Chapter One

Balto rushed through the street's snowy covering, skidding around the corner and digging in his paws for the final stretch. The wolfdog's brown fur whipped through the wind, and he glanced over his shoulder, laughing at the determined face of the husky right behind him.

"Come on, Jenna!" he called, ducking under a stray piece of rigging and leaping over another, "You'll never beat me!"

"Oh really?"

Balto watched in amazement as the beautiful red husky veered to her left and used the frozen pond as a speed boost, smoothly cutting ahead of him several meters down the road. His pace slowed for a second in shock before he picked it up again, driving his legs in a desperate attempt to catch up with her, but it was too late.

She leapt and slid across the finish line in style, snow spraying up from her feet and fur flashing in the sun. Boris, Muk, and Luk were waiting for them there and cheered when they saw her cross before Balto.

"Losing your touch, eh, Balto?" Boris nudged the wolfdog with his wing, a grin playing on his features.

"Ha, please Boris, I let Jenna win," Balto replied confidently, mischievous eyes darting to Jenna before returning to the goose.

"I doubt it, considering the look on your face when I passed you," she replied sarcastically, eyes glittering in the sunlight and fur fluffed up from the run. Muk and Tuk broke out into laughter, and Boris joined in.

"She's got you there, Balto!" he chuckled, slapping Balto gently over the head with his feathers. Luk started talking gibberish animatedly, and Muk waved his arms in acknowledgment, rapidly conversing with his brother on Jenna's win.

"Come on, guys," Balto chuckled, ducking out from under Boris's wing. "Alright, Jenna, you won fair and square. But I will beat you next time; this was just beginner's luck." He glanced around the company, eyebrows rising up in his own classic way. "Now, who wants to celebrate Jenna's victory?"

He was met with a resounding chorus of agreement.

After a small feast that Balto had prepared over the course of the week no matter how the race panned out, Boris started telling the stories of his old grandfather goose to the polar brothers. Glancing at Jenna over the animated group, Balto jerked his head back to indicate they go for a walk. Smiling, she got up herself and joined him.

"Be right back, boys! Be good for Uncle Boris now, you hear?"

Muk waved absent-mindedly, but other than that, the boys were far too interested in Boris's tale to really care about what Balto was saying or doing.

Laughing, he touched noses with Jenna and started walking. "So, where to tonight?" he asked, voice gentle and soft in her sweet presence. "Walk out into the snow prairie? Check out the pond by moonlight? Watch the Northern Lights?"

She nuzzled him back as they walked and thought for a moment. "How about we just walk and see where our paws take us?" she suggested instead, simply glad to be in his company.

"That's a great idea." He gazed lovingly at the one dog who had taken a chance on him, taking in her beautiful fur and sweet nose, but especially her star-lit eyes. He had discovered such beauty in those simple eyes that had looked back at him with the same love he shed on them. He hadn't realized, until he'd met Jenna, just how lovely eyes could be.

They strolled through the snowy town, passing by Rosy's bedroom window and watching her peacefully sleeping form before moving on. They found themselves on the wide snow prairie, the moon shining softly on the snow and illuminating Jenna's red and white fur in silver tones. They talked of many things until the topic of the race returned.

"If I do say so myself, Balto," Jenna laughed, "I did beat you rather flawlessly."

He chuckled himself and shook his head. "Whatever you say, Jenna."

"You think it was just luck, don't you?" she asked, eyebrows rising competitively. "I know you, Balto; you like a challenge. Tell you what, why don't we race again tomorrow, and I'll prove it to you that I can beat you, fair and square."

Balto tilted his head, ears flopping and eyes cocky. "Alright then," he replied slowly, "but why don't we make it a little more interesting?"

Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Interesting how?"

"We'll make it a sled race," he replied, growing more excited with each sentence. "We'll each pull a little sled, and we'll set up a track through the woods. Rosy helped her father make that other sled for Christmas, right? We'll just borrow both of hers; she won't mind; no doubt she'll love it that we're playing with them."

Jenna thought about the idea for a minute, mulling it over in her mind before deciding to reply. "Okay," she said thoughtfully. "I'm sure Rosy would love to see us having fun, and the sleds need to be used more anyway. Besides, I'd love to beat you again."

"Great! I'll get it all set up; the boys will help me."

"And I'll get the sleds," she replied, smiling.

As they neared the town again, Balto froze an instant before Jenna did at the howl that echoed through the snow-filled landscape. Ears twitching, he strained to hear where the sound was coming from, and his muscles tensed as more howls interweaved with the first, the eerie reverberation threading its way through the frosty air.

"How far?" Jenna whispered, the tips of her fur on end despite herself.

Balto closed his eyes and tried to judge the distance. "Only a few miles," he said, opening them again.

"They're getting closer every day," Jenna murmured, glancing towards the town.

"I know," he replied. "I've never heard these ones before; the howls are different. I'm worried they're getting desperate for food; the winter's been so harsh lately, and they might be travelling farther than usual to sustain themselves as best as they can." He glanced at Jenna out of the corner of his eye and instantly shut his mouth at the worried gleam in her eye. Nudging her gently, he turned her back towards the town.

"Don't worry," he murmured comfortingly. "They won't go into the town; likely they'll just go around us and leave us alone. If you want, we can stay home tomorrow."

"No, it's fine," she replied. "I don't want to bail now, after we've made our plans. We can just go the other direction tomorrow. I don't think they'll bother us during the day, anyway, and we'll be together."

"Are you sure?" he insisted, worried for her well-being despite knowing she was probably right.

"Positive," she replied, smiling up at him and nuzzling his ear. "Don't worry about me, Balto; I can handle myself."

"If you're sure," he replied, eyes shining at her strength and confidence, "then I guess it's alright with me."

The two padded together into town, Balto leaving Jenna at her house; he was spending the night at his usual place with Boris and the polar brothers. Yet even as he left her house, he felt an odd twinge go up his spine at another sound of a distant howl. He glanced back, but even his sensitive eyes could not see a thing besides the empty snow-scape. Not quite trusting his vision, he turned back for home, but not without gnawing on his thoughts like he would on a bone.

Maybe tomorrow wasn't such a good day for the sled race, or if they had one, it should be within the town...but no, it would cause too much chaos for the pedestrians if there were dogs and sleds flying about. And Jenna did want to race; who was he to imply that she was too weak or vulnerable to have fun and do so? She was one of the strongest dogs he knew. And anyway, the wolves wouldn't bother them during the day and likely wouldn't even be around them. No, he'd just keep the race closer to the town than he would have otherwise and keep close to her, and they'd be fine. He left for his place feeling much lighter than usual, fur no longer on end and pawsteps light.

They say what you don't know, can't hurt you...but Balto was about to find out how wrong that saying was.

Chapter Two is on the way! Please read and review, and if you have any suggestions let me know. This is my first time writing for Balto and I appreciate constructive criticism and help. :)