Jenna galloped across the fresh snow with utter determination. The young crimson husky was racing desperatly to see the finish of the race her father, Denali, was leading. He was racing agaisnt the Titanium and everyone was betting on the seasoned champion.

Jenna had fallen into a deep sleep when she took her nap, and she woke up late. She promised her father that she would come and she didn't want to disappoint. Her mother, Sadie, was already at the race with her owners, praying that her mate would win. Her other offspring were sleeping soundly with her sister, Samba.

This race was the most important race in Denali's career. His owner had made a bet with Titaniums owner. The prize? The winner gets their lead dogs prize child.

Jenna was Denali's first born and only girl. She was stronger then all the boys in the litter and was the one with the most drive which was a large personality trait for racers.

Steele was Titaniums wager.

Jenna rounded the turn and saw her father hauling his tired team neck and neck with Titanium. The black and silver husky was panting crazily, his eyes dark with fatigue.

"Daddy Daddy Daddy!!", Jenna screamed in joy as she raced along sde him on the other side of the race ways perimeter.

"Jenna..,"Denali called in a hoarse voice, a slight smile spreading across his muzzle.

Jenna sudenly tripped and catapaulted onto her belly, the teams rushing away from her to the finish line.

"Hey! Whats the big idea?!" She growled, as she turned around to see what had cut her off from seeing the end of the race. She stopped abruptly as she laid her eyes on a brown runt.

"I'm so sorry, I-I didn't mean to.. I just wanted to see the race," he whimpered. It seems he himself had tripped by accident.

Jenna's gaze lightened and she smiled. This had only been a mistake. "Oh don't worry, we should both watch where were going." She smile and helped the little male up. "My name is Jenna, who are you?"

The little wolf-dog smiled a small smile, "My name is Balto! I'm a wolf-dog!" His turned away quickley in embarassment, "I'm sorry. I can walk away now."

Jenna cocked her head to the side. "Why? There's nothing wrong with being a wolf-dog!" She paused and looked toward the ground, grinding the snow in between her paws. "In fact," she walked around to look Balto in the eyes, "I think being half wolf is cool."

Balto's eyes widened and a large grin appreared over his cream muzzle.

But before he could say anything Jenna's name was called across the crowd.

Jenna turned and saw her mother and tired father standin in the winners circle with their owner. Titanium and his beaten team stood solemnly a few yards away. Titanium had a filthy look of disdain on his face, and this look was pointed right at Denali.

"Balto, I have to g-" Jenna turned around again but the shy batch of fur had run off. Jenna sighed and ran of to her parents yipping happily at her fathers accomplishment.





That night after all the lights of Nome had been turned out, Titanium hatched a plan. He ran all the way to Denali's barn that evening, hatred feeding his every step.

"Denali get out here right now," he hissed into the spot he knew he would sleep.

"Titanium?" Denali said in disbelief when he walked outside,"What are you doing here?" Without saying a word Titanium launched at Denali, growling furiously. Denali ran parried an attack a his throat and pushed Titanium to the ground.

"What are you thinking Titanium? Are you crazy?!"

"No, just out for revenge!"

"It's not my fault my owner has your son now, I was just protecting my daughter!"

"Do you think I care about the fur-ball that is supposedly my son? I'm shamed because I lost by some peasen like you!" and he lunged. The two canines were snarling, drawing eachothers blood with evey bite, rip, and claw.

Finally with a high pitched yelp of pain, Denali fell to the ground, blood pooling around a large gash on his throat.

This awakened Sadie, Samba, and Jenna, who ran outside in panic. They stopped dead at the sight of Denali gasping in pain on the tainted snow and Titanium panting heavily next to him, a hellish grin of bloodlust slashed across his face.

"They three females ran to their fallen patriarchs side, whimpering along with Denali.

Looking up at Titanium, Sadie said in a low, pain riddled voice,"How could you..?"

Titanium just smiled and traipsed away, swishing his tail in accomplishment as he walked out of sight.

Sadie returned to Denali's side, hearing Jenna cry, "Daddy, what's wrong?"

"Oh nothing sweetie, just got a lil cut thats all but I'll be fine. Why don't you go inside and be warm with yer brothers and Aunt Samba ok?"

"Oh..Ok Daddy," Jenna said, smiling as much as she could, even though she knew her father was anything but ok.

"Thanks Baby, here before you go," Denali painfully pulled an orange peice of cloth from under his collar, "Your mom gave this to me when we first met. I want you to have it. I love you baby."

Jenna nuzzled her father for the one last time and even though she didnt want to, walked inside to the warmth of the house.

"Denali-"Sadie started.

"Hush, It's ok.. I knew this would happen when I won the race. But I could not let Jenna be taken away from us. From you."

"But you're dying! How can you leave me?!" Sadie screamed, sadness, not anger, spattering tears next to her lovers blood.

"I'm not leaving you silly, I'm always here. Now stop crying and come lay with me," Denali laughed.

Sadie smiled and collasped next to him, neverminding the sea of red that circed them.

"I love you"

"I love you more"

Denali nuzzled his mate and they both fell asleep, although he would never awake.





Jenna was sad the whole week after the burial of her father. She missed him terribly. Everyday though, her newfound friend Balto was by her side. She barely knew him but he didn't mind sitting next to her and lisening to her talk about her dad. She could tell Balto as starting to hate Titanium, he had seen the whole fight as he walked home to his boat. Balto also started to have feelings for Jenna, an every time she shed tears over the death more hatred was festering towards Titanium.

Jenna was also starting to have feeling for Balto. Everyday they grew closer, though they could only meet in private because of the towns resentment towards Balto. She could not tell him her feelings though, she was shy.

One day, Balto said something that Jenna had heard for the first time.

"Jenna?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm always here for you"

Jenna just smiled and licked him on the cheek.





This was a start of a lgendary love story.