Balto could hardly believe it. Once again in his lifetime he would become a father!
Jenna, a beautiful bright red husky, had told him only a few months ago, that she was to have pups.
Those were anxious, log months. Balto chuckled to himself, as he thought today would never come.
“Dad, you can see your pups now.” Saba, one of their first litter whispered. She walked over to her father and nuzzled him warmly.
Balto closed his eyes, and thought about how much fun it was going to be. He slid upright onto his large, furry paws. Balto followed his red-coated daughter into a brightly lit room.
Saba lumbered on beside her mother, than sat down. She smiled widely at her mom.
Balto skipped to Jenna’s side. He nearly died. There they were, the new little ones. Just waiting, to meet their heroic father.
“How many are there?” Balto managed to gasp out.
Jenna nuzzled him lovingly, “Nine dear. Nine little ones waiting, just waiting to meet you.”
Balto lay on his side beside her. He examined the pups more closely.
Eight of the pups, had red coats like their mother. But one was a flashy dark brown. She was built like her half-wolf father, Balto.
Balto’s face fell. He sighed quietly. Balto shook his head.
Jenna noticed this, and spoke softly, “What’s wrong dear?”
Balto nudged the brown one, “I’m afraid for this one. She’s…”
“She’s built like her wolf brothers,” Jenna cut in,” that’s something she should be proud of.” Jenna licked her, and then looked with her eyebrows raised, at Balto.
“I don’t want her to not have a home,” Balto hissed, “Not like,” He paused, lost in memories, “Aleu.”
Aleu was one of Balto’s daughters of the first litter. She had looked very much like him, but she had radiant blue\yellow eyes. Aleu had never found a home because of her wolfish appearance, so, she resided with a wolf pack.
Balto’s heart ached just to thin about it.
Jenna comforted him, “If it will make you feel better, you may name this one.”
Balto watched the pup squirm with the others. It seemed to him the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, were calling this one.
“Aurora, “he croaked, “I will never, ever let you down, Aurora.”
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Aurora howled. She was on a rock over looking the charging sea.
Her coat was a beautiful hazel brown; she had three quite large, brown dots on either side of her face. Aurora had blue\green eyes. A loose blue ribbon with purple stripes hung about her neck. In short, one of the prettiest dogs around.
“Aurora, you’ll wake all of Nome,” Aurora called.
She leaped on the craggy rocks, and climbed up the steep hill. Jenna laughed.
“Mom race you to downtown Nome?” Aurora exclaimed.
“One, two, three go!” Jenna set off gaily, with Aurora close behind.
Close to Nome, Aurora had finally caught up with her mother. Her heart, it felt, was going to bang out of her chest.
“You’re gonna lose,” Jenna smirked.
Aurora looked at her mother fiercely in the eye. Her legs felt like hot rubber, especially because compared to the rest of her body, they were “tiny, thin,” husky built legs. She may be 50% husky, but 100% wolf. Aurora put on an energetic burst of speed. She pulled ahead just enough to win.
“Where did that come from?” Jenna asked, panting heavily.
Aurora shrugged and lapped up some water from a nearby puddle. It was going t be a long day…
**************************************************************
Aurora sniffed the musty forest air. No wolf or any creature of any sort had been this way. Aurora was now two and a half years old, so very much often, left to seek her own adventures. She leaped down from her perch, to some flat, sandy rocks below. Water lapped at the edges. Only a few yards away, you could here the waterfall.
A twig broke in the distance. Aurora tilted her head to see a man with a rifle pointed toward her! Suddenly, an Australian Shepard in mid-air, leaping in her direction.
The two fell into the water.
Aurora surfaced and spit out the water.
“Who are you?” she yelled. Aurora was cross; she could handle stuff on her own!
The blue merle also surfaced, I was saving your life pet!”
Both pulled themselves over onto a nearby, muddy bank.
Aurora shuddered. She lay down on her side against the rock.
The other dog spoke, “The name’s Blaze.”
Aurora coughed, “I’m Aurora.” She closed her eyes and whispered again so quietly that Blaze had to strain his ears to hear her.
“I do not feel well,” Aurora shivered again. Her eyes began to close, her forehead blazing hot. She fell into a deep, dreamless, sleep…
*********************************************************
“Aurora! Wake, wake!” An urgent voice called from a distant land.
Aurora opened her eyes slowly. How heavy they were! She tried to wiggle her front right paw but to no avail. Aurora’s vision was slightly blurred. But she could make out two figures, standing near her.
“Will she be okay Lily?” Blaze asked.
Lily scoffed, “With a little rest this one will be alright.” Lily whispered in Blaze’s ear, “Does Aleu know that Aurora is her younger…”
Blaze nodded, then padded out of the cave.
*********************************************************
Aurora slowly got to her feet the early next morning. She peered out of the dark cave, and gasped out at the shining beauty.
The sky was filled with color. Fresh dew was on the new spring flowers. Spider webs glistened and glittered like star. Aurora sighed happily.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” A voice spoke from behind her.
Aurora turned quickly, seeing a brown\white wolf standing there.
Almost afraid to speak, she asked, “Aleu?”
Aleu walked over to and nodded. She looked at Aurora intently.
“You too?” Aleu growled, “Cast out of the family because you look like Dad?”
“Yep, “Aurora let out a sorrowful howl.
Aleu could remember herself being rejected out of the family because she looked like a wolf. She sighed. Then Aleu though for some while, her ears pricked up.
“Aurora,” Aleu asked slowly, “Would you like to join my pack?”
Aurora shook her head. There was silence.
“Aurora, “Aleu turned to face her, “You have to receive the northern lights. You have to receive your destiny.”
Aurora shook her head harder this time, and bounded away.
Aleu watched sadly, and sighed even deeper this time. She slowly limped toward her den.
***********************************************************
Aurora stood on high rock watching the waves roll and crash against the land.
What did Aleu mean, by receiving the northern lights?
Aurora thought longer, ‘I don’t belong in Nome. I belong in…’ Aleu’s pack!
Realizing she had made a terrible mistake, Aurora briskly walked to Aleu’s den.
Aurora skidded into the den, startling Aleu.
“I’ve changed my mind,” Aurora announced, “I’m gonna stay.”
“Brilliant!” Aleu jumped happily.
“But I must tell Dad,” Aurora said quickly.
“The way’s blocked,” Aleu hung her head.
Aurora looked up at the sky wither luminous blue eyes. Then she crept outside and walked down the path to Aleu’s normal clan meeting spot. Aurora thought long, and tried to send Balto a dream, telling all that had just happened in recent events.
“I will never forget you Dad,” she whispered, “Never…” Aurora turned away, hot tears pouring down her cheek.
**************************************************************
Somewhere on a rickety old boat in Nome, Balto smiled in his sleep. Aurora had sent him his dream, and he understood.
But somewhere, far off in heaven, Aniu the Great White Wolf smiled broader. She had lead Aurora correctly, and her job was done. Aurora had received the northern lights.
Balto© Universal
Jenna© Universal
Aniu©Universal
Aleu©Universal