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"We don't have much time left," Balto said with a hint of sadness, as the sun continued relentlessly towards the sea. "We probably shouldn't stay here after it gets dark. We're not as young as we used to be."

"It's our last visit here, Balto," Jenna said as she looked out over the lush, green valley before them. "I'd hate to leave without seeing the moonlight over the forest again. You know how much I like it here at night."

"Yeah, I do. And I admit, I like watching the sun set from here. We've been coming here for so many years, and I'm still amazed at how beautiful everything is from up here." He nuzzled Jenna and looked into her eyes. "And I do mean everything."

Jenna smiled and nuzzled him back. "If you're trying to get me to fall in love with you again, it won't work. I'm still in love with you from the first time that happened, thirteen years ago."

Balto grinned at her response, and kissed her. Jenna snuggled closer to her mate as they sat and watched the sun begin to sink below the horizon for the last time from this place. This one little clearing up in the mountains held so many memories for them, an entire lifetime's worth. When their pups were old enough they began to bring them up to this clearing too, and it went from being Balto's favorite place to Balto and Jenna's favorite place, to his family's favorite place. They had even been able to bring Aleu up there along with the rest of the pups a few times before she left to lead her wolf pack.

He looked around and he could see his beloved children wrestling and playing in the leaves, and he could remember the many nights that all of them slept together on the plateau, under the broad summer night sky. He loved his family so much, and he loved being near his mate and his pups. When they would all spend the night there, he liked nothing better than to wake up surrounded by his family.

Okay I'll admit it. I really, really like Balto: Mate. I'm sorry it's taking me so long to finish it, but it's pretty long and it's just taking me a while to tie it all together and to write it all out. I want to make sure it's going to be entertaining and engrossing.

Because of what it's about, not everybody will like it, and that's okay. It's a more adult oriented story in the sense that it deals with adult themes like love, relationships and family - NOT in the "adult" sense if you catch my meaning there. It will be rated PG at most, but maybe just G.

I'm really grateful that there are people here who like what I've written, it's given me the confidence and motivation to write this story, and the others. So this is for those of you who enjoy my particular brand of writing. This snippet should show you how I've framed this story, and what you can expect from it when it's done.






As always, thanks for reading.

-X

In the autumn of their lives, Balto and Jenna remember their time together and recall the significant events that drew them together... and pushed them apart.

This is the fourth and final part in a series of four stories that each showcases a side of Balto; Hero, Son, Father and now Mate.

Eventually they reached their special spot, the place they knew they could stay until it was safe to go back to town. Jenna was exhausted and depressed, and she still hadn't said a word to Balto. She didn't even want to look over the edge of the cliff like she normally did, to take in the view of the forest under the moonlight. Instead, she went to the back of the plateau, against the cliff wall which partially sheltered the rear of the clearing.

Balto had taken the time to bring two blankets and some food there during the day, so they could stay there for a few days without having to leave. Jenna lay down, dragged one of the blankets over herself and closed her eyes.

Balto sat at a distance and watched her try to sleep. Her eyes were closed but she couldn't get comfortable. She tossed and turned, and she suddenly grabbed the blanket with her teeth and threw it away in frustration. She lay her head down between her paws and began to cry quietly. Balto got up and picked the blanket up, then lay down next to Jenna and pulled it over both of them. She nuzzled his face, and curled up inside his paws.

He held her as she cried, and he knew this would be a difficult night. He was willing to do whatever it took to help her get through it, and he held her as tightly as he could. Finally, mercifully, she fell asleep in his embrace. Balto could sense dawn approaching, and he wearily closed his eyes and let sleep claim him.