Chapter 1: Longing For Home

Sometime around late winter/early spring 1929...

Near the top of a hill looking over a wolf den, a young female wolfdog sat down and surveyed her surroundings. Her name: Aleu, daughter of the wolfdog Balto, and husky Jenna. It had been about two years since Aleu had left her father to lead her own wolf pack, their former leader, Nava. From that point, she had grown to be a strong leader, and had also made many friends in her pack, especially two of her closest friends: a pair of male wolves named Kalhi and Kenai.

For the past few weeks, she's been thinking more and more about her family she left behind, especially her father.

All because I ran away from home after being so shocked, so angry and upset that papa didn't tell me I was half wolf until a hunter almost killed me. Aleu thought.

More and more, Aleu wanted longed to return home and see her father, her mother, and her siblings. More and more, Aleu wanted to see her father, to tell him how much she loves and misses him, and to tell him how sorry she was over being so angry and upset over him and for running away.

Papa, I miss you so much. I miss mom too. Papa, you were the only one I said goodbye to when I left. I want to see you and mama again... so badly.

When Aleu looked up in the sky, she noticed it was dark. She felt tired, and she head back to her pack's den.

"Hi Aleu." Kalhi greeted.

"How you feeling, Aleu?" Kenai greeted and asked.

"I'm alright." Aleu replied to her friends. "I just need some sleep."

"We saved you some food." Kenai said.

"Thank you, Kenai, but I'm fine. I ate earlier. Good night."

"If you say so. Goodnight." Kenai replied.

Kenai and Kalhi watched as their friend settled inside the den and slept.

"Kalhi, I'm worried about Aleu. She's not been herself for the past few weeks. She seems to be growing more and more... distant. What do we do?"

"Kenai, no offense, but what are you asking me for? If you are so worried, ask her yourself. Anyways, she's closer to you than to me. Though I will admit, I am worried too." Kalhi replied.

"Kalhi... don't make it sounds like she's not close to you at all. Your her friend too. We are her two closest friends in the pack. We do everything with her." Kenai said, hoping to dispel any thoughts that he and Aleu might be... more than friends.

"Okay, I'm worried about Aleu as well, but you should try asking her first. I'm sure she would listen to you." Kalhi replied.

"As you wish." Kenai said.

The two male wolves settled themselves nearby Aleu. Kenai stayed up a little longer, watching Aleu, feeling very concerned over her. Afterwards, Kenai put his head down and fell asleep.

As Aleu dreamt, she spotted a grey figure walk in front of her.

Aleu's eyes widened. "Papa?"

The grey figure smiled lovingly at her.

"Aleu, its been so long since I last saw you. You have grown so much since then." The grey wolfdog Balto said.

"It's been even longer since I last saw you too."

Aleu gasped and turned her head to see a red female husky approach her.

"Mom." Aleu softly spoke, a hint of sadness in her voice. She even started tearing up.

"You look so beautiful, sweetie." Jenna said.

"Mama, I miss you too. I miss you and dad so much." Aleu cried, her voice trembling."

"We miss you too, Aleu." Balto replied. "No matter what, Aleu, we will always love you. You will always be my baby."

"You will always be our baby." Balto and Jenna echoed at once.

"I will always be your baby." These were the words she said when she left her father. Remembering that moment, Aleu shut her eyes and started to sob.

"We miss you Aleu. We love you, and miss you so much." Jenna's voice echoed.

"I miss you, and love you... so much." Aleu said. She then opened her eyes in shock. "Where are you going?"

"We are heading back home, baby." Jenna replied.

"No! Please! Don't leave me!" Aleu cried in desperation.

"Don't worry, Aleu. We didn't leave you. You left us." Balto said. "But don't worry about us. We will be fine at home. Out here is where you belong, as you said before you left."

Balto turned around and walked a few steps with Jenna until turning back.

"Also Aleu, we hope we will see you again one day. We hope you can come back home again." Balto smiled before turning back to walk away and Jenna, and disappear...

"Aleu? Aleu! ALEU!" A voice yelled.

The voice startled her and woke her up. She saw Kenai and Kalhi facing her, their faces covered with worry and concern.

"Aleu, you alright?" Kenai asked. "We were trying to wake you up so that you can lead the hunt with us this morning. But then, we saw that you were crying in your sleep."

Aleu looked down, and she could feel the tears on her face. She turned away, embarrassed, and started crying again.

"Just lead the hunt without me." Aleu said.

Kalhi and Kenai exchanged glances with each other, then walked over to her.

"Kalhi, you lead the pack on the hunt without us." Kenai whispered. "I'll try to bring Aleu out and catch up with you."

"If you say so." Kalhi said. He turned to walk away while Kenai settled himself next to Aleu as she sobbed.

"A- Aleu? There there, it's alright." Kenai gently soothed as he carefully wrapped his paws around her, attempting to comfort her. At first, Aleu resisted, but then relented. As Kenai comforted her, he licked the tears from her face. Aleu looked up at him, then leaned against him and sobbed into his fur. For a while, Kenai continued to hold Aleu, continuing to console her. After sometime, she slowely calmed down.

"Aleu, what's wrong? Please tell me what's wrong. Please." Kenai implored. "You haven't been yourself in a few weeks."

Aleu sighed.

"Alright. I'm sorry, Kenai... It's just..." She drifted.

"It's just what?"

"It's just... I've been missing my family. I've been really, really missing my father... and my mother and siblings lately." Aleu confessed. Kenai looked at Aleu with pity. He felt bad for her. Aleu sighed.

"Kenai... it may have been about two years since I last saw my father, but that has been two long years. I don't know if I will be able to see them again. I hope I will, but I don't when if I will get the chance. What if... what if I've already seen the last of my father and the rest of my family?"

Kenai didn't reply, as he struggled for any comforting words he can say to Aleu. Kenai released his paws from Aleu's shoulders.

"I'm sorry you are missing your family." Kenai sympathized. But if it makes you feel better, even a little bit, I haven't seen my mother either."

Aleu thought for a moment. Both friends remained silent for a few moments, then Kenai broke the silence.

"Aleu, why don't you come out and get some fresh air? Kalhi and the others are already out hunting. Maybe some food after the hunt will make you feel better." Aleu softly smiled.

"Thank you, Kenai. And thanks for the comfort." Aleu said.

"It's no problem." Kenai replied, blushing a little bit.

Aleu smiled gently at him and leaned over to tap his muzzle with her nose in a sweet way.

Kenai then stood up and offered his paw. Aleu smiled and took his paw, and Kenai helped Aleu up. Kenai and Aleu smiled at each other for a moment before heading out to join the rest of the pack.

A few minutes later, a grey wolf bounded towards Aleu and Kenai.

"Aleu-" the grey wolf bumped into Aleu, causing her to stumbled backwards and for him to fall on his back. Kenai caught Aleu before she could fall backwards.

"Aleu! Sorry Aleu." the wolf apologized as he stood back up. Kalhi then joined the group.

"Aleu, we weren't able to hunt. However, we caught some Caribou running across an ice bridge!" the grey wolf informed.

"An ice bridge?" Aleu couldn't believe it.

"Come quick! The ice bridge might be forming a path back to the mainland!"

Aleu and the group bounded back to where the ice bridge was spotted. Aleu was excited. She could have the chance to live closer to home!

When the group of four joined the rest of the pack in front of the ice bridge, a mysterious white wolf appeared.

"Who are you?" Aleu questioned.

"That is not important." The white wolf replied. "What is important is that this ice bridge will bring you all back to the mainland. You must hurry. This ice bridge will not stay for long. Cross right away if you are to follow the caribou and continue your hunt!"

The pack broke in conversation with each other, but Aleu was able to interrupt before any more time can be lost.

"C'mon, lets all go now!"

The pack complied, and started to cross the ice bridge. The white wolf allowed Aleu and her pack to cross, but didn't cross itself. Instead, the wolf pack spotted a black raven flying above them, guiding them back to the mainland. Once they did get back to the mainland, the pack celebrated. They were heading back to their old home. But then the time for celebration had to be cut short, since they had Caribou to hunt...