When morning arrived, Aleu got up earlier than everyone else, having been pestered all night by dreams of her father. In her dreams, he had been reaching out, trying to touch her face, but had been unable to reach her. “Come closer, Aleu,” he had said, repeatedly. “I love you. Come closer? Please?” She decided she was dreaming about the situation between them, that Balto was trying to understand her, but not succeeding, and that he needed her help. Trying to speak with him again about the problem was about the last thing she wanted to do, but she was sick of delaying it as well. She walked to the nest he slept in, sitting by it as she waited for him to awake. “I hope we’re close to working through this,” she thought. “I know I should have a better relationship with Dad than I do.” Balto stirred, then yawned as he opened his eyes. “Oh…good morning, Aleu.” “Hi, Dad.” Balto stretched and stood up. “Were you waiting for me?” he said. “Yeah,” she replied. “There’s something important I have to talk over with you.” “Is this about why you ran away?” “Yes.” Balto began to say something, but Aleu cut him off. “I know it hurts. Neither of us wants to talk about it, but we have to, okay? It’s important; we can’t just keep ignoring it.” Balto paused for several moments, and finally nodded reluctantly. “I know. Alright, let’s talk.” They went to a place that was fairly isolated from the rest of the pack, under the shelter of a few nearly-bare trees. “So where do we start?” Balto asked. It suddenly occurred to Aleu that she hadn’t thought about what to say when the time came. “Um…let’s see…when you first got here, and we were talking, you asked why I couldn’t talk to you…” “And you said it was because I didn’t understand you.” “Yeah. I think…we should try from there, about why that was the case.” “Okay. So you say I didn’t understand you…what part of you?” “Well…I think you didn’t understand why I wanted more freedom. I knew that you knew I wanted it, but you wouldn’t give it to me, and I think the reason you wouldn’t is our problem.” Balto nodded, and Aleu continued. “I wanted freedom because…there’s always been something inside me that wants to explore new things, make new friends, see new places…something that was never quite content with just doing the same old things. As I got older, I looked forward to having more responsibility and more privileges, because it would mean that my heart could get a little of that unknown that it was waiting for. But when the time came that Kodi, Saba and Dingo were given those privileges…I wasn’t. And it hurt, not just because I wanted it so badly, but because…I felt betrayed.” Aleu’s voice became thick with emotion. “I felt like you trusted the others enough to handle it, but not me. It wasn’t fair, and I could tell.” Balto shook his head. “Aleu, it wasn’t an issue of trust.” “Then why did you do it? What was the issue?” “It wasn’t because I didn’t trust you; it was because I didn’t trust others. I knew that if you went out and did the things I was letting the others do, you could run into problems because of what other dogs might think about you, seeing as how you’re part wolf.” At this, Aleu began shouting. “It’s not about being part wolf, Dad! That part never bothered me too much, because you explained it when I was little! What’s wrong is what you did because I was part wolf! You built a fence around me that I didn’t want, and you kept it there. I tried to let you know I didn’t want it, I tried to convince you to let me out, if only a little, but you kept me penned in, and it just got to the point where…I had to run.” She calmed down, looking Balto in the eye. “I never needed you to protect me in that respect. That’s why I ran; I couldn’t handle you thinking that was the issue and never understanding that it really wasn’t!” Aleu would have thought Balto would be more surprised, but in fact, he looked more guilty and regretful. “So you really did never care about that?” he said softly. Aleu nodded. “That’s right.” Balto sighed heavily, looking down. “I knew it.”

Aleu’s face took on a look of shock. “What? You knew that?” Balto nodded slowly, and Aleu gasped. “But…but…then why?!? Why did you pretend not to understand?” “I…um…” Balto started to lose control of his emotions. “I was lying, Aleu. I was lying to you, and I was lying to myself. It’s true that when you were first being rejected by humans, I was terrified that you were going to have to suffer the same way I did. But before long, it was different. I know humans didn’t trust you, but other dogs did, and even when they didn’t, I could see by the way you interacted with them that you didn’t care. I was proud of you for that, and I could see how strong your spirit was.” His voice began cracking. “But…when I saw that, I was afraid. I could see that your spirit wouldn’t let you stay in one place for too long, and when I saw how independent you could be…I knew it wouldn’t be long before you would want more than what your mom and I could give you, and that when that time came…you would want to leave.” A couple of tears made their way down his cheeks. “You’re such a big part of me, Aleu…I didn’t want to lose you, so I deceived myself into thinking that what I was doing was for the best because you were part wolf. Every time you brought your perfectly legitimate complaints to me, I willingly didn’t understand; I willingly stayed in denial about what you were trying to tell me.” He wiped his nose with one paw, sniffing. “Besides, I know that you’re capable of being independent, but you’re still young, and…you had a good point about my keeping you from the world for too long, but…I don’t know…if it’s really time to be letting you go.” Ordinarily, this final statement would have annoyed Aleu, but now, she felt differently. Now that Balto had laid his heart open for her, she finally understood him, understood what he had been going through. “I don’t blame him for not wanting to talk about this,” she thought. “This must have been so hard for him.” Balto took a deep breath and regained his composure. “Anyway, um…anything else?” Aleu shook her head. “No…that’s enough, at least for now.” She nuzzled him, and he returned it. “I’m sorry, Aleu,” he said quietly. Aleu kissed him. “It’s alright,” she replied. Balto smiled. “Thanks, darling.” They heard one of the wolves calling out that it was time to gather for breakfast, and went to join the rest. As Aleu ate, she wondered what the next step would be. “Now I know why he did it…but how can I convince him to let me go?”

Late that night, Aleu opened her eyes, feeling gentle kisses and a paw caressing her ear and cheek. She yawned and looked up, seeing Camyar standing there. She reached her head up and kissed him. “Hello,” he said. “Hi, Camyar,” she replied. He lay down and cuddled with her for a few moments, and they kissed. “Might you be interested in a swim tonight?” asked Camyar. “I like swimming,” Aleu replied. “I’ll come.” They walked for several minutes toward the mountain, arriving at a pool of water in the rocks. The water flowed into it from a wide but shallow cave in a rock wall next to it and out the other end, which was slightly lower. Although snow was on the ground, none was around the pool. “Oh, it’s a hot spring,” Aleu said. “I was wondering about temperature.” Camyar chuckled. “I suppose we could swim in regular water, but if we did not freeze solid in the water, we would in the air coming back. Speaking of which, we can drip dry on a ledge in that cave.” They walked up to the edge, and Camyar touched the water to make sure it wasn’t too hot. “How warm is it?” Aleu asked. “It is nice,” Camyar replied. “See for yourself.” He shoved into her, knocking her off balance, and with a startled yell, she plunged into the pool. She surfaced, getting her breath back, and looked at Camyar. He was laughing loudly. Oh, well. At least the water was warm. “You pushed me!” she said, but not angrily, knowing it was all in fun. “I know,” Camyar laughed. “I am sorry.” Aleu put her front legs up on the side of the pool, and Camyar walked over to her. He caressed her face slowly. “I’m feeling a bit warm, Camyar,” Aleu breathed. “And it isn’t this water.” Camyar lay down in front of her, and they put their paws around one another and locked lips. Then, Aleu tightened her embrace and pushed away from the side with her back paws. Camyar slipped and tumbled into the water, and it was Aleu’s turn to laugh. “Now we’re even,” she said when he surfaced. They were both laughing now. “Then I shall try something new,” said Camyar. He propelled himself through the water towards Aleu, and she squealed playfully and tried to swim away. He caught her, putting his paws on her sides and pulling her in to him, smiling wide. He stroked her body, and she laughed, but then she tipped backwards and her head went underwater. Camyar righted her, and she coughed and spluttered. “Forgive me, Aleu,” he said. “I did not mean…” Aleu suddenly hugged him tightly and gave him a hard, passionate kiss. “I was faking it,” she said. “Just a dirty trick to pay you back.” They grinned and began wrestling in the water, caressing and kissing each other, laughing all the while. Eventually, they stopped and just treaded water. They shared a slow, soft kiss and swam lazily for a while, talking. The talk was sporadic, however, because almost every time they looked at each other, their eyes would meet, and they would merely stare at each other without speaking.

After about an hour, Camyar asked Aleu if she was done, and she said yes. He climbed out first and chivalrously let Aleu bite onto his scruff so he could help her out. They went into the cave and lay down on the ledge. The water warmed the air, but it wasn’t hot enough to steam, so they dried just as quickly as normal. They didn’t leave when they were dry, though; the current situation was too appealing. The ledge was small and required the occupants to lie against each other, and the two had struck a deal: if Aleu could feel Camyar’s muscular body, Camyar could look at Aleu’s lovely figure. They spent a while doing this, kissing each other now and then. Camyar was admiring the curve of Aleu’s hind legs when he took notice of how late it was. “Aleu?” he said. She looked up from nuzzling his shoulder. “Yes?” “We ought to go back now.” “You’re right. It’s probably getting pretty late.” Aleu went to walk out. “I love you, Aleu,” said Camyar. Aleu drew a surprised breath, and her mouth hung open a little. “You do?” she said after turning around. “Yes,” Camyar replied. “It’s real?” Aleu asked. Camyar nodded. “It is true, honest love. I know this in my heart.” “Wow…Camyar, um, this is amazing…” “How do you feel about me?” “I…I love you, too.” “Is that the truth?” Camyar said, quietly but eagerly. “Yes,” Aleu said. “I’ve fallen deeply in love with you.” She smiled. “Oh, I really love you, Camyar!” “I love you so much, Aleu!” They embraced, giggling with joy, and kissed each other several times. “This is not customary,” said Camyar, “but…would you like to share my nest again?” “Oh, yes, if you don’t mind. I’d enjoy that very much.” They returned to the pack and went to Camyar’s nest. The strongest hunter in the pack, by the name of Xaikel, who was a good friend of Camyar’s, quietly vacated his nearby nest to give them privacy. They used a great deal of their time for necking, also speaking about their love, and the moon was setting by the time they decided to go to bed. Camyar lulled Aleu to sleep, stroking her and singing quietly, gave her one last kiss after his song was over, and nodded off. 

The next morning passed without incident, other than Nava was absent for most of it on unknown business. He returned at about noon, asking to speak with Aleu. When she arrived, he had news for her. “Muru wishes you to come to his cave, for a reason I do not know. He said it was urgent, however.” Aleu left shortly, arriving at the cave before long. Muru was waiting for her, and wasted no time getting to his business with her. “Aleu,” he said, “I am sure that at some point while you have been here, you have heard of the Shirae pack of old?” Aleu nodded. “They were excellent in combat, right?” “Extremely so. Thank goodness they were not evil; terrible things could have happened to the other packs in the region otherwise. They were also highly proficient in the area of emotional influence.” He gestured for Aleu to come closer. “I suspect,” he said, “that a battle is close at hand, one that will require a combatant who knows the arts of the Shirae. I believe that combatant is you.” Aleu was startled. “Me? I don’t know how to fight. Besides, what makes you think it’s me?” “I can feel that you have a natural gift for the Shirae skills, as many do; it is simply not pursued most of the time. I know you do not know how to fight, but you will…if you allow me to teach you.” “Teach me…how to fight like one of the Shirae?” “Indeed. I have learned how from many elders. The knowledge of Shirae combat technique is one of the best things fighters can do to help themselves. Are you willing to learn?” Aleu thought for a moment, feeling unnerved by the fact that if she agreed, she was walking into the responsibility of whatever fight Muru was predicting. “What battle are we talking about?” she asked. “I believe that the fate of the Shavenya pack must be decided soon,” Muru replied. Aleu nodded, knowing all too well what Muru meant. Now, she knew that if she didn’t accept Muru’s offer, perhaps no one could act in her place. “I’ll do it.” “Good!” said Muru. “We do not have a great deal of time. Let us begin now.”

The training was very rigorous, which didn’t surprise Aleu since she apparently only had a short time in which to learn. First, Muru taught her the basics of emotional influence and empathy, having her practice on him. Next, he had her practice basic combat moves on imaginary foes. He taught her how to both mount and resist emotional influence attacks, and then began on the longest part; learning the intricacies of the Shirae combat arts. This part took hours, and they actually had to stop in the middle of it so Aleu could eat some food. Balto had brought her some meat when it was time for dinner, but he didn’t stop to inquire as to what they were doing. Finally, Aleu faced a sort of test of what she had learned; a battle Muru created in her mind against four foes at once. This was the most difficult part, but Aleu came through it, defeating the imagined enemy. Muru was quite impressed. “Well done, Aleu. Well done indeed.” Aleu sat down, panting from exertion. “Now what?” she asked. “Have I finished the training?” Muru shook his head slowly. “Not yet. You will rest, and then…there is one final task you must complete. I will tell you of it tonight.” Aleu lay down, but sleep didn’t come to her easily; there was too much to think about. Very soon, she would be finished with her training, ready to fight Niju and save the pack. After she thought this, however, another thought crossed her mind. What was her final task to be? For some reason, the idea disturbed her. After a couple of hours, she drifted off, her sleep filled with dark dreams.

Aleu awakened late in the evening, looking around for Muru. She didn’t see him at first, so she walked to the entrance of the cave. It was quite dark outside, and a wind was blowing. Muru stood there, staring out. “There you are, Aleu,” he said. “It is time for you to become a Shirae warrior.” “You said you would tell me how?” Muru nodded and turned his head to look at her, his face dark. He spoke with a deadly serious voice, the vibrancy not present. “Have you ever heard of a wolf named Shadow?” Aleu inhaled, the memory of Niju’s gruesome story flying into her head. “Shadow…he’s been dead for years.” Muru shook his head slowly. “No. He has not.” “But…that girl…she tore his throat out.” “He never died.” “How could he not die?” “You see, a few days before Shadow took that female, he had taken and killed one from another pack. She was the daughter of the pack elder. In his grief and rage, he placed a curse on Shadow. The elder said that Shadow would have to suffer the pain of death for all eternity after dying. The last female did slay him, Aleu. He is dead, but he cannot pass on. The curse is keeping him here, alive in a body that is supposed to be dead, trapped in endless agony of dying forever as retribution for his horrible acts. However, he can break the curse and pass on.” “How?” “By finding, defiling, and slaying one final female. The curse was on his wicked desire, and only by satisfying that can he break the curse. But he is not invincible; there is a way that he can be killed once and for all. A female that he wants to mate with and so break his curse must fight and destroy him. Shadow cannot break his curse now, because knowing about him, no females go up on the mountain anymore. However, he kills many male wolves for spite, and everywhere, he is feared greatly. He must be stopped. That is your task. Come outside.” They went out and looked up the mountain. Muru pointed up the slope. “You must go up there tonight and kill Shadow.” Aleu swallowed hard. “But…he’s unbeatable. He learned so much of the Shirae arts that no one could defeat him.” “Yes, Aleu, but you are training to fight another Shirae warrior, a very powerful one at that. If you can destroy Shadow, it will prove that you can overcome fear and danger to save others. Remember, if Shadow is gone, no one will have to be afraid of the mountain anymore.” Aleu nodded, knowing that Muru was right, and knowing she wanted to stop Shadow. At the same time, though, she was trembling with fear. “I’m afraid, Muru,” she whispered. “I know,” Muru said gently. “Fear is natural. Just take care not to let it overcome you. You have a strong heart. Go now and kill him. He will find you. Bring back his skull as proof that you destroyed him. I wish you luck.” Aleu set her jaw, turned toward the mountain, and began moving her feet, walking up the mountain at slow pace.

About an hour’s walk brought Aleu to a wide, flat section of rock. Feeling an evil presence, she looked around, breathing hard. “Shadow,” she called, her voice a little shaky. “Shadow? I know you’re here.” “But of course.” Aleu turned around slowly to look at where the evil voice had come from. Directly behind her, several yards away, there stood a tall wolf, whose gaze drilled into her with little resistance. Aleu was surprised to see that he was actually quite handsome; he had a fine build and a well-shaped face, with dark eyes. This all was offset by his dead-looking gray-white fur, but even more by his throat. It was shredded, some skin hanging loosely, still looking freshly torn. His face was full of pain, but for the most part looked normal. He stared at her intently, smiling. “You are even more beautiful than all the others. Even more than the last from when I was not like this.” Aleu swallowed hard, staring at Shadow with determination. “I’m here for you,” she said, her voice afraid but brave. Shadow raised his head a little and smiled. “You are here to set me free? To break my curse? I am almost touched.” “I’m here to set you free, but not the way you want. I’m here to kill you.” Shadow shook his head. “Why? Why that way? That way means you will die anyway, because I will be forced to kill you. Would you not rather die and free me? Then it would not be so senseless.” “You’re making the mistake of thinking I’ve come up here to die.” “You have,” Shadow said, in a low and hostile voice. “Anyone who comes to me dies.” “Then let me be the first to survive…and the last to have an opportunity.” They approached each other, ready for battle. “It does not have to be this way,” said Shadow. “Yes, it does,” Aleu replied.

They exploded into combat, trading bites back and forth, smashing and kicking each other with their paws. Aleu bit into Shadow’s shoulder, and he turned and used his body weight to throw her sideways. He jumped to startling height, around seven feet in the air, and came down with his paws on Aleu’s ribs. She uttered a strangled cry of pain, her breath crushed from her lungs. As Shadow prepared to strike her again, she kicked him in his wounded shoulder, and he yelled, nearly falling down. Aleu got up and struck Shadow across the face, knocking him away. He retaliated with frightening speed, biting her leg and taking her off balance. He tackled her, and they rolled across the ledge, scratching and biting furiously. Aleu’s head struck a rock, allowing Shadow to gain the upper hand. He hit her in the jaw, then knocked her head against the ground. Then suddenly, Shadow surprised Aleu by stopping. He didn’t hit her anymore; he instead caressed her bruised face, speaking softly.

“You know it is coming,” he said. “You know death is creeping up on you. Why do you not help me break my curse? That way, both of us win. My curse will be lifted, and instead of dying with such pain, you may even like it. It will be quick, I promise.” Aleu felt a little dizzy, and she wiggled out from under Shadow. “Get…get away…” she said. Shadow spoke again. “It will not be so very bad. You will enjoy it until it is over. I can make sure that you will; I know how.” Shadow’s voice was beginning to sound hypnotic, and he slowly moved towards Aleu, who began breathing hard. Her fear was being quelled somehow, and comfort and tranquility stirred in her soul. Shadow stared into her eyes, and she could not avert her gaze. “Can you not see? I am giving you something wonderful. I cannot even tell you how much you will love it. It shall be for as long as you wish. I shall do it however you like. I can make it feel so good…” Aleu’s eyelids began drooping, and she panted slightly, not knowing what was happening. “No…um…oh…” Shadow leaned forward and kissed her gently on the lips, and she gasped, her emotions spiking. He walked to her side slowly, touching her hind leg, and she began trembling with pleasure. He moved behind her. “And I will…I promise…” He climbed up on her, and suddenly, she realized what was going on; Shadow knew the Shirae arts, and he was using them on her to calm her and weaken her will. She yelled and threw her back up into Shadow’s stomach. He coughed and fell down, the wind knocked out of him. Aleu stepped away and turned around as Shadow struggled to his feet. His face twisted into a snarl. “You have chosen,” he growled.

They jumped at each other, colliding in midair and falling to the ground. Wielding terrifying strength, Shadow bit into Aleu’s back, spun around, and let go, sending her flying into the nearby rock wall. He walked to her fallen body, but as he was going to bite again, she lunged and caught his front leg in her teeth, twisting it. He cried out and tried to back away, but Aleu held on, hurting his leg more. He hit her in the face with his other paw and was able to get loose, but he fell over when he accidentally put his weight on his injured leg. He looked back in time to see Aleu’s paw right before it struck his head. She hit him again, then a third time. She shoved his head into the ground and began mauling him. He growled and flung her off of him, standing up. She kicked him in the face with her back paws, but as she turned around, he jumped into the air and smashed her with his front paws, sending her tumbling backwards. Then, suddenly, the bottom fell out of the ground, and Aleu realized she was about to fall off the cliff. She cried out, twisting her body, trying to stay on the edge, but it was no use. As she began to fall, she was able to get her front legs on the edge, holding herself on, but barely. Shadow walked up to her as she struggled, gasping with fear as she tried to get a foothold with her hind legs. Shadow smiled. He reached out a paw, placed it on her forehead, and pushed her gently backward…but that was enough. She lost her precarious grip, but no sooner did she begin to fall than she lunged and caught Shadow’s paw in her mouth. He tried to brace himself, but loose pebbles under his feet made him slip, and he tumbled screaming over the edge with Aleu. They plunged quickly, rolling down a nearly vertical slope for several seconds. Certain that she was going to die, Aleu felt her body leave the cliff wall. She looked down…to see level ground rushing at her from a few feet away. Bracing herself, she yelled with pain as she smashed down. She had landed on her side, but Shadow landed almost on his head; he was lucky not to break his neck. He got up, shaking with rage, and uttered a bloody battle cry before charging at Aleu. Instead of reacting like he thought she would, Aleu simply lay down, and he tripped over her, sprawling. As he got to his feet, Aleu jumped and kicked him with all four paws, sending him crashing through some ice stalagmites. As Aleu watched him, she saw that he was weakening. He struggled up again, but merely stood, hesitant to charge. “What are you, a coward?” Aleu challenged. “COME ON!”

Shadow growled and lunged for her. They began mauling each other furiously, but Shadow began to gain the upper hand, shoving Aleu back. She backed off a little…but felt her tail hit the rock wall. There was nowhere to go. Shadow grinned and lunged to bite into her face, but she dodged to the side and kicked one of his legs. He stumbled forward, and his nose struck the wall hard. As he howled with pain, Aleu hit one of his ears with her paw, and he yelped. She turned around and began lashing out with her back paws, kicking Shadow in the nose and face over and over and over. Blood poured from Shadow’s nose and lip, and he crumpled with pain. As he struggled not to fall, Aleu yelled, charged low, and bit up onto Shadow’s throat. He screamed as she twisted and pulled, tearing the flesh and spilling a torrent of blood from his jugular vein. He coughed up some of that blood, groaning…but not dying. Aleu felt a cold fear break over her. “What is it going to take to kill him?!?” she thought.

Then, she noticed a strange wind blowing. Knife-like streaks of white light began materializing out of nowhere and plunging through Shadow’s body, coming out the other side and turning to enter again. Shadow began yelling, and the wind intensified, all of it being sucked in to him. As Aleu watched in horror, the white light all entered him at once, and his body began to fragment and split like it was made of charcoal. The light erupted from his body, and it exploded, sending a cloud of dust flying into a vortex of wind that dispersed it into the surrounding air. The light was blinding, but it lasted for only a moment. It passed, leaving silence and a fog of dust. Aleu closed her eyes, breathing hard, relieved that the ordeal was over. She heard a hollow scuffing sound coming from the ground in front of her, and she looked down. Through the smoky remains, she saw a black skull sitting on the ground. She reached out and touched it. It was as cold as death itself, but it was very real. Taking it in her mouth, she headed back down the mountain.

In his cave, Muru was sitting, busily working at something, when he heard someone approach. He ran to the cave’s entrance and looked out. Aleu walked up to him and set the skull on the ground. He looked up at her and smiled broadly. “I knew you could do it, Aleu!” he shouted. “I knew you would! You are truly a Shirae warrior. I know you shall bear the title with honor.” Aleu nodded, but then grimaced and sucked in her breath. Muru saw the many wounds she sustained from Shadow. “Come,” he said gently. “I will care for you.” She lay down painfully in the cave, seeing that Muru had prepared several herbs and infusions. He had her drink one of the infusions and placed one of the herbs near her nose. “The drink is a painkiller,” he said. “The herb is to help you sleep. You have had a night of great trial.” He poured another infusion over all of her wounds, and although it stung badly at first, it left them feeling cool and less stiff afterwards. Aleu began to feel sleepy, and took deep breaths of the herb. Muru treated all of her cuts and scrapes with one herb, and her bruises with another, rinsing the blood and debris from everything with another infusion that smelled sweet and quelled the stinging from the herbs. Over all of them, he rubbed a crushed herb that would prevent them from stiffening. Aleu closed her eyes and fell asleep, hearing Shirae songs from Muru’s lips in her head.

Aleu awakened late the next morning, getting up with surprisingly little soreness. She couldn’t believe how much better her wounds felt already. “Hello,” said Muru, who was sitting off to her left, eating his breakfast. Aleu smiled. “Good morning. Thank you for the herbs, by the way; I feel just fine.” “I am glad.” “Where did you learn how to do that sort of thing, anyway?” “Well, some of it was by experience, some of it was from the elders, some of it was from imitating humans…here and there I learned parts of it.” “What sorts of other things have you learned?” “Many things about how the heart moves, and how it affects its owner. For instance, I can tell you have spoken with your father. You feel like you understand him now…but something is still confusing you.” “You’re right. I’m…not sure how to convince him that I need to be on my own now. I don’t know if I’m strong enough to work through that.” Muru smiled softly. “You shall find all the strength you need, if only you trust in your heart.” Aleu sighed. “It’s hard to trust myself sometimes.” “Yes; that affects everyone. Your self should not be your focus or your ruler, but there is nothing wrong with having confidence. Someone in your position needs confidence; you have a responsibility as a daughter to confront your father with this problem and resolve it.” Aleu thought about what she had already done to help get her and Balto through their difficulties, and was somewhat ashamed to find that she had done little, aside from complaining. “Do not worry,” said Muru. “The answer for how to heal the bond between your hearts is already inside yours. You will realize it soon enough, I have no doubt.”

Aleu and Muru spent the rest of the day together, speaking about their lives, ironing out some mistakes in Aleu’s combat technique, and discussing legends of the wolves. Muru recalled several stories known among mice, sharing them with Aleu, who listened eagerly. However, they were cut short when Balto suddenly arrived. “Aleu!” he called, walking quickly into the cave. “Aleu! There’s trouble!” Muru trembled slightly. “I can feel something terrible happening with the pack,” he said. “No kidding,” Balto replied. “Niju’s shown up. I don’t know what exactly he wants, but he’s not being friendly about it. If you ask me, I think there’s going to be a fight.”

“Nava, I will offer one last time.”

Niju had appeared suddenly, without his pack, bringing an ultimatum. The choice was either allow him to take over leadership of the Shavenya, or suffer battle and likely death with it. Right now, he was speaking to Nava, who was standing his ground bravely, the pack surrounding them in a large circle, refusing over and over to step down from his position and allow Niju to become the elder. “And once again,” he said, “I refuse! You cannot convince me to give up, you black-hearted worm!” Niju narrowed his eyes, just slightly, in a threatening expression. “Do you truly want it that way?” he asked. Nava spat at him. “I tell you now; I will defend this pack until the end!” Niju sighed. “Pity…stupid old one…” He leapt at Nava with a growl, tackling him and rolling several times. Nava ended up on top and struck Niju’s face, knocking his head against the ground. Niju kicked Nava in the stomach, knocking him off to the side, allowing himself to get up. Nava bit onto his back and tossed him, sending him sprawling, and dove at him, trying to inflict some bite wounds. Niju hopped to his feet and twisted his body, letting Nava hit the ground, and then rushed forward. Nava fended him off with his paws, keeping Niju’s teeth well away from his face. He tried to get up, but Niju turned around and kicked him in the ribs with his hind legs, knocking him down again. Nava tripped Niju and got to his feet, and they charged each other, trading a rapid string of bites as they shoved against each other, struggling to push the other over. Nava finally won, knocking Niju down. He stood up and bit the elder’s shoulder, shoving at him and unbalancing him. Nava hit the ground hard, his breath escaping his lungs quickly in a strangled gasp, and he stood up, charging right at Niju. He ducked low and bit Niju’s leg, but he retaliated, striking Nava in the head. The elder moved back, and they began trading blows and bites. Soon, however, it became apparent that Nava was tiring. The elder went for Niju’s ears, but he ducked and swung a paw up, cracking him hard in the jaw. Nava recovered after a second or two and rushed Niju like a bull, plowing into him and knocking him over. Niju bit onto Nava’s left front leg and yanked, twisting it and taking him off his feet. Nava cried out, his leg nearly sprained, but still he got up. It was no use; Niju swung his paws hard, battering his opponent down.

Nava breathed hard from pain and exhaustion, lying on the ground at Niju’s feet. Niju was panting a little, but for the most part, it was as if he’d hardly fought. “At long last, I have beaten you, Nava. How does it feel to know that all of your struggles have been for naught?” Nava looked up, his face contorted with pain. “I am not finished, Niju.” The evil wolf laughed, shaking his head. “What are you fighting for? Look around you! This pack does not trust you anymore. See for yourself!” Nava began looking slowly around at the members of the pack, sure he would find some loyalty. However, it couldn’t have been anything farther from. All he saw were faces that had lost any care for him, that care having been replaced with distrust and rejection. “My loyalty is with you,” a voice said. Nava saw Camyar walk out of the group. “Ours as well,” said Orkaan and Erana, as they followed him. “I am honored to serve you, Nava,” said Xaikel, stepping forward. One other member of the pack, a young female hunter, came forward as well, but that was all: just five out of dozens. Nava, now in tears, gestured with his paw for them to stand back in the group. “I am overwhelmingly grateful to you few, my devoted friends, but you have lives left to live, and families. Please do not pit yourselves against Niju for my sake.” He looked down, tears dripping from his eyes, and Niju stared at him, shaking his head. “Lay there, you wretched old wolf. You should have given up a long time ago; it seems the pack does not care enough about you to be worth your time.” He turned and began walking off slowly, smiling, but suddenly heard a noise behind him, and turning around, he saw Nava standing. “I am an elder, Niju,” said the poor old wolf. “And although I have nothing left, even though this pack, who I have loved…” His voice broke, and he had to struggle to continue speaking, “…betrays me…” He stood tall, courage and dignity in his face. “I will stand.” Niju began walking slowly toward him. “You fool,” he said. “Shall I destroy you, then? You are alone, Nava.”

“I will stand beside him!”

Nava turned his head, uttering a phrase of hope. Niju turned as well. Aleu was walking toward them, with Balto behind her. He stopped and stood with the rest of the wolves, and Aleu stared into Niju’s eyes. “Nava won’t meet his end today if I can help it.” “Well, hello, little girl. I would advise you and your father to stay out of this; interference is stupidity.” “I’m not just going to stand by and let you enslave this pack! I challenge your claim on them!” Niju’s face turned furious. “So be it,” he growled slowly. “Reap the whirlwind.” He and Aleu began circling, and Balto helped Nava limp out of the way. “How can Aleu fight him?” Nava said quietly. “He has learned the Shirae arts, both combat and emotional influence.” “Who is to say she does not know them?” Nava turned and looked at a rock next to him where the new, small voice had come from. “Muru!” exclaimed the elder. “You taught her?” “Yes. I am worried; Niju has great power by now…but there is hope.”

Aleu and Niju kept eye contact as they slowly circled before the elder rock, maintaining a few yards distance between each other as the pack watched. Niju surprised Aleu by smiling. “It is difficult to believe this. You are nothing but a weak little girl. Where do you get the notion that you can match me in combat? Do you honestly think that just because that mouse taught you the ways of the Shirae you can defeat me?” Aleu wondered how on earth Niju knew that Muru had trained her, but she guessed he was probing her emotions and feeling her skills. She felt for it, his presence in her mind…yes, there it was. She shoved back at him, and he withdrew, almost flinching. He shook his head. “I will tell you only once again, Aleu. This is idiocy. My business with this pack is not something you should stick your nose into. Do you understand what I am saying to you? You are a weakling! You are completely unfit to challenge me, and besides, what good will it do this pack? They need someone strong to lead them. That is why he cannot…” Niju stared at Nava, “…and you cannot. This pack is mine. You cannot possibly guide them over the ice; if you tried, you would merely be the first of many to die. ” Aleu felt doubt moving in her heart, speaking to her head. “He’s right. I can’t even deal with my problems with Dad. If I try to lead this pack…it’ll be no good. It’ll never work out. I can’t do this. I just can’t…” Aleu lowered her head, and Niju smiled, feeling his victory approaching. Then, Muru’s words rang like thunderclaps in Aleu’s mind: “You shall find all the strength you need, if only you trust in your heart.” Aleu narrowed her eyes at Niju. “And what if you take them?” Niju straightened a little, surprised by the question. “What do you mean?” “What do you think will happen if you take them? You seem to forget, Niju, you kidnapped me and took me to your pack. I saw the way you make them live! If you take them, they’ll all die horrible deaths under your paw of pain and blood! I can rescue them from you! I know I can! They need me, and I can do it! I’ve been weak before, but I’m putting that behind me!” Balto stared at Aleu, a proud smile making its way onto his face. Aleu continued, her voice a strong and determined shout. “I will not let you take them, Niju!” She stabbed into Niju’s heart with her Shirae skills, making him feel the fear he had been trying to force upon her. Then, he leapt at her with a mighty roar. Aleu leapt as well, and they bit each other in midair, coming down on their feet.

Niju charged Aleu, his body low to the ground, and Aleu stepped to her left and bit onto his scruff, twisting and throwing him off his feet. Niju jumped up and kicked Aleu hard in the jaw with his hind legs, and he whirled around and bit her right front leg as she regained her balance. She struck him in the face with her other paw, her claws leaving ugly cuts on his cheek. He tackled her, and they rolled around on the rocky soil, biting and scratching viciously. Niju used his body weight to throw Aleu off of him, and she landed on a rock, letting out a cry of pain. She struggled to her feet as Niju approached her, and then flung herself back to the ground, barely avoiding his teeth as he jumped at her. She got up, and Niju turned around. They moved back and forth, tensed, ready to spring, their eyes locked together. “You have no idea of what you have done,” Niju said, his voice low. “Getting yourself into this?” He shoved into Aleu’s heart so strongly she couldn’t resist, and he poured in fear. In Aleu’s eyes, Niju became a hellish beast with fire licking all over his fur and spewing from his eyes, ears and mouth. When he spoke, his voice was like a thousand specters. “Now, see what you face.” She began trembling, causing confusion for the others, who weren’t certain what was happening. Inside her heart, she battled Niju’s influence with all her might, and finally gained back just a little control, but that was enough. She launched her influence at his heart, and he saw her transform into a creature with tattered skin, missing in some places down to the bone, especially on her face, with blue-white lightning lancing the air from her eyes. “Don’t underestimate me any longer, Niju!” she screamed. “You don’t know what you’re facing yet, either!”

They ran at each other and began swinging with their paws and biting, each skilled enough that the other could do little of any real consequence. Aleu sped up her attack and drove Niju backward, and he was reduced to merely defending instead of attacking. He ducked under one bite and tried to go for Aleu’s neck, but she jumped into the air, twisting her body around and coming down behind Niju, facing him. She jumped on him and began biting him over and over, drawing blood that ran over his back in bright red trails. He propelled himself up and backwards, and Aleu was crushed between him and the elder rock. She groaned, trying to breathe, and Niju kicked her in the stomach. He turned around and hit her in the face, but as he tried it a second time, Aleu ducked, and one of Niju’s nails caught on the rock, ripping from his paw. He yelled several times, backing up and hopping up and down. Aleu came at him, but he swung a paw, hitting her face so hard it split her lip. She yelped and jumped back, then charged at Niju, getting in a bite on his shoulder, but he pushed her back and reciprocated so violently that Aleu was forced to pull back, getting a wound on her neck for her troubles. Now, Niju charged, fueled by rage, and drove Aleu back. As they approached a wide, frozen river, Niju yelled and smashed his head into Aleu’s, sending her tumbling off the riverbank and onto the ice. “Now what shall you do, little girl?” Niju laughed wickedly. “There is no way you can get back up with me here.” Aleu knew this was true, and tried to figure a way out. Then, she thought if she couldn’t come up, she would make Niju come down. She used her Shirae skills and raised a flood of anger in Niju’s heart. He clenched his teeth, breathing hard, his eyes showing the wrath Aleu had aroused in him. He jumped down on the ice, just as Aleu had hoped, and they attacked each other again. They refrained from running at each other because the footing on the ice was so slick; instead, they stood face-to-face, making careful attacks. Niju was able to take Aleu off her feet, and she landed hard. He prepared to bite her, and she readied herself to avoid him, but then they both stopped, hearing something strange. A tremor ran through the ice under their feet, and a crack appeared between them. They looked downstream and saw that the ice was breaking off in chunks and floating away down the fast-moving river, and realized that their weight had sped up the process very quickly. They both took off upstream, running along the ice, which they could feel cracking beneath them. They kept separating by about a yard, then moving back towards each other, inflicting a bite, then moving apart again. Both nearly fell as a large chunk of ice gave way underneath, and they jumped off it, continuing to run. They looked back and saw that there was no solid river behind them anymore, merely chunks of ice being towed along by the current. They sprinted as fast as they could, trying to stay ahead of the breakage, but it was no use; it was moving too quickly, and the bank was too steep to allow them to get out. A massive chunk of ice broke, and both of them nearly fell into the river. They kept their balance, running up the tilting floe and jumping off the other side. By now, the entire river around them was reduced to ice floes, which they had to jump between to keep going. They jumped for new ones, bit at each other in midair, came down, and repeated the process, continuing up the river. However, the ice floes were becoming scarcer. Soon, there would nothing to jump for, and the current would surely carry them away if they fell in.

Aleu looked ahead desperately, trying to find some way, any way out. Up ahead, there was a log stretched across the river, with some branches that could provide a means to hang on. However, by the looks of things, there would be only one floe near it when she arrived, and she could tell that Niju had gotten the same idea. They both jumped faster and faster, ignoring each other, merely trying to reach the floe first. Both jumped for it at the same time, flying through the air. Aleu twisted her body, lashing out and kicking Niju in the side. He yelled as he flew off course, headed down towards the rushing water. Aleu landed on the floe and jumped again, looking over to see if Niju was floating away. Much to her chagrin, he had managed to reach out and catch one of the log’s branches in his teeth. He was now half-in, half-out of the water, thrashing and struggling to find a way to get up. Aleu’s distraction suddenly seemed a deadly mistake; she looked forward to see that she was about to miss the branch she was aiming for. She lunged with her neck and just barely got a hold of it, nearly losing her grip when her body, unbalanced by her kick, swung beneath the log. She managed to find footing with her paws and began climbing the side of the log. She looked to her left and saw that Niju was already atop the log, and she gasped, struggling to get up. Niju approached her, rage in his eyes, determined to send her into the river. Aleu scrabbled hard with her paws, trying desperately to mount the log, but it was no use; Niju reached the part of the log above her position. He leaned down and calmly took the branch Aleu was clinging to in his jaws, cutting into it with his teeth and beginning to work it loose. Knowing that movement would only speed up the process, Aleu could only watch, breathing hard with terror as the branch began to break…and suddenly, Niju went flying off the log, tackled by someone. “Dad!” Aleu thought, having seen him as he flew by. She finally managed to hoist herself up onto the log, and looked to the left bank of the river, where Niju and Balto had landed. “Now it’s my turn!” Balto shouted, hitting Niju in the face and knocking him up against a tree. “I heard what you tried to do to her!” He bit onto Niju and tossed him over his head. “So let me tell you something…” He stood over Niju and began yelling, pounding the wolf’s head into the ground with each word. “NO…ONE…TOUCHES…MY…DAUGHTER!” Aleu ran to the bank. “Dad, stop! I have to do this.” Balto looked up at her, and she continued. “I know you want to help, but I challenged him. This needs to be my fight.” Balto thought for a few moments, struggling with himself, then nodded slowly and backed away. “Believe me,” said Aleu, “I’m going to make him pay for that.” Niju stood up slowly, shaking his head to clear the dizziness from being struck so many times. “It is wise to tell your father to stay out of this. I shall spare him after you are dead, if that is comforting.” “What makes you think you’ll even have the opportunity to spare him?” Niju growled, bristling furiously at Aleu before lunging at her in a rage. They crashed together, snapping at each other’s faces, shoving each other back and forth, finally losing their footing and falling to the ground, where they rolled back and forth, scuffling and biting for a few moments. Finally, they got up and separated again. Aleu gasped in pain, feeling the sting of claw cuts on her bloodied face and the throbbing of her front left leg, which had been bitten. Niju had gotten a cut shoulder, a clawed neck, and an injured ear for his trouble, but his anger was keeping him going. Not knowing how she could possibly defeat him, Aleu ran across the log over the river and sprinted toward the pack, hoping to come up with a plan in the limited time she had now bought herself.

Niju ran after Aleu, aiming to take her down and bite her neck, but when he was a yard away, Aleu kicked a shower of pebbles in his face, and he stumbled, forced to stop his pursuit. Suddenly, Aleu’s paw struck his face, and he fell backwards, now bleeding from his lip. She tried to pounce on him, but he shoved his hind legs into her stomach, tossing her over him, and she landed hard on her back. As she coughed weakly, trying to catch her breath, Niju got to his feet and jumped on her. She scrabbled desperately at his face with her paws, trying to keep his lethal teeth away from her own face. When he raised his head, she rolled to her right, knocking Niju’s feet from under him, and he fell against the side of the elder rock. By now, Balto had joined Nava and Muru again, and was watching the battle. Aleu ran around the elder rock, climbing up on the other side, hoping to keep some higher ground, but Niju, with one powerful jump, made it to the top himself. He and Aleu ran at one another again, colliding in the middle of the rock, pushing against the front of each other’s bodies, each trying to make the other fall from the rock. Their upper bodies rose up as the force of their struggle increased; their back paws still had enough grip to be unmoved…at least temporarily. Soon, Aleu found herself beginning to slip. Niju was just too strong for brute force to succeed, and he knew it. He smiled as he prepared to push Aleu off the nearing edge, but suddenly, she summoned all the strength inside her and gave a mighty shove. Niju began to tip backwards, unable to cease the motion as he was now practically standing on his hind legs. With a yell, he lost his balance and fell head over heels down and off the rock, landing on the earth below. Not hesitating a second, Aleu leapt down onto Niju and closed her jaws on his throat. His eyes bulged in terror, and he struggled violently, but Aleu merely bit down harder. Niju began screaming horribly, thrashing and flailing, but it was no use. Aleu opened her jaws a little, then snapped them together, and blood gushed out between her teeth as she pierced Niju’s jugular vein. He gurgled, gasping as blood began spurting from his mouth with the air leaving his lungs, and Aleu bit down once more, finally cutting off his breath. He choked for a few seconds, then died, his wicked eyes glazing over and closing at last. Aleu took a deep breath, and turned her head skyward, letting out a triumphant howl of victory, as the entire pack cried out “E Marrak! Cuurom-Aleu Alyra!” which meant “So be it! Honor Aleu the Elder!”, the traditional statement for a challenger that defeated a current elder, or the one due to claim the position.

Aleu sat down, taking hard, shaky breaths, and Balto went to her quickly, embracing her and letting her do the same to him. “It’s over, Aleu,” he said softly. “It’s over.” Muru walked up to her and smiled brightly. “I knew you could win today, Aleu. Your wolf blood runs strong in your veins. The Shirae would have been honored to have you among them.” “Your words helped me,” Aleu said, smiling as best she could. “Thank you.” Nava came to her side and nuzzled her. “You saved my life, and the lives of everyone in this pack. You have done something so heroic, I doubt this pack will ever forget it.” Balto held Aleu to him. “I’m really proud of you, sweetheart,” he said. “I love you.” Aleu tightened her embrace. “I love you, too, Dad.” After a few more moments, Aleu felt better, and as she turned to face the pack, Nava lowered his head in a servant’s bow. “Niju took my position by force, and now you have taken it from him. You are the elder of the pack now, and I must leave. I hope dearly that you will treat them with all the care in your heart.” A tear ran down his cheek, but he merely turned his head, trying to keep Aleu from seeing it, after which he began walking away sadly over the snow. The pack was clearly expecting Aleu to address them, but she decided to follow Nava, almost appalled at the fact that none of them objected to his departure. She trotted ahead of him and stopped, and he looked up to meet her eyes, allowing her to see how much pain he was truly suffering. “Yes, Elder?” he said. “What do you wish?” “Nava,” she said, “you’re my friend. I don’t expect you to call me by a title.” The old wolf smiled a little, comforted by the kindness in Aleu’s voice, and sat down. “Very well, Aleu,” he said. “What do you want of me?” “Why are you leaving?” Nava suddenly burst into tears, which Aleu was quite shocked at. “It is…” he moaned, struggling to get the words out, “…because…the pack no longer loves me. I have stayed with them for so many years, and now they have turned against me, all except for those few. I cannot remain here. There is no place in a pack for two elders, much less one that the pack no longer wants. You did not see anyone beckoning me to not leave, did you? I shall go to find another pack, though I know of none that will accept a broken old one like me who can barely hunt any longer.” “But…most of the other packs have probably moved on after the caribou. How can you be sure to find any?” “I cannot. If that is so, then I shall live alone in the wild, hunt small things, and hope the end of my days comes soon.” Aleu felt as if she were about to cry herself, hearing the misery of her dear friend, but her sadness was quickly replaced by resolve. “Let’s go,” she said. “Come on. I have something to say.”

Aleu and Nava went back to the elder rock, and the pack came to attention, but Aleu did not climb the elder rock; she merely stood next to it with Nava standing beside her. “I have defeated your enemy this day, and earned the right of elder,” Aleu said, and the pack nodded, smiling, preparing to cheer. However, Aleu’s speech suddenly changed. “But it is a right I refuse to accept.” Gasps ran throughout the pack, except for Camyar, whose face began to turn to pain. Aleu went on. “I may have killed Niju, but that doesn’t make me worthy of being an elder. It’s a position that requires things like dignity, respect, compassion, and devotion, and I’m not the one to turn to for those qualities. There is somebody here today that embodies every one of these good traits, and does so very well. It’s Nava I speak of.” Nava’s lip began quivering as he listened to Aleu. “He’s cared for you and led you for years on end. He’s been there for you whenever you needed him. He’s given up himself to help you, and the greatest example was tonight, when he fought against Niju, going into a battle he knew he couldn’t win to protect you.” The pack began to nod as they realized Aleu was telling the truth. “To all of you who were willing to stand with him, you have noble souls, and your bravery should be honored. To everyone else, I can tell you to your faces that what you’ve done is just as condemnable as Niju’s evil.” She glared sternly at the pack, speaking out with a strong and piercing voice. “You betrayed your elder! He was willing to walk straight into the jaws of death for your sakes, and when he needed you most, you deserted him!” Many of the pack hung their heads in shame, and some sniffles could be heard. “But he didn’t surrender. He didn’t give up, and since Niju didn’t kill him, he is still your elder, and he deserves the position. Now come up and apologize however you feel like doing so.” A female hunter whose face was covered with tears came forward slowly, lying down at Nava’s feet. “Oh, Elder, forgive me,” she wept. “I am a coward, and my honor is empty.” “That is not true,” Nava said with sympathy, putting a paw on her head. “Do not say these things about yourself.” She sat up, and he nuzzled her. “I forgive you.” One by one, everyone in the pack approached, and they all received forgiveness.

“Thank you all,” Aleu said. “Your elder is a noble wolf, and he should stay your elder.” The pack began nodding in understanding, but suddenly, Nava spoke out. “I may have cared for this pack for years, but that does not mean I can go on forever. I am old, and becoming ever more tired as the days pass. I already told you privately, as I tell the pack now, that I do not believe I am strong enough to lead them over the ice this year.” This drew gasps from the crowd, who began speaking nervously with one another, wondering what would come of them. “However, I do believe that we have someone who can.” This regained the pack’s attention. Nava spoke softly and imploringly. “It is you, Aleu.” Aleu’s mouth dropped open; she was utterly stunned, especially when it sounded like the pack may have been agreeing. “Someone must take over from me,” said Nava. “Niju’s pack can find a leader for themselves, but I have always wanted to be certain of the one who would come after me. The time has come, and as the current elder, I can think of no one else more worthy. Your words and actions tonight leave no doubt in my mind. Please, Aleu. Will you accept? Will you become our elder?” Aleu was so shocked, she could barely even think about the proposal. It had been easy to turn down her potential authority when it still truly belonged to Nava, but now, the elder and the whole pack were offering it to her, and she truly wanted to help them. She was caught up in a tangled web of disbelief, excitement, and nervousness, but as she began to consider the offer, and the wonderful joy at such an opportunity began to rise, it was slowly joined by…reluctance. She wondered why something inside was saying no, but as she looked distantly through the faces in the crowd, her eyes settled on her father’s, and then, she knew why. “No!” shouted one side of her. “I’m not going to live like that again! This is my chance to be free! I don’t want to live with him…” Shame flooded her heart as she felt her resentment crawl up on her again, the feelings of hate towards her father, the ones she now loathed herself for, and this time, she pushed them aside. Fighting back her emotions, the ones that begged her to take the chance, the ones that were nearly bringing tears to her eyes, she turned to look at Nava and spoke bravely and softly. “No.” Nava’s hopeful face turned downcast, along with the rest of the pack. “I can’t. I have to go back where I belong. I’m only here because I was defiant; I ran away from home because I wasn’t willing to obey, and now I’ve got to set things right. I’m going back to Nome with my father.”

Everyone had been silent, but now began to talk in hushed voices. Aleu looked at Balto, and his face was full of indescribable joy and love at the fact that his daughter had chosen to follow him over the honor set before her. Then, she looked at the pack, and happened to see Camyar. It only took a brief glimpse of his face to see that he was heartbroken, and Aleu felt so horrible, knowing that she was giving up such a wonderful man, one who had truly loved her, and causing him such pain, that she had to look away so as to avoid bursting into sobs. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, feeling as miserable as she thought she ever could, but knowing that at long last, she was doing the right thing. She stood up, making her way down towards the pack, and Camyar stood up as well, coming through the others to reach her. They sat down facing each other, both trying to speak without tears. “You…you are a jewel, Aleu,” said Camyar, trying to breathe deeply and keep himself together. “I wish we could have had time as one, and not only been separate.” Aleu nodded, speaking with a cracking voice and a trembling lip. “You know…you’re the only man I’ve ever loved. It was…it was special.” Tears began dripping down both their cheeks, and they threw their paws around one another, sharing a beautiful kiss before laying their heads on each other’s shoulders. “I love you, Aleu,” Camyar whispered. “I love you, too, Camyar,” said Aleu, who was now sobbing with agony. They held each other for a long time, and then finally, Aleu let go and turned toward Balto, preparing to tell him that she was ready to leave. However, she didn’t speak when she saw him. The face that had just moments ago been filled with such happiness was now filled with pain, pain so terrible that Aleu felt as if she were looking at a reflection of herself. Balto fought back his emotions as best he could, speaking to Aleu after a few moments. “My darling Aleu, you’ll never know how wonderful what you said a minute ago made me feel. I’m so happy…I mean, I was never sure how you felt about me as a dad, and…now I know.” He chuckled with joy, but then, his face returned to pain. “But…now that I know, I can see things I couldn’t before, things I was…too blind to tell. All I saw before was my little girl, but now…I can see better. I can tell by what you’ve said in these last few minutes.” A tear ran down his cheek. “You’ve grown up, Aleu. You’re not a kid anymore, and…I know that…I can’t choose things for you now. It’s your life, not mine.” He sobbed a little, but pulled himself together. “I just wanted to tell you that…I think that what you have right here is for the best, Aleu. This pack needs you, and I know you can do great things here. I can’t be the one guiding you anymore; there’s so much more life you have beyond me, and beyond Nome. I love you more than anything in the world, and I would be overjoyed if you came back to live with us, but I can’t ask you to do that if it isn’t what your heart is really saying. I think it’s for the best if you stay here and lead this pack.” Aleu was completely stunned by what Balto was saying, and she merely sat there with her mouth open for several seconds. Nava spoke to her, snapping her out of her shock. “Please, Aleu. Lead us?” Aleu wasn’t sure how to think, which way to turn, but then, a voice came from inside her. “It’s happened. He’s letting me go. Now I can follow what my heart has found here. My dream can be real. I can finally be what’s inside me.” She took a deep breath and turned to Nava. “I will.” The whole pack cheered, and Camyar and Aleu embraced each other in ecstasy, laughing with pure happiness. “Oh, Aleu,” Camyar said. “Will you be my mate?” “Yes!” Aleu cried. “Oh, yes!” They began sobbing with joy, but Aleu suddenly stopped and moved back from Camyar. “That is,” she says, “if my dad approves.” Both of them looked at Balto. “Of course,” said Camyar. “I would not wish it otherwise.” Balto reached out and tousled Aleu’s head fur. “I’m not the one to make that choice,” he said. “You’re a big girl now. You deserve to decide what you want for your life. However,” he said with a smile, “I approve completely all the same.” Aleu laughed happily and embraced Camyar again, and they kissed each other while Balto looked on. He stared at Aleu, terrible sadness washing his heart. Aleu held such a big piece of that heart he wondered how he could bear giving her up, but he still remembered Muru’s words when he slept in the cave: “I know how fathers worry about their daughters being out in the world, but you cannot choose for them forever.”

Even so, that didn’t help the pain.

“Let us not waste time!” Nava’s voice came to Balto, pulling him from his thoughts. The old wolf was speaking to the whole pack. “We now celebrate the coming of a new leader, and the salvation of our pack!” The entire pack cheered, and most of them began milling about, doing jobs such as preparing food for a feast and clearing a space for dancing. Camyar left to join his fellow hunters in gathering meat, leaving Balto and Aleu alone with each other. Aleu’s happy expression faded as she saw how awful her father looked as he thought to himself. “So…” she said, “what are you thinking now?” Balto took a shaky breath. “I was…um…” His lip began quivering, and he struggled hard to keep his emotions from breaking loose. “I was thinking that…if only I had done a better job, if I had been a better father…none of this would have happened, and you would still be at home…” He burst into heavy sobs, and Aleu reached out and put her paw on his shoulder, trying to help him calm down. “You ran away because…I failed you as a dad, and now…I’ve lost you. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry…” He lowered his head, letting his tears pour, and Aleu spoke to him, her voice thick with emotion. “That’s not true, Dad,” she said softly. “It’s not your fault.” “Why not?” Balto asked, wiping away some of his tears. He noticed that Aleu could barely speak, and was struggling to get her words out. Finally, she did, her eyes brimming. “Because I failed you as a daughter.” Balto looked into Aleu’s eyes with shock as she began to cry. “You…you gave me everything: love, time, care, protection, everything to give me a happy life, but…I was never grateful, never appreciative. All I could think of was myself. I was arrogant and stupid, and I never took the time…to see what a great dad you were. You didn’t fail me; you were the best dad I could’ve wanted, and I’m sorry I didn’t give back the love you gave me…” Father and daughter embraced each other, tears spilling from their eyes, feeling like a gap that had separated them for years had finally closed. “I love you, Dad!” Aleu cried. “I love you, Aleu!” Balto sobbed. “Why is it just now?” Aleu said. “Why did we have to wait until now to learn how to just love each other like this?” “I’m going to miss you so much, Aleu,” said Balto. “I know it won’t be easy to do, but could you visit us in Nome sometimes?” “Sure, but only if you bring Mom and the others here someday soon.” “It’s a deal.”

They kept holding each other until Camyar’s voice called them to the meal. They nuzzled each other, and Aleu smiled at Balto. “Let’s eat!” she said, and they joined the rest of the pack in a circle between the nests and the elder rock. Balto told the pack about life in Nome by nearly universal request, and when the meal was done, Nava addressed the pack. “Now, we must have a dance and song, if our elder approves.” Aleu had no objections, and soon, everyone was slow dancing to music that played only in their minds, created by Nava’s singing. Balto sat by Muru, watching Aleu and Camyar dance each wearing smiles of deep love. He sighed, trying to loosen the grip of the chains of grief that wrapped around his heart. Suddenly, it felt as if they did loosen spontaneously, and Muru spoke. “Does that lighten your soul?” Balto smiled a little. “Yes,” he said. “Thanks.” “I know it is painful, my friend, and I cannot promise that it will not be for a time, but know that you are doing what is right. I will guide Aleu however I can. Make effort not to worry for her; she is strong and brave, and she already has many friends here. Come what may, I believe she will be safe.” Muru could sense that Balto was still tortured by himself. “Love does not have to disappear if it is separated merely by distance,” he said. “You and Aleu have removed the bars that kept you apart, and now nothing can destroy or suppress the care you feel for one another. Even when you are back in Nome, you will still be together in your hearts. I know it is not completely the same, but as the wolves say, ‘Cer ano cer, votoru’-‘love is love, it never dies’.” Balto nodded and stood up. “So true,” he said, walking into the crowd of wolves and making his way to Aleu. “Excuse me?” he said, and Aleu and Camyar looked at him. “I’m sorry to cut in, but I’ve never danced with my daughter before. This is my last chance.” Camyar nodded, moving aside, and Aleu touched her cheek to Balto’s as they began to dance. Balto didn’t say anything as they moved about the group; he just thought about how much he loved Aleu, how much they had been through, and how happy she was now. Suddenly, briefly, images flashed through his mind. He saw Aleu at the moment Jenna gave birth to her, the very first time he held her. He remembered how small she was, how he could just cradle her in his paws. He remembered showing her to Jenna, and how they had both been struck by how much she looked like him, even as such a small puppy. He could hear himself speaking her name for the first time. He could see her beautiful blue eyes the moment they first opened, and how she bobbled about as she took her first real steps. He heard the first time she was able to say “daddy”. He remembered the lullabies he sang her, the stories of wolves he told her, the times he ran over the snow with her clinging to his back and laughing. But more than anything, he remembered the first time she had ever said “I love you.” He stopped dancing and put his paws around Aleu, holding her tightly and starting to cry again. “Sky eyes,” he whispered. “Who am I going to call that now?” Aleu nuzzled him. “It’s alright, Dad. Don’t cry.” “I…I lost so much time we could’ve spent doing wonderful things just…worrying. How could I have been so stupid?” Aleu put her paws around Balto and whispered to him. “It’s okay, Dad. You did fine. I was the stupid one. Most of the time growing up, I was dumb enough to let my pride keep me from letting myself enjoy the happiness you tried to give me.” Balto sighed. “I just wish I’d had more times like this with you.” “So do I,” Aleu said sadly. After a few more minutes, Balto let Aleu return to dancing with Camyar, and before long, the celebration ended. Realizing that he had to go back to Nome, Balto decided not to prolong the parting with his daughter any longer, and he prepared to leave. With tears in his eyes, he took Aleu’s paw and placed it in Camyar’s. “I always imagined what it would be like to give you away,” he said to Aleu. He looked at Camyar. “Please, take good care of her?” he said imploringly. Camyar nodded. “On my honor as a wolf, until death comes for me, such is my solemn vow. I will love her, and only her, forever.” Balto nodded, then looked at Aleu again. “Good luck, sweetheart,” he said. “You too, Dad,” Aleu replied. They stared at each other for a moment, then embraced each other one last time. “I won’t forget you,” Aleu said softly. “Ditto,” Balto whispered. “I love you.” “I love you, too. Goodbye, Dad.” “Goodbye, Aleu.”

And with that, Balto turned and walked away, weeping silently the moment Aleu could no longer see his face, shedding bitter tears that continued flowing even until he reached the base of the mountain. It had finally happened. Aleu was gone, off in a life of her own, leading a wolf pack with a husband at her side. So much had happened that Balto had a hard time thinking about all of it. One thing he did think about, however, was that even for everything he had done, how hard he had fought, she was still gone. “Has this all been worth nothing?” he thought. Then, he heard something in the distance. It was a bright, clear sound, but one he wouldn’t have recognized if he hadn’t been there when Aleu defeated Niju. It was her howl. She was howling goodbye to him. He howled in return, knowing she would hear. “No. This was for the best.” Yet even with this comforting thought, he was still immersed in pain through every step of his journey over the mountain, every moment of his dreams, every rolling hill of snow he trod over as he journeyed for home, his thoughts filled with little but Aleu.

The small amount of days it took seemed like weeks, but finally, Balto came over a hill and saw Nome in the distance, looking warm and welcoming in the light of afternoon. He entered town through a back alley, heading toward Rosy’s house, hanging his head in fatigue and grief. He looked up and saw Jenna walking toward him from the porch. She stopped in front of him and sat down, and he looked into her eyes, seeing relief at his return, but also, a sort of expectation. She only said one word.

“Aleu?”

Balto began choking up, and he could barely answer. “I had to let her go.”

The look in Jenna’s eyes revealed that this was what she had been expecting, and she nodded. “I understand,” she said softly. Balto’s lip began quivering, and he was so ashamed he lowered his eyes from Jenna’s. “Please don’t hate me, Jenna,” he sobbed, breaking down completely. Jenna put her paws around him, pulling his head to her shoulder. “I don’t,” she said, stroking him. She kissed his neck, nuzzling him comfortingly. “You’ve had a hard time. Let’s go inside.” She walked alongside him, leading him to the house. “I’m glad you’re home,” Jenna said. “So am I,” Balto sighed.

THE END