Chapter 2: Aleu Departs for Nome
After Aleu and her pack finally returned to the mainland after 2 years, they followed the caribou in their hunt. Afterwards, the pack roamed around the mainland looking for a den to stay in. When they finally found a place to sleep, the pack settled down and went to sleep. All, except for Aleu, who was staying up at night, lost in thought. Kenai was asleep, but Kalhi woke up and watched Aleu stare into the night. Feeling the need to give her company, Kalhi stood up to join Aleu.
"Still awake?" he asked.
"Yeah. Don't worry about me, Kalhi." Aleu replied.
"I don't know about that." Kalhi added. He took a moment to breath in. "Aleu, Kenai told me you have not been yourself for the past few weeks. Please tell me, what's bothering you."
"Kalhi-" Aleu was interrupted.
"Am I not your friend, too?" he questioned. "You... probably already told Kenai what's bothering you, but not me?"
Aleu hesitated, and sighed, giving in.
"Alright Kalhi. I'm sorry. I just have been feeling homesick." Aleu replied. "It's been 2 long years since I left my father. I miss him. I miss my mother and sibling too."
"I see..." Kalhi added. "Aleu, I'm sorry that you feel homesick for your family, especially your father. But if it makes you feel better, you're not the only one who leaves your parents. It's typical for wolves to leave their parents after going up, usually to find another pack to live in, or to form a new one. I left my mother and father when I grew up. I'm sure Kenai did as well. Surely your father also left his parents and their pack when he grew up."
"I wouldn't be sure that my father left his parents." Aleu replied.
"What do you mean?" Kalhi asked.
Aleu, in her head, knew that her father did not leave his parents in the way that Kalhi assumed, but decided not to tell that story.
"Never mind." Aleu said and turned her head to continue looking across the landscape. Kalhi wanted to press further, but decided to leave her be.
"I can keep you company until you call it a night." Kalhi offered.
"That won't be necessary, but thanks anyways." Aleu replied.
"Alright, if that's what you want. I'll see you in the morning, then." Kalhi told her.
"Good night."
"Good night."
Kalhi entered the den and fell asleep while Aleu stayed behind. She looked up at the night sky, also feeling the urge to go to sleep.
"Papa, I'm back in the mainland. I miss you. I miss mama as well. I hope I can see you again one day, since I'm on the mainland again." Aleu said to herself. She then walked into the den and went to sleep, a few feet from Kalhi and Kenai.
Several hours later...
Aleu slowly gained consciousness and woke up, feeling tears flow down her eyes and down her face. She had the dream again. She dreamt that she was with her mother and father again, except she realized she was witnessing sometime in the past, her father talking to her mother on how much he missed her, and how Aleu's mother also misses her too. She woke up, longing to see her parents again. Suddenly, a dim light appeared in the den, then flashed, temporarily blinding Aleu. When the light cleared, she found in the light's place was an elderly wolf.
"Nava?" Aleu asked softly, staring at the wolf in shock.
Nava quietly walked over to her, and tenderly licked the tears from her face.
"You no longer need to be sad, child." Nava said authoritatively, but gently. "You will see your family again soon."
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"Aleu, you have already fulfilled your destiny. You have already led my former pack to follow the caribou so that they would not starve. Since you have fulfilled your destiny, you are free to go."
"You mean, I can see my parents again?" Aleu asked. Nava silently nodded.
"Thank you so much, Nava!" Aleu rushed over to lean against him, giving Nava a hug. Nava gently held her, rubbing her back softly with his paw.
" You are most welcome, Aleu." he said, then the two parted.
"But Nava, how long would I be able to see my parents before I leave again?"
"Aleu, your place no longer remains out here. You have fulfilled what is needed of you. There I no simple visit. You can live with your father and rest of your family if you so choose." Aleu stared at Nava in disbelief. "This is your chance to see your family again. You no longer have to hope to see your family again. Leave for home in the morning. That is where you belong now." Aleu slowly nodded.
"What about Kenai and Kalhi, and the rest of the pack? Who will lead them?"
"Either Kenai or Kalhi will take your place." Nava assured. "Farewell, Aleu. Good luck in returning to your family again. Thank you for leading my former pack in my absence."
"Wait, Nava." Aleu said as he began to leave. "Will I see you again?"
"Don't worry about me. Focus on your family, young Aleu. Carry your experiences that you have learned back home, and show your family how much you have grown." With that, Nava disappeared.
Aleu stood for a moment, still taking in the thought of being able to see her family again. But then...
Seeing my family again would mean leaving the pack... leaving Kalhi... and Kenai.Aleu made up her mind. She would stay a little longer before sunrise to tell Kenai that she was leaving.
A little bit later...
"Kenai, wake up." Aleu whispered. Kenai muttered in his sleep. "Kenai, wake up!" Aleu said louder, but still whispering. She shook Kenai's body with her paw, and he woke up with sleepy eyes.
"What is it Aleu? It's too early. Tell me in the morning." Kenai rested his head. Aleu sighed. I don't think he's gonna like this."Kenai, I'm leaving."
Kenai's eyes suddenly widen, and he suddenly picked his head up.
"Wait, WHA-"
"Shhhhhhhh! Don't wake the pack up!" Aleu commanded, shutting his muzzle with her paw. She leaned her head closer to him. "I'm leaving, Kenai. I'm no longer needed. I'm heading back to my father and the rest of the family." Aleu slowly and gently removed her muzzle.
"What do you mean?" he asked, confused.
"Nava came to me earlier. He said I am free to go. I can be able to see my family again, and I will."
"Aleu, who would lead the pack if not your?" he questioned.
"Either you and Kalhi will. And I think you would make a good leader for the pack."
"Me?"
"You've been a great friend, Kenai. Kalhi as well. For you, I'm sure you'll be a good leader, Kenai." Aleu assured him.
Kenai remained silent, thinking things over.
"Well, if you really have to go..." Kenai sighed.
"Before you go Aleu..."
"Yes?"
"I'm going to miss... having you around. I'm going to miss having you around as our leader, and as a friend."
"I'm going to miss being with you, Kalhi, and the pack too." Aleu said.
"Good luck on your trip back home, Aleu." Kenai bid.
Aleu smiled. "Thanks, Kenai." She leaned forward and wrapped her paws around Kenai, hugging him. Kenai held her close to him as well. They held for a few moments before parting.
"Thanks for our friendship Kenai. Thanks for everyone's friendship in the pack." she said.
"I hope I'll see you again." Kenai said.
Aleu tapped his muzzle with her nose. "I hope I'll also see you again, Kenai."
Kenai returned her friendly gesture. The two stared at each other for a few moments before Aleu turned to leave. Kenai's ears fell as he watched her leave. It was going to be tough living with the pack without her. He stayed awake for a little while, lost in thought. He felt deep inside him that he couldn't just let Aleu go out there by herself. More than that, he considered her his best friend. He couldn't just continue living in the pack without her. As he fell asleep, he made a decision...
Later...
"Kenai, where's Aleu?"
"Hmm?"
Kenai felt he was being poked awake by Kalhi.
"Where's Aleu? She's gone. I couldn't find her when I woke up."
Kenai sighed. "I'm sorry, Kalhi. Aleu left. She told me that Nava told her."
"Nava?" Kalhi exclaimed I disbelief.
"I know that it sounds crazy, but I trust Aleu. There's no reason not to. The bottom line is, Nava told Aleu that she is able to leave to return to her family."
Kalhi's ears flattened in sadness. "She didn't say goodbye. She only said goodbye to you."
"I'm really sorry. It came as a shock to me too." Kenai replied.
"So who's going to lead the pack now?" Kalhi asked.
"You are."
"Me? Why me? What about you?"
"I'm going after Aleu. Before you say anything though, listen to me. It's going to be tough moving on without Aleu, but I feel..."
"Feel what?
"Look, you know how close Aleu and I are, and as much as I wouldn't admit it openly, I think Aleu and I are more than that. I never told her this either, but that's how I feel."
Kalhi was going to object, but he thought over it, and understood what Kalhi's getting at.
"Are you sure you're going to leave us too? I've always knew that you and Aleu were exceptionally close, but to this extent?"
"I'm sure, Kalhi. I'm also going to say this too: I think my heart lies with her. As we got to know Aleu, my life changed. I want to continue being with her, Kalhi. I hope you'll understand."
"I do understand, Kenai. In any other case, I would disapprove with you leaving us just so that you can catch up with Aleu. But if you really do feel this way for her, than I bid you good luck."
"Thanks, Kalhi." Kenai replied.
"Though, how would you know that she feels the same way for you?" Kalhi asked.
"Only one way to find out, Kalhi. I have to catch up with her and tell her myself." Kenai started to part form Kalhi and leave.
"Kenai! Good luck out there! Take good care of Aleu!" He shouted.
"Thanks, Kalhi! Good luck being the new leader! I'm sure you'll do just fine! I hope we can see each other again sometime!"
"Kenai, you have a noble heart, my friend. No doubt! I hope our paths will cross again someday!"
Kenai bounded towards the direction where he last saw Aleu go.
Aleu, I'm coming. I'm going to accompany you back to your home. You won't return alone. Aleu, I love you. I hope... I hope this won't turn you off, even though we have been close friends.