‘ I’m really proud of you Cop. You’ll be lead wolf dog like Balto, but not me.’ Rex said.
‘ Why weren’t you ever lead wolf dog?’ Cop asked. Rex remembered that after he left Lisa, he decided to tell all of his kids the truth.
‘ I realised that I was never meant to be on a racing team.’ Rex answered. Cops lead dog, Chester, was strapped in too and got everyone in line. Rex walked back to Soul and they watched their son. Soul then caught sight of a new member of the team: Cameron. She was a husky who had kept moving families. She was light brown and had an underbelly of beige. Her tail was half-light brown, half beige and under her eyes was a thick line of white starting at her eyes and ending at her shoulders.
‘ Have you seen the new dog?’ One of the dogs asked.
‘ Yeah and she’s is pretty fine if you ask me, JJ.’ Cop answered. Soon there was a large conversation, but was soon broken up by Chester, the blond lead dog. The opposite team was ready to go and their leader, Lucas, was giving Chester a determined look. Both teams were soon ready and off. Chester’s team was in the lead with Lucas’ team close behind. Both teams were determined to reach Nenana where they would leave a flag of different colours and run back to Nome. Cop knew that they would win since they had a wolf dog on the team. He noticed that Cameron was running hard, but even though she was in front of JJ, she found it hard not to keep bumping into him.
During the hours, Cop also did some sight seeing. He saw mountain ranges, strange shaped rocks and many waterfalls. Soon they were in Nenana and had stopped for a rest. Cop then walked over to Cameron once the team had been untied.
‘ I noticed that you had a hard time keeping up even though you were trying your best.’ Cop said.
‘ Yeah, but I’ve had a hard life so I don’t get to practise much, but I was strong enough to be put onto the team. That way, my owners wouldn’t have to take so much care of me and then they could forget me, but I always make myself happier.’ Cameron said as Cop sat next to her.
‘ When I’m sad, I sing this lullaby that my mother sang to me when I was a pup. She’s my role model because of her amazing voice. It’s as gentle as the winds breeze, but sounds like the oceans waves. I’m a pretty good singer myself, but I joined the team instead, to make my dad happy. I know that he wouldn’t like me if I wasn’t on the team or in my great grandmothers choir.’ Cop said as he thought of Rex.
‘ I would sing a song that reminds me of my parents. They were the greatest huskies ever and I’ll never forget their faces or voices. Galleria and Sehta. They were killed when my first home was burned down. They gave their own lives to save me and my sister who died of Metritis a few months after their death. I’m the only one left.’ Cameron said as she held back tears from her memories.
‘ I’m really sorry. I’ve lived with my parents all my life and they have faced the brink of death, but dodged it every time. Like when my dad got in a fight with a wolverine leaving him with…’ Cop said, but was interrupted by Cameron.
‘ With a giant scar down the side of his face and neck. I’ve heard about Rex. He’s meant to be a miracle dog, isn’t he?’ Cameron asked. Cop knew that she didn’t know about his wolf side.
‘ Yeah, that’s my good old dad.’ Cop answered. He looked up to the sky and saw the moon rising. He decided to go inside before he got too interested. Cameron followed him into a wooden cabin with a roaring fire and plenty of food.
Two hours later everyone was asleep, but Cop was turning and twisting.
‘ Balto, I’m your sister.’
‘ I found Aniu's body and wished that she would come back, but soon, she was taken to the Northern Lights pack and I haven’t seen her since.’
‘ My parents died in a fire and I’ve miss them very much.’
‘ How can you?! Your parents have never left you and you’ve never lost anyone in your life!’
‘ I have! You can make fun of my family, my friends, or me but never say I’ve lost anyone close to me! ‘Cause I only have a few memories of them and they’re the only things I’ve got left.’
' I'm not gonna let Dad die for something he didn't do! I'll find the real culprit, even if it kills me.'
' You are so low! Why would you want my dad killed?!'
' Because of Rex, I had to live a life of pain and sorrow! He deserves to be killed! He killed my parents, so he should be killed too!'
Cop then heard loud howling and opened his eyes.
JJ, Chester and Cameron were hovering above him with confused looks on their faces.
‘ What?’ Cop asked as he stood up.
‘ You were making strange noises in your sleep.’ Cameron answered.
‘ Did you have a bad dream Cop?’ JJ asked.
‘ Did you have a bad dream Cop? Well of course he did, you bone head!’ Chester shouted. Cop walked outside and saw his musher getting the sled ready. Only a few miles away, the other team was ready to leave. Soon all the dogs were strapped into the sled and off once again. Just like before, Cop saw all the same sights, but thought only of his dream.
‘ What does it mean? I thought that Balto's family was killed by the Shadow pack.’ Cop thought as he ran. He also noticed that Cameron managed to keep up this time. Lucas’ team was far behind by now since one of their dogs broke its leg.
3 hours later, the team was near the finish line and they saw the town waiting for them. Cop saw his chance to do what he has always wanted to do in front of his friends. He jumped forward and howled loudly, he kept howling until they crossed the finish line. The whole town had heard Cop and came rushing to the line, cheering them on. Rex and Soul waited for them and Rex howled along with his son. Thankfully none of the town’s folk noticed the difference between a husky’s howl and a wolf’s howl. Cop ran over to his parents and they nuzzled him.
‘ I’m so proud of you. You’ve won your first race!’ Rex exclaimed. op knew that this was a really happy time in a canines life, but why did he feel like crying? Soul saw that his face was happy, but his eyes were filled with sorrow. Cop then pushed his parents away and walked over to the team.
‘ We can finally compete in the championships for the first time!’ Chester announced to the team. Cameron walked over to Cop and led him away from the commotion.
‘ Why did you howl?’ She asked.
‘ What? Can’t a husky howl once in a while?’ Cop asked.
‘ No, what you mean is- can’t a wolf dog howl once in a while.’ Cameron answered.
‘ What in Nome are you talking about?’ Cop asked with a concerned voice. He knew that Cameron was right, but what could he say? He promised his parents that he wouldn’t tell anyone, but he had to tell Cameron before she told anyone else.
‘ I’ve been asking a few dogs in Nome about your family and they’ve told me that your sisters weren’t adopted because they looked like wolves, your dad has lived in the wild twice and that your mother has no parents because her mother died and her father refused to look after her because he had a wolf pack to look after. Plus your grandmother is Dakoda, the thought to be dead daughter of Balto and Jenna.’ Cameron explained.
‘ Okay, but I have 3 sisters and only two looked like wolves. Kiara lives a few doors down from me and Sitka, but don’t tell anyone.’ Cop said.
‘ Yes, but why did you lie to me? Did you think that I would be insulted that I like a wolf dog?’ Cameron asked.
‘ You like me?’ Cop asked.
‘ Oops. Yes I do and I hoped that you did too.’ Cameron answered.
‘ Well, I do. I have ever since I saw you.’ Cop said. He nuzzled her and she nuzzled back. They were now a couple and they knew it.
The next day, the entire team was in the boiler room and everyone was sleeping until Cop woke up. He yawned and stretched his long legs, but then noticed that Cameron wasn’t anywhere to be seen.
‘ Cam?’ Cop asked quietly as he walked over to the door and peeped outside. He saw the ocean, Balto’s boat and Cameron running on the beach. He ran over to her and ran beside her.
‘ Hey.’ Cameron said as she stopped and nuzzled Cop.
‘ What are you doing up so early?’ Cop asked as Cameron stopped nuzzling him.
‘ I just thought that I’d get some practise before the big competition next week.’ Cameron answered as she and Cop walked to town. A little bundle of fluff came bounding towards them, but crashed into Cops legs.
‘ Cop! Your dad wants you at his house!’ The pup exclaimed. Without a word, Cop ran towards his father’s house wandering what Rex wanted with him. Cameron followed him at great speed.
In no less than twenty seconds, Cop and Cameron reached Rex’s house. They crawled through the dog door and walked over to a fire.
‘ Dad…?’ Cop asked.
‘ I see you brought your new girlfriend. This was nothing big, but since you like singing, I thought that I should make it big. Jenna’s having her monthly concert and she said that you and Cam can get on stage.’ Rex explained as he walked over to Cop and his girlfriend.
‘ When?’ Cameron asked as she stepped forward.
‘ Tonight. At the mine shack where Cop and his siblings used to play.’ Rex answered as he walked back to the fire. Cop was delighted and so was Cameron. This would be the first time that they could sing together on stage! They were very excited about this and were restless which brought suspicion around the team so they held a meeting in the boiler room.
‘ I have come up with a plan to break Cop and Cameron up,’ Chester announced as he stood on a high box. The sun was down and the full moon was out. ‘ First, we must follow them until we know what’s happening.’
Meanwhile, Cop was at his house sorting his fur out as he had trouble with a cowlick. A paw came down onto his head and squashed it.
‘ Thanks Cam.’ Cop said as he turned around and saw her wearing a diamond blue collar.
‘ I wear this when I’m not working and on special occasions.’ Cameron said as she nuzzled Cop. He was wearing his black collar, but didn’t care about looks. Except for the cowlick.
‘ You ready? We’re second on stage after Kiara.’ Cop explained as he and Cameron walked side by side out the door and quickly over to the mine shack with the gentleman leading. They walked inside like most couples over to Rex and Soul. By a window, Chester spied on them while looking around the room.
‘ Kiara everyone!’ Saba exclaimed as Kiara walked on stage.
‘I see you looking at me
Like I got something that's for you
And the way that you stare
Don't you dare
'Cause I'm not about to
Just give it all up to you
'Cause there are some things I won’t do
And I'm not afraid to tell you
I don't ever want to leave you confused
The more you try
The less I bite
And I don't have to think it through
You know if I'm into you
I don't need a man to make it happen
I get off being free
I don't need a man to make me feel good
I get off doing my thing
I don't need a mate by my side
To make me feel complete
So let me break it down
I can get off when you ain't around
Oh…’ Kiara sang. She then jumped off and let her parents, her brother and his partner walk on.
‘ My nephew, Rex with Soul, Cop and his girlfriend Cameron!’ Saba exclaimed as she once again jumped off stage.
Rex:
Ya never know what you’re gonna feel, oh
Ya never see it comin’ suddenly it’s real
Soul:
Oh, never even crossed my mind, no
That I would ever end up here tonight
Both:
All things change
When you don’t expect them to
No one knows
What the future’s gonna do
I never even noticed
That you’ve been there all along
I can’t take my eyes off of you
I know you feel the same way too, yeah
I can’t take my eyes off of you
All it took . . . Was one look
For a dream come true
Cop:
Yeah, we got a good thing goin’ on
Cameron:
Oh, right here is right where we belong
Both:
You never really know what you might find
Now all I see is you and I
You’re everything I never knew
That I’ve been looking for
I can’t take my eyes off of you
Everyone howled as Cameron stayed on the stage.
‘You are fine
I know you feel the same way too, yeah
I can’t take my eyes off of you
All it took . . . Was one look
For a dream come true…
You are sweet
But I'm still a bit naive with my heart
When you're close I don't breathe
I can't find the words to speak
I feel sparks
but I don't wanna start seeing you
If I can't be your only one
So tell me when it's not alright
When it's not OK
Will you try to make me feel better?
Will you say all right?
Will you say OK?
Will you stick with me through whatever?
Or run away
Say OK.
When you’re at the door I can’t answer it at all
I'm not like all my friends who keep running up to the boys, I'm so shy
But I don't wanna be into you
‘ Thanks Dad. I can see where I got my talent from.’ Cop said as he nuzzled his parents. He then walked over to Cameron and nuzzled her.
‘ Well son. I really got the talent from Jenna. She’s my grandmother and a pretty good one too.’ Rex said as he watched Cop.
‘ I don’t believe it. Cop’s a wolf dog. We’ve got our information now, we can leave.’ Chester whispered as he jumped from the window and to his teammates. They ran to the boiler room and discussed the rest of the plan.
Hours later, Cop and Cameron were on their way home with Rex and Soul. Soul went first, then Cameron, then Cop and finally Rex. The team was sleeping and so was the rest of the town. Cop walked to his bed and dropped himself into a sleep and thought about the next day.
The next morning, Cop had to wake up early to get Cameron so that they could warm up before work. Once he was at the house, he saw Cameron sleeping by her door.
‘ Cam? We need to get ready for work.’ Cop said as he nudged Cameron. He saw her head moving and turned her head and saw that she was in great pain and gasping for air.
‘ Cop…’ Cameron whimpered as she tried to open her eyes. Cop didn’t think twice as he ran to his parents’ house, barking along the way. All the dogs and their humans walked outside including Soul, Tabatha, Rex and his human, Jack. Cop ran over to his parents and they had a mad look on their faces as well as the humans did.
‘ Mom, Dad. Cameron’s in trouble!’ Cop breathed. Suddenly they changed their expressions and ran after Cop with the humans following. Cop was out of breath when he ran over to Cameron. She was having a hard time breathing and was moving her legs around like crazy. Jack and Tabatha picked her up and ran towards the vets with the wolf dogs following closely. The vet had just opened and was not expecting anyone for another few hours, but didn’t take a second to get Cameron inside and onto the table. Cop followed her in, but his parents stayed behind.
Inside, Jack and Tabatha were asked a flood of questions and Cop kept quiet, but whispered comforting words to Cameron.
‘ Who found the dog?’ The vet asked as he put a stethoscope on Cameron’s chest.
‘ My dog, Cop found her. They’re both on a race team so I’m guessing he was gonna wake her up for a practise.’ Jack answered as he patted Cop.
‘ He’s a good dog. If he hadn’t woken you two up, then this one would be in trouble. Looks like Dyspnea. I’ll need to do few tests and keep her here for about a month before she can work again.’ The vet explained as he stroked Cameron softly.
‘ Sorry Cop.’ Jack whispered as he pulled him out the room with Tabatha. Cop whimpered as he was dragged across the floor and pass his parents.
‘ What’s wrong with her?’ Soul asked as she and Rex followed Cop to the boiler room where the team was getting ready for the mail run. He froze and dropped his head.
‘ Dyspnea.’ Cop said as he walked to the team who had heard what he said. Rex and Soul left their son to overcome the nightmare that was too real to be true. As they closed the door, the team changed their expressions and cornered Cop.
‘ Why didn’t you tell us that you were a wolf dog?!’ Chester asked loudly. He had much anger in his voice that would anyone scream, but Cop just hung his head.
‘ Wolf dogs are considered freaks. I didn’t want you to think me as a freak, just a friend and a teammate. I’m sorry, but my family just wants to left alone. At least I do.’ Cop answered. He walked out the room slowly with the team jeering at him. Chester knew that he should feel guilty, but he didn’t. He needed Cop out of the team before the competition. Once Cop was outside, he ran to his house trying to hold back his sadness. He knew that he lost his siblings and he wasn’t going to let Cameron go. He changed course and ran to the vets. Inside, there were only two humans and a cat. It eyed him as he walked.
‘ What are you here for?’ It asked.
‘ I’m seeing my girlfriend…’ Cop answered.
‘ I heard about that. People and animals are talking.’ It said.
‘ I know. I need to stand tall if I’m gonna be like Balto or my dad. I need to go,’ Cop said. He walked into the patient room and looked in all the cages. He saw Cameron wearing a breathing mask as she slept peacefully. Cop stared at her and wondered what went wrong. ‘So tell me when it's not alright, when it's not OK, Will you try to make me feel better? Will you say all right? Will you say OK? Will you stick with me through whatever? Or run away, Say OK.’
‘But I don't wanna be into you
'Cam… What went wrong?’ Cop asked as he slipped his snout through the metal bars of the cage and nuzzled Cameron.
‘ I was attacked by… Chester and the team. They said that if they were gonna get us off the team, then they would need to hurt me so they bit into my lungs and then they heard you running towards them and ran away.’ Cameron explained between breaths.
If you don't treat me the right way
See I can only start seeing you
If you can make my heart feel safe…’ Cameron sang. She then jumped off the stage. Chester then saw Cop talking to Rex, but could only hear a bit at a time.
If you don't treat me the right way
See I can only start seeing you
If you can make my heart feel safe.'Cameron whispered. She opened an eye and smiled. She was glad to see Cop again even though she was in the vets.
‘ We’re not gonna be kicked off the team. Once you’re well again, we’ll quit.’ Cop said as he slipped his snout out the cage and stood up. He slowly walked away as Cameron fell asleep again. He then ran to his parents as they walked towards the beach.
‘ Mom! Dad!’ Cop shouted. Rex and Soul stopped and turned around. Cop stopped and got his breath back. ‘ Cameron was attacked by our team because they want us off.’
‘ Why?’ Soul asked.
‘ They want me off because I’m a wolf dog and they want Cameron off because she’s my girlfriend.’ Cop explained.
‘ They found out?!’ Rex exclaimed.
‘ Yes. I don’t know how, but they did. Once Cameron gets better, we’re gonna quit the team.’ Cop said.
‘ Good. That’s what I did when I was on Clouds team.’ Rex said.
‘ I need to go home. I have to think it over.’ Cop said. He then ran to his house and lay down. For the next month, Cop visited Cameron everyday and talked to her as she slept, he didn’t go to any practises with the team and he had brief meetings with his parents. At the end of the month, Cameron had been able to breath on her own and was running about again. Her owners didn’t care about her health and had talked many times about selling her. Once she was out the vets, the first thing she did was run to Cops house.
‘ Cop!’ Cameron exclaimed as she crawled through the dog door. He couldn’t believe that a month had gone passed, as it had passed so slowly that it felt like forever.
‘ Cameron! They let you out!’ Cop exclaimed as he nuzzled her.
‘ We’re gonna quit today.’ Cameron said. Cop then remembered the plan and walked out the door with Cameron following. They ran to the boiler room hoping that Chester and the team would be there. And they were. Cop opened the door and walked in.
‘ What’re you doing here wolf dog?’ Chester asked. Cop knew that he wasn’t happy to see him again.
‘ Me and Cameron quit the team.’ Cop said. He stood strong like a wolf defending its ground.
‘ Fine! We don’t need you!’ Chester exclaimed. Cop then left the room with Cameron following.
‘ You’ll be sorry.’ She breathed. The door then slammed shut and Chester was happy to have them gone. The championships were in two days, after another concert. The couple ran to Rex and Soul and told them what just happened.
The next night, the concert was on, but with no spies. Cop and Cameron were up first. They jumped onto stage and started.
Cameron:
Sound the bugle now - play it just for me
I'm a soldier - wounded so I must give up the fight
Sound the bugle now - tell them I don't care
Then from on high - somewhere in the distance
So be strong tonight - remember who you are…
They jumped off the stage and walked over to Rex and Soul. For the rest of the night, they watched Balto, Jenna, Kiara, Sitka, Kodi and Fly. Once the concert was over, Cop led Cameron home.
‘ I had a great time tonight. I’ll see you in the morning.’ Cameron said. She then nuzzled Cop and walked into her house while Cop walked to his. He knew that the team would lose, as they know had filled their minds with hatred and revenge. He slept with these thoughts in his dreams and mind.
The next morning, Cop woke up with thoughts of the race in his mind, but he had to meet Jenna, Saba, Rose, Dingo, Dixie and Sylvie with Cameron that morning. He walked out the door and went to her house and picked her up. She was thrilled to be on Jenna’s choir as much as Cop was. They walked together to the shack and thought of their future. Inside the couple sat in front of Jenna with her kids and friends behind her.
‘ You have passed the tests and we only have one more question for you. Why do you wish to join?’ Jenna asked gently.
‘ Because we just quit our race team as I knew that we did not belong there. We belong here, singing as our parents did, here or not. We needed to find our place in the world and this is it.’ Cop answered. Jenna was enlightened by his answer.
‘ I have asked many that question and that was the best answer I’ve ever received. Singing is not for fun; you know when you’re meant to sing when you sing from the heart. You and Cameron are in. Practise is tomorrow morning, try and be early.’ Jenna replied. She walked to the others as her great grandson and his partner walked outside. Cop and Cameron walked to the beach and celebrated. They jumped into the sea and splashed each other for hours until the heard cheering from town. They looked and saw the ending of the race.
‘ Oh, great. They’re back.’ Cameron said as she stepped out the sea.
‘ It’s not them. It’s the other team, Chester lost, but he’s there. We should go. I think its time for them to say sorry.’ Cop replied as he walked out of the waves. They ran to town and stopped at the finish line. Chester saw them and regretted his choice. He walked over to the smiling couple.
‘ I’m sorry. I really am. I only thought of winning this and we lost. Can you forgive me?’ Chester asked as his blond fur hit the sunlight.
‘ We forgive you, but not enough to come back to the team. You hurt us emotionally and physically. Only time can heal those wounds and time is slow.’ Cop answered. He walked away with Cameron and saw Chester’s face. He knew that they would never win another race until they got new team members. He made a commitment that day, to never hurt anyone again. Especially wolf dogs as they had the biggest hearts. Chester watched the bright sun as it lowered itself into the mountains and make the sky a dark amber and gold.
‘ Child of the west wind, follow your heart and dreams.’ Chester breathed as he also watched Cop and Cameron walk home.
The End.
Next time: Kiara is Rex and Soul’s only daughter that wasn’t born with wolf looks, but with a wolf spirit. She wants to live on the streets like her grandmother, Fly, but Rex protests against the idea, but she escapes one night and makes everyone believe that she’s dead, but Rex doesn’t believe a word and goes on a search for his daughter. Can he find her before she joins the junk wolf dogs?
Cop, Rex, Soul, JJ, Chester, Cameron, Jack, Tabatha, Lucas, Rose, Fly/Dakota, Sitka, Kiara, Cloud, Galleria and Sehta. © I_Love_Aleu.
Balto, Jenna, Kodi, Saba and Dingo. © Universal Studios.
As the seasons change - remember how I used to be
Now I can't go on - I can't even start
I've got nothing left - just an empty heart
Cop:
There's nothing more for me - lead me away...
Or leave me lying here
Cameron:
There's not a road I know - that leads to anywhere
Without a light fear that I will - stumble in the dark
Lay right down - decide not to go on
Cop:
There's a voice that calls - remember who your are
If you lose yourself - your courage soon will follow
Cameron:
Yeah… you're a soldier now - fighting in a battle
To be free once more –Yeah, that's worth fighting for