It was a beautiful morning.A little pup woke up,yawned,stretched,and looked around,wanting to see his mom.His eyes were still sleepy,and he called someone he knew,waiting for a familiar voice:

-Good morning,mother...I...-then he stopped talking.There wasn't anyone around for miles.Little pup looked around,hoping to see someone,but he didn't...

Pup started to howl.He felt so alone,weak,and un-needed...His howl was loud and full of pain,but nobody heard it...

Soon pup losed his hope.A tear rolled down his cheeks as he layed down and closed his eyes,waiting for his death...

 

White wolf female was walking around,with her beautiful brown eyes looking at every thing,hoping to see something or someone alive in this forgotted land...

Soon she noticed a figure of something,laying on the ground.It looked like a wolf.She ran to that direction...There she found a half-grown wolf pup,laying on the ground,almost dead.She layed down near him and tried to woke him up:

-Are...Are you alive?C'mon cutie,wake up!

Little pup opened his eyes and saw a wolf female,looking at him.She had a beautiful brown eyes and a pure white fur.Female smiled and said:

-Thank God you're alive,kid.I thought that you were dead...

Pup slowly stood up.He was still weak,but much more happier because of knowing that he's not alone here anymore.

-Than...Thanks for helping me,Ms....?-he waited for her to answer.

-Aniu.Ms.Aniu.Or just Aniu to you,kid.What's your name?

-Umm,I...I don't know my name...

-You don't know your name?Poor kid...Okay then,I'll call you...Balto.

-Thank you,Aniu.

-You're welcome.Now sorry,but I have to go.Hope you'll be okay.See you around,Balto...-she said and began to walk away.

Balto looked at Aniu walking away,and he knew that he have to say something.He shouted:

-Aniu!-.As she turned to him,he added.-Don't leave me here alone!

-Balto...I will never leave you from now on...-she said as she walked to him and caringly licked his head.-Never...

 

Balto and Aniu walked into Aniu's cave.Aniu smiled:

-You're more than welcome to stay here,Balto.

-Okay,Aniu.-Balto said and yawned.-I'll go to sleep.

-Okay.I'll go to find some food.-Aniu said,nuzzled him and walked out.

She walked around,looking for caribou to hunt.Soon she noticed a small caribou,away from herd.Aniu slowly started to walk up to it.When she was about to jump on it,someone jumped out of the grass.It was Nartan,a wolf that Aniu knew.He smiled and said:

-Sorry for disturbing,Aniu...I just wanted...

-Disturbing!?I was hunting!!-Aniu growled at him.

-I'm sorry,Aniu,I'm really sorry...I just wanted to ask if you want to go watch the sundown and...

-Sorry,but,no.I have a kid and I have to take care of him.Now bye. -she said and trotted away.

-Umm,okay then,bye...-Nartan said and slowly padded away,feeling sad.

Aniu soon caught a hare and walked home.Balto was already awake.She placed meat on the ground.

-Here.I know it isn't much,but,oh well...

-Thank you,Aniu.-Balto said and started to eat.

Aniu smiled at the little pup and then walked out of the cave. She began to wander around the forest, looking for her older son, Johtaja. He liked to stay away from his home, but he never truly left his mother. She was very proud of him, and she knew that one day he will become a fierce and strong Alpha... She kept on walking, looking at the forest and smiling at every kind of creature she met. Finally she found her son. He was sitting on a big rock, looking at the horizon. She walked up to him, smiling.

-Hello, my son...How are you?

-Hello mom...I am fine...-Johtaja said, lovingly smiling at his mother.- Have you seen dad?- he asked.

-Yes, I've seen him.- she said, and took a deep sigh. Johtaja's father was Nartan, the same wolf she had met before. He and Aniu were mates, but they misunderstood eachother, and Aniu left him with a big hate in her heart. But Nartan is still trying to have Aniu back.

-How is he?- Johtaja asked with  a caring voice.

-Annoying me, like always...- she said, and both laughed. Then Aniu remembered what she hadn't told Johtaja yet. -Johtaja...You have a little brother...No, I didn't gave birth to another one, I found him. His name's Balto. Please be good to him.

-W-What?- Johtaja said, clearly shocked. He absolutely hated the idea of having siblings sooner or later, cause he wanted to be the one Alpha of the pack of Aniu's brother, Nava. Nava told Aniu that one of her child will become Alpha of his pack cause he hadn't got his offspring and mate. Johtaja loved this and the idea that he will become Alpha...Well, MIGHT become Alpha from now on...

-Mom, but then...I told you I don't want siblings...-Johtaja said, with his head lowered down.

Aniu lovingly smiled to her son. 

-My son...That pup was just so alone and weak...I had to do this...

-I understand, mother...-Johtaja said and sighed.-May I see him?Now...

-Yes you may. He's in my cave. If you can, please watch him, cause I'm going to visit Nava.- Aniu said and walked deep into the forest.

Johtaja smiled at her, and began to walk back towards her cave. Soon he reached it and walked in. He saw a little, gray and white, wolf pup, laying on the ground. He walked closer to the pup and began to sniff him. He was even more surprised when he realized that the pup isn't a wolf. He was a wolfdog. Johtaja layed down next to him, looking at him. That pup, Balto, was so small. Johtaja could've kill him in a few minutes, but he was mature enough to not to do something like that.

Balto slowly opened his eyes. He looked around, and saw a big male wolf laying next to him. He jumped up, looking at the wolf.

-Excuse me, but...Who are you?-Balto asked.

-Don't be afraid. I'm Johtaja, Aniu's son. It looks like you're her son too.- Johtaja smiled.

Balto shyly smiled.- Yes, she adopted me. And nice to meet you. My name's Balto, by the way.-he smiled.

-I already know. Aniu told me...You may sleep if you want to, I'll watch you.

-Thank you a lot, Johtaja...-Balto said, and layed down.-Hope we'll be good brothers.-he said, and closed his eyes, slowly drifting into sleep.

Johtaja made a fake smile and stayed quiet till Balto was sleeping. Then he quietly laughed.

-Good brothers, eh? No, you're not going to take away my chance to be Alpha, runt...I promise...

FEW MONTHS LATER

Balto was a lot bigger. He was very interested in things around him, and often liked to run away without notifying Aniu and his brother, Johtaja. Johtaja always came home very tired, and Balto often just teased his brother. That made Johtaja go mad...

And the time when Nava had to choose his heir came. It was one rainy, windy...Well, awful day. Aniu, Johtaja and Balto all went to the place near the Great Water, where forest ended and territory of Nava's pack started. All the family sat on huge rock, in front of whole pack. It was Johtaja's chance to become one...To become Alpha...

But, soon Johtaja remembered one thing. He looked at the pup sitting next to him, Balto, his brother... Johtaja realized that Balto was really kind, gentle, well Balto had pretty much everything that Alpha had to have. Johtaja had to get rid of Balto...As soon as he could...So he could be one and only Alpha...

Johtaja saw how Balto ran on a bigger rock, at the very edge. Balto stood like a leader, with wind blowing through his fur...

Johtaja looked at his mother:

-I'll be right back.

Johtaja followed Balto from behind. When he was very close to him, he got and idea, but it soon vanished. He wanted to make Balto fall of a cliff, but he got better idea. Or so he thought...

Johtaja walked up to Balto and sat next to him.

-So, what are you thinking about, brother?- Johtaja asked, showing a fake smile.

-C'mon Johtaja...You know that it's the day...The day we will find out who will be the leader...-Balto answered, looking at his older brother.

-Yeah I do know...And it will be very soon...Just after 5 minutes, I guess...-Johtaja said and looked around. - But, before we will find out who will be the leader, I want to...Talk with you in private. Alone. In forest. Right now. Do you agree?- Johtaja asked.

-Uhh, yeah...But, what will mom say?-Balto asked, still unsure about Johtaja's offer.

-I already told her. She agreed.-Johtaja lied. -So, are you coming?- Johtaja said, slowly starting to walk.

- O-Okay brother...-Balto said and followed Johtaja to the forest.

They kept on walking, till they were deeply in forest. Johtaja found a big tree.

-Here. Stay here, near this tree, so I could easily find you. I'll be right back. -Johtaja said, and walked away.

He kept on walking. He was looking for a bear, that's right, a bear. He kept on walking, deeply in the forest... Finally he found what he was looking for. Huge bear was sitting down, eating a prey. Johtaja made a big grin and ran back to where Balto was.

-Hey Balto...Wanna practice your skills before you'll become Alpha? You might need those...-Johtaja said when he found Balto.

-Sure!

-Then follow me.- Johtaja said and began to walk.

They kept on looking at the bear.

-You see the prey bear's eating? You have to get it here, to me...Go and do that, I'll wait here.-Johtaja said and walked few steps back.

-Okay brother.-Balto said, and walked up to the bear. He walked around the bear, and wanted to grab the food, till he saw how bear roared and angrily looked at him. Balto walked few steps back, scared. Bear began to chase him.

-HELP!!- Balto shouted, running like wind. He looked at the place where Johtaja should've waited for him. But Johtaja wasn't there anymore...

Johtaja ran back to the pack, smiling devilishy. When he reached the pack, Nava, and his mom, he quickly changed his face expression.

-Mom! Mom! Balto's in trouble! Bear attacked him!

-What?! Show me the way!-Aniu shouted and both began to run.

 

Balto ran and ran, till he was far away from the forest, from that place. Bear was out of sight. Balto stopped and

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