ground in a playful manner. A smile began to form on his lips as he rested his nose on top of hers. “But you’re the only remedy I need, Jenna,” he whispered into her ear sweetly before taking a moment to gently nibble them with his mouth. “I love you . . .”

Somehow, the husky didn’t bother to struggle from his grasp. If this had happened days ago, the reaction would have been the opposite, just as she had been some time ago when Dolo first admitted he loved her; now Jenna was a new creature, one that realized that in order to survive she had to start over, and once she did so, there was no turning back.

“I . . . I love you too, Dolo . . .” The words slipped from her lips softly, but it was loud enough for him to hear. A part of her regretted those words, for she knew deep down in her heart that they were meant for Balto alone, not Dolo; however, another side of her really did love the wolf and cared for him. He had done so much just for her since the two weeks after she had left Balto behind, so much that she had to repay him for saving her life somehow. She did love him, honestly she did . . . and she was willing to do whatever it took to show it to Dolo . . . no matter what consequences it led to.

I’m doing this for Balto’s sake . . . Jenna reminded herself as she felt Dolo’s warmth on top of her. Her face grew flushed, but she knew that what was about to happen was the only way. I can’t return to my old life anymore . . . and I can’t go back to him only to die trying . . . She remembered what the white she-wolf of the Lorelei Clan had told her when she first encountered them all those weeks ago. Jade was right – I guess I was meant to be here, meant to find Dolo and be with him since I can’t be with Balto because of my banishment . . . Tears dripped from her eyes, not because of what Dolo was up to, but because of her many memories with the half-wolf hybrid that she had committed so much of her life to.

Maybe . . . maybe this is all just Aniu’s will . . .

Strangely, neither the husky or the wolf got the chance to eat their supper, for they didn’t sleep a wink that night.

* * * * *

“Really?” Balto snapped Jenna from her sudden reverie. “Are you completely serious? What, you weren’t able to tell him to stop?”

Jenna was completely embarrassed, unable to hide her blushing face from Balto’s gaze. “I . . . I . . .” she stammered.

Each second of Jenna’s hesitation only made Balto’s anger increase. “Oh, I see . . . You were enjoying being with him . . . and at the same time, you were forgetting all about our family . . . our happiness . . . me . . .” He began to stand to his feet, prepared to leap from the table.

“Balto . . .” the husky tried to sit up, despite the whimpering of her five pups squirming around her paws. “Please stop . . .”

“No need to get up, Jenna,” Balto ignored her pleas, turning to her with a look of both sadness and anger. “You’ve already made your choice . . . loud and clear.” He turned away and returned to the ground, heading slowly to the doorway back into the waiting room.

“No, Balto . . . I still love you!” the husky continued to sit up, still with tears falling from her eyes. “They may be Dolo’s pups, but I love only you! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”

Don’t look back, Balto . . . I know you care for her, but you can’t look back now . . . not after what she’s done to you, boy . . . Gosh, it hurt him to walk away from the one that his heart loved most, but Balto knew it was the only way.

“Balto!” Jenna stood up with barking cries, ignoring the noises of her hungry newborns below her. “Balto, please forgive me! Please!”

Balto paused at the door, taking a deep breath. The anguishing cries of sorrow from the husky were almost too much for him to bear, but he felt like he had to say something to her, but what could he possibly say?

“Sorry, Jen . . .” He caught himself, correcting his words. “I’m mean, Jenna . . . I thought you really loved me and cared about the family that we made together . . . but after everything I’ve seen and been told today, I . . .” Balto was almost in the amidst of tears by now, every word he spoke made his heart ache more and more. “I just don’t know who you are anymore . . . You’re better off forgetting anything that we ever had . . .”

“No . . .” Jenna murmured as with tear-stained eyes, she watched her beloved hero walk through the door, not stopping to look back at her.

“Whatever I possibly meant to you,” Balto left her some parting words, speaking in a dull, loveless tone. “it just wasn’t enough for you to remember while we were apart, while you were in the wild.” He sighed deeply, still refusing to look back at her. “Well, you’ve got what you wanted – this time, we’re finally through . . .”

“No . . . Balto!!” Jenna barked loudly as Balto disappeared from her sight, not bothering to turn back for a final glimpse. “Balto!”

Once out of the room, Balto bolted for the door that led to the snowy streets where he could be alone once again. Tears streaked from his shut eyes as others saw him run; even the humans were curious about why Balto, the town hero, was running away so suddenly.

“Hey, what’s wrong with Balto, Mom?” Rosy asked her mother as they saw the hybrid dash out the door without even acknowledging them. “Something must be wrong. Maybe if I follow him . . .” She stood up, beginning to follow behind him, but a hand on the shoulder stopped her.

“Let him go, darling,” the sweet voice of her mother explained. “I think this is something that he has to deal with alone.”

TO BE CONTINUED . . .