The Secret She Kept Hidden PART 2
By, FanofBalto123

   


October 29, 1926
   

  
“BALTO!” Jenna screamed at the top of her lungs.   She could only watch as her beloved mate walked away into the darkness.  Jenna fell to the soft snow, crying.  Raphael walked over to Jenna.  He dropped his head on her shoulders.   Jenna growled and snapped her powerful jaw in front of him.  Steele pulled his brother away from Jenna’s wrath. 

   
    She stood up and screamed, “Why Raphael…what did Balto ever do to you!”  Raphael tightened his grasp on the snow.  He looked into her eyes; they were no longer the cute innocent eyes Raphael had once known.  Instead they were filled with hatred and revenge.  Raphael boldly fought back.  “What do you mean, you and Balto were together.  The only way for me to be with you was if I got rid of him!”


    Jenna gasped.  Steele’s eyes widened as the remark his own brother made.  Raphael’s heart was now beating ten fold.  He walked over to Jenna and put his paw on her.  “Jenna…” Raphael smiled. “I did this because I love you.”  She rolled her eyes and shook his paw off her.  Jenna slowly backed away.  “Raphael you may have loved me…” Jenna froze and looked into his blue eyes. “…But not even once have I ever loved you.” 


    Meanwhile far off from the drama unfolding in the distance, limped the body of a bruised Balto.  His scars told it all.  His blood dripped into the snow.  Leaving a trail from where he started.  He thought to himself, “I can’t go back to the boat, it’s just too far.  But just maybe…” Balto turned around to a small house behind him.  The house was lit with light from the inside. 


    Balto limped his body over to the front door.  He scratched on the door hoping someone would answer.  Just then, like angels ascending on him, the door opened.  It was Rosie’s father.  “ Oh no, Balto what happened to you.”  He asked while he raced to get Balto in the house. 


    Balto lay near the fireplace as Rosie’s father opened a cabinet.  He took out a small box with an x on it.  Balto shook his head and realized it was actually a cross.  Rosie’s dad opened the box and started the long process to recovering Balto.    What Balto failed to know about Rosie’s father was that he was once a hunter for game.  He was used to people getting hurt.  He’d even know how to treat a cut blindfolded. 


    For the time being Balto was stay in their house.  He was a hero, and any hero shouldn’t die like that.  Balto looked at the flames coming off the wood in the fireplace.  He looked at its majestic form, he wasn’t used to being that close to fire.  He gazed back at Rosie’s father who was bringing a little girl down the stairs with him.  It was Rosie!  Balto wagged his tail.  Rosie rushed over to Balto.  She wrapped his delicate head in her arms.   Balto licked her cheek, and went unconscious.


    Raphael and Steele were distraught at the words that came out of Jenna.  Steele growled at Jenna, intending that she be his brother’s mate or else.  Out of the blue Raphael jumps in front of his brother.  He gives Steele a stern look, and faces Jenna.  He took a deep breath, “ Jen, you’re right I can’t force you to love me.  You ad Balto obviously had something, and I was a idiot not to see it.”  He took Jenna’s bandana that had fallen off earlier, and put it on Jenna.


    Jenna stood there as Steele and Raphael took off leaving a bloody battle in the snow.  Jenna looked behind her at the trail of blood Balto left behind.  Jenna followed the trail eagerly.  When she finished she ended up in her house.  She went though the kitchen door that was always left open.  She staggered in hoping that Balto might be there.   She crept through the kitchen and into the living room. 


    She saw Balto sleeping near the fireplace, blankets covering his whole body.  She didn’t want to wake him up, not because she was too weak.  No, it was because she was scared.  She tiptoed up the stairs into Rosie’s room.   Rosie was fast asleep so the chances of waking her were now slim as it was.  Jenna curled up into a ball, and waited till’ morning.


    The sun’s rays peaked in through the windows.  Balto opened one eye. He managed to look at the window, and realize it was morning.  Balto slowly stood up and looked at his wounds.  His body was wrapped in bandages and loads of pain.  He stood up and shook the blanket off him.  Balto had noticed that the fire went out, that’s probably why he had tons of blankets on top of him.  Just then Balto heard something move and he swiftly turned around.


    It was Jenna.  She brought a food bowl with her, and she dropped it in front of him.  Her warm smile lit Balto’s heart.  Balto ate from the bowl.  At the same time he was remembering what had gone down last night.  He finished and stood up straight.  Jenna moved in closer to Balto.  He watched her move slowly towards him.  Jenna was now at Balto’s side.   She stared at Balto’s eyes, while Balto stared back at her. 


    Jenna took her paws and hugged Balto.  “Balto…I’m sorry I did this to you.  I wasn’t thinking.”  She whispered as she let go of him.  She moved in closer to him and was about to nuzzle.  “…I’m sorry…” Jenna whispered as she quickly nuzzled Balto’s nose.  Balto flicked his ear.  He looked away and gently pushed Jenna off him.  Balto stood up and walked over to the window.  “ Jen, somehow I can’t find it in my heart to forgive you.  I don’t know why…but I just can’t.”


    Balto and Jenna suddenly heard the door slam open.  Raphael walked inside.  Balto had remembered that he had attacked him last night.  Balto walked in front of him.  He stared down his rival.  Noticing the resemblance between him and Steele.  Everything was silent, that not even a sound from a mouse would be heard.  Balto growled at Raphael, “ What are you doing here?”

                                          TO BE CONTINUED…




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