declared, as Chaska stepped forward, proud. – Good luck, friend.

The pack howled supporting Chaska, who Dan knew that was feeling proud and victorious. Dan and the dogs howled too, but Dan stopped quickly, and looked to the other dogs that had joined the battle. Now they knew he was part wolf, and would never forget that he had leaded a pack, and killed many wolves. He got apprehensive. Would they tell anyone? When the celebration was happening, Dan silently left the cave, and sat on the snowy ground. The corpses of many wolves, enemies and allies, were lying on the field. That was sad, but he knew it was necessary. Things were right now. He looked to the horizon, above the woods, to the mount where he had been transformed. "One matter is solved", Dan thought with himself, "now it's time to accomplish my other mission, and fulfill my destiny".

~~~

         It was an early morning in Nome, and snow was falling hard on the mount close to the city. There were figures walking on it, fighting against the wind that blew merciless. They were Balto, Luna, Boris, Muk and Luk, all led by Dan. They stopped walking when they reached the top, and looked around, looking for Aniu. Ralph approached Dan, slowly because of the strength of the winds. The gray-brown canine searched the place with his eyes. No sign of Aniu.

- You’re finally here. - they heard a deep feminine voice coming from the wind around them.

They looked around trying to locate who the voice belonged to. Then, the white wolf materialized herself amongst a swirling of snow near Dan, who smiled.

- Always a good entering. - he joked.

- I know. - she smiled too, but then returned to her ethereal tone. – You did wonderful things in this short time. You helped a pack that was in need, risking your life and asking for nothing in return. You fought bravely, young one.

Dan felt flattered for her compliment. But then he remembered Ohanzee’s story.

- Aniu, Ohanzee told me about the daughter of the original alpha of the pack. – he said. – Was it about you?

- Yes. – the white she-wolf answered, apparently sad.

- How are we going back? – he asked, remembering how his first travel had been.

- Just come near me. – the she-wolf explained.

Balto, Luna, Boris and the bears stepped forward. Aniu looked at them.

- This is something he must do alone. – she said. – I’m sorry. – she looked at Balto. – But none of you can go.

- It’s okay, guys. I’ll be fine. – Dan tranquilized them.

- Okay, then. Good luck, Dan. – Balto faked a calm smile, despite his worry. – Good-bye… mom.

- Good-bye, son. – the she-wolf said.

Aniu closed her eyes to focus. She opened her eyes, which were now with a golden glow. The wind started to swirl around her and Dan, raising snow and blurring his vision. The hybrid suddenly felt snow disappearing from under his paws, giving place to a solid earthy ground. The snow cloud slowly vanished. Before he could get used to his senses again, he heard a cracking noise of a small branch, but he ignored it. They were now in another forest, and it looked to be summertime, just like when Dan left. The sun was shining in an almost cloudless sky. In a side, there was a pond Dan remembered very well. The marks he let on the ground when he was pulled into the water were still there. He saw a mark resembling his human hand near the water's surface. He approached it and laid his paw on it, noticing again how much he had changed.

- Aniu, where are they? – Dan asked.

Aniu had disappeared. Dan got startled. She had left him to face his parents alone? There was no way he could convince them, just by getting in there, and humans couldn’t hear dogs! The house was visible, a few meters away. The young hybrid decided to head to the house. There should be something he could do. He stopped in front of the back door, and scratched the door continuously to call someone. The door opened, and behind it was Paula, Dan’s mother. She looked confused to see a dog there. She was about to close the door again, assuming it was just some stray, but Dan called her back.

- Mom!

Paula stopped, shocked. She opened the door again to look at him. Paula was understanding what her son was saying, like what had happened when Dan arrived in Nome. The hybrid ran happy to her, as she crouched to hug him, yet still confused.

- Dan? – she asked, looking at him when they separated. – How did you…? What…?

- It’s a long story, but Dad needs to hear it too. – he said. – Is he here?

- Yes… - Paula looked unsure. She was talking to a dog, and it was her son!

She got up, and walked inside, leading her son to the living room. There they saw Mr. Hawkins and Mr. Wellington talking seriously. Dan’s father had come back several times to look for his son. They had alerted the police the police the last week, but they hadn’t found Dan anywhere, so they gave up. Mr. Hawkins noticed Paula walking in followed by the canid.

- Paula, what is…? – he tried to ask, confused.

- I… don’t know. – she answered, lost.

- It’s me, Dad. – Dan said.

Dan’s father stepped back in shock. A dog was talking to him! Mr. Wellington was wide-eyed, frozen in place. Dan stepped closer, with his father looking at him unsure.

- How…? Dan, how did this happen? – the man asked.

- It’s a way long story…

- Which will need some help to be told. – a voice spoke, coming from somewhere they couldn’t tell.

The doors and windows closed themselves with clanks, causing everyone to get scared. Aniu materialized herself beside Dan, shocking the humans. Dan sighed in relief, knowing he would have Aniu to help him.

And they told everything, just trying to skip the part that involved Luna. Aniu helped him explaining the part that involved the fact that he was always a wolf-dog inside, and that he needed to come back to that place to have a new chance. When they were finished, the humans in the room remained silent for some moments.

Mr. Hawkins shook his head, contrary to all of their statements.

- This has gone far enough, lad! - he said, angry, to his son. - This adventure is over! It's time for you to get back to reality. You! - he scoffed to Aniu. - Turn him back, you had no right to drag him inside all this. He almost got killed!

- Yes, I had. – she denied. – The forces behind what happened those days are far beyond your understanding. This is not his place. It could be, but that was not his choice.