Introduction:
Hi guys, in case you've forgotten I'm The Cool Kat. I'm back, and it's only been eight months since my last Heritage fic, compared to twelve. I hope to shave even more months off next time. But for now welcome to the fourth installment of the "Heritage of the Wolf" series, "Framed". It was originally called "Leviticus", and had a subplot involving Blaze, Derek, and Grace and the bizarre love triangle going on but I cut that section out for three reasons.
(1) If anyone wanted to read my stories about gay and bisexual dogs they'd check out my Balto/Steele series, or my collab with Kodiwolf321. (2) It was actually pretty useless to the plot, brought the story down, and didn't gel as well as the Devil, Sam and Steele stuff did the last time. And (3) it was the first fic after Balto and Jenna's recent marriage, the thing people read the Salvation trilogy for in the first place, and I felt "Leviticus" / "Framed" should focus more on Balto and Jenna enjoying themselves, as well as those they befriended.
Besides in retrospect I now think Dixie blackmailing Blaze is suiting end to his story arc (for now anyway), and paints Dixie as a stronger, more loyal gal who's not willing to get her paws dirty for her friends, instead of just being a shallow show dog.
I actually have WolfdogmeetstheLionKing to thank for a submitting a review last time that pointed out I was slightly off focus with "Salvation, Part 3", what with all the different things going on at the same thing some didn't quite get the attention they deserved. So while "Framed" is a simpler story than the last one, I'd like to think it's also a more fun one since there's last drama and more Balto paling around his gang.
Before we begin I'd like to thank all the guys who supported me throughout the Salvation trilogy, and those who continued to support me afterwards. AniUniverse, Mojotheomegawolf, WolfdogmeetstheLionKing, BrytheSpy, Tails1/Balto1, Kodiwolf321, Chickweed001, and all the other guys who reviewed/favorited my Heritage fics, I'm eternally grateful. I'm also grateful towards Brasta Septim, That Nerd Next Door, Unshipped Corpse, MalevolentTorment, and EthanXPeaches for reviewing "The Revenge and Redemption of Steele" and my Balto/Steele series. And finally I'd like to thank DarkWolf76 for pitching ideas for gags in this fic, many of which you'll see in chapter 2.
Chapter 1: Honeymoon.
Saturday, February 14, 1925.
"Dreams to Dream (Tanya's Version)" by James Horner begins.
Jenna Jones never thought she would consider surprises to be annoying. Then again, she never counted on having a surprise-happy husband. Or a husband at all, really.
The rust and cream colored husky would have felt a lot more apprehensive and anxious about walking through the forest with her eyes shut, if not wasn't for the fact that her spouse could be trusted to keep her from walking into a tree or stumbling over a rock.
As usual, Balto wouldn't tell her where they were going for their honeymoon, only that it was the opposite of where they held their wedding.
As she kept walking, her eager husband right beside her, guiding her, she pondered that scenario. Their wedding ceremony took place in Balto's meadow, where the sun lit up the whole field once it reached it's highest point in the sky. So what would the opposite of that setting be?
Something to do with the moon Jenna supposed, since it had to be around 7:00 at night.
"Okay, we're here", Balto declared from close by, and Jenna paused where she stood. She almost opened her eyes, but then she realized Balto hadn't told her to do that yet, and there was probably a good reason for that.
"Now, tell me what you smell", he requested.
It was an odd request, one that caused the housedog to furrow her brow in perplexion, but she indulged it nonetheless; her curiosity and sense of adventure persuading her to go along with her mate's fun and games.
Pricking up her nose and sniffing the air around her, she detected a large variety of things - the wet, earthy forest, the dry crisp night air, the wolf-dog next to her (a heady, distracting, attractive musk indeed), and water. Lots of water.
Balto noticed the intrigued expression on his mate's face and he knew she was starting to catch on, smiling lightly. "You know that small creek outside Nome? It leads to a river that stretches on for miles out here", he offered an explanation
"So you took me to see the river?", Jenna asked him, though that udea didn't quite add up; for a number of reasons.
"We're at the base of a cliff, where the river becomes a waterfall. And what does water do in the winter?", he asked her.
It froze.
Jenna's eyes snapped open and she was met with one of the most beautiful natural sights she had ever seen.
The river, a usually fierce and uncontrollable torrent of running water, laid frozen right besides them. It ran up the massive cliff-face they stood beneath, towering a good fifty feet above their heads. And if the pillar of ice and snow wasn't beautiful enough on it's own, it also reflected the night sky: the moon and the stars and the Aurora Borealis both dogs loved so much.
It was truly amazing.
Balto sure knew how to dazzle a girl.
The wolf-dog whistled contentedly. "This is a rare sight. It only happens when the moon is full and the skies are clear. Luckily, the conditions were just right for our honeymoon", he grinned.
It took his wife a few moments to answer, still in awe, before she turned to her mate. "You know, you're always talking about your life like it's completely horrible all the time, but it can't be all bad if you get to see things like this: things only a few men and women and dogs ever get to see", she exclaimed.
"Well, it is a pretty sight. But it's even better when you have someone to share it with", he admitted, sitting down in the snow to rest his legs and watch the lightshow.
Jenna did the same, plopping down next to the hybrid. "So is this what every day's going to be like from now on? You taking me to new, exciting places and showing me nature's hidden beauty?", she asked excitedly, all omboard with that idea.
Balto chuckled. "Not quite. I'll be every much the student as I am the teacher", he replied. "Because if you think the world outside Nome is huge to you, you have no idea how strange and alien the world inside is to me", the former outcast explained.
"I've just started learning how to be a wolf, now I'm a housedog too. And even though it's what I've always wanted, I've got all these responsibilities now. I've got owners, I'm leading a sled dog team, I've got a kid to look after. I'll admit, all that stuff is a little intimidating", the half-breed confessed. "I'll probably be useless at it for the first few months", he added unashamedly.
Now it was Jenna's turn to crack a smile. "I'll make you a deal. I'll help you enjoy domestic life, if you keep taking me places to escape it all every once in a while", she offered.
Balto didn't even have to think about that proposal. "I'll take you up on that", her hubby said, without a shadow of a doubt.
Satisfied, Jenna scooted over, until she was sitting side-by-side with him. And of course, once she was in position, she couldn't resist nuzzling her beloved on the neck, listening to his throat rumble softly and contentedly.
As the sky danced without a care, the two canines leaned into one another, eagerly awaiting the days to come.
"Doctor Who XI" by Murray Gold begins.