Chapter 11: Reunion

Note: Sasha- 7 seasons old arctic she-wolf.

Max, Tyco and Elsa - Sasha's pups

It was late evening when Balto returned back to the Den. Jenna followed close behind him. As he entered the Den site he found everyone had gathered for what seemed to be a meeting. "Took you long enough... getting rather soft are we?" joked Mason. "Just shut it... so what's the gathering for?" asked Balto. "Well now that you have finally decided to show we can discuss the plan for tomorrow" spoke Mara. "Samson, Mason you two are to stick to the main group... it's not going to be easy travelling with her" indicating to the husky "especially after what her kind has assisted the humans in doing. Hugo, you cover our tracks, can't have these dogs track us to our new home and make sure to create stray trails." commanded Mara. "Yes ma'am" replied the three. "Lana you are sticking with me... Balto, you're finally getting what you wanted. You are playing scout and informer, ensure safe passage for the pack through any of the neighbouring territories..." she continued. "Yes mom" replied the two siblings. "... and you husky... you will stay in the heart of the pack... you wander or get lost you fend for yourself... you are not given the privileges of the pack, you will have to earn them" Mara finished. Jenna only nodded in agreement.

After calling an end to the meeting everyone set about to do the needful. Mason and Samson headed off on a last patrol to ensure they were safe for the night. Balto, Lana and Hugo went off to gather the kills in preparation for the night's meal while Jenna was left alone with Mara as she knew not what to do. "You will be assigned duties in time... but first you must learn our ways" Mara spoke as she sat across from Jenna. "Um... what will I have to learn?" inquired Jenna. "Hunting, tracking, scouting and in your case staying out of wolf business or involving yourself when other packs are close" replied Mara. "But...". "NO buts... us putting up with you is a different matter. I'm only doing you a favour because you protected my son. Had it been any other pack you would be a pile of bones lying forgotten so for your own safety... STAY OUT OF PACK MATTERS" Mara growled. Jenna lowered her ears and hung her head low after hearing this. "Mom you could have worded that sentence different" spoke a voice from behind Jenna. Turning around she spotted Lana standing behind her and Balto a few paces away holding a carcass in his jaws. " 'SIGH' You're right... my apologies..." Mara spoke before turning and heading towards the middle of the three caves. "She's been under a lot of stress ever since we found you two near town" Lana spoke "I better go check on her... Balto call us when everyone gets back" she continued before heading after Mara.

Balto put down the carcass before moving to a nearby tree and lying down under it. "What she said is true... this is not a kind place for dogs, you will have to be on guard as we travel as other packs won't be as hospitable with you" he spoke. Jenna just lowered her head and kept her ears pressed flat. "But I assume our pack on the whole won't be safe either if they find out we willingly let you stay with us" he continued. "That's an understatement" spoke a voice from the bushes to Balto's left as Hugo appeared. "Well it's the best way it can be put other than 'Hey you know what you're our death warrant' isn't it?" replied Balto sarcastically. "Ha ha... you just killed my laugh... anyway we're here lets get the others and begin. We have to head out tomorrow" spoke Hugo before heading off back into the bushes. Balto turned his attention to Jenna before speaking "Go after him and wait for everyone... you need to learn how we function so please resist on taking a bite until everyone is there". Jenna just nodded before heading off in the same direction as Hugo.

About an hour later the pack along with Jenna lay in a group. Mara and Lana had decided on informing her about the functioning and working of the pack and the interrelating parts played by each member to assist in the pack's survival. "So do you understand how this pack functions?" asked Lana. Jenna only nodded in return. "And remember every member's part is essential and now that you are travelling with us your part will be of equal importance" Mara spoke. Jenna again only mutely nodded which earned her a confused look from Lana while the rest were busy with their own thing. Hugo seemed to be in a conversation with Samson and Mason casting occasional glances at Jenna and Balto. Balto on the other hand lay sprawled out on the snow promptly enjoying a snooze after the meal. Mara meanwhile had other intentions for her son.

"Balto" she spoke rather loudly gaining attention from everyone including the snoozing wolf whose only motion was his ears perking up. "Balto, I believe its time you announce our intentions of travelling to the other packs and see who gives us the permission" Mara spoke. Balto rather slowly stood up before filling his lungs and letting out a long loud howl. To Jenna it sounded like a single long syllable but to the more trained ears of the pack the minute changes in tone and pitch were easily understandable. As he finished Balto let out a sigh before once again resuming to lie down but leaving his head off the ground. Not long after a howl was heard in return. "Well the pack in the north are lacking prey, they are struggling as it is so they can't allow us to pass, they fear that we may bring our problems through their pack" Balto spoke. "Very good Balto, You have been practicing and yes I can understand their concern" Mara replied. Jenna looked confused, how could they understand so much from a single howl. Just then a second howl was heard. Balto's ears perked to attention as he jumped to his feet before letting off another long howl but this time rather exited. Seconds later a reply was heard but it was closer. "Mom... they're alive... I can't believe it they survived. They've been living in the eastern pack." Balto excitedly spoke. "Anything else?" Mara spoke smirking. "She's personally coming and escorting us to their pack. They also seem to be getting ready to migrate." Balto replied. Jenna's ears perked up at the word 'she' "Who is this person he's talking about" she thought. Just then a multitude of howls were heard coming from a nearby hill. "Looks like she brought some company" Lana smirked. "Must be teaching them how to scout. I just hope she consulted before replying to our message" Mara spoke. Balto was about to reply when he was suddenly tackled by three small white balls of fur.

Balto found himself on his side with three one year old pups lying all over him nuzzling him. "Ok Ok... I missed you three too now please get off me" Balto spoke trying to shake the three fur balls off of him. "Awww... do we have to" whined one of the three. "Yes you do..." came a voice from the bushes as a pure white arctic she-wolf walked out of the bushes from which the pups had emerged. "Hey everyone" she greeted before turning her attention back to Balto. "A little help please" asked Balto sheepishly. "Oh... what happened to 'I don't need help from anyone... I can do things alone' huh?" she mocked. "Ya ya... I missed you too now please just a little help" Balto asked. "Ok you three get off him" she commanded. The three pups reluctantly crawled off Balto allowing him to stand up but continued to stick to him as he approached the new she-wolf. "You seem to be rather well off" Balto spoke. "Ya the pack's taken good care of us, hopefully they should allow you all to pass through. We are heading towards the five pack land. Hopefully find a peaceful place to settle." she replied.

Jenna watched as the she-wolf slowly approached Balto before gently nuzzling him. Jenna felt something well up inside her as she watched Balto return the nuzzle. Not wanting to see more she turned to Mara "Um... which cave can I sleep in?" she asked. "You will be sharing the cave with Balto... the one on the right" Mara replied. Hearing this Jenna slowly walked off her ears pressed low.

"So how have things been with your pack?" Balto asked as he settled down under a tree near the den. "Well, the prey seems to be migrating, gotten a lot of hunters moving through the territory and I have been lucky enough to face one and walk away unscathed" the she-wolf replied settling next to him. "Well I have to say Sasha, you have always been lucky. Me on the other hand, I experienced firsthand what it's like to get hit by those hunters" Balto spoke bluntly. Balto continued to explain what had happened to him after the attack on the pack and how a husky had helped him along the way. As he finished his small story the three pups came crashing through the bushes. "Mama mama, auntie Lana told us story" one of the three piped up. "That is wonderful Max... now you three it's time for bed, we have to travel tomorrow" Sasha replied. "So you finally named them" Balto smirked. "Yeah... this is Max" she indicated to one with a brownish tinge on his tail "this is Elsa" pointing to the female pup curled up against Balto "and lastly Tyco" pointing to the last pup. Tyco was similar to Elsa having pure white fur.

"Ok I believe it's time for them to get some sleep" Sasha spoke as she stood up causing the pups to moan in protest. As she stood up her attention was drawn to a peculiar scent coming from the third cave. Before she could decide to investigate Elsa spoke up "Mom, can we sleep with uncle Balto?". "Of course you can you are family after all so he won't mind sharing his Den" spoke Mara from behind the group. "Very well, thank you for the hospitality" Sasha spoke. "Nonsense, you are still a part of this pack and Balto's blood relative so that makes you family" Mara replied "oh and Balto, our newest member is your responsibility and also housing with you" she continued. "Ok" Balto sighed before turning and heading towards the cave. Sasha cast a questioning glance at him before ushering her pups behind him to their shared den.

As they entered Sasha broke the silence that had hung ever since they had left the group "Balto, who's this new member and why are you so unenthusiastic about the person" she asked. "Well the thing is..." Balto started but was interrupted by Tyco "Mama mama there's someone new in here" he excitedly spoke. Just as he spoke this Sasha noted a figure sitting up at the back of the cave. Deciding to introduce herself she moved closer to the figure. Closing the distance she finally recognised the scent and let out a loud growl that caused her pups to whimper and hide under Balto. "Oh man... I was hoping that the mutt(Steele) was the only problem for at least a week" he thought before he quickly placed himself between his cousin and Jenna.

"What is a dog doing here..." Sasha growled "... and why are you protecting her?". "She's the one who I was referring to in my story" Balto mumbled out. "Ok... and why is she here? She shouldn't be here" Sasha growled. "She... um... she ...uh..." Balto stumbled with words. "Go on..." Sasha growled. "She saved my life twice" Balto spoke, his voice barely above a whisper but loud enough for Sasha to pick up. "Fine" she sighed "but I'm blaming you if she does anything to the pups". "Ok... now I believe that we should all sleep. Got a big day tomorrow" Balto spoke as he marshalled Sasha towards the middle of the cave leading her towards where the pups had huddled together.

Jenna watched as Balto marshalled the she-wolf away from her, settled down against a cave wall only to be pounced on by the pups. By the time the pups settled Max lay between his forepaws pressed up against Balto's chest, Tyco had snuggled up against his stomach while Elsa had settled herself on top of Balto with her head resting between his ears. Sasha lay close by watching in amusement as the pups made themselves comfortable. "Do they always do this?" questioned Balto. "No just when you are there. After all you are their favourite" replied Sasha. "Ya I'm lucky they recognise me as their uncle and not..." Balto trailed off as he saw Sasha's ears droop. "I'm sorry" Balto mumbled out as his ears drooped. Sasha just stood up from where she lay before walking up to Balto , settling down next to him and burying her face in his fur and letting out a low whimper. "It's not your fault... I should have known he would never stay" she whimpered out as she kept her face buried in Balto's fur. "Hey... you were the one who always told me to stay brave whenever I cried about mom... now I'm asking the same of you. These three need you, even though they like me a mother is always irreplaceable" Balto spoke as a hint of a tear appeared in his eyes. Sasha managed to control herself and moved her head to look at Balto "Hey... now don't you start getting sentimental" she spoke. Balto smirked "Well with you around that's going to be hard" he replied.

Jenna continued to observe the two wolves as they continued to talk. She felt a growl build up inside her when she saw the she-wolf come closer to Balto but managed to hold it in. Holding back the growl Jenna suddenly realised something "No... I can't be jealous... he's a wolf, she's a wolf its natural" she told herself. Her thoughts were distracted by a low yelp. Looking towards the two wolves she found the she wolf grinning at Balto as she slowly nuzzled the pup resting on his head. That's when Jenna realised what might have happened and quietly chuckled to herself. As she controlled herself she found the she-wolf watching her, studying her closely. Jenna felt nervousness course through her as she found herself under the examination of the much larger she-wolf. She felt the she-wolf's deep yellow eyes bore through her, examining every aspect of her, studying her for her motives. Jenna lowered her head to the ground her ears drooping feeling exceeding nervous under the stare. She spotted Balto lean slightly towards the she-wolf before muttering something that finally broke the stare. Jenna felt herself relax as the she-wolf turned away and lowered her head to the ground and promptly let her exhaustion take over.

Watching Sasha stare down the husky for some time Balto thought it best to intervene. "I think we should rest... don't worry she's not going to harm anyone" Balto tried to calm Sasha. Letting out a huff she turned her attention back to Balto. "Fine... but if she so much as threatens my pups I'm going to put her down" she retorted. "I'll make sure to express your intentions to her in the morning" Balto replied before he closed his eyes and let himself drift off to sleep. Sasha cast one last glare at the now sleeping husky before turning away and allowing herself to fall asleep.