The clouds cast a shadow upon a forsaken brown boat that was creaking with movement. A Russian goose was pacing up down the deck of the boat; the other occupant a brown wolf/dog was sound asleep in the captain’s quarters. Boris had already received the news about Jenna’s return and that she had had three pups with her partner, Luke. Boris glanced over at Balto with a sigh; the goose shook his head and continued pacing.

            “Boris?” A frail female voice traveling from the board walk to Boris’ ears. The red husky that Boris had treated like family was suddenly standing before him looking as pitiful as ever. She had lost weight after living in a wolf pack for a year this didn’t surprise Boris.

            “Oh Jenna.” The goose wrapped his wings around her neck and Jenna placed a paw on his back,  “Dipsy stopped by and told me the news while Balto was still asleep.” Boris said.

            Jenna recalled Dipsy as the town gossiper, “So you know everything?”

            Boris nodded, “She even told me about Luke’s abuse, I’m so sorry Jenna but it’s still a shame that you cheated on the dog that has loved you since the start.”                                  Jenna sniffled and cried softly, “I-I didn’t even kn-know what I was doing.”

            Boris patted her back, “There, there Jenna no need for tears.”

            “Now I have three pups that have a father that despises them, and one of my babies has to live with that crude beast.” Jenna whined. There was a loud yawn that erupted from a corner of the boat that belonged to Balto. Clicking sounds proved that the wolf/dog was awake and walking around his room.

            Jenna shivered with fear, “I can’t do this.”

            “Yes you can.” Boris said and nudged her, she slowly made her way to Balto’s room. Her paws made a light padding sound, she turned and suddenly she was face to face with her old mate.

            “Hello um Balto.” Jenna looked up at him then at the ground. He didn’t say anything for a few seconds; Jenna lifted her head and realized he was crying. “Don’t cry.” She said, although tears were already brimming in her eyes. Balto leaned in and nuzzled the red husky; he missed her scent and her warmth. “I don’t deserve this.” She backed away. “I hurt you.”

            “You made a mistake and you learned your lesson, did you honestly think I wouldn’t take you back?” He smiled and Jenna sighed.

            “Yes I thought you would leave me as Luke did,” She looked into Balto’s eyes, “There’s a slight problem…”

            “What is it?” Balto asked, concerned.

            “Well I had three pups with Luke and…”

            “I heard the conversation between you and Boris, I’d like to meet the two that you brought with you.”

            “Okay and do you think there’s anyway we could rescue my eldest pup?”

            “So that’s Nome,” Saba said, she was padding a few feet ahead of Riley and Disk who seemed very excited to be in a new town.

            “What can we do first Saba?” Riley asked.

            “Yeah!” Disk chimed in.

            “Well you’re free to roam around but I wouldn’t go outside of town, you don’t know the area that well.” Saba spoke with some concern, wondering if it is smart to let the newbies run around town.

            “Ok.” The two wolf/dogs said and ran off in search of fun.

            “I hope I’m doing the right thing…” Saba mumbled to herself.

            Riley and disk quickly remembered Saba telling them about a warm place where they could meet a few of the other dogs that lived in Nome. She called it the boiler room and Disk recalled it being right up ahead. The two siblings scurried inside the warm room and saw a few dogs huddled together and talking. Riley was the first one to approach them and she shyly smiled, “Hi.”

            “Um hi…” One of the dogs said, he had red fur like Saba.

            “Hi there.” The biggest of the group said, he seemed nice.

            “I’m Riley and this is my brother Disk, we’re kind of new here.” She said. The red dog seemed to take a sudden interest in the two new comers.

            “Where did you come from?” He asked.

            “A pack a few miles away from here.” Riley said, she continued standing although Disk had sat down next to the largest dog. Riley had a bad feeling in her stomach as she looked into the red dog’s eyes, they seemed glazed over as if he was going crazy.

            “Really? I haven’t seen any wolves running around here lately, except for you two.” He smiled crudely.

            “Well generally wolves stay close to their own territory.”

            “Then I’m curious as to why you wandered off.” He stood up.

            “Well I don’t think that’s any of your business…come on Disk I think mom wants us home now.” Riley said urgently.

            “But I-”

            “Disk!” Riley growled.

            “Why the rush?” The red dog asked.

            “Like I said mom probably is wondering where we are.” Disk stood up just as Riley finished her sentence and he started leaving, Riley followed him.

            “Who’s your mother?” The red dog had the biggest smirk on his face, and his fur was bristling.

            “Maya.” Riley lied and ran out the door. Disk gave his sister a confused look.

            “Why did you lie?”

            “Shhh Disk lets just get home.” She whispered.

            “Was he going to hurt us?” He asked.

            “I think so.”

            “Why?”

            “Disk you have to remember that Jenna had a family before us and I think that maybe that was one of her sons.”

            “Oh.” The two siblings ran together till they reached Dusty’s house and waited on the porch for their mom to come home. They heard ruckus inside the house and saw Dusty come out of the doggy door.

            “Hey Dusty.”

            “Oh hi guys!” She said and walked over to the two siblings.

            “What’s going on?”

            “Oh my two older masters are having a fight and I don’t enjoy listening to them.” She sighed and sat down.

            “Do you know where our mom is?” Riley asked.

            “She went to go talk to Balto at his boat but she should be back soon,” Dusty smiled, “So how was it with Saba?”

            “It was really cool she showed us the whole town!” Disk said.

            “Oh so what do you think?” Dusty asked.

            “It’s nice.” Riley said, “Hey Dusty, did mom have any pups before Disk and I?”

            “Yes she did she had six.”

            “Six?!” Riley and Disk said at the same time.

            “Yeah three girls and three boys, only four of them live here though. Aleu, the one who looks the most like her father lives with a wolf pack and Rose lives in Anchorage with her adopted family.” Dusty said.

            “Ok.” Riley said and smiled up at her.

            “I’m back.” Jenna said, and the three sitting on the porch turned their attention to the red husky.

            “MOM!” Disk jumped off the porch and ran up to his mom and licked her cheek.

            “Hi baby.” She nuzzled him and walked up to Dusty and Riley.

            “Hello.”

            “How did it go?” Dusty asked.

            “I’ll tell you later tonight.” Jenna said.  “Is it alright if we stay the night at your home?”

            “You just have to wait till they call down.” She nodded towards the door, where loud shouts could still be heard.

            “What is it this time?” Jenna asked.

            “Something about dinner, speaking of which I’m starving,” Dusty sniffed the air. “Let’s go see if the butcher will give us any thing.” The four dogs made their way to the butcher. They could see from the outside all the various meats hanging in the window, their mouths salivated.

            “That looks so good.” Disk said, he was bigger than his mom and definitely had the greatest appetite.

            “Do you think we could sneak inside and get some?” Riley asked.

            “It’s easy.” A voice said behind the four dogs, “You just need a good distraction.” Eight eyes were suddenly on a female husky, she had a smile on her face and excitement dancing in her eyes. She had the same purple tint in her fur like Dusty and had a white underbelly along with three dark purple stripes on her back.

            “Bell?” Dusty asked.

            “Yea it’s been quite a while sis.” The delicate female smiled, “So do you guys want to eat or what?” The dogs nodded.

            After a bit of discussion a plan was set and positions were put into place. Bell and Disk nosed open the door of the meat shop and a little bell made a dinging sound and the butcher turned around, “Dogs?” He scratched his head. Bell started barking and jumping around and Disk copied what she did. The butcher watched them totally confused, “Get out!” He shouted.

            Meanwhile Jenna, Dusty and Riley rushed into the backdoor of the meat shop and snagged a ham and sausage links. They quickly ran back outside and Riley raced to the front of the shop and scratched on the door signaling they had the food. Disk and Bell walked out, leaving the butcher curious and confused. “Crazy dogs…” he muttered as the door swung shut.

            “We did it!” Riley smiled “Can we eat it now?”

            “Let’s take it to my place.” Dusty said, so the five dogs dragged their dinner to Dusty’s porch and gobbled down the food.

            “That was delicious, thanks Bell.” Disk smiled.

            “No problem.” Bell winked at him.

            “Where have you been lately?” Dusty asked, directing the question towards her little sister.

            “Around. My human abandoned me a few years ago so I lived with a dog pack for a while then I made my way back to Nome by train, I got here a few days ago.”

            “Well you are welcome to stay here.” Dusty said, she felt she had a responsibility to care for her younger sibling.

            “Thank you Dusty.” Bell said appreciatively.

            Riley stood up and stretched, she hadn’t thought about the red husky till now and her body shook all over. She did not want to meet up with him any time soon. She wondered if he was more of a threat than a friend, she glanced over at Disk who was looking at Bell out of the corner of his eye and trying to get the female’s attention by showing off for her. Riley rolled her eyes, she found love a waste of time and wasn’t pleased by any of the dogs she had seen yet. She sighed and glanced over at her mom who seemed finally at peace.