Second Opinion

"Boris! Come out, I've got to talk to you!"

"All right, all right. Don't rush me. I'm old goose, you know," the goose called, waddling down the gangplank. "Why is it your answer to everything is more speed?"

"I need your advice about something."

"Oi! All this hubbub over advice?" Boris slapped a wing against his forehead, but sensing that Balto wasn't in a joking mood, he sobered somewhat. "Okay, Boitshick, tell old Boris what the problem is, and I'll try to help you."

"It's about what Kemo . . ."

"No. Oh, no. I get into wolf business and my goose is cooked."

"This is important, Boris. Remember what I said about my meeting with Kemo other pack leaders?"

"Yes, yes. What of it?"

Balto looked to both sides to make sure no one was within earshot and leaned close to Boris. "That human they're worried about is staying in my house."

"WHAT!" Boris exclaimed. His outburst was cut short when Balto picked him up by the head and carried him into the trawler. When he was released, Boris was sputtering with indignation. "Why do you always have to do that? What going to hear us, trees?"

"You never know who may be out there among the trees. But that's beside the point. That human is boarding with Jenna's humans."

"Okay, so what is the problem? If no one knows . . ."

"That's just it, Boris. I promised Kemo I'd help in any . . . almost any way that I could. He's put a lot of trust in me; more than any half-wolf would normally get from a wolf."

"Ah," Boris said. "And you are afraid that you will lose this trust if he finds out, yes?"

Balto nodded in agreement. "If I make the wrong move and force the pack leaders not to trust me, they won't listen to reason anymore. They may make a decision that'll destroy them."

Boris nodded sagely. "I see your problem, Boitshick, but I cannot make decision for you. You must consider first what Kemo will do when he finds out, and then decide how the greater good will be served; telling your brother or protecting human."

Balto frowned. Not exactly the clear-cut guidance he was hoping for, but it was still a start. "Thanks Boris. I'll have to think about that."


"So," Dash said. "Does it always snow a lot up here?" He was looking out the window at the accumulating ice flakes.

"Huh? What?" Balto asked, coming out of his reverie.

"Does it always snow a lot up here?" Dash repeated.

Balto shrugged. "I guess it depends on your definition of a lot," he said simply.

Jenna looked over at Balto. He seemed to be particularly moody this evening, and it seemed that even Aurora and Dash were noticing as they tried to carry on the strained conversation. She started to say something to him, but sighed and turned to their guests. "It isn't unusual to get a bit of snow this time of year, but usually the snow is melting by now. As far as I can remember, this is the first time we've had a cold-snap last this long."

"I see," Dash said with a nod. "We usually don't get very much snow where we come from."

Another pause. Finally, Aurora broke the silence. "After the weather clears, could we get a tour of the town? I know that Chipper is anxious to do some exploring, and I'd certainly like to see the Northern Lights you spoke of."

"I'm sure we could arrange that, couldn't we, Balto?"

"Hmm? Oh . . . sure."

Jenna frowned slightly at his preoccupied tone and indifferent response. "We can introduce you to some of the locals. I'm sure that you'll get to meet Sylvie and Dixie tomorrow whether we go out or not. Sylvie is the local gossip. She knows everything about who did what, when, and where. And whenever you meet Dixie, be sure to compliment her about something; anything at all. She's the type who thrives on attention, and she's the biggest flirt in Nome. And then there's Tricksy. She can be either your best friend or your worst enemy." Jenna paused. "You didn't hear any of this from me, by the way."

"Of course not," Aurora said with a nod.

"And I'm sure that Balto can introduce you to some of his friends too. Let's see. There's Tricksy's mate, Kaltag. He sort of fancies himself as an intellectual, but you'll get used to that. And then there's Nikki. He's a bit rough around the edges, but he's all heart. And Star hangs out with Nikki and Kaltag. He's the shy one."

"Do you know any wolves?" Dash asked curiously. "I've always wanted to meet one."

"What makes you think I'd know any wolves?" Balto said gruffly.

Dash realized he was walking on thin ice and tried to back off the topic gracefully. "I don't know. I just thought that since you were . . ."

"A wolf?" Balto said caustically. "I'm a half-wolf, remember?"

Jenna looked sharply at her mate. "Balto!"

"Well does everything about me have to involve wolves?" Balto snapped.

Dash was taken aback. "I'm sorry. I meant no offense."

"You're getting worked up over nothing," Jenna said.

With a low growl, Balto stood and stalked out of the room.

"Balto!" Jenna called after him. She sighed and turned to Dash and Aurora. "He's not usually like this," she apologized.

"I'm sorry if something I said upset him," Dash said.

"It's not your fault." Jenna stood quickly. "If you'll please excuse me . . ."

"Of course," Aurora said.

Jenna quickly hurried out of the room, and Aurora and Dash exchanged glances. Could anything else possibly go wrong?


Balto walked determinedly toward the back door. His conscience had been plaguing him ever since their human had arrived, and his discussion with Boris had only compounded his confusion. He knew that he hadn't been entirely truthful to Kemo. The minute he'd discovered the human's intentions in Nome, he should have told his brother the whole story. Remaining silent was betraying the trust Kemo had placed in him. He had to tell Kemo now. He wasn't sure what Aurora and Dash thought about his manners, and no doubt Jenna was making up some excuse for him, but he could apologize later. Jenna would see to that anyway. The important thing now was to inform Kemo of everything.

Before he could reach the door, he heard a crash in one of the rooms. "Just what I need. An interruption." He turned toward the room.

"Now we're in for it," he heard Kala say.

"You should've watched where you were going, Aleu," Rush said.

"It's not my fault! Jenner pushed me!"

"Did not!" Jenner exclaimed.

"Did too!"

"Enough," Balto said, striding into the room. He looked down at the shattered remains of a porcelain vase. "I've told you guys a thousand times to be careful when you're playing, haven't I?"

"Yes, Papa," Aleu said sheepishly. "But . . ."

"No buts. We'll talk more about this later. You all go to bed."

"But what about dinner?" Jenner protested.

"Perhaps that will make the six of you think next time. Now mush!"

Aleu stayed put. "But Papa! That's not fair!"

"I've already told you twice. Do you want to go for three?" Somehow her father's is controlled tone of voice was far more menacing than angry words, and a tear trickled down Aleu's face he turned and walked swiftly out of the room.

Jenna rushed into the hall and saw the puppies sitting and staring at the door. "Did you see where your father went?"

"Outside," Rush answered.

Jenna was about to leave when she saw her daughter crying. "Aleu, Honey! What's wrong?"

Aleu shook her head sadly. "Papa just got mad at us for no reason. He said to go to bed."

"Without dinner," Jenner added.

"What's wrong with him?" Aleu asked.

Jenna took a deep breath. "Your Papa's not really mad at you. He's just not himself."

"Then who is he?" Kodi asked.

"It's just an expression, Dear." As much as she would've liked to repeal what Balto had said, it was never good to publically disagree on such matters. "Go on and do as you were told, and tell Chipper I'd like him to watch you guys for a bit. All right?" Confused and upset, the pups nodded and walked away.


Jenna ran after her mate and quickly caught up to him on the outskirts of town. "Balto!"

Balto rolled his eyes. Great. Just what I need."Busy, Jenna."

"What is with you tonight?" Jenna asked, blocking his path. "You were pretty rude to our guests, don't you think?"

Balto grimaced. "I suppose. I've just got a lot on my mind."

He tried to move around her, but she blocked him again. "That's not a very good reason, and you know it. I've also never heard you snap at any of our puppies until now, and you were pretty harsh on them for something as trivial as that vase. It was an accident, and my humans didn't like that vase anyway. Something is bothering you." She looked expectantly at him.

"I'm in a hurry, Jenna," he said, glancing past her

"Then talk fast," she replied, sitting in front of him.

Balto bit back a growl. Why is she being so stubborn? "It's Kemo."

"Kemo?" Jenna asked with a puzzled expression. "What's wrong with him? Is he all right?"

"As far as I know he's fine, but I don't know for how long. Remember that discussion we had a few nights ago? The one about the wolves being worried about humans? Well I haven't had a decent night's sleep since. I know I should've told Kemo about this human the minute he arrived."

"So why didn't you?"

Balto heaved a sigh. "He's under enough pressure from the local packs as it is. If I tell Kemo, then he'll be honor-bound to tell the other leaders, and if he does that, I'm not sure what will happen." He looked seriously at Jenna. "It could possibly put us or the others in danger."

"But if you asked him to keep it secret, he would, wouldn't he?"

"I'm not sure. The laws among wolf packs are almost as foreign to me as they are to you. I'm not sure it would be ethical for him to put my wishes above the welfare of the clans. Besides, if something happens and I have to warn him, what can I say? 'Kemo, I didn't tell you this before, but now you're in danger. You have to believe me now'?" Balto shook his head unhappily. "He'd never trust me again. It's all or nothing."

Jenna frowned thoughtfully, and after a moment's thought, she spoke up. "You could always just feed him information without telling him where you got it from."

Balto shook his head again. "You've met Kemo before, Jen. Do you actually think that I could hope to keep anything a secret from him? He'll pick up on that easily."

"I'm not sure about that," Jenna replied. "Kemo's not the type to pry, and you know he won't question anything you tell him."

"I still wouldn't be giving him the whole truth, and I'll feel worse than I already do. Anyway, we're always telling our pups that lies catch up to you in the end, and telling half-truths is the same as lying in my book. I'd feel like a liar and a hypocrite."

"I know, I know," Jenna said, closing her eyes in thought. "But it still might be a fair compromise. You'll be giving him the information, but simply on a need-to-know basis. Where's the danger in that?"

Balto hesitated before nodding slowly. "I guess you're right. The sooner I get this off my chest, the sooner I'll be able to sleep. I'll see you a bit later."

"A bit later nothing. I'm coming with you."

"I don't think that's a good idea," Balto said.

"Why not?"

"Well, you know how Kemo is about being disturbed in the middle of the night, and besides . . ."

"Besides what?" Jenna arched her eyebrows.

His discussion with Kaltag came to mind. "Well . . . the puppies. Someone's got to keep an eye on them, so maybe you should stay home."

"I already asked Chipper to watch them. If you didn't want me to go with you, then just say so."

So much for Kaltag's strategies. When Jenna took that tone, there was no point in trying to press the matter; he knew he'd already lost the argument and so did she. "All right. Come on."