"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27)."

Chapter 4

A dreadful chill consumes Balto within, a burning fear grips his spirit. In his heart he wants to believe none of it is true, that Boris is making a false misapprehension, but knows what his own ears heard. But Curse, holding a dead baby?

"I-it must have been a look-alike," the wolf-dog stammers. "Or maybe you're talking about a different wolf."

"Balto, he fits the description. Besides, you said he came to Nome earlier this week. You barely know him!"

Balto replies with silence, his eyes looking down at the old, wooden floor. Boris is right, he doesn't know that much about Curse; however, the wolf's faith provokes his thoughts, making him think otherwise. He knows Boris would never lie to him, but how can it be Curse?

"What happened when you and Stella met him?"

Boris swallows, silence is his first answer. Sorrow covers his eyes and fear haunts his face. Then, as he sits down by Balto, "He dropped the dead baby…" a brief pause comes, "and then he tried to kill Stella and me."

"Hold on, what?! Did you two get hurt?"

"Just a few minor injuries and lost some feathers," the Russian goose informs. "But as we were getting away, we looked back to see if he was chasing us and he was…'having dinner' on that poor thing." He shivers, covering his face with his wings for a moment. "This was about three weeks ago in Canada in case you're wondering."

"That's terrible, Boris. I'm sorry you and Stella saw that. "But," Balto gets up, the blanket falling off of him, "it can't be him."

"What makes you think that?" Boris asks, looking up at him.

"He believes in God," he informs the Russian goose.

"So do other people, even some animals," Boris points out.

"No, he's...what are they called? Christian. He's a Christian."

"I don't mean sound judgmental, but maybe he's doing that as an act. A lot of people say they're Christian and quote the Bible, but do terrible things. I mean, I'm not saying all of them are like that, some are true, but a lot of them say they are when they are actually not."

Balto shakes his head in disagreement. "No. He's pretty genuine about his faith. He even sang a poem he wrote that was about Jesus at the open mic tonight. Look, Boris, like I said, that wolf is either a look-alike or you're talking about a different black wolf. Maybe if you see Curse yourself, you'll know."

Boris exhales heavily, grabbing one of the blankets. "You're probably right."

"Glad you two are alright," Balto said with a smile before drinking out of his water bowl. "Did you seen Muc and Luc when you came back?"

"No, I haven't. We just got here a few minutes before you did. But anyways, you said Kodi and Dusty started dating?" Boris then smiles with a nod. "They're a perfect match."

"Since when did you become Cupid?" Balto jokes, chuckling. "Well, I'm retiring for the night. Goodnight, Boris."

"Goodnight, boychick."

As Balto sleeps, he turns on his side, eyes shut tight. His legs move as if he's running. "No, no, no..." he mumbles softly, whining. He turns again, his paws scratching the floors.

"Balto."

"Jenna?" He doesn't know if he was fully asleep or half-awake. It's like those times when someone hears things, but is still sleeping. "It's not even morning yet. Go back to sleep."

When he opens his eyes, he finds himself surrounded by trees in the Alaska wilderness. Where is he? The snow beneath his paws is light. Taking a look around, he finds them familiar, realizing he's outside of Nome. Taking a heavy sigh, he looks up above, seeing the Northern Lights. "Now I'm sleepwalking. Great."

But something grips his nose's attention instantly when he inhales. It's strong, fresh, as if it happened just recently. Balto knows it all too well. In fact, it's the same smell during one night last week in Jenna's little shed when the two of them were spending time alone together. Two wolves had mated here. But something catches else his nose: Aleu's scent.

"Not so," said a familiar, warm voice.

Balto freezes for a moment, instantly recognizing that voice. He looks back down and there stands a female white wolf. His mouth hangs open, too shock to say anything.

"My son," the white wolf says in a soft tone.

"Aniu. I-I mean, mother." Here she is, his own mother before his very eyes. Her visit is abrupt. He's surprise to see her he doesn't know what to really say. "How...how is this possible? Is this real?"

"A sorrowful past," she simply replies.

"What do you mean? Are-are we back in time? I have so many questions," he swiftly says all at once, walking towards her. "How are you? How's Aleu?"

"She is doing quite well. She is a great leader."

Balto smiles blissfully, despite in his confusion. "I'm sure she is. But what is this about? Why are we here, and why do I smell her scent?"

"My son, darkness is here."

"What darkness?" Balto asks with a frown.

But Aniu vanishes into fog, their eyes locked until she arrantly disappears. "Mother, wait!" he shouts. His ears instantly perk up when he hears something behind him. Balto turns to see Curse running at him. A potent, murderous rage is in his eyes.

"Aleu, you and your father are dead!" he screams as he lunges at him, his teeth sinking into Balto's throat.


Duke wakes up early the next morning, staring at the gray ceiling. The pilot sighs, rubbing his eyes before he lets his arms fall and hit the comforter. "Goodness," he yawns, now pulling himself to sit up in his bed, looking out of the bedroom window.

His home is nothing fancy. In fact, actually, it's just a small house with a single bedroom, a small kitchen with a small, round wooden table along with two wooden chairs, a couch, and a nice, small fireplace. This past week he has been working hard overtime, so he decides to treat himself with a nice breakfast of the new diner that recently opened a month ago.

After bathing and getting dress, Duke leaves his house, humming. The diner that he has been eyeing lately is just around the block, so he starts walking down the snowy street, the snow crunching under his heavy boots. Since it's still early in the morning, only a couple people were about on their day of work. Every one of them simply say hello to him, instantaneously recognizing the pilot as they pass by. Just about everybody in Nome knows about the pilot that was rescued. Duke has Balto and the sled team to thank for that.

Finally making it to the diner, Duke enters the fancy setting. The cook shouts at one of the co-workers, asking about if they have certain food ingredients. The entire floor looks recently clean; every stool is leather red, not a smudge of dirt on the tables and chairs. Hunger and thirst provoke his desolate stomach and dry throat.

He sits down at one of the tables. The only other people that are here are two young men having a conversation, sitting at one of the tables at end of the diner on Duke's left side. One of the waitresses comes up to him. "Good morning, sir. How are you?"

"I'm doing quite well, ma'am, thank you for asking. How about you?"

"I am doing good," she replies with a smile, handing Duke a muen. "Can I start you off with a drink?"

"Coffee, please" Duke requests, scooting in his chair.

"Coming right up," she nods before she walks away.

"Champion of the drinks in the morning, wouldn't you agree, sir?"

Looking at his left, one of the two young men is looking at him. The tan, buff man has a British accent, Duke notices. The man waves at him. "Isn't it always," Duke replies in a light chuckle, waving back. "How are you two this morning?"

"We are good," they both reply. Then, the British man, asks, "Would you like sit with us, sir? We promise we don't bite."

"Goodness, Noah, we just met the man!"

"Calm your German shepherds, I'm just being friendly."

Duke thinks about the offer for a minute. The one on the right looks familiar and that's when he remembers he saw the young man at the bank earlier this week. He nods to them. Why not? It's nice to meet new people, he thought.

"Sure," the pilot answers before getting up. He pushes in his chair and walks to their table. He sits down next to Noah's friend.

"Do you come here often, sir?" the friend asks. Just like Noah, the man is in his early twenties, his charming blue eyes glancing down at his cup of coffee, and his chocolate brown hair neatly comb.

"Actually, this is my first week back in Nome since last summer. How about you two?"

"Same here. We haven't been to Nome in quite a long time. Name's Adam," the white man introduces, extending his hand.

"Duke. Nice to meet you," the pilot greets, firmly shaking his hand. "Say, you look familiar. Were you at the bank this past week?"

"I was," Adam nods before taking a sip of his coffee.

"Noah," the British man said, shaking Duke's hand. His eyes and hair have the same color, a light brown. The waitress comes to their table, holding a cup of coffee.

"Here is your drink, sir," she says to Duke, setting down the cup by him. After the pilot thanks her, she turns her attention to the other two young men.

"How are you two doing?"

"Good. I am ready to order," Noah tells her, now looking at the muen. "I would like the biscuits and gravy, but no egg. That and another cup of tea."

The waitress writes down the order before turning to Adam and Duke.

"I'm good," Adam casually says.

"I'll have the scramble eggs with the toast and bacon," Duke orders.

The waitress writes down his order before she takes their menus. Seconds later, she disappears in the back. Duke takes a sip of his coffee, softly tapping his fingers on the table.

"Where are you two from?"

"I am from England, but came to America as a young lad," Noah first answers with a bliss smile.

"And I was born in America, pure blood German," Adam answers with a nod. "How about you, Duke?"

"Canada, but lived in America as a young child, although I have lived in Alaska for most of my life now."

"Are you living in Nome now?" Adam then asks as the waitress comes back with Noah's cup of tea.

"You mean for the rest of my life? I like to, but I'm a pilot and there are a number of opportunities for delivery, so I'm just setting down here for a few months."

"You're a pilot?" Noah replies, amazed. "So that's your plane nearby the church, Balto Flyer?"

Duke nods. "Indeed it is. Balto became a hero again when he and that sled team saved me. It's because of them that I'm here."

"Some say Balto's your dog now? Is that true?" Noah asks this time.

Duke laughs, shaking his hand. "No, no. Although, I have let him stayed at my place a few times. I feel sorry for him that he lives on that old boat at the beach. Looks like it is going to collapse one of these days."

"Let's hope he's not on it when that happens, if it does," Adam exhales.

"I hear the church has a new pastor," Noah informs, changing the subject.

"Really? I haven't been to church in a while," Duke admits before taking another sip of his drink.

"Would you like to come to church tomorrow?" Adam invites.

"No thank you," Duke politely refuses.

Adam nods gently. "Okay, that's your choice."

Duke only nods with a little raise of his coffee to Adam. Drinking, he appreciates how respectful Adam and Noah are being rather condemning him instantly. The waitress comes back with a tray of food and a drink.

"Here is your breakfast." She settles down Duke and Noah's plate to them and then Noah's drink. They both thank her before she handles one of the new customers.

"Want to say thanks, mate?" Noah asks, grasping Adam's extending hand and extends his free hand to Duke along with Adam doing the same.

"Sure thing."

The three of them bow their heads as Adam begins. "Lord Jesus, we thank You that we can spend this morning and that You provide for all our needs. We thank You that Duke is here. Please continue to bless him and watch over him. Thank You for all this food and please bless it. Lord, we also pray that this new pastor will be faithful and preach Your Holy Word. We pray that You will use him to lead lost sheep to Yourself, for You are the Good Shepherd. In Your name, Amen."

"Amen," Duke said, opening his eyes. He and Noah put their napkin on their lap before they start consuming their breakfast. Adam just sits and drinks his coffee. People start entering the diner every few minutes. It isn't long until half of the place is full of all the few waiters and waitress are taking orders.

"So, Duke, if I may ask, but what do you for a living?" Adam asks.

"Well, right now I have two jobs. I work at the one of the food stores part-time and work also as a carpenter."

"A man that has his hands full of labor," marveled Noah with a firm nod and cracking a smile.

"I admire hard work like Noah here does, but don't let it crush your back, my friend," Adam said to Duke with a serious expression.

"I know my limits, but thank you for the concern."

When they finish their breakfast, Noah and Duke let their stomachs settle while they talk. When asked what they were doing before coming to Nome, the two young men told Duke that before they came here, they had traveled across Germany spreading the Gospel.

"So what brings you two to Nome again?" Duke then asks them, finishing the last of his coffee.

Noah runs his fingers through his hair at the back of his head, eyes closing, smiling. "Well...God called us to come here," he replies in a coyly manner. His eyes open. "How about you, Duke?"

"I lived in Anchorage. Right when last Spring was around the corner, I thought I could deliver the mail faster. Do you know the story?"

The both of them nod.

"Well, after that and getting my new plane, I went back to Anchorage for a while. It was good timing, too. My mother was sick, so the rest of the family and I had to take care of her. She's well now."

"Glad to hear that she's better," Noah simply replies.

Noah and Duke both paid their bill shortly afterwards. Duke said his goodbyes before leaving the diner. As he walks out, he notices Jenna walking down the street for a moment before disappearing around the corner. Duke knows that Balto's mate, having to see at times nuzzling and licking each other's cheek. He chuckles of the Hero of Nome - as the people called him - having that someone special. As he heads back to his rent house with a full stomach, he thought of having a family of his own.


"Balto, look at you! Your eyes are getting heavy as this boat! Get some sleep!" Boris shouts, dramatically throwing his wings up.

"I'm…" the wolf-dog yawns, eyes remaining close now, "fine, Boris."

"Balto, you're going to pass out right in the middle of town if you don't get some shuteye," Stella said sternly, crossing her wings.

"I'm fine, you two," Balto stresses, eyes still close.

"One of his daughters has his stubbornness," Boris notes to his mate.

That's when Balto instantly opens his tired eyes, knowing that the Russian goose is referring to Aleu.

"Hmm. Really? I don't doubt it," the female goose replies acquiescently.

"Balto," Jenna calls.

"Come on up, Jenna," he invites her, holding back a yawn.

Once the red and cream husky climbs up the wooden board and on to the boat, her face expression becomes a mixture of worry and concern. "Balto, you look tired."

"That's what I keep telling him!" Boris chimes in loudly. "But will he listen? No! Will he sleep? No! Look at him; he can barely keep his eyes open!"

"I see that, Boris, thank you. And hello, Stella," she smiles. "How was your little vacation?"

"Oh, you know, there were the fun times and there were the awful ones. Don't get me started with the one night when we ran into a wolf."

"Stella, uh, let's give them some space to talk," Boris whispers to her. She doesn't say a word as they both get off the boat and walk down the beach.

"So, Balto, what's wrong?" Jenna asks in a concerned tone.

Balto exhales tiredly, sitting down. "I don't even know where to begin. I had a dream last night and couldn't go back to sleep afterwards. It's all that I have been thinking about and it just adds up the pile of questions. Jenna, my mother somehow met me in my dream or-or whatever it was."

Jenna responses in silence. Last year when Balto came home and told her about how Aleu found her home with a wolf pack, she was heartbroken that she would most likely never see her again. She cried for a good, solid hour while Balto comforted her. He also told her about the Great White Wolf, Aniu, his mother. It sounded arrantly strange to her, but she knows her mate wouldn't make something like that up.

"She said something about a sorrowful past and that darkness is here," Balto continues. "Whatever that means."

"That doesn't make any sense. What darkness?"

"None of it makes sense! None of it! Curse said he knows about Aleu, but said she doesn't know him yet! Nothing makes sense right now," he abruptly snaps in a rage. With a swift strike, his water bowl goes flying, water spilling out on the deck. He faces Jenna, who now has an expression of extreme fear.

"I'm...I'm sorry, Jenna. I didn't mean to rage out like that. I'm sorry," he exhales, his eyes filling with guilt.

"This is really getting to you." She nuzzles him, licking his cheek. "You're stressed. You need to rest and take it easy."

"I just want answers about our daughter," Balto replies now in a soft tone.

"I do, too, but, Balto, all this stress is pushing your limits. Listen, I came here because tonight Rosy wants to do those little fires again like last winter. But if you don't want to-"

"No, we can do it tonight. I know Rosy likes doing those things and it makes her happy. It's great to see Rosy, you, our own family, and everyone we know happy. That's what I care about."

Always putting others first, she thought with a smile. "All right. We're coming here after six."

"Balto! Balto!"

Balto and Jenna look out of the boat and see Muc, Luc, Boris, and Stella running back to them. In the distance, Curse is running after them, picking up speed every second passing.

"Jenna, Curse was also in my dream-like vision. After my mother disappeared, I think I was Aleu? Because when I turned around, I saw him running at me and said that we're both dead before he killed me."

"What? I don't understand."

"Neither do I, but I'm getting answers. Right now."

Balto climbs down the boat with Jenna following behind him. When they reach the snow, Muc and Luc hide behind Balto, whimpering and trembling.

"Balto, he's coming to eat us!" Muc cries. "His-his eyes! He was talking to us and they glowed purple, a scarcely purple!"

"What?" Balto frowns. He looks forward and sees Curse now walking towards them. No sign of glowing purple eyes, just his normal brown eyes, calm as the sea.

"Balto, that's him!" Boris whispers in his ear. "That's the wolf that tried to kill us in Canada three weeks ago!"

"I'll handle it, everyone," he whispers to them all. He glares at Curse with a growl. "Stop right there."

Curse instantly obliges, his paws stopping dead in the snow. He stands there, still, tall, his ears perk forward, staring at the aging wolf-dog straight in the eyes.

"You think you're tough now, huh? You're outnumber!" Stella honks furiously.

"Christ is my Strength and Power," the black wolf states in a serious tone, still eye lock with Balto.

"What do you want, Curse?"

"You're wondering about Aleu, and I have some answers. Meet me tonight in the woods at seven. I prefer if you just come by yourself."

"Why not just tell me now?" He lets out a yawn, but quickly covers his mouth.

"There's my reason," Curse said in a calm manner.

"I have plans tonight."

"Then tomorrow night, same time. Alone."

"Curse, listen, if you have hurt Aleu in any way-!"

"If you want answers, then come tomorrow night. Simple as that."

"All right, I will," Balto promises, snapping, feeling the stress tearing his insides out.

"Balto, are you crazy?! He ate a baby!" Boris shouts.

"Be careful who you accuse, Boris," Curse replies in the same calm manner. He then smiles blissfully at Balto. "You remind me of an old friend of mine. Exactly like you, Balto. That's good and bad since what he and his family did." He then looks serious, dead serious. A cold hatred breathes in his dark eyes.

"I loathe many things in life. Justice will always win. I'm going to see that someone in particular perishes out of darkness. Someone that has a reflection of me. That particular blood will spill on me."

Curse turns and, without saying another word, he walks away, tail wagging as he starts softly singing. "Save me O Lord…."

"I'm starting to think he's bipolar," Stella assures once Curse is out of earshot.

"Um, is he going to hurt us?" Muc whimpers, still trembling behind Balto.

"No, he's not. I'll make sure of it," Balto promises.

"By the way, who's Aleu?" Stella asks with interest.


"I have chosen you to test him the limit of his abilities. You may fight him however you like, but don't kill him, and don't use the power I have given you. Kill whoever intervenes."

A sinister chuckle is the first reply. "And if he doesn't fit your standards?"

"Do whatever you want with him. And if you can, check on up with our spy."

"Yes, my Alpha."


Over the course of the rest of the day Balto finally got some sleep for a few hours. He accepted Jenna's offer of staying with him and she helped ebb the stress. Even though he was grateful, he had hoped his mother would visit again, perhaps even explain what the dream-like vision was all about. But no dreams, just peaceful sleep.

The sled team enjoyed their day off of delivering the mail, but Kodi has been itching to get back on the job while thinking of how his date with Dusty tonight will go. He wants to something original and not those cliché dates of looking at the Northern Lights and telling how she's more beautiful than the lights are.

He remembers Balto telling him some of the dates he and Jenna went on in their young age. Kodi tries to come up with something from all those date details. He already knows about her, what she likes and hates, what some of her dreams are. But frustration sweeps in when he can't think of anything good, so he decides to go to his father for some advice.

As evening is approaching, Kodi heads to the boat. The young husky catches his father, his mother, Boris, Stella, and the two polar bears' scent, but frowns when he smells Curse's. It was probably nothing, he assumes as he stops.

"Dad, are you here," Kodi calls.

"Yes?" Balto appears, looking calmer and less tired, as if he had just awakened from another nap. "What is it, son?"

"Is this a bad time?"

"No, no, it's fine. I'm glad you stopped by," Balto replies with bliss as he heads his way down. Once he was in front of Kodi, he then asks, "So how are you doing?"

"Doing well…and nervous," Kodi admits. "And you?"

"Hanging in there," he replies with his eyes close for a short moment. "But why are you nervous?"

Kodi sighs heavily, sitting down, looking down at the snow. "Well, Dusty and I are having a date tonight, but I can't think of something new. I don't want to do anything cheesy."

"Ah, I know that problem. I was once in your paws."

"Really," Kodi asks, surprised. From the way Balto had told some of his dates with Jenna, it made Kodi think his father never hit a wall of dating complications. "What did you do?"

"Well, after we became mates, we discussed our future together; however, I don't recommend you do that since you two just started dating. Sometimes doing something on a date can be quite memorable, like taking a walk on the beach, looking at the stars."

"How can I make something like that simple?" Kodi asks.

"That's something for you to figure out. I hope I helped."

"You did. Thanks, Dad."

"Anytime, son," Balto yawns. "Excuse me. You must really like her."

"I do, a lot," Kodi admits, smiling softly as he flushes. "Words can't describe it."

"I'm sure she feels the same way. By the way, your mother told me earlier that she heard you're getting a new dog on the team."

"Yeah, Mr. Simpson has been looking for a few days now."

"How do you feel about it," Balto asks before stretching.

"I'm actually looking forward to it. I bet he or she is excited."

"Make the dog feel welcome, son," Balto advises.

"I will. See you later, Dad," Kodi adieus as he heads back to the town.

As Balto waits for the next half hour for Jenna and Rosy to come, he thought about his encounter Curse this morning. He sighs in regret, knowing that he shouldn't have snapped at the wolf. The stress had devoured him, but he knows Curse wasn't himself either.

He had recognized something a small area in those eyes of his. It was something Balto had been haunted long ago when he was still a pup and an outcast. Loneliness is an utmost agony in life, a shadow that haunts us all. Even in the company of Boris and Muc and Luc, he still felt lonely at times, but that all faded away when he embraced his wolf side. Now he hardly feels it anymore.

But it was also a loneliness Balto could relate to. This loneliness was something that was missing in his life, some kind of relationship, taking a puzzle piece of his soul away. Balto knows Curse's pain, having the same feeling mainly about his mother and the curious, wondering mystery of his father.

Tomorrow night I'm getting answers, but I'm also coming as a friend.


The beauty of the Northern Lights dance in the night as Gin walks around the woods. Her mind is flooding frustration, the blurry memories taunting her. No matter how hard she tries, it just remains broken glass pieces. She cusses in her head of again failing of trying to remember. This past month she has been trying to remember the missing pieces of her puppyhood, but no success.

Her stomach growls, making her place her paw on it. She had lost her appetite because of her seeking answers. I should get something to eat. A whole hour of getting nothing was such a waste of time.

So, as she hunts for dinner, her nose abruptly catches three scents, her ears perking up. Three male wolves, two gray and one light brown, come out of the shadows, their chatting ebbing when they spot the lone she-wolf. She eyes them warily.

The gray one in the center is big and bulky with a grin. The one on the left is the same, gray and a little less muscle, and the left brown one is scrawny. The center wolf is the first one to speak, taking a few steps closer.

"What's a pretty girl like you doing out here at night?" His two pawls snicker.

"Minding her own business," she replies calmly.

The brown wolf nudges the center wolf while snickering. "Look at her tail. It's lift up. She's open."

"I bet two can fit in her while the other gets the front," the less muscular wolf grins.

"Get any closer and see what happens," Gin threats, baring her teeth at them.

The leader rolls his eyes. "Go ahead and spill all your pathetic threats, it won't do anything. Three against one, but don't worry; you'll be begging for a round two." He looks at the scrawny wolf. "You get front."

"Touch her and you'll be scared of the dark for the rest of your life."

And that's when Curse steps in, simply glaring at the three male wolves. Indignation consumes his entire being, the eyes being the key core. "Leave the girl alone."

"I can handle of them," Gin assures Curse.

"I'm sure you will once we're done with this mutt," the leader grins at her, then looks at Curse. "Unless you want to join in, of course, feel free, but do you also do males?"

"Shut up," Curse and Gin both snarl in unison.

The leader sighs. "Well, I was hoping to have some fun tonight, but look like it's this. Get the male; I'll take care of the whore."

Curse starts running towards him, but his two companions jump in his way. "You three are making a big mistake," he snarls at them. "Have you forgotten-?"

But the less muscular wolf lunges at him; however, Curse manages to dodge out of the way in time. He instantly bites down on one of the gray wolf's back leg hard. The gray wolf yelps in pain, but the light brown wolf pushes Curse off.

"I'll make you scream!"

"I can do something a lot worse than bite!"

The leader sees the three fighting before he turns his attention on Gin. "My friends will join real soon."

"And they'll be dead next."

"You don't have the guts, whore."

The bulky wolf tackles Gin on her back. She tries to bite his leg, but he firmly holds her down. Using one of her back legs, she hits him in between the legs and he instantly howls in agony, jumping off her. Without wasting another second, she pins him down, clawing his face, drawing blood.

"Go to Hell!" he screams in agony as the blood drips on the snow.

"Never underestimate a female wolf or any kind, you mother-"

A scream abruptly erupts in the woods. Curse had just broken one of the other gray wolf's legs, who is now screaming and cussing at him. Curse grabs the small brown wolf by the tail and slams him into the tree. The tree shakes, causing snow to pile down on him.

"A kitten can easily kick your butts," Curse remarks, laughing. He then turns to the leader. "Gin, what are your thoughts on cutting off their 'special parts'?"

"Sign me up," Gin smiles.

The leader widens his eyes in potent terror. "No! No! All right, we'll leave her alone for good this time! We swear on bones!"

This time, they both wonder.

Curse clears his throat, glaring. "If I find out you trouble this lady again, I will hunt you down and do so much more than breaking and clawing."

"And I'll be the one cutting," Gin adds.

"U-understood," he stammers, quickly getting up, not waiting for his pals. "Move it, you two!"

"You showed him," Curse chuckles softly as the small wolf helps his friend run away, saying all kinds of cuss words as he limps.

"And your threat was pretty good. I'm pretty sure they'll think triple now of trying to get under a female's tail. And, uh, thank you. I could've handled them myself, but thank you anyways."

"I just loathe the thought what would happen if I didn't come in time."

"Oh, you mean that they'd be dead?"

Curse scoffs lightly, shaking his head. "Real funny, Gin, but you're welcome." Just then her stomach growls again, louder this time, causing her to blush and make Curse laugh. "I see fighting makes you hungry."

"Shut up," she growls lowly, roughly but playfully pushing his shoulder.

"Come on, I know where we can get some food," Curse contributes to her as he turns and walks in the direction to Nome.

"Just don't try anything," Gin firmly warns as she follows him.


"While the other towns are haunted by these wolf attacks, Nome seems the only one to be at peace, for now anyways."

"Let's hope it stays that way."

"It's them, isn't it? The-"

"Do you really need to say it?"

"At least it's not the Illuminati this time."

"I'm more worry about that black wolf."

"Curse is highly known to be dangerous."

"Murderous describes the darkness," someone else adds.

"I-"

"I know. Besides, he's going want to kill him."

"And what about Balto's family," someone asks. "His hatred is much potent than all of ours together."

"We're going to have to put him down."

"We all know that's impossible."

"But what if Nome gets attack? What happens then?"


"Wait here," Curse whispers to Gin.

She watches Curse quietly walk up to the butcher's place as she hides behind a stack of boxes. Curse sniffs, his mouth watering of the smell of cooked meat. "Hot heck!" he drools.

Gross, Gin thought with disgust, but giggles of how Curse looks like a pup.

He reaches the backdoor and starts whining, pawing on the door. A moment later, the door swings open, the butcher's getting red.

"GET OUT OF HERE, YOU ANIMAL!" he explodes. "My meat is not for pests like you!"

But Curse continues to whine, lowering his ears, giving him innocent eyes.

"Fine," he yells, disappearing inside for a few seconds. He comes back with a small line of sausages, throwing it in Curse's face. "Now get out of here, pest, before I get my gun!" And with that, the door slams hard.

Curse instantly picks the line before he heads up to Gin, dropping it in front of her. "Behold the amazing taste of cooked meat!"

"Wow, you actually got it," Gin said, surprised.

"Go ahead, eat it. Sorry I couldn't get a bigger line of sausage for you."

"It's fine." As she begins to consume the meat, her eyes wide in wonder of how the beautiful taste of the cooked sausages. This is much better than caribou, she thought.

"Holy crap, that was good! Thank you," she said once she was finish.

"Please watch your ugly language, ma'am," Curse said in a kindly tone.

"Crap is not a cuss word, Curse."

"It is to me."

"That's your view. Anyway, I'm going home. Goodnight, Curse."

"Wait, do you want to play a game?" Curse asks as he catches up to her.

Gin stops as she looks at him. "Games are for pups. I'm too old to play Find the Caribou Bone."

"What in the world? No, no, not those kind! I meant a game invented by humans, a game that requires logic and intelligence in order to win."

Gin's ears perk up with great interest. "What's it called?"

"It's called chess."

"Chess," she wonders. "Huh. You know, I think I've actually played it before, but it's been a long time."

"You have?" Curse asks, sounding somewhat surprised.

"Yeah," she nods. "But like I said, it's been a long time."

"I'll teach you how to play it. That is, if you want to play chess."

Gin thinks about it for a moment before she smiles. "Sure, I love to do stuff that test your intelligence."

"All right, I know where we can play it. Follow me."

Gin follows Curse but keeps her distance. Even though after everything he has done tonight, she wouldn't let her guard down that easy. She thought of her past for a moment before her thoughts turn to from last night with that former police German shepherd dog at the open mic boiler room. What was his name? Troy? Tyler? Whatever it was, she knows she can't be too wary.

"Jesus is my King. Yes, He's my eternal King. He gives His sheep joy that the world does not give. He's coming back again soon as the Lion of Judah and there will be peace for a thousand years with Satan imprisoned," Curse sings softly with joy. "He was forsaken and innocently slain as a perfect Lamb for all sins of mankind. His precious blood washes all our sin away…."

She cringes of what the singing is about. The silver wolf silently scoffs, rolling her golden eyes. Why believe in such myths, she would always ask. What's the point in spirituality?

"La-la-la-la," Curse continues as they reach a large empty shed, to which he now stops singing, which Gin sighs quietly in bliss. "Here we are." The door is crack, so he easily opens it with a push of his paw. Curse then bows his head and extends his paw out. "After you."

"Thank you," she simply said as she heads inside. There's nothing to much here. Just a few boxes of tools, an axe, a blanket covering something, and the ceiling light dim. If he's about what I think he's going to do…

Curse enters after, quickly shutting the door behind him. "Now that we're alone-"

Gin turns and growls at him furiously. "Try to get under my tail and you'll regret it, you perverted pig!"

"Calm down, Gin. I just wanted to see how you would react."

"How do you think I was going to react? 'Oh here, let me lift up my tail for you.' Not a chance!"

Curse takes a few steps towards her, having no emotion of her growling. She watches him carefully as he passes by her. Curse heads over to the blanket and pulls it away, revealing a chess board with some of the pieces falling over.

"Ta-da!" he chuckles, putting the falling pieces back in their place. As he does so, he starts out with a question. "So, if I may ask, who taught you how to play?"

That's when Gin hits the wall. Looking down on the floor, she tries to remember, but her memory is all just a heavy fog, not able to see. "I…I don't remember."

Curse frowns. "You don't remember? When was the last time you played chess?"

"When I was a pup. I want to say in the old boiler room in 1925, but I'm not quite sure."

"You remember that, but don't remember who taught you? I find that very strange. Do you still know how to play?"

Gin nods, looking calm now, despite her mind exploding with frustration, loathing she couldn't remember. "I know how some of the pieces work and that if you get the opponent's king, you win, but that's all."

"Okay, so you need a refresh, no problem. I'll be the black piece and you'll be the white."

"All right," she said as she now sits on her side of the board.

"Okay," Curse starts, pointing at a pawn piece, "these pieces are called pawns. They move only straight, but captures a piece diagonally. From the piece's original place where it is right now it can move two squares forward. After that, it's only one. Does that make sense?

Gin nods, tapping her paws excitedly.

"All right, see this horse-looking piece?" Curse continues. "This is called the Knight and moves only in an L way, so one square left, three square right up."


Kodi exhales in bliss as he and Dusty lay on their backs next to each other, staring up at the Northern Lights. He rolls over to Dusty on his side with a smile before he nuzzles her, making her giggle.

"I'm glad we can do this tonight," she lightly giggles.

"Same. But I just wish we could do something more than this."

"What's wrong with this?" Dusty asks, rolling on her side now. Both their nose touch together.

"Nothing. I…I just want you to have a good time, that's all."

"What makes you think I wouldn't? Kodi, what's wrong?"

"I was trying to think of something new on this date, but every time I thought of something it seemed cheesy. I just don't want this date to be dull."

"Kodi, a date is never dull as long I'm with you." She licks his nose.

"And you're the most amazing thing in my life," Kodi whispers softly before he kisses her under the Northern Lights.


"Checkmate," Gin said as she moves her pawn forward with her Knight and Queen trapping Curse's king piece near a corner. "And off your king's head."

"I have to say, I'm quite impressed," Curse admits with no smile. "Beat me three times in a row now. You must have been this good as a pup."

"I was actually terrible, but I had a great teacher," she replies humbly. She then lowers her eyes down to the chess board.

"You seem distracted every now and then since we started playing."

"It's nothing," Gin lies.

Curse glares at her sharply. "Gin…"

She sighs. "All right, I just can't shake what that wolf said, that he'll leave me alone for good now. It's like he met me before, but I've never seen him or those other two wolves in my life. And it frustrates me how I don't remember the one who taught this game to me. I mean, I remember him teaching me, but don't remember him personally."

"You're kinda losing me, Gin. Is he a brother or some kind of relative?"

Gin shakes her head. "But I'm sure I'll remember soon."

"I can help you remember," Curse offers with a friendly smile.

She gets up, stretching. "No thanks. I can do it on my own. Thank you for the chess game. I enjoyed playing it."

Curse nods as he puts the pieces back in their place before putting the blanket back on. "Of course. But, Gin, don't be afraid to ask for help."

"I'm not afraid of asking for help."

"Well, if you won't let me help you remember your mysterious teacher, at least let me walk you home. My den is really not that far."

"Curse, thank you for the offer, it's sweet, but I am not a pup, and I can take care of myself," Gin firmly assures.

Curse inhales deeply. "Fine, I won't force you."

He waits a few minutes after Gin leaves and shakes his head of her personality. She reminds me of Aleu.


After their date, Kodi and Dusty head back to the boiler room to retire for the night, having to deliver the mail tomorrow. Every now and then Dusty would nuzzle and lick Kodi's cheek. "I had a good time tonight."

"Even though we just watched the Northern Lights and talked?"

"But still, I had a good time with you."

They enter the boiler room and smell the scents of cats and dogs of the last Saturday open mic. Everything was put back together and not a sigh of beef jerky lying around. The two noticed Kirby and Ralph chatting with a husky with a full bowl of food and water nearby him.

"Must be our new teammate," Dusty whispers to Kodi.

"Hey, there they are, those two love pups," Kirby announced. "Mr. Simpson just dropped off the new dog a few minutes ago."

"Hello," Kodi greets friendly. "I'm Kodi, the lead dog."

"And I'm Dusty."

The new dog is pretty much your average husky with a built, buff body. The coat of his appearance is a mixture of black, dark brown and gray color with several markings. His ice blue eyes show boldness for a sled dog.

"Nice to meet you two. My name is Togo."

A/Q: So if you know the true story of Balto my fellow fans and readers, there was a sled dog name Togo that was part of Balto's team in the serum run, and I thought it be interesting for him to be part of the story. I did make a change or two of his appearance. I have tried leaving a link for citation, but it keeps changing or cut out. And there is a interview back in 2011 on Youtube of Phil Weinstein talking about the three movies and I would totally leave a link for you Balto fans, but I can't obviously.

Thank you for reading. God bless.