The sunset was setting in the woods. There stood a brown and wolf grey wolf. He was waiting for the sun to set so his pack could go hunting. He looked at his ready pack. They all had the same color as him, but different markings. Although his family has had almost the same exact marking since his great great grandfather, which is a very long time. He sniffed the air. Three, two, one, he thought. Than the sun went all the way down and the wolf stood up and waved his tail to signal his pack. They all ran forward with him. They saw the caribou up ahead. They ran up to an old one, which seemed to actually have some more meat on it than the others. He hung his head and lay down. He signaled his pack to jump in. They went quick and fast, one of the fastest wolf pack in this region. Than when he knew that the old caribou was ready, he jumped up and slammed into its throat. That was it for the old man. He had killed him with just a single bite.

"Good Job, son," said his father, which looked just like him, but only one eyes patch on his eye.

"Yeah, I know, but it isn't fair that I get to call you that and the pack that you have raised can't," Hung pointed out.

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"No you didn't!" called a brown and wolfish grey wolf/dog pinning the smaller dog.

"Ha, I can if you're running away, Rachel," smiled her father, who is the famous sled dog Balto.

"Rachel!" barked Rachel's mother, who looked almost just like her, and her name was Jenna.

"Don't forget about my brother," Rachel exclaimed, "They may not get along with you as much as I do, but they still disserve your care."

"You're right, and I can't believe all of you are getting the hang of that wolf howl I taught you, I only know of wolves that could do that howl," laughed Balto.

Rachel smiled at that and got up. She nuzzled Balto and headed up to her mother. She rubbed against Jenna to tell her that she was ready to go. She looked back at Balto and howled. She just loved howling. Rachel turned back to her mother and started running home. Like her father, Steele, she loved running, but she didn't want to make it a career. Her career in her head was to have a family, and also to go around Alaska. Alaska was her home town and she wanted to know everything she could learn about it. She was done studying humans (She learned to understand their language.), so she wanted to know more. Unlike either of her parents, she was adventurous, and had big dreams. Most dogs around Nome made fun of her because they thought that it was a crazy idea. But her brother Ricky, the one that lives in Nome still, sticks up for her because he believes anything is possible, even though he was the one that started up that. But he was different know, since he had found Maggie.

Rachel stopped and watched the sky as her mother caught up to her. One of her favorite things to do was to look at the sky and look at everything move. She always wanted to learn, and so she had taught herself to read human. She was always smart, and she even figured how to read a book, but she also had some help by Kaltag, who was the smartest dog in Nome.

When she saw that her mother was ahead of her, she ran the rest of the way to her home. She still lived with her mother because they had wanted to keep her. She was sometimes used as a show dog if her owners wanted to earn a little extra money. She had learned a great deal from her Grand-mother, since she was a show-dog. She had also learned some things by her step-mom, which she rarely did, since she didn't like her that much.

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Hung looked at his pack again. They were all heading home, and his father had given him the right to lead them since he did a great job at hunting the caribou. Plus, his father wanted to keep a good eye on his mother because she was expecting her second litter soon. Hung halted at the small river.

"I smell something that I had never smelt before," said Hung with a confused look on his face.

His father sniffed the air, and suddenly his fur stood up and his ears looked like that they were going to fall of his head, "What is it, father?"

When his father didn't answer the pack began to wonder, "Alpha Kona, what is wrong?''

"Oh, I am sorry. Pack, we will be going to the winter hideout earlier than expected. The humans have come," explained Kona.

"I will tell you in private, we do not want the pups to worry about anything," whispered Kona in Hungs ears.

Even thought Hung was itching with whining to tell him what they were, he knew he had to respect his father and alpha," Yes, Father"

Kona nodded and signaled his pack to fallow him down stream instead of across it. Since Kona was in lead Hung decided to go to the back of the group to watch his mother. He went down there and told his sister to look after the pups. He didn't get along with pups well, he sometimes still acted like one himself. He looked at his mother questionably, but she shook her head telling her son that the alpha male should tell the heir of the pack.

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Rachel sat down next to the parents of her owner, Rosie. Jenna sat on the oppisate side of her. Rachel looked at the man. He was tall, had black brown hair, and was trying to grow a beard. She thought he looked kind of creepy, but saw in his chocolate brown eyes that he was very nice and gentle.

"Yes, she is the daughter of Steele and I did see her running yesterday. She defiantly is a good dog. But if you

do not want me to buy her, maybe I could just rent her, for a year," explained the man.

"Yeah, me too," said Jessa,” Rosie is attached to her, and she has a lot of friends. Not to mention her brother and step father."

"Yeah, three thousand, and don't say that it's too much, I actually planned on giving you five if I bought her," smiled the man.

"Yup, you guys can keep her for today to say goodbye, and I'll pick her up tomorrow morning," smiled Brokk walking out the door, "I'll also give you the money tomorrow."

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Hung sat next to his father's den. He was waiting for his father to come back from the late night patrol. He was curious about the "humans" his father talked about. He can tell that they were dangerous in the way his father wanted the pack to go to their winter hide out. Hung watched as all the other wolves went in their dens for a good night rest. He watched as his brother, Rogus, and a couple of other wolves went on the poles to watch for outsiders. The pack's beta, Brigain, went inside his father den, which is where the beta also sleeps.

Soon Hung saw his father walking in the camp. Hung wanted to just leap over there and ask him, but he knew that wouldn't be a good idea. He waited for his father to walk in his den and then he fallowed. The den was a warm den. It had a little waterfall inside that was as sparkly as the stars at night. It smelled like fresh grass, which is what Hung always liked about this den. Hung sat next to his father with curious sparkling eyes.

"If you keep staring at me with those wide blue eyes someone might think you are still a pup," chuckled Kona.

When Brigain heard that word he got up and walked over. He sat right next to Kona and looked at Hung with serious eyes, "I don't think you should know."

"Brigain, he should know. After all he is the heir of the pack, he has the right, " said Kona.

"But he is still a pup. Once he gets curious he will go out and see for himself what they are," growled Brigain.

"I am not a pup. I am three years old now. I have a right to know what a threat to my own pack is. If you do not tell me I will go myself to see how dangerous they are, and what they are," answered Hung with a serious look.

"See, he is already talking like a true leader, and he hasn't even started the training,” laughed Kona.

Brigain stared at Hung. He never really did like Hung. He pushed him to the limit, he even gets in trouble sometimes. He is an old wolf, but he always wants the fellow pack members to work until they cannot anymore.

"Very well," sighed Kona, "Humans are these creatures that are very smart. If they come and hunt us they have these long hard sticks that shoot pellets out. If the pellets hit you there is a great chance that you will die. They also sometimes come on these flat small trees and have dogs carried them, “explained Kona.

"Yes. They hug up to them and always seem so happy with them even though they hunt and hurt us," sighed Kona.

Hung walked out of the cave. These humans seemed like animals. Why would these dogs help those hurt animals that are almost just like them? His father had said not to tell anyone else in the pack. He thought that it would be better that they don't know that there is a big threat to them. Hung took this all in, but didn't know what to think. All he knew is that they had to go to the winter hide out tomorrow morning.
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Rachel jumped onto the back of the truck. She really didn't want to leave her family, so she was sad. She looked behind her as the car started to leave. She saw her mother crying and her father trying not to. To make them feel better, Rachel smiled and waved goodbye. She knew that she will see them in a year. Rachel yawned when she was far away that she couldn’t see her parents. She curled up and slept on the blankets in the truck.

When Rachel woke up from the jolt of the car she saw that she was on a small land. She looked around and saw tones of sled dogs around. She guessed that this was where the sled teams trained. She heard about this island before from Balto. It is called Ready Island. It’s to get the sled dog teams ready to race for big competitions.

Brokk put a leash on Rachel and chained her up next to a brown and white male husky. He smiled at her and started to eat his food. Rachel looked at the other team mates. There was a brown male husky, a white female husky, two red male huskies, and a male black Alaskan malamute. She learned that their names were Brownee, Lulu, Jack and Mack and Cizor. She smiled at them all and laid down on the soft snow. She didn't know what to say since she wasn't all great at meeting new people. She saw food in the bowl in front of her and found out that she was hungry. She started to eat her food when she saw white husky legs in front of her. Rachel looked up and saw a strong muscular black and white husky who has piercing blue eyes. Rachel gasped and stood up straight.

"Well I am," he smiled, "My own daughter, here on Ready Island. I would have thought one of your brothers would be here, but I guess at least since you have my blood in you it's alright."

“Girls racing, psh, that should have never happened," smirked Steele walking off with a couple of other dogs.

Rachel could feel the blood in her veins. How much did she want take a bite out of her own father. She hated his stuck upness, and all the things he did to her family. How dare he call Rachel his daughter? To Rachel she only had Balto as her father.

"Tell me about it. He only cares for one thing. And that one thing is to be the best sled dog and pass his

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Hung picked up the young pup and put him on the rock. Right know him and his pack were heading to the winter hide out. The hid out was two or three days away. The pack was use to this by now and had no problems with this. His pack members usually have the strongest leg muscles there are since they live on a rocky surface. The pups usually whine and never stop until they are sleeping or at the new place. He watched his pack carefully. Since he found out how terrible humans were and their tamed wolves he was more cautious. He didn't want any of his other pack members finding out.

"Haysen, Krow, Birk," said Kona swinging his tail. The three walked up to him. Haysen was a dark brown and cream wolf. He was built up strong and tough. Krow was Hung's twin brother. They were very close. Krow looks almost like Hung, but lighter in color. Birk, he was a quite type, and almost black in color, "You three come hunting with me. Hung, take care of the pack."

Hung nodded to his father. He nugged his little puppy sibling, Kur, to a little den he dug under snow. His mother soon followed. He looked around at his small pack. There were a total of ten members. His sister Mari was pretty much the same color as him, but smaller. Keeko and Dula were from a pack that got killed from bears. They had family members in this pack once, but they got old and died. They were lighter than normal and had white instead of cream, but they made good pack members.

Hung had always wondered why his father wouldn't let anyone who has some kind of different pattern. He sat there watching Keeko and Mari play fight. He walked over to Brigain, "Do you mind looking around with Dula making sure there is no threat?"

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Rachel barked and yipped with her team-mates. They were getting ready for their second race. They had won their first race by a land-slide. Rachel loved the look her father gave her. It was defeatness and hatred and surprises. That made her excited. She and her team-mates where actually connecting. Balto had told her it would be easy to make friends.

And Rachel and her team were off. They went out slow to study the area they were racing on. The area was rockier than anything else she had ever seen. She knew that she would have to use her leg muscles more than anything. That's another thing that she had learned from Balto. Before she had went he taught her of the wolf and how to make sure she is safe on races.

By the evening the sun started to go down, though her musher didn't think that it was time to stop. And good thing he didn't. She wanted to get ahead of her father and so far they are not. But right know they are neck and neck. Rachel could feel it in her heart that they were going to win. Like her mother had told her, no one bad ever wins. Darting with the evil Steele was hard for Brownee. He had cut his foot on the way. Rachel watched Steele. She knew that he would start making some kind of cheating move. There, she saw it in his eyes.

"Brownee, watch out!" yelled Rachel. But she was too late. Steele had snapped his mouth on Brownee's wounded foot. Before her and her team-mates new it they were flying of the mountains cliff that they were one. Rachel saw before she blacked out that the other musher had caught Nick in time.

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Hung woke up from his sleep. He swore that he heard a lot of animals howling into the winds. He couldn't fall asleep after that. He decided to walk around the winter camp. They had finally arrived late this morning. The territory was full of deep woods so no human could come in here; his father has even seen them try. Hung jogged around the open circles on the other side of the territory. When Hung got to the third circle he smelled blood, and it was fresh. He sniffed the air. The sent confused him. It smelled of wolf, but also something else that he didn't know of. Hung moved toward the opening cautiously. When he got there he saw some animals that kind of looked like his kind. He sniffed them. He noticed that they were all dead. He walked up to them confidently this time. He knew they were dead, so he guesses that it didn't matter if he went up to them or not. He looked at them more closely. They didn't have big paws like he did, or snouts. They looked just like him, but smaller.

Hung jumped when he heard a moaning sound. He saw one of the dogs stand up. He swore they were all dead. He began to growl when the red female wolf thing got up. He figured that she didn't notice him since she began licking her wounds before she looked at anything else. She saw her brown eyes wonder to the other animals. He saw horror and sadness in her eyes and confusness. Before he knew it she was howling a very sad song.

The red animal swung her head down, noticing the wolf for once. She bent her head down and started to growl at the wolf. Hung just laughed and looked at her. Her stance was all wrong. He could kill her in one swipe.

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Rachel stood there looking at the wolf. She wasn't sure if this wolf was a threat, or would let her live.

Rachel looked at Hung a little bit. She decided since she cleaned all her wounds she should start heading home. She looked at all her team mates and shuddered. She couldn't do anything to help them now, so what was the point of staying. She got up and began to walk, but then she heard a growl behind her.

“Somewhere, but here. I have to find my way back home," she said calmly. She felt like that she didn't have to be scared of Hung.

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Hung was taken aback by how Rachel snapped. He backed up feeling that it may help a little. He took a deep breath and answered her question, "I was just thinking that maybe I could help you find your way back. I mean it will be tones safer since my pack will be up and about and not all of them are that nice."

He was surprised by his own answer. For some reason he felt like this "dog" could be okay. Not like her father had told him they were like. Hung watched as Rachel thought this over. He wasn't sure if she trusted him or not. But I guess he would see when Rachel answered.

"My father told me to never turn my back on a strange wolf until I know him well enough. For now I will keep that way and get to know you before I trust you," answered Rachel.

"You were taught the ways of the wolf," said Hung shocked. But then he gave it some more thought, "You must be a wolf dog with a wolf father."

"I am not a wolf dog. I wish I was with the real father that I have. My Step-Dad treats me as his own pup. And I know for a fact that if you hurt one hair on me he will come after you," threated Rachel.

"Got some spunk for a dog," laughed Hung starting to lead the way to a safe den, "You will probably want to rest for a day or two. You look like hell."

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Rachel waited for Hung to leave before she drifted off. She didn't want to sleep but she knew she had terrible wounds that needed to heal and sleep would be the best medicine for now. She curled up in a tight ball and fell asleep.

With the smell of fresh meat Rachel flew her eyes open. Right in front of her was a caribou leg. To her, a normal pure bred husky, it looked like the most disgusting thing ever. Before she ate it she sniffed. When she was sure Hung wasn't around she took a bite out of the meat. It was warm and sweet, totally different then what she thought it would taste like. She continued eating the leg until she had her share. Rachel didn't like being cooped up in this cave so she decided to stretch outside.

Rachel just stood there glaring at Hung. Rachel studied Hung. She should have heard him. Balto had told her to listen in every direction. She only listened in front of her. Living in the wilderness was sure much harder then it sounded when Balto told her stories.

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Hung laughed to himself while he watched Rachel struggle through the woods. She kept snapping twigs and making loud noises. Good thing Hung woke up really early. The sun was just coming up. He couldn't help but thinking on how cute Rachel was.

"Well you try being a dog that wasn't raised in the woods. All I know is little things that my Step-Dad taught

"I lived with humans my whole life. Dogs count on them for shelter. We were born and raised in one place that we never leave," answered Rachel.

“Me and team members of other dogs pull a wooden thing that carries special items for humans," said Rachel.

"Why do you guys help humans? All they do is terrorizing us wolves," growled Hung.

"Not all humans are like that. There are also some humans that hurt dogs and other animals that humans have. Plus these humans help raise us when we were puppies and they give us a home," explained Rachel.

Hung didn't say anything to that. He hasn't really met any humans so he can't judge them. He just turned west and started walking. He was just going to get her out of this pack territory and onto the next. He couldn't abandon his family and pack. Hung perked up his ears. He heard something behind him and Rachel. Hung looked around and saw a crack in between a small hill. Hung turned around and grabbed Rachel by her scruff in pulled her into the crack with him. Rachel tried to protest and was starting to growl.

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Rachel wasn't sure if she should trust Hung, but he was a wolf. Balto told her that wolves always keep their promise. Rachel didn't like the crack that they hid in. She was way too close to Hung then she would like to be. Rachel tried to keep a growl from coming out of her throat. Before she knew it she heard a wolf walking by.

"Like Kona said, you are his sister and I am his best friend, we know him more than anyone else."

As their voices died down Rachel could feel Hung calming down. Rachel was getting impatient because clearly those wolves were far gone.

Hung rolled his eyes and started to move. Rachel thought that she could move out easily, but she was wrong. She got stuck and looked at Hung and for a while there noses touched. Hung looked expressionless at Rachel. Rachel felt really embarrassed. She moved her head away quickly and looked around. Hung got out and Rachel followed.

"I know, but you need to be safe. Keep heading that way and there is a River. Stay by the River and don’t leave

"B-but, I uh..." Rachel didn't know why she wanted him with her so bad, "Okay, Fine."

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Hung walked away from Rachel and towards his packs hide out. He needs to help them get settled in to the winter grounds. On his way Hung captured some rabbits and birds to make it look like he was hunting all that time. His pack came into view and he saw his sister and friend returning. Hung took his catch and gave some to his mother and the puppy Kur. He looked around and saw his father walking up to him.

"Yeah. I couldn't really sleep last night so when the sun came up I went. Sorry that I didn't come to you first," apologized Hung.

"I use to be just like you Hung. If you don't want to tell me the truth, fine. But I expect you to still keep up with your pack duties or you'll be getting a lecture from me and Brigian," huffed Kona walking off towards Brigian.

Hung was shocked that his father knew that he was lying. Hung did sleep peaceful last night and he was wide awake. That was probably obvious. His father’s nose also isn't as strong as it uses to be, so it might not have detected Rachel's smell. Hung took a deep breath and turned to his mother.

"I can smell a girl on you. My nose is lots better than your fathers. I can also tell that she is not from this pack, or any pack really. Is she a loner?" smiled Keo.

Hung turned around to see his sister sitting behind him," Mother, Mari, I am seeing no girl. Let alone a

"Whatever you say big brother, I can smell her on you," laughed Mari walking away.

"You don't have to tell us yet young man, but I expect to meet her soon," smiled his mother.

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Rachel waded in the shallow water. It felt good on her fur washing the blood and cleaning the scratches from when she fell off the cliff. A silent tear fell down her face. What will she do know? Her friends were dead. All dead. She snuffled a little and remembered that the musher was still alive. That is good at least. Rachel looked up at the stars, the ones she could see any way. It wasn't totally dark yet, but it still looked very pretty.

Rachel looked behind her for some shelter. There was a tree narled together making a den like place. She shook herself dry and laid in the den. She thought it would be a good idea to get some rest before she and Hung headed off. Rachel put her head down and fell asleep instantly.

Hung sat next to his father during the clan meeting. Usually he sat near the Omega, but for some reason his father wanted him to sit next to him. Hung watched his pack mates as they settled down. His mother near the den making sure Kur didn't get in any trouble while the meeting went on.

"My fellow family. This is our first meeting on our winter territory. I am sorry that we had to leave here sooner then we use to. But I have a big surprise for my son. Hung. You will be going on the Aging hunt. Once you complete the Aging hunt you will be taking in your little sister Kur as an apprentice."

"First you should start acting like an adult, not a pup," growled Brigain stepping on Hungs tail.

Hung gave Brigain a dirty look, even though he knew he was no match for the Beta just yet. Hung stopped wagging his tail and looked back at his father.

"Hung. You will be living by yourself for a month. You will be hunting and fending yourself. You cannot have any help from your fellow pack mates. Although me or you mother will be stopping by to check on how you are doing."

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Rachel laid down on the ground watching the sun go up. She wondered what was taking Hung such a long time to get pack. She was defiantly not a patient girl. Probably something she goes from her real father. Rachel growled at the thought. She wondered if her family thought that she was dead. Obviously her death would have been Steeles fault. The thought just popped in her head. She looked alert while thinking about this. Steele had caused her sled teams death. She was the one who bit the paw. He was the cause of falling off the cliff. Rachel; growled at this.

Rachel hung her ears back feeling weird telling Hung this, " Well when me and my team mates fell of that cliff, my father snapped at one of my team mates wounded paw, and we all fell down...so I guess I just blame him for all the deaths."

"Wow...that's some hard thinking. But I’m sure your father isn't that mean," explained Hung.

"No he is. Trust me. He would rather kill anyone then loose. He likes to win. He tried killing my step-father even just to get a girl," said Rachel.

"Well maybe it was your step-fathers fault. Have you thought of that?" smirked Hung.

Rachel snapped at this and jumped up onto Hung pinning him on the ground. Hungs face was totally surprised.

“You should never talk about any one that you do not know! I wish my step-father was my real father! I wish my real father wasn't real!" growled Rachel.

The rest of the night that the two totally different canines walked was silent. Hung was still getting over the fact that Rachel can bring him down by just a single pounce. Rachel still at speck of anger jumping off her bristling belt. You could tell they weren't getting a long great. But Hung is a wolf that holds his words and Rachel is a loyal dog that wants to get home to her one and only family. Rachel's feet were sore and bruises started to form at her feet. She had taken off the booties that she had on due to the blood that stained them. She tried not showing her pain to Hung since she did not want to stop and rest. She wanted to get back to her family as quick as she could.

"Rachel," sighed Hung, “We need to rest. Even bugs in your way are slowing down. They can tell that you are hurt."

Hung leaped in front of Rachel and nudged her with his snout. Just that one push sent her wobbling and falling into the dark green grass. Hung laughed at her as she struggled to get up.

"Fine, eh?" chuckled Hung, "If you cannot stand up straight then what’s the point in trying to get home? You'll be dead before you get there."

Rachel glared at hung for a few seconds, "Fine, if you think you're all that, then find us a den or somewhere with shelter!"

About ten paw lengths ahead Hung at found a log that was hallow inside. Hung collected some grass and twigs and set up a nest for them both. He decided he will do something nice for her since he did push her on the ground and all. Hung got their nests all fixed up and cuddled into his. He felt weird not sleeping with his own pack mates. But he knew that he had to do this.

A couple minutes later Rachel came in with a few rats in her mouth. She put one next to Hung.

Rachel sat down and curled up in her bed. She didn't like it since it smelled and it was scratching at her fur. But she thought that this was the best for now.

"I grew up and lived with them my whole life. I would think living in the wild with no human contact is weird. If you were a dog, you'd think the same thing and I’m pretty sure if I was a wolf I would be thinking the same things as you ate now."

The two canines woke up about the same time when the sun was coming up. They didn’t notice it at first but they both were cuddled up then what they would like to be. But once they noticed how close and comfortable they were they both jumped up. Rachel started to growl to herself and Hung just walk off a little. You could defiantly tell he had a big blush going across his face.

Nothing else was said between these two for a while. Rachel was not a very good morning person so she stalked forward the way that Hung pointed to. Hung followed closely behind smelling for pray. Rachel and Hung felt a little awkward, and neither of them knew why. Hung’s face was red for a while. Rachel thought it was cute, but she didn’t say anything. She had enough on her mind about getting home. She missed her family, but she wondered if she would also miss Hung when she left him. Rachel looked away from Hung and kept walking forward.

Hung stalked behind Rachel. He caught a couple rabbits and shared them with Rachel without words. He could tell she was thinking intently, but didn’t know on what. He could still feel his face burn from the redness of his face. He felt to embarressed. He knew he had to get pass this, but he couldn’t think on how cute that she was. Hung knew that he shouldn’t get to attached to her. It would be a disgrace to his family if he got together with a dog.

Hung turned around stunned. He looked into the eyes of his mother Keo. Hung stood there not knowing what to say. Hung looked back at Rachel and saw her stopped at her spot and baring her teeth.

“Then who is this...wolf? She doesn’t look much like a wolf Hung,” said Keo.

“What is this on her neck?” asked Keo walking up to Rachel and pawing at the thing on her neck.

Before Hung knew it Keo tackled Rachel and started to howl to his father. Hung didn’t know what to do. All he was doing was helping Rachel back home after a horrible accident. In no time at all Keno, Brigain, Birk, Rogus, and Krow showed up all in attack mode. Hung didn’t know what to do. Hung looked at Rachel and saw that she wasn’t attacking back, and that she was up on her feet staring down at his mother.

Rachel turned around and saw four angry wolves staring up at her. She was in shock. One second a friendly wolf, then a howl and attack and then she stubbles off and has pain. She didn’t know what to do, but then she remembered. She was there when Kaltag’s mate was having her pups...she knew that this wolf was having her puppies.

“I did nothing. Your mate is just in labor. You should help her,” said Rachel calmly.

The one named Krow took off and bolted towards the camp. Keno took his spot next to his mate and started calming her down. Brigain, Rogus and Hung decided to start making a nest around her. Rachel didn’t know what to do so she hung out next to a tree watching the mother-to-be carefully, making sure she didn’t hurt herself.

Hours passed and Rachel and Hung were hanging by a tree. No one dared to look at Rachel. All the wolves gave her space. And for once Rachel didn’t care how close she was to Hung. This day was too tiring for her so she layed down next to Hung and cuddled up to his side. She loved the way that he was bigger than her and that his fur cover her with warmth. She loved that his fur smelled like pine and made her think of a peaceful dream.

Hung looked down at the red sleeping dog next to him. He never thought that he would get the chance to see her come over my herself and cuddle up to him. Hung looked at his pack members who were giving him funny faces. He had a long day and didn’t care what the other wolves thought of this sight. Hung put his head down and fell sound a sleep.

When Hung woke up Rachel was still sound a sleep next to him. Hung looked at his back members. Everyone seemed calm now. He wondered what happened. Hung shifted a little and got up. He was careful not to wake up Rachel. Hung walked over to his father who was looking at his new pups.

“Fine. We had to burry two of them, but the remaining ones are perfect,” smiled Kona.

Hung looked down at the puppies. He saw three male puppies. He had three more brothers. Two of them were light brown with white and cream markings. The other was very dark brown, almost black, with dark cream markings.

“The two brown ones are Boyu and Vek. The black ones name is Welk,” answered Kona.

Hung looked at his father. He could tell his father had a lot on his mind. Probably about him and Rachel. Hung looked out on Rachel and saw that she was all spread out on the ground. He chuckled to himself thinking on how cute she looked like that.

“I don’t know. But before you rant on, I was just helping her home at first. She fell off a cliff and all her friends died. I didn’t mea n to go behind your back. I just felt like that it was right for now.,” explained Hung.

With that Hung’s father walked away leaving Hung to look at his little brothers.

Rachel thought that she was awake at first, but she didn’t see any snow, not even a single tree for miles. She looked around wondering where she was. She smelled so many different smells and they were all so wonderful. One thing she smelled was very familiar, but then it wasn’t. She walked towards the smell with a curious look on her face. Rachel walked to the middle of the clearing and saw a den. She wasn’t sure if she should go in it. Something was pulling her closer to it. With this, she walked into the cave. For some reason no fear was in her, not even a speck. When Rachel was in the cave it was nice and bright. She thought that it would be dark,

Rachel looked around the cave. It was much bigger than she thought that it would be. It was very beautiful In there also. There was a tiny blue waterfall on the cave wall. There were patches of green grass everywhere. One things Rachel was in awe with was the sparkling crystals up above the ceiling. They kept on changing colors of the rainbow.

Rachel spun around when she heard the voice. She saw a she-wolf behind her. This she-wolf was pure white with black tipped ears. Her fur shined just the same way as the crystals. The she-wolfs eyes were bright gold. They dazzled Rachel. She never saw eyes like that before. That is until she met Hayter whose eyes would light up like that once in a while when she would try to get away with something when he would babysit her.

“You eyes wonder one place which you shall be, but you heart wonders another which you shall be.”

Hung decided he should let his mother rest alone. Hung walked back to Rachel and lied next to her staring at her bueaty. He watched has she moved in her sleep. He wondered what she was dreaming about. Hung noticed that Rachel was coming around.

Rachel’s bright brown eyes were full of burning fear. He never knew how pretty brown eyes could be. All his life he would stare into blue eyes. Right then Hung knew what Rachel met. He stood up on his feet and glared at Rachel.

“We will not hurt you! My pack will not hurt you! Was my father right? Do all dogs believe wolves are evil?” snapped Hung.

With that Hung walked away leaving Rachel alone. The rest of the pack watched the two separate.

Rachel didn’t know what she did wrong. One second they were perfect and then the next nothing. She coward next to a tree and stayed there. She felt alone without Hung next to her. She didn’t know anyone else in the woods. Rachel wasn’t sure what she should do.

Rachel didn’t dare sneak a peek at the other wolbes but she just couldn’t help it. She hated the feeling that everyone was staring at her. When she looked up she noticed that Hung’s father was coming her way. Rachel wanted to dash and one, but she knew that it wasn’t a smart idea. She stayed there waiting for Kona to reach her.

Rachel liked Kona. He seemed happy and cheerful, but also serious. He seemed to want to talk and not yell and scream at her like Hung had. Rachel nodded her head at Kona.

“What exactly were you two fighting about? I never seen him so angry that he didn’t want to talk about it.”

With a deep breath Rachel explained it all. She was still confused on what happened herself, but she guessed he had a reason to be. When she was done she wasn’t sure what Kona was going to.

“Why would you think that we would do that to you?” asked Kona, “Why would we hurt you?”

“I didn’t mean that you would exactly…I mean I have met wolves who would love me and ones who would want to rip my throat then and there,” explained Rachel.

“Yeah…you never met a wolf that would want to? I met a whole pack, when I was a puppy. They tried to kill me, but my Uncle Phil and my Step-Father saved me.”

“That is interesting news. I never knew that there were wolves like that,” explained Kona.

“Then this must be one peaceful forest…well almost,” sighed Rachel looking at Hung sulking

“I’ll go talk to him. I am pretty sure you wouldn’t want to repeat that story again missy,” offered Kona.

Hung listened to his father while he explained the story on what Rachel had told him herself. Hung had no idea how to react to this. He never met that vicious of a wolf before. He had met ones wanting to kill for pack territory, but never just for the fun of it. He looked over at Rachel who was talking to his mother, who was now a wake and eating food. He smiled at the thought of his own puppies. His father saw his face turning red.

“You know you cannot hide that from me,” chuckled Kona, “But you know, there is a town only a head. Just over that hill over there.”

Hung stared at the stunning red fur that Rachel had. Bright red like the wild berries he had seen in the spring time. Never had he thought he would be falling for a dog of a town. He always had thought he would fall for a strong wolf. Rachel may not be a wolf but she was the strongest canine he has ever seen in his life. He looked at the setting sun and smiled at it. Only if he could just confess to her, but he knew that he would not. Soon she will be going home and she would not remember him. She was so eager to get home, and probably still is. He sighed at this. Hung got up on his feet and reluctantly walked over towards Rachel.

“Rachel, I am sorry for judging you so quickly. I should have asked you what you meant before I stormed off. The town that I believe is called Nome is right over there. That town I believe is your own since it smells like you. I will take you there now if you wish.”

Hung really didn’t see her nod her head slowly. He didn’t want to see if her answer was a yes or a no. He wish it was a no, but he knew better than to believe that.

Rachel stalked after Hung. She knew that she didn’t want to stay with a wolf pack. She missed her warm cozy bed and the sound of the fire crackling in the fire place. She missed the smell of cookies that were just baked and the feel of her mothers’ fur on her nose. The way to Nome was very quiet. She never knew silence like this even was real. She looked into Hung’s eyes when he helped her up a slope. His eyes said he didn’t want her to go and that he will howl for her when she was officially gone.

Hung stood at the top waiting for Rachel. Rachel wondered on how he could move that fast up this hill. His head was tilted, so obviously he was confused. She never saw his confused before. She walked up next to his side.

Rachel looked over and saw the northern light on a dip in the snow. Rachel knew what this was. Her mother and father new that she would make it home alive, and when she came back they would be happy to see her. Rachel looked up at Hung with a smile on her face. Without even thinking she threw her head up and howled to her family. Not a second after that she heard a more wolfish howl. One that belongs to her father, Balto. Rachel looked back at Hung and noticed that he wasn’t there. She looked behind her and saw he was already leaving.

“Won’t you meet my family? I am sure they would like to thank you for helping me on my way home,” explained Rachel.

Hung stood there not knowing what to say. He should be getting back to his father and his pack. He belonged with them.

“I don’t know if I should…they are dogs they might not take me like they take pure bred dogs,” said Hung.

“Hung, most of my family is half wolf. They will accept you,” encouraged Rachel.

Hung looked over at her. She was wagging her tail and had bright eyes. She didn’t want him to leave yet, he could tell by the way her eyes looked. He smiled a faint and nervous smile. He couldn’t say no to that cute face he had learned to love with his own heart.

With that answer Rachel howled once again and nipped Hung’s ear. She then dashed off towards her home. Hung raced after her. He knew he was nervous and he didn’t know what to expect from her family. But he could tell with the smell from Rachels fur that she was in a great mood and excited to see her family once again. They ran until they made it to a beach with a lone boat on the shore. Without hesitating Hung fallowed Rachel up the board into the boat. Then they stopped.

Rachel was greeting her family once again who longed missed her. Hung stood there watching the happiness of the one he loved. The first one she greeted was a female dog who looked just like her. He could tell that the female dog was her mother. Next to her mother he guessed was her step-father. He was a wolf-gray color with amber eyes that told Hung he had lots of life in him. He looked at a black and white male with piercing blue eyes that didn’t resemble anyone else on the boat. But he knew that he and Rachel and a biological father since he could smell the kin sent on them both. The rest on the siblings in the room were her half-siblings. None of them really noticed Hung until Rachel had greeted them all.

“This is Hung…he helped me find my way back home. Hung this is my father Balto, my mother Jenna, brother Ricky, Kodi and Dingo. And those girls over there are my sisters Saba and Camarin,” smiled Rachel.

“Now son, no need for formality, you brought my daughter home and that you are allowed in this territory all you want. Just don’t go stealing peoples food and small pets, or attack humans, but I can tell that you and your pack will never do that,” smiled Balto.

At first Hung was offended, but as Balto’s last sentence came out he knew it wasn’t a warning. Just stating the rules, “Exactly who owns this territory?”

“My brothers and sisters pack does mostly, but since they feel uncomfortable in the city I am their eyes and ears of their pack. Along with my family, so I guess you can call it a family job,” laughed Balto.

“Also, Hung,” said Jenna in a calm sweet voice, “Do not be afraid to visit once in a while.”

Hung wasn’t all to sure what to say to that. He seemed like this family was very close. He liked that in a family. Hung smiled at everyone and said thank you. He knew he should leave before his father wondered on what happened to him and sent his wolves looking for him. Hung didn’t want to cause trouble. He nodded his head and said goodbye and walked off the boat into the direction of his family. He wondered what his father would say when he smelled dogs on his fur. He smiled at the thought. He looked back and saw Rachel racing after him when he was halfway back to the hill.

Rachel ran down the boat in prosuit of Hung. She didn’t want him to leave. She may have been confused of him at first, but know she was sure how she felt about him. As he left she felt her heart sink down to her feet. She didn’t want to regret loosing the first guy she ever liked. She ran as fast as her little feet could carry her. She saw Hung stop, but before she could react she ran right into him. She laughed and nuzzled his nose. She didn’t care if he was all confused and had red showing through his chocolate brown fur. She was just happy she got to him before he left her forever.

“Sorry if that embarresed you Hung, but I love you,” smiled Rachel who started to lick his face from the snow that was all over it.

“Hung I know you live in the woods and I live in the city…but do you think that we could make this work?” asked Rachel, whose face was also bright red now.

Rachel and Hung decided to find a cave that night. Neither of them were ready to leave each other. Hung may be the future leader and it may be bad to have a dog as a mate. Rachel may be a purebred dog with a pedigree family, but she was one who always fell for the out-casts, and she loved Hung for who he was, not for what he was. That night things got very hot in the cave. No one knew how hot, but it was very hot.