around slowly in the center of the living room. She closed her eyes in pure bliss and felt peace wash over her for the first time in a long time. Balto sensed her calm, and he smiled again and closed his eyes, too. They were caught up in a whirl of bright color and song…when the music suddenly changed to a rollicking tune like a lively waltz with a multitude of fiddles and six-strings.

          Balto and Jenna stopped, confused, and then burst out laughing at the ridiculousness of it all. They tried to dance to it, but ended up mostly bouncing, laughing until they were out of breath, and then flopping onto Jenna’s blue cushion.

          Still chuckling, Jenna burrowed her muzzle into Balto’s neck. Balto licked the edge of her face, and they lay quietly side by side as the radio once again switched, this time to a song with a more measured pace.

          Jenna sighed happily. “I love you, Balto.”

          Balto kissed her and grinned broadly. “I love you, too, Jen.”

        Jenna suddenly scowled and shuddered. “I should’ve never let Tumak call me that,” she growled, “It wasn’t his place. He was trying to replace you. And I almost let him. I should’ve never let him get so close. I’m sorry, Balto.”

          Balto’s eyes were unblinking and filled with understanding. “Jenna.” He pulled her close and brought his face down to hers. “Listen. It wasn’t your fault. Your mother had just passed away, and then to lose me…well, it’s no wonder you couldn’t think straight. Tumak knew that, and he used it to get to you. He wasn’t altogether in his right mind, either, but to try to kill me in order to have you, well…I’m just glad I got back when I did.”

          Jenna snuggled against his warm side. “I’m glad you could tell me about Lila,” she said quietly, “Even though I know it must have been hard. Thank you for…staying true to me.” He had told her everything.

          Balto reddened slightly. “I love you, Jen. I could never betray you.” He shook his head, and his content glow diminished slightly. “Though there seemed to be a lot of betrayal going on then.”

          “What do you mean?”

          “Well, Tumak betrayed me and you by trying to murder me and lying to Talon and then you,” Balto began, “Lila betrayed me by telling Talon I killed Sanctus on purpose, though that was for her own protection. And I betrayed the dogs of Stanton by not telling them who I really was. If I had, then no one would’ve blamed me for Sanctus’ murder. If everyone hadn’t been hiding from someone else, then…then none of this would have happened.” He stopped with a silent sigh, and looked straight into Jenna’s eyes. “It was a foolish masquerade, and I’m glad it’s over.”

          Jenna looked at him a long time, and then nodded agreement.

          Outside, above the window, icicles clicked together musically, as if waiting for one of them to fall.

Balto, Jenna, Sylvie, Dixie, Kodi, Saba, Dingo, Rosy, and Rosy’s parents © Universal Studios

Tumak, Khara, Soenor, Cooper, Ruby, Trey, Lake, Jewel, Ranger, Talon, Lila, Sanctus, Nana, and Hazel © redwolf03

Closer to You © Mark Schultz