Sup everyone, I'm Drac0tam3r and I'm the author of the story Hunter's Gambit as well as the collab partner of Cybroid on his Balto series. I'd just like to say thanks for reading this story(series, if you were here from the beginning) and I'm glad you like it. We'd both appreciate a review on what you think of the story and I'd appreciate it if you'd take a look at Hunter's Gambit. Anyways, I don't have much to say except thank you for reading. If you have any thoughts or possible suggestions for either story, feel free to send either of us a PM. Thank you for your time and I hope you enjoy the rest of the tale.


"Really?! I can't believe Aleu's back." Kara exclaimed excitedly. Rei had recently run to her house to deliver the news of the hybrid's return. "Yeah I know. I'm sure you two have some catching up to do." he said. "Oh yeah, a lot of catching up." she said as she sat on her haunches. Rei noticed something different about the husky as she sat in front of him. Her figure was a bit more stout than normal. "Kara, there's something different about you." he said cocking his head to the side. Kara looked back quizzically, "What do you mean?" she asked. Rei scratched the back of his head nervously as he tried to find the right words to use. "Um...You seem to be a bit...bigger." he said closing his eyes and bracing himself. He opened his eyes a moment later to see Kara looking away glumly. "Are you okay? I'm sorry for what I said." he apologized. Kara waved it off with a paw, "No, you're right. I've just been eating a bit more than I should lately." she said with a wry smile. "Oh. Well, I'll be heading off. Do you want to come?" Rei asked. Kara shook her head, "No thanks. I'm feeling a bit tired. Maybe next time." she said lying down. "Okay. Maybe next time." Rei said dismally as he left through the dog door.

Rei wandered about Nome for an hour before stopping in the alley he and Agro lived in. The small wolf plopped down on a heap of discarded blankets and cushions. He sighed heavily, "No one ever wants to hang out with me." he said depressingly. His ears perked up to the sound of a loose fence board creaking. He turned to see Katie at the alley entrance, "Oh. Hey Katie. If you're looking for Agro, he isn't here." he said, his ears drooping. "Oh. Well, do you want to come to the warehouse with me instead? I was actually looking for Kara, but she isn't here." she asked. Rei's ears perked up in surprise, "Really?" he asked disbelievingly. Katie nodded, "Yeah. We've never really gotten to know each other. Now seems like a perfectly good chance to do so." she said with a bright smile. Rei instantly jumped up, his tail swishing excitedly from side to side, "Sure. I'll race you!" he said as he raced out of the alley.


In The Warehouse...


"...and that's why you don't bother a sleeping badger." Rei said as he finished a story he was telling Katie. The husky laughed heartily at the amusing tale. "Really? That really happened?" she asked. The wolf nodded, "Yeah. It wasn't the best judgement on my part." he said blushing through his white fur. A silence came between the two as a lull formed in the conversation. The two canines had been talking for several minutes in the crowded building. They both decided on sitting in a small corner so they wouldn't be in anyone's way. Rei was looking off to the side as he started thinking up some conversation topics. When he found one he turned back to the husky sitting next to him, "So, what happened with you and Agro? I thought you really liked him?" he said. Katie began to look downcast, causing Rei to feel remorseful for bring up the topic. "We can talk about something else if you want. I know another story." he said trying to change the subject. "No, it's okay." Katie said speaking up, "I sorta just gave up about a year ago. I realized that he and I had no future together." she said defeatedly. "That doesn't sound like you. The Katie I know would've gone to the ends of the world chasing that wolf." Rei joked. Katie giggled, "How would you know? This is the first we've really held a conversation." she asked. The wolf shrugged, "I've seen how persistent you are when you chased my brother. You wouldn't give up that easy without a good reason. Plus, you seem really optimistic. That sorta dog doesn't just give up on the future." he said. Katie chuckled lightly.

Another silence came between the two canines. After a moment of not speaking Rei opened his mouth to say something but was stopped when Katie nuzzled his neck fur. He was stunned by the action and struck speechless as he blushed under his white coat. "I...I have to go. Thanks for coming." Katie said as she quickly walked out of the warehouse. Rei stayed where he was, still registering what happened a moment ago before deciding to leave as well. 'Does she...like me?' he thought to himself as he left the building.


Kel's House...


Kel had been laying in the family room of her owner's house, which was also in a way her room, since that was where she slept, and she had been peaceful. That was until she heard a scratching at the door. Her head rose up and then froze, waiting for more in case it was just her imagination. When she heard some more, she lifted herself from the ground and sauntered over to the door. Once at the door, she walked out onto the front porch to find her sister with a grin on her face.

"Hello, sis. What brings you here? You here to talk girl stuff, or is it something else, because I could use some company" she stated, feeling lonely with her owner being in town. Her tail wagged the sight of her sister. Her sister shook her head. "Haven't you heard? Aleu's back!" Kel's eyes bulged in surprise, and her tail picked up speed. "Y-you mean B-Balto's Aleu?" Kara nodded, her grin never disappearing. One second, Kel was standing there, frozen from the surprise she felt. Then the next, she was bounding around, yipping as loud as she could. Kara's ears pressed against her head from all the sound. Even though Kel was the oldest of her sisters, she never acted like it. "Well? Where is she then?" Kel queried in a demanding way. "Calm down, Kel! I was getting to that! She's over at the boat-" Kel shot off before she could finish, leaving Kara with the choice of either going to catch up or taking it slow. Glancing back at her belly, she decided to take it slow.

Up ahead, Kel noticed her sibling's absence by her side and skidded across the snow to a stop, showering the area in front of her with snow. She frowned when she saw Kara at the other end of the street, not too far from her house, so she strolled back, worried that something might be wrong. Lately, she had been acting exhausted most of the time, but not like this. Then, from where she was, she could see how Kara had changed. Especially around a certain area. After putting two and two together, she let out a quiet gasp. "How did I not see it before! I wonder if our parents know. I wonder if Agro knows" she thought to herself as she approached her sister.

"What are you doing? Don't you want to see Aleu?" she asked with a light smile. Kel saw through her fake smile and knew she was exhausted, but she did well at hiding it. Knowing she would try to avoid the subject, Kel popped the question straight up. "Are you pregnant?" Kara's face fell, and her eyes widened, faking surprise. But now that she knew there was no tricking Kel, she looked at the ground glumly with her eyes closed, then gave a slow nod. "That's wonderful news! I'm sure Agro was just as happy as I am, or maybe more!" Kara looked up with sad eyes. "You didn't tell him...did you?" Her sister's head shook. Kara shuddered, and then suddenly started crying. Kel lent her a shoulder to cry on and tried her best to soothe her.

"I don't want him angry at me! I haven't even asked him if he wants a child!" she cried. Kel lifted her head and frowned at her younger sister. "Don't you say that! He loves you, and if I know him as well as I think I do, then he will be glad. This is good news." Kara smiled, but it quickly changed back to sadness. "I-I can't. I just can't."

"You don't have to. Not now. But please, for your sake, and the child's sake, tell him soon. I won't tell father, if you don't want me too. Same with mother." She nuzzled her younger sister and wiped her tears with a paw. Kara's smile came back, her face brighter than last time. "Now let's get going. I'll be right by your side. Maybe we can pick up May along the way." Kara went on her way, with her older sister by her side.


Balto sat upon the deck, looking over his kids playing on the beach in the light of the setting sun. The scene brought a smile to his face, and he suddenly felt young again. He felt a sense of calm wash over him, his worries dissipating. His children playfully rolled over one another, nipping each other's ears and tails as well as tackling each other. But, as usual, someone got hurt. He leaped to the ground and strolled over to his daughter. The odd one out.

"Aleu? Are you alright?" he asked with worried eyes, fearing she had been hurt. She shook her head, tears springing to her eyes. "I hurt, Papa" she answered in her little, high-pitch voice. He picked her up in his jaws carefully and started to carry her over to the boat. When he reached the inside of the cabin, he placed her amongst the blankets and wrapped them around her before he started to leave to check on the others.

"Papa?" He stopped at the sound of her voice and turned to meet her eyes, her head the only part of her to be visible. "Will you stay?" He smiled lovingly and nuzzled the pup's face with his own with his eyes closed. "Always."

When his eyes opened, she was no longer there, and it was no longer sunset. He was laying on the floor in the cabin, curled up with his tail in front of his nose. He raised his head over it and found his daughter. But she was no longer a pup. She was an adult. He then remembered how she had come back when he saw her mate beside her, with his head resting on hers. Across from him lay his brother, Chaska, sleeping soundly.

"Just another memory" he thought. He sighed, for he missed it already. He wished she could stay young, but she had grown older. And so had he. He stretched his forelegs out before him with a long yawn, then did the same with his rear legs. Next to him was Jenna, and luckily for him, she did not stir from his movements. he quietly stepped out, tensing at every creak of wood beneath his paws. Before he left the others, he looked back one last time.

His other children had left for their own homes, since there wasn't enough room inside the boat, and Agro slept outside on the deck. Koza left not too long before sunset and returned to the pack and Rei had not been seen since he left. Kel and her sisters and visited earlier, and then left around the same time as the others. Thinking back to Kara, there was something odd about her, yet he couldn't seem to figure out what. He walked out onto the deck of the ship, where he found Agro. He didn't want to disturb him, and crept along silently towards the ramp so he could enjoy a little stroll.

"Can't sleep?" Balto stopped and slowly craned his head around to find Agro's crimson eyes staring right back. He didn't look tired at all, so he guessed he had been awake for some time. "Just thought I would go for a midnight walk. What about you? I could swear that at any time, you would sleep" Balto remarked.

"Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. I've just a bit on my mind lately." Balto went over to the wolf and sat beside him. "What might that be? I'll help if I can." Agro sighed, then began. "Have you noticed something...off about Kara?" Balto gave an unsure nod. "In a way, yes. Why?"

"Well, it's just that in the past few days, she's been getting a bit moody, and a bit..how should I say this?"

"Big?" Balto piped up. Agro let out a quick growl, but Balto was right. She had become a bit rounded, but he didn't like others speaking about her like that, so he ignored it. "Anyway, can't understand what's wrong." Balto smiled slyly, and Agro returned it with a confused look. "There's nothing wrong. Just give her time."

"W-what do you mean? Is it normal for females?" Balto chuckled to himself softly. "I'm not telling you anything else. It's not my place to, but whatever you do, don't, and I mean DO NOT bring up her...size." Agro cast a curious glance. "W-why?" he stuttered, somewhat fearful in the way he said it. "Because. It will be the last thing you ever do. So for your own sake, don't do it. Got it?" Agro smiled and nodded. "Got it."


Hope you enjoyed this chapter. See you all next time, and please leave a review. Bye for now :)