“Papa are you gonna get a human too?” Saba asked as her father arched his head over to nuzzle his daughter one last time. “Naw humans want cute little puppies like you not big old grizzly grown ups like me,” he answered with a wink. Saba giggled as her father and mother licked her tenderly, seeing that she was being eyed by a small young girl who’d been waiting outside for her father. The young pup sat beside her twin brother Dingo, who’d said something about wanting to get a human and chew on their socks. She laughed and let her young mind wander into a daydream about her new home, one which had lots of toys, food and soft comfy bed for her to sleep on.

She’d fallen so deep into the trance that she’d barley noticed the same young girl as before lift her up and hug her. She yipped as the girl squeezed her a bit too hard, “Sorry girl,” she said as she brought Saba to her eye level. She turned the pup so that she faced her siblings, “Good bye you guys see you later!” she called to them from the girls arms. Saba licked her parents quickly as she pasted them on the way to her new home.

“Honey where home and Nikki has someone she’d like you to meet!” called Nikki’s father as they entered the house. Saba looked up, expecting to see her new girl’s mother, but instead a medium sized black husky/mix entered the room. Saba was set down as the dog came closer so that they could properly be introduced. The dog known as Honey looked at the pup who coward between the young girl’s legs, “Don’t be scared girl Honey’s the nicest dog around she won’t hurt you,” her girl said in a calm manner.

Saba quivered as the dog took a few deep whiffs of her fur, “She’s right you know, you shouldn’t be afraid, not of me. I could never hurt a cute little pup such as yourself,” Honey said in the same tone, she licked Saba which seemed to calm her down. She watched the dog walk over to a near by rug and lie down. Saba looked at her, Honey’s eyes sparkled like her mother’s eyes and were the same color which put her mind at ease and helped her to come closer.

“I’m Saba, “She said quietly. Honey smiled, “Saba…. Oh right your Balto and Jenna’s pup aren’t you? You know your dad saved a lot of people that night of the storm? Thanks to him a lot of us still have kids to come home to, including our little Nikki,” Honey said, a hint of sorrow lay in her voice to show she’d truly have missed the young girl had Saba’s father not retrieved the medicine that night. “Papa told me it was a team effort all he did was point them in the right direction,” said the pup as though she’d rehearsed it. Honey smiled, “Speaking of direction, why don’t I give you a tour since you’ll be staying with us a while?” Honey asked. Saba nodded a humble yes and followed her new friend through the house.

Saba lie on Nikki’s bed beside her and Honey much later that day. She watched as her girl slowly began to drift into sleep as Honey snored peacefully beside her. The pup’s ears perked as Nikki’s father walked in, “Headed off to bed sugar pie? Don’t wanna name your new puppy first?” he asked as he spotted his daughter’s eye lids droop. They shot back up at the sound of her fathers’ voice, “Huh daddy?” she asked sleepily as she rubbed her eyes. “Well it’s just, we don’t wanna call her pup for the rest of her days now do we? It’s best to give the little dog a name,” he said. The young girl picked up Saba with both hands and stared at her for a long time, “Hum, you look like a Samantha to me,” she said. Saba wagged her tail, even though it wasn’t her name, she didn’t mind being called so by her human, she licked the girl’s cheek showing her she was pleased.

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Kaleny snarled loudly as many of the town dogs surrounded him in the ally near the outskirts of town, “Coward! You couldn’t take me on alone so call your goons for help!” he barked. The dog had been fighting the others off all day long and was weakened greatly.

A large, black and white husky/border collie cross with piercing brown eyes stepped from the circle of growling dogs, “As if I’d sick them on you again. You wanna fight one on one skinny I’ll give you one,” he said confidently. Kaleny snarled as the dog came closer to him, “After I tear you apart think I’ll have a little snack before lunch then take a nap and dream about the rats eating what’s left of the mutt you once were,” the dog said. Kaleny growled low, “You gonna keep talking or are we gonna fight?”  He said, figuring the dog was just buying time. The two circled one another, teeth bared and eyeing each other angrily. There was a snarl that emerged from one of the young dog’s mouths then loud bang as they collided biting into one another’s flesh. Kaleny growled as he grabbed a hold of the dog’s shoulder and tugged hard.

The dog yelped as the area began to bleed, he grabbed the loose skin on Kaleny’s back hard in spite of his own pain. Kaleny grunted, his body already so weak he nearly felt fait. He scratched the dog in the chest causing him to let got and step back a few feet. Kaleny ran towards his attacker quickly and took a hold of his neck, latching on tightly and forcing him on to his back. He let go of the dog and stared him in the eyes, “Touch me again Peter and I swear I won’t spare your life,” he said coldly. Peter was stunned momentarily that the dog that was nowhere near to equal his size and even weaker then usual had pulled him down. He was so stunned that he barley heard the young mix breed speak. He did however smirk when his rival turned to limp a way “Never turn your back on me mutt!” Peter shouted as he started for the unsuspecting mix breed. Kaleny gasped as Peter took him by the tail and through him into a nearby wall. The dog’s body landed on a few trash cans causing them to rattle harshly and one itself to fall on him. Peter smirked when his opponent refused to get up and sauntered away from the hushed crowd. Three dogs followed and began to praise him for his sneaky actions.

Saba yawned as light hit her face, “Get up Sab time to walk Nikki to school,” said Honey as she jumped off the bed. It’d been nearly two years since Saba had been adopted and renamed by the girl called Nikki. Walking her to school had become her job as well as a good way to start off the day each morning but since school was letting out soon, the young dog/she-wolf was becoming a bit lazy. “School’s back already?” she asked sleepily. Honey laughed, “It hasn’t even let out yet come on it’s the last week you can do it,” Said Honey. Saba opened her eyes and walked to the door to wait for her girl, a bandana lay around her neck which matched her navy blue eyes. She barked as Nikki and Honey walked up to her, “Good girl Sam, let’s go girls,” Nikki said as she opened the door.

Saba smiled as she and Honey watched their girl enter the school building, “Soon she’ll be off to college and we’ll be ready to join our families in the big dog house in the sky,” Honey said with a sigh. Saba smiled, “You worry too much we’re only two and four years old, our girl is 12 we have time,” she said, trying to reassure her friend. “Yeah I know and soon we’ll blink and she’ll be 21 and we’ll be wondering where the time went,” Saba rolled her eyes and started down the street. After a while, Honey followed behind and noticed her friend turn off the road a bit, “Where you headed Saba?” the dog asked. “Gonna go check on dad you know he gets lonely now that uncle Boris left to be with Stella,” she said. Honey smiled, “Alright then, tell that old wolf/dog I said hello,” she said. Saba nodded and her pace sped into a run only stopping once at the butcher shop.              

Kaleny awoke several hours latter still in the trash, he coughed up the dirt that landed in his mouth as well as a few spats of blood. He yelped as he tried to raise himself. The fights from the day had proven to take quiet a toil on his body and left him far too weak to stand. Tired, he slinked back down and tried his best to fall back to sleep.

Saba trotted slowly to her father’s boat, with her nose pointed into the air she’d been following the strange scent of a canine she hadn’t recalled seeing before. She sped into a run once she’d heard the sound of a yelp coming from the same direction she was headed.

Saba dropped the steak she’d been carrying as one of the trashcans toppled over in the back of the ally in the outskirts of town. “Hello?” she asked quietly. A low groan was her answer, “Who’s there? Do you need help?” she asked. “Back here, names Kaleny but everyone calls me Kal that is if I had any friends but don’t need any help. I’m fine ahhhh!” Kaleny screamed as he tried once again to get up. Saba walked over to where the trashcans had fallen and looked at the injured dog. At least he was part dog… Saba looked at Kaleny, his tan fur, thinner then a runner’s body, black muzzle and wild amber eyes suggested there was something other then dog in his breeding and whatever it was it excited her and caused her heart to skip a beat.  “You’re not alright Kaleny, you need help if you let me I could…” she was cut of by the young mix breed with another grunt as he tried to get up, “Do what? Call a few dogs to finish me off? I don’t need your help I’m fine,”  “It’s nothing I’m not used to,” he said barley glancing at her. Saba stuck her nose under the trashcan which held him and stood it up right.

Kaleny watched her carefully, looking at her for the first time since they spoke. “What do you care anyway? You don’t even know me,” he said bitterly. Saba sat down in front of him, “I know you enough to know you’re not only in pain but lonely. Now do you want me to leave you here to die or would you like some help?” she asked her voice slightly raised. The young dog mix only sighed, he knew she had a point he wanted a friend and even though she seemed a bit pushy he guessed she’d be better then no one at all.

Saba closed her eyes, lifted her head, formed her mouth into a perfect circle and let loose a mighty howl which filled the air for many moments as she summoned for help. Kaleny watched her, astonished on how much she sounded like a wolf, a lump in his throat filled suddenly as though he longed to join the brief yet intense call. “Who were you calling?” he asked once she had finished. The young hybrid smiled, “Help, my brother Kodi is a bit stronger then I am he can help me get you to safety,” she said.

Kodi grunted as they neared Balto’s boat, “You know for a skinny guy you’re kind of heavy,” he said. Saba laughed. “Hey you think I like being carried I’d much rather walk but unfortunately my body’s aching,” he said. Kodi grunted as his father’s boat came into view, “Are you always this sarcastic?” Saba asked. Kaleny smirked, “You try living in a town that hates you and find some joy in this retched world,” he said. Kodi looked back at him and for a moment the two siblings were reminded of their father and the stories he’d tell of the hatred shared for him between the dogs and people of Nome. This was worse, this dog had no one to turn to so that he may see the brighter side of things it seemed. “I’m sorry, no worries though, our father will heal you, he won’t let anything happen to you,” she said calmly. Kaleny only sighed, he’d heard all the false promises before.

Balto looked over the young mix breed and felt a few places to see if there were any extra tender spots, “These look like bite marks, let me guess, Peter and his gang?” Balto asked. The dog grunted from the last touch Balto gave him. “How’d you know?” he asked weakly. The old wolf/dog smiled, “You could say I’ve had experiences with members of his family,” he said. Saba yawned, “Dad and Peter’s father are rivals, Steel’s the dog that gave him trouble on the run when he tried to save the town, he nearly killed the whole team because of his pride,” she said from just outside the door. Balto sat, “Not to mention he tried to win over your mother,” he said proudly. Saba put her head in her paws, she’d heard the story so many times before that it’d gotten boring, “Do you know what’s the matter with him dad?”  Saba asked a bit tired and ready to take a nap. Balto sniffed the young hybrid male, “Not yet Sam why don’t you go lead the vet here she knows you well enough she’ll help him,” he said. Without another thought Saba stood and took off for town.

Balto watched his daughter run and sighed, “She could have made a great lead dog if she was trained right,” he said to himself. Kaleny smiled, “She’s rather beautiful sir and a bit stubborn she refused to leave me in that ally,” he said softly. Balto smiled, “She gets it from her mother, always had a soft spot for outcast like you and I,” he said. Kaleny sighed, “Hope so,’ cause I could really use at least one friend,” he said quietly. Balto looked him over, his thin body, his back shaded black, white paws and chest, “Um Kal, can I ask what…” Kaleny cut him off, “Dingo and timber wolf, my father was the dingo,” he said. Balto let out a small laugh, “Some mix huh, now if folks could only forget,” Kaleny said.  The old wolf/dog looked at the hurt mix breed, “You sound like I did when I first came here, the trick is to remember is that you are who you are for a reason and no matter what anyone tells you, you can accomplish anything you put your mind too. Look at me, when I was your age I wanted to be a sled dog but my entire life was told I couldn’t because of what I was. Well I not only lead a dog sled team but saved a whole town and got the most beautiful girl in Nome. Your breeding doesn’t making you who are, it’s the animal inside that dose,” he said. The two shared an affectionate smile. Their ears perked as the sound of a barking dog was heard. “Told ya she was fast,” Balto said as the vet and Saba came into view.     

 The three dogs barked happily as the vet rubbed them before leaving, “Remember what I said boy you stay off that leg and you’ll be fine in a few days,” she said as she left the boat. Saba looked at him, his ribs covered with bandages, “Can I get you something Kaleny? The butcher is my girl’s father, I get all the free meat I want, I could get a few steaks for you,” she said. Kaleny smiled, “No thank you Saba your friendship is well enough, once I’m healed I can hunt on my own for now I’ll head back through town and look for a place to sleep,” he said as he began to stand up. Saba stood in front of him, “Didn’t you hear the vet? Stay off the leg the last thing you need is to go back into town. I know Peter and he will kick you while you’re down,” she said. Kaleny sat back down and scratched his ear, “Alright, you have a point, a few days with your father won’t be to bad how many dogs get to say they hung out with Balto for a few days?” he asked. Saba smiled. Her ears perked as her girl called her, “SAMANTHA!!” she yelled again. “Samantha?” Kaleny cocked his head. “Yeah my girl and my parents call me Sam or Samantha ever since she brought me home but I go by Sam or Saba since mom and dad named me that first,” she said. Saba got to her feet and walked off the boat looking back at the two males as her paws met the soft dirt, “I’ll come back and check on you two a little later and bring you something to eat,” she said.

Honey yawned as she watched the stars from the boiler room window, it was just past sun set now and all the town was settling in for the night leaving the restless dogs alone until they fell off to sleep themselves. “So Sab how’d he say he got in that ally?” she asked her friend. Saba sat beside Honey, “Peter and his gang attacked him,” she said, her voice raised in slight anger and frustration. She growled to herself at the thought, “That lousy, arrogant, mutt! He’s just like his father takes whatever he wants and tells others how to live their life or how he thinks the world should be! Can’t he understand we don’t choose what breed we are?!” she yelled. Her friend looked at her, sorrow in her eyes, “I know sweety but what are you gonna do? We can’t change him any more then we can change the snow fall or the seasons some dogs are just ignorant,” she said. Saba paced, growling lowly at the thought. She’d opened her mouth to respond but was cut off by the opening of the boiler room door.

Peter walked in with his head held high and not alone, the three huskies that normally trailed him were behind along with his brother Lucas who unlike his sibling was shy, caring and kinder to the dogs of Nome. Peter looked at Honey and Saba lustfully as he neared them. “Well, well, well, if isn’t my two favorite ladies,” he said, his eyes mostly on Saba. She growled at him as he neared her. “Hey Sam why don’t you and I take a walk under the stars and latter you could fetch us a few links of sausage to share,” he said as he licked his chops. His goons laughed but Lucas slipped away from them and found a dark, place still within earshot to rest. Saba grimaced, she was disgusted by his mucho/arrogant posture and most of all his breath which smelled of dead mouse for reasons she couldn’t understand. “Listen, as appealing as that offer sounds, Honey and I should really be getting back home now Pete,” she said, knowing her girl was most likely sleeping by now. Peter stopped her as she tried to maneuver around him. She looked him in the eyes they were stern and cold like ice, “C’mon we both know you won’t be able to get back in tonight the butcher and his daughter sleep early so that they can rise and open up early, now how’s about that walk?” he asked again this time more menacing.

“She said no!” Lucas called still in his cool place in the boiler room. “What was that Luke?” he asked his voice raisin to yell. Lucas slowly emerged from the shadows, his blue eyes shimmering in the darkness like stars. “She doesn’t want to hang out with you Peter so why don’t you leave her alone?” he commanded. Peter growled, he looked at his brother, the poor pup forever carrying himself as though he were a wolf of some sort, Peter thought it degrading to the whole dog race and knowing that his litter mate didn’t care made it worse. He growled as his younger sibling approached, “What are you gonna do about it?” he asked, challenging his brother. In truth the black, tan and white colored mixed breed knew all to well how to fight and better how to defeat his elder sibling. But because he was raised by his mother, he knew better then to except his brother’s challenge unless he was sure there was no way out of it. It was because of this knowledge that the mix breed kept his muzzle closed and stared back his brother letting small hints of hatred slip through.                                              

Peter himself knew of the vow not to attack ones own family but unlike his younger sibling, he did not care. To Peter a fight was a fight, at least that’s what his father had taught him. So when he saw the hatred in his younger sib’s eyes he merely laughed and walked off leaving the girls and his sorry excuse for a brother to themselves.

Lucas submitted as Saba approached him and backed away a few feet, “Hey thank you Lucas, you saved your brother from a quiet a beatin’ back there,” she joked. He smiled but only his tail returned to its normal lolling, “No problem, heh I know how my brother gets, and I didn’t wanna see what he dose to other girls happen to you,” he said shyly. Saba smiled and nuzzled him kindly, “You’re sweet. It’s hard to see how you two share the same father,” she said. “We share the same father but I was raised by our mother, because he looks pretty much like Steel that’s who took him in,” he explained. Honey smiled, “Your mother must be a very good dog to raise such a polite young pup,” she said. Lucas blushed, his ears perked as he heard the sound of his name being called from outside. “Hey I’ve gotta go my girl’s callin’ me,” he said, leaving before they could wish him goodnight. Saba frowned as she watched him speed off, “There’s something very familiar about him, other then his breeding,” she said. Honey rolled on to her back and yawned, “Could it be you find him cute?” she asked. Saba rolled her eyes and laid in the cool spot Lucas had been in before.

An hour before sunrise Saba slipped out of the boiler room and got two links of sausage to share with her father and Kaleny. She yawned as she reached the boat and shook her fur free from the morning tension. Balto howled as he saw his daughter walk up the plank. “Morning dad brought you and Kal something is he up yet?” she asked. Kaleny walked up to Saba as she got on the boat, “Morning Sab, how was your night?” he asked. Their eyes met, her blue eyes penetrating his amber ones, “Wow,” he gasped quietly, Balto grinned he’d heard the young mixes comment even if his daughter hadn’t. “It was… interesting, Peter made a move on me again,” she said, her tone so bitter when she mentioned Peter’s name, it was as though she tasted a bad piece of meat.  Kaleny smiled, he was impressed by how disgusted she’d been with Peter. “Are you alright did he hurt you?” asked the elder mix breed. Saba shook her head, “I’m fine his brother actually saved me,” she said still amazed how different the two brothers were.  Balto frowned, he had a hard time believing that Lucas’s help wasn’t coming with a price. Kaleny looked from Balto to Saba, he was wondering about Peter’s littermate when he spotted the link sausage around Saba’s neck, “Hey um is that for us?” he asked easing the tension that had began to grow.

After breakfast Balto left the young canines alone to get to know one another better while he visited Jenna to catch his mate up on the day’s events. Kaleny smiled shyly as he stare at Saba, “So um you’ve lived here your whole life huh that most be fun seeing as how you seem well liked,” he said, finding himself a bit nervous around her. “Well…. I guess it has been fun but to tell you the truth most of the males you see around me are courting me and I don’t have many female friends,” she said. Kaleny smiled, “Heh, well I see why, you are rather beautiful,” he said. Saba looked away as she felt herself blush, “Thank you, you know you’re not that bad looking yourself Kal,” she said. This time Kaleny blushed, it’d been a long time since a female had been so kind to him and even longer since his last crush. “So Kal can ask…. Dad tells me you’re a dingo and wolf mix um I was wondering….” She started. Kaleny looked off toward the forest as his mind searched for the memories he’d kept closest to him, “My father was the dingo. His owner raised him from pup-hood until one night he got lost in the woods and was helped by this black wolf with blue eyes. She helped him survive out in the forest for a month before he was found. By then she was already pregnant with me and three others. On the eve of our first birthdays mom had become dangerously ill and could no longer care for us so, being the old fashion father he was he did what any other father would do and tried his best to find us all homes with humans. It was difficult seeing as how we looked rather wild and most humans with small children fell into the ‘maybe the dingo ate your baby’ stereotype but after some months he’d found a home for my younger siblings. I however was most difficult, I not only looked wild I’d had a hard time adjusting to living with humans. One night my father came to me while I lay in my mother’s den and he wasn’t alone, a young boy maybe 18 or so, looked at me and smiled. It didn’t take long to figure out my new job was lead dog on a very fast sled team. Heh I loved that boy and that team so much, there was even a girl dog called Mars who had these wonderful eyes that liked me there….” He trailed off and sighed, his eyes fell to the floor as his heart sank. Saba nuzzled him and licked his muzzle gently to comfort him, “I’m sorry,” she said, “You don’t have to go on if you don’t want to,” Kaleny smiled as he looked at her, thanking her with his eyes, “I’ll tell you the rest I just….you never forget your first love,” he said. Saba smiled, ‘Tell me about it,’ she thought as she looked at him. “I remember the night it all changed…. We were on a flight to White Mountain to challenge this sled dog team for the title of Champion when something went wrong which made the plane crash a few miles from the runway. There weren’t any survivors, that is, except for me and even then just barley. It took about four months at the vets but I was right as rain after. I wondered the town for a while but everywhere I went I got picked on, I couldn’t even find a decent meal for myself non-the-less a home so I moved here. I’m still picked on but not always chased off and it’s mainly Peter who’s my problem,” he said.

“Wow,” she said. “I had no idea how hard a life you’ve had but at least it wasn’t always filled with sadness and it’ll get better from now on, I can promise you that,” she said. Kaleny smiled. He stood and paced a bit, testing his paws and ribs to see if he could hold his own, “Hey um, Saba, wanna race?” he asked. Saba cocked her head, “Don’t you still have some healing to do? I mean you just got those bandages on a few days ago,” she said. Kaleny shrugged, “We dingoes are made of tougher stuff,” he said confidently. Saba rolled her eyes, “You’re only half dingo,” she corrected. “Whatever, you wanna race or what?” he asked. Saba sighed, she knew she shouldn’t but she knew he wouldn’t let up about it and besides that her legs did need a stretch. “Alright, you, me, and the beach from end to end,” she said. Kaleny smiled and wagged his tail in agreement.

Kaleny and Saba spent most of the day running around and playing games like they were a couple of six month olds. The heat of the summer caused the two hybrids to stay water bond for most of the day but neither mind. They rested on a hill and watched the sun fade into the sky as they finally took the time to catch their breaths. Saba sighed, “I don’t think I’ve had this much fun in a long time Kal, thank you,” she said. Kaleny smiled, “It is I that should be thanking you Saba, without your friendship and your help, I’d be lost,” he said. Saba smiled, she inched closer to him and rested her head on his neck. He returned the smile and rested his chin lightly on her head. They sighed happily as the sun disappeared in the sky unaware of pair of menacingly brown eyes watching them from nearing bushes.

Peter snarled loudly as he approached the young couple, “Well, well, well, if it isn’t my favorite squeak toy I thought I’d left you for dead back in that ally,” he said. Kaleny growled as he got to his paws, Saba did the same. “Leave him alone Peter!” Saba commanded. Peter laughed, “Samantha, of all the dogs to wind up with I never thought it’d be the most pathetic mutt in this town, you’re no better then your stupid mother when she choose Bingo over a champion like my dad,” he said. Saba snarled as she felt rage fill he heart and vent through her body, “My mother is NOT stupid, you and your father are nothing but arrogant jealous pigs! Who have no respect for anyone!” she said. Peter chuckled at her anger which only caused her to become more enraged. She lounged at the mix breed, knocking him down in surprise and latching her jaws tightly around his neck nearly ripping his throat out. Kaleny grabbed a hold of the back of her neck and separated her with much effort.

Peter rolled backward as they were separated and landed with an “Oomph,” When he shook off the sand and stood to his paws, he felt his neck bleeding in the same spot Saba had latched onto. Angered, the young mixed breed growled at Saba, “You’ll pay for that wolf/dog I swear,” he said as he walked toward them. Saba growled and prepared for his attack, he was larger then her, but she was quicker and felt she could take him in battle. A large growl emerged from behind Peter which caused him to look back. Before he had time to react, Balto leapt at him and pinned him to the ground, snarling, “Leave my daughter alone!” he yelled threw bared teeth. Peter’s ears sank back as he tried his hardest not to show the fear that had been running through him. He growled and shoved Balto off him, he left quickly, running back for town and his home.

Balto looked at the two after Peter had gone, his daughter’s teeth were still bared and her body was still tense as she stared at where Peter had been. Kaleny and Balto walked up to her and licked both her ears, “It’s ok Saba, calm down he’s gone now,” Kaleny said. Saba sat and looked at her paws as her anger subsided. “I heard what happened, is everyone alright?” Balto asked Kaleny. “Everything’s fine, Saba attacked Peter before he could get either of us,” he said. Balto smiled a bit of pride welled up inside of him when he heard Kaleny say that. They looked at Saba who’s eyes focused on the waves, she needed more time to cool off which her father and Kaleny knew as they slowly headed back for the boat.

Saba joined them on the boat an hour later, the two hybrids looked at her with soft smiles, “I’m sorry dad, I should have controlled my anger better,” she said quietly. Balto shook his head, “As long as you’re both alright Peter can tend to his own wounds, what I would like to know is what you were doing out by the shore in the first place?” he asked. Saba looked at Kaleny and the two smiled, “Well dad…. We were watching the sunset together,” she said as she lightly blushed. Balto smiled, “Well I’m glade to see you to getting along,” he said. Saba looked down at her paws as she felt her cheeks growing even redder. “I am to dad,” she said. Kaleny looked at her, his heart raced in his chest as her scent waffled through the air. She smiled warmly as her girl’s voice echoed through their ears. Saba’s ears perked at the sound of her and she slipped past the two males, nuzzling each gently before reaching the plank and speeding off.

Balto smiled as he heard Kaleny sigh, “You really like her don’t you?” he asked. Kaleny turned to face him, “There’s just something about her. I can’t understand it, she drives me crazy in the best way,” he admitted. Balto chuckled softly, “I know the feeling, why don’t you ask her out?” he asked. Kaleny walked father into the captain’s den and slowly lowered himself to his belly, the day’s events had left him sorer then the day before and he was in need of some rest. “She would never go for a guy like me, I’m skinny, weak and couldn’t even beat her in a race today,” he said, he grunted as he made himself comfortable. Balto walked over to him, “Firstly, you’re not weak, you’re hurt, you’re skinny because it’s hard to live off the scraps of garbage from these stupid trashcans and Saba would have beaten you in a race either way because she’s pretty fast,” he said. Kaleny put his head between his paws and sighed, “If weights one of your problems I can help you with that,” Balto said. Kaleny cocked his head to the side. Balto smiled slyly, “Saba’s owner may be the butcher but his meat isn’t all that fresh,” he said. Kaleny looked on, confused at the hybrids meaning, “Tomorrow Kal, I’ll you show what I mean, for now rest up you’ll need it,” he said.

As the sun rose the next morning Balto unleashed a howl that was all to wolf-like for Kaleny’s liking. He walked out and looked up to see the old hybrid standing the highest part of their home howling his heart out. “Balto!” he yelled near the top of his lungs. Balto looked down at him with a smile, “Oh good you’re up,” he leapt from the top of the boat and landed in front of Kaleny, “Come on Kal, time for your first hunting lesson,” he said as he walked past him and off the once seaworthy vessel. Kaleny followed close behind, “Balto I’ve been hunting before, but why do we have to go so early? The sun is barley up for crying out loud,” he protested. “Food’s not easy to come by in the surrounding forest we may be out for a while,” he said. Kaleny sighed, “Well at least if we’re lucky I won’t be so thin when we’re done,” he said. Balto smiled, “That’s the spirit,” he said.

Saba yawned as the afternoon sun hit her eyes, she hadn’t meant to sleep so late but the events of yesterday left her more tired then she realized. She found her heart longing for Kaleny as she awoke. Saba sighed, she’d never felt this way about anyone before. She rose to her paws and jumped off the bed, with her head held high, she intended on visiting her new favorite hybrid.

Honey ran to meet her friend as she spotted Saba walking, “Going to check on our new boa are we?” she asked. Saba smiled, “We’re not dating,” she said, “Not yet anyway,” she continued. Honey smiled, “You really like him don’t you?” she asked her friend. “This morning when I woke up I found myself missing him, that’s never happened to me before and I often find that he’s all I think about, I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” she said. Honey laughed, “It’s called love Sab and it sounds like you’re in it,” she said. Saba blushed, “have you been…” she began to ask. “Once, we were no older then you are at the time. He was the most handsome dog I’d ever seen golden brown fur, amber eyes, a soft voice, an oh-so-sweet personality, but he was in love with another dog,” she said sadly. “What was his name?” she asked, Honey laughed lightly at the thought, “It was….Your dad,” she said. Saba’s eyes widened in amazement, it was all most unbelievable that another dog was interested in him, “Why didn’t you ever tell him?” she asked. Honey sighed, “I tried but between the fights he got into and all the dogs picking on him I never got the chance, then he saw Jenna and I knew I wouldn’t get to,” she said. Saba licked her friend’s cheek, “I’m sorry Honey but well there are plenty other guys in this town, I know Kaltag is always staring at you as well as Star and Nikki,” Saba said. Honey smirked, “Well Kaltag is a sweet heart and he is smart I guess I could ask him if he’d like to watch the sunset sometime,” she said. Saba smiled as she saw Kaltag watching them from the corner of a nearing ally. “Speaking of the devil,” she said, Honey wagged her tail at him, “Well guess now’s as good as ever I’ll catch ya latter Sammy,” she said as she sped up to catch Kaltag before he left. Saba rolled her eyes and continued heading toward her father’s boat.

When she finally reached, she found the vessel vacant and lifeless. Saba took a few deep whiffs of the air but found the scent of her father and good friend a tad stale as though they had not been there for several hours. Worried, Saba decided to follow their scent and see if they were in need of help.

Kaleny licked his chops happily as a dead hare lay in his paws, “Wow it’s been a while since I’ve hunted like this Balto, thank you for reminding me how good it feels,” he said. Balto smiled, “Well I’m glade I could help. You know these hares will last you a lot longer then….” He was cut off by the sound of branches breaking in the distance. Kaleny stood and perked his ears to where the sound was coming from. He growled low toward the sound and watched a few trees shake as the unknown figure ran by. Balto to rose to his paws and watched wearily as the creature circled them from a distance. A snarl sounded through the air as a medium sized red and white figure busted through the trees and landed on Kaleny.

Kaleny gasped as his eyes met his attackers, “Saba?” he asked still trying to recover from the fact that she’d just pounced on him. She smiled and licked her friend, “What are you doing out here?” she asked sweetly. “Us?” Balto asked, “What about you, you shouldn’t be out here alone, what if a wolf attacked you?” her father said. Saba snickered and got off Kaleny, “I can take care of myself dad you aren’t the only one whose part wolf ya know?” she said confidently. Kaleny got to his paws and stood in between the two relatives, “Well you’re father is right Sab, you’re fine alone but if faced with a whole pack how would you defend yourself?” he asked. Saba grimaced, “I’m no better off then the two of you, an injured canine and an old one against a pack of young wild full blooded wolves,” she protested. Balto sat he knew she was right but he wouldn’t admit that to his daughter. “Listen we can argue about this for hours, for now I think Saba should go home and let us get back to hunting,” Balto said. Saba frowned, “Why should you guys have all the fun? I’m a quick learner dad teach me how,” she barked. Kaleny smiled, “I’ll teach ya if you’re willing to learn,” he said. Saba nodded in agreement and the two walked ahead of Balto as they entered another part of the forest.

By the end of day the three found themselves exhausted and decided it’d be best if Saba stayed with them for the night since her house was at the farthest end of town. She agreed and rested between her two favorite hybrids, falling asleep within seconds. Kaleny and Balto soon followed and three quietly slept with full bellies.

Kaleny sighed as he watched the stars begin to slowly fade that morning. Though he’d been tried from hunt, near midnight that same night he’d found himself restless and full of unknown energy. His only choice was to spend the night wondering through the town which he’d called home. He’d found it quiet and relaxing nearly romantic, that is if he’d had someone to share it with. He thought of Saba but figured she’d be too tired and feared a sharp nip to his paws or nape of his neck if he’d tried to wake her.

He smiled as the evanescent twinkle of stars began to give way to the fast approaching sun. “Beautiful isn’t it?” A voice quietly said beside him. Kaleny smiled, “That it is,” he said his eyes still scanning the scenery. Saba sighed beside him, “I come here every day just to catch a glimpse of it,” she said her voice barley above a whisper. “I see why,” he said. Saba moved closer to him so that their bodies nearly touched. “How long have you been up?” she asked after several minuets of silence. “A few hours, since midnight, what about you?” he asked. Saba smiled, “Woke up just as you came back from town,” she said. Kaleny moved this time, inching closure to Saba so that their bodies touched gently. They smiled as their hearts raced with joy and excitement. Saba and Kaleny looked at one another lovingly, and slowly leaned in for a kiss.

A growl emerged from behind them before their lips had the chance to meet. Their heads shot up, it was Peter and his gang. He chuckled evilly as he spotted the two almost lovers on the beach, “Well, if isn’t Kaleny the wild mutt! Still trying to make a move on my girl huh?” he asked. Kaleny growled, “I am NOT your girl Pete! If you ever attempted to call me that again I will—“

“Try and touch her and I’ll rip your throat out!” Kaleny said, cutting Saba off. Peter chuckled again and his minions followed him. “Oh please Kal, you get a little meat on your bones and Saba to some how run with you and all of a sudden you think YOU can take ME on? Heh! Why don’t you run along little pup, go back to your pack!” he commanded. Kaleny narrowed his eyes, “You know what Pete? You sure do have an offal lot to say for someone whose father was too frightened to continue on during that serum run, if it weren’t for him this town wouldn’t have lost three of its own,” he said. Peter snarled, he knew the truth about his father but he’d never admit it, he’d long since convinced himself that only his father’s account of the what happened was the truth and all others lies. Kaleny bared his teeth at the young husky mix and returned his rivals’ snarls. Peter backed up and signaled for his three lackeys to go after Kaleny.

Within moments the three dogs had surrounded Kaleny leaving Saba out of their attack, “Coward!” Kaleny barked at Peter. Steel’s son smirked as his “friends” circled his rival. Saba growled from outside the circle at the smallest of the three, the tan and grey dog returned her growls as Kaleny watched the other two dogs. There was a medium sized one white in color save for the one tan spot on his eye and a larger black one with a white chest and belly. The larger husky was first to attack, he lounged for Kaleny but was to slow and instead got a face full of snow as the hybrid leapt on his head. The smaller of the two leapt from behind in hopes of catching Kaleny off guard but with no avail, Kaleny easily evaded his attack. They recovered quickly and charged at him full force. Kaleny smiled and leapt but instead of landing on them as he had before, he gasped as the larger husky grabbed his tail and through him, causing him to sail into the air a moment before landing hard in the water with a splash. Saba looked over at him as held down the smallest of the dogs under the weight of her paws. Kaleny stood slowly, dazed at the fast actions of the largest dog. He shook his fur free of water and snarled as he raced toward the dogs. Saba smiled and went back to fighting with the smallest dog.             

As the battle continued, Kaleny found that he didn’t have to face the two dogs on his own. Soon after he’d been thrown, Saba finished off the smallest dog and leapt on the smaller of the two dogs fighting with Kaleny and began savagely biting into his ears. The dog yelped in pain and bucked like a horse trying to get his smaller female attacker off him but found that it only caused her to grab the back of his neck and hold on tightly with her jaws. Kaleny smirked, impressed with his friends’ strategy. His own attacker let out a small chuckle before turning back to Kaleny himself. The two let loose ferocious growls as they eyed one another. Within moments the two leapt, slamming into on another sending out vicious blows to their faces as they bit into each other. Saba herself had leapt off her victim and  had began circling him, taking any chance she could to give him a swift nip to his paws, neck, and ears.

It took a few moments but eventually both hybrids managed to grab Peter’s lackeys by their necks, pinning them to the ground. While Saba’s attacker ran off when she let him go, Kaleny’s rolled back onto his paws and took the time catch his breath. The two stood in front of Peter, panting heavily as they stared him in the eyes. Unlike his father’s, Peter’s eyes where brown, though in some lights they’d look as red as fire. Which is what they resembled as Kaleny and Saba stared him down.  He growled at them, exposing his teeth as his body stiffened in preparation for their attack. Kaleny looked back at Saba, “This is between Peter and I,” he said. She nodded her head, understanding he didn’t want her help the she-wolf/dog took a few steps back nearly beside Peter’s only remaining lackey.

The two rivals circled one another, they matched movement as their eyes focused nearly penetrating their bodies. Snarls released from both of their mouths, “Get ready hybrid, ‘cause I’m gonna tear you apart,” Peter barked. “Don’t bet on it mutt,” Kaleny responded. A moment of unsettling silence passed, then erupted as Peter and Kaleny leapt into one another. They collided with bouts of snarls and growls as the two bit into whatever loose fur or skin they could find. A ball of black, white, and tan was formed as the two continued to viciously attack each other. Saba and the large lackey watched helplessly as Kaleny threw Peter to the ground which such force that it made the ground around them shake. Kaleny snarled in Peter’s face, both were bloody and worn out. Peter smirked, “Weakling,” he taunted, “I bet you’ll let me go now just like last time,” he said. Kaleny snarled, he grabbed a tight hold around Peter’s neck, cutting off his circulation almost completely.  Peter gasped for air but received so little it wasn’t helping at all, his lackey paced, unsure of what to do. Saba watched also unsure if she should stop the fight.

After a brief moment, the lackey growled, he leapt for Kaleny in hopes of saving his boss but was thrown when Saba leapt into him, sending him flying a few feet from the battle. Saba growled at him, warning the lackey that if he tried that again he would have to deal with her. Kaleny growled, he tried to fight against the part him that was letting what little air he had enter Peter’s throat. He was angry but had to admit killing his rival might not put an end to the many dogs that picked on him. Angry, Kaleny found the strength to throw Peter hard enough to send him sailing through the air for a short time before landing in the ocean. He watched as Peter gasped for air as he slowly got to his paws. After a while, Peter managed to choke out a few ounces of water. He stumbled as he slowly made his way to the beach, panting and limping as his paws hit the sand. His eyes met Kaleny’s as a feeling of respect for the younger wolf/dingo swept over him. Kaleny saw this and smiled, knowing they were even now. Peter’s lackey stood back to his paws and looked to him for guidance, his “boss” simply nodded and waited for him on a nearby sand dune.

Saba walked back up to Kaleny and looked at him, “You alright?” she asked. He nodded, “Just a few cuts and bruises, nothing I’m not used to,” he said. Saba smiled, she nuzzled him, “Good, cause um if you and I are gonna be together I’m gonna need you to be strong and healthy,” she said. Kaleny cocked his head to the side and Saba answered his question with a loving kiss to the lips. “Wow,” Kaleny gasped, Saba laughed, she shoved him and ran, headed for the forest with Kaleny at her heels.

Six months later: