in the large collar were polished to perfection and reflected the slightest light.

“That was too close. That wolf is a little too sharp for my liking,” the large husky thought. All this time he had been watching Balto’s every move from under the floor. He saw and heard every bit of praise that the kids gave him, how Rosy had called him a ‘little charmer’. It took him all his self-control to avoid barging in there and attacking Balto.

But the praise from the children wasn’t the worst part. He had overheard Balto ask Jenna out. The idea of him with her sent rage coursing through his body. It stabbed at him even worse than his fall over the cliff, and he wanted to find a way to stab Balto back. “Her, with him? This is so humiliating! Oh he’s going to get it now. He’s always been sticking his nose in where it didn’t belong. Jenna was supposed to be mine, not that mongrel’s!”

----------

Eighteen months earlier. Summer, 1923

Boris had been looking after Balto for several months now, and the two were as close as any regular father and son. Balto had learned that Boris was originally from Russia, but had decided to travel and see more of the world. Even though he was far from home, Boris had pledged to take care of Balto and would stay in Alaska as long as needed.

Balto enjoyed the company, but whenever he wanted to go into town, Boris would always resist. The old goose was afraid of towns, but Balto couldn’t blame him. To the humans and dogs, he was a walking meal.

That meant that Balto was on his own most of the time, but he didn’t mind. Most of the trips were to the butcher’s anyways and today was one of those trips. He was almost there, but he saw something that made him duck back behind a corner. It was Steele and his trio. They were already there, and had made quick work of most of the days scraps. However, Steele seemed to be saving a chunk of beef for something else.

“Hey boss, can I have dat last piece?” Nikki asked.

“No, I’m going to give it to Jenna. You know, as a present,” the large husky replied. Balto’s ears perked up at the mention of Jenna’s name. He had not seen her since they were small pups.

“Are you sure it will work?” Star asked, “She didn’t seem to enjoy the bone you left her.”

“Or the collar you stole from Fred,” Kaltag continued.

“Or the old blanket-”

“Alright, I get it,” Steele snapped, “Maybe my earlier attempts didn’t work out, but she’ll come around. They all do,” He picked up the last chunk and carried it off, while his friends followed him behind.

“Two bones she slaps him again,” Balto heard Nikki whisper.

“You’re on,” Kaltag replied.

Balto crept around the corner and started to follow them. He couldn’t explain it, but the mention of Jenna made him want to know what Steele was up to. Maybe there was a chance he could see her again. He followed the tracks of the dogs, ducking behind barrels and boxes to hide his approach. He repeated this halfway across the town and it was after ducking under a porch that he saw her.

Balto’s jaw dropped. Jenna had grown from a small pup and was almost an adult dog. Her legs weren’t stubby puppy legs anymore, now they were long and slender. Her tail had filled out and was now bushy with red fur and curled towards her back. But the thing that stood out most of all was an orange bandanna, slung around her neck, perfectly complimenting her coat. Balto’s heart skipped a beat as he saw how his old friend had changed. To him, she was gorgeous.

Steele was with Jenna while his three cronies stayed back near the porch with their backs to Balto. He stayed hidden to avoid attracting their attention, while straining his ears to listen in on Steele and Jenna’s conversation.

“I got fis for you Jenna,” he said, with the piece of meat still in his jaws. He dropped it in front of Jenna but she didn’t look very pleased. Then again, you would grimace too if someone dropped a piece of meat covered in drool in front of you.

“Uh, thanks Steele, but I just had my lunch,” she said, trying to push the partially chewed meat back towards him. To Balto, her voice was so sweet and melodic; it still carried the same kindness it always had.

“Oh but Jenna, I insist,” Steele said, pushing the meat back.

“No, I insist Steele,” she replied, pushing it towards him. “I think you’d enjoy it more.”

“Oh you’re too kind to me Jenna,” he said.

“Whatever you say,” she said flatly while Steele gobbled down the meat. He was too thick to notice, but Jenna definitely did not enjoy being around him.

“Actually Jenna, there was something else I wanted to ask you. I was hoping you could join me tonight for a stroll. I hear the town is very… romantic at night,” he said as he got in closer to her.

“I not sure Steele,” she replied, trying to back away from him.

“Oh come on, we could get to know each other so well. Besides, one date won’t hurt you.”

“Steele, I’m really not interested,” she replied. She tried to walk away from him, but Steele would always move to block her path.

“I won’t take no for an answer,” Steele said.

“... If I go with you, do you promise to leave me alone for the next little while?” she asked.

“Whatever you want,” Steele replied.

“Alright, I’ll go with you,” she said, albeit reluctantly. Satisfied, Steele let Jenna dash away.

“Oh darn, I guess we won’t get any slapping today,” Nikki muttered.

“I HEARD THAT!” Steele shouted as he turned to face his trio. As he did, he could also see under the porch. “Hey wait a minute,” he growled. Balto knew he had been caught. He darted out from under the porch and took off, trying to put as much distance between him and Steele as possible. “It’s that wolfdog! Get him!” Steele shouted.

Balto ran as fast as he could, but Steele and his team weren’t far behind him. He twisted and turned through the alleys and streets of the town to try to lose them, but no matter what they were able to stay with him. Balto eventually made his way to the edge of town. All he had to do was find the main road and he would have a clear path home.

He turned the last corner and saw the street at the end of the alley. He had put some more distance between Steele and himself and he hoped that the husky would give up soon. With only feet to go, Balto thought he was home free, but another dog walked in front of the opening, unaware of what was barreling towards them. Balto tried desperately to stop, but he was too close and skidded right into the dog. He tumbled head over heels from the impact, landing on his back.

After the stars cleared from his eyes, he gasped when he saw whom he crashed into. It was Jenna. “Ow, watch where you’re going!” she snapped.

“I - I’m sorry,” he stammered as he got up. “I tried t-to stop-“

“Wait, you look familiar. I’ve seen you before,” she said. “Have we met?”

“Yeah, we used to-“

“HEY! You stay away from her wolfdog!” Steele and his gang had finally caught up with him and Steele jumped between Balto and Jenna, while snarling at Balto. “How DARE you hurt her like that!”

“Steele, what are you doing?” she asked.

“Jenna don’t you know who this mutt is? It’s that wolfdog, Balto,” Steele growled.

“Balto?” she replied. She looked at Balto, surprised.

“He’s a dangerous wolf and he could have hurt you.”

“No, I-I bumped into her. It was an accident, honest,” Balto protested.

“Shut up wolfdog!” Steele snarled as he reared up and knocked Balto back down with his front paws. He reared up for another strike, but Jenna stopped him.

“Steele, that’s enough!” she shouted. “It was an accident, and he said he was sorry. The least you could do is help him up.”

Steele glared at Balto and then at her. “Alright.” He went over and roughly picked Balto up by the scruff of his neck, taking the opportunity to whisper something in Balto’s ear. “If I ever see you near my girl again, I swear I will tear you apart.” He released Balto, who promptly scampered out of town. “Yeah that’s right wolfdog. Run along home! Run to your pack!”

Jenna had finally had enough and smacked Steele across the face with her paw. “Why do always have to be such a bully all the time?”

“But he deserves it!”

“No he doesn’t. No one ever deserves to be treated like garbage,” Jenna replied and stormed away from the husky.

“Looks like we got our slapping anyway,” Kaltag whispered.

----------

Balto padded up the gangplank onto his boat, his mind buzzing with what had happened today. He had seen Jenna again and her image had burned itself into his mind. In the year since he had seen her she had grown into a beautiful husky.

“So Balto, what happened today?” Boris asked as he passed by. Balto barely heard him; his thoughts were still on Jenna as he stared off into space. “Hello, earth to Balto,” Boris waved his wing in front of his face, which finally got his attention.

“Hm, oh sorry Boris. You were saying?”

“So what happened to you that has you so distracted today