Epilogue: Last Goodbyes.

Kage ran through the forest, he was close he could feel it. He had been able to sense this creature from Nome. He slowed down as he saw a flash of silver in front of him. Stopping he focused on the silver shape. It was almost the same height as him however there were many differences between the two. Kage had never seen a creature like this before. Its fur was varying shades of silver and light gray, it had three toes each ending in a sharp claw. Two pure white horns protruded from the fur on top of its head and curved parallel to its muzzle. It observed Kage carefully as he stared in disbelief. The strange creature ran its pale gold eyes over Kage, studying every part of his body, analysing every detail that may be useful in a fight. It smiled as Kage stared at it.

Spirit struggled to try and get to his feet. Whenever he had managed to stand one of his family had forced him back to the ground. This time was no different. They wouldn't let him get to Nome he was going to die.

"So you're the animal I could sense." Kage barked at the other.

"Yes." It responded.

Kage took a step back from the strange creature it intimidated him. Its voice was cold and full of mocking as it spoke to him. He could sense the power of this creature, it dwarfed his own but he could beat it. If he could read its mind then he would tire it out as he had done to Spirit.

"He had better not die until I get back." Kage thought. "I want to end his life myself."

The strange animal leapt at Kage, its fangs sinking into his soft flesh. Kage fell backwards shocked.

"How? Why couldn't I predict that attack?" Kage growled.

"You may be able to read minds but I so can I." It laughed. "I however can hide my thoughts from lesser minds like you."

Kage took a couple of steps backwards, he was visibly shaken by this creatures revelation. If this was true the he was wrong, he couldn't win.

Spirit's breathing was heavy and ragged. His life was slipping slowly away from him.

"Please Aleu, please help me." Spirit whispered.

The young bitch never even acknowledged his voice, she was Kage's slave after all, why would she care about him.

"Please Aleu, fight him." Spirit tried again.

Aleu turned to the albino smiling. "Don't you dare die until master Kage returns." She laughed at him.

"What the hell are you?" Kage's voice betrayed his fear.

The silver animal smiled at the fear he sensed from the large dog. He loved the feeling of absolute power that he got from causing fear and pain. He took two steps towards the dog, smile still on his muzzle.

"You are not worthy of knowing what I am." He barked. "However I will tell you my name."

Kage remained silent as the creature continued to close the distance between them. He was truly terrified now, he may have been bigger than this animal but it was stronger than him in every way.

"I am Tallon." It said calmly, never taking its pale gold eyes off Kage.

Tallon was less than five feet from Kage, he was going to kill this creature. Kage had challenged his power, his superiority, no animal that had challenged him had ever survived, Kage would be no exception, he could not be allowed to live, threat or not. Kage turned and ran, he could sense his end was near but he would do everything in his power to try and survive. Tallon sensed what the black dog was going to do so he was ready when Kage bolted. He leapt at the fleeing dog, easily closing the last few feet between them. His claws raked across Kages foreleg, cutting deep furrows into his flesh. Kage stumbled as the three razor sharp claws tore the skin on his leg, however he forced himself to keep running. Tallon once again gave chase, he had expected Kage to fall but no matter, he was enjoying this game. He ran ahead of Kage and turned sharply, the dog attempted to stop but it was too late. Tallon struck out again, tearing through the skin on Kages muzzle. He then dived forward teeth gleaming in the sun, they were out of the forest by now and the sun shone down on the two animals. Teeth sunk into the side of Kage's head, he howled as the flesh was pierced by Tallon's long, needle like teeth. He fell backward, muzzle and leg bleeding, a huge chunk missing out of the side of his head, his left ear torn off. Tallon swallowed the flesh in his mouth. Blood stained the sleek silver fur on his face. He laughed at the wounded dog. Kage was going nowhere, Tallon gripped the dogs unharmed leg in his jaws, fangs tore into the muscle, slicing through sinew as they sank further towards the bone. He jerked his head sharply, snapping the fragile bone in Kage's leg. With two injured legs he was not going to run any further, he wasn't even going to stand again.

"It's over." Tallon barked.

Spirit had given up hope now. Kage had been gone maybe an hour, there was no way he was going to survive now. A howl cut the silence on the beach, Kage. Aleu, Balto and Jenna looked terrified for a second. That howl could only belong to their master. Spirit stared at his family, his heart sank, Kage was dead but they were still under his spell. He shut his eyes awaiting the bite that would end his life. He felt the warm breath on his neck, this was it, this was the end.

"Aleu." He thought.

Spirit's eyes snapped open as he felt the slow caress of a tongue on his neck.

"Spirit. I'm sorry." Aleu was crying, tears dripping onto his blood stained fur. "I'm so sorry, I couldn't stop myself."

"It…It's ok." Spirit started weakly. "You couldn't fight his power, I understand."

Balto and Jenna walked slowly towards their daughter and her mate. He was lying in a pool of his own blood, every strand of his pure white fur stained red. Balto's eyes ran over the injuries on the young dogs body. Injuries he and his family had inflicted against their will.

"Papa, leave, please." Aleu sobbed.

Balto nodded and he and Jenna walked up the plank into the boat.

"Aleu, I don't blame you for this." Spirit spoke between ragged breaths.

"Please don't." She weapt. "Don't forgive me. Please don't."

He nuzzled against her. It wouldn't be long now, no amount of help could save him now.

"It…wasn't…your…fault." He said slowly. "You…had…no…control."

"No but I could still see what I was doing." She cried more as she spoke.

"Stay…with…me." Spirit asked."

Aleu lay on the ground next to her mate. Tears flowing freely down her muzzle. She saw him close his eyes slowly. A new wave of despair filled her as she felt his breathing slow.

"Aleu…I…love…you." Spirit forced himself to speak.

She couldn't bring herself to answer him. She simply lay against him.

"I'll…always…love…you." These were Spirits last words.

He licked her muzzle, weakly before placing his head on the sand. Aleu licked him back as he closed his eyes again.

"I love you to." She cried as she felt his breathing stop. "Spirit, please don't leave me."

It was too late, Aleu knew that, her mate was gone, she would never again feel the warmth of his breath or the tenderness of his touch. She lay with Spirits body for a couple of hours. She didn't want to leave him. Balto walked up to her and nuzzled her softly. After a while she stood up and walked onto the boat. Standing on the bow of the beached boat she howled as loud as she could, still crying. Balto joined her in the sad howl, both of them saying their last goodbyes.