and closed her jaws on his throat. His eyes bulged in terror, and he struggled violently, but Aleu merely bit down harder. Niju began screaming horribly, thrashing and flailing, but it was no use. Aleu opened her jaws a little, then snapped them together, and blood gushed out between her teeth as she pierced Niju’s jugular vein. He gurgled, gasping as blood began spurting from his mouth with the air leaving his lungs, and Aleu bit down once more, finally cutting off his breath. He choked for a few seconds, then died, his wicked eyes glazing over and closing at last. Aleu took a deep breath, and turned her head skyward, letting out a triumphant howl of victory, as the entire pack cried out “E Marrak! Cuurom-Aleu Alyra!” which meant “So be it! Honor Aleu the Elder!”, the traditional statement for a challenger that defeated a current elder, or the one due to claim the position.

Aleu sat down, taking hard, shaky breaths, and Balto went to her quickly, embracing her and letting her do the same to him. “It’s over, Aleu,” he said softly. “It’s over.” Muru walked up to her and smiled brightly. “I knew you could win today, Aleu. Your wolf blood runs strong in your veins. The Shirae would have been honored to have you among them.” “Your words helped me,” Aleu said, smiling as best she could. “Thank you.” Nava came to her side and nuzzled her. “You saved my life, and the lives of everyone in this pack. You have done something so heroic, I doubt this pack will ever forget it.” Balto held Aleu to him. “I’m really proud of you, sweetheart,” he said. “I love you.” Aleu tightened her embrace. “I love you, too, Dad.” After a few more moments, Aleu felt better, and as she turned to face the pack, Nava lowered his head in a servant’s bow. “Niju took my position by force, and now you have taken it from him. You are the elder of the pack now, and I must leave. I hope dearly that you will treat them with all the care in your heart.” A tear ran down his cheek, but he merely turned his head, trying to keep Aleu from seeing it, after which he began walking away sadly over the snow. The pack was clearly expecting Aleu to address them, but she decided to follow Nava, almost appalled at the fact that none of them objected to his departure. She trotted ahead of him and stopped, and he looked up to meet her eyes, allowing her to see how much pain he was truly suffering. “Yes, Elder?” he said. “What do you wish?” “Nava,” she said, “you’re my friend. I don’t expect you to call me by a title.” The old wolf smiled a little, comforted by the kindness in Aleu’s voice, and sat down. “Very well, Aleu,” he said. “What do you want of me?” “Why are you leaving?” Nava suddenly burst into tears, which Aleu was quite shocked at. “It is…” he moaned, struggling to get the words out, “…because…the pack no longer loves me. I have stayed with them for so many years, and now they have turned against me, all except for those few. I cannot remain here. There is no place in a pack for two elders, much less one that the pack no longer wants. You did not see anyone beckoning me to not leave, did you? I shall go to find another pack, though I know of none that will accept a broken old one like me who can barely hunt any longer.” “But…most of the other packs have probably moved on after the caribou. How can you be sure to find any?” “I cannot. If that is so, then I shall live alone in the wild, hunt small things, and hope the end of my days comes soon.” Aleu felt as if she were about to cry herself, hearing the misery of her dear friend, but her sadness was quickly replaced by resolve. “Let’s go,” she said. “Come on. I have something to say.”

Aleu and Nava went back to the elder rock, and the pack came to attention, but Aleu did not climb the elder rock; she merely stood next to it with Nava standing beside her. “I have defeated your enemy this day, and earned the right of elder,” Aleu said, and the pack nodded, smiling, preparing to cheer. However, Aleu’s speech suddenly changed. “But it is a right I refuse to accept.” Gasps ran throughout the pack, except for Camyar, whose face began to turn to pain. Aleu went on. “I may have killed Niju, but that doesn’t make me worthy of being an elder. It’s a position that requires things like dignity, respect, compassion, and devotion, and I’m not the one to turn to for those qualities. There is somebody here today that embodies every one of these good traits, and does so very well. It’s Nava I speak of.” Nava’s lip began quivering as he listened to Aleu. “He’s cared for you and led you for years on end. He’s been there for you whenever you needed him. He’s given up himself to help you, and the greatest example was tonight, when he fought against Niju, going into a battle he knew he couldn’t win to protect you.” The pack began to nod as they realized Aleu was telling the truth. “To all of you who were willing to stand with him, you have noble souls, and your bravery should be honored. To everyone else, I can tell you to your faces that what you’ve done is just as condemnable as Niju’s evil.” She glared sternly at the pack, speaking out with a strong and piercing voice. “You betrayed your elder! He was willing to walk straight into the jaws of death for your sakes, and when he needed you most, you deserted him!” Many of the pack hung their heads in shame, and some sniffles could be heard. “But he didn’t surrender. He didn’t give up, and since Niju didn’t kill him, he is still your elder, and he deserves the position. Now come up and apologize however you feel like doing so.” A female hunter whose face was covered with tears came forward slowly, lying down at Nava’s feet. “Oh, Elder, forgive me,” she wept. “I am a coward, and my honor is empty.” “That is not true,” Nava said with sympathy, putting a paw on her head. “Do not say these things about yourself.” She sat up, and he nuzzled her. “I forgive you.” One by one, everyone in the pack approached, and they all received forgiveness.

“Thank you all,” Aleu said. “Your elder is a noble wolf, and he should stay your elder.” The pack began nodding in understanding, but suddenly, Nava spoke out. “I may have cared for this pack for years, but that does not mean I can go on forever. I am old, and becoming ever more tired as the days pass. I already told you privately, as I tell the pack now, that I do not believe I am strong enough to lead them over the ice this year.” This drew gasps from the crowd, who began speaking nervously with one another, wondering what would come of them. “However, I do believe that we have someone who can.” This regained the pack’s attention. Nava spoke softly and imploringly. “It is you, Aleu.” Aleu’s mouth dropped open; she was utterly stunned, especially when it sounded like the pack may have been agreeing. “Someone must take over from me,” said Nava. “Niju’s pack can find a leader for themselves, but I have always wanted to be certain of the one who would come after me. The time has come, and as the current elder, I can think of no one else more worthy. Your words and actions tonight leave no doubt in my mind. Please, Aleu. Will you accept? Will you become our elder?” Aleu was so shocked, she could barely even think about the proposal. It had been easy to turn down her potential authority when it still truly belonged to Nava, but now, the elder and the whole pack were offering it to her, and she truly wanted to help them. She was caught up in a tangled web of disbelief, excitement, and nervousness, but as she began to consider the offer, and the wonderful joy at such an opportunity began to rise, it was slowly joined by…reluctance. She wondered why something inside was saying no, but as she looked distantly through the faces in the crowd, her eyes settled on her father’s, and then, she knew why. “No!” shouted one side of her. “I’m not going to live like that again! This is my chance to be free! I don’t want to live with him…” Shame flooded her heart as she felt her resentment crawl up on her again, the feelings of hate towards her father, the ones she now loathed herself for, and this time, she pushed them aside. Fighting back her emotions, the ones that begged her to take the chance, the ones that were nearly bringing tears to her eyes, she turned to look at Nava and spoke bravely and softly. “No.” Nava’s hopeful face turned downcast, along with the rest of the pack. “I can’t. I have to go back where I belong. I’m only here because I was defiant; I ran away from home because I wasn’t willing to obey, and now I’ve got to set things right. I’m going back to Nome with my father.”

Everyone had been silent, but now began to talk in hushed voices. Aleu looked at Balto, and his face was full of indescribable joy and love at the fact that his daughter had chosen to follow him over the honor set before her. Then, she looked at the pack, and happened to see Camyar. It only took a brief glimpse of his face to see that he was heartbroken, and Aleu felt so horrible, knowing that she was giving up such a wonderful man, one who had truly loved her, and causing him such pain, that she had to look away so as to avoid bursting into sobs. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, feeling as miserable as she thought she ever could, but knowing that at long last, she was doing the right thing. She stood up, making her way down towards the pack, and Camyar stood up as well, coming through the others to reach her. They sat down facing each other, both trying to speak without tears. “You…you are a jewel, Aleu,” said Camyar, trying to breathe deeply and keep himself together. “I wish we could have had time as one, and not only been separate.” Aleu nodded, speaking with a cracking voice and a trembling lip. “You know…you’re the only man I’ve ever loved. It was…it was special.” Tears began dripping down both their cheeks, and they threw their paws around one another, sharing a beautiful kiss before laying their heads on each other’s shoulders. “I love you, Aleu,” Camyar whispered. “I