rising into the sky. Doing so, it didn't take him long to get back, panting from the run. But Hokee liked running, he often raced with Tonrar and Hinto for fun. They used to always beat him, but as he had grown and gotten stronger, he was able to keep up atleast. Maybe if he practiced, he could beat them one day.

Kaltag was sitting at the door to the room, probably waiting for him. The blonde chinook smiled widely as he saw the younger hybrid bound up, tongue lolling out of his mouth as he panted.

"Did you run all the way here kid?" Hokee nodded, tail wagging. But the moment was broken as a wide yawn stretched along his muzzle. "Haha, long day huh? About ready to turn in for the night? Everyone else is already inside, come on..."

"Watch out, incoming!" a loud high pitched giggle was all other warning they got, just barely able to scramble away from the door, Hokee ducking to the floor, as two dogs leapt over him laughing as they bound the rest of the way in, before stopping and turning. Kaltag, recovering, frowned, clearly not liking the entrance.

"Are you two nuts?!" One of the dogs, the one of the two that Hokee recognized as Star, had the sense to smile and chuckle nervously, apologetically.

"Eheh, sorry. We were running too fast to stop. Estee wanted to race." Hokee then glanced to the other dog, who was clearly ready for more running, as she danced back and forth on her paws around Star, giggling.

"I won!" But then as she paused, getting a glance at Hokee, blinked, tilting her head to the side. "Who are you?" she beamed, padding over energetically, dropping her front legs down in front of the blonde hybrid. "You're sure a cutie. Oh! are you Hokee? Start told me you!" The younger laughed. This dog sure was friendly! A bit hard to understand, as she talked funny, but he liked her already.

"Uh-huh! You must be Estee! I just heard your name though." The female laughed again at that, her butt wagging in the air before straightening again. "You like racing?"

"Well someone has to keep all these guys in shape for sledding. Well, atleast Star." Kaltag snorted at that.

"Hokee don't listen to her, she's french..." Hokee blinked. What was french? Estee just giggled again and stuck out her tongue playfully, going back to Star and bumping him with her body. Kaltag gave them a look. "We came to settle down you two..." Star chuckled again.

"I know, we did too." Glancing around the room, the Klee Kai smiled as he spotted his friend Name over in one of the corners. "Well, night then Kaltag, Hokee." Kaltag just grumbled, as Hokee replied, watching the two walk away. The brown patched hybrid followed the Chinook to his usual spot next, laying down with a sigh, but smiled over at the pup.

"So you having fun?" Yawning again, feeling more and more sleepy by the second, Hokee nodded, laying down as well with a tired slump. He hoped tomorrow would be just as good. He would have so much to tell to Achak and the pack when he got back.

The black and silver wolf woke up before the sun the next morning. Balto was rather curious yesterday about his grandchildren, so he told him about them. It seemed to relieve the wolf hybrid the loss of his daughter. But Achak had more important matters now. He paid his respects, now he had something else to worry about.

He hoped Hokee was okay here. He hoped the dogs treated him fairly. He knew that Kiona was not so fortunate with her time here, but if Kaltag knew what was good for him, he'd make sure no harm came to Hokee.

Not long after the sun rose, he saw Hokee and Kaltag making their way back to Balto's boat. The two seemed happy enough, so things must have gone well. This was good.

"Achak!" the blonde pup laughed. "You won't believe how many dogs I met yesterday! They were all so nice! I know you don't like dogs, but they really liked me." He knew Achak didn't like rambling, so he summed up some of the more fun dogs he met, even some that were his age. He even told them about everything they did that day and how much fun he had, and how the humans even fed him some meat. "I can't wait to tell the others. They're gonna be thrilled."

"Heheh, he seems pretty excited to tell his stories to everyone." Kaltag mentioned.

Achak smiled at the pup, not taking much note to the dog's comment.

"I'm sure they will be." the wolf said, standing up.

Hokee then turned to his father and smiled. "I'm glad I finally met you... Dad." He nuzzled his face into Kaltag's chest. He looked down at his son and smiled back, patting his back softly with his large paw.

"I'm glad I finally met you too, Hokee." Kaltag licked Hokee's head. He was taking it easier than he thought he would. But he was more than glad to have finally met his son. The one he and Kayiya made together. It was nice knowing that his bloodline would continue in the future. It would be in the wild, but he was still happy. He would never take this reunion for granted. "You take care alright?" Achak rolled his eyes.

The blonde pup nodded and scampered back over to the black wolf. "I'm ready to go now."

Achak shook his head. "You're staying here, Hokee."

"What? Really? For how long? When will I be going back?"

"You won't be returning."

Hokee stared up at him, is eyes getting larger. He wasn't going back? "W-Why!"

"Life will be better for you here. You'll be safe from the weather and you won't have to worry about surviving."

"But... I..." he wanted to object. He knew he shouldn't talk back to Achak, but he wanted to go back to his family. He was happy to find his father and meet new friends. And yes, he would be sad to leave them, but he would miss the pack as well. They took care of him from the beginning.

Balto started. "Achak, are you sure about--"

The wolf sternly looked at him, as a means to say to not question what he was doing. Achak looked back down at Hokee, giving him a stern look as well. That he had already made up his mind and the pup would not be going back to live in the wild for his own good. His life would be better here. He had friends and his father and would be protected and sheltered by him. He would not have to worry about hunting for food or illness or freezing to death.

Hokee looked down in defeat, his sniffed back a few tears and walked forward to nuzzle Achak. But the wolf just pulled away.

"Take care of him," He said to the chinook, then nodding to Balto and taking his leave. Hokee scurried after him, but had to stop because he couldn't jump from that high off the boat. He watched until the black wolf was long gone into the white of the snow.

~~~

It took a couple days travel, but Achak finally retired to his territory, all the while not even letting himself think about leaving Hokee behind. Upon his return, the pack actually greeted him before he even reached the cave. They were as happy as ever to see him, a few already noticing that Hokee was not with him. Olathe and Ayashi already began to worry if Hokee actually hadn't gone with Achak and disappeared elsewhere. If that were the case he'd have been gone for a few days without them even knowing he was safe.

"You don't know where he could be, Achak?" his mother asked.

"No, I know where he is--"

Hinto spoke up. "Nayeli told me he was sneaking off with you."

He nodded. He explained to everyone that Hokee did in fact follow him when he left to pay his respects to Kiona's father. And that while they were there they found out who Hokee's father was. He explained how Hokee was having a good time there and seemed to fit in nicely, to assure everyone that he would be okay. All the while, Nayeli was standing off to the side, with the most devastated look on her face.

Kanook nodded. "Well, I'm glad he--"

"You made him stay!?" Nayeli growled stomping up to her father, glaring up at him. "Why did you do that!"

Achak stared down at his daughter. How could she just yell at him like that? She knew it was for the best. "It was--"

"I didn't even get to say good-bye! I.... I hate you!" with a snarl she ran through the rest of the pack and past the cave, leaving a speckled trail of tears behind her.