Jadze: The Blessed Curse

(started 5/26/08 -)

Summary: Twice before, that name has led to the deaths of two young females, both vibrant and filled with life and promises of happy lives within the areas that they wished to be a part of. But now a third pup - the only survivor of Aleu's final litter - will receive this name, despite past tragedies and sorrowful memories left behind because of their daughters and sisters long deceased. What will become of this cursed daughter as she grows within the safety of the Talbourne Clan or will she succumb to the same fate as her other two namesakes?

(Based on Rotramel's Balto fanfictions - yes, I did get his permission to write this. Thanks, RTW! You are wonderful!)

Rating: PG-13 for a birth scene, blood, a bit of language and possibly some violence. It's nothing you haven't read in a Balto fic before.

Disclaimer: Official characters and events from Balto, Balto: Wolf Quest, and Balto: Wings of Change are the property of Universal Studios, Inc.

The characters of Shadow, Melody, Timbre, Dash, Jadze and the Talbourne Clan (and the many, many others that I have missed), the many events, places and other things mentioned within this story, as well as the created personalities of Balto, Aleu, Jenna, Saba and Aniu are all the creative property of Rotramel the Writer (Thanks again for supporting this idea! He is the main inspiration for this whole thing! *bows*).

Any other characters (including the personality of Jadze III herself) as well as the main idea for the story itself are the property of Juuchan17.

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Author's Note:

The only reason why I'm writing this story is because I took a liking to the way RTW created this character of Jadze. He didn't really describe her in detail, but the fact that both children (one being Balto's daughter from Jenna's third litter. and the other being his granddaughter, born from Melody and Timbre) that were given this name were lost at such a young age made me pity her character, thinking that perhaps there would never be a third daughter with that name.

So I chose to do it. Third time's the charm, right?

Also, to you guys that are up to date with his fics, this tale mostly takes place after Aleu steps down as Alpha, allowing her sister Saba to take the title. (prior to the events of RTW's recent Aniu Trilogy - mainly after "Balto: . . . Must Come To An End" as well as after “Balto: Though We Be Apart”) I hope this will help set some sort of setting for you guys. However, other events mentioned from previous tales by Mr. Rotramel are also being remembered, so good luck catching them all! (I should make that into a contest or something . . .) So yes, there are loads of spoilers for many of Rotramel’s previous works, so beware if you haven’t read up to his fics!

Also, also, if you’ve read up to the beginning of Rotramel’s “Aniu Trilogy” (both “The Fall of Aniu” and “Children of Aniu”), just pretend that it never took place while reading this. This is mainly a side-story that you could say takes the place of the Aniu Trilogy. I hope you don’t mind this change, Rotramel!

So, yes – this is what you would call a “fanfiction-of-a-fanfiction,” I suppose. This is just my version of tying the events of Rotramel’s wondrous and rather ground-breaking epics together in a way that only I could manage to imagine. But still, all credit goes to you for making this possible.

RTW: I hope I did you proud with this. It's not that good, but I've enjoyed creating your world through my eyes! And if any of your characters are not up to par, just tell me, okay?

Just consider this as payback for “A Forbidden Love” – all right, RTW?

- Juuchan17

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Prologue

A few months ago . . .

It was hard for the quarter-wolf to give up her title of Alpha to her little sister, but it was what she wanted . . . and Aleu knew that her reign as Alpha couldn't last forever.

She wanted to be with her family now - with herself as Alpha, she had been through many risky and dangerous battles and situations . . . she had even died a couple of times before, and she didn't enjoy the feeling.

It was always darkness, always the pain of feeling life slip away like the wind using its breath to pluck off the last leaf from a tree’s branch. She shuttered at the thought. Aleu never enjoyed dying, and never wanted to feel that until it was meant to be her time.

Not yet . . . I don't want to leave the ones I love yet, she thought. They need me here . . . and they need me alive . . .

That's why her sister had returned to her. Aniu had restored her lost sister's life and gave her a chance to step down only a couple of nights ago. It was still strange to see Saba in the form similar to that of the white wolf Aniu, but it was indeed her. She was no longer red and white like their mother, but Saba was still inside there, no matter what her body looked like, Aleu knew that. The only major differences were that Saba’s face was marked with what looked like a crossed black lightning bolts on each of her cheeks and that her voice was still the same old Saba.

Thankfully, this chance to be with her family would give her that feeling yet again . . .

"Aleu?" The familiar voice called her as she lay on the ground of her new den. It was a wolf, one with that familiar color that she knew far too well.

"Oh, I'm still awake, Shadow," she replied back, lifting her head up with a smile. "You can come on in."

He stepped in, still in serious mode as usual, and laid down beside his mate. "How are you feeling, Aleu? I mean, do you still feel strange after, . . . you know, . . .”

Aleu didn’t need him to babble on like that. “I’m fine . . . relieved, actually. It’s nice not to have such large responsibility for once.” She smiled back at him. “I believe Saba will be a good leader – she has Aniu on her side, as I do after all, and I trust her with my very life.” She paused for a moment. “I have faith that she will do what is right for all of us, and that’s why Aniu brought her back to us.” It is what I wanted, after all, Aleu added to herself. I asked for it, and Aniu provided the answers to my prayers . . .

Shadow could only nod back. He understood why Aleu stepped down. Her skills as a fighter had started to wane after the arrival of Lima and Sheik, their two children, and the adoption of Thunder, an orphan that Aleu had rescued. In battles around those times when her children were old enough to be weaned from her, she suffered scratches and bloody wounds, clearly showing her weakening status to her enemies and rivals. She was still strong strategically, but her main care was for the future of her Clan – Aniu’s Clan – but most of all, her family.

She has faced so much, Shadow thought as he looked at his quarter-wolf mate endearingly. She’s fought in so many battles, endured so much heartbreak within our Clan and her own family . . . I never want her to feel such pain again. I love her far too much to lose her . . .

“I still can’t believe that Saba is back,” he replied. He was there when Saba perished to her death on that ice bridge while training the once-tamed-now-exiled quarter-wolf to become in tune with her wolf breeding, but somehow she had been revived by the grace of the White Wolf spirit and with Aniu’s assistance, she had defeated Shade once and for all from their world. The new Saba would take some adjusting to, but now she was here to stay. “but yes, I feel she’ll be a great leader, but she’ll be nothing like you were, Aleu.”

“Of course – there’s only one of me, and I’m sure we don’t need another stubborn Alpha around here, right?” Aleu joked, but she soon let out a sigh as she heard the din of her three children pass by her den. She loved them so much, wanting to be there for them and protect them from any harm, just like any parent naturally would, . . . but it was time to allow them to defend their Clan as she had for many years. It was dangerous, but it was a natural part of life, and life was not without its own set of risks. “Oh, the kids are old enough to take care of themselves now. They’re no longer pups anymore – far too old to even be considered as pups actually . . .” Her light-beige cheeks began to flush pink. “and I’ve been thinking . . . since I’m no longer Alpha, maybe we should . . .”

“Expand the brood again?” Shadow completed her thought. Aleu was silent, blushing brighter than before and nodding her head. The dark wolf could only smile back. “Well, if you’re okay with it, so am I.”

Aleu’s face beamed. For once, the all-serious wolf was being sensitive. This was the Shadow she loved and adored. “Oh, I love you, Shadow.” She buried her nose into his dark red neck, allowing him to do the same to her.

She loved seeing pups, just like her father did. Perhaps that’s why he’s had four litters thus far, she thought as she felt the warmth of Shadow’s touch on her back. Maybe another litter of bouncing baby pups is just what the Talbourne needed to welcome a new Alpha into its midst. I know Saba’s children would enjoy having playmates around their own age. Most of the pups that she had seen only moments after birth had grown up long ago, following their own destined life paths and risking their mortal lives to protect her and their Clan. It nearly brought her to tears as she remembered that a few of those pups were now walking with Aniu now . . . But alas, life continues to go on, right? She somehow brought herself to smile at that thought.

“I love you too, Aleu,” Shadow said, playfully tackling her until he had his light-brown mate pinned with her back to the floor. He soon kissed her lips, savoring her scent and taste with his muzzle.

O Aniu, Aleu thought as she felt her mate’s fur gently touch her own. Her eyes were closed, enjoying the moment of passion using her other senses as she prayed blessings to the wolf goddess that watched over them all. I trust that things will only become even better for your Clan now that my sister has taken my place and that you have taken her under your wing . . . She suddenly felt warm all over as a sharp pain hit her from below – Shadow was completing his duty as a mate to her, she knew that for sure. However, she just ignored what she was feeling, knowing exactly what the outcome was to be. And now, this moment shall only be the start of something great for us all . . .

Well, at least I hope so anyway . .

.

ACT I – BEGINNING

Chapter I

The former Alpha had collapsed to the ground an hour ago with a loud groan, feeling the pressure and contractions of labor overtake her body. It had been years since her first litter, so she had somehow forgotten how painful delivering pups was.

Ohh, it hurts! She cried out inside her mind. O Aniu, please be with me this night!

“Aleu!” That was Shadow’s voice . . . she couldn’t see him due to her tightly-clinched eyelids, but she recognized and felt his presence beside her as she tried to endure the early contraction. “Aleu! Hang in there!”

Another canine that seemed to almost be a spitting image of the former Alpha ran towards the dark wolf, nudging him on the shoulder. Her coat was more gray than brown, making her wild as the lupine blood within her veins. “Shadow, maybe you should step out for a little while.” She spoke with a gentle voice, despite her wild looks. “I’ll take good care of her, I promise.”

“But . . . but I can’t leave her to suffer like this!” Shadow cried back to her. “She’s my mate, and she needs me by her side!”

“And she’s giving birth, Shadow,” the she-wolf answered back. “I’m sorry, but this is no place for a male right now – mate or not.” She hushed and tried to calm the pregnant female down with gentle breathing techniques and nudges. “Easy, easy . . . calm down and just breathe, Aleu . . . shh . . .”

“No! I won’t leave her! Aleu’s in pain! She’s your own sister for goodness sake!” He retorted. “Can’t you think about that, Melody?”

The quarter-wolf was stung slightly by the comment, but she had no choice but to growl back at the wolf. “I can, Shadow, but right now, Aleu needs to stay calm in order to successfully give birth.” She calmed herself, giving him a glare. “If she panics, Aleu may hurt the pups before they’re born . . . their lives, as well as Aleu’s, are at stake, and we can’t take any chances of her getting overstressed right now, you understand?”

He did understand what Melody was saying, but he wanted to be there more than anything. “But . . . but . . .” Shadow stammered out, unable to snap back.

Melody signaled to a couple of other she-wolves waiting outside the den opening. “Oh, take him out of here for now, will you? We’ve got a litter that’s about to be born!”

The she-wolves nodded at Melody’s quick leadership and began to lead him outside, but all stopped when they heard a small voice cry out.

“No, wait . . . Shadow . . .”

“Aleu?” The male escaped from the hold of the females, returning back to his mate’s side. “Aleu, what is it?”

She was resting from a recent contraction now, so Aleu’s tone was calm yet slightly terrified as she breathed. “Shadow, . . . take yourself and Dash . . . to my father. Bring him here . . . I know he’s to be here – oh!” Another contraction gripped her, causing her to cry out in pain. “Hurry! Go now! Ohh . . . ah!”

At that noise, the she-wolves moved in, pushing the fighter out of the den. Although he wanted to remain by his mate’s side, Shadow had to do what Aleu had asked of him – he could not fail her right now. If that’s what will make her happy, then so be it, he thought. Fleet-footedly, he ran to get Aleu’s red and white brother.

Dash was currently on sentry duty with their dearest friend, Timbre, who happened to be Melody’s mate for many years. His brown and tan fur was indeed wolf-like, much the opposite of the more husky-looking Dash. Both of them had been members of the pack for years – Dash since he was about a year old and Timbre since he was about three or four years old – and were not afraid to risk their lives to protect their Alpha. That was the eternal duty of a wolf nowadays, and life was never easy for either of them.

One of Dash’s ears twitched as Shadow approached them, acknowledging the red wolf’s presence. “Hey, Shadow – what’s going on?”

“It’s Aleu,” the wolf replied. “She’s giving birth in her den right now, and Melody’s helping to calm her.” Another cry pierced the air, only adding distress to Shadow’s worried face. “Aleu wants us to get Balto.”

“Huh? Why?” Timbre joined into the conversation.

“I don’t know why exactly, but Aleu told me that he has to be here,” Shadow answered to the best of his ability. “My best guess is that she wants him to see her latest litter . . . which I fear may be her last.” His ears lowered. “Sheik, Lima and Thunder are too old to be treated like babies anymore, and since Saba’s return and has taken her place as Alpha, Aleu has more time to be a devoted mother again.”

Both males could understand how it felt to be a parent. Each of them have had pups of their own . . . and had loved and nurtured them to become great wolves.

“Ah, I see,” the brown and tan male nodded. Timbre then turned to Dash. “You can go with Shadow – you know how humans are in Nome, and you’ll be able to slip in and out easier than Shadow will.”

Dash nodded. “Are you sure you’ll be okay guarding all by yourself, Timbre?” he asked.

“Don’t worry about me; just think about how happy Aleu will be when your father sees another litter of grandchildren,” Timbre reminded him with a smile. “Now, go on.” As the two began to walk away, he managed to murmur. “Be careful, you two.”

Within moments, Dash and Shadow were on their way towards Nome with no time to lose. Somehow, the moon was shining, beaming down on the deep snow of early spring underneath their paws as they ran. The trip to Nome was about an hour’s run, and neither of them were in much of a talking mood.

Wait for me, Aleu, Shadow prayed in his mind as he ran. And Aniu, watch over her. Make sure our pups are safe . . . please.

Dash easily sensed the worry surrounding his friend. “Don’t worry so much about Aleu,” he told him. “I’m sure everything will be just fine. Aniu will protect her as she gives birth.”

“I hope so,” Shadow replied nervously. “Aleu’s not the youthful young Alpha from long ago, and I’ve heard that females are at higher risk of dying if they give birth at an older age.” Again, his ears lowered. “I knew what the risk was, but . . . but I loved her so much, and I just wanted her to be happy. This is why she gave up her title of Alpha, after all.”

“I’m sure things will work out, Shadow,” Dash consoled. “Now, we’ve got to be careful – we’re almost at the outskirts of Nome.”

The outskirts were not a place for the weak and careless – strays fought like wild loners for territory, food and rank here, and it was as dangerous out there as it was being a wolf that was always under the threat of being attacked. Thankfully, the two wolves safely passed through without incident this night, making their way into the town of Nome by the sea and the foot of the mountains to the Western border.

Balto no longer lived as a loner; some years ago, he was adopted by a human named Luke and got used to being under a human’s care. Thankfully, the man was used to Balto’s constant running-off – probably understanding that the gray-brown dog was half-wild – as well as the visits from strange wolves and the beautiful purebred husky that birthed all of his children, Jenna. Dash was sure that his father would be able to make a trip back into the Talbourne territory to see his beloved first-born daughter once more.

Within minutes, they reached the wooden house of Luke. Luckily there were bushes nearby, full of green growth and protection – a sure sign of spring’s flourishing effect on the land.

“Hide in there, Shadow,” Dash ordered him. It was strange to give an order to a wolf of higher rank than himself, but it was necessary for Shadow’s safety. He was a wolf after all, and humans had an instinct of shooting wolves in cold blood – they both knew that far too well. Many wolves were lost due to a hunter’s rifle . . . Dash couldn’t bear to have him get killed because of negligence. “I’ll signal when it’s safe, okay?”

Shadow replied without a word, leaping into the greenery and peeking his eyes through the tiny leaves. He trusted Dash enough not to argue back, and besides, he had been hit by too many bullets in his life thus far – mainly most always hitting him on or near his shoulder – and he didn’t want to get struck by one again anytime soon.

Dash, on the other hand, saw the doggie door attached to the bottom of the entrance and passed through it, hoping to see his familiar patriarch laying by the warm fireplace. Sure enough, the son smiled, seeing Balto fast asleep.

Mom must be at home tonight, Dash thought. He carefully tiptoed towards his father and nudged him on the shoulder. “Dad . . . Dad, wake up,” he murmured into his father’s ear, so as not to wake the human that snored nearby on his bed.

The hybrid groaned, but his head rose, seeing the sight of his son by his side. “Oh . . . Dash? It that you?”

“Yes, Dad,” The son nuzzled his father happily. “I’m here, but now’s not the time to explain myself. We have to get to Aleu’s.”

“Why?” Balto asked, completely confused by the way his son was acting. “What’s wrong with Aleu?” He soon let out a gasp, realizing what it could be. “Is she in labor?”

He had heard the news that Aleu was expecting another litter some time after learning of his daughter Saba’s mysterious return to life, as well as seeing her new figure. Naturally, he was ecstatic to the good news – Aleu was right about her father’s love for puppies, and it never seemed to fade, even in these difficult times.

“We’ll talk about it on the way, but yes, she is,” Dash responded as he passed through the dog door towards the bushes. “By the way, Shadow’s with me too.”

“It’s good to see you again, safe and sound,” Balto smiled at the red wolf. “Why aren’t you with Aleu? Doesn’t she need you more than ever?”

“I was getting in the way,” Shadow replied as the threesome began to walk out of town. “Melody’s with Aleu right now, taking charge. She’s really somewhat of a spitfire, even at her age.”

“That’s my sis, alright,” Dash commented as they approached the outskirts, but his composure quickly shifted to serious mode. “But come on, we’ve got to get moving.”

“Wait!” Balto halted them, remembering something at the last minute. “I need to tell Jen what’s going on.”

“No, Balto,” Shadow stopped the hybrid. “I’m afraid she’ll have to wait.”

Balto gave the wolf a yearning gaze. “I don’t want her to be worried about me if she wakes up in the morning and I’m nowhere in town.” He turned to Dash, still with concern in his eyes. “You know how your mother gets panicky when she can’t find me. She may hurt herself . . . or get lost while searching for me . . . or . . .” He shook his head at the thought of what other horrible things could happen to his mate without any notice.

“I understand your concern, but we just can’t do that,” The dark-red wolf refused to waiver. “I’m sorry, but Aleu asked for you personally. We must get you to our territory immediately.”

Defeated, Balto accepted. “All right.” He turned to his son. “Dash, I’ll go with Shadow. You can tell your mother what’s going on, all right?”

“Sure, Dad. Be careful, you two . . . and give Aleu my love, okay?” Dash nodded, running back towards Nome as the other two ran the opposite way towards where new life would soon begin.

Hang in there, Aleu, Shadow thought as he and his father-in-law treaded the snow that covered the forest glen, making their way towards the dangerous outskirts. I’m on my way back to you . . .

Be safe . . . please be safe . . .

Chapter II

Dash made his way to the home of his birth – Jenna’s house on the other side of town from Balto’s. This brings back loads of childhood memories, he thought. He remembered when he used to play with his parents and sister, Melody, before he met . . .

“Oh, I can still feel your presence here, Shasta . . .” He murmured into the softly-breathing wind with a solemn sigh. The wind suddenly rustled through his fur, causing him to sigh again. “It’s like you never left me . . .”

It had been several years since the then young yearling first met the gray she-wolf. It was an instant connection for both of them . . . actually it was her that made Dash decide to stay with the Clan and live life as a wolf. He was in love with her, and soon, Shasta gave birth to their only litter of pups. They were so happy together, and despite the dangerous battles that both of them had fought side-by-side, the two of them felt that nothing would tear them apart.

However, Shasta was brutally killed while on duty . . . and Dash blamed himself for her death, seeking revenge for her sudden murder. She didn’t want to die, he knew that – she was too beautiful to deserve death now that she had a family and a loving mate, . . . but after a while, he learned to move on. Now, Dash had June, another widowed wolf like himself who had taken an interest in calming his grief, and together they continued to watch over the children that Shasta had left behind.

June’s no substitute for you, Shasta, Dash thought at the memories. But I know you’re always here, watching over your mate and just waiting for me to join you and Aniu once this hard, cruel life is over . . . He sighed deeply. Gosh, just seeing your beautiful face again will be worth the wait.

Somehow, he was able to smile as he closed his eyes. In his mind was the gentle gray face of his beloved, returning the grin back at him with love with those calm eyes. Dash could only howl a soft cry of joy, sorrow, and complete memory of the mother of his children, not realizing that his mother had heard him.

“Dash? Is that you out there?” The soft, nurturing tone responded from an open window.

“Mom! Come down here for a minute, will you?” Dash asked her, feeling a bit embarrassed for getting her attention like that.

Within a minute, a bright-burgundy and white appeared, running towards him. She was aging, but still elegantly shaped with her slender figure and tiny paws. Around her neck was that signature red-orange bandanna, although from the look of it, it had been beaten and soiled so much that it would probably have quite a lengthy story to spin if clothing could talk. There were still a few spots that remained, but most of the cloth was clean, despite the signs of wear and tear. The husky had been through many hardships lately, especially since she had recently returned back to home once her previous punishment of lifelong exile from Nome had been revoked by her son Blaize, the new Keeper of the Law.

Of course, the reasons why she was exiled from Nome – well, that’s a completely different tale.

“Dash, what is it? What’s going on?” Jenna asked her son after a nuzzling welcome. “You could have had a human to wake up and shoot at you!”

“Sorry, Mom,” Dash’s ears twitched down to his neck. “But Dad wanted me to tell you that Shadow’s taking him to see Aleu. She’s expecting, you know . . . and . . .” His tone began to tremble nervously. “. . . and it’s time.”

“Already?”But that means . . . Oh, no! They’re too early! Jenna gasped. They might not survive being born! Naturally, she had knew many things about whelping pups and the many dangers that awaited females of pup-bearing age. For a husky, Jenna was quite wise on those sorts of things. She had had four litters of pups thus far – the stinging pain and rough pressure of delivering pups was completely worth it once the end result was there, suckling on tiny pink teats on the female’s belly.

“Yeah,” Dash nodded. “I didn’t get a chance to see how she was doing, but Shadow reassured me that Aleu’s in good paws – Melody’s assisting the delivery with her.”

“Oh, why didn’t your father stop back to tell me?” The husky ignored her son’s reassurance, still rather heated about Balto’s sudden flight to their daughter’s side. “I could have gone with him to see her if he told me!”

“There wasn’t any time to stop, Mom,” her son explained. “Besides, Aleu was persistent on having Dad be there; I don’t know why though, but that’s what she said. I stayed behind to inform you on what was going on before making my way back.”

“Well, this can’t wait – we have to go too,” Jenna began to move forward, but Dash leapt in her way, stopping her in her tracks.

“No, Mom,” Dash said. “You’ve been through so much lately; it might be dangerous for you to travel now that you’ve just gotten home again. You should rest and relax. Dad’ll make sure that Aleu’s okay, I promise.”

“I don’t care and I’ll completely fine, Dash,” Jenna suddenly barked. “I’ve lived a couple of months as a wolf before, so you don’t have to worry so much about me. Besides, Aleu’s my first-born and I want to see her pups as badly as your father does.” If they can survive the birth, that is, she added to herself. There was no way she would tell her son that pups born this early were more likely to perish, but Jenna felt that the time to reveal that may come soon enough. She didn’t want to worry Dash any further. “Maybe I can offer to help Melody with Aleu’s labor – it’s the least I can do while I’m there. You know I have tons of experience with having pups.”

“I know, Mom, but –” Dash tried to agree with his mother’s statement, but she took her son’s tone as a positive, ending the conversation.

“All right then,” the husky in the bandanna smiled eagerly towards her skilled wolf of a son. “Come on now, Dash – lead the way.”

Dash had no choice – he couldn’t argue with his mother about his older sister. She loved Aleu as much as Balto did, so it was a easy win for the family matriarch. Without anymore hesitation, Mother and Son began the journey into the wilderness.

“Aleu, please calm down,” Melody hushed her sister. “You’re not ready to push yet.”

The light brownish-gray did not respond with words as her large belly heaved as she breathed steadily and rapidly. The pain within her made her want to push – she had to get her pups out of her and the sensation burned her tail-end. Aleu could feel the presence of the several she-wolves by her side, shushing her and reminding her not to push yet.

But it hurts! Aleu wanted to scream out, but she couldn’t bring herself to say anything except for a groan. The aching of the children inside her beginning their path into the world took the words from her mouth. My God, just let me push already!

She had been like this for the past couple of hours since Shadow left to retrieve her father. Nothing but heave and ache, push and shush . . . and still no sign of a puppy emerging from her hindquarters.

Aleu let out another painful cry; this pain was the worst one yet. Birthing wasn’t this difficult when Lima and Sheik arrived, she thought as she endured the contraction with clinched teeth and shut eyes. I wonder if this pain is due to my older age?

She knew she was right – not many wolves had children once they hit a certain age, and most of Aleu’s female companions had ceased raising children because of the threats of hunters, rival packs and the possible attacks from the dark wolf, Shade. But Shade’s tyranny against us is over . . . he’s destroyed now, right? Aleu thought. With the evil lupine force gone for good, it was safe to replenish the next generation of the Talbourne Clan so that the older protectors would know that Aniu’s mighty Clan would live to fight another day for many years to come.

But right now, she had to push . . . Aleu could feel a puppy begin to slip out of her, and there was no way she could ignore her maternal instincts any longer.

Aleu let out a grunt with Melody there for the laboring female to rest her head onto her neck, putting pressure on her sister as she tried to push.

“Aleu! Don’t push yet!” Melody shrieked at hearing her older sister’s noises. “You’re not ready!”

“Aah . . . It . . . can’t . . . wait . . .” Aleu shut her eyes, letting her body act naturally.

“Aleu, no!” Melody’s voice howled as Aleu howled out a birthing cry, drowning out her younger sister’s own command.

Her tail lifted and landed to the side as a splash of blood and water spilled on the ground, soon followed in a few seconds by a pearly soft sac with a newborn puppy inside. Weakened, she collapsed forward and landed on the ground, completely missing her sister’s grayish fur. Aleu struggled to catch her breath in heavy yet quick pants while the she-wolves-turned-midwives took care of the baby.

However, Melody took immediate action over the newborn. “You guys take care of Aleu,” she told them in between removing the sac skin from the pup. “She needs to calm down before she delivers again. I’ll make sure the pup’s healthy and okay.”

She licked and licked until she could carefully remove the pup from the sac. It was a girl-pup, a daughter with markings were visibly vivid on her body that reflected both parents – dark red like the father, but with light-beige patches around its shut eyes and muzzle, similar to the mother’s own markings. However, something was terribly wrong.

The pup was quiet and unmoving, completely unresponsive of Melody’s touch. She didn’t cry out at all and her body was not warm.

The pup was dead.

“How do I tell her this . . .?” Melody asked under her breath, so none of the other females – mostly Aleu – couldn’t hear her. I told her not to push . . . she added in her mind.

“Melody, . . . is the pup . . . all right?” Aleu managed to pant out, amidst her recovery and preparedness for the next birth.

The gray she-wolf was silent. She didn’t know how to tell her that her puppy . . . her newly-born daughter . . . was dead.

“Melody? Is something wrong . . . with my baby?” Aleu cried out again, slightly stronger than before. “Why can’t I hear . . .” She paused, letting out a gasp as she realized what was missing. “Why isn’t the pup crying?”

All she could do to respond to Aleu was turn to her sister with a frown and streams of tears coming from her eyes.

“Mel . . . no, . . . don’t tell me, . . .” Aleu could see the sadness and agony in Melody’s expression, as did the she-wolves present. A couple of the she-wolves themselves gasped shockingly when they finally saw what was beside Melody’s paws, only adding to Aleu’s distress. “No . . . no . . .” She could translate what she wanted to say just by looking in her sister’s eyes. “ . . . oh my God . . .”

“I’m . . . I’m sorry, Aleu,” Melody lowered her head to cover the pup in her salty waterfall of tears. “I . . . I tried to save her, . . . but she . . . she didn’t make it . . .”

“NO! Oh God, no!”

The booming bark of Shadow caused everyone to glance his direction. He and Balto had just arrived on scene, and the new father was completely distraught by this sudden news. Tears splashed on his cheeks and landed at his paws.

“Shadow?” Aleu weakly cried out to her mate, now with tears in her eyes over the loss of their newborn daughter. “Shado—ooh!” Another contraction hit Aleu, making her lose focus from the loss of the first pup to the miracle of life about to take place; she rose her front-half of her body up, allowing the pup to have an easier flight into the world. “Oh . . . oh . . . it’s coming . . . AAH!”

“Aleu!” Melody turned back to her sister. “Breathe . . . Oh, hang on . . . hang on!” There was no more time left for mourning over the lost pup now – another was about to be brought into the world, so the females returned back to caring for their former Alpha and preparing for the next birth. However, the loud sobbing from her brother-in-law outside of the room only added more tenseness to the air, as well as to the gray female in charge. “Dad,” She barked to her father. “get him out of here, please!”

The wolf-dog nodded to his daughter, obeying her command immediately – he knew this was not the time or place for Shadow to be present; he would only add more stress onto Aleu’s current condition, which would possibly hurt the pups that had yet to be born. The mourning form of Shadow was moved out of the birthing den’s entrance and with Balto’s assistance, the two males made their way to another empty den.

It was hard for Balto to easily relate to this sort of tragedy – he had had children killed once they were matured and in the prime of life, but never born dead. He could imagine the sorrow that the once strong wolf was feeling inside his heart.

My newest daughter . . . DEAD? Shadow still couldn’t believe the news that he had walked into as he hobbled against Balto, his tears were wetly staining the hybrid’s coat dark brown as he continued to sob. Why, Aniu? Why is this happening? Why is she dead?

I want these children of mine to live, not die! Why . . . ?

Balto remained silent as they heard Aleu loudly struggle to birth another pup – hopefully this one would be born alive. He wanted to say something the perk up Shadow’s spirits, but what exactly do you say to the mate of your daughter after losing a granddaughter at birth?

I can’t really say anything else to console him, poor guy . . . It was out of my hands . . . as well as his own . . .

It must have been Aniu’s will . . . tragically . . .

“Shadow . . .” Balto began to say, but Shadow’s gaze vacuumed up the words he had planned to tell them. The hybrid remained silent – no words could comfort his daughter’s mate, but the least he could do was remain by his side.

I don’t want him to be reckless in his condition,Balto thought as they arrived at a den that was a safe distance from Aleu’s birthing chamber. He had a feeling that if he left Shadow alone, the wolf’s actions would be wild and out of control, reflecting his ragingly sad emotions.He’s taking this rather hard, and I don’t think that Aleu needs any more tragedy right now.

“ . . . this is not the result that I wanted . . .” the red wolf murmured under his breath as he collapsed onto Balto’s neck once more.

“It’s not just you – none of us wanted this, Shadow,” Balto corrected him, trying his hardest not to show his own tears of sorrow. “Maybe the rest of Aleu’s pups will be waiting for you once you calm down, okay?”

Shadow’s head lifted with a sniffle, turning towards Balto’s as he sighed. “I hope so . . .”

I hope so too . . . Balto looked back at him. “I really am sorry about all this, Shadow.” Shadow still didn’t seem to be ready to return to Aleu’s side quite yet, so after a pause, Balto spoke again. “I suggest that you get some rest. Maybe when you wake up, Aleu will be ready for you to see your new children.”

Shadow was able to smile just a bit at that – hopefully things would work out in the end – but he placed himself on the floor of the den and closed his eyes to sleep, hoping that Balto’s prediction would be right once he awoke.

With a series of pants and several miles that their paws had traveled in the past hour, Dash and Jenna finally reached the cave entrance where Timbre awaited them. He was still as serious about his job as ever, but it was easy to tell that he was relieved to see his friend and the still beautiful husky again.

“Welcome back, Dash,” He grinned at the two. “Long time, no see, Jenna.”

“Same to you,” Jenna lowered her head, respectfully greeting Melody’s mate.

“Hey, Timbre,” Dash greeted his friend. “How’s Aleu doing?”

The brown and tan wolf’s expression was solemn and easy to translate. “From what I’ve heard, it’s not going so good.”

Jenna gasped, taking a slight step backwards in shock. “Oh no . . .”

“Shadow’s been taking it pretty hard, but Balto’s got him,” Timbre lowered his head grimly. “The birth just seems to be really difficult for Aleu, based on what I’ve heard from her cries and Melody’s commands.” His ears lowered. “It’s a shame the first two pups were still-born . . .”

Both Dash and Jenna gasped, but without thinking, Jenna leapt forward. “Where is she? I have to help my daughter!”

“She’s in the birthing den, near the highest shelf,” Timbre told her in the fewest amount of words.

“Be careful, Mom,” Dash nuzzled her before she flew inside. “I’ll stay here and complete the rest of my sentry duty here. Give Aleu all my love, okay?”

“I will,” Jenna tried to be strong in front of her son with a warm grin and a nod, but it only cloaked her real emotions of worry, sorrow and sheer grief for her family. “Be safe, Dash.”

The son nodded and Jenna ran past him and Timbre, heading towards where her daughter needed her most.

Another one dead, Melody removed the pup from her presence, placing it near the other two pups that was born first. She had already cleaned it – unlike the other two, it was a boy-pup. More like the second-born, he had very similar markings to his mother but like the first-born, he was donning his father’s dark-red colors. This is a tragedy for us all . . . not just for Aleu and Shadow. She sighed, turning to see the laid form of Aleu, still heaving with a swollen belly with more pups to be born. Oh Aniu . . . please watch over us now . . .

Suddenly, Aleu’s head rose, signaling a new contraction surging through her. “Ah . . . another one!”

“Aleu, calm down!” Melody ran to her panting sister. “Remember how to breathe? One-two, one-two . . .” Aleu repeated the breathing pattern for a few seconds until her head lowered back onto the ground. “Good . . . good . . . Take it easy now, sis . . . Shh . . .”

Although Aleu was calmer now despite losing three pups at birth, she felt ready to push. “Oh! I . . . I feel it coming . . .”

“Okay, okay . . .” Melody, joined with the other she-wolves, continued to ready Aleu to push the pup out. “Easy now . . . keep her steady, girls . . . okay, Aleu – push down now . . . Push . . .”

“Uhh . . .” Aleu tightly squeezed her eyes shut, using all of her strength and inner force to release the pup from her body. Guide this pup from me, Aniu . . . Please give me strength . . . she prayed to herself as she felt the sac bubble from her, and after another push, it soon glided out onto the ground covered in watery fluid and blood. “Ah . . .” Aleu’s head collapsed in exhaustion, landing hard on the ground.

By this time, Jenna arrived at the scene, panting rapidly as she tried to catch her breath at the den entranceway. “Aleu . . . Melody . . .” she turned to each of her daughters, her face was obviously filled with worry and distress.

“Mom . . .” Melody lifted her head after licking the fourth pup that had just been born. She tone was again sorrowful as she lifted the pup – a gray male – with her jaws and placed it with the other dead. Jenna followed her to the four pups where Melody just wept on her shoulder uncontrollably. “I . . . I couldn’t . . . I’ve failed them, Mom . . .”

This is just . . . Oh my God . . . Jenna was near to tears herself at the sight of four still-born pups lying all near each other as if they were merely sleeping close to each other for warmth. I wonder how Aleu’s handling all of this . . . She turned to her other daughter, hoping for the best. She’s probably taking this pretty hard . . . I know I’d feel awful if this happened to me . . .

Aleu was barely awake and still contracting, but she had tears in her eyes. “Mom . . .?” She saw Jenna standing with Melody and spoke a bit louder, lifting herself up to sit up. “Mom . . . oh!”

“Aleu!” Jenna and Melody ran to her, watching her collapse back under her weight. She wasn’t strong enough to even stand, but thankfully, the two females were able to catch Aleu before she hurt herself.

“Easy, easy . . .” Melody helped to gently lower Aleu back onto the ground, calming her with hushing and comforting nuzzles.

“You shouldn’t be moving so quickly, Aleu,” Jenna scolded her daughter with a gentle tone.

“I know, Mom . . .” Aleu panted out in a quiet voice, allowing her mother to lick the tears off from under her eyes. “. . . but the pups . . . they – OH!” She shut her eyes tight, feeling pressure hit her hard at her stomach. “Aah . . .”

“Calm down, Aleu,” Jenna tried to calm her daughter down with a few whispered coos and nuzzles on the cheek. “You’ve just given birth . . . and—” She was interrupted by the sound of her daughter’s latest contraction and grunting; however, Aleu’s noises were louder and more severe than ever – they didn’t seem natural at all.

“Huh? Another pup?” Melody gasped as she made sure that everything went smoothly with her sister’s labor. “Whoa, hey! Take it easy, Aleu!”

But taking it easy was something that Aleu could not do. She had to finish this . . . she had to have a pup that would survive being born, and there was no way that she wasn’t going to stop doing what she had to do. The light brown-gray angrily shooed away and growled at any assistance that came to help her – this was something she had to face alone.

I promised Shadow another litter . . . I must do whatever it takes to give him a live pup . . . Oh, it hurts so much . . . but I must . . . I must get this last pup out . . .

Be with me, Aniu . . . I have faith in you . . .

“Oh God . . .” Jenna murmured in a voice that made Melody gasp lightly. “She’s forcing herself to push . . .”

“What?” Melody whispered back in shock. “No way! Why would Aleu want to do that?” She looked back at the form of her eldest sister pressing her claws deep into the earth as she strained to deliver. “It sounds dangerous . . . She could hurt herself!”

“By forcing the pup out against its will, she ishurting herself,” The husky turned to her daughter with a look of worry. “If she keeps this strenuous activity up, there’s a chance that she’ll . . .”

Before Jenna could finish, Aleu’s head lifted up with a final groaning cry coming out of her mouth. One big push and the process was done – a pup emerged from her, zapping Aleu’s remaining energy and strength.

It’s done . . . It is finished, Shadow . . . The last of her strength was used to smile with relief. This is your will, Aniu . . .

The she-wolf’s head and neck fell to the ground with her jaws opened a little and her eyes rolling backwards. Suddenly, her belly was flatter than it was before, but it was still.

She wasn’t breathing.

“Aleu?” Jenna ran to her daughter’s side as Melody took care of the last pup. “Aleu! Oh God – ALEU!”

Chapter III

One of Shadow’s ears pricked up at Jenna’s sudden scream. Something’s wrong, . . . something’s just doesn’t sound right at all . . . “Aleu!” He lifted his head up from the ground, much to Balto’s surprise.

“Huh . . . Shadow?” The wolf-dog had heard it too, but he was not fast enough to stop the red wolf from rising to his paws and darting out of the den. “Shadow! Wait for me!” Within moments, Balto followed behind him, knowing that something must have happened to his beloved daughter . . . and it didn’t sound good at all.

Within moments, the two males arrived at the den where Jenna, Melody and the small group of she-wolves were trying to resuscitate their fallen friend. Shadow was the first to ask any questions.

“Jenna, Melody . . . what happened?” He asked frantically. “What’s wrong with Aleu?”

“Shadow, . . . I’m so sorry,” the gray she-wolf lowered her ears. “Aleu’s . . . she’s . . . gone . . .”

“WHAT?” Balto stepped up beside Shadow, turning his focus on his mate. “Jen, what – how . . . how could this happen?”

Jenna was afraid to actually tell the males what she told Melody, but everyone staring at her made her pulse race nervously. I can’t tell them that she forced herself . . . They might think that she meant to do this . . . Oh God, what should I do?

“The last pup was born . . . and . . . and Aleu . . .” Jenna burst into tears, collapsing to the ground. Balto swiftly went to her side, helping her up to her feet, but the husky had to finish. “Oh, . . . she fell to the ground and . . . and she didn’t get up . . .”

“She wasn’t breathing, Dad,” Melody concluded, now tearing up in her eyes. “The pup didn’t make it either . . .” She turned to the red wolf with streams of salty water dripping down her face. “I’m sorry . . . I . . . I tried my best to help them, Shadow . . .” She went up to nuzzle him, offering her condolences, but Shadow jerked his head away, immediately running to his mate’s side.

“No . . . NO!” was all he could cry out, letting his muzzle rise to howl mournfully.

Everyone lowered their ears solemnly, showing respect for what had just been revealed to them. The she-wolves left silently to go inform the rest of the Clan of this tragedy, but Melody felt that it was her duty to break the news to her other older sister, who also happened to rise to the title of Alpha.

“Saba?” The gray arrived at the den where a guard stopped her in her tracks with a gasp.

“State your request, please,” the guard – a large brown and white wolf – stood in front of her at the entrance.

“I will but to my sister herself,” Melody replied urgently, almost to the point of crying. “I’m sorry, but this is a family emergency, and I wish to be in her presence . . . please.”

“Melody?” Saba’s voice echoed from behind the guard, much to his surprise. He instinctively stepped aside, allowing the two sisters to nuzzle each other in friendship. “Please, would you excuse us?” she ordered the guard after noticing the gray sister in near tears. “I’d like to speak to my sister in private.”

“Oh, of course, my Alpha,” the guard bowed and stepped away, respecting Saba’s wishes.

“Melody, what’s wrong?” the white wolf Alpha asked once she felt like they were alone. “Why are you crying?” She gasped. “Oh my – was there an attack on the guards outside? Is everything all right?”

Melody shook her head, no longer able to hold her tears. “No, Saba . . . the guards are all fine and everything is clear, but . . . but . . . it’s Aleu . . .”

It was dark . . . it felt like she was inside the cave again. Aleu hadn’t been in here for a while. In previous times, she had learned about battling Shade from Aniu, received prophecies and warnings from her spirit guide, Muru, or had been able to communicate with those that she had lost. At other times, she would encounter the evil lupine face-to-face, challenged in a fierce combat that she could not escape.

However, this time the air was slightly chilly inside the cave. Aleu’s back bristled, shivering in the unseen breeze that surrounded her. She could feel someone else’s presence inside the cave with her – she did shutter a couple of times – but the only thing Aleu could see was a thin spray of white-gray mist lingering about the dark-gray, glittering walls and the rocky ground beneath her paws.

“Aleu . . .”

Her ears pricked up. Someone was calling her name, but the voice was not so familiar to her. Well, I know that’s not Muru calling me, Aleu narrowed down the possible list in her mind. It was a female’s voice – she could tell that much – but what else, she didn’t know. Aniu, maybe? I’m not sure . . .

“Hello?” She answered back, hoping to see whoever was calling her. “Where are you? Who are you?”

“Aleu . . . it’s us . . .” Now the first voice was joined with a second female voice and speaking in unison, but this one was one she had heard before within her pack . . . one that she had last heard at least some years ago.

Well, it’s not Aniu’s voice – that second one’s the voice of a fallen wolf of the Talbourne Clan, Aleu acknowledged. No, I can sense their energy . . . They are both fallen soldiers in battle . . . but who are they . . .?

Finally, Aleu could see them – it looked like two she-wolves beginning to break through the mist, approaching her slightly shuttering form. She could not see their natural colors from when they were on Earth, but their eyes . . . oh, their piercing gaze was glowing blue, drawing her closer towards them like a more powerful force.

“Do you not remember your younger sister?” the slightly taller of the two asked. Her shadowed form seemed to be slender and strong, like a sled dog’s. “Has it been so long that you have forgotten your own blood?”

“Have you forgotten your niece as well?” the second female followed. Her form was a tad bit shorter than the first, but her scruffy chest and shoulder clearly showed that she had embraced her wolf heritage, just as Aleu had. “Did you not keep my memory with you always?”

Suddenly, the name that they shared returned to her memory as she spoke it.

“Jadze . . .”

Tears began to drip like large drops from her eyes. She hadn’t seen either of them for years, mainly the first of the two.

She was more like her brother, Blaize, wanting only to become a sled-dog like their father was. The last time Aleu had caught a glimpse of her sister was when she was still a pup, showing her spunk and spirit while she played with her brother and father. She did not hear the same call of the wild that several of her siblings before her had, but she did have a strong desire to be harnessed in front of a musher’s smooth, wooden sled. Her passion for dog-sledding made her smile . . . made her live . . . and Balto wanted nothing more than his daughter’s happiness. Sadly, she was crushed in a horrible accident – her first real race in the harness. Even as her life began to slip further away, she didn’t cry; the last thing she ever wanted to do was show her father that his baby was in pain, so she died with strength and complete courage in her eyes. Ever since then, Balto was sent through a period of guilt after burying his daughter, swearing to never run on a sled team again. She was the first child he had ever lost to the natural act of death, and he took losing her rather hard, but eventually . . . things worked out.

Balto was finally at peace with his daughter at last, . . . but he still missed her.

The second was indeed Aleu’s niece, Melody and Timbre’s daughter born after the clash with a rogue band of “rover wolves” and Aleu’s instinctive rescue of Raye, a child-heir of the Onasie Clan. She was named as such in memory of the aunt that she would never know, but somehow, she grew up inheriting her strength and spirit. Even as a young pup learning to take her first steps, she was a leader amongst her siblings, unafraid of danger and willing to be brave when times meant for her to be. No one would have ever expected her to be shot in the chest by a human’s shot after volunteering to take her father’s place on guard duty with Shadow at her side . . . and no one expected that her mother, Melody would take the sudden death of her daughter so seriously. Even Balto and Aleu herself felt saddened by the loss, but she felt that her niece valiantly sacrificed her life for the ones she loved, knowing fully well of the possible consequences.

Both of them were lost far too soon, killed in the spring of their lives. They had goals and plans for their futures, but Aniu must have meant them for a greater purpose . . . one that would cost them their lives.

“Why . . . why are you here?” Aleu asked them. “Why do you both appear before me now?”

“Aleu, . . . Sister,” the first Jadze stepped forward, still with that shadowed face and blue glowing eyes. “We come bearing a message from Aniu . . . one that will affect Her Clan forever . . .”

How the raised sled-dog daughter knew of Aniu, Aleu would never know, but that was not of importance right now.

“Aniu . . . She feels your pain, Aleu,” The younger Jadze continued where her namesake left off. “Know that we are here to remind you of the pain of losing a child . . . a sibling . . . or even a much younger niece . . .”

“I’m sorry, but your children will not survive this time, Aleu,” the first uttered in a tone that lacked any emotion.

The words seemed to verbally stab Aleu in the chest, even more so was the fact that the voice felt numb and almost heartless as it swirled into her ears. “No . . . my last chance . . .” She wept with her head fallen towards the ground, creating a puddle of tears at her paws.

My children . . . Her own thoughts made her head throb in pain as tears continued to fall. Shadow’s already distraught after the first ones were born dead . . . Why would Aniu take them all from me?

I thought . . . I thought she cared about me and my family’s well-being . . .

Suddenly, a sudden thought entered Aleu’s mind. Wait – is this happening because I’m no longer Alpha?

“You must be willing to endure this difficult time, Aleu,” the second tried to offer some condolences to her aunt, causing the light brown-gray to lift her head from her weeping. “Carry on . . . and perhaps, Aniu may bless you with a second chance . . .”

“I . . . I don’t understand,” Aleu sniffled a response, confused by the young wolf’s message from the White Wolf spirit. “What do you mean by that?”

“That . . . we cannot say, I’m afraid . . .” Suddenly, the two forms began to fade from her sight. “Now, we must return back to Aniu’s side . . .” the first form bowed her head towards the sister she hardly knew. “Farewell . . .”

“But remember, this is not goodbye . . .” the second one completed as both wolf-dogs named Jadze vanished within a flash of mist.

Even their eyes of bright blue were nowhere to be seen around her as Aleu remained confused, saddened and rather touched to see her fallen sisters for one last time. However, a final set of words lingered through her ears like an echo, only leaving her to wonder what her lost relatives actually meant.

“Even after death, we shall continue to live on . . .”

Saba stood in the presence of her sisters, brothers and parents, trying her hardest to try and keep a straight expression on her face, but after this tragedy, . . . there was no strength that hold back the sorrow she felt. Not even the news Melody had told her earlier would have prepared her for the sight itself.

Aleu’s body remained where she had fallen, but now someone had placed the five cleaned pups that she had bore in her final few moments of life on her belly, lining her teats as if they were nursing. Three of the pups were dark red like their father, one was grayish like their mother, and the final pup was a creamy beige color. However, Shadow’s red form was there – he wanted nothing more than to be beside the one he loved right now while others – starting with the Alpha – stepped up to offer their commiserations to him.

“Oh, Shadow,” she leaned over to console her sister’s mate with her muzzle. “There are no words I can say to express how my heart weeps for you and your family.” A thin stream of tears broke her serious face, staining the path on her white fur a dark shade of gray.

Shadow remained beside Aleu’s unmoving form with his tears soaking her fur. He accepted his Alpha’s condolences with a slight bob of his head, but it stayed low to his mate’s body, refusing to speak a word to anyone. He silently took a vigil by his mate’s side, hoping and praying that this was all but a dream.

However, Aleu had been unconscious for over an hour now, but that wasn’t Shadow’s main worry – she still wasn’t breathing at all and no one could feel a single throb of a heartbeat. No one could revive her, no matter how hard they tried.

From the looks of things, Aleu was already dead.

Why, Aniu? Why? He thought amidst his tears. Must you take everything I hold dear away from me? Shadow bawled loudly, releasing a mournful wail yet again as the salty drips trickled down, forming dark rivers down his face. Why did you have to take Aleu away?

“Five pups . . . all dead . . .” Melody’s eyes were close to over-pouring with water. “It’s . . . it’s . . .” She couldn’t bear to say anymore as she heard Shadow’s cry; Melody leaned onto Timbre’s neck, who offered some comfort through their difficult loss, as well has allowing her to let out all of her tears.

“It’s . . . just tragic . . .” He completed his mate’s sentence with a heavy-hearted tone, respectfully closing his eyes to allow himself to quietly join his mate in mourning. It wasn’t easy for him to see or hear Shadow either – he had lost two of his own children before, but they were killed in the line of duty to their Clan; there was no real way that Timbre would truly understand how Shadow was feeling about Aleu’s miscarriages. “Such an unexpected loss . . . especially to lose her as well . . .”

Meanwhile, Balto and Jenna were together in the same cavern, keeping watch over their daughter and the pups that she sacrificed herself to give birth to. Obviously they were deeply saddened by the result – they were both hoping for another set of voices that would soon start barking and yipping the words “Grandma Jenna! Grandpa Balto!” – but to lose their first-born child as well, . . . they were suffering through the worst tragedy that they had ever had in their family.

“Aniu wouldn’t allow something like this to happen to Her Clan, would she?” Jenna asked Balto – both of them were equally in tears.

The wolf-dog shook his head. “I don’t know,”

“Our daughter . . . she’s died before, hasn’t she?” the husky sniffled. “but she’s always seemed to come back . . . Oh, Balto!” Jenna’s slender and now wet muzzle buried into Balto’s gray-brown neck, allowing him to gently comfort her.

After a few moments, Balto began to speak. “But I remember . . . I remember when Aleu–” He lowered his eyes and head, weeping in memory of his eldest daughter. Jenna nuzzled him in comfort, calming each other with their scent and touch. After a few moments, Balto sniffed and continued. “She told us the tale of how she saved the Talbourne from the island, remember?”

“Ah, yes,” Jenna remembered. “That was the day when Dusty and Kodi’s pups were born.” She sighed at the memory, but allowed her mate to finish.

“Well, I remember Aleu had said she learned that ‘everything happens for a reason’ and that ‘all things have a purpose’ . . .” Balto tried to smile with closed eyes, reminiscing about the long journey that his beloved child had endured throughout the years since her birth. Tears easily trickled down his cheeks. “She spoke of losing ones that she grew close to then, even the ones that she had only befriended for a short amount of time . . . and yet, it all had a purpose to happen.” His voice cracked. “Perhaps this was just her time to join my mother, . . . I guess . . .” He lowered his head and wept.

My God, this seems so unfair . . . So unfair . . .Balto felt Jenna’s presence beside him, and together they mourned over the loss of their daughter.

Back at where Saba was, her red and white mate – who fatefully was also her brother – came to join her in vigil. They were both from the same litter as Aleu, but did not originally follow the wild heritage that they all inherited. For siblings, Saba and Everest were closer than close, but when he left to follow the dog-sledding dream, Saba lived as a regular house-pet, wondering if the longing she felt for her brother was really meant to be. Their relationship had only strengthened when Everest was presumed lost after a sledding accident, but four years afterwards, they suddenly reunited in the wilderness and allowed their forbidden love to blossom, not knowing that others would begin to suspect what was going on.

Eventually, the truth of their love came out, but by the time a sentence of separation was announced, it was already too late – Saba was pregnant with Everest’s pups.  Three pups were soon born from her – a gray daughter, Sunny and two red sons, Rife and Tram – but the law was against them a month after their happiness. After following the order of their eternal punishment, they secretly met at night to take back the pups they left behind in Nome, and flee into the wilderness where the laws of Nome had no effect on their love. Unfortunately, it was hard to defy the law, as well as their parents’ wishes, but their love for each other exceeded life itself. Once they agreed to take Nature by the paws, Aleu graciously allowed her siblings to join the Talbourne Clan, living life wildly and freely as wolves.

Of course, no one ever saw the future that would await them.

“Saba, do her children know?” Everest asked her solemnly. “I’m sure Shadow’s not in the proper state to tell them right now.”

She only shook her elegant white head amidst her tears. “No. They’ve been training for the next watch, but . . . I don’t know how anyone can manage to tell a child that their mother is dead . . .”

“Ah-hem . . .” Everest let out an attention-grabbing cough, reminding Saba of what had happened in their family. “Don’t tell me you forgot that I had lost you?” He scoffed almost angrily. “My God, Saba . . . Telling our own children that you were dead was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do! I . . . I . . .” The memory of hearing his children’s cries of disbelief began to come back to him . . .

“No, that’s not true! . . . I want to see Mommy! . . .”

Tears thinly dripped down his face. “I wanted to be strong in front of them, Saba. I wanted to . . . but I couldn’t . . .”

“Oh,” Saba leaned her muzzle over to him, nuzzling him in comfort. “I’m sorry . . . I’m so sorry for not understanding quickly.”

It’s my fault, Everest - there’s been lots of other things that have captured my focus, she added to herself. I haven’t exactly had much time to be a mother to our pups or a mate to you ever since I returned and took the position of Alpha . . . Her gaze suddenly went to her sister’s body – she still looked regally beautiful, even in death, but one would think she were merely in a deep sleep. Saba could only sigh.

Damn it, Aleu . . . you’ve left me even bigger paws to fill now that you’re gone . . .

“That’s why I know he’s taking it as hard as I did when I learned of your death,” her mate explained. “Shadow’s a strong wolf and a gallant fighter, but what he’s going through right now is something that will even tear the strongest dogs apart. Whenever a mate loses their other half, it just . . . it breaks them up inside. One may wonder how someone can even survive and bear another day without the one they love with all their heart.”

Saba was silent. She remembered that time when she learned that her brother . . . her soul-mate . . . was considered lost. I didn’t want to believe that he was gone . . . I remember that feeling of loss . . . and hearing that he was dead made me want all the hurt and pain to go away . . .

I wanted to kill myself that night . . . I just couldn’t live in a world without your sweet, smiling face in it . . .

“I understand more than you know,” Saba replied with a quiet voice and tears streaming from her orange-golden eyes. “It just took me a while to remember that pain, but your sorrow over me was the same as when I thought I had lost you all those years ago.” Her head went closer to the ground as she wept. “I wanted to die and leave this cruel world where you would never see me again . . . but somehow, I . . . I just couldn’t do it. I couldn’t take the last leap.”

“It’s a good thing that you didn’t jump,” Everest murmured into Saba’s black-tipped ear. “I never would have what I have now – I never would have fully loved you.”

Through her tears, Saba found the strength to smile back at him. “And we wouldn’t have each other . . . or our kids.” And I never would have discovered my own destiny here as Alpha of the Talbourne,she added to herself. While she was dead, Aniu herself trained her for an unknown purpose, which soon was revealed to be taking Aleu’s place in the Clan. She lifted her tear-stained muzzle up to meet his, touching noses sweetly.

“But back to the subject at hand,” Everest ended the nearly-intimate moment with a slight cough, realizing that a period of mourning was not to best time to be lovey-dovey, especially in the presence of a grieving Shadow. “I’ll ask Shadow if I can tell Thunder, Sheik and Lima about what happened . . . He needs more time to recover, and I think he’ll be fine with close friends and family by his side for comfort and remembering her.”

“Go ahead,” Saba nodded, understanding how much this meant to him. “I’m sure he’d be gracious for your help.” She watched as her red and white brother made his way to the distraught wolf with a sigh, remembering what they had said to each other.

He’s right – had I have died that night, my life . . . and his . . . would have been so much different . . . She thought as her small smile straightened as Shadow bobbed his head at Everest, allowing him to tell his children the news of their mother’s death while giving birth.

Saba sighed, closing her eyes in prayer. “O Aniu, is this really meant to happen? Can’t you use your divine grace to bring her back?” Tears fell down her cheek and neck now, her head lifted high towards the unseen heavens of the cavern where they had all gathered. “You used me to return her life when I came back to save the Talbourne; will that power still work now?”

She could feel the presence of the lupine goddess within her – a part of Aniu was now a part of her, after all – and heard the warmth of her divine voice.

“Nothing is impossible, my child, . . . however, the future for your sister is not set in stone, but there is nothing you or I can do to change the way things will happen now . . .”

Saba began to cry. “So . . . there’s nothing we can do for Aleu? She’s really . . . she’s actually dead?”

“For now, yes – she is dead,” Aniu only replied. “But, it is Aleu who will be faced to making the final decision on whether to return to life or remain the way she is now.”

The white wolf’s presence vanished from Saba, leaving her only in tears. Please, Aleu . . . she thought as she tried to console herself with this saddening news. Please return back to us . . . Make the right choice, Sister – we need you here . . .

Chapter IV

Aleu was still inside the cave, surrounded by the chilled touch of the mist that covered the ground. She had lost track of time, and she had no idea whether she would ever return to her family and those that she loved so dearly. She had no idea that she was dead – to her knowledge, Aleu was merely asleep . . . stuck inside a dream that seemed to never end.

“Aleu?”

A familiar male voice echoed into her dark-brown ears, causing them to prick up in surprise. That voice . . . Aleu began to lift up her head, standing to her paws. Could it truly be . . .?

“Alai?” The name slipped from her lips immediately without thinking.

At the sound of his name, the red wolf stepped out of the mist. By his looks, one could think that Alai and Shadow were twin brothers separated from birth – they had the same familiar red coat and equally shared the same love and devotion for the gray-brown quarter-wolf. However, Alai was ultimately meant to lay down his own life to save hers, for Aleu was destined to free his Clan, Aniu’s Clan named the Talbourne, and lead them to greatness.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you, Aleu,” Alai nuzzled her with a smile. “I’ve been thinking only of you every day since first I met you.”

Tears fell down her face as Aleu’s nose touched his. “And I you,” She was smiling too. “I missed you, but I’ve never forgotten about everything that you had done for me, Alai. You loved me that much . . .” The image of the red wolf slipping into the depths of the frigid water returned to haunt her mind, causing her to lower her head.

“You’re so beautiful . . .” Alai’s muzzle savored her wild scent, making a memory for him to treasure. “Who wouldn’t want to do anything for you?”

Aleu felt him nestle against her, but she still couldn’t “I remember that . . . I thought you were the one I was going to spend the rest of my days with . . .”

“You know, it’s not too late to start things over, Aleu,” Alai murmured into her ear with a hint of intrigue in his tone.

Everest could hear the fighting barks of the three children of his eldest sister from wolf-lengths away. He had already checked up on his own children, making sure that they were still safe and sound themselves, but now he had stopped before reaching the opening, listening to what they were saying to each other with open ears.

“I’ve got you down, Sheik!” That voice was Lima’s. She was Aleu’s only daughter and a furry ball of energy, just like her brothers. Of course, she had grown to be as headstrong and determined like her mother. “You can’t escape me!”

“Not so fast!” Thunder, the adoptive brother that Aleu had rescued from a horrible group of hunters with a thirst for revenge on any wolves in sight. He was easily taken in by his new family, most especially the one that had given him a second chance to become a strong wolf like his birth mother. “You forgot about observing your surroundings, Lima!”

“Oof!” Lima had fallen victim to Thunder’s surprise attack. Typical boys, Everest chuckled silently at the sound of childish giggling from the males, despite the announcement that he had yet to tell them.Always so playful and rough with the girls, like that, aren’t they?

“Hooray! Hooray! Thunder saved me!” Sheik cheered as the three of them celebrated a practice well done.

“I can’t wait to tell Mom and Dad about how well we’ve done!” Lima rose to her paws, recovering from Thunder’s pouncing attack. All three of them just yipped and howled in happiness of their achievements.

From outside, Everest shut his eyes, trying to keep back his tears and emotions. They sound so happy . . . They’ll be completely distraught by this news, . . . but they have to accept the facts about their mother not coming back . . . He finally gathered his courage, took a couple of deep breaths and stepped forward.

“Hey there, you three,” Everest entered the room, trying to be proud of their training, but the thought of what he had yet to tell them only made it harder for him to hide his true feelings. “What are you up to?”

“You know, just practicing our fighting and pouncing,” Thunder stood up rather professionally with a toothy grin on his face. “We’re not pups anymore, and we just want to be useful members of the Clan.”

“Yeah,” Sheik followed. “Our dad’s been teaching us lots of things, preparing us to guard and fight against any bad guys that want to harm the Clan or our Alpha.”

“And of course, Mom will be so proud of us,” Lima concluded. “Then we’ll be able to protect our baby brothers and sisters from anything when Mom can’t. It’s our job as the older siblings.”

Everest gulped at those words that Aleu’s children told him. He felt his pulse race nervously, pounding against his white chest. He couldn’t do this . . . it would break their hearts to hear what he had to tell them – But I have to do this, he sighed. If I don’t tell them now, they’ll learn about it in an even worse way . . .

“Sit down, you three,” he told them, joining them on the ground at the center of the den. His tone was calm yet it was tensely somber. “I’ve . . . I’ve got something to tell you . . . about your mother . . .”

Aleu’s eyes grew wide at what Alai had offered, stepping backwards in shock. It did sound like a tempting proposal – she had grown smitten for him since he saved her life all those years ago when she had begun her quest to discover her true purpose, and she knew he was to same way towards her – but she knew it just wouldn’t be right. Shadow was her mate now, and if she went to be with Alai, she would be unfaithful to her vow to her mate and her children. “W-w-what? I don’t . . . What do you mean, Alai?”

“I have been waiting for so long, Aleu,” Alai whined in an almost loving way, but when he said it, it sounded more like a confession. “I was watching you overcome many struggles, waiting for the day you would return to me, and now . . .” He slinked up towards Aleu with a pinkish tint speckled on his cheeks, while Aleu only stepped back in tune with his own movements. “Now, we can be together . . . forever.” His nose brushed up against hers, causing her to blush a bit as well.

No . . . no! I do love you, Alai, but I . . . I just can’t do this! “But . . . but I have Shadow now,” Aleu shook her head. “I can’t be with you . . . I’m sorry.”

“But Aleu,” the red wolf grinned, nervously chuckling. “You have no other choice but to stay – You’re . . . you’re dead.”

“Again?” The quarter-wolf gasped. “But . . . but that’s impossible! I can’t be dead again! I’ve always come back – Aniu has always let me return back to my family before!”

Alai lowered his head, placing his ears against his neck. “I know, I know, but not this time. You’ve been revived graciously by Aniu several times, but most others aren’t as lucky as you have been. Death is a natural process – you know that as well as I do – and this time, it’s time to go into the light . . . permanently.”

“But . . . but . . .” Aleu didn’t want to leave her family behind. She had so much left to live for . . . and it was even worse that she had just given birth when she passed. I never would have imagined dying like this . . . “Wait – my sister and niece said something . . . something about Aniu offering me a second chance – do you know anything about that, Alai?”

He shook his head sadly. “No, I don’t. That’s something you would have to ask to Aniu herself, I’m afraid.”

“I am here, Child . . .” A swirl of mist formed beside the red wolf, causing him to gasp in surprise. “I can take it from here, Alai . . .” Alai gave a quick bow and stepped aside. Surely enough, the White Wolf spirit appeared in front of Aleu, causing her to fall down to the ground.

“Aniu, what about the second chance?” Aleu asked, lifting her head and looking into Aniu’s amber eyes. “Jadze . . . they said you could offer me a second chance . . .”

“Yes, that is true,” Aniu responded. “I will offer you a chance, as they have already told you; however, with each choice, there are consequences.”

“So, can you send me back?” Aleu pleaded. “I need to be with my family . . . and Shadow. Please.”

Although she sounded persistent about her request, there was some doubts in her mind. But what if she says no? Aleu thought, shuttering a bit nervously with a whine. While it is true that I’m no longer Alpha of the Talbourne Clan, I still have a mate and children to watch over . . .

I still have a purpose to serve, don’t I?

“The choice is up to you,” the magnificent lupine repeated again. “You have indeed served me well, and I know that life continues to go on now that your tenure as Alpha has ceased.” Being an all-around spirit, Aniu could easily sense the troubling thoughts within the heart of the quarter-wolf, even if she didn’t show it in her expressions.

“Well, I’ll come back to life, then,” Aleu’s ears pricked up eagerly. “I don’t care what the consequence is – I just want to be back with the ones I love.” Tears dripped from her blue and gold eyes, showing how much returning to life really was to her.

“Life . . . it is a precious thing – I’m sure you know that very well,” Aniu sighed, speaking with warmth and a sense of love about her.

“Yes . . . Yes, I do,” Aleu nodded. Nearby, Alai let out a soft sigh, but it was not noticeable to either female, but anyone that saw it could tell that something troubled him as well.

“Not many creatures have ever been returned to life after dying once;” The lupine goddess continued. “More than twice is even rarer actually . . . but I feel that you are meant to return to life once more . . . just for one more time.”

Aleu was overjoyed, leaping to her feet with a smile. “Oh, thank you very much, Aniu.”

“But with every deal, there is an equal price that must be paid, my child,” Aniu’s almond eyes began to glow golden as she spoke. “In exchange for returning your life, you can never have children ever again.”

This news made Aleu gasp with a look of shock on her face. No . . . I can’t have anymore children? She thought as tears thinly fell down her cheeks out of her own control. This would break Shadow’s heart . . . as well as my own . . .

I wanted Papa to see me give him a final chance to be a grandfather at least . . . and I loved being a mother to Lima, Sheik and Thunder – that’s why I stepped down from being Alpha . . .

“I know that your last litter were all still-born,” Aniu tried to comfort her with calm words. “and that the sorrow of this loss may be too much for you and your family to bear, but this shall be your sacrifice for returning to life. You must be think carefully about what you feel is the right decision to make . . . for your time is drawing short.” She turned to a wall of the cave, her eyes had returned to their normal shade of amber. “Look there, and see your den, my child.”

Aleu remembered how Aniu taught her to see other places long ago. She took a deep breath as the instructions went through her head and she followed them, thinking long and hard about the den where she last was. Close your eyes, think about every little thing you can remember . . . now, open your eyes . . . Aleu let out a gasp at what she saw in the ‘window’ on the wall.

Her family was weeping inside the birthing den, mourning over her unmoving body and the five tiny newborns that remained still. She could see her parents, Balto and Jenna, nuzzling each other in comfort; her sister Melody was by Timbre’s side, uncontrollably in tears that she couldn’t stop; Saba, her now almost all-white sister and the new Alpha of the Talbourne, was crying herself as Everest returned to her side with tears in his own eyes; but these weren’t what made Aleu tear up herself.

She saw Shadow, cowering over her body and trying to lick her awake with his tongue. Her three grown children suddenly ran to their father’s side, crying out for their mother in tears. Aleu could hear their softly muffled cries for her, but she knew that answering them back would be impossible . . . unless she made that decision to never bear children again.

“Shadow . . .” She murmured through her tears. Aleu had seen the agony that her family had been through the first time she had died – even witnessing her own funeral was almost hard to watch . . . and seeing her limp form following the current of the nearby river – but this was the worst state she had seen her mate before in her life. Not even the typical bullet wounds that always seemed to hit him in the shoulder felt worse than having to live life without the stubborn quarter-wolf by his side . . . and Aleu knew that for a fact.

Alai could only turn his head away with lowered ears and tears in his eyes as well. He still loved Aleu, but he knew that for now, her heart belonged to another.

“My child, have you finalized your choice?” Aniu stepped beside her with her query. “If a choice isn’t made within the next minute, you will be dead permanently and I cannot reassure you that I can return you to life.”

Aleu was silent, feeling the seconds remaining of her life beginning to slip away. She remembered that she would have to surrender her right to bear children ever again . . . But being back with Shadow, our kids, and the rest of my friends and family . . . it would all be worth the sacrifice.

She nodded, looking back at Aniu with a smile. The white wolf nodded back as if to understand her choice; of course, this was all to Alai’s chagrin, causing him to let out a small, almost inaudible whine.

However, Aleu took a final gaze of love at the red wolf, moving over to nuzzle him. “Wait for me, Alai . . . I will return to you soon, I promise. I can’t live forever, you know.”

Alai still had a slight frown on his face, but his bluish aura brightened anxiously around his form as he returned the gesture with a kiss. “You know I’d wait forever for you, Aleu . . . Take care of yourself now, okay?”

“I will . . . I love you,” Aleu nodded, smiling as she passed through the ‘window’ and had disappeared back into the realm of the living.

Alai let out a sigh once the gray-brown quarter-wolf was gone, turning to Aniu with a look of sorrow in his eyes. “Aniu, I feel so horrible for the way I acted towards her. It wasn’t like me to be so . . . selfish.” His head drooped. “Was it necessary for me to be so . . .”

She didn’t even need him to finish his sentence. “Yes, it was, my child. I meant for her to have a difficult decision to make, and I knew that you would try your hardest to make her stay.” Aniu smiled when she paused, knowing that Alai was deeply in love with Aleu – she knew everything like that, of course. “You really love her, and the bond that you two share is strong; however, the remainder of her life has begun, but I shall give you this promise: she will return to stay with you, Alai. You have always served me well and deserve many thanks as a servant to me.”

Alai bowed. “Thank you, Great Aniu. I understand your words and promise completely, but may I suggest something to you?”

“Why, of course,” the white wolf grinned. “What do you suggest I do for her?”

“Well, . . .” Alai began to tell her. “Here’s my idea . . .”

I just want to make her smile . . . that’s the least I can do . . .

Shadow was a bit comforted to have his children by his side to mourn, but there were so many questions that they asked him that were just too difficult for him to reply.

“Dad, why is Mommy dead?” The girl-pup Lima asked with tears in her eyes.

“Yeah, will Mom come back?” Thunder stepped forward next. “She’s always come back! She can’t leave us! She . . . she just can’t . . .”

“Mommy . . .” Sheik was at his mother’s neck, shaking Aleu’s scruffy neck with his paws like a young pup. “Mommy . . . Mommy, wake up . . .” Tears began to drip from his eyes, but that didn’t stop his siblings from joining him.

“Mom . . . you can’t die . . . You just can’t!” Lima shook along with the other two, weeping as her head leaned against Thunder’s. She was unable to make herself stop crying, no matter who tried to console her.

Thunder, on the other hand, was silent as he shook the one he had grown to call his mother. He remembered the kindness and nurturing love that she had for him, even if his own mother was taken from him when the hunters were capturing any wolves in sight. He was able to cry a few tears before howling out loudly in mourning – Thunder had adored being considered Aleu’s son, but he never expected to actually lose her . . . not like this, not yet.

Naturally, the actions of Aleu’s children made the rest of the family present start crying uncontrollably, if they weren’t crying already. This was indeed a sad day for the Talbourne, and with dawn approaching, Saba had no choice but to prepare herself to eulogize her older sister when the time for burial arrived – that was the duty of the Alpha after all, no matter how closely related they were to the dead.

She approached her father and mother, fighting back tears as hard as she could. “We’ll have a memorial for her and her pups in the morning light,” Saba said quietly to them. She did not know that they had witnessed a Talbourne funeral times before, but they were too much into their grief to say anything back . . . except Balto was able to mutter something out.

“And yet . . . life must go on . . .” A stream of thin liquid dyed his cheeks dark.

“Balto?” Jenna gasped softly at the sudden words of her mate, causing Saba’s ears to prick up with surprise as well.

“We can’t keep being sad about losing Aleu, Jen,” Balto murmured amidst his tears. “Death happens to all of us . . . and the only way to help make things better is to remember the good times, not the sadness of loss.” They nuzzled each other for a few moments.

Saba felt rather awkward by her parents’ side, only lowering her ears as they comforted in their loss. “Um . . . I’ll leave you two alone . . .” With that, she turned back to where Everest would soon await for her near the grieving wolf family of Shadow and Aleu’s surviving children.

Meanwhile, Balto suddenly chuckled lightly, beginning to remember something that he had made peace with years ago. “Hey, Jen . . . you remember that time I was mourning over Jadze?” His tone was calm yet almost reminiscent.

Her ears pricked up at the mentioning of her lost daughter. It was so long ago, yet it was still quite hard to believe that such an event was even capable of happening to their family. “Of course I do, Balto . . . Losing her was hard for all of us, especially since you . . . you watched her die . . .” Jenna saw his head and ears droop at those words, and she knew that Aleu’s death was only bringing back those harsh memories of their daughter’s final moments of life. “You kept the pain all to yourself, blaming yourself for what happened . . . and it only hurt the rest of us, as well as yourself . . .”

“She grew up at that moment, Jen . . . Our little girl became an adult when she passed away . . .” Balto let out a sniffle, remembering Jadze’s final moments beside him. She wasn’t even two years old yet, but her natural talent of pulling a dog sled shone through all her life. “She told me . . . that she was afraid to die . . . but she was too proud to show her tears to me . . .” His gaze suddenly turned to the unmoving body of his first-born. “Tell me, Jenna . . . was . . . was Aleu afraid too?” Jenna was shocked by her mate’s query, but she did not answer. Balto repeated himself again. “Was our daughter afraid of dying at that moment?”

Jenna honestly was speechless after hearing him say such a thing. She knew what she saw when Aleu pushed out that final pup – her daughter forced herself to give birth, and in doing so, she lost her own life and the pup’s. If I told him the truth, . . . oh, that would tear him apart . . . I can’t tell him that . . . I can’t . . . Finally after a few moments to think of a response, the purebred husky answered.

“I don’t think she was, Balto,” Jenna naturally tried to smile, although it looked rather forced. “She tried to put her heart and soul into giving you a new litter of grandchildren, but . . .” her head shook from side to side slightly, tears began to roll down her cheeks once more. “ . . . but it just wasn’t meant to be . . .” She too sniffled at the memory of her daughter collapsing to the ground after the last pup was born. “Aleu knew that you would be happy to be a grandfather again . . . and she did this only out of love . . . I don’t think she knew that it was the end of her life . . .” Jenna sobbed again onto Balto’s neck.

Giving birth has always been a dangerous time for any female, be it wolf, husky or hybrid, Jenna reminded herself in her mind as she felt the comfort of Balto beside her. A new mother’s body is always most vulnerable while she delivers . . . and even in this day and age, tragedies can still happen. Suddenly, she felt a flutter inside her that almost made her gasp, but Jenna remained silent in her tears. She knew its source and had to keep this secret she held deep inside, for she was afraid of what Balto would reaction would be.

Oh, I’m sorry, Balto . . . I’m so, so sorry . . . Her tears began to be more about her own dilemma than the death of her first child.

“Shh-shh, Jen . . .” Balto licked his mate gently, although he was crying as well. He had never cried so much before in his life – not even when he lost Jadze did Balto ever cry as much as he did. Aleu was my first-born, my ultimate favorite child . . . there’s a major difference between them both, Balto thought through his tears.

Dash was unable to keep their focus on guarding the entrance for a while. Everest had just told him the news of Aleu’s sudden passing only minutes ago, and just hearing for himself was quite unbelievable. He was a younger brother of hers after all, and after all these years of growing up in Aleu’s shadow, the red and white husky just couldn’t believe that the once strong Alpha of the Talbourne was gone forever.

“This is truly a dark day for the Talbourne,” Dash murmured as a cold wind brushed up against his fur. He shivered a bit, but tried not to cry on the outside – of course, his heart sobbed uncontrollably. Dash looked up to the cloudy sky above him, showering his vision with gray and a bit of navy night, but all he could do was sigh into the softly falling snow.

“O Aniu, was this really time?” His head fell, allowing a tear to slip down from his eyes and onto the snowy ground. “Things just won’t be the same without her around here, you know . . .” Dash soon fell to his post and wept softly for his lost sister.

Chapter V

A steady crowd of wolves had made their way into the den, each to pay their personal respects to the Alpha that had once made their Clan great for many years. Aleu’s parents, her mate Shadow, and the three children that she had loved sat by the unmoving body of the quarter-wolf, waiting to accept condolences and any other words of comfort and sympathy. Older wolves that had survived the early battles, wolves that had fought in the more recent wars between the Uniea Clan, and even young cubs that were born near the time of the ending of Aleu’s tenure as Alpha came to give their final words.

Even Nava, the old wolf himself, hobbled over to pay his respects. “I can’t believe the Great Aniu would allow me to outlive you, Aleu,” he murmured to the beautiful corpse with tears streaking down his eyes. His voice was still wise, but sorrow was there in every syllable he uttered. “I could sense your strength and maturity far beyond your years ever since I first came into your presence. You have been a great leader, just like what I had told your father after your destiny’s beginning . . . Your battles were greatly fought, your courage shone brightly like the dawn, and your heart remained pure and true to your family, as well as to your Clan . . . I am proud of what you have become, young one . . . May you be with Aniu forever.” With respect, he nuzzled the limp, cold muzzle of the former Alpha before turning to a grieving father.

The gray-brown half-wolf had heard every word of Nava’s conversation with his daughter’s body and was in heavy yet silent sobs as the tan lupine’s eyes met his. “Balto, my brother . . . my heart is heavily filled with grief as well.” Nava also looked at Shadow, despite the fact that Shadow’s eyes were closed with his head in a constant droop, as well as Jenna, Aleu’s husky mother. “My sincerest thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May Aniu’s presence continue to comfort you during this time of loss.” Nava moved towards Balto, nuzzling his scruffy nose with his own. “Know that she has lived the life you knew she would and that in all these years, we had grown to love her as if she were our own daughter . . .” He nuzzled the husky, comforting her with his wisdom. “. . . and comfort yourself in knowing that she is resting in peace with Aniu now, where she will hunt and live forever within her glory.”

“Thank you, Nava,” Balto bowed, accepting the condolences as the family patriarch with a dull yet humbled tone. “I know you were close to her when it came to guidance and wisdom. I appreciate your presence in her life.”

“Yes, thank you very much,” Jenna added in a calming, soft voice, also giving him a slight bob of her elegant head as she silently continued to weep. “Balto told me that Aleu had saved your life on the day in which she realized her calling – I am glad that she did. You were a great influence on our daughter throughout her many days as a wolf.”

Nava only nodded at the hybrid’s comment, as well as the husky’s. He had indeed known Aleu quite well – it was he that had learned of Aleu’s destiny to lead his pack across the sea via Aniu’s dream-visions to him, but he had believed it was Balto, not the young daughter, who was to do so. However, she had grown connected to his wisdom of the powers of nature and his strange abilities to merge into trees and disappear in a blink of an eye – she would soon learn to master them, as well as other tricks and movements, herself around her first encounter with Shade – but once she returned from the mysterious island of IIl’aenna across the sea and freed Aniu’s Clan, the Talbourne, from there, the elder wolf shaman had a new start. They reunited and Nava’s small clan – sans Niju – pledged their lives to their new leader, Aleu. Of course, this was around the time when Shadow, a member of Nava’s new Clan, had first entered her life . . . dodging a bullet – what else – just to protect.

And of course, this moment of almost an hour long was harder on him than on anyone else.

Aleu, why can’t you come back like you always do?Shadow thought through his constant stream of tears, but his thoughts were fueled by raging grief at the world for his loss. Oh, why won’t you breathe for me? Smile at me! Let me hear your heart beating next to mine! I’d easily give my own life just to bring you back to us . . . He began to murmur aloud, easily catching Balto’s attention with his furiously sorrowed tone. “I just don’t know if I’ll ever be able to live another day without feeling your warm, glowing face beside me . . . I’d rather join you in death than see a world with you no longer in it . . .”

Balto could understand his friend’s sorrow quite well. A couple of times before, he felt that Jenna was out of his life forever. She had been hurt many times, injured to the point of being serious, and stubbornly traveled great distances that made Balto nervous and worried about her safety, but the first major time that they were ever separated when she thought that he had been unfaithful to their life-long vow of being mates. Blaize and Jadze were only pups then – just born actually. . . My God, has it been that long? The hybrid sighed at the memory of his third litter, most mainly about the daughter that was lost far too soon. I knew that one day she would realize that I would never cheat on her . . . I loved her far too much to ever do such a horrible thing . . .

Then there was the time when Jenna was used as a sacrifice to summon Shade back into the material plane after the events involving Dash’s son Talkeet and the war between the Talbourne and Uniea Clans. Gareth used her . . . it was horrible to even watch him do such a thing . . . I thought . . . I thought she was gone for good . . . but she came back to me . . . But the Jenna that he had loved was dead – this new Jenna’s memory was nothing more than a clean slate and the real Jenna was nothing more than a body-less soul in a strange island-like Purgatory, captured by his dead arch-enemy Steele who had somehow fled from Shade’s reign in Hell. That was the hardest journey I had ever done . . . I had to watch Jenna die, live with a Jenna that didn’t even know me, . . . I was about to kill her with my own jaws once . . . and even after telling myself that I couldn’t do it, I still had to see her die again, . . . but by Aniu’s grace and blessing, my Jenna returned to me . . .

And then there was the recent events of only weeks ago – Jenna was accused of attempted murder and sentenced to banishment from Nome . . . forever. I . . . I hoped that there would be another way . . . I can’t even believe that Jen would try to kill anyone, even if it was Drake’s son Jason . . . but I guess that was her anger over losing Everest again. Of course, Everest was alive and well – she wouldn’t learn this until it was far too late – but only the Keeper of the Law could reverse the sentence. Somehow, Drake’s untimely death led to Blaize becoming Nome’s new Keeper, and with Drake’s widow, Gemini’s, permission, Jenna was able to be pardoned for her crimes and allowed to return home. I was so glad to know that things were able to work out eventually, but I never expected she would accept the wild like she did . . .

After almost two months in the wild, she had learned to be as rugged as a wolf when he found her once more, but an unfamiliar male wolf was close in her company . . . and her signature bandanna was missing from her neck. It was like . . . like she had accepted her new fate . . . I thought she had forgotten all about me . . . and yet again, just like always, Jenna returned to me . . . He couldn’t help but cry at that; it had only happened a few weeks ago, and the pain and joy of those weeks away from the red and white husky remained fresh in his mind.

I never want to lose her again, he said to himself. So I know how Shadow feels . . . I’ve seen his love for Aleu for years, and I know he would have protected her from death itself if he could . . . but it was out of his paws . . . Balto let out a sigh, moving slowly towards the grieving red wolf. You know, Fate really does suck sometimes . . . I hate losing the ones I love, but sometimes that’s just the way life goes, I guess . . .

“Shadow . . .” the hybrid began to say something, but a couple of wolves let out a loud gasp of shock as they stood in front of the former Alpha’s body.

“Saba! Shadow! Someone!” A gray and white she-wolf shrieked in panic and disbelief. “Come quick!”

Without knowing exactly what was going on, the forms of the red wolf, the hybrid, and the white Alpha leapt to where the two wolves were standing. Balto, Jenna and Melody also stepped up while Timbre stood near Aleu’s three children as if they were still under a year old – one may think that he wanted them to let the older ones to handle this business, thinking that Lima, Sheik and Thunder would only be in the way.

“What is it?” Saba asked. “What’s going on here?”

“I saw it! I saw a twitch!” The other wolf, a brown and black-marked male, was the one to respond. “I know this sounds completely strange, but I know what we saw!”

This time, the female concluded. “I saw her breathing! She’s alive . . . see for yourself!”

The Alpha was about to scold and punish the wolves with a growl for even having the nerve to say such things about her dead sister during this period of mourning, but she looked at her body and saw it as clear as day – Aleu’s chest was slightly moving up and down, up and down . . . She was breathing!

Saba had tears streaming down her face. “ . . . good choice, Sis . . .” She murmured amidst her joyful weeping.

“Aleu?” Shadow sniffled, pricking his ears up at what the she-wolf had said to them. “Aleu? Could it be . . .?” He moved past Saba, excusing himself on the way, and leaned over the light gray-brown quarter-wolf. Indeed, she was breathing and he lowered an ear down to her chest and gasped – he could hear her heartbeat! It was strong and steady, just the way it should be. Suddenly a smile and tears of joy were on the red wolf’s face. “She’s alive! Aleu’s alive!” He let out a loud howl, much to the happiness of his children.

“Mommy! Mommy!” the trio of wolf children ran to their father’s side, passing by Timbre’s brown form without hesitation.

Slowly, Aleu’s eyes began to flutter open, revealing those blue and gold eyes that Shadow loved so dearly towards him. “Shadow . . .?” she moaned lightly, still trying to recover from her status of rigor mortis. “Aniu . . . She . . . I’m back again . . .” A smile covered her face as she let out a light chuckle, much to the elation of her parents, family and friends.

“Are you sure you can do this, Aniu?” Alai asked. His expression was only a bit worried, but he knew that his idea, if it worked, would make his beloved Aleu happy for the rest of her life. “Is it even possible?”

The white wolf did not hesitate for a second, speaking in her usual calming warmth of a maternal tone. “I can do such a thing, my child . . . and I know that this is usually frowned upon, but I feel necessary to fulfill your wish.”

“Nothing will backfire, right? You won’t exhaust your powers?” The red wolf was indeed confident in Aniu’s powers, but his idea made him a bit nervous at the last minute. He didn’t want anything bad to happen to the great Wolf Spirit, and she knew that he was only worried about her safety.

“Oh, you shan’t worry about a thing, Alai,” Aniu reassured her most trusted servant. “If you care so much for Aleu, you shouldn’t need to worry about my abilities – I do possess the power to give life, as well as to take it away after all. Besides, your love and devotion for her will only strengthen what I am about to do.”

Alai’s anxiety quickly switched to a smile of relief. “Well, I do love her . . . and I only want her to enjoy what awaits the rest of her life.”

“I cannot reveal what awaits her, Alai, but rest assured, she will still face many challenges and battles. Remember, all things happen for a reason and an ultimate purpose, my child,” the white lupine murmured as a bright aura of sky-blue shone around her. Her thin eyes were golden once more as she summoned her energy to fulfill Alai’s request. This is meant to happen, after all, she added without Alai’s knowledge.

“Yes, Aniu,” Alai replied respectfully, despite the fact that she was more focused on her energizing power. “I have never forgotten that.”

At the same time, the red wolf peered into the image on the cavern wall. Aleu was alive and well, much to the surprise of her friends, family and pack-mates. He smiled at the sight – he was glad to know that Aleu was happy to return, but he also knew that what he wished for would only make things better.

Oh, Aleu, Alai thought to himself as he watched Aniu’s mystical force do his will. I know that this will make your remaining days a joy . . . He closed his eyes, squeezing tears of joy from his eyes. With Aniu’s help, all of my love for you will only allow my wish to come true . . .

In the presence of her family and friends, Aleu was glad to be back. She could feel the warm furs of her family, her mother and father, her closest and dearest friends . . . everyone. It took her a while to recover the strength to lift herself up to a more comfortable position, but everyone else was just grateful that the Great Aniu allowed her to return, even when she was no longer Alpha of the Talbourne.

“It’s a miracle . . .” Balto murmured beside the red form of Shadow.

“I’m just relieved that I’ll be able to see her beside me again,” the red wolf responded in smiles and tears as he nuzzled his beloved happily.

“Aleu, are you all right?” Jenna got the first question. Naturally she was worried about her daughter as she gave birth earlier, so she had to make sure that Aleu was still okay after this sudden change of events.

“I’m fine, Mom,” Aleu answered back, her voice was stronger than when she originally returned to life once more. Of course, she didn’t want to reveal the truths of her return to the living – never having children again, never being able to be revived again . . . They don’t need to be worried about those things, she thought. If I tell them about that, I know I’ll be protected all the time again. I want to still be me, and I’m not a wolf who always has to be under someone’s high protection all the time . . .

“Well, that’s a relief,” her mother leaned up to nuzzle her daughter. “After all that’s happened today, at least something good has taken place.”

“You mean, . . .?” Aleu’s ears lowered. She knew they were meaning about the pups she risked her own life to deliver. “Did any of them move? Did even one make it?”

Melody slowly shook her head. “I’m sorry, Aleu. I licked all of them, hoping that it would be enough to revive them, but . . .” A slight tear dripped from her face. “Oh, Aleu . . . I failed them . . . I should have done more to save them . . .”

Aleu could only nuzzle her sister in comfort, speaking with a soft sense of acceptance in her voice. “Oh, you did everything that you could, Melody. It’s hard, but we can only do what we can – it was all out of our paws, and I knew that I could trust in you to take care of them, even if they weren’t meant to live. At least they are with Aniu now, eternally resting by her side in warmth.” She licked away her tears with her tongue before speaking again. “Where are they? Can I see them?”

“They’re right here,” Jenna led Aleu’s muzzle to her belly lined with teats. There they were, the five pups she had birthed before fading to the point of death.

“Oh . . .” Aleu nuzzled each one gently with her nose, hopeful that perhaps . . . perhaps there was a chance that one of them was merely born asleep, not dead. “They’re so small . . .” As she nudged them, tears of weeping seemed to glint down her cheeks.

“It’s a shame that it had to be this way, though,” Balto touched his daughter’s brown-gray shoulder with his nose. “Shadow was having a rough time with losing both you and the pups.”

“That is true, . . . but at least you’re okay, Aleu,” Shadow licked his mate on the neck as she continued to try one last time to check for any movement with the pups. “You’re back with me and that’s all that matters. We can always have another litter together once you recover from this, and things will return to normal.”

Aleu lightly gasped, stopping right before the fifth pup after hearing her mate’s words of having more pups. Too bad I’ll have to hurt his feelings when I break the news about my deal with Aniu,she thought. As long as I stay away from the subject of this being my last revival, everything should be fine . . . I hope . . . Aleu closed her eyes, just as her nose began to meet the cleaned form of the final pup. Please, Aniu . . . give me strength . . .

Suddenly, a whimpering cry silenced the crowd of wolves around the den, causing everyone’s gaze to soon find the source of the sound. It was quiet, but it was clearly the noise of a pup.

Aleu gasped softly, but only smiled at what she saw beside her. Aniu had set them two miracles that night, easing their sorrow-filled hearts and filling them with ecstatic joy.

“The pup . . .” Melody’s ears lifted, becoming the first to comment on this marvelous sight. “It’s . . . It’s alive!”

“O Praise Aniu!” Shadow wept with joy at the sight of what he saw by Aleu’s belly. “You have blessed us all with an angel this night . . .” As well as returning Aleu back to me, he added with relief to himself. This is the happiest moment of my entire life, I swear! Thank you, Aniu, for answering my prayers!

Although four pups remained lost, this one that remained was given another chance at life with a happy and relieved family. Naturally, the close family – Balto, Jenna, Shadow, Saba, and Melody – came near the sight, while Everest and Timbre remained by the three other children of Aleu’s, explaining to them what was going on and telling them that Aniu had given them a new baby sibling to help protect.

“How . . . how is this even possible?” Jenna gasped with joy and confusion. “She was . . . the pup was . . .” She was at a complete loss for words.

“You only have to believe and have faith, Mom,” Aleu nuzzled the squirming pup beside her. “Aniu must have brought her back to life, just like she had done for me.” She licked it lovingly, revealing the pup’s true color. It was the last-born pup, the cream-beige female. As the new mother groomed her all over, Aleu noticed that the pup’s only markings were a reddish-burgundy patch around the pup’s tightly-shut right eye and a brown-gray patch around the other.

Melody looked at the pup curiously. “Hmm, those eye-patch markings weren’t there before when I cleaned her once she was born,” she noted to her mother. “I wonder how they just showed up all of a sudden . . . That’s rather strange, isn’t it, Mom?”

“Yes, quite strange indeed,” Jenna replied. “I’ve never seen anything like it before.”

“Maybe it needed to dry, I guess,” Aleu responded with a smile. Actually she began to wonder about those herself. She hadn’t seen those markings on the pup when she first the lifeless pup at her belly earlier.

However, she remembered what her fallen sister and niece had told her when she first arrived in the cave . . . and somehow, she noticed how each patch resembled the fur color of each of them – the red one was for her sister and the brown-gray was Melody’s daughter. Thank you, Aniu . . . thanks for the second chance, she thought as the pup wriggled towards her teats and began to suckle for milk.

“I think she’s beautiful, Mom. Don’t you think so, Shadow?” She turned to her mate, who only watched beside Balto with the largest smile of all.

“She’s perfect, Aleu,” Shadow murmured, leaning over to nuzzle Aleu first, then the tiny pup. “Huh, she’s got a little bit of both of us, doesn’t she?”

Aleu chuckled lightly. “I think so. Still, those markings over her eyes are rather peculiar . . . but they make her unique.” Her warm smile only grew. “I like that about her. What do you think, Papa?”

Balto was too proud to speak. All he could do was grin like a happy grandfather should, but soon he spoke. “Well, she’s different, but she’s a chip off the old block. She’s the best of both of our worlds, isn’t she?” Of course, he was commenting on the red and brown-gray eye-patches, each reflecting his and Jenna’s fur colors. “One for each of her grandparents away from the Clan – my wild rugged brown and Jen’s stunning touch of burgundy, of course.”

“Yeah,” Aleu nodded, except her meaning of the eye-patches was something different.

“What are you going to name her, Aleu?” Saba asked, touching the nursing pup with her soft, wet nose.

“That is a good question,” Balto added. He turned to Jenna with a smile. “Personally, I like the name ‘Miracle’ for her.”

“Well, she is a ‘miracle’, that’s for sure,” Jenna chuckled back. “but we should allow Aleu to make that final decision.” I like the name ‘Wonder’ myself, she added to herself.

Meanwhile, the surprised mother had no real clue how to choose. What am I going to name her? Aleu thought. That had completely slipped her mind – she had just come back to life, and now she had to give this miracle of a pup a name . . . It has to be something special . . . something that will make her great . . . something that will remind me of how wonderful Aniu has been to me and our family . . .

Wait! I’ve got it!

“Well?” Melody repeated. “Have you decided yet? What’s her name?”

Aleu only smiled, unafraid of their own responses. “I think I’ll call her . . . Jadze.” She paused, licking the pup once more over the forehead and hearing the whimper of the newly-christened child. “Yeah . . . that’s what I want to name her – Jadze.”

(Prologue & ACT I – completed 6/16/08)