Duke was dead.

Balto snapped awake to the touch of a hand on his side. Breathing rapidly he glanced frantically about him trying to make sure what he just saw wasn't real. The question was answered when he turned and saw Duke squatting down beside him.

"You okay there old fellow?" Duke asked, rubbing around the base of Balto's ears.

Balto smiled halfheartedly and thumped his tail on the floor, signaling as best he could that he was fine. Duke smiled and pushed off of his knees, straightening his body until he was upright. Balto followed his action with his eyes then looked over to his side for Dusk, but she wasn't there. Duke had by now learned a few specific mannerisms from Balto. Example, whenever he didn't know what happened with his mate, he would become fidgety and look quickly about the room. Duke didn't know exactly why his dog was so nervous about not knowing where she was, maybe it had something to do with why he was unconscious in the river? Oh well, he just decided to pass it along as a question to never be answered.

"We tried to wake you two up," Duke began.

Balto turned to face Duke and saw that he was smiling broadly.

"You two were so comfortable that you wouldn't even budge. In the end Mike had to just carry er home in his arms like a sleeping child."

Duke couldn't help but let go a laugh and Balto did so as well. That must have been quite a sight to see. Duke turned and walked into the kitchen to prepare some early supper and Balto rolled to his feet and followed behind him. Duke dipped his hand into a large brown bag and produced a cup overflowing with kibbles. He waited until the excess food stopped rolling down back into the bag then carried the kibbles over to Balto's bowl by the end of the counter and dumped them inside. Balto followed and dipped his mouth down into the bowl, taking his first bite with a loud crunch. Duke placed the cup back into the bag and then walked over to the icebox in the back corner. He pulled the lever-like handle and then pulled the door slowly open.

Duke squatted down on his hams and reached into the icebox, coming out with a cold link of elk sausage. He straightened up and placed it on the counter then reached over the top of his wood stove and produced a pan. Duke placed the pan down on top of the hot and laid the sausage inside, resulting in a mouthwatering sizzle and succulent aroma, then turned and leaned his back against the counter as he waited for it to cook. He looked over to Balto who had just finished his meal and was licking his muzzle clean. Balto felt Duke's gaze and turned to him with a smack of his lips as he ran his tongue around the outside of his mouth then moved over to the door.

"Gotta go out?" Duke asked flatly.

Balto answered by picking his front paws up off the ground and slightly rising up onto his hind paws for a moment before coming down to all fours a short second later. Duke smiled and pushed off of the counter then walked over and opened the door enough so Balto could slip through. Balto snaked through the opening, bumping it slightly with his side and Duke shut the door behind hi once the last of his long tail was safely through.

Balto shifted his legs and sat back on his haunches. For a while he just sat out on the wood plank porch staring out at the beautiful evening kissed town, the streets and buildings alike all glowing a brilliant mix of oranges, yellows, and purples. After a few seconds of this Balto rose off of his hams and padded across the porch to where it ended at the side of the house then stepped down onto the grass. He walked around the corner of the house and lifted his leg on it, relieving himself. Once finished he dropped his leg back down and walked back around to the front of the house. He looked out at the giant orange orb hovering slowly down to the curve of the earth and smiled.

"Just enough day left to go and see Dusk," Balto piped cheerfully and turned left, padding down the street.

He walked down the streets just as happy as he could be. His life was going great considering everything that had happened two years ago. He had a human, a home, and who could forget his beautiful mate and new pups? He continued to walk down the street with a small grin and came to an alley with trash and other rubbish on each side (not really a pleasant place o walk through during the summer due to the smell, but a very quick shortcut to Dusk's house nonetheless) and began down it with a care free stroll.

Half way through he stopped quite suddenly, all of his senses going on alert. Someone was watching him. He could feel the eyes crawling across his skin. The hairs on Balto's back began to bristle and he took a defensive stance.

"I know you're there," he barked, "come out, now!"

there was a shift of whatever was against the wall to his left and he turned to the sound, not dropping his guard in case whoever was there was hostile.

What he saw surprised him greatly. Out from a hole under a pile of boxes stepped a large, smoke gray malamute. He seemed extremely nervous and unsure about himself, unwilling to look Balto in the eyes; let alone even lift his head to him. Balto looked him over with interest, dropping his guard down unknowingly. There was something seemingly familiar about this dog. The dog stopped with a distance between the two and sat, his head still hung.

Balto sat down as well, studying him quizzically. Where had he seen him before? After a long silent moment the strange dog slowly lifted his head to speak. When Balto saw his face he was completely shocked.

CLIFFHANGER!

Sorry about that, but I had to make up for leavin y'all hangin for so long.

Announcements: I am currently workin on two stories for A&O, one being called Twisted Fates, and the other Pick Your Poison, so look out for them.

As for HalfBreeds, Origins, and Two Worlds. All of them are being worked on at the present moment, but I'm not sure when an update will be. F.O.W. Is still on hold as of right now. :(

Also, have any of y'll read any stories by Datguy N Disguy? If not I'd definitely recommend them to you (those allowed to read M rated stories) they are very good reads.

One more thing: Who is this dog you may ask? I ain't tellin, but if you'd like to PM me or leave a review I'd like to see who you guys think he is.

Hope y'all had an awesome Christmas and a happy New Year!

Mojo.