Another Late-night Meeting

"You are sure that this is the human?" Kemo asked.

Balto had just finished telling the bad news to Kemo and Tutchone, one of the pack leaders form the previous meeting, and neither seemed pleased. In fact, they seem downright worried. "He's in Nome, and he's here because of some project. I think it's a safe assumption."

Tutchone snorted. "When you're a wolf, assumptions cost lives."

Kemo shook his head in disagreement. "That depends on the assumption. I think we should just make ourselves scarce. We must ere on the side of caution until this trouble has passed."

Jenna cleared her throat, for once drawing attention to herself. "I hope I'm not speaking out of turn."

Kemo cracked a small grin. "Your words are welcome here, Jenna. As the alpha of Balto's pack, you should know by now that I view your judgement with the utmost respect."

Jenna smiled and nodded. "Thanks. This is a bit of a longshot, I know, but do you remember that young researcher who came here last year? Russell Lupus?"

Kemo nodded. Of course he remembered. Russell Lupus was the only human he'd ever came close to liking. An idealistic naturalist, fresh out of school, Lupus had come to Nome to study wolves to prove that they weren't brutal killers. When Lupus discovered a den site, however, Kemo had chased him away from it, pursuing him across a frozen lake. He'd fallen through a patch of thin ice, and the young researcher had saved his life, almost at the cost of his own. "What of him?"

I'm sure that if there was any real danger to wolves, he would return quicker than an arctic snowstorm." When silence greeted her, she looked around and saw the wolves staring dubiously at her. "I wasn't aware that I said something amusing," she said indignantly.

Kemo shook his head. "Tutchone and I mean you no offense. Personally, I do not doubt that he would do anything in his power to save a wolf, but you put far too much faith in humans. We cannot take such a gamble. A human's idea of progress is the annihilation of anything, including wolves, that stands in their way. This is beyond your comprehension. Humans don't hunt dog."

Jenna looked hurt. "Oh. I see."

Kemo sighed deeply. "I'm sorry, Jenna. I know that you are trying to help, but you have never experienced what we wolves have at the hands of humans. I'm sure Balto has told you what happened to my pack. Every wolf has a similar story."

Jenna nodded slowly. "But I still don't think you should underestimate this human. Something tells me that he'll play a part in this before the end."

Balto looked outside. The hour was growing late, and the weather was clearing. "Anyway, we just thought you might want to know what might be in store for you and the local packs. Kiska's information has proven correct as always."

"I appreciate it," Kemo said. "I would welcome your counsel on this matter.

Balto sighed. "All I can say right now is the same thing I told you last time. Just watch and wait for now. Maybe it won't be as bad as we think. If it is . . . well, we'll run that race when the time comes."

Kemo frowned but nodded and turned to Tutchone. "We must warn the others of this."

Balto also frowned. "When you tell the Eagle Pass Clan, make sure that Eyak won't do anything to compromise the situation.

"Understood." Kemo nodded to the other wolf. Tutchone quickly loped out of the cave. When he was gone, Kemo turned to his visitors. "Thank you, Balto. I don't know what we'd do without you," Kemo said with a mock bow.

"Don't mention it. I'd just hate to see that pretty white fur of yours as a throw rug," Balto teased.

Kemo's grin wavered. "With humans on the move, you may have to get used to the idea." He snorted. "I would certainly like to know where you get all your information."

Balto was at a loss for words. He still wasn't comfortable with the idea of keeping the whole story from his brother. But I can't risk any other path. "I . . . uh . . . have my sources."

"Indeed." It was obvious that Balto did not want to discuss the identity of his sources. He was hiding something, and Kemo was slightly hurt that Balto didn't trust him enough to talk about it. Still, he decided to let the subject drop.

Balto felt uncomfortable under Kemo's piercing gaze as he opted to change the subject. "Jenna and I had better be going. We need to make sure our pups haven't destroyed the house yet."

Kemo nodded. "I understand. Be sure to bring them to visit sometime."

"We'll do that," Jenna said. With that, they stood up and walked toward the opening of the cave.

Kemo cleared his throat. "Um . . . it's pretty late to be heading out, don't you think? It smells as if the snow is going to pick up again, and it would not be wise to travel in such weather conditions. Especially with fresh snow on the ground to hinder you."

Balto looked outside again. Kemo was rarely wrong about weather, but certainly he could see that the snow had lessened. Unless . . . "Yeah, I see what you mean, but we'd better hurry before it gets any worse."

"Well . . . uh . . . you could always stay here for the night and head for home in the morning," Kemo said, studying his paws.

Jenna smiled. "We really couldn't impose."

"It's no imposition." Kemo said quickly.

Too quickly. Balto recalled that Kemo's pack had been slaughtered around this time two years ago. He looked at Jenna, silently urging her to play along. "Think the pups can survive a night without us?"

"I'm sure they'll be fine." Jenna said with a knowing smile. "If you're sure it's really no bother . . ."

"It's no bother at all," Kemo said quickly. "Besides, being a lone wolf gets . . . well, lonely. I would enjoy your company."