Dad,” Aleu replied. They stared at each other for a moment, then embraced each other one last time. “I won’t forget you,” Aleu said softly. “Ditto,” Balto whispered. “I love you.” “I love you, too. Goodbye, Dad.” “Goodbye, Aleu.”

And with that, Balto turned and walked away, weeping silently the moment Aleu could no longer see his face, shedding bitter tears that continued flowing even until he reached the base of the mountain. It had finally happened. Aleu was gone, off in a life of her own, leading a wolf pack with a husband at her side. So much had happened that Balto had a hard time thinking about all of it. One thing he did think about, however, was that even for everything he had done, how hard he had fought, she was still gone. “Has this all been worth nothing?” he thought. Then, he heard something in the distance. It was a bright, clear sound, but one he wouldn’t have recognized if he hadn’t been there when Aleu defeated Niju. It was her howl. She was howling goodbye to him. He howled in return, knowing she would hear. “No. This was for the best.” Yet even with this comforting thought, he was still immersed in pain through every step of his journey over the mountain, every moment of his dreams, every rolling hill of snow he trod over as he journeyed for home, his thoughts filled with little but Aleu.

The small amount of days it took seemed like weeks, but finally, Balto came over a hill and saw Nome in the distance, looking warm and welcoming in the light of afternoon. He entered town through a back alley, heading toward Rosy’s house, hanging his head in fatigue and grief. He looked up and saw Jenna walking toward him from the porch. She stopped in front of him and sat down, and he looked into her eyes, seeing relief at his return, but also, a sort of expectation. She only said one word.

“Aleu?”

Balto began choking up, and he could barely answer. “I had to let her go.”

The look in Jenna’s eyes revealed that this was what she had been expecting, and she nodded. “I understand,” she said softly. Balto’s lip began quivering, and he was so ashamed he lowered his eyes from Jenna’s. “Please don’t hate me, Jenna,” he sobbed, breaking down completely. Jenna put her paws around him, pulling his head to her shoulder. “I don’t,” she said, stroking him. She kissed his neck, nuzzling him comfortingly. “You’ve had a hard time. Let’s go inside.” She walked alongside him, leading him to the house. “I’m glad you’re home,” Jenna said. “So am I,” Balto sighed.

THE END