approaching Farris, slowly taking step by step. Aleu got up and took a few steps back for Steven to come in. Steven came foreword and kneeled in front of Farris and put his hand on his belly. He slowly began running his hand down his side with short gentle strokes.

 

Steven: Man, what happened to you?

 

            Steven looked Farris right in the eyes as a way of telling him that he was going to help him. Steven and Farris have known each other a bit, but it never came to the point that there was a situation where Steven needed to pick him up.

            Steven slowly moved his hand up to Farris’s face. He started to gently scratch behind his ears and at the same time stroke the side of his face with his thumb.

 

Steven: You’re going to be alright. I’m going to help you.

 

            Then, Farris slightly moved his head to Steven’s hand and began to lick it. This put a wide smile on Steven’s face, and Aleu’s.

            Aleu looked around and saw her father smiling. H then winked at her, and she winked back. She looked around her and saw every one in the clan smiling. Sarah, Nuk, Sumak and everyone else, even Boris. Farris was going to be ok. He was going to be alright. 

 

 

Chapter 30

 

Steven: Alright, boy. Tell me when it hurts.

 

            Steven started to pat Farris up and down his body, searching for sore places. He started low near is hindquarters, and worked his way up. When he reached the shoulders, Farris yelped a bit where he patted them.

 

Steven: Alright. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for it to hurt. So it’s your shoulders, huh? 

 

            Steven had his thinking face on, trying to work out how he was going to do this. Farris’s shoulders hurt, so he obviously couldn’t carry Farris with his arms under his chest and lower hind legs. 

 

Steven: Ok, boy. I’m going to carry you on your back, since your shoulders hurt. I’m going to nee you to roll on your left side, if you can.

 

            Steven thought it would be easier if Farris’s head were on his left side, while carrying him. Steven started to slowly flip Farris over to his left side.

 

Steven: Easy now.

 

            Steven was being very gentle, which Aleu thought was very good. Steven was so good with animals, she thought. Aleu was surprised that he wasn’t studying to be a vet, from what she’s seen him do at home.

            Then all of a sudden, she picked up a scent. It was a little faint, but she picked it up immediately. She stepped fore ward a bit into the bushes to smell it better. It was Niju’s scent! Niju! Aleu thought. Where is he, and what is he doing here?

 

 

Chapter 31

 

     Niju got a little excited and nervous at the same time when he saw Aleu in full view. He didn’t know whether he wanted Aleu to smell him or not. He had watched closely at what was happening when Aleu approached Farris the way she did. He really didn’t know what to think when she nuzzled Farris like that. Of course there was a possibility that Farris wouldn’t be alright, and that could definitely be the reason that she nuzzled him like that. But what if she liked him? He thought. Or even loved him? Niju didn’t exactly know how he would take that, concerning what he would tell her after wards. Though, he knew that he would be a little hurt. Oh, if only Aleu knew how I felt about her. Niju thought. But he was positive that he was going to tell her.

            Niju saw the human up close, approaching Farris. Niju never heard Aleu really mention this human, or did she? Niju couldn’t remember. He figured that he obviously had sympathy for wolves. Niju had never known a man, so he didn’t know what to expect from humans. Niju saw Farris lick his hand, so he must have been a friendly human.

            Shortly after, Niju noticed that something caught Aleu’s attention. She lifted her head and sniffed as though she had caught a scent. Oh, no. Niju thought.She smells me! Niju really hoped she wouldn’t blow his cover. He knew tat she wouldn’t do it purposefully, but maybe by accident.

            Aleu started to walk closer to the bushes that Niju was hiding in. He started to very slowly take quiet steps backwards. He tried his best not to step on any twigs or branches, but it was too late. When he looked back up, she was staring right at him.

           

 

Chapter 32

 

Aleu: Niju?

 

            Aleu did have the common sense to whisper; she figured that Niju obviously didn’t want to be seen.

 

Niju: Aleu! Hey!

 

            Niju was whispering loudly, trying his best not to be heard by the others.

 

Aleu: What are you doing here?

 

Niju: I was heading towards the stream a few minutes after you left, and I smelled the clan. I wanted to see what was going on.

 

Aleu: How long have you been there?

 

Niju: A while. I was about to leave, seeing that you weren’t there.

 

Aleu: Well, why didn’t you? If my father sees you, he’s really not going to be very happy.

 

Niju: I heard that you were coming back. I wanted to see you.

 

Aleu: Niju, you didn’t have to risk being seen just to see me.

 

Niju: Well, I was willing to risk it.

 

Aleu: Oh, Niju.

 

            Aleu turned around and saw that Steven had started to carefully lift up Farris. Aleu thought she had better go.

 

Niju: Now, what was it that you tried to tell me this morning?

 

Aleu: That might have to wait, Niju. I have to go.

 

            Aleu started to walk over to Steven. He had Farris all the way in his arms.

 

Niju: Wait.

 

            Aleu suddenly stopped and turned her head.

 

Niju: Will I ever, I mean, when am I going to see you again?

 

Aleu: Maybe this afternoon. If not, tomorrow, I promise.

 

            Niju was so relieved to hear that Aleu’s father hadn’t found out about him, or that Aleu still wanted to be his friend. 

 

Niju: Alright. Go ahead.

 

Aleu: Bye. I’ll see you later

 

Niju: Bye.

 

            Aleu gave Niju a quick smile. He happily smiled back. Then Aleu quickly turned around to join the others. Balto walked over to Aleu as she came over.

 

Balto: Ready?

 

Aleu: Yeah, Papa. I’m ready.

 

            Steven started to walk out of the woods and into the opening.

 

Steven: C’mon guys. Let’s go.

 

            Aleu and Balto turned to Steven and they started to head out. The clan stayed behind, just incase someone noticed Steven walking towards Nomecarrying a wolf, a whole pack wouldn’t attract any attention. Balto would just have to do a bit of growling if any tried anything with Aleu.

 

Sarah: We’ll see you back at your father’s boat later.

 

Aleu: Alright, guys. We’ll be back at noon.

 

Sarah: Get well soon, Farris.

 

Farris: (tiredly) Thanks, Sarah.

 

            Steven, Aleu and Balto began to walk towards Nomewith Farris, hoping to have Steven’s father help Farris get better. Niju watched them as they walked. He kept his eyes on Aleu until she was no longer in sight. Words couldn’t describe how happy he was to know that he could still, see her and that she still wanted to be his friend. Right now, he couldn’t wait to tell Aleu the truth. He didn’t know if he would be nervous when he told her or not, but he wasn’t going to hesitate any longer.  He was going to ask her if she wanted to come and visit him again soon, maybe even stay the night again. But he thought she might want to tell everyone that she was going to spend the night in the forest before it happened. He really didn’t like Aleu keeping secrets from her family and friends, but he felt that he might have to wait until he talked to Balto for him to find out that they have been visiting each other for a while. Niju didn’t feel as ready to talk to Balto as he was to talk to Aleu about how he felt about her, but he knew he had to do it sometime soon. But Niju didn’t let any worries come to mind, he was too happy to know that he could still see Aleu. She was all he needed. And at that moment, he felt hat nothing could go wrong. 

 

 

 

Chapter 33

 

     Steven was getting a little weak from carrying Farris all the way to Nome. He noticed that it wasn’t far, only about

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