or spy, perhaps?"
    "I am Kodiak, son of Balto," a surprised look spread across Roan's face,"and Jenna, brother to Aleu, Alpha of the Northern Ice Pack."
    Dusty was still cowering, but slightly less. She was reassured that no harm would come.
    Roan bowed to Kodiak. "Then you are Alpha-Beta, not an Alpha, but also not a Beta. Your wish is my command as long as you remain within these woods."
    Kodiak placed his paw on the wolf's shoulder in ceremony, saying,"I accept your service. I will lead you well." Kodiak then looked around and said,"Help us right our sled, and tell me what you know of the Northern Ice."
**********
    Aleu groaned and curled up. Finding this even more painful, Aleu returned to her previous position.
    As Aleu looked up, she saw Jenna watching from across the room.
    "Mom,"rasped Aleu in a hoarse voice,"Mom, I don't feel so good."
    Jenna jumped down off the human's chair she had been sitting on and trotted across the room. She looked down at Aleu and frowned.
    "No, I don't imagine you would. You were up all last night screaming and laughing and just having a party."
    With a start, Aleu realized something. Mom is above me, yet she didn't climb anything to get there.
    Aleu looked around and found her theory to be correct. She was on the floor.
    "Hey, how'd I get down here?"
    Jenna shook her head and said,"Don't you remember? The nurses put you down here so you could try to use those special crutches."
    Aleu frowned and looked at her legs. Sure enough, there were strange sticks attatched to them. They were similar to an old man's cane, except they were padded at the bottom with pieces of rubber shaped vaugly like a paw. They were only about an inch longer than Aleu's real legs, so she would have almost no trouble using them.
    Aleu tentively tried to stand up. After a few attemps, Jenna helped get Aleu off the floor.
    Aleu carefully put one crutch in front like she was walking on her own four paws.
    "Well, look who's up so soon after her little hangover!" Balto came into the room."How you feeling, sport?"
    Aleu glared at him.
    "You must be fine, if you can make ME feel like I was the one who nearly drowned just by looking at me. By the way, I took your advise and told Nathon last night."
    Jenna glared at Balto, then asked,"How did he take it?"
    Balto shook his head. "Apparently, he's known for a while. It seems I talk in my sleep."
**********
Balto, Jenna, Aleu, Muru, Kodiak, Dusty, Ralph, Mel, Nava, Dingo, Boris, Steele copyright Universal.
Kodi, Nathon, Roan, Sira, Gasi Mordos copyright JackOdd.