’s that?” Jenna said, “That you’re the father of two alpha females of wolf packs? That you’re the father-in-law of Steele’s daughter? That all our children have found good mates and are happy with their lives?”

“Give me some credit, I already had all that figured out,” Balto said with a grin, “But I think this was our one last chance to show them what family’s all about. And they got it, Jen. They really got it.”

“Oh?” Jenna said, not unkindly, “And what’s family all about?”

Balto looked at her. “Love.”

Jenna tipped her head sideways, her eyes sparkling. Then she laughed and kissed Balto. “You’re right, Balto. You’re right.”

The golden sun slipped under the horizon, throwing the tundra into a glowing orange. Balto glanced down at the lantern and Jenna’s bandana full of glass shards. “Could I carry your luggage for you, ma’am?”

Jenna smiled. “As long as you don’t mind talking with your mouth full the whole way!”

Balto grinned and took the lantern and bandana in his teeth. “It would be my pleasure,” he said, some of the words getting muffled against the bandana, which made Jenna smile again. Together they set out for Nome, following their children’s pawprints.

And in the distance, the Northern Lights danced.

Balto, Jenna, Steele, Aniu, and Aleu © Universal Studios

Kaila, Copper, Chase, Dusty, Silver Arrow, Dark Moon, Lakota, Sirius, Kiowa, Cheyenne, Nilak, Sage, Sarai, Taya, Ava, Hawk, Luka, Ketch, Smokey, Bear, Belle, Matt, Kira, Lucas, Silver, Gail, Robin, Johnson, the Tolbecks, Nicholas Carson, Storm, Torpedo, Shadow, and Brenner © redwolf03

‘Reach for the Light’ © Universal Studios

‘To Make Her Love Me’ © Rascal Flatts